Simple corner
This ToolBox Cycles strategy performs the machining of open corner area. The machining is performed in a number of equidistant cutting passes.
Geometry definition
The strategy provided by this sub-operation can be performed only on open chains; accordingly, the geometry should contain at least one open chain. The geometry containing only closed chains is considered as unsuitable. The geometry containing a number of open chains is considered as suitable. The mixed geometry containing a number of open and closed chains is considered as suitable, but all the closed chains are ignored during the tool path calculation.
This sub-operation is intended to perform the machining of the open corner areas, similar to the part shown below.
The geometry of the corner wall should be selected for this sub-operation. The machining will be performed in a number of cuts equidistant to the selected geometry and trimmed to the corner area.
The direction of geometry chains should be chosen in such a way to enable the tool to perform the climb milling of the corner geometry.
Technological parameters
Rough
SolidCAM enables you to perform the corner machining in a number of roughing cutting passes distributed along the tool axis.
Step down
The distance between two successive cutting levels is defined by the Step down parameter. The Equal step down option enables you to define a number of evenly distributed cutting levels. SolidCAM automatically calculates the actual step down to keep an equal distance between all passes, while taking into account the specified Max. Step down value so that it is not exceeded.
Step over
The Step over parameter defines the distance between two successive cutting passes equidistant to the geometry.
Extension
During the machining, the tool path is extended over the open edges of the corner area in order to perform the approach to the cutting area from the outside. The Extension section enables you to define the tool path extension either by percentage of the tool diameter (the % of tool diameter option) or by value (the Value option).
Offsets
This section enables you to define Wall and Floor offsets for this sub-operation. The Wall offset is applied to the walls of the corner; the specified offset is left unmachined during the current sub-operation. The Floor offset is applied to the floor of the corner; the specified offset is left unmachined during the current sub-operation. When the Floor offset value is specified, SolidCAM performs the machining by the Z-levels defined with the Step down parameter. The machining is performed until the Floor offset level.
Tool path linking
This section enables you to define the linking of the tool path passes. When the One way option is chosen, SolidCAM performs the machining of the corner area in a number of unidirectional cutting passes, maintaining the climb direction for all the passes. A one way path has many retractions; after the machining pass the tool has to perform air movement to the start point of the next pass.
When the Zigzag option is chosen, both climb milling and conventional milling methods are used in the bi-directional tool path.
Sort by
This option enables you to choose the method of sorting the cutting passes.
When the Passes option is chosen, the tool completes the machining of a specific Z-level for a specific chain and then moves to the next Z-level of the same chain. When machining of all the Z-levels of a specific chain is completed, the tool moves to the next chain.
When the Slices option is chosen, machining of all chains at a specific Z-level is performed; when machining of this level is completed, the tool moves down to the next level, and so forth.
Finish
The Wall finish option enables you to perform final finishing cuts cleaning the walls. You can specify the Step down value in a separate field.
Tool path calculation
During the tool path calculation, SolidCAM retrieves virtual corner sides connecting the start and the end points of the geometry chain.
The corner sides are retrieved taking into account the geometry direction; the machining within the corner area is performed in the climb manner.
For this area, SolidCAM generates a number of cuts equidistant to the chain geometry; the cuts are trimmed by the corner sides.
