Software
18 MoldMaking Technology —— MAY 2017
a consistent chip load. When enter-
ing tight areas, slower feed rates are
applied upon reaching the maximum
set-allowance for tool engagement.
One challenge with step-up rough
cutting is the amount of time the tool
spends cutting only at its tip, which is
where you will see tool wear first. To
reduce tool wear, consider a surface-
based CAD/CAM that recognizes the
exit motion of a trochoidal movement
and raises up the cutting tool slightly in
the Z direction. This keeps the tool off
of the steel while still maintaining a cir-
cular movement, which in turn reduces
the time the tool's tip is on the steel.
This can extend cutter life.
After the tool path has been dis-
played, your surface-based CAD/CAM
should apply an accurate representation
In this simulation of step-up rough cutting, the green shows the Z level for stepdown,
and the red and blue show approaches and escapes of the cutter.
The key to this roughing
strategy is ensuring the tool
is not overloaded.