camInstructor Video Blog

This video series covers every setting in Mastercams Dynamic Milling Toolpath. This is Part 3 of 5.

There are many settings inside of Mastercam 2D Dynamic Milling Toolpath. This video series will cover every single setting and provide examples for each. In this video we will continue exploring the Dynamic Milling toolpaths settings, starting off with the Gap and Motions parameters.

There are several areas used to define the Gap and Motions for the operation. If the toolpath needs to reposition an amount greater than this Gap size a retract movement will be used. If not, the tool will stay on the surface and move between passes at the programmed feedrate.

The first area is used to define the Gap Size. This can be done by either specifying an actual Distance or by using a value that is a percentage of the tools diameter.

Below the Gap Size settings are the fields to define the Micro Lifts that occur when the Motion is less than the Gap Size. Here we can define the Micro Lift Distance which is the amount in Z the tool will retract off the surface, as well as specify a feedrate for this motion.

Further down is the settings to control what happens when the Motion is greater than the Gap Size. There are several options here, Never, When exceeding a boundary, When exceeding a boundary OR exceeding a distance, When exceeding a boundary AND exceeding a distance, and When exceeding a distance.

Never eliminates retracts form the toolpath for these types of moves. Avoiding a Boundary adds a retract to avoid intersecting boundaries. Mastercam can detect and avoid chained geometry, part features and stock. Exceeding a Distance adds a retract when the next cut begins at a distance that is greater than the Gap size. The remaining options combine Exceeding distance and Avoiding Boundary with the operative AND as well as OR.

It is key to find balance between retracts and micro lift repositioning moves. The more complex the part is and the more avoidance regions it has, more attention should be payed to this setting to create a truly efficient toolpath that does not waste time retracting too much or having overly long micro lift movements.

We will continue with this file in the next video found here...

Dynamic Mill Part 4

To start this series from the beginning...

Dynamic Mill Part 1

Want to learn more about Mastercam? Check out;

camInstructor for Teachers - Independent Learners - Students