Creating a Multi-Axis Contour-Driven Operation between Contours

You can create a Multi-Axis Contour-Driven operation between contours. The tool sweeps between guide contours.

See Also
Multi-Axis Contour-Driven Machining
  1. From the Surface Machining section of the action bar, click Multi-Axis Contour-Driven.
    A Multi-Axis Contour-Driven entity is added to the manufacturing program. The dialog box opens at the Geometry tab .
  2. Click the red area in the icon and select the part in the work area.
    The part surface of the icon is now colored green indicating that this geometry is now defined.
  3. Go to the Strategy tab to specify parameters for:
    • Guiding Strategy to Between contours
    • Machining
      • Tool path style(for example Zig zag)
      • Machining tolerance
      • Max discretization step
      • Max discretization angle
    • Radial
      • Stepover (e.g. Scallop height)
      • Scallop height
      • Position on guide 1
      • Offset on guide 1
      • Position on guide 2
      • Offset on guide 2
    • Tool Axis
      • Tool axis mode (for example Lead and tilt)
      • Guidance
      • Lead angle
      • Tilt angle
  4. Click the View Direction arrow (V) and select the part surface.
    The surface normal is used as the view direction.
  5. Define Guide 1:
    1. In the sensitive icon, click the red Guide 1 curve and select the first guide curve in the model.
    2. Go to the Radial tab to position the tool with respect to this curve: Inside, Outside or On.
    3. If required, specify an offset:
  6. Repeat this step for Guide 2.
  7. Go to the Tools tab to select a tool.
  8. Go to the Feeds and Speeds tab to specify the feedrates and spindle speeds for the machining operation.
  9. Go to the Macros tab to specify the machining operation transition paths (approach and retract motion, for example).
  10. Click Display or Simulate to check the validity of the machining operation.
    • The tool path is computed.
    • A progress indicator is displayed.
    • You can cancel the tool path computation at any moment before 100% completion.


  11. Click OK in the Display or Simulate dialog box, and again in the main dialog box to create the machining operation.
    The tool path is created.