Technology types

This section enables you to define the type of the operation. SolidCAM provides you with following types of Turbo 3D HSM operation: Constant Z, Constant Z Rest Finish, Linear, Constant Step Over, Constant Step Over Rest Finish, Pencil and Combined Constant Z with.

Constant Z

The Constant Z tool path is generated for a set of sections created at different Z-heights. The generated sections are machined in a profile manner. The Constant Z strategy is generally used for semi-finishing and finishing of steep model areas with the inclination angle between 30 and 90 degrees. Since the distance between passes is measured along the Z-axis of the Coordinate System, in shallow areas (with smaller surface inclination angle) the Constant Z strategy is less effective.

Constant Z Rest Finish

This strategy is used for performing the rest finishing of areas using the constant Z method. This strategy determines the model areas where material remains after the machining by a tool path, and generates a set of passes to machine these areas.

Linear

With this strategy, SolidCAM generates a linear pattern of passes, where each pass is oriented at a direction defined with the angle value. This machining strategy is most effective on shallow (nearing horizontal) surfaces, or steeper surfaces inclined along the passes direction. The Z-height of each point along a raster pass is the same as the Z-height of the triangulated surfaces, with adjustments made for applied offsets and tool definition.

Constant Step Over

This strategy creates an equidistant cut pattern on the machining surfaces. A constant distance between each contour is maintained so that the created cusps have the same height. This strategy is generally used to semi-finish or finish a component. It is best suited to machine steep as well as shallow areas.

Constant Step Over Rest Finish

This strategy is used to generate a tool path to remove all the non-machined areas left by the  previous bigger finishing tool. This strategy enables you to use smaller step over and smaller cutter size to machine only those areas that are left out by the previous tool.

Pencil

This strategy is beneficial in providing fast corners and fillets processing. It is performed via single- or multi-pencil cuts.

Combine Constant Z with

Two types of combined machining strategies in a single 3D HSM operation - Constant Z with Linear or Constant Z with Constant stepover are available. The two combined machining strategies share the Geometry, Tool and Constraint boundaries data. The technological parameters for the passes calculation and linking are defined separately for each strategy.