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.

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. This option is available for the Technology of Floor Finishing and Wall Finishing.

 Direction for one way machining

This feature defines the direction in which the tool moves on the CAM-Part, depending on the rotation direction of the machine spindle. This parameter enables you to choose Conventional or Climb milling.

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

  Machine by

SolidCAM enables you to define the machining order for a Multiaxis 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 Levels or by Regions.

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

  Undercuts machining

On the Geometry page, when the Strategy is selected as Offsets, this section allows you to process undercut and non undercut areas gaining more access from different machining directions in order to minimize the number of operations needed to process the part.

Undercuts

The Undercuts drop down has three options :

• Do not machine - When this option is selected, it allows you to exclude undercut areas for most productive material removal rate using non spherical tools. All types of tools are supported for this option.
• Machine - In this option, both undercut and non undercut areas are machined in one go. Currently, only Ball nose mill, Lollipop mill and Taper ball nose are supported for this option.
• Machine only- With this option SolidCAM atomatically detects undercuts for most efficient machining of specific areas. Currently, only Ball nose mill, Lollipop mill and Taper ball nose are supported for this option.

Extend undercuts

This parameter enables you to consider additional material in areas hidden from normal orientation of predefined floor surface. You can specify additional material value in the given field.