PartMaker® Tech Note #081805:

Using Grooving Tools in PartMaker

I. Setting Defaults that Affect Grooving Cycle:

Retract From Groove Options ------------:

When the grooving tool path is generated some retract moves are Rapid and some are
Linear depending on how far these moves are from the walls of the groove profile. The
options available for controlling retract moves are stated below.

Feed Ratio for Linear Retract. Specifies a feedrate increase factor on all Linear retract
moves. The current feedrate will be multiplied by the factor in order to calculate the new
feedrate used when tool is retracting. This option allows to reduce grooving cycle time. It
is especially useful when doing pecking.

Convert Linear Retract Moves to Rapid. Choosing this option will cause Linear retract
moves to be carried out at a Rapid feedrate. This option allows to reduce grooving cycle
time. It is especially useful when doing pecking.

Length of Optional Feed-Out Move. Specifies a length of a Linear move that must be
inserted before a Rapid retract move when the grooving tool is moved away from the
groove bottom. Inserting such moves improves the quality of the groove's surface finish.
PartMaker Tech Note

II. Setting Offsets for Grooving Tools in Tools Database

• First Offset No.: Enter in this dialog field the “Offset No.” to be used in the NC code
output for this tool. This offset will apply to the “Tool Zero” corner (which is located
where the two pink lines intersect in the picture of the tool).

• Second Offset No.: Enter in this dialog field the “Second Offset No.” to be used in
General Style Grooving and Contouring using a Grooving Tool when you want a second
offset to be used on the opposite wall(s) of a Groove or a Contour. This offset will apply
to the corner opposite of the “Tool Zero” (which relates to where the two pink lines
intersect in the picture of the tool).

Note: If you enter a “Zero” (0) into the Second Offset No. dialog field then the second
offset will not be used.

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 Using Grooving Tools in PartMaker

III. Using Contouring Cycle with Grooving Tool

Tip Size Compensation for Grooving Tool--------------:

None : PartMaker will NOT compensate for the width of the grooving tool. The user will
have to compensate for the width of the Grooving tool when defining grooving profile.

Add Tool Width: PartMaker will compensate for the width of the grooving tool without
using a second offset. Width of the grooving tool will be added to either Z-coordinates of
the tool path for ID and OD grooving or to X-coordinates of the tool path for Face
grooving.

Output Second Offset: PartMaker will compensate for the width of the grooving tool by
outputting an offset for each side of the groove using the “Second Offset” as specified in
Tools Data dialog. PartMaker will output offset changes according to the side of the tool
being used.

Note 1: “Output Second Offset” option will be disabled if the “Second Offset” is zero or
if a currently open Post File does not support this style of output.

Note2: In case of contouring with grooving tool Tip Size Compensation applies to both
Roughing and Finishing operations.

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PartMaker Tech Note

IV. Using Grooving Cycle

Groove Type s------------:

Rectangular: A groove shape must be comprised only of horizontal and vertical lines.
No circular arcs should be included. There must be at least 3 lines in the shape.

General : A groove shape could contain circular arcs and inclined lines as well as
horizontal and vertical lines.

Note 1: If a flat-end grooving tool is used then the bottom of the groove must be flat as
well. The width of this flat section should not be smaller than the Tip Size(g) of the
grooving tool as defined in Tools Data.

Note 2: If a “button-end” grooving tool is used then the bottom of the groove must be a
circular arc. The diameter of the circular arc should not be smaller than the Tip Size(g) of
the grooving tool as defined in Tools Data.

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 Using Grooving Tools in PartMaker

Finishing Path Method----------------:

Sides Top to Bottom: The finishing tool starts cutting from the first side of the groove,
according to the direction of the profile. The tool follows the profile up to the center of
the groove and then retracts out of the groove. Afterwards the tool will enter from the
second side of the groove, follow the profile up to the center and than retract out of the
groove.

Note: During “Sides Top to Bottom” finishing the “Lead In” controls the lead in on the
first side according to the direction of the profile. The “Lead Out” controls the lead in on
the opposite side of the profile.

Follow Groove Shape: The finishing tool starts cutting from the first side of the groove,
according to the direction of the profile and continually follows the shape of the groove
until the end of the profile is reached.

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PartMaker Tech Note

Tip Size Compensation for Grooving Tool--------------:

None : PartMaker will NOT compensate for the width of the grooving tool. The user will
have to compensate for the width of the Grooving tool when defining grooving profile.

Add Tool Width: PartMaker will compensate for the width of the grooving tool without
using a second offset. Width of the grooving tool will be added to either Z-coordinates of
the tool path for ID and OD grooving or to X-coordinates of the tool path for Face
grooving.

Output Second Offset: PartMaker will compensate compensate for the width of the
grooving tool by outputting an offset for each side of the groove using the “Second
Offset” as specified in Tools Data dialog. PartMaker will output offset changes according
to the side of the tool being used.

Note 1: “Output Second Offset” option will be disabled if the “Second Offset” is zero or
if a currently open Post File does not support this style of output.

Note2: In case of “General” Grooving Tip Size Compensation applies to Finishing

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