User Guide

SolidCAM2005 Milling Manual
149
5-axis Machining
In 5 Axis machining the surface normal may not only determine the cutter center but the cutter
orientation as well (there are other ways to control the tool axis to achieve a 5 axis machining tool path,
but this will be discussed later):
A Flowline 5 Axis tool path follows only the u-direction and v-direction of the surface. In the
subsequent figure, a 5 axis flow line tool path is shown which is mainly calculated in the u-direction.
As soon as the surface edge is reached the tool steps in v and then continues movement in reversed u-
direction to achieve a Zig-Zag tool path. During movement, the tool axis direction is changed in every
single point of the tool path according to the local surface normal. This kind of machining is called a
single-surface 5 axis flow line tool path.
Tool movement in
U-direction
Parameter
UParameter V
Tool movement in
V-direction