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Lead moves are non-machining moves immediately before (Lead In) and after (Lead Out) a machining move. All leads are checked against the part and any gouging leads are removed.
Type - A lead consists of an arc joining onto a machining segment and a straight segment leading tangentially off the arc. You can choose between three orientations:
None - No lead move applied, just safe distance.
Horizontal* - Horizontal lead in a horizontal plane.
Tangential - In a vertical plane, leading tangentially off the toolpath.
Vertical - In a vertical plane, joining at a horizontal tangent.
Normal - Normal to the surface.
* When the lead type is set to Horizontal the lead in/out angle can be set to a maximum of 180 degrees. For all other types a maximum of 90 degrees is allowed.
Percentage Feed - The feedrate for lead moves is specified as a percentage of the feedrate on the General tab.
Equal Lead Moves - Check this box to use the moves for Lead In and Lead Out.
Apply Safe Distance - Check this to apply the Safe Distance to horizontal lead moves. Rather than plunging down onto the model faces the tool will stop at the Safe Distance specified on the Links tab, then angle the lead move down to the cut increment.
Lead In/Out
Angle and Radius parameters are used to specify the arc segment of the lead move.
Length is used to specify the linear segment of the lead move.
Apply To Long Link Only - Check this to only apply lead moves where they join long link moves. These lead moves will only be applied at the beginning (lead in) or end (lead out) of a region.
Profile Extension
Start/End - (On finish pass and for open profiles only) Specify the amount by which to tangentially extend or shorten the start and end points of the selected profile. The extensions will be gouge checked and removed if they are found to gouge the component.
Overlap - (On finish pass only) Specifies the distance the tool will overlap around a closed profile. The toolpath will start as specified, follow the closed profile back to the start point and then continue past for the specified distance. The overlap distance will be restricted so that it cannot exceed the profile length.