Geometry
the
Geometry allows you to define the geometric parameters that are machined.
- Madatory Parameters
-
Parameter |
Description |
Part |
Selects the part to machine. |
Tool Axis |
Defines the tool axis. |
- Optional Parameters
-
Parameter |
Description |
Check |
Specifies surfaces to exlude 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 |
View Direction |
Defines the accessible areas for the tool |
Start Direction |
Defines the machining guiding plane. |
Tool Path Style |
Defines the tool path style during 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.
|
Maximum Discretization Step |
Ensures linearity between points that are far
apart. |
Maximum Discretization
Angle |
Specifies the maximum angular change of tool axis between
tool positions. Notes:
- Maximum discretization step and
Maximum discretization angle influence the
number of points on the tool path.
- Choose their value carefully to avoid a high concentration of points
along the tool trajectory.
- These parameters also apply to macro paths that are defined in
machining feedrate. They do not apply to macro paths that do not have
machining feedrate (RAPID, Approach, Retract, User, and so on).
|
- Radial Strategy Parameters
-
Parameter |
Description |
Stepover Side |
Specifies how the distance between two
consecutive paths is computed:
|
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. |
|
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. |
- 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. Note:
This mode is not available for barrel
tools.
|
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: |
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. |
|