Toolpath Segments

Each 5X procedure is treated by GPP2 as a set of segments, where each segment contains one continuous cutting (feed speed) motion. A procedure may have one segment or multiple segments. The segments are separated by rapid motions, where the end of one segment is connected to the beginning of the next segment.

A 5X toolpath segment is composed of the cutting motions, as well as a (rapid) approach motion and a (rapid) retract motion. These motions are taken from the Cimatron toolpath.

GPP2 optimizes the angles used within each segment, trying to avoid the need to break the cutting motions because of machine limits.

In addition, it creates the connections between the segments. These connections are standard GPP2 connections, and are fully described in the GPP2 Theory of Operation. The connections to and from the segment are not shown in the diagram.

With the advanced 5X procedures (also known as 5X Production or 5X Aerospace), there may be additional approach and retract motions, depending on the way the procedure was programmed.

With the advanced 5X procedures, it is possible to force the entire procedure to behave as a single long segment, including all internal rapid motions. This is done by setting the INTERNAL_5X_RAPID system flag to TRUE_. The flag only affects 5X advanced procedures.

In some machines, GPP2 can optimize the rotary axes motions better if allowed to perform its own connections between contiguous sections of feed motions (For example, when axes need to be rotated or solutions swapped). This behavior is achieved when the INTERNAL_5X_RAPID is turned off. The downside is that the connections between segments are not the same as seen inside Cimatron.