PowerMill

PowerMILL 8.0

Reference

Release Issue 1.0

Disclaimer

Delcam plc has no control over the use made of the software described in this manual and cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage

howsoever caused as a result of using the software. Users are advised that all the results from the software should be checked by a competent

person, in accordance with good quality control procedures.

Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment by Delcam plc. The software

described in this manual is furnished under licence agreement and may be used or copied in accordance with the terms of such licence. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express permission of Delcam plc.

Copyright © 1996-2007 Delcam plc. All rights reserved. Acknowledgements

This documentation references a number of registered trademarks and these are the property of their respective owners. For example, Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of

Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Patents

The Raceline smoothing functionality is subject to patent applications. Patent pending: GB 2374562 Improvements Relating to Machine Tools

Patent granted: US 6,832,876 Machine Tools

Some of the functionality of the ViewMill and Simulation modules of PowerMILL is subject to patent applications.

Patent granted: GB 2 423 592 Surface Finish Prediction

Contents

Overview 1

The Machining Process ...2

Screen layout

4

Check boxes and dialogs ...7

Help 9

Status bar help...9

Context-sensitive online help ...10

Manuals...11

Explorer 13

Collective entity context menu...16

Individual entity context menus ...18

Active entities ...19

Drag and drop techniques ...21

Drag and drop Toolpaths example ...21

Placing Multiple Toolpaths into an NC Program...22

NC Programs ...24

NC Program context menu ...24

Individual NC Program context menu...26

NC Program Toolpath menu ...34

Creating Toolpaths in an NC Program ...35

NC Program Dialog ...38

NC Preferences Dialog ...48

NC Program Preferences ...54

Postprocessing toolpaths ...57

Specifying the Name and Location of the Output File ...58

Edit Selected NC Programs Dialog ...60

NC Program Commands/Comments Dialog ...63

Displaying NC Programs...64

Use of Variables in NC Programs ...66

Toolpaths ...67

Toolpaths context menu ...68

Updating Toolpaths when a Model Changes ...75

Individual Toolpath context menu ...79

Variable Feed Rates... 100

Toolpath Information... 101

Locking Lead and Link Moves and Selective Editing ... 101

Appending Toolpaths within Explorer ... 107

Tools ... 109

Tools context menu ... 110

Individual Tool context menu ... 122

Tool toolbar ... 127

Boundaries ... 128

Creating Boundaries ... 129

Boundaries context menu ... 130

Individual Boundary context menu ... 133

Boundary Toolbar... 146

Patterns ... 148

Patterns context menu... 148

Individual Pattern context menu... 150

Embedded Pattern Dialog... 158

Pattern Toolbar ... 159

Feature Sets... 160

Feature Sets context menu... 160

Individual Feature Set context menu... 166

Feature Dialog ... 173

Smart Creation... 185

Draft Angle ... 187

Edit Features Graphically ... 190

Reverse Holes ... 191

Editing automatically identified holes... 195

Workplanes ... 200

Workplanes context menu ... 200

Individual Workplane context menu ... 206

Undo Redo Workplane Transformations (embedded) ... 209

Transform Toolpath - Link (embedded)... 210

Levels and Sets ... 211

Levels and Sets context menu ... 211

Models ... 215

Models context menu ... 215

Individual Model context menu ... 219

Transform Model dialog... 227

Deferred Loading... 232

Surface Modelling ... 233

Stock Models ... 234

Stock Models context menu ... 234

Stock Models state menu... 235

Individual Stock Model context menu ... 238

Stock Model Representation ... 247

Groups... 248

Groups context menu... 248

Individual Group context menu... 249

Macros ... 251

Macros context menu ... 252

Individual Macro context menu ... 253

Displaying Macros in Explorer ... 254

Folders ... 260

User Menus ... 263

Rules For Creating User Menus ... 264

Browser and Recycler

266

Starting PowerMILL with a File already Loaded ... 267

Recycle Bin... 269

Permanently Deleting Items ... 271

Menu bar

273

File Menu... 276

File - Open Project... 277

File - Open Project Read - Only ... 277

File - Close Project ... 278

File - Save Project ... 279

File - Save Project As ... 279

File - Save Template Objects ... 281

File - Import Model ... 282

File - Export Model ... 284

File - Examples... 285

File - Recent Projects... 287

File - Recent Models ... 288

File - Delete Selected... 288

File - Delete All ... 288

File - Exit ... 288

View Menu ... 289

View - Resize to Fit ... 289

View - Zoom to Box... 290

View - From... 291

View - ISO... 292

View - Tool... 292

View - Rotation Anchor ... 293

View - Refresh... 294

View - Toolbar... 295

View - Dialogs... 295

View - Snapshot ... 296

View - Dynamic Sectioning ... 297

Insert Menu ... 306

Insert - Project ... 306

Insert - Toolpath ... 307

Insert - Template Objects ... 307

Insert - Session ... 308

Draw Menu ... 309

Draw - Model... 309

Draw - Block ... 315

Draw - Drilling Holes ... 315

Draw - Active Axes ... 315

Draw - Transform ... 315

Draw - Cursor ... 315

Draw - Wireframe... 317

Draw - Shaded ... 317

Draw - Draw All ... 317

Draw - Undraw All ... 317

Tools Menu ... 318

Tools - Echo Commands ... 318

Tools - Reset Forms... 319

Tools - Snapping... 320

Tools - Snap Filter ... 320

Tools - Filter Style... 321

Tools - Customise Paths ... 321

Tools - Release Licences ... 326

Tools - Request Licences... 327

Tools - Options ... 333

Help Menu ... 345

Help - Contents... 345

Help - What's New... 345

Help - Check for PowerMILL Updates ... 346

Help - Subscribe to the PowerMILL Newsletter... 346

Help - Visit the User Forum ... 347

Help - Data Translation Services... 347

Help - Delcam on the Web ... 348

Help - About ... 348

Main toolbar

349

Block - Cylinder Parameters ... 357

Block - Estimate Limits... 358

Block - Remaining fields... 359

Edit a Block Graphically ... 360

Feeds and Speeds... 362

Using the Feeds and Speeds dialog ... 367

Rapid Move Heights ... 374

Safe Area ... 375

Workplane ... 376

Rapid Move Type ... 377

Start and End Point ... 378

Lock ... 379

Use ... 380

Approach/Retract Along... 381

Leads and Links... 382

Leads and Links - Z Heights ... 383

Leads and Links - First Lead In... 385

Leads and Links - Lead In - Lead Out... 385

Leads and Links - Last Lead Out ... 396

Leads and Links - Extensions... 397

Links ... 399

Lead In Ramp Options... 407

Tool Axis Direction ... 411

Definition... 411

Tool Axis - Limits ... 422

Tool Axis - Collision Avoidance... 430

Raster Collision Avoidance Example... 435

Constant Z Collision Avoidance Example ... 438

Defining Limits for a Multi-Axis Machine ... 441

Point Distribution ... 448

Output Point Distribution ... 448

Point Separation... 450

Point Distribution - Mesh ... 451

Automatic Verification ... 451

Automatic Collision Checking ... 452

Component Thickness ... 454

Surface Thickness... 454

Surface Defaults dialog ... 466

Toolpath Strategies ... 467

Creating a New Toolpath Template ... 471

Favourites ... 477

Area Clearance... 478

Area Clearance Strategy ... 481

Buttons... 484 Tool... 485 Name... 485 Tolerances... 485 Stepover ... 488 Stepdown ... 489 Cut Direction ... 497 Boundary ... 498 Create Boundary ... 502 Profiling ... 503 Area Filter... 508 Tool Axis ... 509 Lead in Moves ... 509

High Speed Machining ... 512

Rest Machining... 524

Order and Angle of Machining ... 526

Expert Area Clearance... 543

Plunge Milling Toolpath... 558

2D Machining Wizard ... 560

Finishing ... 572

Strategies ... 574

Name... 581

Tool... 581

Tolerances... 581

Stepover ... 582

Boundary ... 583

Leads and Links... 584

Tool Axis ... 585

Display... 585

Toolpath Specification... 585

3D Offset Toolpath... 585

Constant Z Toolpath ... 587

Along Corner Toolpath... 591

Automatic Corner Toolpath... 594

Multi-Pencil Toolpath ... 595

Pencil Toolpath... 596

Stitch Corner Toolpath ... 597

Disc Profile Finishing... 599

Embedded Pattern Finishing ... 601

Interleaved Constant Z Finishing ... 614

Offset Flat Machining... 618

Optimised Constant Z Toolpath ... 619

Parametric Offset Finishing... 623

Pattern Toolpath ... 627

Profile Toolpath... 635

Curve Projection Toolpath ... 646

Line Projection Toolpath... 654

Plane Projection Toolpath ... 658

Point Projection Toolpath... 663

Surface Projection Toolpath ... 668

Radial Pattern Toolpath ... 673

Raster Toolpath ... 675

Raster Flat Machining ... 683

Rotary Toolpath... 686

Spiral Pattern Toolpath... 689

Surface Finishing... 690

Swarf Machining - Overview ... 695

Swarf Machining ... 696

Wireframe Swarf Finishing ... 714

Wireframe Swarf Finishing ... 715

Plunge Milling ... 720

Port Machining ... 725

Name... 728

Tool... 728

Tolerances... 729

Stepover ... 730

Boundary ... 731

Leads and Links... 733

Tool Axis ... 734

Display... 734

Port Area Clearance... 734

Port Plunge Finishing ... 741

Port Spiral Finishing... 744

Blisk ... 745

Blisk Machining Strategies ... 746

Buttons... 747 Name... 748 Tool... 748 Tolerances... 748 Stepover ... 749 Boundary ... 751

Leads and Links... 753

Tool Axis ... 754

Blisk area clearance ... 755

Blade finishing... 763

Hub finishing ... 766

Example of Blisk machining ... 767

Drilling... 775 New Dialog... 776 Buttons... 779 Name... 779 Tool... 780 Tolerances... 780 Links ... 781

Select and Draw... 781

Drilling Strategy ... 782

Expert Drilling... 788

Sorting ... 795

Auto Hole Selection ... 799

Helical Milling... 801

Compound Holes ... 807

Drilling Method ... 814

Defining a Drilling Method ... 816

Editing a Drilling Method ... 824

Create Toolpath List ... 825

Toolpath Verification ... 826

Split Toolpath ... 828

Toolpath Verification - Collision Options ... 828

ViewMill... 830

Calculator... 831

Calculator... 831

Calculator - Line... 833

Calculator - Circle ... 835

Copying Data from Field to Field ... 836

Measurer ... 838

Create Electrode... 838

Delcam Electrode example... 838

Launch AutoCAM ... 842 PS-Exchange... 843

View toolbar

845

Last view and refresh... 849

Zoom... 849

Block... 851

Shading toolbar... 851

Tool toolbar

857

Tool length overview... 862

Tool Tip dialog ... 864

Tool Shank dialog... 873

Tool Holder dialog ... 875

Tool Cutting Data dialog ... 878

Tool Description Dialog ... 883

Tool Assembly toolbar ... 884

Creating a Routing Tool ... 885

Creating a Tool Shank ... 887

Creating a Tool Holder ... 891

Creating a Form Tool ... 896

Tool Database ... 903

Toolpath toolbar

909

Drawing options... 910

Transform Toolpath ... 915

Move to Relative Position ... 916

Rotate Toolpath ... 917

Mirror in Plane... 918

Transform to Workplane ... 919

Transform to World ... 920

Limit Toolpath ... 921

Limit Toolpath to Plane... 923

Limit Toolpath to Polygon ... 924

Limit Toolpath to Boundary... 925

Divide Toolpath ... 927

Divide Toolpath by Angle ... 928

Divide Toolpath by Direction... 929

Divide Toolpath by Length ... 931

Divide Toolpath by Time ... 932

Divide Toolpath by Retract ... 933

Move Toolpath Start Points... 934

Tool Axis Editing ... 935

Select Regions tab ... 935

Edit Tool Axis tab ... 938

Example of tool axis editing... 940

Update Region ... 957

Reorder ... 959

Reorder toolbar ... 961

Boundary toolbar

965

Common boundary controls ... 968

Block Boundary... 970

Rest Boundary ... 971

Selected Surface Boundary... 972

Shallow Boundary ... 974

Silhouette Boundary ... 975

Collision Safe Boundary... 977

Stock Model Rest Boundary... 979

Contact Point Boundary ... 982

Contact Conversion Boundary ... 988

Boolean Operation Boundary ... 990

User Defined Boundary ... 993

Example of User Defined Boundary ... 996

Insert into Boundary ... 1000

Boundary Sketcher dialog ... 1002

Boundary Editor dialog ... 1005

Boundary Thickness ... 1006

Surface Thickness... 1007

Surface Defaults Thickness ... 1011

Creating Boundaries within other Boundaries ... 1012

Boundary behaviour with regard to segments ... 1017

Pattern toolbar

1021

Insert into Pattern... 1032

Simulation 1037

Simulation Keyboard Shortcuts... 1041

Workplane Construction from Current Machine Tool Position ... 1043

Simulation Information ... 1049

ViewMill toolbar ... 1056

ViewMill Views ... 1059

Kinematic shaded image... 1062

Machine toolbar ... 1065

Simulation viewpoint... 1066

Create the rest roughing toolpath ... 1067

Example of Gauge Distance Offset ... 1069

MTD-based Kinematics... 1072

Simulation Examples ... 1077

Toolpath Animation... 1077

ViewMill Simulation ... 1078

Speeding up ViewMILL simulations ... 1080

Machine Simulation... 1082

Information toolbar

1085

Command window

1086

Status bar

1089

Web toolbar

1090

AutoCAM Reference

1092

AutoCAM Tools and Toolpaths ... 1106

Tools Required ... 1107

Toolpath Sequence ... 1109

Final Finishing Raster Stepover ... 1109

What do you want to do next?... 1110

View of Batch Toolpaths... 1111

View of each Toolpath ... 1112

AutoCAM Output ... 1112

Delcam Plc Software Licence And Terms Of

Supply 1115

Index 1139

You can import both solid and surface CAD models in a variety of

formats and use the latest machining techniques (from 2.5D through to 5-axis simultaneous machining) to generate gouge-free CNC milling

toolpaths. These toolpaths can then be checked for collisions against other models (for example, clamps) and the tool holder, before being output to cutter location and tape files.

Prior to output, you can verify a toolpath or a complete NC program on screen, using PowerMILL's full workpiece simulation, which allows you to load entire machine tools, and visualise machine and cutting tool simulation from different perspectives.

The accuracy of the machined part produced by PowerMILL is limited by the accuracy of the model read into the program.

Therefore, it is essential that the original model be produced to an adequate tolerance.

The Machining Process

Setup

Before you start machining, you must set the part up correctly. This involves retrieving the component, defining a block to represent the raw material, and defining various other parameters (such as the tool

geometry and feed rates).

Creating Toolpaths

You can then create a variety of toolpaths, for example: ƒ Area Clearance

ƒ Roughing for general area clearance.

ƒ Rest Roughing to remove the material left by the larger, Area Clearance tool, leaving only areas which require smaller cutters to be remachined.

ƒ High Speed Finishing

ƒ 3D Offset for a high quality surface finish (in that the stepover is constant across all surfaces irrespective of whether they are steep walls or shallow contoured areas).

ƒ Constant Z for steep sides, and, optionally, a continuous spiral. ƒ Optimised Constant Z for consistent tool loading and the fewest

possible sudden changes in direction (3D Offset for flatter areas and Z-level finishing for steeper areas).

ƒ Specialist Machining

ƒ Corner machining to clean up corners that occur between non-tangential surfaces.

ƒ Profile machining to profile around the outside of the selected surfaces.

ƒ Projection machining for awkward/less accessible areas and multi-axis machining.

ƒ Rotary machining for cylindrical components.

ƒ Swarf machining for cutting with the side of the tool as the tool follows two curves. You can generate a swarf toolpath from two wireframe curves and use tapered tools as required.

Simulation

There are two modes of toolpath simulation:

ƒ Workpiece simulation, which allows you to load entire machine tools and visualise machine and cutting tool simulation of the active toolpath, or of a complete NC program, from different perspectives.

ƒ Tool simulation, which allows you to quickly visualise the active toolpath as it would be generated using either the original, or an alternative, cutting tool, or a complete NC program.

You can also use Stock Model to visualise the unmachined stock at any point in the machining process.

Cutter File Generation

Finally, the toolpaths can be output in any of the following formats: ƒ Standard cutter location format.

ƒ DUCT picture format.

The following window is displayed on starting PowerMILL:

The screen is divided into the following main areas:

Screen layout

- Menu bar (on page 273) provides access to a number of menus. Selecting a menu, such as File, opens a list of associated commands and sub-menus. Sub-menus are indicated by small arrow to the right of the text. For example, selecting File - Recent Projects displays a list of recently used projects.

- Main toolbar (on page 349) provides quick access to the most commonly used commands in PowerMILL.

- Explorer (on page 13) provides control over all PowerMILL entities.

- Graphics window (on page 6) is the working area of the screen. - View toolbar (on page 845) provides quick access to the most commonly used views in PowerMILL.

- Status bar (on page 1089) displays information relating to the current display. This can, for example, be a brief description of the item beneath the cursor, or information about the calculation that is in

progress.

- Information toolbar (on page 1085) displays some of your current setup options as a reminder.

- Tool toolbar (on page 857) facilitates the rapid creation of tools in PowerMILL.

The other toolbars are not factory defaults, and may not be shown at startup. To display any of these, select them using the View - Toolbar option; for example, choose View - Toolbar - Toolpath to display the Toolpath toolbar.

Graphics window

When you start PowerMILL, the graphics window is blank except for the Transform (global coordinate system) in the middle of the screen and the Active Axes in the bottom left of the screen. These look along the Z axis by default and change as you manipulate the views.

Display of the coordinate systems is controlled using Draw - Transform or Draw - Active Axes. They are both ticked (and displayed) by default - simply select the required option to remove the associated tick (and axes), and then reselect it to redisplay the tick (and axes).

As the axes are drawn by default in white, you will not see the axes if your background is white.

If you wish to change the colours of the background, select Tools - Customise Colours and choose View Background. You can change the Top and/or Bottom colours and Reset them or Restore Defaults if you change your mind afterwards:

PowerMILL remembers your toolbar and colour selections from one session to the next. For example, if you have the Toolpath toolbar shown when you exit a session, it appears the next time you start PowerMILL.If you change your background to a light colour, you can change the colour of the axes in the graphics window by selecting Transform from the above dialog.

Check boxes and dialogs

Data is entered into PowerMILL using dialogs, which contain some or all of the following:

ƒ Edit boxes into which parameters are entered. ƒ Options, in the form of drop-down lists. ƒ Other toolbars or buttons.

ƒ Check boxes, which are binary switches that you click in order to either select (tick) or deselect (untick) a particular command to change the operation of subsequent commands (for example, when you create a workplane, you select the Draw box to tick it and subsequently display the workplane (otherwise, you simply leave it unticked):

There are subtle differences between Accept, Apply, Cancel and Close:

Accept - accepts the new values and then closes the dialog.

Apply - accepts the new values and performs any processing tasks associated with the dialog, but leaves the dialog box open, which enables you to enter alternative values.

Cancel - ignores any changes, restores the previous values, and closes the dialog.

PowerMILL offers the following forms of help: ƒ Tooltips.

ƒ Status bar help.

ƒ Context sensitive online help. ƒ Manuals.

Tooltips

Tooltips are displayed by hovering the cursor over the required buttons. Each tooltip gives a brief description of the function of the associated button, for example:

Status bar help

When you hover the cursor over a button, help is displayed in the Status bar at the bottom of the screen. So, when you place your cursor over the Rapid Move Heights button, you see the following help in the Status bar at the bottom of the screen as well as the tooltip:

Context-sensitive online help

Pressing the F1 key displays help for the area of the screen that has current focus, such as a display pane (Explorer, graphics window), a dialog, or a dialog tab. Where there is no focus, the contents page for the main Help is displayed, so that you can navigate from there.

To display the help topic relating to an element on the main PowerMILL screen (a toolbar button, an Explorer entity), hold down the Shift key and press F1. When the cursor changes to , click the item of interest to open the help topic: .

To display context-sensitive help for an element within a PowerMILL dialog (such as a field or a button), click the button. When the cursor changes to , click the item to open the help topic:

Manuals

The PowerMILL manuals offer additional help. There are two types of manual:

ƒ Printed manuals, for example What's New and Getting Started. ƒ Online reference manuals in PDF format, which you can print.

The explorer pane on the left of the graphics window allows you to control the display and statuses of all PowerMILL entities, including your macros.

An example of the explorer showing a variety of entities and associated controls:

The controls work in a similar manner for all entities: ƒ Plus and minus symbols - these work as a 'toggle':

ƒ Clicking expands the associated folder and changes the symbol to .

ƒ Clicking collapses the associated folder and changes the symbol back to .

ƒ Light bulb symbols - these work as a three-way 'switch' for drawn entities (for example, Toolpaths and Tools):

ƒ is the default setting when an entity is first created, signifying that it is currently active.

ƒ Clicking changes the symbol to (to signify that the entity is drawn).

ƒ Clicking changes the symbol to (to signify that the entity has now been hidden, or 'undrawn'). These two symbols ( and

) then work together as a 'toggle'. If an 'undrawn' entity is made active again after being inactive, then the symbol reverts to the initial .

An entity is always drawn when it is first activated or re-activated. At this time, it is also written in bold and preceded by a ">" in Explorer (in the preceding example, >

Tip2Dia10 is the Active tool).

Many entities are given numeric default names on creation. So, for example, the first toolpath you create is automatically called "1", the second "2", and so on.

It is often better to rename an entity to give it a more meaningful name. The quick way of doing this is to highlight the entity in the Explorer, and then click on it. The name is now highlighted, and has a box around it:

. Enter the new name, for example RestRough, and press the Return key: .

Context menus

You can click any entity in Explorer with the right mouse button to bring up a 'context menu' of options that are available for the entity at that moment in time.

If you right click a collective entity (see "Collective entity context menu" on page 16), for example Toolpaths, then the menu items will relate to toolpaths in general, allowing you, for example, to de-activate or draw them all simultaneously.

If you right click an individual entity (see "Individual entity context menus" on page 18), for example a toolpath called Roughing, then the menu items will relate to just that toolpath (its display and activation status, Settings, and so on).

Individual entity context menu items within a particular collective entity contain the same commands (so, for example, the context menus for all individual toolpaths, be they Roughing, Finishing, or whatever, all contain the same options).

Collective entity context menu

This is an example of Toolpaths collective context menu, with the submenu Toolpath Names displayed:

Some of the options are common to many of the collective context menus:

ƒ Deactivate - de-selects the active entity (in this case toolpath). ƒ Draw All - displays (draws) all the entities (in this case toolpaths)

so that they have the symbol shown alongside them. ƒ Undraw All - hides (undraws) all the entities (in this case

toolpaths) so that they have the symbol shown alongside them. ƒ Delete All - deletes all the entities (in this case toolpaths).

Be careful when choosing this option as there is no 'undo'. If you want to create multiple entities (in this case toolpaths), with a common prefix, select Toolpath Names (on page 71) - Rename: None. When prompted to enter the template name, enter the prefix you want to be added to all your new toolpaths.

Individual entity context menus

As an example of the use of the menu for an individual entity, you can, in addition to the method of object renaming shown previously (see

"Explorer" on page 13), select the Rename option from the entity's context menu:

Some of the options are common to many of the individual context menus:

ƒ 'Switches' such as Activate and Draw. When these are ticked (as in Activate above), then the associated commands are executed. When they are not ticked (as in Draw above), then the commands are not executed (so, in this case the toolpath is not drawn - you would need to click Draw to tick the option and see the toolpath). ƒ Settings. This option displays the parameters that were used to

create the entity (in this case, the Raster Finishing toolpath parameters will be displayed, and you will be then able to click

ƒ Save as Template. When you create a new toolpath, you are given a choice of templates on which to base it, for example:

If you want any of the toolpaths that you have created under Toolpaths in Explorer to be added to this list of templates for future use (under any of the tabs shown), then right click the toolpath and, from the context menu, select Save as Template. After selecting the parameters to be saved, you can then save the toolpath in the folder that corresponds to the tab in which the template is to appear.

Active entities

Prior to creating a toolpath, it is essential that the entities needed for the toolpath are active, particularly the tool, workplane, boundary/pattern, and, if the toolpath is to be post-processed, the NC program.

Just because an entity is drawn does not mean that is it active, and, similarly, it is possible to have active entities that are undrawn. You can only have one active entity within each collective entity. You can tell whether or not an entity is active and drawn by looking at it in Explorer:

ƒ Each active entity (regardless of whether or not it is drawn) is always displayed in bold type and is preceded by >, for example:

ƒ In addition, when a graphical entity is first made active, or is re-activated, it is automatically drawn and appears in Explorer alongside the symbol .

Clicking changes the symbol to (to signify that the

entity is drawn). Clicking changes the symbol to (to

signify that the entity has now been hidden, or 'undrawn', even though it may still be active). These two symbols (

and ) then work together as a 'toggle'. If an 'undrawn' entity is made active again after being inactive, then the symbol reverts to the initial .

If you wish to make an entity active so that it is displayed in bold type and is preceded by >., either:

ƒ double click its icon so that it is displayed in bold type and is preceded by >.

Or

ƒ right click the entity in Explorer and select Activate from the context menu.

Any previously active entity within the collective entity is de-activated automatically in favour of the newly de-activated entity.

Drag and drop techniques

Entities can be reordered within the Explorer. This works in a similar way to many other Windows applications and is best shown by example.

If you select the bottom toolpath in the list Swarf and then drag it you will find that the cursor changes to show that it is dragging the toolpath:

Now you can place it elsewhere in the tree.

It will always place the selected toolpath after the currently highlighted toolpath. This means that to place a toolpath at the top of the tree you have to place it on the Toolpaths entity.

Certain entities can be placed in other entities using drag and drop techniques. This is true for placing toolpaths in an NC Program and placing entities in a group.

Drag and drop Toolpaths example

You can drag and drop toolpaths from one NC Program to another or from the Toolpath list to an NC Program.

1. First create a new NC Program by right clicking on NC Program in the Explorer and selecting the Create NC Program option and then click on Accept on the NC Program:1 dialog.

2. Now you can drag a toolpath, say Optimized Constant Z, from the toolpath list and drop it in NC Program 1.

3. This places a copy of toolpath Optimised Constant Z in NC Program 1.

4. Similarly you can drag and drop a toolpath between NC Programs. This copies the toolpath. So you end up with the same toolpath in two different NC Programs.

A toolpath can appear in more than one NC Program. But, it can only appear once in each NC Program. If you really need the same toolpath in the NC program twice then you can make a copy of the toolpath and insert the copy into the NC program.

Placing Multiple Toolpaths into an NC Program

You can multi-select toolpaths from the toolpath list and then place them in an NC Program.

1. First create a new NC Program by right clicking on NC Program in the explorer and selecting the Create NC Program option and then click on Accept on the NC Program:2 dialog.

2. Select the toolpaths you want in the NC Program (using the Shift key and the CTRL key as appropriate).

3. Right click in the Toolpaths area to display the Toolpaths context menu and select the Add to - NC Program option.

4. To check that this has worked, expand the NC Program 2. You will see the toolpaths selected from the list are now in this NC program.

NC Programs

Projects can directly contain many NC Programs. These are shown in the Explorer under the NC Program branch of the tree.

This allows you to place toolpaths in an NC program and then post-process the results to create a tape file.

NC Program context menu

The NC Program context menu is raised by right clicking on the NC Program entry in the Explorer.

NC Programs - this is the name of this menu.

Create NC Programs - creates a New NC Program. This displays the NC Program dialog (on page 38).

Type in an appropriate Name and then click on Accept if you are happy with the default values. This NC Program is now the active NC Program and any toolpaths that you create will be displayed in the NC Program list as well as in the Toolpaths list. For more information on this dialog see NC Program Dialog (on page 38). For more information see Creating Toolpaths in an NC Program (on page 35).

NC Program Names - defines the template that will be used for all new NC Programs. For more information see Toolpath Names (on page 71).

Write All - postprocesses all your NC programs provided that you have specified your machine option file and any other preferences. For more information see Post Processing Toolpaths. This describes, in detail, how to postprocess a single NC Program. The principle is the same for

multiple NC Programs.

Setup Sheets (on page Error! Bookmark not defined.) - lets you create setup sheets straight away with the default set of templates included with your PowerMILL installation. You can also tailor the template set to match your needs, or completely re-design it with 3rd party

applications, such as Notepad, Excel, Dreamweaver, or Amaya. Preferences - defines all the generic information required for

outputting toolpaths. Displays the NC Preferences dialog (on page 48). For more information see NC Program Preferences.

Project Notes - records the project-specific data for your NC Program. ƒ Date - by default, this field displays the date of the current

PowerMILL run, in the format yyyy-mm-dd. You can modify this value if required.

ƒ Programmer - by default, this field displays the logged-in user name. You can modify this value if required.

ƒ Customer - use this field to record the customer name. ƒ Part Name - use this field to record the part name.

ƒ Order Number - use this field to record the order number. ƒ Project Name - a read-only field displaying the project name. ƒ Project Directory - a read-only field showing the full project

path.

ƒ CAD Model - a read-only field with a list all model files used in the project (as shown in the Explorer).

ƒ Project Notes - use this field to write remarks, comments and observation that refer to entire project.

Edit All - edits All NC Programs, not just new ones. The fields in this dialog are exactly the same as those on the Edit Selected NC

Programs dialog (on page 60).

Create Folder - creates a folder called Folder1. You can then rename this folder in the normal way, and then drag and drop entities into the folder. For more information see Folders (on page 260).

Text Blocks (see "NC Program Text dialog" on page 29) - a command item that can be added anywhere in an NC program, just like a

workplane. This contains the commands to be passed directly through to the machine tool.

Delete All - deletes all the NC Programs. The toolpaths are not deleted and still remain in the toolpaths list, but they are no longer associated with an NC program.

Individual NC Program context menu

If you place your cursor over an individual NC Program and right click with the mouse you see the following context menu:

XYZ - this is the name of this menu and is the name of the selected NC program.

Simulate from Start - enables you to simulate the selected NC

program. The NC Program Toggle on the Simulation toolbar is updated with this NC Program. You can then use the Simulation Play

buttons to simulate the NC Program. For more information see Example of Toolpath Animation (see "Toolpath

Animation" on page 1077), ViewMill Simulation Procedure (see "ViewMill Simulation" on page 1078) or Example of Machine Tool Simulation (see "Machine Simulation" on page 1082). This feature is for visualisation purposes only and is not intended for use as a gouge

Write - postprocesses the NC program provided that you have specified your machine option file and any other preferences. For more information see Post Processing Toolpaths.

Setup Sheets (on page Error! Bookmark not defined.) - lets you create setup sheets straight away with the default set of templates included with your PowerMILL installation. You can also tailor the template set to match your needs, or completely re-design it with 3rd party

applications, such as Notepad, Excel, Dreamweaver, or Amaya. Activate - it makes the NC program the active NC program.

Activate Workplane - activates the workplane used to create this NC program and is the one that will be used on the machine tool.

Settings - allows you to change the setting you defined when you create this NC Program initially. Any changes made here affect the SELECTED NC Program, not new ones. This displays the NC Program dialog (on page 38). For more information see Creating Toolpaths in an NC Program (on page 35).

Edit Selected - allows you to change the setting you defined when you create the NC Programs initially. Any changes made here affect ALL SELECTED NC Programs, not new ones. This displays the Edit Selected NC Programs dialog (on page 60).

Statistics - displays the length and time of all the leads, links and cutting moves as well as the number of lifts relating to the active NC Program. If this option is dimmed check that the NC Program is the active NC Program.

Draw - determines whether the NC program is displayed on the screen or not. So it toggles between and .

Add to Folder - adds the selected entity to the active folder. If the option is greyed out check that you have an active folder.

You can only add a Toolpath entity to a Toolpaths folder. You cannot add a Toolpath entity to a NC Program folder.

For more information see Folders (on page 260).

Rename - allows you to rename the entity to give it a more meaningful name.

Text Block (see "NC Program - Text Block" on page 28) - a command item that can be added anywhere in an NC program, just like a

workplane. This contains the commands to be passed directly through to the machine tool.

Insert (see "NC Program - Insert" on page 32) - inserts Workplanes and Tool Change Points into an NC Program.

Edit (see "NC Program - Edit" on page 33) - edits the active NC Program Remove From Folder - removes the feature set from the current

folder. It converts this:

to this:

For more information see Folders (on page 260). Delete NC Program - deletes the NC program.

NC Program - Text Block

Text Block is a command item that can be added anywhere in an NC program, just like a workplane. This contains the commands to be passed directly through to the machine tool.

Create - creates a Text Block in the NC Program. Once you have created the text block you can edit it using the context menus.

A Text Block in an NC Program has its own context menu (see "Text Block context menu" on page 29).

Import - opens an existing text block. The Import Text Objects dialog is displayed. This is a standard Windows Open dialog.

Text Block context menu

Right clicking on a Text Block in the explorer displays the following menu:

Text Block - the name of the menu.

Settings - this displays the NC Program Text dialog (on page 29). Remove Text Block - removes the current text block from the NC program.

Export - saves an existing text block. The Export Text Objects dialog is displayed. This is a standard Windows Save dialog.

Copy Text Block - copies the current text block, but doesn't add it to an NC program.

Name - the name of the Text Block. Type - there are three types of text blocks.

The different types are represented by different icons in the Explorer:

Comment - this will appear in the NC Program Output file as a comment. For example, if you have This is a Comment then your NC Program Output file will contain something like

N…(This is a Comment).

Insert - this text will appear in the NC Program Output file. So this must be meaningful to the machine tool. For example, if you have M90 then your NC Program Output file will contain

something like N…M90.

PP Function - this is an instruction to the post processor. You must have the appropriate block in the postprocessor option file. For example, if you have Rotate 230 a suitable block needs to be added to the option file:

define block ppfun Rotate A Argument

end define

then your NC Program Output file will contain something like N…A230.

The bottom pane is where you type your text block. You can use variables (such as %[tool.radius]) in the text.

Rotation - forces a C axis rotation in the postprocessor. If you enter 180 you will see C180 in the tape file and the postprocessor

moving from C180. This enables you to rotate around the tool axis. The difference between this and using ppfun Rotate 180 is that the postprocessor takes account of the movement, so if the next move could be C10 or C170, C170 is chosen.

New Text Block - creates a text block, but doesn't add it to an NC program.

Add Text Block - adds the current text block to the current NC program.

Remove Text Block - removes the current text block from the NC program.

Copy Text Block - copies the current text block, but doesn't add it to an NC program.

Delete Text Block - deletes the current text block.

Import - opens an existing text block. The Import Text Objects dialog is displayed. This is a standard Windows Open dialog.

Export - saves an existing text block. The Export Text Objects dialog is displayed. This is a standard Windows Save dialog.

NC Program - Statistics

Statistics displays the length and time of all the leads, links and cutting moves as well as the number of lifts relating to the active NC Program. If this option is dimmed check that the NC Program is the active NC

Program.

For more information see Toolpath - Statistics (on page 89).

NC Program - Insert

Inserts Workplanes and Tool Change Points into an NC Program.

Tool Changes - inserts the current active workplane as a tool change point before each toolpath in an NC Program. It converts this:

to this:

Workplanes - inserts the active workplane before each toolpath in an NC Program. It converts this:

to this:

Adding a workplane at the start of an NC Program automatically makes it a tool change point.

NC Program - Edit

Copy NC Program - creates a copy of the NC Program containing all the toolpaths of the original. The new NC Program has the same name as the original with the addition of -1. So a copy of xyz becomes xyz_1.

Notes - allows you to add notes to an NC program. Displays the Notes for NC Program dialog. In this case, the NC Program is called 2.

Date - defaults to today's date, but can be edited.

Programmer - defaults to the programmer for the NC program, but can be edited.

Notes - area where you record NC program notes.

NC Program Toolpath menu

If you place your cursor over a specific toolpath in an NC Program and right click with the mouse you see the following menu:

Toolpath - this is the name of this menu.

Properties - displays information about the toolpath in the following dialog:

Activate - it makes this toolpath the active toolpath.

Setup Sheets: Snapshot - takes and displays snapshots.

Current View - takes a snapshot of the current graphics view. Preview - displays the snapshot, that has already been defined, in the Browser pane.

Remove Toolpath - removes this toolpath from this NC Program. It doesn't delete the toolpath or remove it from other NC Programs.

Creating Toolpaths in an NC Program

1. If you create a raster toolpath in the normal way you will find that it is displayed as usual in the Toolpaths list.

2. Now create an NC Program by right clicking on NC Program in the explorer and select the Create NC Program option.

Type in an appropriate Name (of say, NCProg) and then, since you will use the default values, click on Accept. For more information on this dialog see NC Program Dialog (on page 38). 4. Then create a second raster toolpath in the same way you will find

that it is displayed in the NC Program list as well as in the Toolpaths list.

5. Any subsequent toolpaths will also be added to NC Program NCProg.

NC Program Dialog

The NC Program dialog is available from either the Settings option on the individual NC Program context menu, or by selecting the Create NC Program option on the NC Program context menu.

The top portion of the dialog contains information relevant to the NC Program as a whole. The lower portion displays information relevant to a specific toolpath within the NC program (the currently active toolpath). For more information on the lower portion of this dialog see Selected Toolpath information (on page 44).

Options - displays the NC Programs tab of the Options dialog. For more information see Tools - Options - NC Program (see "Tools - Options" on page 333).

Root Name (on page 41) - defines the name and directory of the output file. There are a few additional special characters that you can insert here which will be automatically updated when you write the NC Program. This option is only useful for multiple output files.

Output File - the name and directory of the output file when writing all the toolpaths in an NC Program in one file. The same variables are

available as for Root Name (on page 41) , except %[counter] and %[toolpath].

This option is only available if you have deselected Write File for Each Toolpath on the NC Programs tab on the Options dialog.

Machine Option File - defines the appropriate machine tool option file (such as Fanuc11m).

Output Workplane - the workplane that will be used on the machine tool.

Program Number - sometimes a control requires a number at the start to the NC program file, this allows you to enter that number. For example for the Fanuc controls the file looks something like this:

% :1234

N10G91G28X0Y0Z0 N20G40G17G80G49 N30G0G90Z33.031

In this case 1234 is the program number.

Automatic Tool Alignment - is turned off when, for some reason, the output workplane is different from the toolpath workplane but no angular moves should appear in the NC program file, for example if the head has been manually turned through the required angle.

Part Name - is the name of the part which is being cut, it defaults to the same name as the NC program and can be used to appear at the beginning of the NC program file (depending on how the tape start is set in the machine option file).

Tool Value - determines whether the output is specified in terms of Tool Tip or Tool Centre. The tool centre is defined as the tool tip offset by the tip radius in the direction of the tool axis.

Connection Moves (on page 42) - determines how the tool moves from one toolpath to the next. In previous versions the tool moved to the new location and then rotated to the required orientation. This option is greyed out unless Multi-Axis toolpaths are present.

Toolpath List (on page 43) - displays a list of the toolpaths in the NC Program together with the tool, tool diameter, tool length and tool number. Selecting one or more of the toolpaths in this list will then

display the information about the toolpaths in the lower half of the dialog. Reset - resets the Tool Numbers to their original values. The Tool Number can be edited in the lower portion of the dialog and is displayed in the Toolpath List.

Tool Change - specifies when a Load Tool command is written. On Change - a load tool command will be written at the beginning

of the first toolpath and subsequently only if the tool geometry has changed. This will give a change if the tool length is different. Always - a load tool command will be written at the beginning of

On New Tool - a load tool command will be written at the beginning of the first toolpath and subsequently only if the toolpath uses a different tool entity from the previous toolpath.

Tool Number - defines which tool in the carousel, or reference number, to use.

As Specified - uses the tool number specified in the Tool entity dialog or else you must type a Tool Number in the Toolpath Output dialog. If a tool number has not been specified in any dialog the a ? is displayed in the toolpath list, unless it is the first toolpath in which case the tool number is assumed to be 1.

Automatic - numbers tool sequentially. The first tool is 1, followed by 2, 3, 4…. The tool numbers you edit behave like anchor points for the automatic numbering.

Tool Change Position - determines whether the tool change takes place before or after the connection move.

After Connection - the tool change takes place after the connection moves. This is the default behaviour and the only option in

previous versions.

Before Connection - the tool change takes place before the connection moves.

The Before Connection option should only be used after checking the DUCTpost option files and verifying the output

Root Name

Root Name - defines the name and directory of the output file. There are a few additional special characters that you can insert here which will be automatically updated when you write the NC Program. This option is only useful for multiple output files.

%[ncprogram] - inserts the current name of the NC Program when you write it.

%[counter] - inserts the next number (0, 1, 2, 3…) when you write it. %[partname] - inserts the current value of the Part Name field when

you write it.

%[toolpath] - inserts the current name of the toolpath when you write it.

%[workplane] - inserts the current name of the workplane when you write it.

%[path_from_opt] - inserts a pathname based on the option file in the NC Program when you write it. For example, all NC Programs postprocessed with brid.opt option file would be written out to the /PMILL project/ncprograms/BRIDGEPORT subfolder.

%[ncprogram.shortname] - forces the NC Program to have a maximum of 8 characters.

You can use more than one of theses at a time. For example you could have %[ncprogram]_%[toolpath]_abc. If the NC Program was 1 and the toolpath MultipleCuts the output file would be 1_MultipleCuts_abc.tap.

Connection Moves

Connection Moves - determines how the tool moves from one toolpath to the next. In previous versions the tool moved to the new location and then rotated to the required orientation. This option is greyed out unless Multi-Axis toolpaths are present.

You have the choice of:

Move, Rotate - the tool moves to the new location and then rotates to the correct orientation. This was the only option in previous versions of PowerMILL.

Rotate, Move - the tool rotates to the correct orientation and then moves to the new location.

Toolpath List

Toolpath List - displays a list of the toolpaths in the NC Program together with the tool, tool diameter, tool length and tool number. Selecting one or more of the toolpaths in this list will then display the information about the toolpaths in the lower half of the dialog.

The size of each column can be moved in a standard windows way by placing the cursor over the end of a column and dragging it to a new location.

The Number field is the Tool Number.

If the Number is surrounded by brackets, (2) it indicates that there is no tool change for this toolpath.

If the Number is preceded by an asterisk, * it indicates that Tool Number for this toolpath has been edited in the lower portion of this dialog.

If the Number is replaced by a ? it indicates that no tool number has been specified, but a Tool Numbering of As Specified has been selected.

You are not allowed to define the same Number for a tool as one that already exists for a different tool. The only time when this isn't the case is when you write a separate file for each toolpath, where all default tool Numbers will be 1. The first Tool Number in any file defaults to 1.

Selected Toolpath information

The lower part of this dialog displays information about the selected toolpath (or toolpaths). These can be selected either from the toolpath list or from the list of toolpaths in the NC Program in the explorer.

Tool - summarises the tool information defined when you created the tool.

ID - the user defined name or description allocated to the tool and added to the cut file.

Number - user defined tool number allocated to the tool and added to the cut file.

Gauge Length - the length from tip of the tool to the top of the holder. By default this value is calculated automatically in

PowerMILL from the Holder tab on the Tool dialog, but you can manually edit it here. If you do edit this value then, like the tool number, it is preceded with an *. This value is used for Multi-Axis calculation

Cutter Compensation (on page 45) - for most controls except the Heidenhain the actual value used for length and radius compensation are entered into the machine tool by the operator. This is done by typing the values into a register which is then accessed by a number in the NC program.

Drilling Cycle Output - saves drilling cycles as canned cycles. Coolant (on page Error! Bookmark not defined.) - allows you to specify the coolant:

None - no coolant output. Standard - coolant turned on. Flood - coolant on flood. Mist - coolant on mist. Tap - tap coolant on.

Air - air blast.

Through - coolant through spindle. Double - two coolant codes are allowed.

The coolant is always turned off at the end of a toolpath.

Add Commands (on page 47) - clicking on this button displays a dialog that allows you to specify commands and comments that will be inserted into the NC toolpath.

Output File - the name of the output file when writing all the toolpaths in an NC Program. The same variables are available as for Root Name (on page 41).

This option is only available if you have selected Write File for Each Toolpath on the NC Programs tab on the Options dialog.

Cutter Compensation

Cutter Compensation - for most controls except the Heidenhain the actual value used for length and radius compensation are entered into the machine tool by the operator. This is done by typing the values into a register which is then accessed by a number in the NC program.

For example, suppose you require a tool radius offset of 0.2 in the first toolpath and 0.4 in the second toolpath and set the radius offset number to 31 in the first toolpath and 32 in the second toolpath, the NC program file contains the codes G41 ... D31 in the first toolpath and G41 ... D32 in the second. Then type 0.2 into register 31 and 0.4 into register 32 and the values 0.2 and 0.4 will be used for the first and second toolpaths respectively.

Most people use the same number for the length offset number, the radius offset number and the tool number, for example they expect to see T5, H5 and D5 in the same toolpath. Alternatively the radius offset number may have a fixed connection with the tool number, for example, if the tool number is 5 the radius offset number is 35, if the tool number is 7 the offset is 37.This can be easily taken care of by the postprocessor.

Occasionally however it is not possible to do this, so PowerMILL has the ability to change the numbers if this is really required, but the default numbers are usually correct, and that the numbers are only used if length or radius compensation is being used.

Length - this is the compensation length on the machine and it will only appear on files post processed for the Heidenhain control. It enables you to alter the length of the tool in the NC toolpath by specifying a new tool length here. The tool length used in PowerMILL remains unchanged. If the length compensation is switched off the value 0 will appear in the file. If it is switched on the default is the tool entity length.

Length Offset Number - allows you to change the number in case the default numbers are not correct.

Radius - this is the ability to offset a toolpath at the machine controller by an amount stored in a particular offset register.

Compensation is added by issuing G41 (left offset) or a G42 (right offset) command at the beginning of the tool moves that require compensation. If you specify 2D currently a cutter compensation left code is issued. It is no longer possible to write normals and left/right codes in the same toolpath. So any option files which have cutter compensation left/right codes as well as the normals will have to be adjusted.

Radius Offset Number - allows you to change the number in case the default numbers are not correct.

3D Cutter Compensation - when On the specified toolpath is created with the contact normals details in it. This is essential when the machine tool does the 3D cutter compensation and PowerMILL outputs i, j, k vectors in the tape file. To turn 3D Cutter

compensation on for all toolpaths simply select all the toolpaths in the list and then select a Radius of 3D and check the Contact Normals option in the Calculation frame on the Tools - Options - Toolpath dialog.

Add Commands

Add Commands - clicking on this button displays a dialog that allows you to specify commands and comments that will be inserted into the NC toolpath.

Commands and comments typed in here will be added to the output file. Any line starting with / is assumed to be a comment.

Standard Message - defines where the standard messages generated by PowerMILL are output. There are three options: before a tool change; after a tool change; no messages are output.

Command/Comment - defines where the commands/comments you have added above are output. There are two options: before a tool change; after a tool change. If you enter a command here you must ensure that the option file is set up to expect the command.

Output File - defines the root name of the output file. This option is only available if you select Write File for Each Toolpath on the Option dialog. The Option dialog is available from the Options button on this dialog or from the Tools - Options - NC Program menu.

NC Preferences Dialog

This only contains generic information rather than toolpath specific information.

These preferences only affect new NC Programs. Values entered in this dialog are then used as the default values in the NC Program dialog. You can look at it as a template. Existing NC Programs are not affected by changes here. There are two tabs one for changes to defaults for items belonging to a toolpath and one for changes to defaults for items

NC Preferences - Output

The values entered here are those used as default values in the NC Program dialog.

Use Project - specifies the default output folder to be an automatically created folder called ncprograms within the project folder.

Output Folder - specifies the default output directory for NC Programs. - allows you to browse to find the required directory and filename. Clicking on displays the Select Path dialog.

This is a standard PowerMILL Open dialog and is very similar to the Open Project dialog.

Output File - defines the name and directory of the output file. There are a number of special characters that you can insert here which will be automatically updated when you write the NC Program. This option is only useful for multiple output files.

%[ncprogram] - inserts the current name of the NC Program when you write it.

%[counter] - inserts the next number (1, 2, 3…) when you write it. %[partname] - inserts the current name of the Project when you write it. %[toolpath] - inserts the current name of the toolpath when you write it. %[workplane] - inserts the current name of the workplane when you write it.

You can use more than one of theses at a time. For example you could have %[ncprogram]_%[toolpath]_abc. If the NC Program was 1 and the toolpath MultipleCuts the output file would be

1_MultipleCuts_abc.tap.

Machine Option File - specifies the default machine tool option file (such as Fanuc11m for NC Programs.

Browse button - allows you to browse to find the required directory and filename. Clicking on the displays the Select Machine Option Filename dialog.

This is a standard File Open dialog and is very similar to the Open Examples dialog. By default the dialog will display the option files contained in c:\dcam\config\ductpost\.

File Type - specifies whether the toolpath will be output as either an NC Program (*.tap) or a Cutter Location (standard cutter location format file extension *.cut).

Output Workplane - sets the output workplane on all the NC program dialogs, so if you have a machine workplane you use all the time you can set it as a preference. You can still set the workplane on the NC program dialog, or if you change your requirement later you can use the Edit Selected or Edit All dialogs available from the NC program context menu to change the output workplane in selected/all NC programs. Clicking on the locks the output workplane.

Unlocked - the field is unlocked and so can be edited.

Locked - the field is locked. So, if you try change the workplane you won't succeed.

3D Machine Compensation - specifies the default value for 3D machine compensation. This enables the machine tool to do 3D cutter compensation by outputting i, j, k vectors in the tape file.

Auto Tool Alignment - specifies the default value for automatic tool alignment. It is turned off when the output workplane is different from the toolpath workplane but no angular moves should appear in the NC

program file. For example, if the head has been manually turned through the required angle.

Part Name - specifies the default value for the part name. It is the name of the part which is being cut. It defaults to the same name as the NC program and can be used to appear at the beginning of the NC program file (depending on how the tape start is set in the machine option file). Tool Value - specifies the default value for the tool value. Determines whether the output is specified in terms of Tool Tip or Tool Centre. The tool centre is defined as the tool tip offset by the tip radius in the direction of the tool axis.

Connection Moves - determines how the tool moves from one toolpath to the next. In previous versions the tool moved to the new location and then rotated to the required orientation. This option is greyed out unless multi-axis toolpaths are present.