Machining Strategies: Roughing and Finishing Passes
The Slotting module allows for precise separation of material removal stages, which is crucial for maintaining high surface quality and tool longevity.
1. Allowance and Finishing Passes
- Finishing Allowance: The amount of material left by the roughing cycle to be removed during the final stage.
- Finishing Cuts: Specifies how many times the tool should repeat the finishing path (from 0 to 8 in the PRO version). Multiple passes without changing depth help achieve a better surface finish by compensating for tool deflection.
2. “Only Finishing” Mode
When the Only finishing option is selected, the program completely skips the roughing phase, generating code exclusively for the finishing path.
Applications:
- When the part has already been rough-machined.
- When you want to split the operations into two separate NC files (one for roughing, one for finishing).
- When you need to make quick dimensional corrections after a full machining cycle has been completed—in this case, the generated code acts as an additional program for adjustments.
3. Feed Control (G1/G0)
EvoSpline enables independent setting of G1 (Cutting) or G0 (Rapid) modes separately for roughing and finishing cycles. This allows, for example, for fast rough slotting using the machine’s Rapid Override knob and precise finishing with a specified cutting feed rate.