The set of a point's fields depends on the movement type (see the article «Cutter movement types»). Below are the fields and limits for each type; the limits are checked when the milling is calculated, and on error the operation cannot be saved.
Common fields
- Point coordinates X1, Y1 — the position of the contour point; must be within the part (from 0 to its dimension).
- Depth Z — the cutting depth at the point; can be a number or a formula.
- Cutter diameter — chosen from the list of available tool diameters. The minimum radius and minimum distances (below) depend on it.
Straight (ml)
A straight movement from the previous point to the given one. Optionally a rounding radius R1 can be set — it rounds the corner, but only if both the previous and the next movements are also straight (rounding between two straight lines). The rounding radius must be at least half the cutter diameter + 1 mm.
Arc by radius (ma)
An arc from the previous point to the given one, set by radius:
- Radius R1 — at least half the cutter diameter + 1 mm;
- Direction — clockwise or counterclockwise;
- Arc type — large or small (which of the two arcs is built).
The distance to the previous point cannot be greater than two radii.
Arc by center (mac)
An arc set by the circle center: center coordinates CX1, CY1 (or a radius with direction and arc type — then the center is computed automatically). The radii from the center to the previous and to the current point must be equal; the arc length must be at least the minimum (if the arc is shorter than ~20 mm, it is more convenient to set it by radius — type «ma»).
Arc through a point (ma3p)
The arc is built through an intermediate point on it: the coordinates of the point on the arc BX1, BY1 are set (it lies between the previous and the final points). The center, radius and direction are computed by the program. The distances from the previous point to the point on the arc and from the point on the arc to the final point must be at least «cutter diameter + 1 mm».
Start point: trajectory and pocket (ms)
At the start point the parameters of the whole contour are set:
- Trajectory C — where the cutter goes relative to the contour, accounting for its radius: left, right or center. The «center» option is problematic (the real cutter wears down and differs from the set one), and with it cut edging is impossible; left or right is recommended.
- Pocket — yes/no: whether to mill out the material inside the contour (a pocket) or just pass along the line. For a pocket the contour must be closed (the start and end points coincide; the missing segment is added automatically) and contain at least 3 points, and the pocket itself must be wider than a linear cut.
About the operation form as a whole — in the article «Advanced milling: the operation form».