Flat milling strategy

The Flat toolpath is a finishing toolpath that automatically detects, and generates a toolpath over, flat areas of a model that are perpendicular to the tool orientation.

The Flat toolpath comes in two types of toolpaths, one that resembles the Pocket type, and one that resembles the Parallel type. The Pocket type is suited to machine complex geometry and the Parallel type is suited to machine simpler geometry.

Flat (Pocket type) toolpath on a 3D model

Flat (Parallel type) toolpath on a 3D model

The passes are horizontal in the XY plane. Multiple cuts in the Z-direction are achieved by using the Multiple Depths parameter.

Controls exist for containing the toolpath to a specific area, You can use Machining Boundary to contain the machining area in X & Y and the Heights parameters to contain the machining areas in Z, but as a default, it will assume you want to machine all the flat areas on the entire model.

When compared with the Horizontal strategy, the Flat strategy is advantageous in the following ways:

• Better detection of flat areas on the model
• Improved entry and exit moves when engaging with open pockets
• Support for Avoid/Touch Surfaces
• Better toolpath filleting
• Support for machining over holes without needing to patch hole surfaces.