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Zig-zag roughing in NCG CAM will take linear cuts across the job at fixed Z levels, similar to area clearance or core roughing passes. As these passes are linear, there is far less data involved and fewer changes of machine directions. At each level a profile pass is performed to remove and cusps around the parts profile at that level, before moving down to the next Z-level.
When creating the passes it is possible to stagger the passes. This is of benefit if roughing with a ball-nose cutter as the cusp height on the bottom of the cutter is kept to a minimum.When linking zig-zagroughing passes, there are options for one-way, bi-directional and zig-zag for the stock removal passes and climb or conventional for the profile pass.

NCG CAM has a raster roughing routine that will allow the roughing out of a part with a raster like toolpath but is also broken into Z-bands. When the cutter comes up against the form it follows the form up to the top of the Z-band for those passes; this ensures there is not a big step left. If using a ball-nose cutter the passes can be staggered to leave the minimum cusp height from the bottom of the cutter. The linking for raster roughing passes has options for one-way and bi-directional.

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Zig-zag and raster roughing are ideally suited to softer materials and controllers with a smaller look ahead or that are not able to read/load data very fast.
NCG CAM has feed-rate optimisation for area-clearance, core roughing, rest roughing and water-line machining. The software is aware of the cutting conditions, if the current toolpathis machining an external corner, then the feed-rate specified can be maintained. In areas such as internal corners where the cutter will be in full contact, NCG CAM looks ahead and adjusts the feed-rate down to maintain accuracy and prolong tool-life.
When NCG CAM is using a helix entry for area clearance roughing, once the cutting tool is to depth, the feed-rate is also reduced as this first move will be with the full width of the cutter. This is then returned to the normal feed-rate once the cutter is not making a full width cut.
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When creating area clearance or core roughing toolpaths, NCG CAM has an option for anti-vibration machining. This feature greatly reduces vibration, an important feature for all machinists. This helps to maintain consistent cutting conditions, prolonging the life of the machine tool and cutting tools. In turn this produces a more accurate part at the roughing and rest roughing stages, enabling the finishing toolpaths to provide consistently more accurate parts with a good surface finish, saving both time and money.


Specialised Technical Services Pty Ltd
Specialised Technical Services P/L
CAD CAM Solutions, Training and Support for Mechanical Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Industry
 
45 Fairway Drive, DROUIN VIC 3818, Australia
Tel: +613 5625 5200

Mob: 0416 188 479
Email: cadcam@sts.com.au