About Surfaces in EdgeCAM

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EdgeCAM supports many different surface definitions. Surfaces are complex, but the tools within EdgeCAM simplify their creation and use.

You can work with surfaces using the Surfaces category commands, in the Surfaces toolbar.

You can also input surface data (from which the surfaces are calculated):

Through specialist application programs such as PDI macros which input data directly from co-ordinate measuring systems. See PDI - Customising EdgeCAM.
From third party programs, typically using IGES or VDA-FS interface formats.

Surface models can be represented by several different surface types; for example, a half cylinder could be constructed from a revolution, tabulated cylinder, ruled surface, coons patch or flowed surface.

When considering which surface type to use, bear in mind:

What sort of data you are starting with.
The accuracy of this data.
How you want to machine the surface.

You should read about each surface type EdgeCAM supports to establish which is the best surface type to use for your application. In some situations there may only be one valid choice, however.

In the case of the half cylinder, a surface of revolution usually works better than a coons patch, since it is a simpler mathematical representation and so EdgeCAM can generate the toolpath faster.