1
Editing the Toolpath
Please note that these options are only available in the milling and turning environment
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.
EdgeCAM User Guide
Editing theSection of a Toolpath
Deleting a Toolpath
2
The command Toolpath Delete (Edit menu) lets you remove part of a toolpath between two selected
points. Thee that m thenoptions s a linearatool move t o link the g and arts ofg he toolpath.
two p t
create
Please not syste these are only vailable in the millin turnin environment
Link Control  (Milling only) Specifies how the link moves are to be created. Select Shortest to create a
single linear move. Selew you ract to create a vertitselfmove se the Retract plane (m Toolpath w) befmenu):
ct Retto edit the toolpath ical . The to
Several commands allo can be selected frodefined belo (Edit ore
Editing the Toolpath
adding a link move.
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Depth Parameters  (Milling only) Specifies the Clearance and Retract depth levels used by the system to
Split- Brnote that a toolpath.
eaks up
generate the link moves.
Please these options are only available in the milling and turning environment
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Screen Snap  Check this box to select a toolpath from the screen rather than a command from the
instruction mmands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
list.
Several co
Note ithat Changes a pooh has section.
once a toolt atlpath been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
Sect on-
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
the instruction list.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.
EdgeCAM User Guide
Editing a Section of a Toolpath
3
The command Toolpath Section (Edit menu) lets you change part of a toolpath between two selected
points.
Location  Check this box to move a node on the toolpath. If you reposition an arc move, it will change into
a linear move.
Editing the Toolpath
Feedrate  Specify the tool feedrate in the workplane for the selected part of the toolpath.
Plunge Feed  (Milling only) Specify the vertical tool feedrate (into and out of the workplane) for the
Please
selectednote that hthese options are only available in the milling and turning environment
part of t e toolpath.
Speed  Specify the spindle speed to be used during the selected part of the toolpath.
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
Rapid  Check this box to change the selected part of the toolpath to all rapid moves.
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Screen Snap  Check this box to select the toolpath from the screen rather than from the instruction list.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.
EdgeCAM User Guide
Splitting a Toolpath
4
The command Toolpath Split (Edit menu) lets you break a toolpath at a selected point to produce two
separate toolpaths. This lets you insert new commands between the two toolpaths.
Screen Snap  Check this box to select a toolpath from the screen rather than a command from the
instruction list. The toolpath will then be broken at the point nearest to the digitised point on the screen.
Editing the Toolpath
Please note that these options are only available in the milling and turning environment
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.
EdgeCAM User Guide
Transforming the Toolpaths
5
Several commands are available to copy or alter one or more machining operations from the instruction list.
Note that only the toolpaths are altered by these commands  there is no alteration of the original design
geometry.
These commands copy and transform the calculated toolpath. They do not regenerate the path in its new
Editing the Toolpathixed points such as home or toolchange positions and moves to Z clearance may
position. This means that f
not give the desired output. Such moves should not be included in the instructions to be transformed.
Subroutines used for repeating the hole cycle positions may also be invalidated as they will no longer have
Please not
unique idene ifthat t hese options are only available in the milling and turning environment
t ying numbers.
Several commands meow you to edit the tManuftacture . These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
all oolpa h itselfMode):
These are the Edit nu commands (in
Section- Changes  (oolpath section. only) Check to reverse the order of the sequence and the direction of
Transform Mirror a tMilling and Wire
the itt- ol along up a ooolpah on the mirrored instructions. Note that this literally reverses the direction and
o the tt olpat
Spl Breaks th.
that the tool will cut in the opposite direction. If multiple passes have been made, the Reverse command will
Deletethe last pass to pbe h section.
cause - Deletes a tool at cut first.
On simple toolpaths the Reverse command will allow the climb/upcut conditions to be maintained on a
Note red t oolpata toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
that once
mirro h.
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.
Transform Repeat  (Milling only) Copies the toolpath at successive depths.
Transform Rotate  (Milling and Wire only) Rotates or copies a series of operations one or more times
about a selected point. This is used where the same feature appears several times about a central point.
EdgeCAM User Guide
6
Editing the Toolpath
Please note that these options are only available in the milling and turning environment
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Note that once a toote ath has been editeda series of op erationcomman ds, it is no longer is normal machining
lp
using one of these s one or more times. This a used where the
Transform Transla  Moves or copies
instructeatuand cannot be edithanor regenerated.
ion ed
same f re appears more t once in a component.
TooChahs that have been edited will be shown wito tan approprwhe comment after themmand worname in
lpatnges have been made in EdgeCAM 7.00 th he way in iatich the Translate co command
ks,
the instruction list.
particularly for controller subroutines. These changes result in a better correlation between the moves
shown by EdgeCAM graphics and the toolpath on the machine tool. See Notes on Translate Command.
In Wire Erosion, you may only translate the toolpath in the X and Y directions.
EdgeCAM User Guide
Notes on Translate Command
7
Changes have been made in EdgeCAM 7.00 to the way in which the Translate command works, particularly
for controller subroutines. These changes result in a better correlation between the moves shown by
EdgeCAM graphics and the toolpath on the machine tool.
Translated moves
Editing the Toolpath
EdgeCAM translates the toolpath as represented by move end points within the designated labels. From a
machine tool point of view the "Start" of a sub-routine is, therefore, the End of the move leading to that first
endpoinnote that tdifferent results will beaseen dle in tding onntg and turning enviA direct trapid or feed move
epenhe milli he type of move. ronmen
Please t. Slightly hese options are only vailab
will result in its end point being the subroutine start and the move will effectively be "lost" in repeats of the
subroutine. A 2D rapid, doglegged, move (e.g. XY and then Z) will give the dogleg point as subroutine start
Several commands allow yout he edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
to
and only the first segment of move will be lost.
Section- Chagrapha tooflpath section.apparent dogleg when resolved rapids are not used. This intermediate
Note that the nges ics o ten show an
point - does notup a t oolpath.NC data - it is purely for visualisation purposes - and will not be used as a start
exist on the
Split Breaks
point.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Some previous changes in this area have been removed from EdgeCAM. This means that in some cases
the graphical representation will change, compared to previous versions, to more closely represent what
Noppens on the machine thas been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
te that once a toolpath ool.
ha
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Good practice
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
For instety reason.s, subroutines should always start and finish at a safe clearance height. If this practice is
the safruction list
followed then the link moves between subroutines can be expected to also be at the safe height. The
subroutine should always include the liftout move at the end of a cut.
A specific move to a point near to the required start of the subroutine before defining the subroutine is
recommended. This is generally preferable to making a move direct from, say, toolchange and relying on
the 2D rapid's dogleg to be the start point. If the machine tool movements are not exactly as represented on
screen then this will minimise the discrepancy.
Code Generators
Some additional system variables have been added to the Code Generator to pass the subroutine start
point.
In macros TRANSLATE and RESET, the variables XEND, YEND, ZEND now represent the end of
any approach move and thus the start of the subroutine.
In macros SUBSTART and SUBCALL, the existing variables NEXTXMOVE, NEXTYMOVE,
NEXTZMOVE can be used.
The TRANSLATE Macro (No. 32) should now use XEND etc. as subroutine start point instead of
XSUB etc. Rapid approach moves to this point should be output.
The SUBSTART Macro (No. 55 ) should use NEXTXMOVE etc. as a "HOLD" point for calculation of
incremental moves.
The SUBCALL Macro (No. ) should include a rapid approach move to NEXTXMOVE etc.
Existing code generator files will continue to work as before since no existing variables have been changed.
It may be, however, that their actions are not correctly represented on screen by EdgeCAM graphics.
The Code Wizard templates for milling and turning have been updated to match the graphics. Template
based code generators should be updated to the version 7.00 templates to take advantage of these
changes.
The templates have also been updated to make the switch between incremental and absolute subroutines
easier. The logic within the template will now determine whether to use the Rapid or Translate code
constructors and G90/91 blocks will only be output by subroutine start and end if they are required. This last
change is within the default sequence of the code constructors. It will not be applied automatically to
updated CGD files but will be available for newly created files.
It should always be remembered that the exact action of a machine tool when using controller cycles is
beyond the control of EdgeCAM. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that his code generators are
EdgeCAM User Guide
correctly configured and that the on-screen representation closely matches the actions of his controllers.
8
Editing the Toolpath
Please note that these options are only available in the milling and turning environment
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.
EdgeCAM User Guide
Using Matrix Mode
9
Only available in the milling environment
Matrix Mode lets you repeat an operation or series of operations at regular intervals, specifying the number
of rows and columns you need in your grid or matrix.
Editing the Toolpath
EdgeCAM always displays the selected geometry in the bottom left hand corner of the Matrix. The various
elements of the matrix are machined starting from the bottom left hand corner by default. However, when
Please e hat re box availab t
you selenota ttool, tthese options alist only lets youle inrt he milling and tcorners of trhe Matrtix. (Note that the
ct he Quadrant
sta from the other urning envi onmen
Quadrant parameter must have been enabled in your code generator for this to work.)
Seveiral commands (Ediw menu) edit the toolpat hhe sequence of machining commands thpath e to be
allo you to
itself. These can be selected from Tool (Edit menu):
Matr x Mode Start t is used before t at ar
matrixed.Changes a toolpath section.
Section-
You - Breaks up a ta normal sequence of toolchanges and machining cycles on the geometry as a
Splitnow perform oolpath.
single part.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Matrix Mode Finish (Edit menu) is used after you have finished entering the sequence of commands that
are to be matrixed.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
EachMatri x Mode not be edited or regeneratwith a Matrix Mode Finish command.
instruction and canStart must be completed ed.
Noteptaths the Mode (View edited will be shown with an appropriate commenhat allows you to display or in
hat menu) command contains a  Matrix check box t
Tool that have been t after the command name hide
the Matruction list.ath.
rixed toolp
the inst
In this example, a Lacing area clearance toolpath has been created after a Matrix Mode Start.
On selecting the Matrix Mode Finish command, the Lacing toolpath is repeated in a grid according to the
parameters specified in the Matrix Mode Start command.
Repeats  Specify the number of cells in the matrix in the X and Y direction.
Fret  Specify the number of Border widths (Double or Single) separating each cell in the matrix.
Border  Specify the border spacing in part units in X and Y.
Length  Specify the distance between each cell in the matrix in X and Y.
Dead Zones  Allows you to specify areas that can be used by clamps or fixturing. Define the dead zones
by nominating two sides of the matrix rectangle and a distance in from the edge.
Thisexample has X Repeats=5 and Y Repeats=4, and a Dead Zone along the bottom right of the matrix:
Direction  Specifies which cell is to be machined after the first cell. Select between Row or Column.
Column forces the tool to move to a cell in the Y direction and Row (the default) forces the tool to move to a
cell in the X direction.
Lace Cut  Deselect to move the tool in the same direction along each row or column. The default setting of
the checked box moves the tool to the next cell with the shortest possible movement.
Subroutines  Select Pathtrace to avoid using subroutines when generating CNC code from this matrixed
toolpath. The default setting of Controller will use subroutines where available.
Define Layout  Select to ignore the Direction modifier and specify exactly in which order the individual
cells are to be machined. The system displays a diagram of the cells in the matrix. Select each cell in the
order you want the cells machined in. As each cell is selected, it is given a number to show its position in
the sequence.
EdgeCAM User Guide
Copyright
10
(C)1988-2005 Pathtrace Engineering Systems. All rights reserved.
Pathtrace Engineering Systems and its registered resellers or sub-resellers shall have no liability or
responsibility to the licensee or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage
caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this product, including but not limited to any
Editing the Toolpath
interruption of service, loss of business or anticipatory profits or consequent damages resulting from the use
or operation of this software.
Please ft, Win at these options are only a
ttrademarks of turning environment
Microsonote thdows and Windows NT are vailable ind he milling and Microsoft Corporation.
registere
MemoHASP is a registered trademark of Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd.
NetSentinemmands allow you Raedit the toolpath itself Inc.
l is a trademark of inbow Technologies,
Several co to . These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
OpenGL(r) and Optimizer are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Inc.
Section- Changes a toolpatUnsectiohics Solutions Inc.
h n.
Parasolid is a trademark of igrap
Autodesk Inventor (tm) is th.trademark of Autodesk Inc.
a
Split- Breaks up a toolpa
SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation.
Delete- Deletes regooered tsection.
a tistlpath rademark of EDS Inc.
Solid Edge is a
PTC, Pro/DESKTOP, Pro/ENGINEER(r), GRANITE (tm) One, are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Parametr ic TechnololpatCorporation editits subsidiaries f these commanin otit is countries.a normal machining
gy or her
Note that once a too h has been ed using one oin the U.S. and ds, no longer
AutoCAD and DXF not bregistered trademarks of Autodesk Inc.
are
instruction and can e edited or regenerated.
MicroStation is a trademark of Bentley Systems Inc., an affiliate of Intergraph Corporation.
Toolpaths ttrademark bof Inteditrap h Corporaown .with an appropriate comment after the command name in
hat have een erg ed will be sh
IGDS is a tion
the instructSimulator and EdgeCAM Verify use technology developed by Lightworks Designs Ltd.
EdgeCAM ion list.
ACIS is a trademark of Spatial Technology, Inc., and was developed in co-operation with Three-Space, Ltd.,
Cambridge, England, and Applied Geometry Corporation, Seattle, Washington.
Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
The information contained within this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent
a commitment on the part of the vendor. The software described in this document is furnished under a
licence agreement and may only be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Pathtrace Engineering Systems
45 Boulton Road · Reading · Berkshire · England · RG2 0NH
Telephone [phone] · Facsimile [phone]
http://www.edgecam.com
EdgeCAM User Guide