Knowledge Base

There are two toolpaths which are typically used to machine the 3D parts of a job. The areas that these toolpaths cut is governed by selecting one of the three machining limit boundary options, model boundary, material boundary or selected vector(s). Model boundary will use the outer silhouette of the composite model (all the 3D components visible in the 3D View) at the time of calculation. This means there is no need to create a vector boundary around them for these operations. Material boundary will create a toolpath that completely fills the entire job area. Selected vector(s) will use any vectors you have selected in the 2D view as the boundary for the toolpath.

To remove the majority of unwanted stock as quickly as possible most jobs require a 3D roughing toolpath to be calculated. There are two roughing strategies available z-level and 3D raster each of these has advantages depending on the type of shape being cut. The toolpath also has an option to specify an allowance to leave a skin of protective material on the part for the finish cut to clean up. 

3D finish machining cuts the 3D part of the job to the exact size. The tool parameters let you balance the quality of the surface finish with how long the part will take to cut. Depending on the shape of the part there is a choice of raster and offset cutting strategies.

Detailed regions can be machined selectively using smaller cutters to ensure the finest of detail on a 3D project is accurately machined.