2D High Speed Tool Paths

Mastercam X3 offers a suite of six 2D high speed tool paths—peel mill, core mill, area mill, rest mill, blend mill and facing—all of which are optimized for high speed machining and hard milling. The 2D tool paths are said to make processes more efficient and automated while minimizing programming and cycle times.

According to the company, all tool paths deliver efficient, low-stress motion without using a high speed machine. The peel milling tool path peels away material layer by layer for constant-climb milling with trochoidal-type motion and accelerated back-feed moves when the tool is disengaged. The core milling tool path cuts from the outside in using high speed transitions. Area milling also uses transitions for more complex shapes. The rest milling tool path evaluates all previous tool paths and removes remaining material with high speed motion between cuts. Blend milling gradually morphs the tool path between two shapes at high speed. Finally, facing cleans stock from the tops of islands or the entire part.