Adjusting toolpath parameters

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When machining a part, you can use a variety of toolpaths to ensure accurate finishing.

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However, creating accurate toolpaths requires toolpath adjustment.

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For this video, open the file Adjust Parameters.f3d.

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In the Manufacture workspace, from the Browser,

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review the toolpaths that are currently applied to the model.

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To do this, select each toolpath.

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In this example, there are facing, roughing profile, and finishing profile toolpaths applied.

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Notice that there is a large amount of stock material that will not be cleared from the model, if left as-is.

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From the Toolbar, in the Turning tab, expand the Turning drop-down, and then select Turning Groove.

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The Groove dialog displays.

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From the Tool tab, under Tool, next to Tool, click the selection tool.

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The Tool Library displays.

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From the list of libraries, under Documents, ensure Adjust Parameters is selected.

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Then, from the tool list, select tool 3 – OD Grooving.

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Click Select.

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Back in the Groove dialog, click OK.

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The toolpath displays and includes clearing areas that are already finished.

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From the Browser, right-click the Groove toolpath and select Edit.

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The Groove dialog displays again.

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Open the Geometry tab.

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Enable Rest Machining.

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This specifies that only stock left after any previous operation should be machined.

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Ensure Source is set to From previous operation(s).

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Click OK.

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The toolpath updates, ignoring areas that are already finished.

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Edit the toolpath again.

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In the Groove dialog, back in the Geometry tab, confine the starting and stopping points of the toolpath.

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To do this, under Front, expand the Front Mode drop-down and click Selection.

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Then, in the canvas, pick the interior face of the upper flange.

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Now, under Back, expand the Back Mode drop-down and choose Selection.

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This time, in the canvas, pick the interior face of the opposite flange.

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Click OK.

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The toolpath updates.

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Notice that now, the toolpath is contained within the two flanges.

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Simulate the toolpath. To do so, in the Browser, select Setup1.

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The stock displays.

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Then, in the Actions panel, select Simulate.

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Back in the Browser, select the Groove toolpath.

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In the Simulation player, select Play.

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Notice that the tool moves all the way to the roughing diameter.

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To adjust this, edit the Groove toolpath again.

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In the Groove dialog, open the Passes tab.

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Under Roughing Passes, expand the Grooving Pattern drop-down.

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From here, you can choose from three grooving pattern options.

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Select Partial stepdown.

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Then, in the Maximum Groove Stepover field, enter,

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“.08”, and in the Maximum Groove Stepdown field, enter, “.15”.

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Click OK.

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Simulate the toolpath again.

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Notice that the tool now takes wider stepover and is no longer going the full depth.

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Adjusting toolpaths lets you configure how the tool moves as it roughs out material.