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Suggested Technique for Creating An Open Cutline Surface Milling NC
Sequence
This suggested technique explains how to create a Cutline Surface
Milling NC sequence using open cut lines. For Cutline milling, all
surfaces will be machined as if they are a single surface. The cut lines
specified will determine the shape of the first and last passes in the
tool path. Passes will first mimic the shape of the first cut line and
then gradually change as necessary to accommodate different surface
topology as shown in Figure 1. In this example use of inner cut lines will
also be used in order to add more control to the tool path.
Procedure
- To begin creation of the tool
path, the type of NC sequence must be chosen. Select Machining,
NC Sequence, New Sequence, Surface Mill, and
Done.
Figure 1
- Select an appropriate tool,
coordinate system and retract plane using the Tool, Coord
Sys and Retract options respectively, if they have not been
previously established.
- NC sequence parameters must be
established before the tool path can be created. Critical parameters are
shown in Figure 2.
SCAN_TYPE |
TYPE_1 |
LACE_OPTION |
LINE_CONNECT |
REMAINDER_SURFACE |
NO |
TOLERANCE |
0.001 |
STEP_OVER |
0.200 |
PROF_STOCK_ALLOW |
0 |
CLEAR_DIST |
10.000 |
PULLOUT_DIST |
- |
Figure 2
- Next surfaces to be machined will
have to be selected. Choose Model, Done, Add,
Surface and select the surfaces shown in Figure 3. Select
Done, Done/Return.
Figure 3
- Next the new CUTLINE DEFINITION
User Interface will appear. To define a open cut line sequence ensure
that the Cut Line Style is set to Open Ends, with the Cut Line
Style defined select Plus (+) to begin creating the cut lines.
Note the first cut line in the list is considered the Starting Cutline
and is used to control the starting location and direction of the
sequence.
- Next the ADD/REDEFINE CUTLINE
User Interface will appear defaulted to From Edges, therefore
simply select the edge shown in Figure 4. Next select Preview to
verify the cut line definition, if the cut line has been defined
correctly select OK.
Figure 4
- Next define the end cut line
using the same method as described in Step 6 however for the end cut
line select the edge as shown in Figure 5. Select Preview to
verify the cut line definition, if the cut line has been defined
correctly select OK.
Figure 5
- At this point, the optional inner
cut line will be selected. This will more explicitly control the
resultant tool path. Select Plus (+) from the CUTLINE DEFINITION
User Interface, then From Edges from the ADD/REDEFINE CUTLINE
User Interface and select the edge as shown in Figure 6. Select
Preview to verify the inner cut line definition, if the inner cut
line has been defined correctly select OK.
Figure 6
- The DIRECTION can be controlled
from the CUTLINE DEFINITION User Interface using the Cutting
Direction button. The direction of machining is determined by the
red flip arrow displayed at the beginning of the first defined cut line.
- After selecting Play Path
the final tool path will be displayed as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7
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