Following Curve Activity Parameters

The Following Curve Activity dialog box appears when you select Following Curve Activity. It enables you to generate a tool path that follows a 3D curve. The following parameters can be defined.

This page discusses:

See Also
In Other Guides
Generating Additive Activities

Tool Parameters

The Tools tab allows you to select a tool.

Icon Description
Select a tool in the work area.
Edit local tool parameters.
Display additional resource information.

Geometry Parameters

The Geometry tab allows you to define geometries on the parts.

Mandatory

Guide

The guide paremeter lets you select a curve in the 3D that will be the curve to follow. You can then specify the edge direction, the following direction and the radial direction. Click Guide to open the Edge wizard.

For more information, see Selecting Edges to Define Geometry

Tool Axis

The tool axis lets you define an axis for the trajectory. Click Tool Axis to open it.

To define the axis, two methods are available: using angular manipulators on a 3D representation of the tool, and a Tool Axis dialog box with the following parameters:

Strategy Parameters

The Strategy tab allows you to specify the strategy and user parameters.

Global Parameters

The Global Parameters side tab lets you define the technology set to be used and the tolerance.

Parameter Description
Tolerance Specifies the maximum deviation allowed between the design part and the manufactured part. By default, the value is 0.1m.
Technology Set Defines a set of values for all the technology parameters.

Radial Parameters

The Radial Parameters side tab lets you define the strategy radial to the tool axis such as the number of paths following the radial direction.

Parameter Description
Radial Offset Defines the radial offset.
Start Offset Defines the start point of the offset.
End Offset Defines the endi point of the offset
Number of Radial Path Degfines the number of radial paths.
Distance Between Radial Paths Defines the distance between each radial path.
Tool Path Mode Select one of the following tool path mode:

Zig-Zag The tool path alternates directions during successive passes.
One-Way The same machining direction is used from one path to the next.

Axial Parameters

The Axial Parameters side tab lets you define the stragey axial to the tool axis such as the number of paths following the tool axis direction.

Parameter Description
Axial Offset Defines the axial offset.
Number of Layers Defines the number of layers to be machined.
Height Between Layers Defines the height between each layer.
Number of Radial Path Degfines the number of radial paths.
Distance Between Radial Paths Defines the distance between each radial path.
Tool Path Mode Select one of the following tool path mode:

Zig-Zag The tool path alternates directions during successive passes.
One-Way The same machining direction is used from one path to the next.

Tool Axis Mode

Parameter Description
No 3/5 axis converter Enables or disables 3/5 axis converter availability.
Fixed Axis The tool axis arrow proposes a context menu:
  • Select: Defines the tool axis.
  • Analyze: Starts the Geometry Analyzer.
Thru a Point The tool axis passes through a specified point.
  • The label is a toggle to orient the tool axis To the point or From the point.
  • The point in the sensitive icon lets you select a point in the work area.
Thru a Guide The tool orientation is controlled by a geometrical curve (guide), that must be continuous. An open guide can be extrapolated at its extremities.
  • The label is a toggle to orient the tool axis To the guide or From the guide.
  • The red curve in the sensitive icon lets you select a curve in the work area.
  • Angle: Specifies a lead angle.
Fixed Angle The new tool axis forms an angle with the initial tool axis.
  • Angle: Specifies this fixed angle.
  • Privileged angle with the tool path: Defines the angle a plane defined by the direction of motion (Frontal angle) or in a plane normal to the direction of motion (Lateral angle).
Normal to Drive Surface

The new tool axis is normal to the drive surface.

Angle: Specifies a possible lead angle.

Note: Use a smooth surface as the drive surface.

4 Axis Converts a 3-axis or 5-axis tool path as follows:
  • All the tool axes are tilted and constrained with a fixed angle with the normal (N) of the given reference plane.
  • All the tool axes are constrained along a cone defined by the angle with the normal of a reference plane (N) and a given point (P).
    Note: If the angle (Alpha) is defined as 90°, all the tool path axes are constrained to planes perpendicular to the normal of the given reference plane.
  • The associated parameter is Tilted/Cone angle. The Cone constraint check box lets you define a point to define the cone axis.

Macros Parameters

The Macros tab allows you to specify the macros to be used on the operation.

Macros Parameters

The Macros tab allows you to define transition paths in your machining operations by means of NC macros.

  • Approach
  • Retract
  • Clearance
  • Linking Retract
  • Linking Approach
  • Returnn in Level Retract
  • Returnn in Level Approach
  • Return Finish Pass Retract
  • Return Finish Pass Approach
  • Return Between Levels Retract
  • Return Between Levels Approach

For more information, see NC Machining Apps Common Services: Using the Working Area: Creating Machining Operations: Defining Macros: NC Macros.

Feedrate Parameters

The Feedrate tab allows you to specify 3 different feedrates: approach feedrate, retract feedrate, or transition feedrate.

Table 1. Feedrates
Parameter Description
Approach Feedrate Defines the speed of linear advancement of the tool during its approach, before a fabrication motion. This parameter is applied when the machine is carrying out an approach motion.
Retract Feedrate Defines the speed of linear withdrawal of the tool during its regression. This parameter is applied when the machine is carrying out a retract motion.

Activate: When selected, enables you to select the feedrate type, and then define the Local Value. You can select one of the following type:

  • Approach
  • Retract
  • RAPID
  • Local