The Global Parameters section allows you to set the tolerance value to be used in machining.

Tolerance (t)
This is the allowable deviation from the actual part geometry plus the Stock layer (if any).

Compensation

Compensation is used to compensate for tool wear.  Select AUTO/ON to tell the controller to enable Compensation for this tool.  The compensation direction, left or right, is determined by the Cut Direction selected (Climb or Conventional). The actual Compensation offset value is defined on the CNC controller. Cutter Compensation also needs to be enabled in your selected Post Processor.

How to Increase Tool Path Accuracy

The Location of Cut Geometry can be set to At Top (top Z level), At Bottom (bottom Z level) or Pick Top (specifying the Z location) by entering a Z value location or by selecting the pick button and selecting the point on the part.

At Top

This uses the Z location of the selected Machining Feature/Region as the top of cut. The generated cuts will start at this Z location and cut down in Z to the specified total cut depth. At Top is typically used when you select the top edge as your machining region.

At Bottom

This uses the Z location of the selected Machining Feature/Region as the bottom of cut. The generated cuts will be above the selected machining region and last cut would be at the Z location of the specified region. At Bottom is typically used when you select a pocket bottom at your machining region. 2½ Axis Facing Operation Examples:

Pick Top

This allows you to specify the Top of Cut for the selected Machining Feature/Region and is typically used when the selected region is not at top or bottom. The generated cuts will start at this specified Z location and cut down in Z to the specified total cut depth. This would be useful when the selected machining region is at the bottom edge of a fillet or chamfer. When two or more curves are selected as Machining Features/ Regions, and using Pick Top for Location of Cut Geometry, sets the Top of cut for all regions at the same Z level. 2½ Axis Facing Operation Examples:

Enter the Hole Depth (H) for the hole pocket operation or select the Pick button and select two points on your part.  The depth will be calculated automatically and added to this dialog.  The resulting Hole Depth (H) will be measured from the location of the cut geometry selection.

Determine using 3D Model

When checked, the bottom most level of the part is detected and cut levels will be added to this depth level. Only the Finish Depth needs to be specified. The Rough Depth is automatically determined.

If points were selected as your control geometry, specify Hole Diameter (D) for the Hole Pocket as shown in the illustration below.

For arcs, use arc diameter

Check this box to extract the hole diameter from the part geometry.

Select Climb (Down Cut) and the tool will be maintained in a downward motion into the stock.

Select Conventional (Up Cut) and the direction of the tool will be maintained in an upward motion out of the stock.

Understanding Climb vs Conventional Milling

This defines the spacing at different levels of the cut.  Select from one of the following options:

This allows you to set the Stepdown Control (Dz) distance for the current operation as a percentage of the active tool selected for the operation.  Select % Tool Diameter and then enter the percentage value in the field provided.

You want to specify the exact Stepdown Control (Dz) for the Hole Pocket.  Enter the stepdown in the Distance field provided.

Control the Stepdown Control (dZ) distance by entering the total Number of Levels in the field provided.  The distance between cut levels will be calculated for you.

Check this box to automatically insert a corner Cleanup Pass at each Z Level cut.  These are the arc motions shown in blue in the figure below.

This defines the spacing between the cuts.  Select from one of the following options:

This allows you to set the stepover distance for the current operation as a percentage of the active tool diameter.

Specify the stepover for the current operation as an exact Distance and then enter the distance value in the field provided.

The Global Parameters section allows you to set the tolerance value to be used in machining.

•Tolerance
This is the allowable deviation from the actual part geometry plus the Stock layer (if any).

Start Depth  

This allow you to specify a Start Depth that is different than that of the Hole Feature this operation is being derived from.  The cut will begin at this Z value location.

Pocket Depth / Hole Depth (H)  

Enter the Hole Depth (H) for the hole pocket operation or select the Pick button and select two points on your part.  The depth will be calculated automatically and added to this dialog.  The resulting Hole Depth (H) will be measured from the location of the cut geometry selection.

Select Climb (Down Cut) and the tool will be maintained in a downward motion into the stock.

Select Conventional (Up Cut) and the direction of the tool will be maintained in an upward motion out of the stock.

Understanding Climb vs Conventional Milling

This defines the spacing at different levels of the cut.  Select from one of the following options:

This allows you to set the Stepdown Control (Dz) distance for the current operation as a percentage of the active tool selected for the operation.  Select % Tool Diameter and then enter the percentage value in the field provided.

You want to specify the exact Stepdown Control (Dz) for the Hole Pocket.  Enter the stepdown in the Distance field provided.

Control the Stepdown Control (dZ) distance by entering the total Number of Levels in the field provided.  The distance between cut levels will be calculated for you.

Check this box to automatically insert a corner Cleanup Pass at each Z Level cut.  These are the arc motions shown in blue in the figure below.

This defines the spacing between the cuts.  Select from one of the following options:

This allows you to set the stepover distance for the current operation as a percentage of the active tool diameter.

Specify the stepover for the current operation as an exact Distance and then enter the distance value in the field provided.