Entry Point in Contouring

[john_mccarron]

I'm sure that this is simple, but I can't figure out how to do it. Basically I'd just like to be able to set the XY point where my tool plunges down before it takes the next cut in a multi pass contouring. I know that you can set that point in pocketing very easily, but that option doesn't seem to be there in the drop down menu for contouring. It comes up with some very odd tool paths sometimes too. If I don't close out the countour it will plunge right into the part, even if I set where the entry hole is in the stock wizzard.

[binzer]

I am not sure I understand fully but I just change my entry and exit to where I want it to start and finish. You can also use the advanced for entry radius and z ramp.

[john_mccarron]

Basically, if I want to contour the inside of a closed circle for example, every time the tool pluges down it doesn't plung down in the center of the circle as I'd like it to (I pre drilled a hole there for endmill clearance), instead it partially plunges into the material that I want to mill out. How do I set it to plunge down in the center or basically any particular point for that matter? You can do it in the pocketing cycle, but not contour.

[HIRAH]

you can put in user defined start points for rough mill, not finish contour as far as i know.
what i do is figure the difference between the radius i'm cutting and the diameter of the tool and put that in my tool entry.

[machineoperator]

If you put the drilling and countor in the same process the mill will start in the center of the hole and the hole will be drilled acording to your entry settings.