Multi-Axis Contour-Driven Machining

The Multi-Axis Contour-Driven dialog box appears when you select Multi-Axis Contour-Driven from the Surface Machining section.

This dialog box contains controls for:

This page discusses:

See Also
Creating Multi-Axis Contour-Driven Operations

Resource Parameters

The Resource tab allows you to select a tool.

Resource Tab
Parameter Description
Select a Tool from Session Selects a tool in Resource Configuration View.
Select from Catalog Selects a tool from a reference tool file or PLM catalog.
Select from Database Selects a tool from the database.
Display Tool Properties Accesses tool parameters.
Define Tool Axis Defines the tool axis.
Tool Number Defines the number of tools.
Display Tool Displays the tool position.
Default Displays the tool at default position.
User Defined Displays the tool at a position defined by the user.
Note: You can define the tool position using Select a Tool from Session .
Tools
End Mill tools , Conical tools , Face Mill tools and TSlotter tools are available for these operations.

Geometry

the Geometry allows you to define the geometric parameters that are machined.

Mandatory Parameters
Parameter Description
Part Selects the part to machine.
Tool Axis Defines the tool axis.
Optional Parameters
Optional Parameter Description
Check Specifies surfaces to exclude from the machining activity (geometry saves on the deburring feature).
Limiting Contour Defines the outer machining limit on the part. You can also activate the Part autolimit option, with the Side to machine, Stop position, Stop mode and Offset parameters.

Strategy Parameters

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

Machining
Parameter Description
Guiding Strategy

Between Contours The area to machine on the selected part is determined by selecting two guide curves and two limit curves.
Parallel Contours The area to machine on the selected part is determined by selecting a guide curve specifying a maximum width to machine.
Spin Contour The area to machine on the selected part is determined by selecting a spine curve.

Guide 1
Guide 2
Stop 1
Stop 2
View Direction Defines the accessible areas for the tool.
Tool Path Style Defines the tool path style duting machining.

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

Machining Tolerance Specifies the maximum allowed distance between the theoretical and computed tool path.
Note: The machining tolerance influences the distance between two consecutive paths. When the machining tolerance value is increased, the distance between two consecutive paths is decreased according to the specified maximum scallop height value.
Max Discretization Step Ensures linearity between points that are far apart.
Maximum Discretization Angle Specifies the maximum angular change of tool axis between tool positions.
Radial Strategy Parameters
Parameter Description
Stepover

Scallop Height Specifies the maximum scallop height between two consecutive tool paths.
Distance on Part Defines the maximum distance between two consecutive tool paths.
Distance on Plane Defines the maximum distance between two consecutive tool paths.
Number of Paths Defines the number of tool paths.

Scallop Height Defines scallop height.
Distance Between Paths Defines the maximum distance between two consecutive tool paths in a radial strategy.
Number of Paths Defines the number of tool paths when the Number of Pathsstepover strategy is defined.
Position on Guide 1 Specifies the position of the tool with respect to the first guide contour:
  • Inside
  • Outside
  • On
Offset on Guide 1 Specifies an offset on the first guide contour in Between Contours guiding strategy.
Position on Guide 2 Specifies the position of the tool with respect to the second guide contour:
  • Inside
  • Outside
  • On
Offset in Guide 2 Specifies an offset on the second guide contour in Between Contours guiding strategy.
Strategy Parameters
Parameter Description
Offset on Contour Specifies the distance between the tool and the guide contour at the beginning of the operation.
Maximum Width to Machine Specifies the width to machine starting from the guide contour in the stepover direction.
Stepover

Specifies how the distance between two consecutive paths is computed:

  • Left
  • Right

Direction Specifies the machining direction.

From Contour Machining starts from the guide contour over an area defined by the maximum width to machine.
To Contour Machining is done up to the guide contour over an area defined by the maximum width to machine.

Sequencing

By Zone The multi-pass machining is done zone by zone.
By Level The upper level is created on the first zone.

Tool Axis Strategy Parameters
Parameter Description
Tool Axis Mode

Lead and Tilt The tool axis is normal to the part surface with respect to a given lead angle (alpha) in the forward tool motion and with respect to a given tilt angle (beta) in the perpendicular direction to this forward motion.
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.
Normal to Line The tool axis passes through a specified curve, and is normal to this curve at all points.
4 Axis Lead/Lag The tool axis is normal to the part surface with respect to a given lead angle in the forward direction and constrained to a specified plane.
Optimized Lead The tool axis is allowed to vary from the specified lead angle within an allowed range.
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.
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.

Tool Axis Parameters

Collisions Checking
Parameter Description
Activate collisions checking Activates or deactivates collisions checking.
Collision checking strategy Defines the strategy: Automatic or Removes Motions on Collisions.
Part, Check Enables collision checking on one or multiple elements.
Offset on Tool Defines the tolerance distance specific to the tool radius and tool length.
Offset on Tool Assembly Defines the tolerance distance specific to the tool assembly radius and tool length.
Maximum Angle Defines the maximum angle range within which the tool axis can vary.
Machine Kinematics
This tab lets you correct problems encountered with respect of the machine kinematics.
Parameter Description
Optimize Machine Rotary Axis If selected, minimizes the variations of rotary degree of freedom, as well as tool axis variations.
Correct Out of Limit Points When this check box is selected, the points out of limits are removed:
  • If the point is out of limits in the X, Y, or Z-Axis, it is removed.
  • If the point is out of limits in the A, B, or C-axis, the tool axis is corrected and locked in the position limit.
  • If the point with the corrected axis is in collision, the point is removed.
Correct Large Angular Variation on Machine Rotary Axis If, between two points of the tool path, the variation on a rotary DOF (angular join of the machine) exceeds the Maximum variation, you can select one or several check boxes to modify the machine configuration. When you select several check boxes, the most appropriate one is applied to any given point.
  • Linking macro: The modification is done within the existing linking macro of the tool path.
  • Tool pass: When the tool is in contact with the part, you can define a Fanning Distance.
    Note: Entering 0mm deactivates the Fanning Distance.
  • Retract macro: A retract pass is added to reconfigure the machine.
Notes:
  • If problems subsist after computing the tool path with those options, a message is displayed.
  • These corrections apply to the tool path of the current machining operation.
  • The machine configuration on the first point of the current machining operation is seen as the result of a motion from the Home position to this first point. Thus, it may differ from the actual one, resulting from previous machining operation and machine instructions.
  • Angular variations between two points cannot be detected on the first point of the tool path, because the position of the machine before this point is unknown.

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
  • Between Passes
  • Between Passes Link

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

Feeds and Speeds Parameters

The Feeds and Speeds tab allows you to define the following feeds and speeds parameters.

Feedrate
Parameter Description
Feedrate Unit Two available feedrate units:
  • Linear
  • Angular
Approach Feedrate Defines the speed of linear/angular advancement of the tool during its approach, before cutting.
Machining Feedrate Defines the speed of linear/angular advancement of the tool during machining.
Retract Feedrate Defines the speed of linear/angular advancement of the tool during its retract, after cutting.
Transition Activates the transition.
Feedrate Transition Transition options:
  • Machining
  • Approach
  • Retract
  • RAPID
  • Local
Local Value Specifies the local feedrate value.
RTCP ON When selected, activates RTCP mode on transition paths between the previous and current operations.
Spindle Speed
Parameter Description
Spindle Unit Angular or linear.
Machining Spindle Defines the speed of the spindle linear/angular advancement.