Pocket+Contour

This cycle is used to rough the pocket and then machine the flanks with a contouring with compensation. The machining is done Z pass by Z pass, it is aimed at machining pockets with very thin webs and accurate parts. The pocket and the contouring are done with the same tool.

Classic process for pocket machining: Pocket + Contour (or Pocket) + Pocket Rework (or Finish rework) + maybe Finish Contour.

Key Points

This pocket operation has mostly the same characteristics than a standard pocket operation: Z management, multi levels and multi-pockets, etc.
You can do one finishing pass per Z or one only final pass on the last Z.
The finishing pass is displayed with a darker tune of the cycle color; here, the pocket passes are red while the final contouring passes are darker red.

Strategy Parameters

Dialog Area	Parameters
Pocket Strategy	Machining Direction	Organization
Finishing Contour	Finishing contour	XY Stock for finish
	Finishing overlength	Corner type
	Toolpath	R max coef
Calculation of Z steps	Z Step (Ap)	Pass
	Island reworking	Bottom reworking
	Scallop reworking	Thickness
Stepover Calculation	Stepover (Tool ratio)	Stepover value (Ae)
Stepover Calculation	XY Scallop
Allowances	XY Stock allowance	Z Stock allowance
Overcutting	Overcutting	Open area…

Movement Parameters

Dialog Area	Parameters
Safety (in Z)	Rapid plane altitude	Safety distance
Approach and return in Z	Approach altitude	Retract altitude
Approach and return in Z	Return altitude
Z Plunge	Plunge	Mini helix rad.
	Mini ramping rad.	Mini rad mach area
	Plunge angle
Management of rapids	Motions	Fmax safety distance
Management of rapids	Rapid/Fmax %
Safety (in XY)	XY safety distance

Technology Parameters

Dialog Area	Parameters
Cutting Conditions	Quality	Cutting Speed
	Feedrate/tooth	Spindle direction
	Spindle speed	Feedrate
	Plunge feedrate	Rapid feedrate
	Finishing feedrate	Sp. speed range
	Coolant number	Specific coolant
Tool Numbering	Tool number	Specific Number
Tool Numbering	Length compensation number	Diameter compens. Nb
Users Fields	Comment	Control Device
Users Fields	Milling Set

Options Parameters

Dialog Area	Parameters
Behaviour on the clamps and components	Gouge Check	Offset XY
Behaviour on the clamps and components	Safety area	Offset Z
Toolpath Optimization	Rework Zone Tolerance	Treat maxi stepover
	Feedrate reduction coef	Maxi stepover coef
	Type of HSM radius	Radius of HSM loop
	Radii on contour
Curves Computing	Curve tolerance	Curve Segmentation
Top, Bottom and Sides	Top: Radius/Height	Top: Chamfer angle
	Side: Taper	Scallop value
	Bottom: Radius/Height	Bottom: Chamfer angle
	Reading on solid