Solidcam 2021 HSR HSM User Guide

SolidCAM User Guide
HSR/HSM
iMachining 2D & 3D | 2.5D Milling | HSS | HSM | Indexial Multi-Sided | Simultaneous 5-Axis | Turning & Mill-Turn | Solid Probe
SolidCAM + SOLIDWORKS
The Complete Integrated Manufacturing Solution
SolidCAM 2021
HSR/HSM Module
User Guide
©1995-2021 SolidCAM
All Rights Reserved.
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Contents
Contents
1. Introduction and Basic Concepts

1.1 Start HSR/HSM Operation..................................................................................3
1.2 SolidCAM HSR/HSM Operation Overview.....................................................4
1.3 Parameters and Values............................................................................................6
2. Technology
2.1 HM Roughing....................................................................................................... 12
2.2 Contour Roughing............................................................................................... 13
2.3 Hatch Roughing................................................................................................... 14
2.4 Hybrid Rib Roughing.......................................................................................... 15
2.5 Rest Roughing....................................................................................................... 16
2.6 Constant Z Machining........................................................................................ 17
2.7 Hybrid Constant Z............................................................................................... 18
2.8 Helical Machining................................................................................................ 18
2.9 Horizontal Machining......................................................................................... 19
2.10 Linear Machining................................................................................................. 19
2.11 Radial Machining.................................................................................................. 20
2.12 Spiral Machining................................................................................................... 21
2.13 Morphed Machining............................................................................................ 22
2.14 Offset Cutting....................................................................................................... 23
2.15 Boundary Machining........................................................................................... 24
2.16 Rest Machining..................................................................................................... 25
2.17 Contour Rest Machining..................................................................................... 25
2.18 3D Constant Step Over Machining................................................................... 26
2.19 Pencil Milling........................................................................................................ 27
2.20 Parallel Pencil Milling.......................................................................................... 27
2.21 3D Corner Offset................................................................................................ 28
2.22 Prismatic Part Machining.................................................................................... 28
2.23 Combined Strategies............................................................................................ 29
2.24 Customize Menu.................................................................................................. 29
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3. Geometry
3.1 Geometry Definition........................................................................................... 32
3.1.1 CoordSys...................................................................................................... 32
3.1.2 Target geometry.......................................................................................... 33
3.1.3 Facet tolerance............................................................................................ 34
3.1.4 Micro Milling............................................................................................... 34
3.1.5 Apply fillets.................................................................................................. 34
3.1.6 Fillet Surfaces dialog box.......................................................................... 36
4. Tool
4.1 Calculate Minimum Tool Length....................................................................... 40
4.2 Holder Clearance.................................................................................................. 41
4.3 Tool Selection....................................................................................................... 41
4.4 Spin & Feed Rate Definition.............................................................................. 42
5. Boundaries
5.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 46
5.1.1 Drive boundaries........................................................................................ 46
5.1.2 Constraint boundaries.............................................................................. 50
5.2 Boundary Definition............................................................................................ 52
5.2.1 Boundary type............................................................................................ 52
5.2.2 Boundary name.......................................................................................... 53
5.2.3 Boundary – tool relation.......................................................................... 53
5.3 Automatically Created Boundaries.................................................................... 56
5.3.1 Auto-created box of target geometry.................................................... 56
5.3.2 Auto-created box of stock geometry..................................................... 56
5.3.3 Auto-created silhouette............................................................................ 57
5.3.4 Auto-created outer silhouette.................................................................. 57
5.4 2D Manually Created Boundaries...................................................................... 58
5.4.1 Boundary box............................................................................................. 58
5.4.2 Silhouette boundary.................................................................................. 59
5.4.3 User-defined boundary............................................................................. 60
5.4.4 Combined boundary................................................................................. 60
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Contents
5.4.5 Select Faces dialog box............................................................................. 64

5.4.6 Select Chain dialog box............................................................................ 64
5.5 3D Manually Created Boundaries...................................................................... 65
5.5.1 Common parameters................................................................................ 65
5.5.2 Selected faces............................................................................................. 67
5.5.3 Shallow areas.............................................................................................. 68
5.5.4 Theoretical rest areas................................................................................ 69
5.5.5 Tool contact area........................................................................................ 71
5.5.6 Rest areas.................................................................................................... 73
6. Passes
6.1 Passes Parameters................................................................................................. 77
6.1.1 Wall offset................................................................................................... 78
6.1.2 Floor offset................................................................................................. 80
6.1.3 Cut Tolerance............................................................................................. 81
6.1.4 Step down................................................................................................... 81
6.1.5 Step over..................................................................................................... 82
6.1.6 Pass extension............................................................................................ 83
6.1.7 Offsets......................................................................................................... 84
6.1.8 Detect Flat Areas........................................................................................ 85
6.1.9 Limits............................................................................................................ 85
6.1.10 Point reduction........................................................................................ 87
6.1.11 Refine corners.......................................................................................... 87
6.2 Smoothing Parameters........................................................................................ 87
6.2.1 Max. radius................................................................................................. 88
6.2.2 Profile tolerance......................................................................................... 88
6.2.3 Offset tolerance......................................................................................... 88
6.3 Adaptive Step Down Parameters....................................................................... 89
6.4 Edit Passes Parameters........................................................................................ 93
6.5 Axial Offset........................................................................................................... 97
6.6 Strategy Parameters.............................................................................................. 98
6.6.1 Contour roughing...................................................................................... 99
6.6.2 Hatch roughing........................................................................................ 101
6.6.3 Hybrid Rib roughing............................................................................... 102
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6.6.4 Linear machining .................................................................................... 106
6.6.5 Helical machining.................................................................................... 110
6.6.6 Radial machining .................................................................................... 112
6.6.7 Spiral machining...................................................................................... 115
6.6.8 Morphed machining ............................................................................... 118
6.6.9 Offset cutting........................................................................................... 120
6.6.10 Rest machining...................................................................................... 121
6.6.11 3D Constant step over......................................................................... 127
6.6.12 Pencil milling.......................................................................................... 130
6.6.13 Parallel pencil milling ........................................................................... 132
6.6.14 3D Corner offset .................................................................................. 134
6.6.15 Prismatic Part......................................................................................... 135
6.6.16 Combined strategy................................................................................ 136
6.7 Calculation Speed............................................................................................... 144
7. Links
7.1 General Parameters............................................................................................ 147
7.1.1 Direction options................................................................................. 148
7.1.2 Order passes......................................................................................... 157
7.1.3 Retract.................................................................................................... 160
7.1.4 Start hint................................................................................................ 161
7.1.5 Minimize reverse linking..................................................................... 162
7.1.6 Minimize full wide cuts....................................................................... 162
7.1.7 Link by area........................................................................................... 163
7.1.8 Link by Z-level..................................................................................... 164
7.1.9 Link per cluster..................................................................................... 165
7.1.10 Use dynamic stock............................................................................... 165
7.1.11 Min. profile........................................................................................... 166
7.1.12 Refurbishment...................................................................................... 166
7.1.13 Safety...................................................................................................... 167
7.2 Ramping Parameters.......................................................................................... 168
7.3 Strategy Parameters............................................................................................ 174
7.3.1 Stay on surface within......................................................................... 175
7.3.2 Stay down within.................................................................................. 176
7.3.3 Overlap closed passes.......................................................................... 176
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Contents
7.3.4 Along surface........................................................................................ 176

7.3.5 Linking radius....................................................................................... 179
7.3.6 Link clearance....................................................................................... 180
7.3.7 Horizontal link clearance.................................................................... 181
7.4 Retracts Parameters............................................................................................ 181
7.4.1 Style........................................................................................................ 182
7.4.2 Clearance............................................................................................... 183
7.4.3 Smoothing............................................................................................. 185
7.4.4 Curls....................................................................................................... 185
7.5 Leads Parameters............................................................................................... 186
7.5.1 Fitting..................................................................................................... 187
7.5.2 Trimming............................................................................................... 189
7.5.3 Vertical leads......................................................................................... 190
7.5.4 Horizontal leads................................................................................... 190
7.5.5 Extensions............................................................................................. 193
7.5.6 Basic approaches.................................................................................. 193
7.6 Down/Up Mill Parameters............................................................................... 195
7.7 Refurbishment Parameters............................................................................... 197
7.7.1 Min. pass length................................................................................... 197
7.7.2 Spikes..................................................................................................... 198
8. Motion Control
8.1 4th Axis................................................................................................................ 202
8.2 Approximation of Arcs.................................................................................... 203
8.3 5th Axis................................................................................................................ 203
8.4 Point Interpolation............................................................................................. 203
9. Miscellaneous Parameters
9.1 Message................................................................................................................ 206
9.2 Extra Parameters................................................................................................ 206
9.3 Flyout Window................................................................................................... 206
10. Edit Tool Path
10.1 Source operation................................................................................................ 208
10.1.1 Boundaries............................................................................................ 209
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10.1.2 Z-levels.................................................................................................. 209
10.1.3 Boundaries & Z-levels......................................................................... 209
10.2 Tool...................................................................................................................... 210
10.3 Boundaries and Z-levels.................................................................................... 210
10.3.1 Boundary Type..................................................................................... 211
10.3.2 Boundary name.................................................................................... 211
10.3.3 Boundary offset.................................................................................... 211
10.3.4 Z-levels.................................................................................................. 211
10.3.5 Keep tool path outside the Boundary.............................................. 211
11. Tool Path Editor
11.1 Opening the Tool Path Editor......................................................................... 214
11.2 TPE Toolbar....................................................................................................... 214
11.3 Editing Options.................................................................................................. 216
12. Examples
Example #1: Rough machining and Rest roughing................................................. 219
Example #2: Hybrid Rib roughing............................................................................. 220
Example #3: HM Roughing........................................................................................ 221
Example #4: Constant Z, Helical and Horizontal machining................................ 222
Example #5: Hybrid Constant Z machining............................................................. 223
Example #6: Linear machining................................................................................... 224
Example #7: Radial and Spiral machining................................................................. 225
Example #8: Morphed machining and Offset cutting............................................ 226
Example #9: Boundary machining............................................................................. 227
Example #10: Rest machining..................................................................................... 228
Example #11: 3D Constant Step over machining.................................................... 229
Example #12: Pencil, Parallel Pencil and 3D Corner Offset.................................. 230
Example #13: Prismatic Part machining.................................................................... 231
Example #14: Mold cavity machining........................................................................ 232
Example #15: Aerospace part machining.................................................................. 234
Example #16: Electronic box machining.................................................................. 235
Example #17: Mold insert machining........................................................................ 237
Example #18: Mold cavity machining........................................................................ 239
Example #19: Mold core machining.......................................................................... 241
Document number: SCHSMUGENG0021SP0
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Introduction and
Basic Concepts 1
Welcome to SolidCAM HSR/HSM!
SolidCAM HSR/HSM is a very powerful and market-proven high-speed machining (HSM) and
high-speed roughing (HSR) module for molds, tools and dies and complex 3D parts. It offers
unique machining and linking strategies for generating high-speed tool paths.
SolidCAM HSR/HSM module smooths the paths of both cutting moves and retracts wherever
possible to maintain a continuous machine tool motion–an essential requirement for maintaining
higher feed rates and eliminating dwelling.
With SolidCAM HSR/HSM module, retracts to high Z-levels are kept to a minimum. Angled
where possible, smoothed by arcs, retracts do not go any higher than necessary, thus minimizing
air cutting and reducing machining time.
The result of HSR/HSM is an efficient, smooth, and gouge-free tool path. This translates to
increased surface quality, less wear on your cutters, and a longer life for your machine tools.
With demands for ever-shorter lead and production times, lower costs and improved quality,
HSR/HSM is a must in today’s machine shops.
About this book

This book is intended for experienced SolidCAM users. If you are not familiar with the software,
start with the examples in the Modules Overview manual and then contact your reseller for
information about SolidCAM training classes.
About the Examples

The CAM-Parts used for this book are attached in a ZIP archive. Extract the content of the
Examples archive into your hard drive. The SOLIDWORKS files used for the exercise were
prepared with SOLIDWORKS 2020.
Windows 10
The screenshots in this book were made using SolidCAM 2021 SP0 integrated with SOLIDWORKS
2020 running on Windows 10. If you are running on a different version of Windows, you may
notice differences in the appearance of menus and windows. These differences do not affect the
performance of the software.
The contents of this book and the examples can be downloaded from the SolidCAM website at
http://www.solidcam.com.
2
1. Introduction
1.1 Start HSR/HSM Operation
To add an HSR Operation or HSM Operation to the CAM-Part, right-click the Operations header
in SolidCAM Manager and choose either 3D HSR or 3D HSM command from the Add Milling
Operation submenu.
You can also select the icons on SOLIDWORKS CommandManager tabs, either on SolidCAM 3D
or SolidCAM Operations tab.
3
The corresponding operation dialog box is displayed.
1.2 SolidCAM HSR/HSM Operation Overview
Operation name Template

Info
Technology
Geometry parameters
Show tool buttons
Tool parameters
Boundary parameters
Passes parameters
Link parameters
Motion control parameters

Parameters page
Miscellaneous parameters
Transformation button
Parameter illustration
Operation buttons
4
1. Introduction
The definition of a SolidCAM HSR/HSM operation consists of the following stages:
Strategy choice
Geometry definition
Tool definition
Boundary definition
Passes definition
Link definition
Motion control definition
Misc. parameters definition
At the first stage, you have to choose one of the available machining strategies. The machining
strategy defines the technology that will be used for the machining. For more information on the
machining strategies, refer to chapter 2.
At the Geometry definition stage, you have to specify the 3D model geometry that will be
machined. For more information on the geometry definition, refer to chapter 3.
The next stage enables you to choose from the Part Tool Table a cutting tool that will be used for
the operation. For more information on the tool definition, refer to chapter 4.
The Boundaries definition page enables you to limit the operation machining to the specific
model areas. For some machining strategies an additional boundary defines the drive curve of
the operation tool path. For more information on the boundary definition, refer to chapter 5.
In the Passes definition, SolidCAM enables you to specify the technological parameters used
for the tool passes calculation. For more information on the passes definition, refer to chapter 6.
The Link parameters page enables you to define the tool link moves between cutting passes. For
more information on the link definition, refer to chapter 7.
5
The Motion control parameters page enables you to optimize the calculated tool path according
to the kinematics and special characteristics of your CNC-machine. For more information on
these parameters definition, refer to chapter 8.
The Miscellaneous parameters page enables you to define the non-technological parameters
related to the HSR/HSM operation. For more information on the miscellaneous parameters
definition, refer to chapter 9.
1.3 Parameters and Values
Most of the parameters used in the SolidCAM HSR/HSM operation receive default values
according to built-in formulas that define dependencies between the parameters. When a number
of basic parameters such a tool diameter, corner radius, offsets, etc., are defined, SolidCAM
updates the values of dependent parameters.
For example, the Step down parameter for Contour roughing is defined with the following
formula:
If the tool corner radius is 0 (end mill), the Step down parameter default is set to 1. If a
ball-nosed tool is chosen, the Step down value is equal to the tool corner radius value
divided by 5; for bull-nosed tools the Step down value is equal to the tool corner radius
value divided by 3.
SolidCAM provides you with a right-click edit box menu for each parameter.
6
1. Introduction
View parameter Info

This command displays the Parameter Info dialog box. This dialog box shows the internal
parameter name and the related formula (if exists) or a static value.
The Unfold button displays a brief explanation of the parameter.
The button displays the flow chart of the parameter value calculating.
Reset
When you manually change a parameter default value, the formula assigned to the parameter is
removed.
7
The Reset commands enable you to reset parameters to their default formulas and values.
• This parameter. This option resets the current parameter.

• This page. This option resets all the parameters at the current page.
• All. This option resets all the parameters of the current HSR/HSM operation.
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Technology
2
The Technology section enables you to choose a rough (HSR) or finish (HSM) machining
strategy to be applied.
The following strategies are available:

Roughing strategies (HSR):
• HM Roughing
• Contour roughing
• Hatch roughing
• Hybrid Rib roughing
• Rest roughing
Finishing strategies (HSM):
• Constant Z machining
• Hybrid Constant Z
• Helical machining
• Horizontal machining
• Linear machining
• Radial machining
• Spiral machining
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2. Technology
• Morphed machining
• Offset cutting
• Boundary machining
• Rest machining
• Contour Rest machining
• 3D Constant step over
• Pencil milling
• Parallel pencil milling
• 3D Corner offset
• Prismatic Part machining
• Combined strategies:
• Constant Z with Horizontal machining
• Constant Z with Linear machining
• Constant Z with 3D Constant step over machining
• Constant Z and 3D Corner offset machining
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2.1 HM Roughing
The HM roughing strategy massively reduces rapid moments by controlling the tool movement
so that it remains on the part, following previous cut paths instead of rapid feeding to the new
position. Additional tool path optimization features include the ability to automatically machine
flat areas only instead of adding extra Z-levels to clean up planar zones. The roughing algorithm
also permits to the use of a large step over (greater than 50%), where an offset algorithm ensures
total coverage of the machining area by adding smooth transition corner pips to clean up any
remaining areas.
The strategy can be easily modified to work in different modes: cavity, core and hybrid spiral
passes. These modes provide different approaches to machine a part.
12
2. Technology
2.2 Contour Roughing
With the Contour roughing strategy, SolidCAM generates a pocket-style tool path for a set of
sections generated at the Z-levels defined with the specified Step down.
13
2.3 Hatch Roughing
With the Hatch roughing strategy, SolidCAM generates linear raster passes for a set of sections
generated at the Z-levels defined with the specified Step down. Hatch roughing is generally used
for older machine tools or softer materials because the tool path predominantly consists of
straight line sections.
14
2. Technology
2.4 Hybrid Rib Roughing
The Hybrid Rib roughing is a strategy designed to machine very thin walls. These walls are made
of exotic materials (titanium, graphite) and therefore a traditional approach to their machining
can be difficult and risky. This strategy combines a new roughing and finishing tool path, creating
a unique tool path that should preserve the highest possible rigidity of the part.
15
2.5 Rest Roughing
The Rest roughing strategy determines the areas where material remains unmachined after the
previous machining operations (the “rest” of the material) and generates a tool path for the
machining of these areas. The tool path is generated in the Contour roughing (see topic 2.2)
manner. Rest roughing operation uses a tool of smaller diameter than that used in previous
roughing operations.
The following image illustrates the hatch roughing tool path performed with an End mill of Ø20.
After the hatch roughing, a Rest roughing operation is performed with an End mill of Ø10. The
tool path is generated in the contour roughing manner.
16
2. Technology
2.6 Constant Z Machining
Similar to Contour roughing, the Constant Z tool path is generated for a set of sections created
at different Z-heights determined by the Step down parameter. The generated sections are
machined in a profile manner. The Constant Z strategy is generally used for semi-finishing and
finishing of steep model areas with the inclination angle between 30 and 90 degrees. Since the
distance between passes is measured along the Z-axis of the Coordinate System, in shallow areas
(with smaller surface inclination angle) the Constant Z strategy is less effective.
The image above illustrates the Constant Z finishing. Note that the passes are densely spaced in
steep areas. Where the model faces get shallower, the passes become widely spaced, resulting
in ineffective machining. Therefore, the machining should be limited by the surface inclination
angle to avoid the shallow areas machining. These areas can be machined later with a different
SolidCAM HSM strategy, e.g. 3D Constant step over (see topic 2.18).
17
2.7 Hybrid Constant Z
The Hybrid Constant Z is a finishing strategy that combines all the benefits of a traditional
Constant Z operation with a 3D pocketing routine that interacts with the main strategy whenever
the shallow area between consecutive passes allows the insertion of additional passes. This
method allows an optimal finish over the entire part.
2.8 Helical Machining
With this strategy, SolidCAM generates a number of closed profile sections of the 3D Model
geometry located at different Z-levels, similar to the Constant Z strategy. Then these sections are
joined in a continuous descending ramp in order to generate the Helical machining tool path.
The tool path generated with the Helical machining strategy is controlled by two main parameters:
Step down and Max. ramp angle.
18
2. Technology
2.9 Horizontal Machining
With the Horizontal machining strategy, SolidCAM recognizes all the flat areas in the model and
generates a tool path for machining these areas.
This strategy generates a pocket-style (a number of equidistant profiles) tool path directly at the
determined horizontal faces (parallel to the XY-plane of the current Coordinate System). The
distance between each two adjacent passes is determined by the Offset parameters.
2.10 Linear Machining
Linear machining generates a tool path consisting of a set of parallel passes at a set angle with
the distance between the passes defined by the Step over parameter.
With the Linear machining strategy, SolidCAM generates a linear pattern of passes, where each
pass is oriented at a direction defined with the Angle value.
19
This machining strategy is most effective on shallow (nearing horizontal) surfaces, or steeper
surfaces inclined along the passes direction. The Z-height of each point along a raster pass is
the same as the Z-height of the triangulated surfaces, with adjustments made for applied offsets
and tool definition.
In the image above, the passes are oriented along the X-axis. The passes are evenly spaced on the
shallow faces and on the faces inclined along the passes direction. The passes on the side faces
are widely spaced; Cross Linear machining can be used to finish these areas.
2.11 Radial Machining
The Radial machining strategy enables you to generate a radial pattern of passes rotated around
a central point.
This machining strategy is most effective on areas that include shallow curved surfaces and for
model areas formed by revolution bodies, as the passes are spaced along the XY-plane (step
over), and not the Z-plane (step down). The Z-height of each point along a radial pass is the
same as the Z-height of the triangulated surfaces, with adjustments made for applied offsets and
tool definition.
20
2. Technology
2.12 Spiral Machining
The Spiral machining strategy enables you to generate a 3D spiral tool path over your model.
This strategy is optimal for model areas formed by revolution bodies. The tool path is generated
by projecting a planar spiral (located in the XY-plane of the current Coordinate System) on the
model.
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2.13 Morphed Machining
Morphed machining passes are generated across the model faces in a close-to-parallel formation,
rather like Linear machining passes (see topic 2.10 ); each path repeats the shape of the previous
one and takes on some characteristics of the next one, and so the paths “morph” or gradually
change shape from one side of the patch to the other.
The shape and direction of the patch is defined by two drive boundary curves.
Drive boundary curves
22
2. Technology
2.14 Offset Cutting
This strategy is a particular case of the Morphed machining strategy (see topic 2.13). The Offset
cutting strategy enables you to generate a tool path using a single Drive curve. The tool path is
generated between the Drive curve and a virtual offset curve, generated at the specified offset
from the Drive curve.
Tool path
Drive curve
23
2.15 Boundary Machining
A Boundary machining strategy enables you to create the tool path by projecting the defined
Drive boundary on the model geometry. The Machining depth is defined relative to the model
surfaces with the Wall offset parameter. The tool path generated with the Boundary machining
strategy can be used for engraving on model faces or for chamfer machining along the model
edges.
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2. Technology
2.16 Rest Machining
Rest machining determines the model areas where material remains after the machining by a
tool path, and generates a set of passes to machine these areas.
Pencil milling vertical corners can cause both the flute of the tool and the radius to be in full
contact with the material, creating adverse cutting conditions. Rest machining picks the corners
out from the top down, resulting in better machining technique. Steep and shallow areas are both
machined in a single tool path, with different rest machining strategies.
2.17 Contour Rest Machining
Contour Rest machining enables you to use any combination of tools to remove rest material. It
calculates flat areas of geometry where material remains after the execution of a tool path and
generates a set of contour passes (similar
to passes generated in Contour roughing
operation pocket-style tool path) to remove
the remaining material.
25
2.18 3D Constant Step Over Machining
3D Constant step over machining enables you generate a 3D tool path on the CAM-Part surfaces.
The passes of the tool path are located at a constant distance from each other, measured along
the surface of the model.
This is an ideal strategy to use on the

boundaries generated by rest machining
or in any case where you want to ensure a
constant distance between passes along
the model faces.
Closed boundary
Constant surface step over is

performed on a closed profile of
the Drive boundary. SolidCAM
creates inward offsets from this
boundary.
26
2. Technology
2.19 Pencil Milling
The Pencil milling strategy creates a tool path along internal corners and fillets with small radii,
removing material that was not reached in previous machining. This strategy is used to finish
corners which might otherwise have cusp marks left from previous machining operations. This
strategy is useful for machining corners where the fillet radius is equal to or smaller than the tool
radius.
2.20 Parallel Pencil Milling
Parallel pencil milling is a combination of the Pencil milling strategy and the 3D Constant step
over strategy. At the first stage, SolidCAM generates a Pencil milling tool path. Then the
generated pencil milling passes are used to create 3D Constant step over passes; the passes are
generated as a number of offsets on both sides of the pencil milling passes. In other words, the
Parallel pencil milling strategy performs 3D Constant step over machining using Pencil milling
passes as drive curves to define the shape of passes.
This strategy is particularly useful when the previous
cutting tool was not able to machine all the internal
corner radii to size. The multiple passes generated
by this strategy will machine from the outside in to
the corner, creating a good surface finish.
27
2.21 3D Corner Offset
The 3D Corner offset strategy is similar to the Parallel pencil milling strategy. This strategy is also
a combination of the Pencil milling strategy and the 3D Constant step over strategy. SolidCAM
generates a Pencil milling tool path and uses it for the 3D Constant step over passes generation.
These passes are generated as offsets from the Pencil milling passes. In contrast to the Parallel
pencil milling strategy, the number of offsets is not defined by user but determined automatically
in such a way that all the model within the boundary will be machined.
2.22 Prismatic Part Machining
The Prismatic Part machining strategy is designed especially for high-speed finishing of prismatic
parts. This strategy comprises the technology of the Constant Z (see topic 2.6) and 3D Constant
step over (see topic 2.18) strategies by integrating these two strategies into one smart functionality
of prismatic part machining. The
difference from the Combined
Constant Z with 3D Constant step
over strategy (see topic 2.23) is as
follows: in the Combined strategy,
the subsequent strategies are
performed successively one after
the other.
28
2. Technology
In the Prismatic Part machining strategy, the machining is performed consistently according to
the order of the walls and flat faces along the Z-axis.
2.23 Combined Strategies
SolidCAM enables you to combine two machining strategies in a single HSM operation: Constant
Z with Horizontal, Linear, 3D Constant step over or 3D Corner Offset machining. Two combined
machining strategies share the Geometry, Tool and Constraint boundaries data. The technological
parameters for the passes calculation and linking are defined separately for each strategy.
2.24 Customize Menu
SolidCAM allows you to see the most common operations in HSR/HSM. When you click on
Customize Menu, you can simplify the user interface by selecting the technologies you require
for machining of the part. Only the selected options are then displayed in the Technology list.
29
30
Geometry
3
The Geometry page enables you to define the 3D model geometry for the SolidCAM
HSR/HSM operation.
3.1 Geometry Definition
The Target geometry section enables you to specify the appropriate Coordinate System for the
operation and to define the machining geometry.
3.1.1 CoordSys
SolidCAM enables you to define the Coordinate System for the operation by choosing it from
combo-box or by selecting it from the graphic screen by clicking the CoordSys button. The
CoordSys Manager dialog box is displayed. Together with this dialog box, SolidCAM displays
the location and axis orientation of all Coordinate Systems defined in the CAM-Part.
To get more information about the Coordinate System,
right-click the CoordSys entry in CoordSys Manager and
choose the Inquire option from the menu.
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3. Geometry
The CoordSys Data dialog box is displayed.
When the CoordSys is chosen for the operation, the model is rotated to the appropriate
orientation.
The CoordSys selection operation must be the first step in the geometry definition process.
3.1.2 Target geometry

After the Coordinate System is chosen, define the 3D Model geometry for the SolidCAM HSR/
HSM operation.
If you have already defined 3D Model geometries for this CAM-
Part, you can select a geometry from the list.
The Show button displays the chosen 3D model geometry in the
SOLIDWORKS window.
enables you to define a new 3D Model geometry for the

operation with the 3D Model Geometry dialog box.
enables you to edit an existing geometry.
enables you to view the available geometries on the model and choose the relevant one
from the list.
33
For more information on 3D Geometry selection, refer to the SolidCAM Milling Online Help.
When you choose the geometry from the list, the related Coordinate System is
chosen automatically.
3.1.3 Facet tolerance

Before the machining, SolidCAM generates a triangular mesh for all the faces of the 3D model
geometry used for the operation. Facet tolerance is the accuracy to which triangles fit the surfaces.
The smaller the value the more accurate the triangulation is, but the slower the calculation.
The 3D model geometry will be triangulated and the resulting facets will be saved. The
triangulation is performed on the 3D model geometry when you use it for the first time in a
SolidCAM HSR/HSM operation. If you use the 3D geometry in another operation, SolidCAM
will check the tolerance of the existing geometry. It will not perform another triangulation as
long as the facets have been created with the same surface tolerance.
3.1.4 Micro Milling

Selecting the Micro Milling check box enables you to tighten the facet tolerance value for
machining extremely small parts. When you select the Micro Milling check box, the defined Facet
tolerance value is automatically changed to half of the defined value.
3.1.5 Apply fillets

This option automatically adds fillets to the internal model corners. Therefore, the tool does not
have to dramatically change direction during the machining, preventing damage to itself and to
the model surfaces and enabling faster feed rates and eventually better surface quality.
34
3. Geometry
When the corner radius is smaller than By adding fillets, the corner radius becomes
or equal to the tool radius, the tool path greater than the tool radius and the tool
consists of two lines connected with a path lines are then connected with an
sharp corner; at this corner point the tool arc, resulting in a smooth tool movement
sharply changes its direction. without sharp changes in direction.
Select the Apply fillets check box to automatically add fillets for the tool path generation.
Click to create a new fillets geometry. The Fillet Surfaces dialog box is displayed.
35
The Show button displays the chosen fillet geometry directly on the solid model
Model without fillets Model with fillets
3.1.6 Fillet Surfaces dialog box

The Fillet Surfaces dialog box enables you to generate fillet
geometry for the current 3D Model geometry used for the HSM
operation.
Boundary
The Boundary type section enables you to specify the boundary
geometry for the fillet generation. The fillets will be generated
inside the specified 2D boundary.
SolidCAM enables you to choose the 2D boundary type from the list. 2D boundaries of the
following types are available: Auto-created silhouette, Auto-created outer silhouette, User-
defined boundary, and Auto-created box of target geometry option.
36
3. Geometry
The latter option automatically generates a planar box surrounding the Target geometry.
The Boundary name section enables you to choose a 2D boundary geometry from the list or
define a new one using the New button. The appropriate dialog box will be displayed. You can
edit an existing geometry with the Edit button.
The Show button displays the Select Chain dialog box, and the chains are displayed and
highlighted in the graphic window. If needed, you can unselect some of the automatically
created chains.
Filleting Tool Data

For the calculation of fillets, SolidCAM uses a virtual tool. The
Filleting tool data section enables you to specify the geometry
parameters of this tool.
• Tool diameter. This field enables you to specify the cutting
diameter of the virtual tool.
• Corner radius. This field enables you to specify the corner
radius of the virtual tool.
• Taper (°/side). This field enables you to specify the taper angle of the tool’s flank.
SolidCAM does not support tool with a back Angle
taper, like a Dove tail tool.
• Cutting length. This field enables you to specify
the length of the cutting edge of the tool.
• Shank diameter. This field enables you to specify
the shank diameter.
• Outside holder length. This field enables you to
specify the length of the visible part of the tool,
from the tip to the start of the tool holder.
General
• Tolerance. This parameter defines the tolerance
of fillet surfaces triangulation. A lower value will give more
accurate results, but will increase the calculation time.
• Resolution. This is the “granularity” of the calculation.
Using a smaller value will give finer detail but will increase
the calculation time.
• Minimum Z. This option sets the lowest Z-level the tool can reach.
37
• Number of facets. This is the number of flat faces (triangles) across the radially curved
section of the fillet.
• Bitangency angle. This is the minimum angle required between the two normals at the
contact points between the tool and model faces, in order to decide to generate the fillet.
Bitangency angle
38
Tool
4
In the Tool section of the SolidCAM HSR/HSM operation dialog box, the following tool
parameters are displayed:
• Type
• Number
• Tool offset
• Diameter
• Modified offset
• Corner radius
• Cutting length
• Outside holder
• Turret
4.1 Calculate Minimum Tool Length
This option enables you to calculate the minimal Outside holder length of the tool to avoid the
holder gouging with the model. When you select the Calculate minimum tool length check box
and click , SolidCAM calculates the recommended value and displays it in the Minimum
tool length field.
This option is not available for the Rest machining strategy.
40
4. Tool
4.2 Holder Clearance
The Holder clearance parameter enables you to define how close the holder can approach the
material during the machining.
Holder Clearance
4.3 Tool Selection
The Select button enables you to edit tool parameters or define the tool you want to use for this
operation.
This button displays the TOOLKIT Table. You can also add a new tool to be defined for the
operation or choose another tool from this table.
For more information on the tool definition, refer to the SolidCAM Milling Online Help.
41
4.4 Spin & Feed Rate Definition
The Data tab displays the spin and feed parameters that you can edit.
Feed Rate
The feed value can be defined in two types of units: F and FZ. F is the default that signifies Units
per minute. FZ signifies Units per tooth and is calculated according to the following formula:
FZ = F/(Number of Flutes * S)
The F/FZ buttons enable you to check the parameter values.

• Cutting. This field defines the feed rate of the cutting section of the tool path.
• Link down. The feed rate to be set for lead in moves.
• Link up. The feed rate to be set for lead out moves.
• Rapid. This parameter enables you to define a feed rate for the retract sections of the
tool path, where the tool is not contacting with the material.
Spin
This field defines the spinning speed of the tool.
The spin value can be defined in two types of units: S and V.
S is the default and signifies Revolutions per Minute. V signifies Material cutting speed in Meters/
Minute in the Metric system or in Feet/Minute in the Inch system.
42
4. Tool
It is calculated according to the following formula:

V = (S * PI * Tool Diameter) / 1000
Gears
If the drive system of your CNC-Machine has two or more gears with different spin limitations,
they can be individually defined in the VMID’s Drive Unit settings. When more than one is
defined, you can select your preferred gear for use in the operation from the Gear list. By default,
the gear is automatically selected according to each of the Spin values. Only gears having the
current Spin value within their range are shown in the list.
The first parameter enclosed in parentheses indicates the defined spin range; the second
parameter indicates the defined power.
Spin direction
The Spin direction section enables you to choose between the clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise
(CCW) direction.
Offsets
The Length offset number parameter defines the number of the Length Offset Register of the
current tool in the Offset table of the CNC-machine.
43
44
Boundaries
5
5.1 Introduction
SolidCAM enables you to define two types of boundaries for the SolidCAM HSR/HSM
operation tool path: drive boundaries and constraint boundaries.
5.1.1 Drive boundaries

Drive boundaries are used to drive the shape of the tool path for the following strategies: 3D
Constant step over, Morphed machining, Offset cutting and Boundary machining.
Drive boundaries for Morphed machining
SolidCAM enables you to define drive boundary curves for the Morphed machining strategy.
46
5. Boundaries
You can choose existing geometries for the first and second drive curves from list or define a
new one by clicking . The Geometry Edit dialog box is displayed. For more information on
geometry selection, refer to the SolidCAM Milling Online Help.
The Show button displays the chosen drive curve geometry directly on the solid model.
Make sure that the directions of both drive curves are the same in order to perform
the correct machining.
Cutting direction
This option enables you define the tool path direction between the drive curves.
• Across. The morphed tool path is performed across the drive curves; each cutting pass
connects the corresponding points on the drive curves.
47
• Along. The morphed tool path is performed along the drive curves. The tool path
morphs between the shapes of the drive curves gradually changing shape from the first
drive curve to the second.
Drive boundaries for Offset cutting

The Drive boundaries page of the HSM Offset cutting machining dialog box enables you to
define the curve and the related parameters.
48
5. Boundaries
Curve
This section enables you to define the Drive curve used for the tool path definition.
Clear direction
This section enables you to specify the direction in which a virtual offset from the Drive
curve is created. The offset can be generated in the Right, Left or Both directions from
the Drive curve.
Left
Drive curve
Right
Cutting direction
This section enables you to determine how the machining is performed. When the
Along option is chosen, the machining is performed along the Drive curve. The tool
path morphs between the shapes of the Drive curve and the offset curve, gradually
changing shape from the first Drive curve to the offset curve. When the Across option
is chosen, the tool path is performed across the Drive curve; each cutting pass connects
the corresponding points on the Drive curve and offset curve.
Along Across
49
Boundary – Tool Relation
The Boundary – Tool Relation section enables you to define the position of the tool
relative to the defined boundary and the related parameters.
For more information, see topic 5.2.1.
5.1.2 Constraint boundaries

A constraint boundary enables you to limit the machining to specific model areas.
Machining always takes place within a boundary or a set of boundaries. The boundaries define
the limits of the tool tip motion. The area actually machined can be extended beyond the
boundary by as much as the tool shaft radius.
50
5. Boundaries
In the image above, the tool center is located at the edge of the boundary, therefore the tool
extends beyond the edge by tool radius. You can use the Offset feature to offset the tool inside
by a certain distance.
If there are several boundary contours then the operation will use all of them.
If one boundary is completely inside another, then it will act as an island. The area enclosed by
the outer boundary, minus the area defined the inner boundary, will be machined.
You can extend this to define more complicated shapes by having islands within islands.
51
5.2 Boundary Definition
5.2.1 Boundary type

The following boundary types are available:
Created automatically
This option enables you to automatically create the boundary using the stock or target models.
The following types of automatically created boundaries are supported in SolidCAM:
• Auto-created box of target geometry
• Auto-created box of stock geometry
• Auto-created silhouette
• Auto-created outer silhouette
Created manually
This option enables you to define the constraint boundary
that limits the tool path by creating a 2D area above the model
in the XY-plane of the current Coordinate system or by an
automatically generated 3D curve mapped on the surface.
52
5. Boundaries
The following types of 2D boundaries are supported:

• Boundary box
• Silhouette boundary
• User-defined boundary
• Profile geometry
• Combined boundary
The following types of 3D boundaries are supported:

• Selected faces
• Shallow areas
• Theoretical rest areas
• Tool contact areas
• Rest areas
5.2.2 Boundary name

This section enables you to define a new boundary geometry or choose an already defined one
from the list.
• displays the appropriate dialog box for the geometry definition.
• displays the Select Chain dialog box (see topic 5.4.6) enabling you to choose the
necessary chains for the boundary. The chosen boundaries are displayed and highlighted
in the graphic window.
5.2.3 Boundary – tool relation

This option controls how the tool is positioned relative to the boundaries. This option is relevant
only for 2D boundaries.
Boundary
Internal
The tool machines inside the boundary.
Tool
53
External Boundary
The tool machines outside the boundary.
Tool
Centered Boundary
The tool center is positioned on the boundary.
Tool
Tangent
Unmachined area
The Internal/External/Centered methods of the
boundary definition have several limitations. In
some cases, the limitation of the tool path by
planar boundary results in unmachined areas or
corners rounding. Boundary – Tool Relation: Internal
The Tangent option enables you to avoid these

problems.
When this option is chosen, SolidCAM
generates the tool path boundaries by projecting Unmachined
the planar working area on the 3D model. The area
tool path is limited in such a way that the tool is
tangent to the model faces at the boundary. Boundary – Tool Relation: Centered
Tool path rounding
Boundary – Tool Relation: External
54
5. Boundaries
This option enables you to machine the exact boundary taking the geometry into account.
The tool is tangent
to the projection
of the working area
onto the model faces
Boundary – Tool Relation: Tangent
Offset value
This value enables you to specify the offset of the tool center.
A positive offset value enlarges the boundary; a negative value reduces the boundary to be
machined.
-
+
-
+
None
This value enables you to specify the offset of self-intersected geometries.
This option is available only in HSM on the Drive boundaries page, when the Technology is
selected as Boundary machining.
55
5.3 Automatically Created Boundaries
5.3.1 Auto-created box of target geometry

With this option SolidCAM automatically generates a rectangular box surrounding the target
model. The tool path is limited to the area contained in this box.
Target Model
5.3.2 Auto-created box of stock geometry

With this option SolidCAM automatically generates a rectangular box surrounding the stock
model. The tool path is limited to the area contained in this box.
Stock Model
Target Model
56
5. Boundaries
5.3.3 Auto-created silhouette

With this option, SolidCAM automatically generates a silhouette boundary of the target model.
A silhouette boundary is a projection of the outer and inner contours of the target model onto
the XY-plane.
Target Model
5.3.4 Auto-created outer silhouette

With this option, SolidCAM automatically generates an outer silhouette boundary of the target
model. In this case, an outer silhouette boundary is a projection of the outer contours only onto
the XY-plane.
Target Model
57
5.4 2D Manually Created Boundaries
5.4.1 Boundary box

A Boundary Box is a rectangular box surrounding the selected model geometry. SolidCAM
enables you to limit the machining passes to the area contained in the Boundary box.
The Boundary Box dialog box enables you to define a necessary

parameters and choose the model elements for the bounding box
calculation.
The boundary will be created on

This option enables you to select the faces for which a bounding box
is generated. Click the Select button to display the Select Faces dialog
box (see topic 5.4.5).
The Show button displays the already selected faces geometry.
The table section displays the automatically calculated minimum and
maximum coordinates, center and length of the bounding box.
SolidCAM enables you to change the XY-coordinates of

the minimum and maximum coordinates of the bounding
box.
58
5. Boundaries
When the geometry for the bounding box generation is defined, click . The boundary chains
will be generated and the Select Chain dialog box (see topic 5.4.6) will be displayed.
5.4.2 Silhouette boundary

A Silhouette boundary is a projection of the face edges onto the XY-plane. In other words, it is
the shape that you see when you looking at a set of surfaces down the tool axis.
The Silhouette Boundary dialog box enables you to define the parameters and choose the solid
model elements for the silhouette boundary calculation.

This option enables you to choose a faces geometry to generate
a silhouette boundary. SolidCAM enables you either to choose an
already existing Faces geometry from the list or define a new one
with the Select button. The Select Faces dialog box (see topic
5.4.5) will be displayed. The Show button displays the selected face
geometry.
• Min. diameter
This value defines the spanning of the boundary, the distance between two points on
either side. Boundaries that have a diameter smaller than this are discarded.
• Aperture
This value defines the fuzziness of the Silhouette. Decrease the value to bring it into
sharper focus; increase it to close up unwanted gaps between boundaries.
• Resolution
This value defines the granularity of the calculation: a small value results in a more
detailed boundary, but it is slower to calculate.
59
When the geometry for the silhouette boundary generation is defined, click . The boundary
chains will be generated and the Select Chain dialog box (see topic 5.4.6) will be displayed.
5.4.3 User-defined boundary

SolidCAM enables you to define a user-defined boundary based on a Working area geometry
(closed loop of model edges as well as sketch entities).
For more information on Working area geometry, refer to the SolidCAM Milling Online Help.
SolidCAM automatically projects the selected geometry on the XY-plane and defines the 2D
boundary.
The Geometry Edit dialog box enables you to define the geometry.
5.4.4 Combined boundary

This option enables you to define the boundary by performing
a number of boolean operations between working area
geometries and boundaries. Click the New icon.
The Boolean Operations dialog box is displayed.
Coordinate System
This field enables you to choose the Coordinate System where
the source geometries for the boolean operation are located.
The resulting combined geometry will be created in the chosen
coordinate system.
60
5. Boundaries
Configurations
This field enables you to choose the SOLIDWORKS configuration where the source user-
defined geometries for the boolean operation are located.
Operation type
This field enables you to define the type of the boolean operation. The following boolean
operations are available:
• Unite Source geometries
This option enables you to unite selected geometries

into a single one. All internal segments are removed;
the resulting geometry is outer profile.
Geometry 1 Geometry 2
Resulting geometry
• Merge Source geometries
This option enables you to merge a number of

geometries, created by different methods, into a
single one.
Resulting geometry
Geometry 3
61
• Subtract Source geometries
This option enables you to perform subtraction

of two geometries. The order of the geometry
selection is important; the second selected geometry
is subtracted from the first selected one.
Resulting geometry
• Intersect Source geometries
This option enables you to perform intersection of

two geometries.
Resulting geometry
62
5. Boundaries
The Accept button performs the chosen operation with the geometries chosen in the Geometries
section.
Geometries
The Geometries section displays all the available working area geometries classified by the
definition method.
This section enables you to choose the appropriate geometries for the boolean operation. Select
the check box near the geometry name in order to choose it for the boolean operation.
When you click button, the resulting geometry is displayed in the list under the Combined
2D header. SolidCAM enables you to edit the name of the created geometry. The newly created
geometry is automatically chosen for the further boolean operation.
The resulting combined geometry is always a 2D

geometry even if one or more of the input geometries
is a 3D boundary.
The right-click menu available on the list items enables you to
perform the following operations:
• Accept. This button enables you to perform the chosen
boolean operation with the selected geometries.
• Unselect All. This option unselects all the chosen geometries.
• Delete. This option enables you to delete combined geometries generated in the current
session of the Boolean Geometries dialog box.
63
5.4.5 Select Faces dialog box
This dialog box enables you to select one or several faces of the SOLIDWORKS model. The
selected Face tags will be displayed in the dialog box.
If you have chosen wrong entities, use the Unselect option to undo your selection. You can also
right-click on the entity name (the object will be highlighted) and choose the Unselect option
from the menu.
The Reverse/Reverse all option enables you to change the direction of the normal vectors of
the selected faces.
The CAD Selection option enables you to select faces with the SOLIDWORKS tools.
5.4.6 Select Chain dialog box

Depending on the boundary type, SolidCAM generates a number of chains for the selected
faces. The Select Chain dialog box enables you to select the chains for the boundary.
64
5. Boundaries
Profile geometry
SolidCAM enables you to define a user-defined boundary based on a Profile geometry. All the
HSM strategies enable you to use closed profile geometries. The Boundary machining strategy
enables you to use also open profiles for the boundary definition; this feature is useful for single-
contour text engraving or for chamfering.
For more information on Profile geometry, refer to the SolidCAM Milling Online Help.
SolidCAM automatically projects the selected geometry on the XY-plane and defines the 2D
boundary.
The Geometry Edit dialog box enables you to define the geometry.
5.5 3D Manually Created Boundaries
5.5.1 Common parameters

• Selected faces. This option enables you to choose a faces geometry
to generate a boundary of the defined type. SolidCAM enables
you either to choose an already existing Faces geometry from the
list or define a new one with the Select button. The Select Faces
dialog box (see topic 5.4.5) will be displayed. The Show button
displays the selected face geometry.
• Whole model. With this option, SolidCAM generates boundaries
of the chosen type for all the model faces.
Limits
• Z Limits
Set the machining range along the Z-axis by definition of upper
and lower limits. Boundaries will be generated within this range.
• Angle
Set the contact angle range of your tool by setting the minimum and maximum
contact angle. Boundaries will be generated around areas where the angle is within
that range.
65
For Shallow Area boundaries (see topic 5.5.3), the range should typically be between
0 and 30 degrees, but where surfaces are very close to the minimum or maximum
angle, you may get an undesirably jagged edge so you may want to alter the range
slightly. Alternatively, you can sometimes prevent formation of jagged edges by
giving the boundary a small offset.
• Contact Areas Only
This option should be selected to choose only boundaries that are in contact with
the model surface.
Boundaries
• Wall offset
This value defines the distance at which the boundaries and therefore the tool will
be away from the surface, similar to the Wall offset parameter on the Passes page.
For roughing and semi-finishing operations, this value must be greater than zero. The
calculations are based on a modified tool, the surface of which is offset to be larger
than the actual tool. This will leave material on the part.
For finishing operations, the value must be set to zero. The calculations are based on
the dimensions of the defined tool with no offset.
In special circumstances, such as producing electrodes with a spark gap, this value
can be smaller than zero. The tool will remove material at a level below the designated
surface. The calculations are based on a modified tool, offset smaller than the one
used.
• Floor offset
This value defines the distance away from the surface at which the boundaries will be
in the tool axis direction.
The boundary is calculated using the Wall offset. The resulting boundary is updated
by offsetting along the tool axis by a distance equal to the Floor offset.
• Min Diameter
This value defines the spanning of the boundary, the distance between two points on
either side. Boundaries that have a diameter smaller than this are discarded.
66
5. Boundaries
• Offset
The boundaries are calculated and then offset by this amount. It may be advantageous
sometimes to set a small offset value to prevent jagged boundary edges where surface
area is at angle similar to the Contact Angle.
In Rest areas (see topic 5.5.6) with no offset, the exact boundary area would be
machined, resulting in marks or even cusps around the edge. For Theoretical rest
areas (see topic 5.5.4), the boundaries are offset outwards along the surface by this
amount after they have been made; a good surface finish is ensured at the edges of
the rest areas. Without offsetting, the exact Theoretical rest area would be machined,
probably leaving marks or even cusps (of just under the minimum material depth
value) around the edge. The offsetting makes the boundaries smoother, so a tool
path made using them is less jagged.
• Resolution
This value defines the granularity of the calculation. A small value results in a more
detailed boundary but it will be slower to calculate.
5.5.2 Selected faces

This option enables you to define the boundary by selecting drive and check faces similar to the
Working area definition for 3D Milling operations.
Under Boundary name, click the Define button to start the boundary
definition. The Selected faces dialog box enables you to define the
drive and check faces.
Name
This section enables you to define the boundary name and the
tolerance that is used for the boundary creation.
67
Drive faces
This section enables you to define Drive faces – the set of faces to be milled. The tool path is
generated only for machining of these faces. The Define button displays the Select Faces dialog
box used for the faces selection. The Offset edit box enables you to define the offset for the
Drive faces. When the offset is defined, the machining is performed at the specified offset from
the Drive faces.
Check face
Drive face
Drive faces offset
Check faces
This section enables you to define Check faces – the set of faces to be avoided during the
generation of the tool path. The Define button displays the Select Faces dialog box used for the
faces selection. The Offset edit box enables you to define the offset for the Check faces. When
the offset is defined, the machining is performed at the specified offset from the Check faces.
Check faces offset
Check face
Drive face
5.5.3 Shallow areas

With this option, SolidCAM enables you to
automatically determine shallow areas in the model
and define boundaries around them.
The tool has to be chosen for the

operation before the shallow areas
boundary definition.
68
5. Boundaries
The Select faces dialog box enables you to choose the necessary model faces. When the faces
are chosen and the dialog box is confirmed, the Shallow Areas dialog box
is displayed.
This dialog box enables you to define a number of parameters for the
shallow areas boundary generation.
5.5.4 Theoretical rest areas

You can create 3D boundaries from rest areas left by an imaginary reference tool. This gives
good results when used for semi-finish and finish machining operations. You can then use these
boundaries to limit another SolidCAM HSM operation performed with a tool of an equal or
smaller size.
69
are chosen and the dialog box is confirmed, the Theoretical Rest
Areas dialog box is displayed.
This dialog box enables you to define a number of parameters for

the theoretical rest material areas generation.
Limits
• Include Corner Fillets
In corner area, the angle is degenerate. Use this option

to include or exclude all corner areas from the rest area
boundaries.
• Min material depth
The smallest amount of material to be found in areas

included in the rest area boundary prior to rest machining.
If the reference tool left parts of the material with less
than this amount, those material areas would not be
included in the rest area boundaries.
The Min material depth should be greater than the cusp height left by the passes of the
imaginary reference tool path. If the Min material depth is smaller than the cusp height
left by the passes of the imaginary reference tool path the whole area machined by the
reference tool will be included in the rest area boundary.
Reference Tool
This section enables you to specify the tool with which the theoretical rest areas will be calculated.
This tool is usually larger than the tool that will be used to cut the rest areas. The reference tool
is used to represent an imaginary tool path, and the rest areas are created assuming that the tool
path had been created.
Define the size of the tool by inserting values into the Tool diameter and Corner radius fields.
70
5. Boundaries
5.5.5 Tool contact area

Tool contact area detection enables you to create 3D boundaries around areas where the tool is
in contact with the selected surface or surfaces.
Tool contact area boundaries do not work on vertical or near-vertical surfaces. The
steepest angle you should use for best results is 80 degrees.
The surface has to be selected as shown below.
If a Tool contact area boundary is created from this selection, there will be offset from the edges
where the selected surface is adjacent to another surface. The tool can only reach the edges
where there are no other surfaces to hinder its movement.
are chosen and the dialog box is confirmed, the Tool Contact Areas dialog box is displayed.
71
This dialog box enables you to define the parameters for the boundary calculation.
Boundaries
Overthickness
This option is available only for Tool contact area boundaries.

Overthickness is an extra offset that can be applied to the tool in
addition to the set Wall offset when you wish to calculate with a tool
slightly larger than the one you intended to use, to create smooth
filleted edges.
Constrain
This option enables you to limit the tool motion in two ways:
• Center point
The point of contact between the tool and the surfaces
always lies within the boundary.
72
5. Boundaries
• Contact point
The edge of the tool always lies within the boundary.
5.5.6 Rest areas

This option enables you to define rest material left unmachined after any machining strategy to
create 3D boundaries. You can then use these boundaries to limit the operation tool path, made
with a tool of an equal or smaller size to these specific areas.
are chosen and the dialog box is confirmed, the Rest Areas dialog box is displayed.
This dialog box enables you to define the parameters for the rest areas calculation.
Previous operations
SolidCAM enables you to choose any previous HSR/HSM operation for the Rest areas
calculation.
73
Min. material depth
This value defines the granularity of the calculation. A small value results in a more detailed
boundary but it will be slower to calculate.
74
Passes
6
The Passes page enables you to define the technological parameters needed to generate the tool
path for the SolidCAM HSR/HSM operation.
Common Parameters
The Passes parameters for the various machining strategies vary slightly, but most of them are
the same. The following section is a general overview of the common parameters for all the
SolidCAM HSR/HSM strategies.
The following tabs are available:
• Passes parameters HSR/HSM
• Smoothing parameters HSR/HSM
• Adaptive step down parameters HSR/HSM
• Edit Passes parameters HSR/HSM
• Cross parameters HSM
• Axial offset parameters HSM
The Advanced check box displays the additional tabs with advanced parameters.
76
6. Passes
6.1 Passes Parameters
The Passes tab displays the major parameters that affect the generation of tool path passes.
• Wall offset
• Floor offset
• Cut Tolerance
• Step down
• Step over
• Pass extension
• Offsets
• Refine corners
• Limits
• Point reduction
77
6.1.1 Wall offset
This option enables you modify the tool diameter. The machining is performed using the
modified tool.
Wall
Positive value offset
The tool is moved away from the machining surface by the

defined value. The offset is left unmachined on the surfaces.
Generally, positive values are used for roughing and semi-
finishing operations to leave an allowance for further finishing
operations.
No offset
The tool with the specified diameter is used for the tool path
calculation. The machining is performed directly on the model
surfaces. Generally, zero offset is used for finishing operations.
Negative value Wall

offset
The tool is moved deeper into the material penetrating the
machining surface by the specified value.
This option is used in special circumstances, such as producing
electrodes with a spark gap. The tool will remove material at a
level below the designated surface. The calculations are based
on a modified tool smaller than the one used.
78
6. Passes
Since the calculations for negative values are based

on a modified tool which is smaller than the one
used, the offset must be equal to or smaller than
the corner radius of the tool. Where the offset is
greater than the corner radius of the tool, surfaces
at angles near to 45° are unfavorably affected as 1 mm
the corner of the tool impacts on the machined
surface, since the offset at the corners is in fact
greater than the value set (see image). Surfaces that
are horizontal or vertical are not affected. ~1.4 mm
If a negative value (e.g. –1 mm) is applied to a tool

without corner radius, the real offset at the corners
of the tool will be considerably greater than 1 mm
(–1.4 mm appx.). This is obviously incorrect. If you want to simulate a negative
offset with a slot mill, start by defining a bull-nosed tool with the corner radius
equal to the negative value of the offset – corner radius of 1 mm is used with
negative offset of –1 mm.
If you define an end mill, the offset will be greater than the value set on surfaces
nearing 45 degrees.
79
Using a bull-nosed tool with a positive corner radius equal to the desired negative
offset, you will achieve better and more accurate results.
6.1.2 Floor offset

This offset is applied to the tool and has the effect
of lifting (positive value) or dropping (negative
value) the tool along the tool axis. As a result,
Floor offset has its greatest effect on horizontal
surfaces and no effect on vertical surfaces. By
default, this value is equal to that of Wall offset
(see topic 6.1.1).
Floor
The tool path is calculated taking into account the offset
tool plus Wall offset. The resulting tool path is
calculated by offsetting along the tool axis by the
distance equal to the specified Floor offset value.
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6. Passes
6.1.3 Cut Tolerance

All machining operations have a tolerance, which is the accuracy of the calculation. The smaller
is the value, the more accurate is the tool path.
Surface
Cut with high tolerance
Cut with low tolerance
The tolerance is the maximum amount that the tool can deviate from the surface.
Using the slider, you can adjust the tolerance within the range defined on the 3D HSM/3D HSR
page in SolidCAM Settings > Defaults > Tolerance.
6.1.4 Step down

The Step down parameter defines the spacing of the passes along the tool axis. This parameter
is different from Adaptive step down (see topic 6.3), which adjusts the passes to get the best fit
to the edges of a surface. The passes are spaced at the distance set, regardless of the XY-value
of each position (unless the Adaptive step down check box is selected).
Step down
This parameter is available for the Constant Z finishing strategy.
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Step down type
• Constant
This parameter is the default option that allows constant step down along all model
levels.
• Constant & flats
This parameter allows adding extra passes between step downs to machine material
left on flats.
This parameter is available for the HM Roughing strategy.
6.1.5 Step over

Step over is the distance between two adjacent passes.
In the 3D Constant step over strategy, the value of
the Step over is constant.
Step over
In Morphed machining and Offset cutting strategies,

the actual Step over can vary, and this parameter defines the maximal step over value.
For all the strategies, Step over is measured in the XY-plane, but for the 3D Constant step over
strategy, Step over is measured along the surface.
This parameter is available for Linear machining, Radial machining, Spiral

machining, Morphed machining, Offset cutting, 3D Constant step over,
Hatch roughing and HM Roughing.
Step over type
• Core
All passes are offsets of the machinable area. All areas are machined from the outside
inwards.
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6. Passes
Cavity
All passes are offsets of the machinable area. All areas are machined from the centre
outwards.
• HM spiral
All passes are offsets of the part area. Core areas are machined from the outside
inwards. Cavity areas are machined from the centre outwards.
This parameter is available for the HM Roughing strategy.
6.1.6 Pass extension

This option enables you to extend the tool path beyond the boundary to enable the tool
movement into the cut with machining feed rather than rapid feed.
The Linear tool path shown below is created with the zero pass extension:
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The Linear tool path shown below is created with 5 mm pass extension:
The Pass extension parameter is available for Linear machining and Radial
machining strategies.
6.1.7 Offsets
Each Z-level comprises a “surface profile” and a series of concentric offset profiles. The
minimum and maximum offset values define the range of the size of spaces between the passes.
SolidCAM will choose the largest value possible within that range that does not leave unwanted
upstands between the passes.
Offset
A set of Contour roughing passes, for example, is created from a series of offset profiles.
If each profile is offset by no more than the tool radius then the whole area will be cleared.
In certain cases where the profile is very smooth it is possible to offset the profiles by up to the
tool diameter and still clear the area.
84
6. Passes
Obviously, offsetting by more than the tool diameter will leave many upstands between the
passes. Between these two extremes, the radius and the diameter, there is an ideal offset where
the area will be cleared leaving no upstands. SolidCAM uses an advanced algorithm to find this
ideal offset.
The Min. Offset value should be greater than the Offset tolerance (see topic 6.2.3) parameter and
smaller than the tool shaft radius; the Max. Offset value is calculated automatically.
This parameter is used for Contour roughing, Hatch roughing and Horizontal
finishing.
6.1.8 Detect Flat Areas

Detect Flat Areas inserts a tool path level on the flat area of the part and then carries the Z level
slices at the programmed Z step. With this option enabled, each stepdown is adjusted to match
the flat areas such that the requested axial stock to leave is also the stock left in these areas.
This option is available only for Contour roughing, Hatch roughing, and Rest
roughing.
6.1.9 Limits
The limits are the highest and lowest Z-positions for the tool –
the range in which it can move.
• Z-Bottom limit. This parameter enables you to define
the lower Z-level of the machining. The default value is
automatically set at the lowest point of the model.
This limit is used to limit the passes to level ranges
or to prevent the tool from falling indefinitely if it moved off the edges of the model
surface. When the tool moves off the surface, it continues at the Z-Bottom limit and
falls no further.
• Z-Top limit. This parameter defines the upper machining level. The default value is
automatically determined at the highest point of the model.
• Delta. This parameter allows you to set a value for machining above or below the values
specified in Z-Top and Z-Bottom limits.
• CoAngle. This parameter defines the contact angle alignment to be used when making
cross machining passes.
This option is available only for the Linear machining strategy.
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• Angle. SolidCAM enables you to limit the surface angles within a range most appropriate
to the strategy. The Constant Z strategy, for example, is most effective on steeper
surfaces, because the spaces between the passes are calculated according to the Step
down value, and on surfaces where there is little Z-level change, the spaces between the
passes are greater, therefore you may get unsatisfactory results. You can limit the work
area to surface angles between, for example, 30 and 90 degrees.
The angle is measured between the two normals at the
contact points between the tool and model faces. The angle
of 0 means coincidence of surface normal and tool axis
(horizontal surface).
This option is available for the Constant Z, Linear,

Radial, Spiral, Morphed, Boundary, 3D Constant
Step over, and Pencil milling strategies.
• Contact areas only

When this check box is selected, the tool path is only created where the tool is in
contact with model faces. The examples below show the result of Constant Z strategy
with and without the Contact areas only option.
When this check box is selected, the
machining is limited to the actual
surfaces of your geometry.
When this check box is not selected,

the outer edge of the base surface is
machined as well as the central boss.
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6. Passes
6.1.10 Point reduction

SolidCAM enables you to optimize the tool path by reducing the
number of points.
The Fit arcs option enables you to activate the fitting of arcs to
the machining passes according to the specified Tolerance value.
The Tolerance value is the chordal deviation to be used for point
reduction and arc fitting.
Using the slider, you can adjust the tolerance within the range defined on the 3D HSM/3D HSR
page in SolidCAM Settings > Defaults > Tolerance.
6.1.11 Refine corners

This option enables you to refine corner positions to provide a smoother tool path.
This option is available for Contour roughing, Rest roughing and Horizontal
machining.
6.2 Smoothing Parameters
The Smoothing option enables you to round the tool path corners.
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This option enables the tool to maintain a higher feed rate and reduces wear on the tool. This
feature is often used in rough machining.
Tool path without smoothing
Tool path with smoothing
6.2.1 Max. radius

A curve can be approximated as an arc. The Max. radius parameter defines the maximum arc
radius allowed.
6.2.2 Profile tolerance

This value is the maximum distance that the smoothed outer profile will diverge from the actual
profile. Set the Profile tolerance to a low or zero value to reduce the amount of material missed.
6.2.3 Offset tolerance

This value is the maximum distance that the smoothed profile offset will diverge from the inner
(offset) profiles. This parameter is identical to the Profile tolerance, except that it refers only to
the inner (offset) profiles and not to the outer profile. The Offset tolerance is measured between
any given smoothed profile (excluding the outermost one) and the sharp corner of an imaginary
profile drawn without smoothing, but at the same offset as the smoothed one.
88
6. Passes
Unlike the Profile tolerance parameter, above, changing this value does not mean you miss
material.
Profile
tolerance
Original Smoothed
tool path tool path
Offset
tolerance
6.3 Adaptive Step Down Parameters
In areas where the horizontal distance between the passes is significant, Adaptive step down can
be used to insert extra passes and reduce the horizontal distance.
89
In areas where the passes on the topmost edges of a surface would fall too close or too far away
from that edge, Adaptive step down will add extra passes to compensate. So the Step down value
controls the maximum Z-distance between the passes for the entire surface, while Adaptive step
down adjusts those values for best fitting the surfaces.
Adaptive step down

passes
Adaptive step down is not chosen Adaptive step down is chosen
The Adapt Step down by list enables you to select the mode of
the adaptive step down:
• None
Passes are applied without Adaptive step down, and

some material may be left on the top faces.
• Automatically insert extra passes
A pass is inserted to cut the top face; the next step down will be calculated from this
pass.
• Minimum step down
This parameter specifies the minimum step down value to be used, which means that
passes will be no less than this distance from each other.
• Precision
This parameter controls how accurately the system finds the appropriate height to
insert a new slice.
• Profile step-in
This parameter defines the maximal XY-distance between cutting profiles located
on two successive Z-levels. When SolidCAM calculates the cutting profile at a given
Z-level, the distance to the cutting profile on the previous Z-level is calculated.
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6. Passes
If the calculated value is greater than the defined Profile step-in, SolidCAM inserts
an additional Z-level and calculates the cutting profile in such way that the distance
between cutting profiles located on two successive Z-levels will be smaller than the
specified Profile Step in value.
Large cusp Small cusps
Inserted
Z-level
Without Profile step-in With Profile step-in
• Scallop
The cusp that remains after the machining can be defined either by combination of
the Min. step down and Profile step in parameters or by combination of the Min. step
down and Scallop parameters. Therefore, the Profile step in and Scallop parameters
are mutually exclusive.
Profile step in Cusp
Min. step down

Machined surface
Cusp
Machined surface
Scallop
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When the combination of the Scallop and Min. step down parameters is used for the
operation definition, SolidCAM performs the parameters validation according to the
criteria below.
• The Scallop value must be positive;
• The Scallop value must be smaller than that of the Min. step down parameter.
If the Scallop parameter does not match the validation criteria, the Error Parameters dialog box
is displayed during the operation calculation. This dialog box specifies the parameters defined
incorrectly and prompts you to edit these parameters definition.
• User-defined Cut levels
The cut levels can be edited manually and inserted in the User-defined cut levels table.
Type the Z-levels of your choice into the Z column of the table. The values will be
sorted in the decreasing order.
Passes are applied without Adaptive step down, and some material may be left on the
top faces.
This option is available for HSR strategies of Contour and Hatch roughing and
for HSM strategies of Hybrid Constant Z, Prismatic Part machining and Helical
machining.
• Use drive curve

This option enables you to use a drive curve to determine the heights at which passes are
calculated. Click and choose any open or closed curve to define the geometry.
Using this option maintains consistency while machining a curve, automatically giving a
smaller step down in the shallower areas.
When you choose the Use drive curve option, the Step down parameter cannot
be defined manually.
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6. Passes
6.4 Edit Passes Parameters
If you start the machining with a formed stock instead of a rectangular or cylindrical block of
material, you could trim the passes to the formed stock faces to avoid unnecessary air cutting.
The tool path trimming is used either when you use a casting as stock for the part machining or
you use the updated stock resulting from a number of previous operations.
For example, suppose you want to machine by Contour roughing the following model:
Using the Contour roughing strategy, you get the following tool path.
93
Rather than starting from a cylindrical block of material, you start with the casting shown below.
The resulting trimmed tool path is shown below.
The Edit Passes page enables you to define the parameters for the trimming of passes.
Edit using surfaces

By selecting this check box, you can limit the machining by using the
Updated Stock model or by defining an offset from the operation
geometry.
94
6. Passes
Overthickness
This parameter defines an extra thickness that can be temporarily applied to the tool and
can be set when editing passes. The use of this parameter can help create better trimmed
passes. A negative value will cause the system to select only passes that are below the
model faces by the specified amount, while a positive value will select all passes that are
within the specified distance from the model faces.
Axial overthickness
This parameter defines the value applied to the cutter and has the effect of lifting
(positive thickness) or dropping (negative thickness) the cutter along the tool axis. As a
result, axial thickness has its greatest effect on horizontal surfaces and has no effect on
vertical surfaces. By default this value is the same as the horizontal thickness.
Join gaps of
Passes that are in the same line and are separated by a value less than the value specified
in this field will be merged to create a single pass.
Pass Extension
In this field you can define the length of Pass extension. The trimmed passes will be
extended in each direction by the value specified in this field. This allows the cutter to
move into the cut at Machining Feed rate instead of Rapid feed rate. This option is not
available in HM Roughing strategy.
Stock definition style
This option enables you to specify the method of machining area definition.
• When the Target geometry option is chosen, SolidCAM adds the Overthickness value
as an offset to the target geometry of current operation. This offset target is used as a
stock.
• When the Auto updated stock/Automatically option is chosen, SolidCAM calculates the
updated stock model after all the previous operations. The Overthickness value is added
as offset to the stock, which will be used as stock for the current operation.
• When the Stock by *.FCT file option is chosen, machining is performed in the area
defined by an offset from the updated stock, defined in FCT file located in the CAM-
Part folder. The offset is defined by the Overthickness parameter.
95
• When the Stock by *.STL file option is chosen, machining is performed in the area
defined by an offset from the updated stock, defined in STL file located in the CAM-
Part folder. The offset is defined by the Overthickness parameter.
• Show
This button displays the difference between the updated stock model and the
target geometry used in the operation.
Gouge check while linking

This option enables you to automatically detect and avoid the possible collisions between the
tool and the surfaces of a solid model geometry during the tool path linking only.
Any geometry can be selected for the gouge checking, but this functionality is intended for
consideration of your part fixtures when the tool is moving from one pass to the next.
After clicking the Gouge check while linking check box, the geometry can be defined by the
following methods:
3D Model: When Use STL file is disabled (default), the geometry is defined via solid model
selection. You can choose an available geometry from the drop-down list. The Three points
button displays the Browse Geometries dialog box that enables you to visualize the geometry
during the selection process; the selected geometry is highlighted in the SOLIDWORKS
Graphics Area. The New button displays the 3D Geometry dialog box that enables you to define
a new geometry. The Edit button enables you to edit an existing geometry.
STL: When Use STL file is enabled, the geometry is defined using a STL file that exists on your
computer. You can choose an available STL file from the drop-down list; files located in the
CAM-Part folder will appear in the list. The New button displays the Choose STL dialog box that
enables you to define a new STL file from any location on your computer.
The Show button displays in the SOLIDWORKS Graphics Area the chosen geometry (either
3D Model or STL) for which its surfaces will be protected during the tool path linking only.
Stock definition in Rest roughing

In the Rest roughing operation, you can control the number of recalculations and thus save
time.
You can choose how the stock for the operation is defined: either by selected operations or
automatically.
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6. Passes
• When you choose the Automatically option from the list, the updated stock is obtained
after processing all previous operations.
• When you choose the By selected
operations option, you can see all
operations preceding the current
operation in a fragment of the
CAM-tree. Any previous operation,
whether calculated or not, can
be selected for updated stock
definition. Select the operations by clicking the check box near the operation name. You
can also select all operations by clicking the check box near the Operations header.
6.5 Axial Offset
This page enables you to axially offset the tool path (one or several times). The tool path can
be generated by any of the HSM finish strategies, except for Constant Z and Rest machining.
When the Axial offset check box is selected, you have to define the following parameters:
• Axial offset
This parameter defines the distance between two successive tool path passes.
97
• Number of offsets
This parameter enables you to define how many times the offset of the tool path is
performed. This final number of tool path passes is equal to Number of offsets +1.
Tool path Axial offset
Number of offsets = 3
The tool path passes are generated in the positive Z-direction. The machining is performed from
the upper instance to the lower.
The Axial offset feature enables you to perform the semi-finish and finish machining in a number
of equidistant vertical steps. It can be used for engraving in a number of vertical steps with the
Boundary machining strategy or for removing the machining allowance by a finishing strategy
in a number of vertical steps.
6.6 Strategy Parameters
In addition to the common parameters relevant for all of the machining strategies, SolidCAM
provides you with options and parameters that enable you to control specific features of various
Roughing strategies (HSR):
• HM Roughing
• Contour roughing
• Hatch roughing
• Hybrid Rib roughing
• Rest roughing
Finishing strategies (HSM):
• Constant Z machining
• Hybrid Constant Z
• Helical machining
• Horizontal machining
• Linear machining
• Radial machining
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6. Passes
• Spiral machining
• Morphed machining
• Offset cutting
• Boundary machining
• Rest machining
• 3D Constant step over
• Pencil milling
• Parallel pencil milling
• 3D Corner offset
• Prismatic Part machining
• Combined strategies
6.6.1 Contour roughing

With the Contour roughing strategy, SolidCAM generates a pocket-style tool path for a set of
sections generated at the Z-levels defined with the specified Step down (see topic 6.1.4).
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Detect core areas
This option causes the tool to start from the outside of the model rather than take a full width
cut in the center of the component.
If your model includes both core and cavity areas, the system will automatically switch between
core roughing and cavity roughing within the same tool path.
When these passes are linked to create a Contour roughing tool path, the areas are machined
from the top downwards. Obviously, material has to be machined at one level before moving
down to the next one.
The passes for the Z-Top level machining are not usually included in the operation
tool path. Adjust the Z-Top level by adding the Step down value to the current
Z-Top level value when you want to include the top level passes in the operation
tool path.
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6. Passes
6.6.2 Hatch roughing

With the Hatch roughing strategy, SolidCAM generates linear raster passes for a set of sections
generated at the Z-levels defined with the specified Step down (see topic 6.1.4).
Hatch roughing is generally used for older machine tools or softer materials because the tool
path predominantly consists of straight line sections.
Angle
101
This option enables you to define the angle of the hatch passes relative to the X-axis of the
current Coordinate System.
Z
Y
X
Angle
Offset
The Offset parameter defines the distance between the hatch passes and the outer/inner profiles.
6.6.3 Hybrid Rib roughing
The Hybrid Rib roughing is a strategy designed to machine very thin walls. These walls are
made of exotic materials (titanium, graphite, etc.) and therefore a traditional approach to their
machining can be difficult and risky.
102
6. Passes
This strategy combines a new roughing and finishing tool path, creating a unique tool path that
should preserve the highest possible rigidity of the part.
103
Roughing/Finishing parameters
In Hybrid Rib operation, each Z-level is machined with roughing and finishing passes after which
machining of a lower level is performed.
The Roughing section enables you to control roughing passes and levels performed against a rib.
• Stepover
This parameter defines the distance between two parallel tool path passes.
• Restrict offset
When the Restrict offset option is selected, you can limit the number of parallel passes
by specifying the value in the Number of offsets field.
• Boundary pass
When this option is selected, an additional pass is performed around the outside
perimeter of the constraint boundary on each roughing level.
• Offset
This parameter enables you to define an offset applied to the constraint boundaries from
outside.
The Finishing section enables you to control finishing passes and levels performed against a rib.
• Number of levels
This parameter enables you to define the number of finishing levels required between
step downs.
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6. Passes
• Number of offsets
This parameter enables you to define the number of finishing offsets required at each
level.
• Stepover
This parameter defines the distance between two parallel finishing passes.
• Order
This parameter enables you to control the order of linking

the finishing passes. The following options are available: 3
2
1
• During, upwards: after each roughing level, the finishing 3
levels are machined from lowest to highest 2
1
• During, downwards: after each roughing level, the finishing 1

2
levels are machined from highest to lowest 3
1
2
3
• After, upwards: all roughing levels are machined first,

6
followed by the finishing levels from lowest to highest 5
4
3
2
1
• After, downwards: all roughing levels are machined first, 1

followed by the finishing levels from highest to lowest. 2
3
4
5
6
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6.6.4 Linear machining
Linear machining generates a tool path consisting of a set of parallel passes at a given angle with
the distance between the passes defined by the Step over parameter (see topic 6.1.5).
With the Linear machining strategy, SolidCAM
generates a linear pattern of passes, where each
pass is oriented at a direction defined with the
Angle value. This machining strategy is most
effective on shallow (nearly horizontal) surfaces,
or steeper surfaces inclined along the passes
direction. The Z-height of each point along
a raster pass is the same as the Z-height of the
triangulated surfaces, with adjustments made for
applied wall offset and tool definition.
In the image, the passes are oriented along the
X-axis. The passes are evenly spaced on the shallow faces and on the faces inclined along the
passes direction. The passes on the side faces are widely spaced; Cross linear machining can be
used to finish these areas.
Angle
The Angle parameter enables you to define the angle of the passes direction. The value of this
parameter is within the range of –180° to 180°. If Angle is set to 0°, the direction of passes
is parallel to the X-axis of the current Coordinate System. The order of the passes and the
direction of the machining is controlled by the link settings.
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6. Passes
The defined angle affects the step over calculation. If you are machining vertical surfaces, Linear
machining works best where the angle is perpendicular to these surfaces.
Tangential extension
This option enables you to extend the passes tangentially to the model faces by a length defined
by the Pass extension parameter.
When the check box is not selected, the extension passes are generated as a projection of the
initial pattern (either linear or radial) on the solid model faces.
When the check box is selected, the extension passes are generated tangentially to the solid
model faces.
Extension
Extension
Extension
The check box The check box

is not selected is selected
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Cross linear machining
SolidCAM automatically determines the areas where the Linear machining passes are sparsely
spaced and performs in these areas an additional Linear tool path in a direction perpendicular
to the direction of the initial Linear tool path. The passes parameters used for the Cross linear
machining definition are the same as those used for the initial Linear machining.
Initial Linear machining tool path
Cross linear machining tool path
Combined Linear and Cross linear machining tool path
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6. Passes
Cross page
The Cross page enables you to define the order of performing Linear and Cross linear machining.
• None
Cross linear machining is not performed.

• Before
Cross linear machining is performed before the main Linear machining.

• After
Cross linear machining is performed after the main Linear machining.

• Only
Only Cross linear machining is performed; the main Linear machining is not performed.
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6.6.5 Helical machining
This strategy enables you to generate a number of closed profile sections of the 3D Model
geometry located at different Z-levels, similar to the Constant Z strategy. Then these sections are
joined in a continuous descending ramp in order to generate the Helical machining tool path.
The tool path generated with the Helical machining strategy is controlled by two main parameters:
Step down and Max. ramp angle.
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6. Passes
Step down
This parameter defines the distance along the Z-axis between two successive Z-levels, at which
the geometry sections are generated. Since the Step down is measured along the Z-axis (similar
to the Constant Z strategy), the Helical machining strategy is suitable for steep areas machining.
Max. ramp angle

This parameter defines the maximum angle (measured from horizontal) for ramping. The
descent angle of the ramping helix will be no greater than this value.
Max. ramp angle
Step down
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6.6.6 Radial machining
The Radial machining strategy enables you to generate a radial pattern of passes rotated around
a central point.
This machining strategy is most effective on areas that include shallow curved surfaces and for
model areas formed by revolution bodies, as the passes are spaced along the XY-plane (Step
over), and not the Z-plane (Step down). The Z-height of each point along a radial pass is the
same as the Z-height of the triangulated surfaces, with adjustments made for applied offset and
tool definition.
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6. Passes
Step over Step over
Step over is the spacing between the passes along the

circumference of the circle.
The passes are spaced according to the Step over value
measured along the circle defined by the Maximum
radius value.
Center point
Center
You must specify the XY-position of the center point
of the radial pattern of passes. The Radial passes will
start or end in this center point.
Angle
The minimum and maximum angles enables you to define start and end of the pattern passes.
These parameters control the angle span of the operation, that is, how much of a complete
circle will be machined. The angles are
Max.
measured relative to the X-axis in the
angle
center point in the counterclockwise
direction.
Min.
angle
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Radius
The Min. radius and Max. radius values enable you to limit the tool path in the radial direction.
Max. Radius
Min. Radius
The diagram above shows the effect of different minimum and maximum radii on Radial passes.
You can define the radius by entering the values or by
clicking the buttons and picking points on the model. The
X- and Y-coordinates of this point are displayed in the
Select a coordinate dialog box.
When this dialog box is confirmed, the radius value appears in the appropriate edit box calculated
as the distance from the defined center point of the radial pattern of passes.
You can use the Min. radius value to protect the part faces from over-machining in the central
point and around it. Alternatively, you can define boundaries to limit the machining.
Over-machining is visible in the center point:
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6. Passes
The tool path is limited at the center point area using a boundary, or by increasing the Min. radius
value:
You can use another strategy (e.g. 3D Constant step over) to machine the central area.
Tangential extension
This option enables you to extend the passes tangentially to the model faces by
a length defined by the Pass extension parameter (see topic 6.6.4).
6.6.7 Spiral machining

The Spiral machining strategy enables you to generate 3D spiral tool path over your model. This
strategy is optimal for model areas formed by revolution bodies. The tool path is generated by
projecting a planar spiral (located in the XY-plane of the current Coordinate System) on the
model.
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Step over
The Step over parameter defines the distance between two adjacent spiral turns in the XY-plane
of the current Coordinate System.
Step over
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6. Passes
Center
You have to specify the XY-position of the center point of the spiral. The spiral tool path is
calculated from this point, even if it does not actually start from there (minimum radius may be
set to a larger value).
Center point
Radius
Define the area to be machined by the spiral by setting the minimum and maximum Radii. If the
spiral is to start from the center point, set the Minimum radius value to 0. When the spiral is to
start further from the center, enter the distance from the center point by setting the Minimum
radius to a higher value. Control the overall size of your spiral with the Maximum radius value.
Max. Radius
Min. Radius
You can define the radius by entering the values or by

clicking the buttons and picking points on the model. The
X- and Y-coordinates of this point are displayed in the
Select a coordinate dialog box.
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When this dialog box is confirmed, the radius value appears in the appropriate edit box calculated
as the distance from the defined center point of the spiral pattern of passes.
Clockwise
This option enables you to define the direction of the spiral. When this check box is selected,
SolidCAM generates a spiral tool path in the clockwise direction. When this check box is not
selected, SolidCAM generates a spiral tool path in the counterclockwise direction.
Clockwise direction Counterclockwise direction
6.6.8 Morphed machining

Morphed machining passes are generated across the model faces in a close-to-parallel formation,
rather like Linear machining passes; each path repeats the shape of the previous one and takes
on some characteristics of the next one, and so the passes “morph” or gradually change shape
from one side of the patch to the other.
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6. Passes
The shape and direction of the patch is defined by two drive boundary curves.
Step over
This parameter defines the distance between each two adjacent passes and is measured along
the longest drive boundary curve; for the other drive boundary curve the step over is calculated
automatically. For best results, the two drive boundaries should be as close in length as possible.
This machining strategy is most effective on areas that include shallow surfaces as the passes are
spaced along the XY-plane (Step over) and not the Z-plane (Step down).
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6.6.9 Offset cutting
The Clear offset parameters enable you to define the offset distance used for the virtual offset
curve calculation.
SolidCAM enables you to define separate values for the Left clear offset and Right clear offset.
These offsets are activated when you define a Curve and choose a Clear direction in the Drive
boundaries page.
Tool path
Drive curve
Left clear offset
Right clear offset
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6. Passes
6.6.10 Rest machining

Rest machining determines the model areas where material remain after the machining by a tool
path, and generates a set of passes to machine these areas.
Pencil milling vertical corners can cause
both the flute of the tool and the radius to
be in full contact with the material, creating
adverse cutting conditions. Rest machining
machines the corners from the top down,
resulting in better machining technique.
Steep and shallow areas are both machined
in a single tool path, with different Rest
SolidCAM determines the rest material areas using a Reference tool (the tool that
is assumed to have already been used in the CAM-Part machining) and a Target
tool (the tool that is used for the Rest machining). Both tools must be ball-nosed.
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Bitangency angle
This parameter defines the minimum angle required between the two normals at the contact
points between the tool and model faces in order to perform the Rest machining.
Bitangency angle
This value enables you to control the precision with which rest material areas are found. Reducing
the value will typically cause the system to find more areas due to the triangle variations, however
the most appropriate value will depend on the geometry of the machined piece.
Steep threshold
This parameter enables you to specify the angle range at which
SolidCAM splits steep areas from shallow areas. The angle is
measured from horizontal, so that 0° represents a horizontal
surface and 90° represents a vertical face.
Setting the value to 90° will mean that all areas in this range will
be treated as shallow and the passes in the rest material areas
will run along the corner.
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6. Passes
Setting the value to 0° will mean that all areas in this range will be treated as steep and the passes
in the rest material areas will run across the corner.
Setting the value to 45° will mean that areas where the slope
is between 0 and 45° will be treated as shallow and the passes
will run along the corner. Areas where the slope is between 45
and 90° will be treated as steep and the passes will run across
the corner.
Shallow strategy
This option enables you to choose the machining strategy to be used in shallow areas (i.e. those
below the Steep threshold value). The following options are available:
• Linear. This option enables you to perform links between passes using straight line
motions.
• Spiral. This option joins some passes using smooth curved paths. This results in passes
that are continuous, and reduces the use of linking moves. The spiral linking move will
cut across the corner, avoiding the large volume of material that lies in the center of the
rest area. Corner areas may not be fully finished.
• Spiral on surface. This option links the passes with smooth curved paths resulting in
continuous passes and reducing the rapid moves. The spiral linking move is projected
into the rest corner up to the maximal depth of the cut specified.
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Min. depth of cut
This parameter specifies the minimum depth of material to be removed from the areas to be
machined. Areas in which the depth of material to be cut is smaller than this will be ignored.
Min. depth of cut can also be useful in situations where a fillet radius of the part
is approximately equal to the radius of the reference tool, i.e. places where, in
theory, there is no material to be removed. If unwanted passes are created in such
areas, increasing the value of Min. depth of cut may improve the situation.
Max. depth of cut

This parameter specifies the maximum depth of material that can be cut. Areas in which the
depth of material is greater than this value will be ignored. This parameter is used to avoid
situations where the cutter may otherwise attempt to make deep cuts. This may result in some
rest area material not being removed; by creating further sets of Rest machining passes, using
smaller reference tools, you can clear such areas.
Areas
This option enables you to decide whether to perform the machining in the steep areas only, in
the shallow areas only or in both of them.
• Shallow
The machining is performed only in the shallow

areas (the surface inclination is smaller than the
Steep threshold value).
• Steep
The machining is performed only in the steep

areas (the surface inclination is greater than the
Steep threshold value).
• All
The machining is performed in both steep and shallow areas.
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6. Passes
Stroke ordering
This option enables you to control how the passes are merged, in order to generate better Rest
machining passes. The available strategies are:
• None
Passes are not combined; uncut material might be left in corners where several sets of
passes converge.
• Planar
SolidCAM looks at the passes from the tool axis direction (from +Z) and connects
passes that have a direction change with an angle smaller than the Max. deviation value.
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• Angular
The system looks at the passes in 3D and connects passes that have
a direction change with an angle smaller than the Max. deviation value.
• User-defined
The passes are neither combined nor split into steep and shallow sections. The option
of Max. deviation is disabled in this strategy.
Max. deviation
When Rest machining passes approach a sharp change of direction, they can be made
continuous round the corner, or can be split into separate segments. The value of Max.
deviation is used to determine whether the passes are split (if the angle of deviation
of the passes is larger than the Max. deviation value) or continuous (if the angle of
deviation of the passes is smaller than the Max. deviation value).
Reference tool page

This page enables you to define the reference tool
used for the Rest machining tool path calculation.
• The Diameter field defines the diameter of
the reference tool.
• The Corner radius field defines the corner
radius of the reference tool. Since the
reference tool is ball-nosed, the corner radius
is equal to half of the reference tool diameter.
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6. Passes
6.6.11 3D Constant step over

3D Constant step over machining enables you generate 3D tool path on the CAM-Part surfaces.
The passes of the tool path are located at a constant distance from each other, measured along
the surface of the model.
This is an ideal strategy to use on the
boundaries generated by Rest machining
or in any case where you want to ensure a
constant distance between passes along
the model faces.
Closed boundary
Constant surface step over is performed
on a closed profile of the Drive boundary.
SolidCAM creates inward offsets from this
boundary.
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Step over
This parameter enables you to define the distance between cutting passes. In 3D Constant step
over machining, the Step over value is calculated in such a way that all passes are equidistant
along the surface.
Step over
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6. Passes
The Horizontal and Vertical step over parameters determine the distance between passes. The
two step over types relate to the direction in which the step over is being measured. Where
passes are offset horizontally, the Horizontal step over distance is used while for passes that
are offset vertically, the Vertical step over distance is used. Where the step direction is neither
vertical nor horizontal, the an average of the two values is used.
Limit offsets number to

The Limit offsets number to parameter enables you to limit the number of offsets of a drive
boundary profile. Select the Limit offsets number to check box and set the offsets number.
Horizontal
step over
Vertical
step over
Adaptive Variable Side Step

If the Adaptive Variable Side Step check box is selected, the step over will be taken from the
horizontal plane only, that is, a 2D offset. With this option, only the Horizontal step over value
is used, the Vertical step over value is not relevant.
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You can see from the illustration above that using this option on this model creates only few
passes on steep areas since the spacing is calculated only along the horizontal plane; using this
option is therefore not recommended for such models.
6.6.12 Pencil milling
The Pencil milling strategy creates a tool path along internal corners and fillets with small radii,
removing material that was not reached by previous machining. This strategy is used to finish
corners which might otherwise have cusp marks left from previous machining operations. This
strategy is useful for machining corners where the fillet radius is the same or smaller than the
tool radius.
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6. Passes
Bitangency angle
This is the minimum angle required between the two normals at the contact points between the
tool and model faces, in order to decide to perform the pencil milling.
The default value of the Bitangency angle
parameter is 20°. Generally, with this value
SolidCAM detects all the corners without
fillets and with fillet radii smaller than the
tool radius. To detect corners with fillets
radii greater than the tool radius you can
either use the Overthickness parameter Bitangency angle
or decrease the Bitangency angle value.
Note that decreasing the Bitangency
angle value can result in the occurrence of
unnecessary passes.
Overthickness
This parameter enables you to define an
extra thickness that can be temporarily
applied to the tool in addition to the normal Wall offset.
You can use the Overthickness parameter to generate a tool path along fillets whose radius is
greater than the tool radius. For example, if you have a filleted corner of radius 8 mm and you
want to create a Pencil milling tool path along it with the 10 mm diameter ball-nosed tool, you
can set the Overthickness value to 4 mm. The Pencil milling tool path is calculated for a ball-
nosed tool with the diameter of 18 mm (which will detect this fillet), and then projected back
onto the surface to make a tool path for the 10 mm diameter tool.
Since this is an offset value, it is specified in exactly the same manner as other offsets, except that
it is added to the defined tool size, in addition to any surface offset, during calculations.
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6.6.13 Parallel pencil milling
Parallel pencil milling is a combination of the Pencil milling strategy and the 3D Constant step
over strategy. At the first stage, SolidCAM generates a Pencil milling tool path. Then, the
generated pencil milling passes are used to create 3D Constant step over passes; the passes are
generated as a number of offsets on both sides of the pencil milling passes. In other words, the
Parallel pencil milling strategy performs 3D Constant step over machining using Pencil milling
passes as drive curves to define the shape of passes.
This is particularly useful when the previous cutting tool has not been able to machine all the
internal corner radii to size. The multiple passes generated by this strategy will machine from the
outside in to the corner, creating a good surface finish.
The order of passes machining is determined by the Order parameters.
In this combined strategy, you define the Pencil milling parameters and the 3D Constant step
over parameters in two separate pages.
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6. Passes
Pencil milling parameters

The Pencil passes page enables you to define the parameters of the Pencil milling passes (see
topic 6.6.12).
3D Constant step over parameters

The Passes page defines the parameters of the 3D Constant step over passes (see topic 6.6.11)
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6.6.14 3D Corner offset
The 3D Corner offset strategy is similar to the Parallel pencil milling strategy. This strategy is also is
a combination of Pencil milling strategy and 3D Constant step over strategy. SolidCAM generates
a Pencil milling tool path and uses it for the 3D Constant step over passes generation. These
passes are generated as offsets from the Pencil milling passes. In contrast to the Parallel pencil
milling strategy, the number of offsets is not defined by user, but determined automatically in such
a way that all the model inside a boundary will be machined.
The order of passes machining is determined by Order parameters.
In this combined strategy, you define the Pencil milling parameters and the 3D Constant step
over parameters in two separate pages..
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6. Passes
6.6.15 Prismatic Part
The Prismatic Part machining strategy is designed especially for high-speed finishing of prismatic
parts. This strategy comprises the technology of the Constant Z and 3D Constant step over
strategies by integrating these two strategies into one smart functionality of prismatic part
machining. The difference from the Combined Constant Z with 3D Constant step over strategy
is as follows: in the Combined strategy, the subsequent strategies are performed successively one
after the other. In the Prismatic Part machining strategy, the machining is performed consistently
according to the order of the walls and flat faces along the Z-axis.
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Step down
This parameter defines the height of the passes spacing along the tool axis in the Constant Z
finishing.
Step over
This parameter defines the distance between the adjacent tool passes measured along the surface.
Offset type
This option enables you to define an offset between adjacent Constant Z passes. When the
Upper option is chosen, the upper Constant Z pass is offset and trimmed to the lower Constant
Z pass. When the Lower option is chosen, the lower Constant Z pass is offset and trimmed to the
upper Constant Z pass. When the Both option is chosen, both passes are offset together.
6.6.16 Combined strategy
Constant Z combined with Horizontal strategy

The Constant Z passes page defines the parameters of the Constant Z machining strategy.
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6. Passes
The Horizontal passes page defines the parameters of the Horizontal machining strategy.
The following parameters defined on the Constant Z Passes page are automatically assigned
with the same values on the Horizontal passes page:
• Wall offset (see topic 6.1.1)
• Floor offset (see topic 6.1.2)
• Tolerance (see topic 6.1.3)
• Limits (see topic 6.1.8)
• Smoothing parameters (see topic 6.2)
• Adaptive step down parameters (see topic 6.3)
• Edit passes parameters (see topic 6.4)
When these parameters are edited on the Constant Z passes page, their values are updated
automatically on the Horizontal passes page. But when edited on the Horizontal passes pages,
the values in the Constant Z passes page remain unchanged.
Two Link pages located under the Constant Z passes and Horizontal passes pages define the
links relevant for each of these strategies.
On the Link page for Horizontal passes, there is the Machining order tab that enables you to
define the order in which the Constant Z and Horizontal machining will be performed. The
default option is Constant Z First.
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When the tool has finished performing the passes of the first machining strategy, it goes up to
the Clearance level, then descends back to the machining surface to continue with the next
strategy.
Constant Z combined with Linear strategy

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6. Passes
The Linear passes page defines the parameters of the Linear machining strategy.
The following parameters defined on the Constant Z Passes page are automatically assigned the
same values on the Linear passes page:
automatically on the Linear passes page. But when edited on the Linear passes page, the values
in the Constant Z passes page remain unchanged.
Two Link pages located under the Constant Z passes and Linear passes pages define the links
relevant for each of these strategies.
On the Link page for Linear passes, there is the Machining order tab that enables you to define
the order in which the Constant Z and Linear machining will be performed. The default option
is Constant Z First.
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strategy.
Constant Z combined with 3D Constant Step over strategy

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6. Passes
The Constant Step over passes page defines the parameters of the 3D Constant Step over
machining strategy.
The following parameters defined on the Constant Z Passes page are automatically assigned the
same values on the Constant Step over passes page:
automatically on the Constant Step over page. But when edited on the Linear passes page, the
values in the Constant Z passes page remain unchanged.
Two Link pages located under the Constant Z passes and Constant Step over passes pages
define the links relevant for each of these strategies.
On the Link page for Constant step over passes, there is the Machining order tab that enables
you to define the order in which the Constant Z and Constant step over machining will be
performed. The default option is Constant Z First.
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strategy.
Constant Z combined with 3D Corner offset strategy

The Constant Z passes page defines the parameters of the Constant Z machining strategy,
which is used for semi-finishing and finishing of steep model areas.
The Pencil passes page defines the parameters of the Pencil milling strategy, which is used for
removing material along internal
corners and fillets with small radii
that was not reached in previous
operations.
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6. Passes
The Corner Offset passes page defines the parameters of the 3D Corner offset machining
strategy, which is used in order to machine all the internal corner radii to size.
Two Link pages, which are located under the Constant Z passes and the Corner Offset passes
pages, define the linking of the tool path for each of these strategies.
In the Link page for Corner Offset passes, the Machining order tab enables you to define the
order in which the Constant Z and Corner offset passes will be performed.
When the tool has finished performing the passes of the first machining strategy, it goes up
to the Clearance level, then descends back to the machining surface to continue with the next
strategy.
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6.7 Calculation Speed
Tool paths for three basic tool types (end mill, ball-nosed and bull-nosed) are calculated by
completely different machining algorithms. This means that calculation speed may differ for the
same operation and geometry, but with a different tool type. For example, using a bull-nosed
tool with a smaller corner radius will result in longer calculation time.
Calculation speed depends also on the tolerance. Setting a tolerance for a tool path defines the
worst case value; the actual tolerance may, in some circumstances, be significantly tighter. That is
particularly true for Contour roughing and Constant Z machining operations when a bull-nosed
tool with a small corner radius is used. The results are often more accurate than required and
calculation is slower.
When a positive Wall offset is defined, the machining algorithm uses a tool with larger corner
and shaft radii than the original one. When a small Wall offset is applied to an end mill, the tool
used by the algorithm is bull-nosed with a small corner radius. That tool with applied Wall offset
has different algorithmic characteristics, as mentioned above, and calculation time may change.
The only other instance in which the tool type may change when applying a Wall offset is when a
negative Wall offset equal to or exceeding the corner radius is applied to a bull-nosed tool. Then
an end mill is used in the machining algorithm, and a result may be reached faster. However,
there are instances where applying a negative Wall offset, which is significantly greater than the
corner radius, does not produce satisfactory results.
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Links 7
The Link page in the HSR/HSM Operation dialog box enables you to define the way how the
generated passes are linked together into a tool path.
In the image, the link movements are in green, the rapid movements are in red and the machining
passes are in blue.
Following are the linking parameters that can be defined by the user:
• General parameters
• Ramping parameters
• Strategy parameters
• Retracts parameters
• Leads parameters
• Down/Up Mill parameters
• Refurbishment parameters
Some of the parameters pages can be

disabled unless you check the Advanced
option in the right upper part of the
dialog box.
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7. Links
7.1 General Parameters
The General page enables you to set the general parameters of the tool path linking
• Direction
• Order passes
• Retract
• Start hint
• Minimize reverse linking
• Minimize full wide cuts
• Link by area
• Link by Z level
• Link per cluster
• Min. profile diameter
• Refurbishment
• Safety
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7.1.1 Direction options
This parameters group enables you to define the direction of the machining.
One way Machining pass

Linking pass
With this option, machining is performed in one

direction, but there is no guarantee that this will be
consistently climb or conventional milling. It is up to
you to check the tool path and respond by selecting
the Reverse check box, if needed, for the desired
milling style.
A one way hatch path has many retractions; after the machining pass the tool has to perform air
movement to the start point of the next pass (shown in red).
• One way cutting with Radial Machining
strategy. The radial arrows indicate the
direction of the passes themselves, while the
circular arrow indicates the ordering of the
passes.
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7. Links
• One way cutting with Spiral machining strategy. The

spiral pass is limited by a boundary. The circular arrow
indicates the direction of the passes themselves, while
the radial arrow indicates the ordering of the passes.
Passes are machined in the clockwise direction, moving
outwards.
• One way cutting with 3D Constant Step over strategy. The passes are limited by a
boundary, with another boundary inside it. The passes are ordered in a one way
direction to perform climb milling. The inner circular arrow indicates the direction
for the passes adjacent to the inner boundaries.
The outer circular arrow indicates the
direction for outer boundaries. In this
example, most machining passes are
performed in the counterclockwise
direction, working from the farthest offsets
outwards to the outer boundary, then
rapidly moving to machine the farthest
offset of the inner boundary and working
inwards towards the inner boundary.
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Reverse
The Reverse option results in the direction of passes being reversed.

The example below shows one-way radial passes with the reversed direction; the passes will be
climb milled.
The example below shows a reversed one way spiral passes.
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7. Links
Bi-directional
With this option, each pass is machined in the opposite direction to the previous pass. A short
linking motion (shown in green) connects the two ends - this is often called zigzag machining.
Machining pass
Linking pass
Both Climb milling and Conventional milling methods are used in the bi-directional tool path.
Bi-directional milling
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Bi-directional Radial machining:
Bi-directional Spiral machining:
Bi-directional 3D Constant Step over machining:
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7. Links
Down mill/Up mill
These options enables you to perform the machining downwards or upwards. Flat pieces are
machined in the direction defined by the Reverse parameter.
This option is available for strategies where the Z-level varies along a pass. This
option is not available for the Constant Z and Horizontal strategies.
The Down/Up mill page (see topic 7.6) enables you to define the parameters of the down and up
milling.
• Down mill direction
• Up mill direction
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The image below shows the direction of the Radial machining passes when the Down/Up Mill
options are used.
Down mill
Up mill
Climb/Conventional milling
These options enables you to set the tool path direction in such a manner that the climb/
conventional milling will be performed.
Climb milling Conventional milling
These options are available for the Constant Z and Horizontal strategies.
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7. Links
Prefer climb milling
This option is available for the Pencil milling strategy.

If this option is selected, the Pencil milling passes will usually be climb milled. A decision is
made as to whether the material is mainly on the left or the right of the tool as it goes along a
pass. The direction is then chosen so that most material is on the right.
When this option is not selected, the milling direction for all the passes is reversed, so that they
will probably be conventionally milled.
Direction for Hatch roughing
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Raster passes
• This section enables you to define the direction for the hatch (raster) passes.
• SolidCAM enables you to choose One way or Bi-directional direction for the raster
passes.
Initial order Reversed order
• The Reverse order option enables you to reverse the order of the hatch passes
machining.
Profile passes
• This section enables you to define the direction for profile passes. SolidCAM enables
you to choose the Climb or Conventional direction of the Profile passes.
Direction for Rest machining
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7. Links
Steep regions
This section enables you to define the direction of the steep areas machining.
SolidCAM enables you to choose the following options:
• Climb milling
• Conventional milling
• Bi-directional
7.1.2 Order passes
Some passes allow you to specify the direction of the pass ordering. When no option is selected,
the passes are linked in an efficient way to limit the rapid travel between passes. Where several
separate areas are machined, each area will be machined to completion, before machining of the
next area is started.
The passes will be linked in the most efficient way. Below is shown a set of Linear passes, linked
in the default order (starting from the top left-hand corner) to minimize the rapid travel between
the passes.
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Reverse order
This option enables you to reverse the order of the tool path relative to the default order.
Simple ordering
Passes will be linked in the order of their creation.

Parts of a specific pass divided by a boundary will
be linked together with a rapid movement. This
option enables you to maintain the order of the
passes, but increases the number of air movements.
Cross simple ordering
When the Cross linear machining is performed, simple ordering is applied to the cross
linear passes.
Order 3D Constant Step over passes
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7. Links
From first pass
When this option is not chosen, the passes are machined from the smallest of the outside
boundary offsets to the outer boundary and then from the largest offset of the internal
boundary to the inside.
When this option is chosen, the machining is performed in the reverse order. The
machining starts from the internal boundary outside. After that the machining is
performed from the outer boundary inside.
If you reverse the order or the direction, conventional milling will be performed. If you
reverse both, climb milling will be performed again.
Islands at same time
If the original boundaries have islands, SolidCAM will normally machine inwards from
the outer boundary, then outwards from the island boundary.
When this option is chosen, SolidCAM performs machining while swapping between
the outer and the island boundary offsets, ensuring that each is never more than one
pass ahead of the other.
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Simple ordering
Passes will be linked in the order of their creation. Parts of a specific pass divided by
a boundary will be linked together with a rapid movement. This option enables you to
maintain the order of the passes, but increases the number of air movements.
Optimize lead positions
When this option is chosen, the start point of the pass is adjusted to minimize the length
of the lead move.
When it is not selected, the lead move connects to the natural start point of the pass.
7.1.3 Retract
The image below shows a set of linked one way Hatch roughing passes along a flat horizontal
surface.
The tool path starts from the Start hint point that is
set at the Safety distance level. The rapid movements
(shown in red) are performed at the Clearance level and
above it. The tool moves along the green lines towards,
away from, or along the surface, without cutting (link
movements). The blue lines show the tool path when
cutting is performed. The tool path is finished in the end
point located at the Safety distance level.
The Retract section enables you to define a number of parameters of the start and end of the
tool path.
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7. Links
Start from home point/Return to home point
These options enable SolidCAM to start/finish the operation tool path in the specified home
point. The XYZ boxes defines the location of this point.
Clearance level
This field defines the plane where the rapid movements of the operation (between passes) will
be performed. The Clearance level value can be set according to the Part clearance level or
according to the automatically calculated Optimized clearance level.
Safety distance
This field defines the distance to the Upper level at which the tool will start moving at the Z
feed rate you have entered for the tool. Movements from the Clearance level to this height are
performed in rapid mode.
7.1.4 Start hint
Enter the XY-coordinates of the starting position of the tool; the tool will move to this position
at the beginning of the tool path. The default value for the Start hint is the center of your model.
On larger models, where there is a great distance from the center of the model and your current
work area, you may want to change these values. If there is more than one set of passes to be
linked, the linking will start with the passes closest to the Start hint point.
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7.1.5 Minimize reverse linking
This option will reduce the amount of reverse linking on the tool path. It will also ensure that
the tool cutting direction is maintained when linking passes.
If this option is chosen, the linking moves within a Z-level will be adjusted to maintain climb or
conventional milling.
If this option is not chosen, linking moves may conventionally mill even though climb milling is
maintained for the passes and vice versa.
This option is only available if the Detect Core areas option of the Contour
roughing strategy is enabled.
7.1.6 Minimize full wide cuts
This option will reduce full width cuts wherever possible. This is useful because full width cuts
(those which have equal width to the tool diameter) are not recommended in most machining
situations.
This option is only available if the Detect Core areas option of the Contour
roughing strategy is enabled.
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7. Links
7.1.7 Link by area
The Link by area option enables you to perform all the passes with linking within the same area,
so that each area is machined completely before moving to the next one.
1 5
2 6
3 7
4 8
This option forces all passes on one Z-level within a single cavity/core to be machined before
either moving down to the next Z-level or across to another cavity/core.
For Contour roughing, this parameter does not have effect if the passes are not edited, since all
the passes on one Z-level within the area are machined before moving to the next level/area.
This option is available for the Contour roughing and HM Roughing strategies.
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7.1.8 Link by Z-level
The Link by Z-level option enables you to perform all the passes at a specific Z-level before
moving to the next one. This will frequently result in occurrence of air movements between
different areas of the same Z-level.
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
By default the option is not chosen. It means that the passes are linked in such a manner that
each area is machined completely before moving to the next one.
This option is available for the Constant Z and Horizontal strategies, and for all
HSR operations.
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7. Links
7.1.9 Link per cluster
When you link machining passes that are made up of several different clusters of passes, in
corners, for example, the Link per cluster option allows each corner to be machined before the
tool moves to another corner. If you do not select this option, the machine may need to make a
number of rapid feed rate moves to connect the clusters of passes.
This option is available for the Contour roughing, Hatch roughing, Rest roughing
and Horizontal strategies.
7.1.10 Use dynamic stock
The Use dynamic stock option enables you to use the dynamic stock slices.
For all tool path linking operations, the stock lying outside the boundary is automatically protected
when calculating linking motions. For roughing operations, uncut stock within the constraint
boundary is also protected. The uncut stock can either be modelled as a static stock resulting in
faster but less optimal tool path or a dynamic stock, which works slower but produces a better
tool path.
A dynamic stock is the updated stock, therefore when avoiding collisions, linking is calculated
according to the machined stock resulting in a more accurate tool path.
This option is available for the Contour roughing, HM Roughing, Hatch roughing,
and Horizontal machining strategies.
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7.1.11 Min. profile
The diameter of a profile is its "span", which is the largest distance between two points of the
profile. Any profile that is smaller than this value will not be machined to avoid difficulties in
ramping the tool into this space. The default Min. profile value is slightly smaller than that of the
flat part of the end mill tool (and zero for ball-nosed tools).
For example, if the set of surfaces has a hole about the size of the tool you want to use, you will
get a column of profiles that appear to "fall" through the hole down to the lowest Z-level. If you
do not want these profiles, you can use the Min. profile parameter.
This option is available for the Constant Z and Horizontal machining strategies.
7.1.12 Refurbishment
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7. Links
Min. pass length
The Min. pass length parameter enables you to define the minimal length of the pass that will
be linked. Passes with length smaller than this parameter will not be linked. This option enables
you to avoid the machining of extremely short passes and increases the machining performance.
This option is available for the Constant Z machining strategy.
7.1.13 Safety
Max. stock thickness
The Max. stock thickness parameter enables you to control the order of Constant Z machining
of several cutting areas.
When the distance between cutting areas is smaller than the specified Max. stock thickness
value, the machining is ordered by cutting levels. In this case SolidCAM machines all of these
cutting areas at the specific cutting level, and then moves down to the next level.
When the distance between cutting areas is greater than the specified Max. stock thickness value,
the machining is ordered by cutting areas. In this case SolidCAM machines a specific cutting area
at all of the cutting levels, and then moves to the next cutting area.
This option is available for the Constant Z machining strategy.
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7.2 Ramping Parameters
The Ramping page enables you to control the ramping aspects of the tool path.
Ramping is used when the tool moves from one machining level down to the next one; the tool
moves downwards into the material at an angle.
This page is available for all roughing strategies and Constant Z, Horizontal, and 3D
Constant step over strategies.
Ramp height offset
Angle
Max. ramp angle
The Ramp angle is calculated automatically and depends on the model geometry and the tool
type. The Max. ramp angle parameter enables you to limit this angle.
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7. Links
The dimensions and type of tool you are using and the power of your machine tool will determine
an appropriate ramp angle. The angle used on a profile will often be shallower than this, as the
ramp always steps forward by at least the shaft radius of the tool.
If a profile is very small, then the angle used might have to be larger than you
specify. In this case you can avoid the machining of short profiles with the Min.
profile diameter (see topic 7.1.11) parameter located in the General page.
Relative and absolute ramp height
SolidCAM enables you to define also the relative or absolute start position for the ramp motion
with the Ramp height offset/Ramp height parameter measured from the Coordinate System
origin.
• Relative height
With this option, the start position of the Ramp height offset
ramp motion for the upper Constant Step
over pass is defined relative to the first point
of the pass using the Ramp height offset
parameter.
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• Absolute height
With this option, the start position of

the ramp motion is defined with the
absolute Ramp height value measured Ramp height
from the Coordinate System origin.
These options are available only

for the 3D Constant step over
machining, when Helix and
Profile ramping strategies are CoordSys
used.
Ramp height offset
This parameter defines the height used in the ramping motion to the first upper profile. It
ensures that the tool has fully slowed down from rapid speeds before touching the material so
that it enters the material at a ramping angle.
SolidCAM enables you to perform the ramp movement either with a profile, or with a helix
(spiral).
Profile ramping
The tool performs the downward movements to

the specific Z-level around the contour of the
profile.
Min. profile diameter to ramp on
SolidCAM enables you to avoid ramp

movements along small profiles, as a very
tight tool motion would counterbalance
any advantages gained by ramping for
the smoothness of transition; by setting
a minimum profile diameter ("span") you
will be able to ensure that small profiles will not be ramped down to.
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7. Links
Helix ramping
The tool performs the downward movements to the specific Z-level in a corkscrew fashion,
ensuring a smooth movement. Helix ramping also puts less load on the tool than profile ramping.
Helix diameter
This is the diameter of the ramping helix. In cases where the profile is too small for a
helix ramp of this diameter, Profile ramping is used.
This option is available for the Morphed machining, Radial machining,

Linear machining, Spiral machining, and 3D Constant step over strategies.
Plunge ramping
The tool performs the downward movements to the specific Z-level in a vertical movement.
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Use approach points
This section enables you to define the ramping by approach points in pre-drilled holes. The
centers of the holes are defined as approach points. Pre-drilled holes are used for cutters that
cannot plunge straight into material (insert cutters). Each level is then linked to the pre-drilled
point. The linking will use the specified entry points for plunging and will never helix or ramp
onto the part. Any passes that cannot be reached using the specified entry points will be omitted
from the final tool path. Pre-drilled holes must be within the boundary and stock and not in air.
Approach
points
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7. Links
No tool path for a specific area is generated, if the approach point is defined
outside of the area.
To define the approach points, click the Define button. The
Ramping Geometry Selection dialog box is displayed. This dialog
box enables you to define the approach points by picking on the
solid model.
The content of this dialog box is similar to that of

the Drill Geometry Selection dialog box used for
drilling geometry definition (for more information,
refer to SolidCAM Milling Online Help).
Limit depth
This check box controls the maximum depth at which the cutting in the current area will
be performed. When this check box is selected, the Z-coordinate of the lowest approach
point defines the maximum depth at which the cutting will be performed; the tool will
not descend lower than the Z-level of this point.
Approach point
Depth limit
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7.3 Strategy Parameters
The Strategy pages enables you to define the following parameters related to the linking strategy.
• Stay on surface within
• Stay down within
• Overlap closed passes
• Along surface
• Linking radius
• Link clearance
• Horizontal link clearance
• Trim to ramp advance
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7. Links
7.3.1 Stay on surface within
The Stay on surface within parameter enables you to control the way how the tool moves from
the end point of a pass to the start point of the next one. When the distance between these
points is greater than the specified parameter value, the tool movement is performed at the
Clearance plane, using rapid feed.
When the distance between the points is smaller than the parameter value, the tool moves with
cutting feed directly on the model face.
This option enables you to decrease the number of air
movements between the passes of the tool path.
To control the manner of the link movement between passes when the tool moves on surface,
use the Along surface option (see topic 7.3.4).
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7.3.2 Stay down within
The Stay down within parameter enables you to control the point of choosing between retracting
or staying on the surface. When the distance between the end point of a pass and the start point
of the next one is less than the specified parameter value, the cutting tool stays on the surface.
If the distance is greater than the specified parameter value, the cutting tool retracts to the
clearance plane.
This option is disabled when Shortest route is selected from the Style section in
the Retracts tab. This option is available for the Constant Z machining, Helical
machining, Horizontal machining, Boundary machining, Rest machining, Pencil
milling, and Parallel pencil milling strategies.
7.3.3 Overlap closed passes
In case of island machining, the Overlap closed passes parameter enables you to overlap two
closed passes by the specified Overlap distance. The advantage of this option is that no material
is left for machining between the gap of two closed passes.
This option is available for the Constant Z machining, Hybrid Constant step over,
Parallel pencil milling, 3D Constant step over, 3D Corner offset, Prismatic Part
machining, and Combine Constant Z with strategies.
7.3.4 Along surface
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7. Links
When the tool moves on the surface, links between passes can be:
• Straight line
When this option is active, a direct connection

is made on the surface in a straight line.
• Spline curve
When this option is active, a spline connection

is made along the surface. The movement is
smooth; there are no sharp corners so there is
little change of speed of the tool throughout
the length of the link.
These options are available for the Linear

machining, Spiral machining, Radial machining, Boundary machining, and
Pencil milling strategies.
Ramp when possible with angle
The Ramp when possible with angle option enables

you to perform the connection along the surface at the
specified angle.
Ramp angle
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• Use Tangential Ramp
This option enables you to perform the angled link movements in a smooth S-curve.
With this option the transition between passes is performed smoothly without sharp
corners.
Ramp angle
• Trim to ramp advance
This option enables you generate a helical style

finish when linking Constant Z passes.
When this check box is selected, the Constant Z
pass above which a ramp linking movement is
performed is trimmed by the length of the ramping
move. In such a way a helical style tool path is generated, avoiding the unnecessary
cutting moves at the already machined areas and maintaining a constant tool load.
Constant Z passes Ramp movements
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7. Links
When this check box is not selected, the whole Constant Z passes are linked with the
ramp movements.
Constant Z passes Ramp movements
The Ramp when possible with angle option only has effect on passes that consist
of closed loops at different Z-heights, such as Constant Z and 3D Constant step
over passes.
7.3.5 Linking radius
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Using this parameter, SolidCAM enables you to generate S-shaped curves linking the adjacent
closed passes of the contour machining. The value defines the radius of the link arc. If you set
the Linking radius to 0 or turn off Smoothing then a simpler, straight-lined route will link each
loop.
Linking radius
When the radius is set to zero, straight line link movements are performed.
In the HM Roughing strategy, the default value of the Linking radius is set as 20% of the defined
Step over.
These options are available for Contour roughing, Horizontal machining, and HM
Roughing strategies.
7.3.6 Link clearance
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7. Links
With this parameter, SolidCAM enables you to maintain a horizontal clearance from the
bounding profile when moving horizontally from one location to another. The value defines the
minimal distance from the bounding profile.
This option is available for Contour roughing, Hatch roughing, Rest roughing and
Horizontal machining.
7.3.7 Horizontal link clearance
When the Detect core areas option is used, the Horizontal link clearance parameter defines the
distance outside of the material to perform plunging.
This option is available for Contour roughing and Rest roughing.
7.4 Retracts Parameters
This page enables you to control retract movements between passes of the tool path.
• Style
• Clearance
• Smoothing
• Curls
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7.4.1 Style
The Style options enable you to define the way how the retract movements are performed
between passes.
Shortest route
The tool performs a direct movement from

one pass to another. SolidCAM generates
a curved retract movement trajectory. The
minimum height of the retract movement
is controlled by the Clear surface by
parameter, and the curve's profile is
controlled by the Smoothing and Curls
parameters.
This style is chosen by default, as it creates
the shortest retract movements. However, some machine tools are unable to perform the rapid
movement effectively along a curved path; in these cases you can choose one of the other two
retract styles.
Minimal vertical retract
The tool moves vertically to the minimum

Z-level where the safe rapid movement can
be performed, moves along this plane in a
straight line and drops down vertically to
the start point of the ramp movement to
the next pass. The minimum height of the
retract is controlled by the Clear surface by
parameter.
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7. Links
Full vertical retract
The tool moves vertically up to the clearance plane, rapidly moves at this level in a straight line,
and drops down vertically to the start point of the ramp movement to the next pass.
7.4.2 Clearance
The Clearance parameters apply both to the lead in and the

lead out components of retract motions.
Clear surface within
This option affects the tool path when the Shortest route style is chosen. It specifies the distance
the tool moves away from the surface with the cutting feed rate, before the rapid movement
starts.
The distance is measured from the end of the lead out arc to the point where the tool is
guaranteed to be clear of the surface.
Minimum rapid length
This option is used to specify a limit. If the 2D distance between the ends of the lead moves is
less than this value, a 3D connecting move at lead feed rate is used. Otherwise a retract move is
used.
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Clear surface by
This is the minimum distance by which the tool will be clear of the surface during its rapid
linking motion. All points of the tool – on both the tip and the side have to avoid the surface
by this distance.
For Minimal vertical retract motions, the tool lifts up to a height that ensures clearance.
Clear surface by
For Shortest route motions, the tool is lifted up above the surface to ensure the clearance, then
it performs rapid motion maintaining the Clear surface within distance.
Clear surface by
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7. Links
This clearance is applied in addition to any wall offset that you have already
specified for the tool. In particular, with a negative wall offset, the clearance is
above the reduced surface and not the real surface – so you should set this value
higher to prevent the tool from gouging the surface.
7.4.3 Smoothing
Radius
Radius
SolidCAM enables to round sharp corners of

the retract motions when the Shortest route
option is used by adding a vertical curve of a
defined radius. This makes the tool movement
smoother and enables higher feed rates.
7.4.4 Curls
SolidCAM enables you to add arcs in the end if the lead-out

movements and in the beginning of the lead in movements. The
Curl over radius and Curl down radius define the radius of these
arcs.
Curl down radius
Curl up radius Rapid movement
Lead in movement
Lead out movement
Cutting pass
The Curls options affect the tool path when the linking style is Shortest route.
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7.5 Leads Parameters
The parameters located on this page enable you to control the lead in and lead out motions.
• Fitting
• Trimming
• Basic Approaches
• Extensions
• Vertical leads
• Horizontal leads
The Stay on surface within parameter located on the Strategy page enables you to
define the maximum distance between passes to stay on the surface and when to
perform a retract movement.
The style of the retract movement can be defined on the Retracts page.
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7. Links
7.5.1 Fitting
You define here how the lead in and lead out arcs of the retract movements fit to the machining
pass.
Lead in/Lead out arc
Tool pass
Machine the whole pass
With this option the complete pass is machined. The arc can be applied at the end of the pass,
without trimming of the pass.
187
The arc can be inserted only if it can be done safely without gouging the part faces. When the
arc is conflicting with the model geometry, a straight vertical lead in/out movement is performed.
Minimize trimming
This option enables you to perform the arc retract movement with minimal possible trimming
of the cutting tool pass. The retract pass is as close to the surface as possible, maintaining a
minimum distance from the surface to fit the arc of the defined radius.
Fully trim pass
In cases where it is crucial to prevent over-machining, this is a good and cautious strategy
modification. The pass is trimmed back so the entire arc fits into it, but no nearer than a full
machine pass link would be.
Minimize trimming
Fully trim pass
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7. Links
7.5.2 Trimming
When a lead arc is added to a horizontal machining pass, the length of pass trimmed off will be
at most the radius of the arc. However, when adding an arc to a steep finishing pass, the length
of pass trimmed (trimming distance) will be much greater.
Trimming
distance
Such trimming of the passes can result in the occurrence of large unmachined areas. To avoid
this, SolidCAM enables you to limit the trimming distance with the Max. trimming distance
parameter. If the trimming distance exceeds this value, then no arc is used; the whole pass is
machined, and a straight vertical motion is added.
This option affects the path when the Lead fitting is Minimize trimming or Fully
trim pass.
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7.5.3 Vertical leads
The Vertical leads parameters enable you to define the radius of the arcs located in a vertical
plane used to enter and leave the machining pass.
Rapid movement
Lead in radius
Lead out radius

Cutting pass
7.5.4 Horizontal leads
SolidCAM enables you to perform Horizontal lead in/out

movements to provide you with smooth entering/exiting
from the material.
Using horizontal leads the tool path can be set up so that
the tool approaches and leaves machining passes tangentially
using helical moves. Note that if the requested radius (Lead
in or Lead out) is too large, then the horizontal lead is
omitted, and only vertical leads are used.
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7. Links
Lead in/out radius

These parameters enable you to define the radius of the arcs, located in a horizontal plane, used
to enter and leave the machining pass.
Lead in
radius
Lead out
radius
Max. ramp angle
SolidCAM enables you to perform ramp down movements during the arc lead in. The Max.
ramp angle parameter enables you to limit the maximum angle (measured from the horizontal
plane) for ramping.
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Ramp height offset
The ramp height offset is an extra height used in the ramping motion down from
a top profile. It ensures that the tool has fully slowed down from rapid speeds before touching
the material, and that it enters the material smoothly at the ramping angle.
The Max. ramp angle and Ramp height offset parameters are available for the
Contour roughing, Hatch roughing, Rest roughing and Constant Z strategies.
Ramp height
Ramp offset
angle
Lead out angle
SolidCAM enables you to perform inclined upwards movements during the arc lead out. The
Lead out angle parameter enables you to define the angle of inclined lead out movement. The
angle is measured from horizontal plane.
Lead out
angle
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7. Links
The Lead out angle parameter is available for the Contour roughing, Hatch
roughing, Rest roughing and Constant Z strategies.
7.5.5 Extensions
Ramp in extension
The ramp in height offset is an extra height used in the ramping motion down from
a top profile. It ensures that the tool has fully slowed down from rapid speeds before
touching the material so that it enters the material smoothly at the ramping angle.
Ramp out extension
The ramp out height offset is an extra height used in the ramping motion. It ensures that
the tool speeds up to rapid speeds gradually.
7.5.6 Basic approaches
The Basic horizontal approaches check box enables you to

perform a separate lead in/lead out movement for each Z-level
pass in Constant Z machining. This functionality is useful for
smooth entrance into the material from outside in semi-finish
machining of steep model areas.
When this check box is not selected, the tool enters the material
according to the defined approach/retreat parameters, and the
Z-level passes are machined successively one after the other without exits from the material.
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When this check box is selected, the tool exits from the material after machining of each Z-level
pass and enters again on the next Z-level pass.
Basic horizontal approaches Basic horizontal approaches

check box is not selected check box is selected
• The Lead in angle parameter defines the angle between the tool approach line and
the line tangent to the Z-level pass in the start point of the machining.
• The Lead out angle parameter defines the angle between the tool retreat line and the
line tangent to the Z-level pass in the end point of the machining.
• The Linear extension parameter defines the length of the tool horizontal approach
line.
Lead out Lead in

angle angle
Linear extension
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7. Links
7.6 Down/Up Mill Parameters
This page enables you to define the parameters of the Down/Up milling.
This page is available for all strategies, except for Contour roughing, Hatch
roughing, Rest roughing, Hybrid Rib roughing, Horizontal Machining and Constant
Z machining.
Down/Up milling options should be first selected on the General page, to have the
parameters on this page operable.
Pass overlap
When a pass is broken in order to perform down and up movements, each segment can be
extended, from the point where pass segments are connected, so that they overlap. This ensures
a smoother finish.
No Pass overlap
Pass overlap Passes connect point
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Since both pass segments are extended by the Pass overlap value, the actual length
of overlap is twice the defined value.
Shallow angle
Model areas with the inclination angles less than the Shallow angle value are considered as
shallow. Such areas can be machined in either direction, as obviously up or down milling is
irrelevant, and in these areas the tool path will be less broken up.
The image below illustrates the case when the inclination angles of the model faces are greater
than the defined Shallow angle value.
In the image below, the Shallow angle value has been increased resulting in no break up of the
tool path.
Merge %
SolidCAM enables you to machine some segments of the tool path upwards where downward
movement is preferred, and vice versa, to avoid too much fragmentation.
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7. Links
The Merge % parameter defines the limit length of the opposite segments as a relative percentage
of the whole pass. When the percentage of the segments length where the direction of the
machining to be changed is less than the defined value, the direction will not be changed.
Maintain milling direction
This option affects the ordering of Linear, Radial, Spiral and 3D Constant Step over passes. It
ensures that all segments will either be climb milled or conventionally milled, if selected.
When the Maintain milling direction check box is not selected, passes will be either climb or
conventional passes, depending on the relative position of the tool at the time.
7.7 Refurbishment Parameters
This page enables you to define a number of parameters of the tool path refurbishment.
7.7.1 Min. pass length
The Min. pass length parameter enables you to define the minimal length of the pass that will
be linked. Passes with length less than this parameter will not be linked.
This option enables you to avoid the machining of extremely short passes and increases the
machining performance.
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7.7.2 Spikes
Sometimes at the end of a pass, where one surface

is adjacent to another at a very steep angle, there is a
sharp jump. This can happen where the tool touches Spike
a steep wall and is lifted to the top, or where it "falls
off" a high ledge and drops to the bottom. SolidCAM
enables you to remove these spikes.
Remove Spikes
This option enables you to remove sharp jumps

(spikes) from the tool path.
Spikes
removed
• Max. acceptable angle
Spikes or jumps with an angle greater than this value are removed from the tool path.
The angle is measured from the horizontal plane.
Remove first/last spikes only
When this option is active, only spikes at the beginning and end of passes are removed. There
will be no spike removal on a looped pass if this option is active, as there is no pass end.
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7. Links
• Non-spike allowance
You can trim off any small horizontal areas left at the top or bottom of the spike. The
value here is the maximum length of horizontal pass that will be removed from the tool
path.
Horizontal passes Horizontal passes

at the top of spikes trimmed
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200
Motion Control 8
Using the parameters of the Motion control page, you can optimize the calculated tool path
according to the kinematics and special characteristics of your CNC-machine.
The default values of these parameters are defined in the VMID file of your CNC-machine.
The interface of the Motion control page may vary depending on the parameters of your CNC-
machine.
8.1 4th Axis
This option enables you to project the portion of the 5th axis back onto the selected 4th axis.
Selecting the Indexial first rotation angle option allows you to set a rotational angle value to
extend the working area of machines having a limitation in one of the linear axis in the working
plane.
Selecting the Face Sim option enables you to perform milling using the rotary axis by translating
the linear movements in the XY-plane into the rotary XC-movements.
Note that the technology offered by SolidCAM is universal: there is no limitations

in terms of machines on which the part can be milled. But if you use the GCode
output in the XYZ coordinates (the Diameter option), the usability of this GCode
is limited to machines with possibility of movements along three linear axes (X,
Y, Z). Therefore, to enable the possibility of milling the part on 3-axis Mill-Turn
CNC-machines that support only the XZC coordinates where the movements
along the Y-axis is impossible, you need to choose the Face option.
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8. Motion Control
• The option of Coordinate type enables you to determine whether the GCode will
consist of split blocks or blocks in polar/Cartesian coordinates. When you select
the option of Polar, the tool path is calculated in polar coordinates. When you select
the option of Cartesian, the tool path lines and arcs are calculated in Cartesian
coordinates; the CoordSys position is zero for linear coordinates. The milling is
processed using the rotary axis by translating the linear movements into the rotary-
linear movements according to the plane.
• The option of Plane, allows you to choose the appropriate plane i.e, XC,YC, or ZC.
8.2 Approximation of Arcs
This option enables you to control the process of arcs approximation at the operation level.
The Approximate arcs by lines check box enables you to control the existence of arcs in the
GCode output for the current operation.
When this check box is selected, SolidCAM approximates all tool path arcs by lines. The
precision of the approximation depends on the Max Chord Length and Max Arc Angle
parameters defined on the Controller Definition page of the VMID file; the resulting GCode
does not contain arcs.
When this check box is not selected, the resulting GCode might contain arcs.
8.3 5th Axis
For a 5-axis machine, the tool axis vector can always be mapped into two different angle pairs.
During the tool path generation, SolidCAM calculates for each tool axis orientation both of
these two angle pairs; only one of the two has to be chosen for the GCode generation.
Some machines can only use one of the angle pairs due to mechanical limitations. In this case
the angle pair will then be chosen as the First angle pair or Second angle pair.
8.4 Point Interpolation
The point interpolation provides the ability to create intermediate points by setting a certain
maximum angle step distance (for 5-axis motions) or by splitting long linear motions (3-axis and
5-axis tool paths) for feed rate moves and rapid rate moves.
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Interpolation for distance
Using this option, SolidCAM enables you to perform interpolation for the linear tool movements.
When this option is active, a new interpolated tool position is defined at each distance, defined
by the Interpolation for distance parameter.
E.g. when the linear tool movement is performed from 0, 0, 0 to 0, 0, 100 and the Interpolation
for distance option is used with the Distance value of 10, SolidCAM adds 9 tool positions
between start and end positions (0, 0, 10, then 0, 0, 20 etc.).
Rapid feed rate moves
When this option is activated, all rapid motions (on clearance area and rapid distance) are
converted into a feed motion with the given value.
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Miscellaneous
Parameters 9
This page displays the non-technological parameters related to the HSR/HSM operations.
9.1 Message
This field enables you to type a message that will appear in the generated GCode file.
G43G0 X-49.464 Y-38.768 Z12. S1000 M3
(Upper Face Milling)
(--------------------------)
(P-POCK-T2 - POCKET)
(--------------------------)
G0 X-49.464 Y-38.768
Z10.
9.2 Extra Parameters
This table contains certain parameters only when special operation options have been
implemented in the postprocessor you are using for this CAM-Part.
For more information on additional parameters definition, refer to the SolidCAM Machine ID
Reference Guide.
9.3 Flyout Window
If you prefer working with a larger window, the Flyout Window option displays the Operation
Option window.
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10
1
Edit Tool Path

The operation of Edit HSR/HSM Tool Path enables you to easily edit/trim or modify the generated
tool path, using Boundaries, and Z levels.
This option is available in the SolidCAM Tree after the HSR/HSM operation is calculated.
Right click the operation you want to edit and
select Edit HSR/HSM Tool Path. This opens the Edit
HSR/HSM window. Once you click the Save icon in
the Operations window, the original operation is
supressed in the SolidCAM Manager Tree and the
edited operation is created below it with the Edit
icon on it.
10.1 Source operation
The Source operation page of Edit HSR/HSM operations window displays the name of the
operation which is currently open for editing.
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10. Edit Tool Path
The Edit Toolpath Strategy section enables you to define the tool path editing strategy using
Boundaries, Z-level, and Boundaries & Z-level.
10.1.1 Boundaries
When you select the Boundaries option, you can trim a set of finish passes using a 2D or 3D
boundary on the Boundaries and Z-levels page. The 3D boundaries are theoretical rest areas,
rest areas, shallow areas, tool contact areas. Working with 3D Boundaries function, gives a better
result on steep faces.
The section of Z-levels is unavailable on the Boundaries and Z-levels page when
the Boundaries option is chosen on the Source operation page.
10.1.2 Z-levels
The z-limits are the highest and lowest positions for the cutter - the range in which it can move
during the pass – and can be altered to modify the passes after they have been created. When you
choose this option, the tool path is edited only between the sepcified Z-levels values that you set
on the Boundaries and Z-levels page.
The section of Boundaries is unavailable on the Boundaries and Z-levels page

when the Z-levels option is chosen on the Source operation page.
10.1.3 Boundaries & Z-levels
When you select this option, the tool path is edited using the chosen boundary and the specified
Z-levels.
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10.2 Tool
The Tool tab displays the tool used in the operation. The tool parameters cannot be edited in the
Edit HSR/HSM Operations window.
On the Data tab, only the options of Link down, Link up and Rapid are available for editing.
10.3 Boundaries and Z-levels
This page enables you to define the boundaries and z-levels to edit the tool path.
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10. Edit Tool Path
10.3.1 Boundary Type
The Boundary type section enables you to create the boundary automatically or manually.
10.3.2 Boundary name
The Boundary name section enables you to define a new boundary or choose an existing one.
10.3.3 Boundary offset
The Boundary offset section enables you to apply an additional positive or negative offset value
to the defined boundary.
10.3.4 Z-levels
The Z-levels section enables you to specify the maximum and minimum z-limits for editing the
tool path.
10.3.5 Keep tool path outside the Boundary
When this check box is selected, everything inside the trimming boundary is trimmed while the
tool path is kept outside the selected boundaries.
When this check box is not selected, all exterior pass information is removed while the tool path
is created only inside the selected boundaries.
211
212
11
1
Tool Path Editor

The SolidCAM Tool Path Editor (TPE) allows you to apply editing actions to a calculated tool
path.
11.1 Opening the Tool Path Editor
To open the Tool Path Editor, in the SolidCAM Manager, right-click the operation which tool
path you are going to modify and select Tool Path > Edit command from the menu.
The Tool Path Editor window is displayed.
11.2 TPE Toolbar
The toolbar enables you to control the editing process and the model visualization in the graphic
area.
• Open new operation from tree: this command enables you to edit the tool path
of an operation chosen in the SolidCAM Manager tree. First, select the operation
name and then click this icon. Your current operation tool path is closed, and the
new tool path is opened for editing.
• Save output file: this command enables you to save all changes made in the
current tool path.
214
11. Tool Path Editor
• Delete point: this command enables you to delete a tool path point.
• Modify point: this command enables you to delete a tool path point.
• Delete from (Pt) to (Pt): this command enables you to delete the tool path
between two selected points.
• Trim tool path: this command enables you to trim the tool path either by a point
or by a plane.
• Delete segment: this command enables you to delete the tool path segments.
• Modify Range segment: this command enables you to modify a tool path
segment.
• Undo Last Operation: this command enables you to cancel the last action.
• Redo Last Operation: this command enables you to redo the last cancelled
change.
• Show/Hide Target model: this command enables you to show or hide the target
model.
• Show/Hide Fixture File: this command enables you to show or hide the fixture.
• Zoom: this command enables you to choose the zoom options.
• Full Screen: this command enables you to display the model on the screen in
full size.
• Zoom In/Out: this command enables you to zoom the model in and out with the
left mouse button.
• Zoom by Box: this command enables you to zoom a part of the model limited
by the box.
215
• CAM Views: these commands are identical to
those on the main SolidCAM Operations toolbar.
11.3 Editing Options
When you click a command icon on the toolbar, a hint message is displayed in the lower part of
the window instructing you on your next step.
Follow the instruction to complete the tool path editing.

When you select a point or segment, the corresponding option menu is displayed in the lower
part of the window.
Choose the relevant options and click OK to save changes and exit or Apply to save changes and
continue editing with the same option.
Editing the tool path should be done carefully, otherwise you can break your tool
or part. Always check the results before actual machining.
216
Examples 12
The archive supplied together with this book contains various CAM-Parts illustrating the use of
the SolidCAM 3D HSR/HSM Module.
Examples #1–#3 illustrate the usage of specific HSR strategies.
Examples #4–#13 illustrate the usage of specific HSM strategies.
Examples #14–#19 illustrate the usage of both HSR and HSM strategies to completely finish
a part.
Extract the Examples archive to your hard drive. The SOLIDWORKS files used for exercises
were prepared with SOLIDWORKS 2020.
218
12. Examples
Example #1: Rough machining and Rest roughing
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM HSR strategies for the mold core machining.
• HSR_R_Cont_target
This operation performs Contour roughing of the core model. The Detect core areas
option is used to perform the approach into the material from outside.
• HSR_RestR_target
This operation performs Rest roughing of the core model in the areas where material is
left after the previous Contour roughing operation.
• HSR_R_Lin_target
This operation performs Hatch roughing of the core model; this strategy can be used as
an alternative to contour roughing for older machine tools or softer materials.
219
Example #2: Hybrid Rib roughing
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM Hybrid Rib roughing for the impeller machining.
• HSR_HMR_target
This operation performs Hybrid Rib roughing of the core model with constant Step
down. The number of parallel passes is limited by the Number of offsets value.
• HSM_Morph_target
This operation performs Morphed machining of the model faces.
220
12. Examples
Example #3: HM Roughing
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM HM Roughing strategy with different types of step
over for machining of various models: core, cavity and hybrid (HM spiral).
• HSR_HM_Roughing_Core
This operation performs HM Roughing of the core model with constant Step down. The
Step over type is set as Core to machine the area from outside in.
• HSR_HM_Roughing_Cavity
This operation performs HM Roughing of the part containing a cavity with constant
Step down. The Step over type is set as Cavity to machine the closed pocket area from
inside out.
• HSR_HM_Roughing_HM_Spiral
This operation performs HM Roughing of the hybrid area containing both cavity and
open edges. The Step over type is set to HM spiral and Step down type is defined as
Constant & flats to enable machining of flat areas.
221
Example #4: Constant Z, Helical and Horizontal machining
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM Constant Z, Helical and Horizontal strategies for
the machining of a mold core part.
• HSM_CZ_target
This operation performs Constant Z machining of the part with constant Step down.
The Max. Stock thickness parameter enables you to perform the separate machining of
the forming faces and the boss faces.
• HSM_CZ_target_1
This operation is a variation of the previous operation with the Adaptive Step down
option set.
• HSM_Helical_target
This operation performs Helical machining of the core faces.

• HSM_CZF_target
This operation performs Horizontal machining of the flat faces of the part.
222
12. Examples
Example #5: Hybrid Constant Z machining
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM Hybrid Constant Z strategy for the machining of
a part.
• HSM_HMC_target
This operation performs machining of steep areas with constant step down and of
shallow areas with 3D constant step over.
223
Example #6: Linear machining
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM Linear strategy for the machining of a mold core
part.
• HSM_Lin_target
This operation performs Linear machining of the forming faces of the mold core. This
operation illustrates the use of Cross Linear finishing in order to completely machine
the model faces where the Linear passes are sparsely spaced.
224
12. Examples
Example #7: Radial and Spiral machining
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM Radial and Spiral machining strategies for the
machining of a bottle-bottom mold insert.
• HSM_Rad_target
This operation performs Radial machining of the forming faces of the insert. The user-
defined boundary is used to limit the tool path.
• HSM_Sp_target
This operation performs Spiral machining of the forming faces of the insert. The user-
defined boundary is used to limit the tool path. The Simple ordering option is used to
perform optimal ordering and linking of the tool path.
225
Example #8: Morphed machining and Offset cutting
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM Morphed machining and Offset cutting strategies
for the machining of a cavity part.
• HSM_Morph_target
This operation performs Morphed machining of the model faces.

• HSM_OffsetCut_target
This operation illustrates the Offset Cutting strategy use for the parting surface machining.
226
12. Examples
Example #9: Boundary machining
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM Boundary machining strategy for the machining
of the cylindrical part shown below.
• HSM_Bound_target
This operation illustrates the use of the Boundary machining strategy for the chamfering
of model edges.
• HSM_Bound_target_1
This operation illustrates the use of the Boundary machining strategy for engraving on
the model faces.
227
Example #10: Rest machining
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM Rest machining strategy for the electrode part
shown below.
• HSM_RM_target
This operation illustrates the use of the Rest machining strategy for the machining of
model corners.
This operation illustrates the use of the Boundary machining strategy for optimal
finishing of filleted corners.
228
12. Examples
Example #11: 3D Constant Step over machining
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM 3D Constant Step over machining strategy for the
machining of the mold core shown below.
• HSM_CS_target
This operation illustrates the use of the 3D Constant Step over strategy for the machining
of the parting face of the core.
229
Example #12: Pencil, Parallel Pencil and 3D Corner Offset
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM Pencil, Parallel Pencil and 3D Corner Offset
strategies for the mold cavity shown below.
• HSM_Pen_target
This operation illustrates the use of the Pencil milling strategy for the machining of
cavity corners in a single pass.
• HSM_PPen_target
This operation illustrates the use of the Parallel Pencil milling strategy for the machining
of cavity corners in a number of passes.
• HSM_Crn_Ofs_target
This operation illustrates the use of the 3D Corner Offset strategy for the machining of
the cavity part.
230
12. Examples
Example #13: Prismatic Part machining
This example illustrates the use of SolidCAM HSR and HSM strategies to complete machining
of the prismatic part shown below.
This operation performs the Contour roughing of the part. An end mill of Ø32 is used
with the step down of 3 mm. The machining allowance of 0.5 mm remains unmachined
for further finish operation. The Detect core areas option is used to perform the
approach into the material from outside.
• HSM_Prismatic_target
This operation uses the Prismatic Part machining strategy for finishing of the part.
performs rest roughing of the core. An end mill of Ø16 is used with the step down of
2 mm and step over of 2 mm to remove the material left after the roughing.
231
Example #14: Mold cavity machining
This example illustrates the use of several SolidCAM HSR and HSM strategies to complete
machining of the mold cavity shown below.
This operation performs Contour roughing of the cavity. An end mill of Ø20 is used
with the step down of 2 mm to perform fast and productive roughing. The machining
allowance of 0.5 mm remains unmachined for further semi-finish and finish operations.
This operation performs Rest roughing of the cavity. A bull nosed tool of Ø12 and
corner radius of 1 mm is used with a step down of 1 mm to remove the steps left after
the roughing. The same machining allowance as in the roughing operation is used.
• HSM_CS_target_1
This operation performs 3D Constant Step over semi-finishing of the forming faces
of the cavity. A ball nosed tool of Ø10 is used. The machining allowance of 0.2 mm
remains unmachined for further finish operations.
• HSR_RestR_target_1
This operation uses the Rest roughing strategy for the semi-finish machining of the
model areas left unmachined after the previous operations. A ball nosed tool of Ø4
is used with the step down of 0.4 mm. The machining allowance of 0.2 mm remains
unmachined for further finish operations.
232
12. Examples
• HSM_RM_target
This operation uses the Rest machining strategy for finishing the model corners. A
ball nosed tool of Ø6 is used for the operation. A reference tool of Ø10 is used to
determine the model corners.
• HSM_Crn_Ofs_target
The 3D Corner Offset strategy is used for the finish machining of the cavity faces that
are inside the constraint boundaries. The shape of pencil milling passes, generated by
this strategy, is used for the constant step over machining of the cavity faces. A ball
nosed tool of Ø6 is used for the operation.
• HSM_Lin_target
The Linear strategy is used to complete the finish machining of the planar faces of the
cavity that were not machined by the previous operation. A ball nosed tool of Ø6 is used
for the operation.
• HSM_HMC_target_1
The Hybrid Constant Z strategy is used for the finish machining of the model faces. A
ball nosed tool of Ø4 is used for the operation.
• HSM_PPen_target
The Parallel Pencil milling strategy is used for the finish machining of the cavity corners
in a number of steps. A ball nosed tool of Ø3 is used for the operation.
233
Example #15: Aerospace part machining
machining of the aerospace part shown below.
• F_profile
This operation performs preliminary roughing using the Profile operation. An end mill
of Ø12 is used.
• HSM_CZ_target
This operation performs Constant Z finishing of the steep model faces. A bull nosed
tool of Ø8 and corner radius of 0.5 mm is used for the operation.
• HSM_CZF_target
This operation performs Horizontal machining of the flat faces. A bull nosed tool of Ø8
and corner radius of 0.5 mm is used for the operation.
• HSM_CZ_target
This operation performs Constant Z finishing of the side fillet and chamfer faces using
the Adaptive Step down option to perform the machining with the necessary scallop. A
ball nosed tool of Ø4 is used for the operation.
This operation uses the Boundary machining strategy for the engraving on the model
faces with a chamfer mill.
234
12. Examples
Example #16: Electronic box machining
machining of the electronic box shown below.
• HSM_R_Cont_target1
• HSR_RestR_target1
This operation performs the Rest roughing of the part. A bull nosed tool of Ø16 and
corner radius of 1 mm is used with the step down of 5 mm to remove the steps left
after the roughing. The same machining allowance as in the roughing operation is used.
235
• HSM_CZ_target1
This operation performs Constant Z finishing of the upper vertical model faces up to a
certain depth. A bull nosed tool of Ø12 and corner radius of 0.5 mm is used.
• HSM_CZ_target1_1
This operation performs Constant Z finishing of the bottom vertical model faces. A bull
nosed tool of Ø12 and corner radius of 0.5 mm is used.
• HSM_CZF_target1
This operation performs Horizontal machining of the flat faces. A bull nosed tool of
Ø12 and corner radius of 0.5 mm is used.
• HSM_CZ_target1_2
This operation performs Constant Z machining of the inclined faces. A taper mill of
12° angle is used to perform the machining of the inclined face with large step down
(10 mm). Using such a tool enables you to increase the productivity of the operation.
236
12. Examples
Example #17: Mold insert machining
machining of the mold insert.
with the step down of 3 mm. A machining allowance of 0.5 mm remains unmachined
for further semi-finish and finish operations. The Detect core areas option is used to
perform the approach into the material from outside.
This operation performs the Rest roughing of the part. A bull nosed tool of Ø12 and
corner radius of 2 mm is used with the step down of 1.5 mm to remove the steps left
after the roughing. The same machining allowance as in the roughing operation is used.
• HSM_CZ_target
This operation performs the Constant Z semi-finishing of the steep faces (from 40° to
90°). A ball nosed tool of Ø8 is used for the operation. The machining allowance of 0.2
mm remains unmachined for further finish operations.
• HSM_Lin_target
This operation performs the Linear semi-finishing of the shallow faces (from 0° to 42°).
A ball nosed tool of Ø8 is used for the operation. The machining allowance of 0.2 mm
remains unmachined for further finish operations.
237
• HSM_RM_target
This operation uses the Rest machining strategy for semi-finishing of the model corners.
The semi-finishing of the model corners enables you to avoid tool overload in the corner
areas during further finishing. A ball nosed tool of Ø6 is used for the operation. A
reference tool of Ø8 is used to determine the model corners. The machining allowance
of 0.2 mm remains unmachined for further finish operations.
• HSM_CZ_target_1
This operation performs Constant Z finishing of the steep faces (from 40° to 90°). A
ball nosed tool of Ø6 is used for the operation. The Apply fillet surfaces option is used
to generate a smooth tool path and to avoid a sharp direction changes in the model
corners.
• HSM_OffsetCut_target
This operation performs Offset cutting of the upper face edge.

• HSM_CZF_target
This operation performs Horizontal machining of the flat faces. An end mill of Ø16 is
used.
• HSM_CS_target
This operation performs 3D Constant Step over machining of the insert bottom faces;
since these faces are horizontal, the machining is limited to an angle range from 0° to 2°.
A ball nosed tool of Ø4 is used for the operation.
• HSM_RM_target
This operation uses the Rest machining strategy for finishing of the model corners.
A ball nosed tool of Ø4 is used for the operation. A reference tool of Ø7.5 is used to
238
12. Examples
Example #18: Mold cavity machining
machining of the mold cavity shown below.
This operation performs Contour roughing of the cavity. An end mill of Ø20 is used
with the step down of 3 mm. A machining allowance of 0.5 mm remains unmachined
for further semi-finish and finish operations.
This operation performs Rest roughing of the cavity. A bull nosed tool of Ø12 and
corner radius of 2 mm is used with the step down of 1.5 mm to remove the steps left
after the roughing. The same machining allowance as in roughing operation is used.
• HSM_CZ_target
This operation performs Constant Z semi-finishing of the steep faces (from 40° to 90°).
A ball nosed tool of Ø10 is used for the operation. The machining allowance of 0.25
mm remains unmachined for further finish operations. The Apply fillet surfaces option
is used.
239
• HSM_Lin_target
This operation performs Linear semi-finishing of the shallow faces (from 0° to 42°).
A ball nosed tool of Ø10 is used for the operation. The machining allowance of 0.25
mm remains unmachined for further finish operations. The Apply fillet surfaces option
is used.
• HSM_RM_target
The semi-finishing of the model corners enables you to avoid tool overload in the
corner areas during further finishing. A ball nosed tool of Ø6 is used for the operation.
A reference tool of Ø12 is used to determine the model corners. A machining allowance
• HSM_CZ_target_1
ball nosed tool of Ø8 is used for the operation. The Apply fillet surfaces option is used.
• HSM_Lin_target_1
This operation performs Linear finishing of the shallow faces (from 0° to 42°). A ball
nosed tool of Ø8 is used for the operation. The Apply fillet surfaces option is used.
• HSM_RM_target_1
A ball nosed tool of Ø4 is used for the operation. A reference tool of Ø10 is used to
This operation uses Boundary machining strategy for the chamfering of upper model
edges. A chamfer drill tool is used for the operation. The chamfer is defined by the
external offset of the drive boundary and by the Floor offset parameter.
240
12. Examples
Example #19: Mold core machining
This example illustrates the use of several SolidCAM HSR and HSM strategies to complete the
machining of the mold core shown below.
This operation performs Contour roughing of the core. An end mill of Ø20 is used
The Detect core areas option is used to perform the approach into the material from
outside.
This operation performs rest roughing of the core. A bull nosed tool
of Ø12 and corner radius of 2 mm is used with the step down of
2 mm to remove the steps left after the roughing. The same machining allowance as
in roughing operation is used. The Detect core areas option is used to perform the
approach into the material from outside.
• HSM_Lin_target
This operation performs Linear semi-finishing of the core faces. A ball nosed tool of
Ø10 is used for the operation. The machining allowance of 0.2 mm remains unmachined
for further finish operations. The Apply fillet surfaces option is used.
241
• HSM_RM_target
The semi-finishing of the model corners enables you to avoid tool overload in the corner
areas during further finishing. A ball nosed tool of Ø6 is used for the operation. A
reference tool of Ø12 is used to determine the model corners. The machining allowance
• HSM_CZ_target
ball nosed tool of Ø8 is used for the operation. The Apply fillet surfaces option is used.
• HSM_Lin_target_1
This operation performs Linear finishing of the shallow faces (from 0° to 32°). A ball
nosed tool of Ø8 is used for the operation. The Apply fillet surfaces option is used.
• HSM_RM_target_1
A ball nosed tool of Ø4 is used for the operation. A reference tool of Ø10 is used to
This operation uses Boundary machining strategy for the chamfering of upper model
edges. A chamfer drill tool is used for the operation. The chamfer is defined by the
external offset of the drive boundary and by the Wall offset parameter.
242
SolidCAM User Guide
HSR/HSM
iMachining 2D 2.5D Milling HSS (High-Speed Surface Machining)
iMachining 3D Indexial Multi-Sided Machining HSM (High-Speed Machining)
Sim. 5-Axis Machining Turning & Advanced Mill-Turn Solid Probe
www.youtube.com/SolidCAMProfessor
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www.youtube.com/SolidCAMiMachining
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SolidCAM User Guide

1. Introduction and Basic Concepts

5.4.5 Select Faces dialog box............................................................................. 64

7.3.4 Along surface........................................................................................ 176

Document number: SCHSMUGENG0021SP0

About this book

About the Examples

1.1 Start HSR/HSM Operation

1.2 SolidCAM HSR/HSM Operation Overview

Operation name Template

Motion control parameters

The definition of a SolidCAM HSR/HSM operation consists of the following stages:

Motion control definition

Misc. parameters definition

1.3 Parameters and Values

View parameter Info

The Unfold button displays a brief explanation of the parameter.

• This parameter. This option resets the current parameter.

The following strategies are available:

2.2 Contour Roughing

2.4 Hybrid Rib Roughing

2.6 Constant Z Machining

2.8 Helical Machining

2.9 Horizontal Machining

2.10 Linear Machining

2.11 Radial Machining

2.12 Spiral Machining

Drive boundary curves

2.14 Offset Cutting

2.16 Rest Machining

2.17 Contour Rest Machining

This is an ideal strategy to use on the

Constant surface step over is

2.19 Pencil Milling

2.20 Parallel Pencil Milling

2.22 Prismatic Part Machining

2.23 Combined Strategies

2.24 Customize Menu

3.1 Geometry Definition

The CoordSys Data dialog box is displayed.

3.1.2 Target geometry

enables you to define a new 3D Model geometry for the

enables you to edit an existing geometry.

3.1.3 Facet tolerance

3.1.4 Micro Milling

3.1.5 Apply fillets

Model without fillets Model with fillets

3.1.6 Fillet Surfaces dialog box

Filleting Tool Data

4.1 Calculate Minimum Tool Length

This option is not available for the Rest machining strategy.

4.2 Holder Clearance

4.3 Tool Selection

The F/FZ buttons enable you to check the parameter values.

It is calculated according to the following formula:

5.1.1 Drive boundaries

Drive boundaries for Morphed machining

Drive boundary curves

Drive boundary curves