Depth Parameters for Cycles

In a milling cycle there are various height type parameters that you specify in the Depth tab.

For features and solids you can specify these associatively .

Here is the non-associative way to specify the parameters:

Clearance – The Z-value at or above which the tool may move at the rapid rate with no danger of colliding with the workpiece.

Level – The Z-value below which cutting is liable to start (moving downwards). This generally is the top-most point of the shapes you are machining. In a Roughing cycle, for example, cutting will start at this level. (Note that cutting need not necessarily start at this level; in a Flatlands cycle for example, there may not be any flat regions at this level.)

Retract – This is added to the Level value to produce a 'secondary' clearance value within regions; you might want to machine a boss which is sunk down inside a pocket for example.

Depth – This is added to the Level value to produce the level at which cutting is to stop.

You can type in values or derive them by digitising entities.

Diagram illustrating clearance, retract, level and depth parameters

The way in which depths are use can vary between cycles. Any unique information is included in the topics for each specific cycle.