HSM Rouging Strategies

Contour Roughing is the main strategy for clearing large volumes of material effectively. A series of offset passes are generated at specified Z-depths and are automatically calculated to remove the maximum amount of material without leaving upstands. The depth of cut automatically adapts, ensuring the machining of flat faces. Either helix or profile ramping entry is used. Smoothing arcs are created automatically, both in the passes and linking moves, eliminating dwelling, improving effective cutting feedrates and tool life.

A Core Roughing strategy is optimised for machining cores from the outside-in, rather than taking a full width cut in the center of the part. All tool paths start from the outside, at the given Z-depth, and work towards the boundary of the outside form of the core. If the Part includes both core and cavity areas, InventorCAM will automatically switch between core roughing and cavity roughing within the same program. Cutter contact is maintained as much as possible to avoid the reduction of tool life.

Rest Roughing is achieved by following the work of a big tool with a smaller tool, in areas not cleared by the previous operation. The InventorCAM HSM module uses an updated stock model of the remaining material to avoid air-cutting. For big parts you can perform more than one rest roughing operation, with decreasing tool sizes. Rest Roughing can also be used when machining castings by trimming the passes to the cast surface model, with appropriate stock allowance.