The Autocorrection program

2D/3D Autocorrection / cutout stamps and shapes using several tools

The Autocorrection program

Tool input
ACorr2D3D
TLayer Export
TLayer > Targetlayer
TLayer MillGraphic

The Autocorrection program

The milling path corrections cutout in 2D and 3D are centralised in the Autocorrection program. The determination of the correction direction inward or outward takes place through the setting inward/outward. For this correction the data are used in the current working area  ActLayer. 

Designations:

FWi: Tool angle (to vertical).
FOff: Safety height above the material.
FEt: Incised depth, milling depth in the material.
FrS: Tool tip radius.

Tool input.

Input of the tools and technology data for the calculations. A changing station (WSt) must be specified for each tool, independent of the geometry data. Tools with WSt = 0 are disconnected. A tool change is carried out only with change of the  WSt#. On the other hand, tools with the same geometry data, but different technology data (milling depth, feed,…), can have the same WSt#. In this case no tool change is carried out but the technology data are changed.

A detailed description of tool input can be obtained in the General Instructions under  Tool input.

ACorr2D3D.

This function calculates 2D milling paths and 3D cutout tracks for up to 10 tools simultaneously. The function demands error-free, closed contours without  crossovers. Tools with cones circumscribe the contour in 3D, cylindrical tools (FWi =  0°) in 2D. The tool path calculation takes place by block. With this, more favourable milling paths and shorter calculation times result.

The data input takes place in the light coloured fields.

.. Tool selection.

The tools are entered in the list consecutively starting with 1 up to the largest tool, the clearance tool, with their serial number from the tool library. The number of the minimum and maximum permitted tools conforms with the process. The tool input is always to take place continuously, spaces between the tools are not permitted. The tool input takes place quality-oriented, starting with the finest tool (determines the quality of the milling). The tools are to be entered in ascending order of their tip radius (FrS). 

The milling angle (FWi) should be similar or matched to the task. In any case, for a correct implementation of the program, the  overall radii (Res) of given tools 1 .. 10 must be given in ascending order. The milling angles (FWi) can be entered in the range from  0 degrees (= cylindrical) .. 89,999 degrees. Other milling angles are not accepted. 

The program changes into tool input using  or  or by clicking on to the tool graphics.

calculation process

2D: Tool paths are calculated only in 2D without cutouts.
2D+3D: The tool paths are calculated with cutouts, if the milling angle is >0 degrees. The tool here circumscribes the contours completely with all cutouts. The ratio of the tip radii must be so selected that no islands remain standing in acute internal angles. Ratio W1 : W2 = 1 : <=2 etc., if only flat internal angles occur the ratio can  possibly beselected larger.

Gaps in the calculated milling paths can be checked using TLayer MillingGraphic.
3D: Only cutout paths are calculated.
Elbow: For this tool only paths in 2D are calculated, for the clearance of islands, which result from the next largest tool (only if rs*2.5 < Frs+1).

Clearance process.

All clearance paths are joined together so far as the contours are not touching or overlapped.

Line-shaped: All milling paths are created for line-shaped clearance (hatch engraving). The milling paths are extensively optimised for this in that unnecessary withdrawal movements are avoided.

In the vast majority of applications this process creates the quickest, shortest and most secure milling paths.
Lines unidirectional: Calculates line-shaped clearance paths. As opposed to ‘line-shaped’ here the milling paths are not joined. The milling movement takes place in one direction only. This process is employed for optical engravings and particularly high-value clearance paths. In the milling movements their are no  reversal movements (reciprocal milling) and thus a better cross-section. Disadvantage is the high number of wasted movements.
Track parallel rad.: A clearance track is created through equidistant milling run lines (radius-related – island engraving). The offset to the next clearance contour takes place in the cutter radius separation. A precalculation width is required for this calculation.

Through the continuous calculation process one has to reckon with problems, in particular for complex graphics.
Track parallel diam.: A clearance track is created through equidistant milling run lines (diameter-related – island engraving). The offset to the next clearance contour takes place in the cutter diameter separation. A precalculation width is required for this calculation.

Through the continuous calculation process one has to reckon with problems, in particular for complex graphics.
Contour edge (outline): A clearance track is created through equidistant milling run lines (radius-related – island engraving). The offset to the next clearance contour takes place in the cutter radius separation. The calculation ends as soon as the precalculation width (= bandwidth) is achieved.
No clearance track: No clearance track is created.
Clearance angle:

Input of the  hatching angle for line-shaped clearance tracks (360° < 0 <= +360°).
Precalculation width.

Width of the offset calculation for track parallel clearance processes. This value should be selected to be not smaller than the resulting radius (Res) of the largest tool.

For the case that errors result with continuous calculation, the precalculation width can be enlarged or reduced.

Calculation in surface relief height  / at base.

Surfacerelief : Milling tracks are calculated for the creation of the surface relief face (e.g. cutout stamp).

Standard setting.
Base: Milling tracks for the creation of the base are created (only for 2D e.g. recessed shape).

Calculation for embossed / recessed.

Embossed: The milling tracks are calculated for an embossed stamp.
Recessed: The milling tracks are calculated for a recessed task.
Tool tip offset.
Correction of the tool offset calculation. The calculation can be marginally corrected using the tip offset. E.g. a task can be repeated using a tip offset in order to clear tool errors.
The tip offset can be employed in the range (smallest tip radius) up to  +10mm.
Parameter.

Change in the parameter input. For the adjustment of the parameters comp. description in the  General Instructions  CAD . Input Parameter – select AutoCorr

Tool block – tool block input.

The tools from #50 are subdivided into blocks of 10. A block can be selected, edited, opened and saved.

Edit: Edit the tools of one block (branched into tool input at the position of the first tool in the block).
-: 1 block back (>= 50).
+: 1 block forward (<= 190).
Open: Load block of 10 tools from disk into the current block of the tool library
Save: Save the current block of the tool library (10 tools) on a disk.

The tools always commence at the start of the block (group of 10). Tools with a valid station number (>0) are taken over in the calculation list in the order of the entry into the tool library. If no tool with a valid station number is available, then at least the first block tool is taken over. Sensible entries in the tool library for a tool block using the example for the block from #50 (3 tools):

#50 Is the finest tool (last tool of the processing).

(Station number e.g.. = 3).
#51 Is the next coarser tool.

(Station number e.g. = 2).
#52 Is the largest tool and clearance tool.

(Station number e.g. = 1).
#53..#59 The tool #53 and all subsequent tools up to #59 are not used.

Station number = 0).

The ascending order must be observed.

Process.

Open and save the calculation settings. All settings and tools of the calculation are saved and are again available following  Open for an identical or similar calculation.
TLayer Export.
The milling paths calculated using an Autocorrection process are exported. For this goto  Export – Select. With the aid of this, direct export milling data, for example for stamp, can be very productively output without detours to a machine.
TLayer > Targetlayer.

The calculated milling paths are taken over in one layer. For this a target layer is to be input. With the aid of this function 2D and 3D milling data can be combined in one layer and output using  File . direct mill into a project. To save in a layer select the target layer using Layer Selection.

If there is already data in the selected target layer, then milling data can be loaded into the target layer or the existing data can be overwritten.

TLayer MillingGraphic.

Indication of the calculated tool paths.

Graphics parameters: Selection of the tools, representation of the surface relief or base level and sequence of drawings.

Draw: Tools, which are to be plotted with every graphic build up, switch On or OFF.
Cutter graphics Level:
YES: Milling trace at surface relief level.
No: Milling trace at base.
Sequence: Sequence of drawings of the tool paths for the milling graphic.

YES: The tools are plotted in ascending order.
No: The tools are plotted in descending order.
Milling trace: The picture is drawn with the wide milling trace.
Mark 3D cutout: All 3D movements, which do not run at the base, are highlighted.
Mark 3D level: All movements are marked depending on the Z-value. For this both limiting levels are to be determined.
Plot posn 3D: Click-on one vector in the tool path, mark and indicate the coordinates.
Normal/Zoom projection: The tool paths are shown in perspective. With presentation in plan view (all angles = 0) the paths are shown in grey (colour) levels. PosnA: colour for withdrawn movements. With input without colour the perspective view takes place with height level marking. For the description comp. Menu File.