Plate Sequencing can add cutting processes to cut up empty holes or cutouts of a certain size range, using a grid of cuts to reduce collision risk of the drop with the tool. These settings are stored in the machine settings. If they are modified in the Sequencing Options dialog then the settings will just be changed for that plate, but only while it is being edited. To permanently change the settings for a machine edit it under the machine settings from the home screen.
Hole Destroy settings tab on the seuqnecing Options tab
Hole Destroy cuts are normally performed before other processing. They are normally applied before all cutting, but can also be applied progressively (in separate groups before each part).
Cuts are always performed piercing in the middle and cutting towards the cutout, as shown below (different patterns are available):
 Hole Destroy Grid cuts piercing centrally and cuting out towards hole. |
 Hole Destroy X Pattern, 1 central pierce |
NOTE Hole Destroy is applied on plates only, not on parts. Hole destroy cuts are a special type of skeleton-crop; parts themselves do not support any form of cropping.
Hole Destroy Tool - The tool to cut the hole destroy lines with (Auto-select will use the same tool)
The parameters for this are:
Auto Hole Destroy - if true empty holes in the size range will be destroyed with grid cuts before being cut out, if false nothing will be done (and other parameters are irrelevant).
Min Width, Max Width - the minimum and maximum short axis dimensions of holes to be destroyed
Min Length, Max Length - the minimum and maximum long axis dimensions of holes to be destroyed
Hole Destroy When - When the hole destroy cuts are run
Edge Offset Formula - An optional field which is used to control the Edge Offset Field. A typical starting point is 2*$HALF_KERF$
Edge Offset - the effective distance (perpendicular from the hole edge) that the hole destroy cuts come within. This can be set manually (if Edge Offset Formula is blank) or via the Edge Offset Formula. Make this bigger to reduce "nicking" of the hole inner surface, reduce it if hole destroy is not reaching close enough the edge.
Hole Destroy Pattern - X pattern draws lines in an X in the direction of the corners of the extents. Grid draws a grid of lines as shown above for destroying the hole; maybe needed on larger cutouts or irregularly shaped cutouts.
Cut Grid
If Grid is the chosen pattern, these option also appear:
Horizontal Cut Spacing - the distance between vertical cuts in the hole
Vertical Cut Spacing - the distance between horizontal cuts in the hole