Hints and Tips: Rough Pocketing Procedures

Volume Milling > Parallel, Spiral, Stock Spiral Cutting / Without Surfaces

For each contour, an offset value and draft angle may be defined and edited.
You can define Part and Stock contours, to be used for high speed cutting of core pockets.
Cutter motions are at a constant depth and performed at each Z-layer.
The following roughing techniques are available:
- Spiral Cutting: Along curves which are at a constant offset to the boundary curves (collapsing pocket). Cutter movements are added to cut excess material in sharp corners.
- Parallel Cutting: Along straight parallel lines at any angle (zigzag pocket). Unidirectional or bidirectional cut may be specified.
- Stock Spiral Cutting: the milling is performed with only one side of the cutter, when used on an open area.

You can specify the entry point inside or outside the enclosed region.
A ramping down technique is available.

Ramping is a tool entry method whereby the tool enters the part by gradually increasing in depth, preventing any shock loading on the tool to avoid poor tool life or premature tool failure. The angle of entry is determined by a defined ramp angle.

The system optimizes movements between regions; instead of retracting, the cutter moves through previously machined areas.
Finish pocketing can be performed by choosing Contour Milling, Pocket Milling, without surfaces.