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      <title>Automatic</title>
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      <div class="title_topic3" id="xps10_pagetitle">Automatic</div>
      <hr noshade="true">
      <p class="para_topic">Automatic methods are provided for the initial engage of an operation, internal engages and retracts, and the final retract. When you choose Automatic for an engage or retract, the system automatically calculates the engage or retract portion of the tool path based on the cutting condition of the operation, the geometry of the part, and parameters you specify.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">Automatic will always generate an engage when cutting along a Part boundary while using Follow Periphery, Follow Part, Profile, or Standard Drive cut types. An engage also occurs on the Finish Pass (if specified) of Zig, Zig-Zag, or Zig With Contour Cut Types.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">If any Engage Method other than Automatic is specified, then a stepover may be generated in place of the engages described above. See  <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('mfgmilling/engret_auto_ramptype.html#pcmill_engret_auto_activrange');return(false);">Activation Range</a>.
      </p>
      <p class="para_topic">When engaging or re-engaging, the system attempts to find an open area to lower the tool into to reach the cutting level. If no open area can be found, the system searches for a predrilled hole defined by a user start point. If no predrilled hole can be found in that cutting region, the tool Ramps into the material. Once the tool has reached the cutting level it begins cutting the part.</p>
      <table border="1" cellspacing="0" align="center">
         <tr>
            <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Ramp Type</p>
            </th>
            <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Specifies how the tool will ramp into the material when engaging</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Ramp Angle</p>
            </th>
            <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Angle at which the tool cuts into the material while performing On Lines, On Shape, or Helical ramping</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Minimum Ramp Length-Diameter</p>
            </th>
            <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Specifies the minimum ramp length or diameter for On Lines, On Shape, or Helical engage.</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Helical Diameter</p>
            </th>
            <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Specifies the desired or maximum ramp diameter for a Helical engage.</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Automatic Type</p>
            </th>
            <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Specifies the type of engages (and retracts) that are to be used at the cutting level</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Arc Radius</p>
            </th>
            <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Determines the radius of the path for Automatic circular engage and retract moves that the system implements at the cutting level</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Activation Range</p>
            </th>
            <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Defines the maximum distance from the boundary that an Automatic circular or linear engage (or retract) can occur</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Overlap Distance</p>
            </th>
            <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Assures a full cleanup at the point where Automatic engage and retract moves occur</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Retract Clearance</p>
            </th>
            <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Distance that a tool is lifted above the cutting plane for Automatic linear re tract moves</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table><br><p class="para_topic">When you choose Automatic as the engage type, the system provides one of the following two engage moves depending on the conditions:</p>
      <ul>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Engage the material from a position outside of the original workpiece by ramping</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Engage to the cutting depth through an open area</p>
            <div class="figure">
               <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi14.gif"></p>
            </div>
            <div class="title_figure">Automatic Engage Moves</div>
         </li>
      </ul>
      <p class="para_topic">The tool will move to the Cut Level in an open area if possible. The system recognizes the following regions as open areas:</p>
      <ul>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Predrilled holes indicated by user defined points.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Any position that is opposite the material side of a boundary segment whose tool position is ON.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Any position along an imaginary line that extends beyond the start point or end point of a tool path that follows an open boundary.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Inside a pocket away from initial stock values (see the following note)</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Region already cut by previous passes of the operation</p>
            <div class="figure">
               <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi13.gif"></p>
            </div>
            <div class="title_figure">Open Areas</div>
         </li>
      </ul>
      <table border="0">
         <tr>
            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
            <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body"> NOTE: If you specify Part Stock values that are too thick, you can effectively &quot;close up&quot; a pocket, requiring the system to ramp the tool into the part.</p>
               </div>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table>
      <p class="para_topic">The engage will start at the specified clearance plane or just above either the blank plane or previous cut plane. The distance above the blank plane or previous cut plane is determined by the specified Vertical Clearance distance.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">The tool is lowered into the open area just above the cutting plane using an approach feed rate. The distance above the cutting plane is determined by the specified Vertical Clearance. The tool is then lowered to the cutting plane using an engage feed rate. The tool is then ready to engage the side material.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi12.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">Approach Move to a Point in an Open Area</div>
      <p class="para_topic">The following paragraphs describe some special behavior of Automatic engages and retracts.</p>
      <div class="title_division">ON Boundries</div>
      <p class="para_division">If the engage point occurs along a boundary segment with a tool ON condition, the engage move is allowed to cross the boundary.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Finish Pass (any operation)</div>
      <p class="para_division">For finish passes, the system always implements Automatic engage and retract methods regardless of what you specify for the rest of the operation.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Open Profile (single pass)</div>
      <p class="para_division">For this condition, linear engages start along an imaginary line that extends beyond the start point of the pass. Circular engages start away from the wall. Circular retracts are also away from the material side of the boundary.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Engage &amp; Retract for Open Boundaries</div>
      <p class="para_division">For open passes, if the internal engage is set to Automatic, passes outside the activation range will use the Initial engage method, and passes within the activation range will use the Automatic engage method.</p>
      <p class="para_division">For open passes, if the internal retract is set to Automatic, passes outside the activation range will use the Automatic retract method, and passes within the activation range will use the Final retract method.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Ramp Type</div>
      <p class="para_division">Ramp Type enables you to specify how the tool will ramp into the material when engaging. Ramping will only occur when the tool cannot find an open area to engage into (when there is no implied safe region) and only when pocketing. The behavior of the specified ramp type is determined by the specified cut pattern (Zig-Zag, Zig, Zig with Contour, Follow Periphery, Follow Part, Profile), the inward or outward pocket direction, and Ramp Angle. The case of Profile, ramping occurs when there is no implied safe region.</p>
      <div class="title_division">On Lines</div>
      <p class="para_division">The On Lines Ramp Type allows ramping to occur only along linear cuts. When used with Follow Part, Follow Pocket, or Profile (when there is no implied safe region), the engage will trace the inner or outer most cutting pass depending on whether the stepovers progress inward or outward. Circular cuts remain at a constant depth until the next linear cut occurs, at which time ramping resumes as illustrated below.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi11.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">On Lines with Follow Periphery, Outward Tool Path</div>
      <p class="para_division">On Lines is useful in operations such as Follow Periphery with an Inward pocket direction to avoid ramping along curved walls.</p>
      <p class="para_division">When used with Zig, Zig-Zag, or Zig with Contour, the engage traces a linear cutting pass that is away from the part walls to avoid moving the tool along the part as illustrated below. After the tool ramps along this pass to the cutting level, it steps over to the first cutting pass (if necessary) and starts the first cut.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi10.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">On Lines with Zig-Zag Tool Path</div>
      <div class="title_division">On Shape</div>
      <p class="para_division">The On Shape Ramp Type allows ramping to occur along all traced cutting passes regardless of shape. When used with Follow Part, Follow Pocket, or Profile (when there is no implied safe region), the engage will trace the inner or outer cutting pass depending on whether the stepovers progress inward or outward.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi09.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">On Shape used with Follow Periphery, Outward</div>
      <p class="para_division">On Shape behaves in the same way as On Lines when used with Zig, Zig-Zag, or Zig with Contour (see the On Lines with Zig-Zag Tool Path figure).</p>
      <div class="title_division">Helical</div>
      <p class="para_division">The Helical Ramp Type is made with a 10% overlap of the tool to prevent a post from remaining in the middle of the helix. It will only be performed if it does not gouge the part while engaging.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi08.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">Helical Engage Motion</div>
      <p class="para_division">Helical is available for Follow Part, Follow Pocket, and Profile. The general rule for helical engage is that if the processor cannot find, based on the input data, an open area outside of material to engage the part, the tool will ramp to the cut level. In many cases when using Profile, there is room for the cutter to engage the part and remain outside of the material. In these cases the cutter will not ramp to the cut level. When cutting a cavity region where the number of passes and the horizontal clearance is set such that there is no open area for the tool to engage, the tool will ramp to the cut level. Otherwise, the tool will engage in the open area.</p>
      <p class="para_division">&nbsp;If a helical engage cannot be executed or if you have specified Zig, Zig-Zag, or Zig with Contour, the system follows traces along the tool path as it ramps the tool into the part. The system follows a tool path that is away from the part walls to avoid moving the tool along the walls. After the tool descends to the cutting level it steps over to the first cutting path (if necessary) and starts the first cut as illustrated below.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi07.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">Helical with Zig-Zag Tool Path</div>
      <p class="para_division">Helical first attempts to create a helical engage that is tangent to the start cutting motion. If the engage gouges the Part, it produces a helix around the start cutting point. If the helix around the start cutting point fails, it ramps along the inner pass the same as if On Shape was specified.</p>
      <table border="0">
         <tr>
            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
            <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body"> NOTE: In Follow Periphery operations using outward progression, the system follows the inner most pass of the tool path as it ramps into the part. If the inner most tool path is too constricted, the system will trace along the next largest pass of the tool path.</p>
               </div>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table>
      <div class="title_division">Ramp Angle</div>
      <p class="para_division">Ramp Angle is the angle at which the tool cuts into the material while performing On Lines, On Shape, or Helical ramping. It is measured in a plane perpendicular to the part surface. The ramp angle determines the starting location of the tool, since the tool must be near the starting position of the first cut when it finishes descending to the cutting level. Specify any value greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees. The tool starts the ramping move at the point of intersection between the Ramping Angle and the specified Vertical Clearance. No Ramping occurs if the area to be cut is smaller than the radius of the tool.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi06.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">Ramp Angle</div>
      <div class="title_division">Automatic Type</div>
      <p class="para_division">Automatic Type provides the following options to specify the type of engages (and retracts) that are to be used at the cutting level.</p>
      <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi05.gif"></p>
      <p class="para_division">Linear generates a straight line engage and a retract away from the wall and up from the cut level depending on the specified Retract Clearance.</p>
      <p class="para_division">Circular generates a move along an arc. For Engages, this move is output using the Engage feed rate. For Retracts with zero feedrate values, this move is output using the Cut feed rate since the tool tip is in contact with the cut level. Specify the desired radius for the arc by entering the value in the Arc Radius text field.</p>
      <p class="para_division">Typically, an Automatic retract will be either linear or circular. Circular retracts are the reverse of circular engages and help reduce the possibility of leaving dwell marks on the part. Linear retracts not only move the tool away from the part wall but also lift the tool to a clearance level. This clearance level is defined by the specified Retract Clearance.</p>
      <table border="0">
         <tr>
            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
            <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body"> NOTE: Some machine controllers are unable to apply a cutter compensation to circular engage moves. If you choose to apply cutter compensation, the system helps you to overcome this limitation by placing a linear move before a circular engage move.</p>
               </div>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi04.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">Circular Engage Move</div>
      <div class="title_division">Arc Radius</div>
      <p class="para_division">Arc Radius determines the radius of the path for Automatic circular engage and retract moves that the system implements at the cutting level.</p><a name="pcmill_engret_auto_activrange"></a><div class="title_division">Activation Range</div>
      <p class="para_division">The Activation Range is a value that you enter to define the maximum distance from the boundary that an Automatic circular or linear engage (or retract) can occur. The system will convert a stepover move to an engage move when a tool path lies in the Activation Range.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi03.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">Activation Zone for Linear and Circular Engages</div>
      <div class="title_division">Overlap Distance</div>
      <p class="para_division">The Overlap Distance will assure a full cleanup at the point where Automatic engage and retract moves occur. The value you specify represents the total overlap distance as illustrated below. The paths overlap equally on each side of the original start point of the cutting path (distance A below). Overlap is implemented whenever Automatic engage and retract moves are used.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi02.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">Overlap Distance for Automatic Engage and Retract</div>
      <div class="title_division">Retract Clearance</div>
      <p class="para_division">The Retract Clearance is the distance that a tool is lifted above the cutting plane for Automatic linear retract moves. When the system implements a linear retract, the tool is moved away from the part wall and floor at a 455 angle with respect to the cutting plane. The tool is moved until it reaches the clearance level.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/pcmill_autfi01.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">Retract from an Open Profile Operation</div>
      <p class="para_division">If no Retract Clearance is specified and you have chosen a linear type of retract, no retract move will be implemented.</p>
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