Levels page

This page enables you to specify the Z-levels at which the tool movements are executed. The default input values of these parameters are the CAM-Part values that you have specified in the CoordSys Data dialog box.

To define the Milling levels, enter the values or use the appropriate buttons or place the cursor in the edit box and pick the Z-levels on your 3D model.

Start level

This option defines the Z-level that can be optionally used for interoperational movements.

The Start level button and the related edit box are available only if the Operation Start level option is chosen in Part Settings.

The default Start level value is equal to the Part Clearance level value of the Coordinate System chosen for the operation.

The Start level cannot be lower than the Operation Clearance level. If you are trying to save the operation in which the defined Start level is lower than the Operation Clearance level, the error message is displayed:

Clearance level

This option defines the Z-level to which the tool retreats when it moves from one cut to another.

Safety distance

This option defines the distance to the Upper level at which the tool starts moving at the Z feed rate you have entered for the tool. Movements from the Clearance level to this height are performed in the rapid mode.

Upper Level

This option defines the Z-level at which the machining starts. You can select the Upper Milling level from the options- By top of target, By top of stock or User defined. When you select either By top of target or By top of stock the Upper level is populated automatically. By top of Target is chosen by default. If you enter a value in the Upper level field, the option automatically switches to User defined.

For the T-slot operation, the Upper level is the slot ceiling.

Milling Levels Constant/Variable

SolidCAM now supports the machining of geometries with different depths in a single operation.

Choosing Constant enables you to set the Upper level, Lower level and Step down values.

Choosing Variable displays the Variable levels button. Clicking Variable levels displays the Levels dialog box.

The Variable levels option can help simplify the task of programming, especially when you want to use the same tool to perform the machining of many geometries having different depths. Such a task can now be achieved in just one operation.

Lower level (Depth)

This option defines the Z-level below which the tool does not mill in any milling strategy.

Delta

This option defines the offset for the cutting depth that can be changed with its associativity preserved. This parameter is always relative to the Depth defined for the operation.

If the Delta depth value is positive, a blue arrow is displayed near its field indicating a positive offset value (in the positive direction of the Z-axis).

If the Delta depth value is negative, a red arrow is displayed near its field indicating a negative offset value (in the negative direction of the Z-axis).

The value of these parameters is the Z-coordinate. These parameters can be defined either by entering the value in the edit box or by picking a point on the solid model (except for Safety distance). In the latter case, the parameters are associative to the solid model. Associativity enables SolidCAM to be synchronized with the solid model changes. SolidCAM automatically updates the CAM data when the model is modified.

The following operation parameters are associative to the SOLIDWORKS model.

Clearance level
Upper Level
Lower Level

SolidCAM enables you to define these parameters by picking entities on the solid model.

The Depth parameter used in some operations (Profile, Pocket, etc.) is indirectly associative. You have two possibilities:

To define Depth by manual input;
To define Lower Level by picking on the model. In this case, Depth is calculated automatically. The associativity is established in Lower Level. When either the Upper Level or Lower Level is synchronized, Depth is updated.

More...

Depth associativity