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      <title>Contact output overview</title>
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      <div class="title_topic5" id="xps10_pagetitle">Contact output overview</div>
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               <p class="para_td">Overview</p>
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               <p class="para_td"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('mfgmilling/pmill_op_2d_cntct_cntr.html');return(false);">How To</a></p>
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               <p class="para_td"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('mfgmilling/com_contact_output.html');return(false);">Related Topics</a></p>
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      </table><br><p class="para_topic"><b class="uiTerm">Output Contact/ Tracking Data</b> is available for Face Milling, Planar Milling, and Cavity Milling operations.
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      <p class="para_topic">When you use this option, the path for the final finish pass starts at the center line, moves to the contact points, and then moves back to the center line. The traversal moves at the start of the path are all at the tool center line. On the engage move where Cutcom is automatically turned on, the path starts at the tool center line, and ends at the contact point. The path stays at the contact points until the tool reaches the retract move where Cutcom is automatically turned off. This move starts at the contact point, and ends at the center line point. Further moves beyone retract and traverse are output at the center line. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
      <p class="para_topic">When the output path follows the contact path (contact points), the software calculates the corresponding tool center path and positions the tool appropriately.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">The benefits of using <b class="uiTerm">Output Contact/ Tracking Data</b> include:
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            <p class="para_item">Basing the output data on the geometry shape that controls the side of the tool allows you to compensate for tool wear without having to regenerate the tool path. &nbsp;</p>
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            <p class="para_item">Using contact points as the tool path gives the operator more tool options because they are not limited to one programmed tool size. &nbsp;The NC operator can set different tool sizes at the controller without regenerating the tool path.</p>
            <p class="para_item">For example, if you don't have a 1.000 inch (24mm) diameter cutter, but have one that is smaller, you can compensate by simply adjusting the cutter diameter right on the shop floor.</p>
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                        <p class="para_note_body">Whenever you make use of undersized tools and no fixed diameter is available at the time of programming, use the largest nominal diameter of a cutter. &nbsp;When you run the program, the NC operator must provide the controller with the correct diameter of the cutter. </p>
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            <p class="para_item">The numbers in the tool path can reflect the dimensions of the part so that you can compare the tool path data in the program with part geometry dimensions.</p>
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      <p class="para_topic">For combinations of roughing and finishing:</p>
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            <p class="para_item">Only one adjust register is supported for each operation. All path output is at the end of the tool.</p>
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            <p class="para_item">Only one cutcom register is supported for each operation. Centerline cutcom and contact contour output are not supported together in the same operation.</p>
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            <p class="para_item">Tracking points are not supported for contact contour.</p>
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            <p class="para_item">The finish passes are performed against the part walls.</p>
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            <p class="para_item">Finish passes have a separate <b class="uiTerm">Stepover</b> value.
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            <p class="para_item">When there are finish passes, the roughing region is reduced to accommodate the finish passes.</p>
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      <div class="title_division">Engage and Retract</div>
      <p class="para_division">For the figure below, the dotted line represents the center line path, and the solid line represents the contact contour path. &nbsp;Note that the tool motion is the same for both paths. &nbsp;The solid yellow arrow represents the engage move where CutCom starts. &nbsp;The tool starts at the center line path (dotted line) and then moves to the contact point (perimeter of the tool). &nbsp;The dark blue solid line indicates the retract move where CutCom is turned off. &nbsp;Just as the engage move starts at the center line path, the retract move ends at the center line path. </p>
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      <div class="title_figure">Engage and Retract</div>
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