Sorting

The Sorting tab enables you to define the order and direction of the cuts.

Cutting method

This option enables you to define how the cuts are connected. It has three choices: Zigzag, One Way, and Spiral.

Zigzag When the Zigzag option is chosen, the machining direction changes from cut to cut. The tool performs the machining of a cut in the specified direction, then moves to the next cut and machines it in the opposite direction.
One Way When the One Way option is chosen, all cuts are machined in the same direction. The tool performs the machining of a cut in the specified direction, then moves to the start of the next cut and machines it in the same direction.
Spiral With the Spiral option, SolidCAM generates a spiral tool path around the drive surface according to the chosen pattern.
The spiral pitch is defined by the Max. Step over parameter.

Clicking Advanced displays the Advanced options for spiral machining dialog box.

Direction of one way machining/Direction for closed cuts

This feature defines the direction in which the tool moves on the CAM-Part, depending on the rotation direction of the machine spindle.

When the One Way or Spiral options are chosen for Cutting method, SolidCAM enables you to define the direction of one way machining.

When the Zigzag option is chosen for Cutting method, SolidCAM enables you to define the direction of closed cuts.

Direction one for open curves is the original curve direction. For closed curves, counter-clockwise is used.
Direction two is the opposite direction. For closed curves, the machining direction is detected.

Cut order

The Cut order option enables you to define the sequence of the cuts. The following options are available:

With the Standard option, SolidCAM performs the machining from one side of the drive surface and continues to the other side.
With the From center away option, the machining starts from the center of the drive surface and continues outwards.
With the From outside to center option, the machining starts from the drive surface edges and continues inwards.
Wipe from direction left If a drive curve is in the center of the surface and the drive has a neighbor on each side, all closed OR open contours are grouped into one and machining starts from the side with the least cuts.

Machine by

SolidCAM enables you to define the machining order for a Geodesic Machining operation. The Machine by list enables you to choose the order of machining of certain areas; it defines whether the surface will be machined by Lanes or by Regions.

The generated tool path usually has a topology of multiple contours (lanes) on the drive surfaces. When the tool path is generated in many zones, it might be preferable to machine all the regions independently.

Flip step over

When the Standard option is chosen for the Cut order, the Flip step over parameter enables you to change the direction of the cuts.

In the image, the machining initially starts from the top of the model.

With the Flip step over option, the machining is reversed. Outside to inside and vice versa in case of closed contours and left to right and vice versa in case of open contours.

Start point

The Start point defines the start position of the first cut and the following cuts on the drive surface. Click the Start point button to set this point using the Start Point Parameters dialog box.