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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
  1. 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.

    mil456a

    Figure 1


  2. 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.
  3. 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


  4. 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.

    mil456d

    Figure 3


  5. 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.
  6. 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.

    mil456e

    Figure 4


  7. 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.

    mil456f

    Figure 5


  8. 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.

    mil456g

    Figure 6


  9. 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.
  10. After selecting Play Path the final tool path will be displayed as shown in Figure 7.

    mil456i

    Figure 7



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