Application Area:

It is possible to create <2D Contouring>, <2D Pocketing>, <Engraving>, <Area Cladding> operations that generate toolpath on a base surface. As a base surface you can use planes, cylinders and revolution surfaces. The base surface is specified in the <Job assignment> of a pocketing/engraving operation. You can use existing 3d model surfaces as a base surface. If you do so you also can add surfaces connected to the base surface as job assignment items pockets and bosses. This facility is very useful for letter engraving.

Base Surface properties dialog box:

Configure the following base surface parameters in the Properties dialog box:

Item type:

None. Leave base surface parameters unconfigured.

Plane. Set the base surface as a plane passing through the Center point, and is perpendicular to the coordinate axis defined in the Axis Directions fields. You can designate a plane from the 3D model as the base plane by selecting it in the graphic field. The system will automatically calculate its parameters.

Cylinder, radius. Set the base surface as a cylinder with its axis determined by the Axis Directions parameters, passing through the Center point, and with a radius specified in the dialog box. You can designate a cylindrical surface from the 3D model as the base cylinder by selecting it in the graphic field. The system will automatically calculate its parameters.

Revolution. Select a user-defined surface of revolution as the base surface.

Position.

Axis. Select the axis that defines the position of the base surface (the orthogonal vector to the <Plane> or the axis of the <Cylinder>) .

Axis Direction. If using a Custom axis, input the unit vector components along the coordinate axes that define the axis.

Center (Pc). The point defining the origin of the base surface.

Parameters.

Alternate Front Side. This feature changes the machined side of surface to the back one.

Curves Project Method. Specifies the approach for mapping the curve onto the base surface.

Nearest. The curve maps directly to the nearest surface according to its position and extent.

Map to UV domain. Curve projection is determined by the surface UV map.

Curves Transformation. Modify the UV coordinates to change the projected curve.

Xmin. Adjust the initial U coordinate of the map for the base Plane.

Xmax. Adjust the final U coordinate of the map for the base Plane.

Ymin. Adjust the initial V coordinate of the map for the base Plane.

Ymax. Adjust the final V coordinate of the map for the base Plane.

Hmin. Adjust the base Cylinder's starting position.

Hmax. Adjust the end position of the base Cylinder.

Amin. Adjust the initial angle of the base Cylinder sector.

Amax. Adjust the final angle of the base Cylinder sector.

Rotation Angle. Rotate the curve around the map center.

Preserve ratio. Maintain the proportions between curve elements during transformations.