Curve Following

The Curve Following dialog box appears when you select Curve Following. This dialog box contain controls for:

This page discusses:

See Also
Creating a Curve Following Operation

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
Milling and Drilling tool types are available for these operation.
See Assigning a Tool Element to a Machining Operation

Geometry

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

Mandatory Parameters
Parameter Description
Guiding Element Selects the guiding element.
Tool Axis Defines the tool axis.
Optional Parameters
Optional Parameter Description
Check Specifies surfaces to exlude from the machining activity (geometry saves on the deburring feature).
Other Parameters
Other Parameter Description
Axial Offset Specifies an axial offset.

Strategy Parameters

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

Machining
Parameter Description
Machining Direction Defines the tool path direction during machining.
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.
Fixture Accuracy Specifies a tolerance applied to the fixture thickness. If the distance between the tool and fixture is less than fixture thickness minus fixture accuracy, the position is eliminated from the trajectory.
Compensation Specifies the tool corrector identifier to be used in the operation. The corrector type, corrector identifier, and corrector number are defined on the tool. When the NC data source is generated, the corrector number is generated using specific parameters.
Axial Strategy Parameters
Parameter Description
Maximum Depth of Cut Defines the maximum depth of cut in an axial strategy.
Number of Levels Defines the number of levels to be machined in an axial strategy.

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.

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.
Note: Spindle speed is applied on the different motions of the operations (including approach, retract, linking macros). Spindle is re-defined with Spindle tool motion. The spindle speed is defined in linear (length per minute) or angular (length per revolution) units.
  • Angular: length in revolutions per minute and unit is set to mm_turn.
  • Linear: length in feed per minute and unit is set to mm_mn.