Semi-finish/Finish parameters


The Semi-finish/Finish tab enables you to define the parameters of the semi-finish and finish machining.

Not all geometries are suitable for each type of Semi-Finish/Finish machining. Every method should be chosen deliberately.

 

Semi-finish

A semi-finishing pass is a single pass that is executed before the finishing pass at an offset from the geometry.

  • No

No semi-finishing pass is performed.

 
  • ISO-Turning method

The semi-finishing pass is performed as follows: the tool moves in the direction of the geometry; continuous tool path is calculated along the geometry in the specified direction. The direction of machining is maintained throughout the tool path.

 

  • Stairs method

The semi-finishing pass is performed as follows: machining of horizontal segments of the geometry is performed in the direction of the geometry; machining of vertical segments is performed in the opposite direction. The connection between the tool path segments of different direction is performed through the Safety distance level. This option is useful in case of straight stair-shaped geometries and different inclination angles to reduce the load on the tool during the machining of vertical segments.

The Stairs angle parameter enables you to define the minimal value of the angle between the Z-axis and a tool path segment to consider the segment vertical.

When the Stairs first option is chosen, the first segment of the tool path is vertical. When the Stairs last option is chosen, the first segment of the tool path is horizontal.

 

The first element of the geometry chain defined for this type of machining must be a horizontal line (parallel to the Z-axis).

Semi-finish offset

This section enables you to define the offset from the geometry that will remain after the semi-finishing stage of the operation.

  • Distance

This option enables you to define the constant offset distance from the geometry.

 

  • ZX

This option enables you to define different offsets from the geometry in the X- and Z-axis directions.

The delta-X and delta-Z offsets from the geometry have to be defined. These two deltas define the vector that determines the direction of the offset.

  • The Distance X parameter defines the offset in the X-axis direction.

  • The Distance Z parameter defines the offset in the Z-axis direction.

 

  • ZX-ABS

This option is similar to the ZX option except that the program chooses the sign of the delta-X and delta-Z vector components in such way that the offset geometry does not intersect with the profile geometry.

Finish

A finishing pass is a single pass that is executed in the end of the operation.

  • No

No finishing pass is performed.

 
  • ISO-Turning method

The finishing pass is performed as follows: the tool moves in the direction of the geometry; continuous tool path is calculated along the geometry in the specified direction. The direction of machining is maintained throughout the tool path.

 

  • Stairs method

The finishing pass is performed as follows: machining of horizontal segments of the geometry is performed in the direction of the geometry; machining of vertical segments is performed in the opposite direction. The connection between the tool path segments of different direction is performed through the Safety distance level. This option is useful in case of straight stair-shaped geometries and different inclination angles to reduce the load on the tool during the machining of vertical segments.

The Stairs angle parameter enables you to define the minimal value of the angle between the Z-axis and a tool path segment to consider the segment vertical.

When the Stairs first option is chosen, the first segment of the tool path is vertical. When the Stairs last option is chosen, the first segment of the tool path is horizontal.

The first element of the geometry chain defined for this type of machining must be a horizontal line (parallel to the Z-axis).

Finish on

SolidCAM recognizes the rest material areas left unmachined after the previous operations and enables you to perform finishing only in these areas or throughout the entire geometry.

  • Entire geometry

The rest material is removed with the tool path based on the entire profile geometry.

  • Rest material only

Only the rest material areas are machined.

  • Passes

You can define the number of finish passes in this field. SolidCAM enables you to generate several finish passes to achieve the best surface quality.

Number of Finish passes must always be greater than zero.

 
 
  • Step over

The Step over option defines the distance between the adjacent tool passes measured along the surface.

Step over should always be positive.
 

Compensation

This section is available only if the machine supports compensation and the tool origin is of Tangential type.

  • When this check box is not selected, the radius of the tool nose is not taken into account when calculating the tool movements. No tool nose radius compensation (G41/G42) is used in the GCode.

  • When this check box is selected, the radius of the tool nose is not taken into account when calculating the tool movements. However, the tool nose radius compensation (G41/G42) is used in the GCode.