Each trajectory point is added with a movement type — it defines how the cutter goes to this point: straight or along an arc. There are five types; each has its own code (T).
Movement types
- Closed contour (T=ms) — «Closed-contour movement». This is the start point: it sets the beginning of the contour and is available only for the first step (the milling always begins with «ms»).
- Straight (T=ml) — «Straight movement to this point». A straight segment from the previous point to the given one (a corner-rounding radius between two straight segments can be set).
- Arc by center (T=mac) — «Arc movement to this point with the circle center specified». The arc is set by the coordinates of the circle center.
- Arc by radius (T=ma) — «Arc movement to this point with the radius specified». The arc is set by radius, direction and arc type.
- Arc through a point (T=ma3p) — «Arc movement to this point with a point on the arc specified». The arc is built through an intermediate point on it; the center and radius are computed automatically.
The «Movement types» window
When adding a point, the «Movement types» window opens. It lists the available types (except the start «ms», which is set at the beginning): each has a picture and a code T. Choosing a type opens the point form with the fields needed for that type.
Which parameters each type has
The set of fields depends on the type: straight — point coordinates and depth (plus optional rounding); arc by center — circle-center coordinates; arc by radius — radius, direction and arc type; arc through a point — coordinates of the intermediate point on the arc. A breakdown of all parameters — in the article «Point and trajectory parameters».
About the operation form as a whole — in the article «Advanced milling: the operation form».