Optimization of Machining Selection
Presentation
These commands enable to optimize the toolpath between selected holes and between selected profiles.
Optimization is available for Holes machining, Pockets and Contours in milling and Straight, Taper and Pocket Cutting in EDM. It is located in the dialogue bar during the selection of the cycles.
First, we will describe the functions available, and in a second time you will read how to optimize path between holes and between profiles.
1. Optimization commands
 | Profiles Manual Organization | Define yourself the path by showing the holes or the profiles in the order you want. |
 | Optimization Origin | Choose the hole or the profile where the machining starts. |
 | Types of Optimization | Choose the best path among 20 solutions. |
 | Polar Optimization | Generates a circular toolpath motion with respect to a defined centre of rotation. (Only for Holes Optimization) |
Types of Optimization
The 16 first choices are especially useful in case of holes drawn up on a line or on a grid. In these cases, the origin point is chosen automatically.
 | The toolpath is horizontal with 2 directions sweep. |
 | The toolpath is horizontal with 1 direction sweep. |
 | The toolpath is vertical with 2 directions sweep. |
 | The toolpath is vertical with 1 direction sweep. |
The 4 latest choices are automatical calculations. Simulate each of them to find out which one is the most adapted to your case. Changing the origin point can bring you new efficient toolpaths.
 | Near to near path optimization |  | Taxi distance path optimization |
| Euclidian distance path optimization |  | Max (X,Y) distance path optimization |
 | No optimization: the order taken is the order of creation of the elements. | ||
2. Optimization of paths
We can distinguish 2 differents processes whether you optimize paths between holes or between profiles.
Holes Optimization
a. Click on
b. 2 cases are possible, in both of them the length of the path is displayed in the message box. Consequently, you can 'simulate' several cases and choose the shortest one.
1. Manual Selection: Click then show the holes in the order you want. Options during the selection:
| 2. Automatical Optimization: Do a selection box then choose one type of optimization. If the holes have been created in the correct order, choose No optimization to respect this order. Change the origin of the optimization to multiply the path solutions. You can combine automatical and manual optimization. Select an optimization and then click the manual icon to insert, to delete or to invert holes. |
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▶️ You can watch a video on Automatical Optimization:  |
Polar Optimization
This command allows you to generate a circular toolpath on a workpiece with multiple holes having a circular arrangement.
You also have the ability to choose the starting point of optimization.
Steps for Polar Optimization:
Select the first hole.
Use the multiple selection arrow to select all the holes.
Click on the polar optimization icon and define the center of rotation
Select the drilling tool.
Select the drilling cycle.
Calculate.
▶️ You can watch a video on how use polar optimization on multiple holes:  |
Profiles Optimization
a. Click on the cycles selection icon
b. 2 cases are possible:
1. Manual Selection You want to define the order manually, in case there are not too much profiles to machine. Simply select the profiles to machine by clicking them one by one, in the order you want. | 2. Automatical Optimization This option is very useful if you have many profiles to machine. Do a selection box around the profiles to machine. You can either choose automatical optimization
or manual optimization
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