Toolpath 3D

It's possible machine 3D surface with 3D toolpath strategy.

From MENU > MILL > Milling 3D roughing

Now define the bottom plane and define the boundary area .

If the boundary area is not selected , it will consider the whole imported model.

With this strategy is taken in consideration the corner radius of the tool.

To define it, open the tool edit screen.

Edit the insert radius property.

Use the half of the tool diameter to get a ball mill or less to get a bull mill.

Finishing operation

In similar way , create the finish operation.

Select the finish operation :

Here you can have a PARALLEL finish strategy.

Or a CONTOUR strategy.

Customizable chord error

From v5 build 295

From post processor dialog > machine properties tab > search and edit "Custom chord error in 3D milling operation" property to customize the chord error used in toolpath generation.

New 3D Roughing Milling Engine (In development)

A new 3D roughing engine is under development to improve several aspects of the current system.

Key improvements:

• Arc and circle reconstruction: Whenever possible, arcs will be generated instead of sequences of points to reduce G-code length.
• Helix plunge fix: The current engine may create unnecessary helix plunges; the new version will use simple lead-in moves where more efficient.
• Improved tool load management: The main cut will be made close to the maximum allowed tool depth, followed by additional passes per slice to remove only the remaining stock material.
• Custom trim toolpaths: Ability to define trim toolpaths as needed.
• Avoidance zones: Possibility to mark areas that must be avoided during machining.
• Smarter linking: Improved connections between passes at the same Z level and across different Z levels for smoother motion.

Simple Case Study to Understand Toolpath Logic

• Slice height: the vertical step used to slice the model for the roughing operation.
• Max tool cut depth: defines the passes where a full-area machining of a slice is performed.

The max tool cut depth can be set in three ways:

1. From tool data – the cut depth value stored in the tool library is used.
2. User-defined – a custom value can be entered specifically for this operation.
3. By slice height – a full-area machining is performed for every slice.

Processing order

First, the slices are processed to optimize the maximum tool cut depth (taken from tool data or from a user-defined value), following a top-down direction.

Then, the remaining slices are processed to remove leftover stock material, following a bottom-up direction to minimize the overall number of passes.

Here the final result:

Finishing strategies

In experimental engine are added several finishing strategies :

Spiral pattern :

Contourn 3D with improved linking logic:

Scallop :

Circular radial :

Circular concentric :