User Guide

5-axis MachiningSolidCAM2005 Milling Manual
102
8.1.1 Gap Size as % of tool diameter
The value in the field Gap Size as % of tool diameter sets the
threshold for small and large gaps along a tool path segment. The
value is defined as the percentage of the tool diameter. All gaps
along the tool path segment, which are smaller than this threshold
value, are considered as small gaps and the action defined for small
gaps is executed. All other gaps that are larger than this value are
larger gaps and the action defined for large gaps is performed. E.g.
if the tool diameter is 20mm and the gap size is set to 10%, then
the threshold is 10% of 20mm, which is 2mm. All gaps smaller
than 2mm are considered small gaps. All gaps greater than 2mm are considered large gaps.
Here you can see that if the motion is bigger than the gap size, the tool path is set to “broken”. If the
motion is smaller than the gap size, the tool movement is Direct. The gap size is set to 50% of the
tool diameter. The tool diameter is 20 mm so the small gaps are 10 mm and smaller and the big gaps
are over 10 mm.
8.1.2 Direct
If you choose Direct, the tool uses the shortest way to the other side of the gap without any retracting
movements. The tool path in the gap is a straight line and the tool moves in machining speed.
If the Gap size is bigger than the tool path length, the tool will go back from the
end to the start and connect the tool path to closed loops.
Tool path
Tool path < Gap size
Tool path > Gap size