Tool Trajectory Parameters: Turning > Groove - Groove Cycle Tab

Create geometry-independent rectangular grooves.
Used for predefined groove cycles.

The Tool Trajectory parameters for Turning > Groove are displayed in a dialog. The Groove Cycle tab is displayed below.

Groove Cut Options

These checkboxes indicate the direction the tool will move along the designated cut shape.

Cut Other Side

Specify whether to use the non-primary side of the tool. For example, an X+ tool for the outer diameter (OD) might use the X- side to cut on the inner diameter (ID).

Approach/Retract Type

The Approach/Retract Type selection designates the axis along which the tool will approach and retract from the part. These are similar for all Turning procedures, with the exception of Lathe Drill.

On most turning machines, X is radial and Z is axial, as shown below.
Xr indicates a Radius dimension; Xd indicates a Diameter dimension.

The OD (Outside Diameter of the part) and Front ID (Front Inside Diameter of the part) approach type options specify that the tool approaches and retracts radially along the X axis, on most turning machines.
The Front Face and Back Face approach type options specify that the tool approaches and retracts axially along the Z axis, on most turning machines.

Once the Approach Type is selected, the corresponding Clearance diagram appears in the Process dialog. The boxes with the arrows next to them represent the Entry and Exit Clearance Positions that the tool may use when approaching and retracting from the part; both boxes are labeled with arrows going towards and away from the part, respectively. The Entry and Exit Clearance Positions are only required when Auto Clearance is turned OFF.

Entry Clearance Diameter/Radius specifies the location to which the tool will make a rapid move, before it begins to feed radially to the operation's start point.

Exit Clearance Diameter/Radius specifies the location to which the tool will make a rapid move, after it has completed cutting at the operation's end point.

The OD approach type option deploys the toolpath on the Outer Diameter of the part.

For this option, the following Clearance Diagram is displayed:

Entry Clearance

Exit Clearance

Start Cutting

Bottom of the Groove

For this option, the following Clearance Diagram is displayed:

Entry Clearance

Exit Clearance

Start Cutting

Bottom of the Groove

Front Face

The Front Face approach type option deploys the toolpath onto the Front Face (Z+) of the part.

For this option, the following Clearance Diagram is displayed:

Entry Clearance

Exit Clearance

Start Cutting

End of the Groove

Back Face

The Back Face approach type option deploys the toolpath onto the Back Face (Z-) of the part.

For this option, the following Clearance Diagram is displayed:

Entry Clearance

Exit Clearance

Start Cutting

End of the Groove

Cutoff

When this checkbox is ON

, the postprocessor considers this a cutoff process.

Groove Cut Parameters

Set the groove cut parameters.

X Position/Z Position

Select one of the three radial buttons to specify the location of the groove. Enter a value to define the positional location of that point in the groove.
The 1, 2 or 3 positions correspond with the positions in the relevant Clearance Diagram, for example:

Groove Width

Enter the groove width.

Prefer Canned

When this checkbox is ON , the system generates canned cycles in the posted code. Checking this box will disable Equalize Depths and Equalize Stepovers.

Start at Position

Toggle to select the position that the tool will start cutting. The position numbers correspond with the positions in the relevant Clearance Diagram, for example:

Depth of Cut

Enter a value to specify the depth of cut the tool will make on each pass.

For grooving operations, this is also known as the peck distance.

Retract Amount

Distance to retract at the end of each peck.

Equalize Depths

When this checkbox is ON , the peck depth will be recalculated to ensure that each peck is the same depth (equal cuts).

Stepover

Define the stepover amount (lateral cut) between each peck. A value of 0 will cause a cutoff.

Equalize Stepovers

When this checkbox is ON , the stepover is recalculated to ensure that each stepover move is the same amount (equal cuts).

Relief Amount

Distance to move across at the end of the last peck before retracting out of the groove.

Add Relief to First Cut

When this checkbox is ON , the relief amount will be applied after the first amount. You should only check this option when there is no material on the front wall of the groove.