Milling

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Milling

In this section:

Millling and Decimal Places in NC Files

Z Mode vs Depth Mode

Controlling Depth Passes

Horizontal Roughing and Finishing

Mill Lead Placement

Mill Lead Manipulation

Tagging a Milling Process

Milling Plate Breaks

Using a Finishing Depth Pass

Finishing Settings

Slot Milling: SmartSlot

Pad Milling Path Creation

Pad Milling from 3D STEP Import

Prepiercing a Mill Roughing Cut

Milling Macros

 

LCS Offset

The milling functionality in PrimeCutNE can be used for:

 

edge milling

cleanup of "burnt" surfaces

facemilling

slotting

pocketing

programming routers

 

It encompasses most "2.5D" milling functionality.  If for example you want to generate a program to mill an arbitrary 3D shape from say an STL file, you may need to use other software, as this is not currently supported.

 

Cutting direction

 

Climb Milling (kerf left) is preferred if the workpiece is rigidly held and the tool is substantial and not prone to vibration. The tool "rubs" less in this mode, biting into the material as each tooth hits- may provide better tool life.

Conventional Milling (kerf right) is preferred otherwise, it is more stable but may rub more, as the teeth slide into and across the already cut material until they begin to peel a thin sliver of material, which grows to be thick as the teeth exit the cut zone.

 

In order to perform milling tasks you will first need to have a milling tool set up for the machine you want to work on. Bear in mind that you are able to add bits via the Processing Options window, but if this is done the bit will not be saved. In order for the bit to be saved you need to add it via the Machines mode.

 

When you process the geometry you will need to select a milling tool on the main processing options dialog, and then press the Show Tool Options button. Through the tool options you will be able to select the bit that you want to use for milling, whether a roughing cut should be used, and a number of other parameters.