Returning to safe Z.

[Dougal]

Every now and then I get a part which runs by returning the cutter to the safe Z height between passes. Typically 1mm above the work surface.
This is really frustrating to watch and besides manually editing I don't know how to get rid of it.

Anyone else know?

[10bulls]

Originally Posted by Dougal Every now and then I get a part which runs by returning the cutter to the safe Z height between passes. Typically 1mm above the work surface. This is really frustrating to watch and besides manually editing I don't know how to get rid of it.?

If you click on the machining folder in the tree view you will see the general machining properties. In here there is a property called Fast Plunge Height.
If you put in a small value here (0.2mm for example), you will still get the safe Z move but it will rapid back down to the fast plunge height distance above the next toolpath start point. This should speed things up a lot.

There are ways to avoid this move, but an improved stock model is planned which will allow CamBam to move more directly to other points while avoiding uncut stock.

One way to avoid this move is to use a constant plunge spiral lead in. I'll describe this one in your lead in post.

[Dougal]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot and see how it goes.