Optimized plane operation (plane-plane)
The optimized plane toolpath consists of two finishing plane passes lying in mutually perpendicular planes. Each pass machines only those areas where the frontal angle of the surface slope measured relative to the cutting direction is 45 degrees or less. This ensures that no surface is machined twice. And thanks to that a consistent scallop height across entire part is achieved. This makes optimized plane a good choice for high quality finishing machining of complex parts.
The default set of parameters for the optimized plane operation is identical to the plane finishing operation.
The model being machined by the optimized plane operation is defined by a set of solid bodies, surfaces and meshed objects. For every geometrical object or a group of objects, an additional stock can be defined, which during machining will be added to the main stock for the operation.
If a workpiece and a restricting model are not defined, then the system performs machining of the entire available surface of the model being machined. Otherwise only those surface areas will be machined, which lie within the workpiece and outside the restricting model.
The workpiece can be assigned as a cube, cylinder, a mould with stock or prismatic form, as residual material after machining by previous operations, and also as a free-form geometrical model, consisting of solid bodies, surfaces, meshes and prisms whose bases are projections of closed curves. In the restricting model, solid bodies, surfaces and meshes which are required to be controlled during machining, and also machining areas and restricted areas, defined by projections of closed curves can be defined.
The work passes of the operation lie in two parallel vertical planes. The planes of different operations are perpendicular to each another. The positions of the planes are defined by the angle between these planes and the Z-axis. The step between the planes of neighboring work passes can be either fixed or calculated according to the defined height of the scallop.
Local coordinate system or a rotary head, the position of the model being machined will not change, the tool rotation axis is parallel to the Z axis of the local coordinate system, and all work passes are located in planes that are perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the local coordinate system.
It is also possible to restrict machining from entering areas of the restricting model and areas of edge rounding in the resulting toolpath.
Joining of the work passes into a single toolpath can be performed going downwards or upwards. Transition between neighboring work passes can be performed on the surface, using retract and approach moves or via the safe plane.
Note: In order to provide a good finish at the border area(s), it is recommended to "overlap" the toolpaths for the operations. For example, set the value for the frontal angle in the first and second operations to 46 degrees.
See also:
Operations for the 3-axes milling