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Setup
andOperation Manual
v3.1.17
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Introduction
Welcome to SheetCam, an affordable but powerful 2 1/2 D CAM program.
SheetCam has been designed to fill a niche in the CAM maretplace b! pro"iding an eas! to use
application for machining #sheet# goods $metal plates, plastic sheets, thin woods etc.% &t will generate
the re'uired code for inside and outside contours, pocets and drilling c!cles and will wor withmilling machines, routers, engra"ers and plasma cutters.
SheetCam accepts data in the form of D() files $CAD drawings%, *+- files $line art%, S files,code drawings and 0cellon files $circuit boards% and has se"eral, configurable, post processors
to meet the needs of the man! control pacages a"ailable. Custom post processors can also be
written to cope with nonstandard applications.
SheetCam will allow the nesting of parts and has features for cop!ing, duplicating, rotating and
mirroring parts to reduce wastage to the minimum. SheetCam can also allow for parts that are not
aligned perfectl! along the machine aes b! aligning the drawing to the actual part.
SheetCam will show cutter paths, rapid mo"es, la!ers etc. and the part can be rotated in three
dimensions in the "iew panel to chec for errors prior to machining.
Document navigation
his +D) file has been created to mae na"igation to rele"ant information easier for the user. +lease
use the #3oomars# on the left to 4ump to specific chapters and subsections. Clicing on a line item
in the #able of Contents# will tae !ou to that specific page. Clicing on a line item in the #&nde#
will tae !ou that specific topic. 3lue tetis a #hot lin# which will tae !ou to the rele"ant sectionof the document.
Work flow
5ew users are sometimes confused as to the #correct# wa! to get SheetCam to manipulate their
drawings/files. he information below is intended to be a guide to the optimal steps in the processfrom drawing to compiled code. here are normall! three or four steps in an! CAD/CAM
process6
1. Create !our part/design in either a CAD pacage or an #art# application lie Corel Draw.
2. 7pen/import the drawing as a D(), *+- or 0cellon file into the CAM program and set
up !our tooling si8es and cutting operations. 7nce these are set run the #post processor# togenerate the re'uired code.
9. $7ptional but "er! worthwhile% :un the generated code in a C5C simulator $lots of free"ersions a"ailable on the net% to chec for an! errors. $e.g. C5CSimulator
http6//www.cncsimulator.com%
;. 7nce the code has been "erified open the code file in !our C5C control pacage and run
the program to create the part.
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Creating drawings
&n order to create usable drawings in either a CAD or art application certain fundamental principles
mustbe adhered to otherwise SheetCam will not be able to manipulate the resulting D(), *+- or0cellon file. An outline to creating acceptable drawings can be found in the #*ints < ips/Creating
!our drawing# section of this document.
Contet sensitive !elp
Clicing on an open palette or settings window within the SheetCam application and pressing the
"#1$e! will open the specific help file for that item.
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%a&le of Contents
Safet! ..................................................................................... 1&nitial setup ............................................................................ 2
Setup wi8ard ..................................................................... 2
+referred units ........................................................... ....... =
Machine t!pe .................................................................... >
Setting up the machine ...........................................................>Machine t!pe tab .............................................................. ?
+ost processor tab .............................................................?
Woring en"elope tab .......................................................@able displa! tab ...............................................................@
Sa"e/load tab ....................................................................
Setting up the material ................................................ ......... 1B
Material tab ........................................................ ............ 1B
Wor flow procedures ......................................................... .11
Creating drawings .......................................................... 11
7utlines must be properl! closed ............... ............ .. 11
So how do & find problems ......................................12Shapes must not self intersect ...................................12
0plode tet in D() files ..................................... ....12se la!ers ................................................................. 12
7pening drawings .......................................................... 19
7pen S options ....................................................19
7pen *+- options ................................................. 1;
7pen code options ................................................ 1;
7pen 0cellon options ........................ ..................... 1;7pen D() options ....................................................1=
:ecent drawings ........................................... ............ 1=ool setup .............................................................................1>
:otar! tools .................................................................... 1>
5ew mill ................................................................... 1>
5ew mill #5otes# tab ................................................. 1@
5ew drill ................................................................... 15ew drill #5otes# tab ................................................. 2B
5ew cutter .............................................................21
5ew cutter #5otes# tab ........................................... 295ew tapping head ..................................................... 29
5ew tapping head #5otes# tab ................................... 2=
5ew rigid tap ............................................................ 2=
5ew rigid taps #5otes# tab ......................................... 2?
5ew thread mill ........................................................ 2@
5ew thread mill #5otes# tab ...................................... 9B
Eet cutting tools .............................................................. 9B
5ew plasma tool ....................................................... 9B5ew plasma tool #5otes# tab ..................................... 91
5ew flame tool ......................................................... 92
5ew flame tool #5otes# tab ........................................99
5ew water4et tool ..................................................... 9;
5ew water4et tool #5otes# tab ....................................9=
5ew laser tool ...........................................................9>
5ew laser #5otes# tab ................................................ 9?
5ew plate marer tool .............................................. 9@5ew plate marer tool #5otes# tab .............................9
5ew code snippet ........................................................... ;B
5ew code snippet #5otes# tab ....................................;Bool table ........................................................................;1
7peration setup ................................................................... .;2
Contour ...........................................................................;2
3asic tab ................................................................... ;2
Cut start tab ...............................................................;=Cut path tab ...............................................................;=
5otes ab ..................................................................=B
5ew pocet .....................................................................=13asic tab ................................................................... =1
5otes tab ................................................................... =;
apping ...........................................................................=;
3asic tab .................................................... ............ .. =;
Cut path tab ...............................................................=>
5otes tab ................................................................... =?
hread milling ................................................................ =@
3asic tab ................................................................... =@Cut path tab ...............................................................>B
5otes tab ................................................................... >B+lasma cut ...................................................................... >1
3asic tab ................................................................... >1
Cut path tab ...............................................................>9
5otes tab ................................................................... >>
Drilling ........................................................................... >?
3asic tab ................................................................... >?Cut path tab ...............................................................>
5otes tab ................................................................... ?B&nsert code ...................................................................... ?B
5otes tab ................................................................... ?1
Set post "ariable ............................................................. ?1
3asic tab ................................................................... ?1
5otes tab ................................................................... ?1Mo"e to ............................................................ ............ .. ?2
3asic tab ................................................................... ?2
5otes tab ................................................................... ?9+ost process ..........................................................................?9
7pen and sa"e options ......................................................... ?;
Eob files ............................................................ ............ .. ?;
emplate files ................................................................. ?;
+art files .......................................................... ............ ... ?;
Drawing files .................................................................. ?=
oolset files .................................................................... ?=
7ther features .......................................................................?>)ile Menu ....................................................................... ?>
0dit Menu .......................................................................?>
iew menu ..................................................................... ?>
Foom menu .................................................................... ??
7ptions menu ................................................................. ?
Eob 7ptions ............................................................... ?
Machine options ....................................................... @=
Application options ........................... ............ ........... @+lugins menu .................................................................. ?
*elp menu ...................................................................... @
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oolbars ............................................................................. 1B2iew toolbar buttons .................................................... 1B2
:un post processor toolbar buttons ..............................1B9Foom toolbar buttons ................................................... 1B9
Selection toolbar buttons ..............................................1B=
Calculator button .......................................................... 11@
ools toolbar buttons ....................................................11@
7perations toolbar buttons ........................................... 11
-ower right toolbar ...................................................... 12B+lugins ............................................................................... 121
Autoload +lugin ............................................ ............... 1213atch pdate +lugin .................................................... 122
Calculator +lugin ..........................................................122
D() plugin ...................................................................129
0cellon plugin .............................................. ............ .. 129
code plugin ...............................................................12;
*+- plugin ................................................................ 12;
Mach plugin ................................................................. 12=
Simulation +lugin .........................................................12>S plugin ...................................................................12?
et plugin ................................................................... 12?
*ints and tips ................................................................ ..... 12@
Centre drilling ............................................... ............... 12@Contet sensiti"e help .................................................. 12@
Cop! and duplicate differences .................................... 12@Creating !our drawing ..................................................12@
Depth of cut, pec depth etc......................................... 12
0ntering "alues .............................................................19B
)inish allowance ...........................................................19B
Machine and material parameters ................................ 191
Mouse wheel ................................................................ 192Fooming and panning ................................................. . 192
utorials ............................................................................. 192Machine setup ............................................... ............... 199
Material setup ...............................................................199
+rofile tutorial ............................................... ............... 199
+oceting tutorial ......................................................... 19
Eet Cutting tutorial .................................................... ....1;1
)lame cutting options ............................................. 1;?
Water4et cutting options ...................................... ....1;?
-aser cutting options .............................................. 1;@+late marer options ............................................... 1;@
5esting tutorial .............................................................1;
)re'uentl! ased 'uestions $)AG% .....................................1=1
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Safet'
Care mustbe taen when using computer controlled e'uipment to ensure the safet! of the operator,
b!standers and the e'uipment itself. While SheetCam does not directl! control the machine $eceptin special circumstances% the post processor code generated b! SheetCam is used b! other software
that in turn controls the machine operation.
&t is strongl! ad"ised that allpost processor files are run through a C5C simulator of some sort to
chec for errors prior to running them on the machine in 'uestion. C5C simulators are a"ailable as
#freeware# at a number of sites on the internet and can be part of the control software itself. #StableDesign# cannot be held responsible for an' damagecaused b! incorrect programming b! the user.
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Initial setup
3efore !ou can generate code SheetCam needs to now certain facts about !our specific machine
and unit preferences in order to calculate the re'uired tool paths. When !ou install SheetCam for thefirst time the #Setup Wi8ard# will start and as a number of 'uestions. &f !ou need to change an! of
the parameters or if !ou entered something incorrectl! the "arious parameters can be found under
the #7ptions# menu on the main toolbar. -et#s loo at the #Setup Wi8ard# first and then loo at whatcan be changed under the #7ptions# menu.
Setup wi(ard
he first screen !ou will see is the #Welcome# screen.
Clic on ")et$ to proceed.
he second screen of the #Setup Wi8ard# deals withthe preferred units.
*inear units
0nter the linear units from the large drop down
menu.
+ngular units
0nter the angular units from the drop down menu.
#eed rate
0nter the feed rate units from the drop down menu.
%read pitc!
0nter the thread pitch units from the drop downmenu.
%ime
0nter the time units from the drop down menu.
After maing !our choices clic ")et$ to mo"e onto the net option.
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)ote, Hou can use an! units when entering "alues into an! edit boes $with the eception that linearedit boes must ha"e linear units and angular edit boes must ha"e angular units%. &f !ou do
not specif! an! units then the preferred units $as set abo"e% are used. &f !ou specif! an! of
the units in the list the! will be con"erted to !our preferred units as soon as !ou lea"e the editbo.
-ample 1,&f !our preferred units are inches and !ou t!pe I1BmmJ into a cut depth bo the "alue will change
to B.99? inches as soon as !ou lea"e the bo.
-ample ,
&f !our preferred units are mm and !ou t!pe I1KJ into a cut depth bo the "alue will change to
2=.;mm as soon as !ou lea"e the bo.
-ample 3,
&f !our preferred units are mm and !ou t!pe I1 inchJ into a cut depth bo the "alue will change to
2=.;mm as soon as !ou lea"e the bo.
he third screen of the #Setup Wi8ard# deals with !our #machine t!pe#.
Note:At least oneoption mustbe selected at all times.
/otar' cutting
Checing this item will toggle the rotar! cuttingoption on or off. When checed the rotar! cutting
#controls# are a"ailable under the #ools# menu and
the #7peration# menu. he respecti"e buttons alsoappear on the "arious #tool bars#. When uncheced
these #controls# are hidden. :otar! cutting includes
milling, routing, drilling, tapping etc.
0et cutting
Checing this item will toggle the 4et cutting option
on or off. When checed the 4et cutting #controls#are a"ailable under the #ools# menu and the
#7peration# menu. he respecti"e buttons also
appear on the "arious #tool bars#. When unchecedthese #controls# are hidden. Eet cutting includes plasma, laser, flame, water 4et etc.
)ote, Chec both boes if !ou want rotar! controls and4et cutting controls a"ailable under the
#ools# menu and the #7peration# menu.
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he fourth screen of the #Setup Wi8ard# deals with #+ost processor# selection.
Select the correct processor for !our
machine controller. A brief description ofthe processor file will appear in the lower
window $if a"ailable%.
he fifth screen of the #Setup Wi8ard#completes the setup process.
Clic "#inis!$ to continue.
5ow let#s loo at where !ou can enter the same information in the #7ptions# menu.
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referred units
Select #Options2+pplication options# from the main tool bar and ensure the #nits# tab is #acti"e# as
shown below6his dialog bo is used to set up the #base#
or #preferred# units used b! man! of
SheetCam#s functions.
*inear units
0nter the linear units from the large dropdown menu.
+ngular units
0nter the angular units from the dropdown menu.
#eed rate
0nter the feed rate units from the drop
down menu.
%!read pitc!
0nter the thread pitch units from the drop down menu.
%ime
0nter the time units from the drop down menu.
)ote,Hou can use an' unitswhen entering "alues into an' edit boes $with the eception that
linear edit boes must ha"e linear units and angular edit boes must ha"e angular units%. &f
!ou do not specif! an! units then the preferred units $as set abo"e% are used. &f !ou specif!an! of the units in the list the! will be con"erted to !our preferred units as soon as !ou lea"e
the edit bo.
-ample 1,
&f !our preferred units are inches and !ou t!pe I1BmmJ into a cut depth bo the "alue will change
to B.99? inches as soon as !ou lea"e the bo.
-ample ,
&f !our preferred units are mm and !ou t!pe I1KJ into a cut depth bo the "alue will change to
2=.;mm as soon as !ou lea"e the bo.
-ample 3,
&f !our preferred units are mm and !ou t!pe I1 inchJ into a cut depth bo the "alue will change to2=.;mm as soon as !ou lea"e the bo.
=
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Mac!ine t'pe
Select #Options2Mac!ine# from the main tool bar and ensure the #Mac!ine t'pe# tab is #acti"e# as
shown below6
)ote,At least oneoption mustbe selected at all times.
/otar' cutting
Checing this item will toggle the rotar!
cutting option on or off. When checed therotar! cutting #controls# are a"ailable under
the #ools# menu and the #7peration# menu.
he respecti"e buttons also appear on the
"arious #tool bars#. When uncheced these#controls# are hidden. :otar! cutting
includes milling, routing, drilling, tapping
etc.
0et cutting
Checing this item will toggle the 4etcutting option on or off. When checed the
4et cutting #controls# are a"ailable under the
#ools# menu and the #7peration# menu. herespecti"e buttons also appear on the
"arious #tool bars#. When uncheced these #controls# are hidden. Eet cutting includes plasma, laser,
flame, water 4et etc.
)ote, Chec both boes if !ou want rotar! controls and4et cutting controls a"ailable under the
#ools# menu and the #7peration# menu.
Setting up t!e mac!ine
Mae sure the #S!ow mac!ine and work# button is acti"e $the button is acti"e when it has a
gre! lined bo around it%. his displa!s the machine and the wor material in the main window.
5ow clic on the #Options2Mac!ine# menu item. A popup window will appear with se"eral tabs
that allow control of the "arious functions.
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Mac!ine t'pe ta&Select the chec bo most applicable to !our
operation.
&f !ou ha"e a milling machine or router
select #/otar' cutting#.
&f !ou ha"e a 4et cutter of some sort $i.e. plasma, laser, water etc.% then select #0et cutting#.
&f !ou want SheetCam to output code for both t!pes of machine then select &ot!rotar! and4etcutting.
ost processor ta&&n the #Output file units# section select the
correct unit radio button depending on !our
machine#s re'uirements.
)ote,he units selected in the #Output fileunits# section onl! affect the
generated code. he! do not alterthe units used in SheetCam.
&n the #Output folder# section select !ourpreferred location using the radio buttons.
&n the #ost processor# section select thecorrect processor for !our machine using
the drop down menu.
)ote,While code is supposedl! a standard, most machines spea different #dialects# of code.
o get around this problem SheetCam uses #post processors#. hese are little programs thatrun inside SheetCam and create code customi8ed for particular machines.
he #Import post# button allows !ou to import additional post processor files if re'uired.
he #-dit post# button allows !ou to edit the currentl! selected post processor.
he #ost documentation# button opens a popup window that pro"ides information on how towrite post processor files for those who need to mae custom files.
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Working envelope ta&
)or the purposes of this eample let#s
assume our machine table is 2 feet s'uarewith a usable area of 22L b! 2BL and the
bottom left hand corner of the usable
area will be at coordinate B,B. 4ous!ould o&viousl' su&stitute t!e correct
dimensions2values for 'our mac!ine.
&n the #Origin# bo, clic on the bottom
left hand corner marer. his tells
SheetCam that the origin is the bottom
left hand corner.
he #Working -nvelope# is the usable area so enter I5J in the #6# si8e and I5J in the #4# si8e
$include the 5to tell SheetCam these measurements are in inches% as shown.
)ote, his item is purel! for reference and it does not affect the code in an! wa!. &f !ou do not
wish to use this feature set the si8es to B, B.
%a&le displa' ta&
he table is larger than the actual usable area so we need to enter the si8e and position of the table.
-et#s assume the #Working -nvelope# origin $B,B% is 1L 2L awa! from the corner of the table $'ous!ould o&viousl' su&stitute t!e correct dimensions2values for 'our mac!ine%. Clic on the
#-nter coordinates# radio button in the #Origin# section and enter I815J and I85J for the #6# and#4# coordinates of the table bottom left corner and enter I feetJ for the #6# and #4# dimensions in
the #Si8e# section as shown.
)ote, As soon as !ou eit each edit bo
the "alue is con"erted tomillimetres for !ou. 5otice too that
the main drawing displa! changes
as !ou change the dimensions sothat !ou get an idea what the table
loos lie.
)ote, his item is purel! for referenceand it does not affect the code in
an! wa!. &f !ou do not wish to use
this feature set the si8es to B, B.
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Save2load ta&
Hou can sa"e !our machine setup for
future use or if !ou use SheetCam tooutput code to a number of different
machines !ou can sa"e each setup for later
recall. Clic on #Save mac!ine# to call up asa"e dialog bo or #*oad mac!ine# to load
a pre"iousl! sa"ed file.
When !ou ha"e made all the changes
outlined abo"e clic on the IO9J button
at the bottom of the dialog bo to sa"e
!our changes.
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Setting up t!e material
Clic on the #Options20o& options# menu item. A popup window will appear with se"eral tabs that
allow control of the "arious functions. he displa! will 8oom and rotate to fit the last specifiedmaterial.
Material ta&)or the purposes of this eample our material is a 9BBmm 2BBmm sheet of >mm plastic that isclamped to the table with it#s bottom left hand corner at (=Bmm,H=Bmm. he sheet is clamped
on to a piece of B.2=in board to allow the cutter to cut right through without damaging the table.Hou s!ould o&viousl' su&stitute t!e correct dimensions2values for 'our material.
0nter the dimensions and position of the material as shown below. he main displa! will resi8e to
show the material as !ou enter the "alues. o be safe we will run the cutter ;mm abo"e the panelwhen mo"ing between cuts so enter #:# in the #/apid clearance# bo. he sacrificial board is B.2=in
thic so enter #.;in# for the height of the wor abo"e the table.
+lunge safet! clearance is used when doing a rapid mo"e to cut height. When SheetCam mo"es tothe top of the cut it stops slightl! short and mo"es the remaining distance at feed rate. his allows
for inaccuracies in !our setup and an! chips that ma! be in the wa!. he last thing !ou want is to
slam the tool into the wor at full speed. 3! default the clearance is B.=mm which seems to worprett! well in most cases. 7lder "ersions of SheetCam ha"e alwa!s had this hard coded to B.=mm.
0nter !our re'uired distance in the bo.
)or con"enience !ou can sa"e !our material setup for later use if !ou use a lot of the same t!pe/si8e
material. Clic on the #Save material# to call up a sa"e dialog bo or #*oad material# to load a
pre"iousl! sa"ed file.
5ow clic on IO9J to sa"e !our changes.
1B
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Work flow procedures
5ew users are sometimes confused as to the #correct# wa! to get SheetCam to manipulate their
drawings/files. he information below is intended to be a guide to the optimal steps in the processfrom drawing to compiled code. here are normall! three or four steps in an! CAD/CAM
process6
1. Create !our part/design in either a CAD pacage or an #art# application lie Corel Draw.
2. 7pen/import the drawing as a D(), *+- or 0cellon file into the CAM program and set up!our material si8es, tooling si8es and cutting processes. 7nce these are set run the #post
processor# to generate the re'uired code.
9. $7ptional but "er! worthwhile% :un the generated code in a C5C simulator $lots of free"ersions a"ailable on the net% to chec for an! errors.
;. 7nce the code has been "erified open the code file in !our C5C control pacage and run theprogram to create the part.
Creating drawings
&n order to create usable drawings in either a CAD or art application certain fundamental principles
must be adhered to otherwise SheetCam will not be able to manipulate the resulting file.
Outlines must &e properl' closed
A closed shape is an! shape where the lines completel! enclose an area. A s'uare is a simple
eample of a closed shape. &t has an inside and an outside so SheetCam needs to wor out whichside !ou want to cut. A simple line is an open shape as there is no inside or outside therefore
SheetCam treats it differentl!.
So what is meant b! #properl! closed#
-et#s tae a simple eample. Hou draw a rectangle using four lines. *owe"er two of the lines don#t'uite meet. 7n the screen it loos fine unless !ou 8oom in "er! close. When !ou load the drawing
into SheetCam it will recogni8e that two ends don#t meet and it will assume that the shape is open
so !ou can#t cut it out. All open lines will be shown on the screen in gre! $if !ou ha"en#t changed
the default colours%. &f !our lines are "er! close $as defined under #7ptions/Applicationoptions/Drawing import tab/&mport lin tolerance#% SheetCam will automaticall! mo"e the ends
so that the! touch.
)ote, his s!ould notbe used to compensate for poor drawingsN
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So !ow do I find pro&lems
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)ote, A rigid tapping head does not re"erse when !ou retract the spindle, the spindle is re"ersedinstead.
)ote, A thread mill is a single or multipoint thread cutting tool.
+utomaticall' generate name
Checing this bo will automaticall! generate the tool name based on selections made in thelower boes.
%ool num&er
0nter the tool number here.
Diameter
0nter the diameter of the tool here.
#lute lengt!
0nter the tool flute length here $i.e. the length from the tip of the tool to the end of the cuttingflute%.
%ool lengt! offset
0nter the amount of tool offset here. his should onl! be used if the machine controller does not
ha"e it#s own tool length compensation.
)ote, ool length offset is the length of the tool from a particular reference point. his ma! be thespindle nose or an! other con"enient reference point. &t is used to compensate for different
length tools. he post processor ma! use this "alue in one of two wa!s6 &f the controller
supports tool length offsets then the! are used. &f not the offset is added to the F position.
Dept! per pass
0nter the depth here. his function controls the depth of cut per pass.
)ote, his is a positive$R% figure as !ou are specif!ing the Adept!A of cut. Some users epect this
to be a minus $% figure.
#eed rate
0nter the re'uired feed rate here.
lunge rate
0nter the plunge rate here.
/amp angle#:amping# allows the cutter to enter the wor while tra"elling in a forward direction. his reduces
the load on the F ais and also allows !ou to plunge with a #noncentre cutting# tool $i.e. some ;flute end mills%. he cutter will tra"el forwards as it plunges, cutting a ramp into the wor. his
ramp is then machined awa!. &f !ou are ramping into an open contour or between tabs then the
cutter ramps down then bacs up to the start of the cut, re"erses up to the start point then re"erses
again and carries on to the end. &f the contour is open then the cutter simpl! carries on at the endof the cut until the ramp is machined awa!. )or small contours the cutter will spiral down to
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depth. he ramp angle specifies the angle at which the cutter will plunge into the wor . B degreesor B degrees are straight down $no ramping%, = degrees is "er! shallow and @= degrees is "er!
steep.
Spindle speed
0nter the spindle speed here.
)ote, Speed onl! needs to be specified if !our spindle motor is controlled "ia software. *owe"er,
the post processor will issue a warning if the speed is set to 8ero $B%.
Spindle rotation
Select the spindle direction from the a"ailable choices.
)ote, hese items onl! need to be checed if !our spindle motor is controlled "ia software.
)ote, he spindle direction also affects the cut direction. )or instance if climb cutting, outside
contours are cut clocwise if the spindle is clocwise or anticlocwise if the spindle isanticlocwise.
pdate operations
#pdate operations# will cop! all of the tool#s parameters into an' operations that use this tool.
)or instance this will reset the spindle speed, feed rate, ramp angle etc.
O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to an' new operations that use that tool. he tool
diameter howe"er is immediatel! applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create new rotar! tool# button located in thelefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ew mill A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as a
comment.
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)ew drill
)ote, All units based on the selection in
the #7ptionsQApplication
optionsQnits#menu.
)ote, his menu item is onl! "isible if
#:otar! cutting# has been selected inthe #7ptionsQMachineQMachine
t!pe#menu.
)ame
Manuall! enter the tool name if the
#Automaticall! generate name# bo
below is not checed.
%'pe
Select the correct tool t!pe from the drop down menu shown below.
)ote, his page shows setting options for a new drill
$rotar! cutter%. o see the other tool setup pagesrefer to their rele"ant sections.
+utomaticall' generate name
Checing this bo will automaticall! generate the tool name based on selections made in the
lower boes.
%ool num&er
0nter the tool number here.
Diameter
0nter the diameter of the tool here.
oint angle
0nter the point angle here.
#lute lengt!
0nter the tool flute length here $i.e. the length from the tip of the tool to the end of the cutting
flute%.
%ool lengt! offset0nter the amount of tool offset here. his should onl! be used if the machine controller does not
ha"e it#s own tool length compensation.
)ote, ool length offset is the length of the tool from a particular reference point. his ma! be the
spindle nose or an! other con"enient reference point. &t is used to compensate for different
length tools. he post processor ma! use this "alue in one of two wa!s6 &f the controllersupports tool length offsets then the! are used. &f not the offset is added to the F position.
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Dept! per pass
0nter the depth here. his function controls the depth of cut per pass.
)ote, his is a positive$R% figure as !ou are specif!ing the Adept!A of cut. Some users epect thisto be a minus $% figure.
lunge rate
0nter the plunge rate here.
Spindle speed
0nter the spindle speed here.
)ote, Speed onl! needs to be specified if !our spindle motor is controlled "ia software. *owe"er,
the post processor will issue a warning if the speed is set to 8ero $B%.
Spindle rotation
Select the spindle direction from the a"ailable choices.
)ote, hese items onl! need to be checed if !our spindle motor is controlled "ia software.
)ote, he spindle direction also affects the cut direction. )or instance if climb cutting, outside
contours are cut clocwise if the spindle is clocwise or anticlocwise if the spindle is
anticlocwise.
pdate operations
#pdate operations# will cop! all of the tool#s parameters into an' operation that use this tool. )or
instance this will reset the spindle speed, feed rate, etc.
O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to an' new operations that use that tool. he tooldiameter howe"er is immediatel! applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create new rotar! tool# button located in the
lefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ew drill A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as a
comment.
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)ew = cutter
)ote, All units based on the selection in
the #7ptionsQApplicationoptionsQnits# menu.
)ote, his menu item is onl! "isible if#:otar! cutting# has been selected in
the #7ptionsQMachineQMachine t!pe#
menu.
)ame
Manuall! enter the tool name if the
#Automaticall! generate name# bo belowis not checed.
%'pe
Select the correct tool t!pe from thedrop down menu shown below.
)ote, his page shows setting options for a new cutter $rotar! cutter%. o see the other tool setup
pages refer to their rele"ant sections.
)ote, See #5ew mill# for a full description of the "arioustool t!pes.
+utomaticall' generate name
Checing this bo will automaticall! generate the tool name based on selections made in the
lower boes.
%ool num&er
0nter the tool number here.
%ip diameter
0nter the tip diameter of the tool here.
= angle
0nter the angle of the tool tip here.
)ote, his "alue is used in the corner sharpening function $see #7perationsQContourQCut path tab#%
#lute lengt!
0nter the tool flute length here $i.e. the length from the tip of the tool to the end of the cuttingflute%.
%ool lengt! offset
0nter the amount of tool offset here. his should onl! be used if the machine controller does notha"e it#s own tool length compensation.
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O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to an' new operations that use that tool. he tool
diameter howe"er is immediatel! applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create new rotar! tool# button located in thelefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ew = cutter A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as a
comment.
)ew tapping !ead
)ote, All units based on the selection in
the #7ptionsQApplication
optionsQnits#menu.
)ote, his menu item is onl! "isible if
#:otar! cutting# has been selected inthe #7ptionsQMachineQMachine
t!pe#menu.
)ame
Manuall! enter the tool name if the
#Automaticall! generate name# bo
below is not checed.
%'pe
Select the correct tool t!pe from thedrop down menu shown below.
)ote, his page shows setting options for a new
tapping head $rotar! cutter%. o see the other toolsetup pages refer to their rele"ant sections.
)ote, See #5ew mill#for a full description of the
"arious tool t!pes.
+utomaticall' generate name
Checing this bo will automaticall! generate the tool name based on selections made in the
lower boes.
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%ool num&er
0nter the tool number here.
Diameter
0nter the diameter of the tool here.
#lute lengt!
0nter the tool flute length here $i.e. the length from the tip of the tool to the end of the cuttingflute%.
%ool lengt! offset
0nter the amount of tool offset here. his should onl! be used if the machine controller does not
ha"e it#s own tool length compensation.
)ote, ool length offset is the length of the tool from a particular reference point. his ma! be thespindle nose or an! other con"enient reference point. &t is used to compensate for different
length tools. he post processor ma! use this "alue in one of two wa!s6 &f the controller
supports tool length offsets then the! are used. &f not the offset is added to the F position.
/everse multiplier
5ormall! tapping heads spin faster in re"erse than forwards. &f !our re"erse speed is 1.= as fastas the plunge speed then use a "alue of 1=BT, if it is twice as fast use 2BBT.
itc!
0nter the thread pitch if !ou are using a metric machine or the threads per inch $+&% if !ou areusing an imperial machine.
+ial travel
An automatic tapping head $e.g. apMatic% automaticall! re"erses when !ou retract the spindle.
here is a small amount of baclash when !ou start to retract as the re"erse clutch engages. his
"alue is that baclash.
nderfeed
&f !ou feed faster than the tap cuts !ou will either brea the tap or strip the thread. he worst that
can happen if !ou underfeed is that the clutch in the head disengages for a short time. &t iscustomar! to feed slightl! slower then the theoretical speed to mae sure !ou don#t o"erfeed.
5ormall! = 1BT is enough. &f the tapping head #chatters# while tapping, reduce the amount of
underfeed.
Spindle speed
0nter the spindle speed here.
)ote, Spindle speed mustbe entered. &t is used with the tap pitch to wor out the feed rate.
Spindle rotation
Select the spindle direction from the a"ailable choices.
)ote, hese items onl! need to be checed if !our spindle motor is controlled "ia software.
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)ote, he spindle direction also affects the cut direction. )or instance if climb cutting, outsidecontours are cut clocwise if the spindle is clocwise or anticlocwise if the spindle is
anticlocwise.
pdate operations
#pdate operations# will cop! all of the tool#s parameters into an' operation that use this tool. )or
instance this will reset the spindle speed, feed rate, ramp angle etc.
O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to an' new operations that use that tool. he tooldiameter howe"er is immediatel! applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create new rotar! tool# button located in the
lefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ew tapping !ead A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as a
comment.
)ew rigid tap
)ote, All units based on the selection in
the #7ptionsQApplication
optionsQnits#menu.
)ote, his menu item is onl! "isible if
#:otar! cutting# has been selected in
the #7ptionsQMachineQMachine t!pe#menu.
)ameManuall! enter the tool name if the
#Automaticall! generate name# bo
below is not checed.
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%'pe
Select the correct tool t!pe from thedrop down menu shown below.
)ote, his page shows setting options for a new rigidtap $rotar! cutter%. o see the other tool setup
pages refer to their rele"ant sections.
)ote, See #5ew mill# for a full description of the "arious
tool t!pes.
+utomaticall' generate name
Checing this bo will automaticall! generate the tool name based on selections made in the
lower boes.
%ool num&er
0nter the tool number here.
Diameter
0nter the diameter of the tool here.
#lute lengt!
0nter the tool flute length here $i.e. the length from the tip of the tool to the end of the cutting
flute%.
%ool lengt! offset
0nter the amount of tool offset here. his should onl! be used if the machine controller does not
ha"e it#s own tool length compensation.
)ote, ool length offset is the length of the tool from a particular reference point. his ma! be the
spindle nose or an! other con"enient reference point. &t is used to compensate for different
length tools. he post processor ma! use this "alue in one of two wa!s6 &f the controllersupports tool length offsets then the! are used. &f not the offset is added to the F position.
/everse multiplier
o speed up the tapping c!cle !ou can use a higher spindle speed when retracting. Mae sure !oudon#t eceed the machine#s maimum rated spindle speed $spindle speed re"erse multiplier%.
itc!
0nter the thread pitch if !ou are using a metric machine or the threads per inch $+&% if !ou are
using an imperial machine.
nderfeed:igid tap holders normall! ha"e some aial tra"el to allow for slight "ariations in spindle speed. &t
is sometimes useful to feed slightl! slower then the ideal to pre"ent o"erfeeding and breaing thetap. 5ormall! !ou would use B 9T.
Spindle speed
0nter the spindle speed here.
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)ote, Spindle speed mustbe entered. &t is used with the tap pitch to wor out the feed rate.
Spindle rotation
Select the spindle direction from the a"ailable choices.
)ote, hese items onl! need to be checed if !our spindle motor is controlled "ia software.
)ote, he spindle direction also affects the cut direction. )or instance if climb cutting, outside
contours are cut clocwise if the spindle is clocwise or anticlocwise if the spindle is
anticlocwise.
pdate operations
#pdate operations# will cop! all of the tool#s parameters into an' operation that use this tool. )or
instance this will reset the spindle speed, feed rate, ramp angle etc.
O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to an' new operations that use that tool. he tooldiameter howe"er is immediatel! applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create new rotar! tool# button located in the
lefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ew rigid taps A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as a
comment.
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ierce dela'
0nter the dela! time here.
ierce !eig!t
0nter the pierce height here.
lunge rate
0nter the plunge rate here.
Cut !eig!t
0nter the cut height here.
ause at end of cut
0nter the pause time here.
pdate operations
#pdate operations# will cop! all of the tool#s parameters into an' operation that use this tool. )orinstance this will reset the feed rate.
*eadin t'pe
Select the leadin t!pe using the radio buttons.
0nter the wiggle si8e in the bo.
)ote, Wiggle piercing mo"es the cutting head bac and forth to help pre"ent damage to the head.
O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to an' new operations that use that tool. he tool
diameter howe"er is immediatel! applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create a new 4et cutting tool# button located
in the lefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ote, +ierce height, plunge rate, ramp leadin and cut height are onl! a"ailable for machines where
the F ais is controlled "ia code. Some machines perform these operations automaticall!.
)ew plasma tool A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as a
comment.
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)ew flame tool
)ote, All units based on the selection in
the #7ptionsQApplicationoptionsQnits#menu.
)ote, his menu item is onl! "isible if #Eetcutting# has been selected in the
#7ptionsQMachineQMachine t!pe#
menu.
)ote, &f !ou need to use a flame cutter to
pierce holes at specific locations the
#Drilling operation# can be used with a flame tool setting for this purpose. See the #Drillingoperation# page for more information.
)ame
Manuall! enter the tool name if the #Automaticall! generate name# bo below is not checed.
%'pe
Select the correct 4et cutting t!pe from the drop down menu shown below.
)ote, his page shows setting options for a new flame
cutter. o see the other tool setup pages refer to therele"ant sections below.
+utomaticall' generate name
Checing this bo will automaticall! generate the tool name based on selections made in the
lower boes.
%ool num&er
0nter the tool number here.
9erf widt!
0nter the erf width $cut width% here.
#eed rate
0nter the re'uired feed rate here.
ierce dela'
0nter the dela! time here.
re!eat
0nter the preheat time here.
ierce !eig!t
0nter the pierce height here.
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lunge rate
0nter the plunge rate here.
Cut !eig!t
0nter the cut height here.
ause at end of cut
0nter the pause time here.
pdate operations
#pdate operations# will cop! all of the tool#s parameters into an' operation that use this tool. )or
instance this will reset the feed rate.
*eadin t'pe
Select the leadin t!pe using the radio buttons.
0nter the wiggle si8e in the bo.
)ote, Wiggle piercing mo"es the cutting head bac and forth to help pre"ent damage to the head.
O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to an' new operations that use that tool. he tool
diameter howe"er is immediatel! applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create a new 4et cutting tool# button located
in the lefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ote, +ierce height, plunge rate, ramp leadin and cut height are onl! a"ailable for machines wherethe F ais is controlled "ia code. Some machines perform these operations automaticall!.
)ew flame tool A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as a
comment.
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)ew waterBet tool
)ote, All units based on the selection in
the #7ptionsQApplicationoptionsQnits#menu.
)ote, his menu item is onl! "isible if #Eetcutting# has been selected in the
#7ptionsQMachineQMachine t!pe#
menu.
)ote, &f !ou need to use a water4et cutter
to pierce holes at specific locations
the #Drilling operation# can be used with a water4et tool setting for this purpose. See the#Drilling operation#page for more information.
)ame
Manuall! enter the tool name if the #Automaticall! generate name# bo below is not checed.
%'pe
Select the correct 4et cutting t!pe from the drop down menu shown below.
)ote, his page shows setting options for a new water4et
cutter. o see the other tool setup pages refer to therele"ant sections below.
+utomaticall' generate name
Checing this bo will automaticall! generate the tool name based on selections made in the
lower boes.
%ool num&er
0nter the tool number here.
9erf widt!
0nter the erf width $cut width% here.
#eed rate
0nter the re'uired feed rate here.
ierce dela'
0nter the dela! time here.
ower
Set !our power le"el in this bo if !our s!stem has code controlled power settings.
ierce !eig!t
0nter the pierce height here.
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lunge rate
0nter the plunge rate here.
Cut !eig!t
0nter the cut height here.
ause at end of cut
0nter the pause time here.
pdate operations
#pdate operations# will cop! all of the tool#s parameters into an' operation that use this tool. )or
instance this will reset the feed rate.
*eadin t'pe
Select the leadin t!pe using the radio buttons.
0nter the wiggle si8e in the bo.
)ote, Wiggle piercing mo"es the cutting head bac and forth to help pre"ent damage to the head.
O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to an' new operations that use that tool. he tool
diameter howe"er is immediatel! applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create a new 4et cutting tool# button locatedin the lefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ote, +ierce height, plunge rate, ramp leadin and cut height are onl! a"ailable for machines where
the F ais is controlled "ia code. Some machines perform these operations automaticall!.
)ew waterBet tool A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as acomment.
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)ew laser tool
)ote, All units based on the selection in
the #7ptionsQApplicationoptionsQnits#menu.
)ote, his menu item is onl! "isible if #Eetcutting# has been selected in the
#7ptionsQMachineQMachine t!pe#
menu.
)ote, &f !ou need to use a laser to pierce
holes at specific locations the
#Drilling operation# can be used with a laser setting for this purpose. See the #Drillingoperation# page for more information.
)ame
Manuall! enter the tool name if the #Automaticall! generate name# bo below is not checed.
%'pe
Select the correct 4et cutting t!pe from the drop down menu shown below.
)ote, his page shows setting options for a new laser. o
see the other tool setup pages refer to the rele"antsections below.
+utomaticall' generate name
Checing this bo will automaticall! generate the tool name based on selections made in the
lower boes.
%ool num&er
0nter the tool number here.
9erf widt!
0nter the erf width $cut width% here.
#eed rate
0nter the re'uired feed rate here.
ierce dela'
0nter the dela! time here.
ower
Set !our power le"el in this bo if !our s!stem has code controlled power settings.
ierce !eig!t
0nter the pierce height here.
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lunge rate
0nter the plunge rate here.
Cut !eig!t
0nter the cut height here.
ause at end of cut
0nter the pause time here.
pdate operations
#pdate operations# will cop! all of the tool#s parameters into an' operation that use this tool. )or
instance this will reset the feed rate.
*eadin t'pe
Select the leadin t!pe using the radio buttons.
0nter the wiggle si8e in the bo.
)ote, Wiggle piercing mo"es the cutting head bac and forth to help pre"ent damage to the head.
O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to an' new operations that use that tool. he tool
diameter howe"er is immediatel! applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create a new 4et cutting tool# button locatedin the lefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ote, +ierce height, plunge rate, ramp leadin and cut height are onl! a"ailable for machines where
the F ais is controlled "ia code. Some machines perform these operations automaticall!.
)ew laser A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as acomment.
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)ew plate marker tool
)ote, All units based on the selection in
the #7ptionsQApplicationoptionsQnits#menu.
)ote, his menu item is onl! "isible if #Eetcutting# has been selected in the
#7ptionsQMachineQMachine t!pe#
menu.
)ame
Manuall! enter the tool name if the #Automaticall! generate name# bo below is not checed.
%'pe
Select the correct 4et cutting t!pe from the drop down menu shown below.
)ote, his page shows setting options for a new platemarer tool. o see the other tool setup pages refer to
the rele"ant sections below.
+utomaticall' generate name
Checing this bo will automaticall! generate the tool name based on selections made in the
lower boes.
%ool num&er
0nter the tool number here.
Diameter
0nter the diameter of the tool here.
#eed rate
0nter the re'uired feed rate here.
Cut !eig!t
0nter the cut height here.
Start dela'
0nter the dela! time here.
ause at end of cut
0nter the pause time here.
pdate operations
#pdate operations# will cop! all of the tool#s parameters into an' operation that use this tool. )orinstance this will reset the feed rate.
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*eadin t'pe
Select the leadin t!pe using the radio buttons.
0nter the wiggle si8e in the bo.
)ote, Wiggle piercing mo"es the cutting head bac and forth to help pre"ent damage to the head.
O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to an' new operations that use that tool. he tool
diameter howe"er is immediatel! applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create a new 4et cutting tool# button locatedin the lefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ote, +ierce height, plunge rate, ramp leadin and cut height are onl! a"ailable for machines wherethe F ais is controlled "ia code. Some machines perform these operations automaticall!.
)ew plate marker tool A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as a
comment.
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)ew code snippet
Selecting #5ew code snippet# opens a #tool#
that allows for the creation of one or morelines of code. his is then used b! the
#&nsert code#operation.
0nter a name for the code in the top
window and the bod! of the code in the
lower window. Clic IO9J to accept.
O9
#7# eeps the changes and applies them to
an' new operations that use that tool. hetool diameter howe"er is immediatel!
applied to all operations that use the tool.
Cancel
#Cancel# cancels an! changes and closes the dialog bo.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create new code snippet# button located inthe lefthand "ertical toolbar.
)ew code snippet A)otesA ta&
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as acomment.
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Operation setup
Hou will now need to select the #operation# !ou re'uire from the following options6
Contour Drilling
+ocet &nsert code
apping Set post "ariable+lasma cut Mo"e to
Contour
asic ta&
)ote, All units based on the selection inthe #7ptionsQApplication
optionsQnits#menu.
Contour met!od
Select the contour method re'uired using
the drop down menu.
)ote, #&nside offset# will offset the cutter path to the #inside# of the contour b! half the diameter ofthe tool chosen below.
)ote, #7utside offset# will offset the cutter path to the #outside# of the contour b! half the diameterof the tool chosen below. &t should be noted that the cut side will be re"ersed if !ou cut an
inside contour. )or instance, if !ou were to cut a washer then #7utside offset# will cut the
inside of the hole and then the outside of the washer $in that order%.
)ote, #5o offset# will set the centre of the tool on the contour line.
)ote, he abo"e is for closed contours, for open contours see O7ffset open paths#on the OCut pathPtab.
*a'er
Select the la!er !ou wish to appl! the contour tousing the drop down menu.
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Cut start ta&
)ote, All units based on the selection in
the #7ptionsQApplicationoptionsQnits#menu.
*ead in
Select the t!pe of lead in re'uired using
the #radio# buttons and enter the si8e in
bo.
)ote, Si8e refers to the length of the lead
in.
*ead out
Select the t!pe of lead out re'uired using the #radio# buttons and enter the si8e in bo.
)ote, Si8e refers to the length of the lead out.
se code snippet
Select the re'uired code snippet from the drop down menu.
)ote, he code snippet needs to be pre"iousl! defined using the #ools/5ew code snippet# function.
he snippet is inserted into the code at the start of the cut 4ust before the cutter plunges todepth.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
Cut pat! ta&
Cut ordering
Optimisation
+uto2manual
Select auto or manual pathoptimisation using the radio buttons.
)ote, &f #Auto# is selected the cut
se'uence is calculatedautomaticall!. SheetCam tries to
minimise rapid mo"es whileadhering to the rules shown under
OCutting rulesP below. &f #Manual# is selected then !ou can manuall! set the cut se'uence $b!
editing the start points%.
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Optimise now
his button optimises the cut path immediatel!. his is useful to see the effect of an!
changes or to create a starting point for manual editing.
Start position
his is the point where SheetCam assumes the cutter is when it starts calculating the paths. +aths
nearest the start point will be cut first while compl!ing with the abo"e rules.
Cutting rules
+ll inside first
&nside contours are cut first then outside. his is the wa! SheetCam alwa!s used to wor.
seful for plasma or for milling/routing when !ou are cutting all the wa! through.
S!ortest pat!
his option uses the shortest possible route between contours. his is the one !ou would use for
most milling/routing 4obs where !ou aren#t cutting right through.
9eep parts toget!er
-ie all inside first, it cuts inside then outside. &f !our drawing contains more than one part theneach part is cut out completel! before mo"ing on to the net. his is useful for plasma, where
heat distortion can cause problems if !ou cut all the insides of all parts then cut all the outsides.
3! the time !ou get to the last part heat distortion of the sheet can result in the inside not lining
up with the outside.
Cut direction
his adds a bias to the path optimisation. )or eample, if !ou set the slider toward hori8ontal $*%,SheetCam will prefer to rapid left/right rather than up/down.
/everse open pat!sChec this bo to re"erse the cut direction of open paths.
)ote, &f this item is selected and !ou are cutting to depth in a number of passes then the cutter will
re"erse direction on each pass. &f this is turned off the cutter will lift and return to the start ofthe path for each pass. &t can gi"e a better finish but ob"iousl! taes longer.
Offset open pat!s
7pen paths are alwa!s offset to the right of the start point. hat is, if !ou were standing at the start
point looing down the line the offset would be to !our right. o re"erse the side of the offset,
mo"e the start point to the other end of the line. &nside/outside offset mae no difference as a line
doesn#t ha"e an inside or outside.
)ote, &f !ou ha"e climb cut selected the cut will start at the opposite end of the path to the startpoint. & now this is counter intuiti"e but it is the onl! wa! to maintain the #offset to the right#
rule.
*eadins on open pat!s
Chec this bo to appl! leadins to open paths.
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@olding %a&s
Clicing on this button will open the dialog bo shown
below. he tab length and tab thicness controls are used to
specif! the respecti"e si8es of holding tabs $i.e. the materialleft behind to hold parts in place%. o place tabs use the
#*olding tab tool# on the tool bar.
)ote, his button will be #gre!ed# out if no tabs are set.
*engt!
his control is used to specif! the length of the holdingtab. abs can be an! si8e to suit the application but
generall! longer tabs ha"e a reduced thicness while
shorter tabs are usuall! left at the material thicness.
%!ickness
his control is used to specif! the thicness of the holding tab. Setting the tab thicness to less
than the material thicness will result in thin tabs that can be easil! cut/broen when machiningis complete. &t is worth mentioning that tab thicness is based on the material thicness, not the
cut depth. )or instance, if !ou ha"e 1Bmm thic material and specif! 2mm thic tabs !ou will
need to cut at least @mm deep to see the tabs at all.
)ote, 3! using the tab length/thicness controls !ou can mae SheetCam clear an! clamps or
fitures as it cuts pro"ided that !ou now where the clamps will be. 3! maing the#thicness# greater than the material thicness plus the clamp thicness SheetCam will #rapid#
tra"erse for the length of the tab after the cutter has withdrawn to the correct height pro"ided
that the combined thicness is greater than the rapid clearance height $as set under the#7ptions/Material# menu item%. he steps for using #tabs# are shown below6
Set up !our contour operation as normal and then go to the #Cut path# tab and set the tab lengthand tab thicness. ab length is the length of the tab at the narrowest point. hicness is the
amount of material leftin the tab.
7nce !our operation is set up clic on the #abs# button . he cursor will change to an arrowwith a ## net to it if it is near a "alid tab position. 5ow clic on the outline where !ou want to
place the tab. Hou can place as man! tabs as !ou lie. o delete a tab point at it $it will change
to white%, right clic and select delete. o chec if the tabs ha"e been placed correctl! clic on
the #Scroll screen# button then rotate the displa! b! holding the shift e! and dragging with
the mouse. Hou will see the cut paths lift up where !ou ha"e placed the tabs.
&f !ou set the tab thicness to greater than the cut depth R rapid clearance then the cutter willrapid when it mo"ed from one end of the tab to another. his is hand! if !ou ha"e a holding
clamp in the wa!. Hou can set the tab thicness so that the cutter will lift o"er the clamp e"en if
this is higher than the rapid clearance.
&f !ou are not using tabs it is recommend that !ou set the tab thicness to B $8ero%. When using
a tab thicness greater than B $8ero% SheetCam uses a slightl! different cutting strateg! which
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can be a little less efficient. his is particularl! noticeable if !ou use ramping in con4unctionwith the tabs.
Clean up eit ramp
When ramp cutting with tabs, enabling this will clean up the trailing ramp on each tab. his
taes longer to cut but lea"es s'uare edged tabs. With this option disabled the ramp is left so
the entr! to the tab is s'uare but the eit is tapered.
+uto ta&&ing
Auto tabbing automaticall! places tabs on e"er! outline.
Min num&er of ta&s
he number of tabs needed depends "er! much on the material !ou are woring with.
enerall! the minimum number of tabs should be set to 2. his wa!, e"en small parts will ha"etwo tabs.
Ma ta& spacing
he ma tab spacing is the maimum distance between tabs. his effecti"el! sets the number of
tabs on larger outlines. 0"en on big parts !ou probabl! don#t need more than = so the ma tabspacing can be 'uite large.
%a&s on inside cuts
Chec this bo to create tabs on the inside of the cut line.
Clear all
Clicing this button clears all tabs.
lace ta&s
Clicing this button places the tabs.
*ine ta&&ing
-ine tabbing is used while manuall! placing tabs. See the #0dit tabs# section for more information.
*ine angle
Sets the angle of the tab line.
%a&s on inside cuts
Chec this bo to create tabs on the inside of the cut line.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
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)ew pocket
asic ta&
)ote, All units based on the selection in
the #7ptionsQApplication
optionsQnits#menu.
ocket met!od
Select either #Spiral pocet# or #Fig8agpocet# from the drop down menu.
*a'er
Select the la!er !ou wish to appl! thepocet to using the drop down menu
shown below.
%ool
Select the correct tool using the down menu.
-dit
Clicing on the button to the right of the #ool# bo $the one with three dots% calls up the #ool
0dit#dialog bo.
Start dept!
his function specifies the depth at which to start cutting.
)ote, his function could be used if !ou want to cut a second pocet into the floor of a pre"iousl!
machined pocet that is 1L deep. Set the start Adept!A to 1L $a positive $R% dimension% andSheetCam will start machining at this point. his sa"es a lot of #air cutting# time.
C+%IO), &mproper use of this function could lead to tool/part crashesN
Onl' change the "alue from 8ero $B% $the default "alue% if !ou are actuall!
cutting a #pocet within a pocet#.
Cut dept!
0nter the cut depth here. his function controls the total depth of cut.
)ote, his is a positive$R% figure as !ou are specif!ing the Adept!A of cut. Some users epect this
to be a minus $% figure.
Dept! per pass
0nter the F increment depth here. his function controls the depth of cut per pass.
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)ote, his is a positive$R% figure as !ou are specif!ing the Adept!A of cut. Some users epect thisto be a minus $% figure.
Step over
Set the #Step o"er# amount as a percentage of the cutter diameter.
#ill angle
)ote, his item is onl! displa!ed when #Fig8ag pocet# is selected in #+ocet method# abo"e.
Changing the #)ill angle# changes the direction of cut for the 8ig8ag pocet.
#inis! allowance
0nter the finish allowance here. his will force SheetCam to lea"e the part undersi8ed. Hou willthen need to specif! a new #7peration# to machine the part to the #finished# si8e using a finishing
cutter if re'uired and/or a different #Depth per pass# depth.
)ote, -ea"ing the allowance at 8ero $B% will machine the contour to full si8e with no need for a
finishing pass.
#eed rate
0nter the re'uired feed rate here.
lunge rate
0nter the plunge rate here.
/amp angle
#:amping# allows the cutter to enter the wor while tra"elling in a forward direction. his reduces
the load on the F ais and also allows !ou to plunge with a #noncentre cutting# tool $i.e. some ;
flute end mills%. he cutter will tra"el forwards as it plunges, cutting a ramp into the wor. hisramp is then machined awa!. &f !ou are ramping into an open contour or between tabs then the
cutter ramps down then bacs up to the start of the cut, re"erses up to the start point then re"erses
again and carries on to the end. &f the contour is open then the cutter simpl! carries on at the end
of the cut until the ramp is machined awa!. )or small contours the cutter will spiral down todepth. he ramp angle specifies the angle at which the cutter will plunge into the wor . B degrees
or B degrees are straight down $no ramping%, = degrees is "er! shallow and @= degrees is "er!
steep.
)ote, &f a cut path is "er! short it will not be possible to ramp into the cut. &n this case the cutter
will be plunged straight down. he cut operation will turn !ellow to warn !ou that this is
happening.
Spindle speed
0nter the spindle speed here.
)ote, Speed onl! needs to be specified if !our spindle motor is controlled "ia software. *owe"er,
the post processor will issue a warning if the speed is set to 8ero $B%.
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Coolant
Select the coolant t!pe from the a"ailable choices.
)ote, hese items onl! need to be checed if !our coolant pump is controlled "ia software.
S!arpen2Overcut corners
)ote, #Sharpen corners# will onl! appear if !ou ha"e selected a cutter while #7"ercut corners# will
onl! appear if !ou ha"e selected a mill/router.
S!arpen corners
)ote, &f !ou are using a cutter on inside corners the radius of the cut is bigger at the top than at
the bottom due to the taper of the cutter. urning on #sharpen corners# ramps the cutter up oninside corners so that the radius of the cut is the same at the top as it is at the bottom. his is
a benefit when engra"ing tet or graphics. his option is not a"ailable for mill/router cutters.
he steps for using corner sharpening are shown below6
+ngle t!res!old
)irst define !our tool. &t must be defined as a cutter and !ou must enter the angle.
+ocet the area to clear the ma4orit! of the material using a regular milling cutter. 5ow do
an #inside contour# using the tool. With the tool selected go to the #Cut path# tab. Hou
should see a slider called #Angle threshold# and a chec bo for #0nabled#. &f !ou areengra"ing tet or something that is made up of lots of short line segments !ou ma! find
that SheetCam is sharpening some "er! shallow corners which wastes time and does not
mae much difference to the final result. &ncreasing the angle threshold will remo"e these.
)ote, When sharpening corners !ou ma! not want to sharpen shallow angles. his option controls
how sharp an angle has to be to trigger corner sharpening. Consider the letter #C# where theoutline consists of a large number of short line segments. Hou don#t normall! want to sharpen
the 4oin between e"er! line.
-na&led
Chec this bo to appl! #corner sharpening# to corners.
Overcut corners
)ote, &f this is selected the cutter will cut into inside corners to allow room for a sharp cornered
part to fit. )or instance if !ou are cutting a rebate for a s'uare part to fit into this option will
sa"e manuall! s'uaring out the corners. his option is not a"ailable for cutters.
+ngle t!res!old
Angle threshold ad4usts how sharp the corner needs to be before the o"ercutting is applied.
-na&led
Chec this bo to appl! #7"ercut corners# to corners.
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*a'er
Select the la!er !ou wish to appl! the tapping operation to
using the drop down menu shown.
%ool
Select the correct tool using the down menushown.
-dit
Clicing on the button to the right of the #ool# bo $the one with three dots% calls up the #ool
0dit#dialog bo.
Start dept!
his function specifies the depth at which to start tapping.
)ote, his function could be used if !ou want to tap a hole into the floor of a pre"iousl! machined
pocet that is 1L deep. Set the start Adept!A to 1L $a positive $R% dimension% and SheetCamwill start machining at this point. his sa"es a lot of #air cutting# time.
Cut dept!
0nter the cut depth here. his function controls the total depth of the tapped hole.
)ote, his is a positive$R% figure as !ou are specif!ing the Adept!A of the hole. Some users epect
this to be a minus $% figure.
Spindle speed
0nter the spindle speed here.
)ote, Spindle speed mustbe entered. &t is used with the tap pitch to wor out the feed rate.
Min !ole si(e
Set the minimum hole si8e here.
Ma !ole si(e
Set the maimum hole si8e here.
)ote, 7nl! holes that fall in the range co"ered b! the ma. and min. settings will be machined.
)ote, &f holes ha"e been specified as points in the drawing then SheetCam has no wa! of nowingthe desired hole si8e. *oles specified as points are alwa!s tapped.
Coolant
Select the coolant t!pe from the a"ailable choices.
)ote, hese items onl! need to be checed if !our coolant pump is controlled "ia software.
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Cutting rules
+ll inside first
&nside contours are cut first then outside. his is the wa! SheetCam alwa!s used to wor.seful for plasma or for milling/routing when !ou are cutting all the wa! through.
S!ortest pat!
his option uses the shortest possible route between contours. his is the one !ou would
use for most milling/routing 4obs where !ou aren#t cutting right through.
9eep parts toget!er
-ie all inside first, it cuts inside then outside. &f !our drawing contains more than one part
then each part is cut out completel! before mo"ing on to the net. his is useful for
plasma, where heat distortion can cause problems if !ou cut all the insides of all parts thencut all the outsides. 3! the time !ou get to the last part heat distortion of the sheet can
result in the inside not lining up with the outside.
Cut direction
his adds a bias to the path optimisation. )or eample, if !ou set the slider toward hori8ontal$*%, SheetCam will prefer to rapid left/right rather than up/down.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)otes ta&
)otes
se this area to store an! notes !ou ma! wish to mae regarding the operation.
)ote, &f the machine understands #comments# then these notes will also appear in the gcode as acomment.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
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%!read milling
asic ta&
)ote, All units based on the selection in the #7ptionsQApplication optionsQnits#menu.
#unctionSelect the correct threading t!pe from the
drop down menu shown below.
)ote, his page shows setting options for
a new hread mill. o see the #ap#setup pages refer to the rele"ant
section abo"e.
Direction
Select #&nside# or #7utside# from the drop down menu.
*a'er
Select the la!er !ou wish to appl! the tapping operation to
using the drop down menu shown.
%ool
Select the correct tool using the down menu
shown.
-dit
Clicing on the button to the right of the #ool# bo $the one with three dots% calls up the #ool
0dit#dialog bo.
%!read diameter
0nter the thread diameter here.
Start dept!
his function specifies the depth at which to start tapping.
)ote, his function could be used if !ou want to tap a hole into the floor of a pre"iousl! machinedpocet that is 1L deep. Set the start Adept!A to 1L $a positive $R% dimension% and SheetCam
will start machining at this point. his sa"es a lot of #air cutting# time.
Cut dept!
0nter the cut depth here. his function controls the total depth of the tapped hole.
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)ote, his is a positive$R% figure as !ou are specif!ing the Adept!A of the hole. Some users epectthis to be a minus $% figure.
Min !ole si(e
Set the minimum hole si8e here.
Ma !ole si(e
Set the maimum hole si8e here.
)ote, 7nl! holes that fall in the range co"ered b! the ma. and min. settings will be machined.
)ote, &f holes ha"e been specified as points in the drawing then SheetCam has no wa! of nowing
the desired hole si8e. *oles specified as points are alwa!s tapped.
Infeed per pass
&nfeed per pass controls the depth of cut. 1BBT will cut the thread in one pass. ?BT would cut
?BT in one pass and 9BT in the last pass. 2=T would cut four e'ual passes.
#eed rate
0nter the re'uired feed rate here.
Spindle speed
0nter the spindle speed here.
Coolant
Select the coolant t!pe from the a"ailable choices.
)ote, hese items onl! need to be checed if !our coolant pump is controlled "ia software.
Clim& cutChec this bo to select #climb# cutting.
)ote, his will re"erse the cut direction on closed paths.
*eft !and
Chec this bo if !ou are cutting a left hand thread.
-dit material
Clicing on the #0dit material# button calls up the #Material#dialog bo.
@elp#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create a new tapping operation# button
located in the lefthand "ertical toolbar.
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)ote, Si8e refers to the length of the lead out.
se code snippet
Select the re'uired code snippet from the drop down menu.
)ote, he code snippet needs to be pre"iousl! defined using the #ools/5ew code snippet# function.
he snippet is inserted into the code at the start of the cut 4ust before the cutter plunges todepth.
@elp
#*elp# opens the help file at the rele"ant location.
)ote, his dialog bo can also be accessed "ia the #Create a new plasma cut operation# button
located in the lefthand "ertical toolbar.
Cut pat! ta&
)ote, All units based on the selection in the #7ptionsQApplication optionsQnits#menu.
Cut ordering
Optimisation
+uto2manual
Select auto or manual pathoptimisation using the radio
buttons.
)ote, &f #Auto# is selected the cutse'uence is calculated
automaticall!. SheetCam tries to
minimise rapid mo"es whileadhering to the rules shown under
OCutting rulesP below. &f #Manual#
is selected then !ou can manuall!set the cut se'uence $b! editing
the start points%.
Optimise now
his button optimises the cut path immediatel!. his is useful to see the effect of an!
changes or to create a starting point for manual editing.
Start position
his is t