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This method produces the most consistent surface finish on features whose faces have both shallow and steep slope angles. The 3D stepover method generates a toolpath with a true constant stepover regardless of the slope of the feature faces. The Constant Stepover operation removes material by maintaining a constant user-defined stepover relative to the surface. These patterns have unique characteristics that make them appropriate for semi-finishing and finishing selected areas or across the entire model. The Pattern Project operation is a multi-surface finishing cycle that removes material based on the selected pattern: Slice, Flowline, Radial, and Spiral. This cycle can be used for finishing where excess material has already been cleared and supports single or multiple depths of cut. If a face/surface has even a small gradient, toolpath will not be generated. Toolpaths are only generated on compeltely flat areas. The Flat Area cycle uses a pocket out pattern to remove material from feature faces that are flat and parallel to the XY machining plane. Cutting starts from the highest location of the model and works downward. The cuts follow the contour of the feature at decreasing Z levels based on the Surface Finish specified. The Z-Level cycle is a finish contouring cycle that removes material by making a series of horizontal, planar cuts.
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Depths of cut can be constant or variable. This cycle removes the material between the stock or contain area and the selected feature at decreasing Z depth levels by making a series of parallel cuts across the stock, or by pocketing out toward the stock. Area ClearanceĪrea Clearance is the 3-axis roughing operation. Learn about SOLIDWORKS CAM and CAMWorks 3-Axis Operations.
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