Computing of Passes

Parameters in the Strategy page that can be used to control the toolpaths passes and depth of cut per pass. These parameters can be used for Roughing cycles and can be defined for outside, inside, face or back profiles.

The parameters are:

• Passes: Variable / Constant

• Pass Depth

• Last Pass Depth.

Passes

Variable: The pass depth is automatically adjusted for each cutting path based on the defined Pass Depth and Last Pass Depth values. The cutting passes start with the highest depth and gradually decrease to the last pass depth.

Constant: The Pass Depth value is applied for each pass, and the final pass ( less than Path Depth) is done in one go. The Last path depth parameter is not considered and is greyed out in this configuration.

Pass Depth

This defines the maximum depth of cut for each incrementing toolpath.

Last pass depth: This defines the maximum depth of cut for the final toolpath. Also defines the decreasing pass depth value for variable passes.

Example:

For a facing operation, with a 5 mm material thickness to be removed and Pass Depth = 2mm, Last Pass Depth = 0.5mm.

• Constant : the Pass Depth value is fully respected, 2 passes of 2 mm are computed. The last pass is computed as 5-(2x2) = 1 mm.

• Variable: the passes vary, starting by the highest value and finishing by the last pass depth: 2 mm - 1.5 mm - 1 mm - 0.5 mm.

Special Case:

Consider we set an operation with a Variable pass and 5 mm material thickness to be removed. The Pass Depth=Last Pass=2 mm.

In this setting, the path depth is expected to remain constant but at a maximum value of 2mm. However, applying the highest value (2mm) will generate 2 passes and a remainder of 1mm which is not possible. Hence, 3 passes of 1.667mm will be generated to respect the settings.