NX CAM can scrutinize a model and determine the angle of steepness relative to the tool axis. It does it by creating a tessellated approximation of the actual surfaces, and then comparing those surfaces to a fixed vector\u2026oh, who am I kidding? I don\u2019t know how it does it, and that\u2019s OK. All I know is it works. <\/P><\/p>\n
The NC programmer can limit a specific machining strategy based on the angle of the surface to the tool axis. The default angle is 65\u00b0, but I will use 45\u00b0 for my demo.<\/P><\/p>\n
I will use Z-Level machining for the steep areas. Z-Level steps down a given amount in the Z-axis on each successive pass as it profiles the geometry. Another name for this is \u201cwaterline machining\u201d. <\/P><\/p>\n
For the non-steep areas I will use Area Milling with the cut pattern set to Follow Periphery (the NX CAM name for offset pattern).<\/P>
\n
<\/p>\n