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This option will analyse a curve and find the high and low points along its length. At these points the curve will be machined from the high point to the next low point where the tool will retract and move to the next high point etc.
The General tab of the dialog offers a check box which allows you to enable this option. You can specify the Down Mill Angle (range between 0-90 degrees) which defines the minimum angle at which down milling is used. This will ensure that curves are not split up at every slight change in angle.The default angle is 30 degrees.
A Steep Angle can also be specified (range between 90 - 0 degrees). This will cut all steep (near vertical) curves before any shallow curves that exist below them. This avoids the tool taking a cut around the base of a pocket before removing the material in the corners.
This example shows that it is unnecessary to split the curve at the high point, as the angle from the start is below the minimum angle:
Note: The Steep Angle cannot be less than the Down Mill Angle.