Feature slot machining

Use the Feature slot machining page to create a toolpath that machines slot features in a feature group.

Stepdown — Enter the distance between different machining levels.

• Automatic — The Stepdown value defines the Z heights, and deletes any existing Z heights.

  PowerMill creates a Z Height up to the Stepdown value entered, from the top of the block, and then steps down a defined height in Z. The final Z height is at the bottom of the block. The Stepdown definition takes into account existing Z Heights (such as those calculated when the Machine Flats option is selected). PowerMill looks at pairs of existing Z Heights and adds the minimum number of extra Z Heights between them such that the stepdown between heights is less than or equal to the specified Stepdown value.

• Manual — You specify the Z heights. Click the Z Heights button to raise the Area Clearance Z Heights dialog to specify the Z heights manually.

Copy stepdown from tool — Click to load the axial depth of cut from the active tool's cutting data. The axial depth of cut is measured along the tool axis.

Note: If you enter the value manually, the button changes to .

Floor only — Select to create one toolpath along the base of the slot channel.

Thickness — Enter the amount of material to be left on the part. Click the Thickness button to separate the Thickness box in to Radial thickness Axial thickness . Use these to specify separate Radial and Axial thickness as independent values. Separate Radial and Axial thickness values are useful for orthogonal parts. You can use independent thickness on sloping walled parts, although it is more difficult to predict the results.

Radial thickness — Enter the radial offset to the tool. When 2.5-axis or 3-axis machining, a positive value leaves material on vertical walls.

Axial thickness — Enter the offset to the tool, in the tool axis direction only. When 2.5-axis or 3-axis machining, a positive value leaves material on horizontal faces.

Component thickness — Click to display the Component thickness dialog, which enables you to specify the thicknesses of the different surfaces.

Tolerance — Enter a value to determine how accurately the toolpath follows the contours of the model.