Slicing Activity Parameters

The Slicing Activity dialog box appears when you select Slicing Activity. 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

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:

Parameter Description
Mode The possible values are:
  • Manual: lets you choose between the component and the angle
  • Selection: lets you select an existing geometric element
  • Feature Defined: retrieves the tool axis on an existing feature
  • Points in the view: lets you define an axis by clicking it in the view.
Components Lets you select the tool axis by defining the values on the X, Y and Z components.
Angle Lets you select the tool axis by defining an axis according to the reference tool axis.
Reverse Direction Lets you reverse the tool axis to make it point in the opposite direction to the one chosen in the component or angle.

Optional

Parameter Description
Top plane A planar geometric element that represents the top limit for the slicing. It is always perpendicular to the associated tool axis.
Bottom plane A planar geometric element that represents the bottom limit for the slicing. It is always perpendicular to the associated tool axis.

Strategy Parameters

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

Global Parameters

The Global Parameters side tab lets you detect slicing, upskin, and downskin.

Parameter Description
Tolerance Specifies the maximum deviation allowed between the design part and the manufactured part. By default, the value is 0.1m.
Slicing Step Specifies how the part is cut along the z axis. By default, the value is 0.1mm.
Table 1. Upskin
Parameter Description
Minimal Skin Width The specific value that a surface is considered upskin. By default, the value is 1mm.
Number of Layers The specific number of upskin layers. By default, the value is 1.
Table 2. Downskin
Parameter Description
Minimal Skin Width The specific value that a surface is considered downskin. By default, the value is 1mm.
Number of Layers The specific number of downskin layers. By default, the value is 1.

Core, Upskin, and Downskin

The Core , Upskin , and Downskin side tabs contain the scan path definitions for each zone of application. Each tab contains the following parameters:

Contouring
Parameter Description
Depth Orders the definitions from the most external one to the most internal one inside a zone.
Definition Name of the definition.
Action Action available on the definition. You can edit or delete the definition.
Create or modify the Definition Parameters. The following parameters are available:
  • Technological Parameters: Allows you to select a Technology Set.
  • Strategy: Allows you to select a strategy: Contouring.
  • XY Strategy Parameters:
    Parameter Description
    Number contouring pass Specifies the number of contouring passes to create.
    Radial step Specifies the space between two consecutive paths of the same scan path. By default, the value is 0.1mm.
    Offset from last contouring Specifies the space between the last contouring pass of the previous scan path and the current scan path. By default, the value is 0mm.
    Random starting point Starts the scan path at a random point of the contouring trajectory.
    From inner to outer passes If more than one contouring pass is defined, start the scan path from the inner pass to the outer one.
    Space between start and end Specifies the space between the start and the end of the contouring pass. By default, the value is 0mm.
  • Z Strategy Parameters:
    Parameter Description
    Periodicity Specifies the frequency of the scan path to apply to the slices. By default, the value is 1 (integer).
    Start Index of the first slice from which the definition is applied.
    Apply only over a range of slices Activates the Range of slices parameter.
    Range of slices Specifies a number of slices on which the scan path definition applies.
  • Sharp Angle Strategy Parameters:
    Parameter Description
    Apply strategy on sharp angle Lets you modify the trajectory around an angle that has previously been defined as sharp.
    Note: This trajectory is only applied to the external contours of the part.
    Minimal angle Specifies the minimal value of the angle.
    Maximal angle Specifies the maximal value of the angle.
    Sharp angle mode

    The possible values are:

    • Pull back on one side
    • Pull back on two sides.
    Start distance Specifies the distance between the start of the corner and the original tool path.
    Pullback distance Specifies the maximum distance between the sharp angle and the tool path computed around it.
    Note: Only available if the Sharp angle mode parameter is set to Pull back on one side.
    End distance Specifies the distance between the end of the corner and the original tool path.
    Note: Only available if the Sharp angle mode parameter is set to Pull back on two sides.
    Start angle

    Specifies the angle between the original tool path before the corner and the new tool path direction.

    Note: Only available if the Sharp angle mode parameter is set to Pull back on two sides.
    End angle

    Specifies the angle between the original tool path after the corner and the new tool path direction.

    Note: Only available if the Sharp angle mode parameter is set to Pull back on two sides.
    Corner radius

    Specifies the radius of the arc circle that will be added between the two new tool path segments.

    Note: Only available if the Sharp angle mode parameter is set to Pull back on two sides.
In Fill
Parameter Description
Depth Orders the definitions from the most external one to the most internal one inside a zone.
Definition Name of the definition.
Action Action available on the definition. You can edit or delete the definition.
Create or modify the Definition Parameters. The following parameters are available:
  • Technological Parameters: Allows you to select a Technology Set.
  • Strategy: Allows you to select a strategy: Hatching, Hexagonal, or Neutral Line.
  • XY Strategy Parameters:
    Hatching Hexagonal Neutral Line

    Parameter Definition
    Infill Mode Specifies the scan path mode. The possible values are:
    • One way
    • Back and Forth
    • Back and Forth Linked
    Angle Rotation Between Slices Specifies a rotation angle between a given slice and the previous or next one. This is useful to alternate the direction of hatching for example.
    Hatching Direction Direction of the hatch pattern when applied for the first time. By default, the value is 0.
    Radial Step Specifies the space between two consecutive paths of the same scan path. By default, the value is 0.1mm.
    Offset from Last Contouring Specifies the space between the last contouring pass of the previous scan path and the current scan path. By default, the value is 0mm.

    Parameter Definition
    Radial Step Specifies the space between two consecutive paths of the same scan path. By default, the value is 0.1mm.
    Offset from Last Contouring Specifies the space between the last contouring pass of the previous scan path and the current scan path. By default, the value is 0mm.

    The neutral line strategy is computed as follows: First, a line is computed at the center of the surface. Then, this line is translated from border to border to fill the surface.

    Note: The contour of the surface is not taken into account. This sometimes results in lines going outside the part.

    Parameter Definition
    Infill Mode Specifies the scan path mode. The possible values are:
    • One way
    • Back and Forth
    Radial Step Specifies the space between two consecutive paths of the same scan path. By default, the value is 0.1mm.
    Offset from Last Contouring Specifies the space between the last contouring pass of the previous scan path and the current scan path. By default, the value is 0mm.
    Multipath Mode Defines the path order with multiple paths. By default, the value is From center to border.
    Offset on Start Defines the offset at the beginning of the neutral line. It can be a positive or a negative value. By default, value, the value is 0mm
    Offset on End Defines the offset at end of the neutral line. It can be a positive or a negative value. By default, value, the value is 0mm.
    Reverse Mode Follows the neutral line in the opposite direction.

  • Z Strategy Parameters:
    Parameter Description
    Periodicity Specifies the frequency of the scan path to apply to the slices. By default, the value is 1 (integer).
    Start Index of the first slice from which the definition is applied.
    Apply only over a range of slices Activates the Range of slices parameter.
    Range of slices Specifies a number of slices on which the scan path definition applies.

Order Strategy

The Order Strategy side tab displays the order in which the strategies are printed, from the top being the first to the bottom. You can use the up arrow and the down arrow , or move elements individually to reorder the strategy sequence.

Macros Parameters

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

NC Macros

You can use NC Macros to define a Transition Path between one machining operation and another. A Transition Path is useful for providing approach, retract, and linking motion in the tool path. For more information, see NC Macros.

Feedrate Parameters

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

Table 3. 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.
Transition Feedrate Defines the speed of the tool when it is moving from the previous operation to the current one. It can be activated or not.