Stock, Shank and Holder Tracking: Parameters

The following parameters appear in the Stock, Shank and Holder Tracking Table (the appearance of a parameter in the table is dependent upon the procedure you have selected):

Check Against Part up to and including

Consider Previous Stock

Limit Machining by Shank / Holder

Max Holder Dia Considered

Min. Stock Width

Update Remaining Stock

 

Check Against Part up to and including

This parameter enables you to define which part of the tool (the Cutter, Shank and/or Holder) is checked against the part surfaces, and which part is checked against the stock.

Notes:

• If Cutter is selected, then the Cutter is checked against the part and the Shank and/or Holder are checked against the stock.
• If Shank is selected, then the Cutter and Shank are checked against the part and the Holder is checked against the stock.

Cutter	Check the cutter against the surfaces of the part.
Shank	Check the shank (mostly conic shanks) against the surfaces of the part. Note: If Shank is defined, the Minimum Clear Length is defined differently. The Minimum Clear Length is calculated if Limit Machining by Shank / Holder = No. Calc. Minimum. When this parameter is set, the following options are displayed enabling you to set controlled safety margins (vertical and radial): Z Safety Margin There is one Z Safety Margin for the shank and/or all the holders. See the explanation below (under Holder #n). Radial Safety Margin for Shank Set the radial margin for the shank. The toolpath will not get closer than this value. The Radial Safety Margin for Shank must be smaller than or equal to the Radial Safety Margin of Holder #1 if it exists. If the parameters used fail to comply with this condition, the calculation results in an increased safety margin.
Holder#n	Check a specific holder against the surfaces of the part. Multiple holders can be included in the check. When this parameter is set, the following options are displayed enabling you to set controlled safety margins (vertical and radial): Z Safety Margin Set the safety margin in the Z direction. The toolpath will not get closer than this value. There is one Z Safety Margin for the shank and/or all the holders. The Z Safety Margin must be smaller than or equal to the Radial Safety Margin of Holder #1 (and of Shank if it exists). An additional constraint must be kept: If Spark Gap is not used, then Z Safety Margin + Faces Offset > = 0 If Spark Gap is used, then Z Safety Margin + Faces Offset > = Spark Gap Faces Offset refers to any part/check group of faces defined in the procedure. If the parameters used fail to comply with this condition, the calculation results in an increased safety margin. Radial Safety Margin for Holder #n Set the radial margin for the shank. The toolpath will not get closer than this value. A Radial Safety Margin can be defined for up to 5 holders. The parameter for the fifth holder is named Radial Safety Margin for Holder #5 & above and covers cases where there are more than 5 holders. The Radial Safety Margin for Holder #n must be smaller than or equal to the Radial Safety Margin of Holder #n+1. If the parameters used fail to comply with this condition, the calculation results in an increased safety margin.

 

Check Against Part up to and including

This parameter enables you to define which part of the tool (the Cutter, Shank and/or Holder) is checked against the part surfaces, and which part is checked against the stock.

Notes:

• If Cutter is selected, then the Cutter is checked against the part and the Shank and/or Holder are checked against the stock.
• If Shank is selected, then the Cutter and Shank are checked against the part and the Holder is checked against the stock.

Cutter	Check the cutter against the surfaces of the part.
Shank	Check the shank (mostly conic shanks) against the surfaces of the part. Note: If Shank is defined, the Minimum Clear Length is defined differently. The Minimum Clear Length is calculated if Limit Machining by Shank / Holder = No. Calc. Minimum. When this parameter is set, the following options are displayed enabling you to set controlled safety margins (vertical and radial): Z Safety Margin There is one Z Safety Margin for the shank and/or all the holders. See the explanation below (under Holder #n). Radial Safety Margin for Shank Set the radial margin for the shank. The toolpath will not get closer than this value. The Radial Safety Margin for Shank must be smaller than or equal to the Radial Safety Margin of Holder #1 if it exists. If the parameters used fail to comply with this condition, the calculation results in an increased safety margin.
Holder#n	Check a specific holder against the surfaces of the part. Multiple holders can be included in the check. When this parameter is set, the following options are displayed enabling you to set controlled safety margins (vertical and radial): Z Safety Margin Set the safety margin in the Z direction. The toolpath will not get closer than this value. There is one Z Safety Margin for the shank and/or all the holders. The Z Safety Margin must be smaller than or equal to the Radial Safety Margin of Holder #1 (and of Shank if it exists). An additional constraint must be kept: If Spark Gap is not used, then Z Safety Margin + Faces Offset > = 0 If Spark Gap is used, then Z Safety Margin + Faces Offset > = Spark Gap Faces Offset refers to any part/check group of faces defined in the procedure. If the parameters used fail to comply with this condition, the calculation results in an increased safety margin. Radial Safety Margin for Holder #n Set the radial margin for the shank. The toolpath will not get closer than this value. A Radial Safety Margin can be defined for up to 5 holders. The parameter for the fifth holder is named Radial Safety Margin for Holder #5 & above and covers cases where there are more than 5 holders. The Radial Safety Margin for Holder #n must be smaller than or equal to the Radial Safety Margin of Holder #n+1. If the parameters used fail to comply with this condition, the calculation results in an increased safety margin.

 

Check Against Part up to and including

This parameter enables you to define which part of the tool (the Cutter, Shank and/or Holder) is checked against the part surfaces, and which part is checked against the stock.

Notes:

• If Cutter is selected, then the Cutter is checked against the part and the Shank and/or Holder are checked against the stock.
• If Shank is selected, then the Cutter and Shank are checked against the part and the Holder is checked against the stock.

Cutter	Check the cutter against the surfaces of the part.
Shank	Check the shank (mostly conic shanks) against the surfaces of the part. Note: If Shank is defined, the Minimum Clear Length is defined differently. The Minimum Clear Length is calculated if Limit Machining by Shank / Holder = No. Calc. Minimum. When this parameter is set, the following options are displayed enabling you to set controlled safety margins (vertical and radial): Z Safety Margin There is one Z Safety Margin for the shank and/or all the holders. See the explanation below (under Holder #n). Radial Safety Margin for Shank Set the radial margin for the shank. The toolpath will not get closer than this value. The Radial Safety Margin for Shank must be smaller than or equal to the Radial Safety Margin of Holder #1 if it exists. If the parameters used fail to comply with this condition, the calculation results in an increased safety margin.
Holder#n	Check a specific holder against the surfaces of the part. Multiple holders can be included in the check. When this parameter is set, the following options are displayed enabling you to set controlled safety margins (vertical and radial): Z Safety Margin Set the safety margin in the Z direction. The toolpath will not get closer than this value. There is one Z Safety Margin for the shank and/or all the holders. The Z Safety Margin must be smaller than or equal to the Radial Safety Margin of Holder #1 (and of Shank if it exists). An additional constraint must be kept: If Spark Gap is not used, then Z Safety Margin + Faces Offset > = 0 If Spark Gap is used, then Z Safety Margin + Faces Offset > = Spark Gap Faces Offset refers to any part/check group of faces defined in the procedure. If the parameters used fail to comply with this condition, the calculation results in an increased safety margin. Radial Safety Margin for Holder #n Set the radial margin for the shank. The toolpath will not get closer than this value. A Radial Safety Margin can be defined for up to 5 holders. The parameter for the fifth holder is named Radial Safety Margin for Holder #5 & above and covers cases where there are more than 5 holders. The Radial Safety Margin for Holder #n must be smaller than or equal to the Radial Safety Margin of Holder #n+1. If the parameters used fail to comply with this condition, the calculation results in an increased safety margin.

 

Max. Holder Dia. Considered

The execution calculation time dramatically increases as the holder diameter increases.

In cases where the upper holder stages are beyond the maximum stock/part height, these portions of the holder can be ignored by setting the Maximum Holder Diameter to be considered.

Min. Stock Width

The minimum stock thickness value that should be ignored and not milled (for Legacy procedures available when the parameter Use Remaining Stock, is selected). Any stock thickness larger than the Min. Stock Width value will be milled. For example, in the diagram below: d = Min. Stock Width value x1, x2,and x3 are the actual remaining stock. In this case, only x2 is larger and will be milled.

 

Update Remaining Stock

This parameter enables you to define whether or not to update the remaining stock information. When deciding not to update the remaining stock information, this enables you to:

• calculate any procedure without influencing the stock information.
• avoid recalculating remaining stock information if the generated tool motions have no influence on it.
• avoid recalculating the procedures below the current procedure, if there was a change in the tool motions (if the generated tool motions have no influence on the remaining stock information).

Note: In Finish procedures (Finish, Cleanup and Pencil), the default for updating the stock can be defined in the NC Preferences > Procedure Parameter Defaults.

Update the remaining stock. This updates the process remaining stock which influences the input of the next procedures. If the procedure is recalculated, this causes an R flag down stream to procedures considering the remaining stock.

Do not update the remaining stock. The current procedure has no influence on the procedures that follow.

 

Update Remaining Stock

This parameter enables you to define whether or not to update the remaining stock information. When deciding not to update the remaining stock information, this enables you to:

• calculate any procedure without influencing the stock information.
• avoid recalculating remaining stock information if the generated tool motions have no influence on it.
• avoid recalculating the procedures below the current procedure, if there was a change in the tool motions (if the generated tool motions have no influence on the remaining stock information).

Note: In Finish procedures (Finish, Cleanup and Pencil), the default for updating the stock can be defined in the NC Preferences > Procedure Parameter Defaults.

Update the remaining stock. This updates the process remaining stock which influences the input of the next procedures. If the procedure is recalculated, this causes an R flag down stream to procedures considering the remaining stock.

Do not update the remaining stock. The current procedure has no influence on the procedures that follow.

 

Update Remaining Stock

This parameter enables you to define whether or not to update the remaining stock information. When deciding not to update the remaining stock information, this enables you to:

• calculate any procedure without influencing the stock information.
• avoid recalculating remaining stock information if the generated tool motions have no influence on it.
• avoid recalculating the procedures below the current procedure, if there was a change in the tool motions (if the generated tool motions have no influence on the remaining stock information).

Note: In Finish procedures (Finish, Cleanup and Pencil), the default for updating the stock can be defined in the NC Preferences > Procedure Parameter Defaults.

Update the remaining stock. This updates the process remaining stock which influences the input of the next procedures. If the procedure is recalculated, this causes an R flag down stream to procedures considering the remaining stock.

Do not update the remaining stock. The current procedure has no influence on the procedures that follow.

 

Update Remaining Stock

This parameter enables you to define whether or not to update the remaining stock information. When deciding not to update the remaining stock information, this enables you to:

• calculate any procedure without influencing the stock information.
• avoid recalculating remaining stock information if the generated tool motions have no influence on it.
• avoid recalculating the procedures below the current procedure, if there was a change in the tool motions (if the generated tool motions have no influence on the remaining stock information).

Note: In Finish procedures (Finish, Cleanup and Pencil), the default for updating the stock can be defined in the NC Preferences > Procedure Parameter Defaults.

Update the remaining stock. This updates the process remaining stock which influences the input of the next procedures. If the procedure is recalculated, this causes an R flag down stream to procedures considering the remaining stock.

Do not update the remaining stock. The current procedure has no influence on the procedures that follow.

 

Approximation Method

Tolerance & Surface Offset options.

By Tolerance	The approximation of the surface will be determined by the surface tolerance – the maximum allowable deviation between the surface and the triangular planes used for surface approximation.  Illustration
By Tol. + Length	The approximation of the surface will be determined by the more stringent condition – surface tolerance or the length of the triangles used for approximation.  Illustration Max. Triangle Length If By Tol. + Length is chosen, enter the maximum length of the approximation triangles.  Illustration

 

Approximation Method

Tolerance & Surface Offset options.

By Tolerance	The approximation of the surface will be determined by the surface tolerance – the maximum allowable deviation between the surface and the triangular planes used for surface approximation.  Illustration
By Tol. + Length	The approximation of the surface will be determined by the more stringent condition – surface tolerance or the length of the triangles used for approximation.  Illustration Max. Triangle Length If By Tol. + Length is chosen, enter the maximum length of the approximation triangles.  Illustration

 

Check Surface/Part2 Surface Tolerance

The maximum allowable deviation from the check surface or part2 surface. (This parameter is set in the Tolerance & Surface Offset section of theProcedure Parameter Table.)

Contour Tolerance

Maximum permitted milling deviation from the contour. This parameter is set in theTolerance & Surface Offsetsection of the Procedure Parameter Table. Note: In Contour Milling: 5X Trimming, for changes in the tolerance to take affect, the contour must be re-selected.

Illustration

 

CurveMX Tolerance

The maximum allowable deviation from the part surface and/or curve. (This parameter is set in theTolerance & Surface Offsetsection of the Procedure Parameter Table.)

 

Entry Offset

The entry point will be located on a contour that is offset from the outer contour by this value. (This parameter is set in theTolerance & Surface Offset section of the Procedure Parameter Table.)

Final / Pre-Final Pass

Add another machining lane to improve the boundary quality of the machined area.

This parameter appears in the Tool Trajectory section for Rough, ReRough and Finish milling (in Finish milling, the parameter appears when Horiz. Machining Method = Parallel).

In general, depending on the strategy involved, this parameter is either called Pre-Final Pass or Final Pass. In parallel machining, this parameter is used to add a Final Pass to remove the cusps at the edges of parallel lanes. In spiral machining, this parameter is used to add a Pre-Final Pass (a milling lane before the final pass), in order to reduce the load on the cutter at the final pass.

The following options are available:

None	Do not define a final / pre-final milling motion.
All Around	Perform a final / pre-final pass of the milled area – all around the boundary. The parameterMargin for Final Pass or Margin for Pre-Final Pass is displayed: Margin for Final Pass In parallel machining, this parameter is used to add a Final Pass to remove the cusps at the edges of parallel lanes. Define the amount of material that will remain for a final milling motion. This parameter is only displayed in Finish Parallel (Machining Method=Parallel) andRough Parallel machining. The following dropdown list of options is available: Optimized The margin value is optimized by the system. This is the default option. User-Defined This option enables you to define the margin amount. An additional parameter is displayed – Margin Offset. The minimum value = 0, maximum value = tool diameter.   Margin for Pre-Final Pass In spiral machining, this parameter is used to add a Pre-Final Pass (a milling lane before the final pass), in order to reduce the load on the cutter at the final pass.Define the amount of material that will remain for a pre-final milling motion. This value can only be entered in Rough Spiral and ReRough.
On Pencil Lines	Perform a final pass of the (parallel machined) milled area – on pencil lines (only along boundaries with other machined surfaces and not air boundaries). The parameter Margin for Final Pass is displayed and its value is optimized by the system. This option is available when using Finish Mill By Limit Angle.

(This parameter is set in the Tolerance & Surface Offset section of the Procedure Parameter Table.)

 

Part Surface Offset

The global offset from the Part Surface (or part2 surface) at which milling will be performed.

Notes:

• The difference between the Part Surface Offset and the Check Surface Offset must be > 2*tolerance. Otherwise the resulting toolpath may be irregular.
• A negative part offset value (the absolute value) must be <= the cutter’s corner radius.

(This parameter is set in the Tolerance & Surface Offset section of the Procedure Parameter Table.)

Notes:

• The Advanced option of the Tolerance & Surface Offset table enables you to define different Wall and Floor offsets for Part Surfaces and Check Surfaces.
• If more than 1 Part and/or Check Surface Groups are defined (in the Geometry Parameters Table), the Advanced Tolerance & Surface Offset table may appear as follows:

 

Part Surface Offset examples

The procedure for setting Single and Multiple Offsets is identical for Check and Part Surfaces.

Single Offset

Multiple Offsets

 

Single Offset

When 1 Part and/or Check Surface Group is defined in the Geometry Parameters Table, theTolerance and Surface Offset table enables you to define a single surface offset for the whole group (in the Advanced option, different Wall and Floor offsets can be defined for the group as a whole).

The single offset may look like this:

The single offset encompasses all the part/check surfaces.

 

Multiple Offsets

When more than 1 Part and/or Check Surface Group is defined in the Geometry Parameters Table, the Tolerance and Surface Offset table enables you to define different surface offsetsfor each group (in the Advanced option, different Wall and Floor offsets can be defined for each group).

The multiple offsets may look like this:

 

Each group of part/check surfaces can have a different offset.

 

Surface Tolerance

The maximum allowable deviation from the surface. (This parameter is set in theTolerance & Surface Offsetsection of the Procedure Parameter Table.)

Wall and Floor Offset

The Wall offset is performed as a regular offset. In order to meet the definition of the Floor offset, all the geometry triangles are shifted in the Z direction. The amount of the shift is the size difference between the Wall offset and the Floor offset.

For example: If the Floor offset = 1.0 and the Wall offset = 0.7, then the geometry shift  = -0.3.

The result is as seen on the right in the picture above.

If there are Z Limits in the procedure, they are taken into consideration.