What Makes Quick Roughing Stand Out?

Quick Roughing takes a dynamic approach to machining, generating toolpaths that adapt to each region's characteristics. By utilizing planar cut levels, the toolpath is optimized for the most effective cutting patterns while also ensuring that holder collisions are avoided and clearance values are maintained. For many applications, Quick Roughing is simpler to use and generates tool paths faster than Cavity Milling. Additionally, if levels of a part have distinct region types Quick Roughing will likely produce a more efficient tool path with less CAM configuration than 3D Adaptive Roughing. Quick Roughing delivers an efficient roughing process while leaving a highly accurate In-Process Workpiece (IPW) for subsequent operations. The result? A safer, faster, and smarter roughing operation.

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Simple CAM process, Sophisticated CAM results

Configuring Quick Roughing is as straightforward as it gets. Starting with the Quick Roughing dialog:

• In the Stepover Group (under the Main Node), you can set the stepover by specifying an absolute value or by adjusting it relative to the tool's parameters.

• The Range Definition Group lets you define the cut levels, either by a constant depth, relative to the tool's size or number of passes.

• For even more versatility, you can enable Mixed Cutting Direction in the Pattern Group, which optimizes cutting efficiency in varying geometries.

When speeds, feeds and axial/radial depths of cut are dialed in, simply select Generate and NX CAM does the heavy lifting, producing a toolpath tailored to your specific operation.

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Dynamic Path Adaptation in Quick Roughing

Quick Roughing features dynamic adaptation for each planar cut level. When a level is open, it’s machined from the outside-in using the follow periphery cut pattern. Semi-open pockets are approached from the stock’s exterior and cut with the follow part pattern. For closed regions, Quick Roughing ramps in safely, following the periphery from the inside out. With your specific cut parameters, Quick Roughing delivers efficient paths through the blank, maximizing material removal and enhancing productivity.

Flexible roughing behaviors

By default, the Quick Roughing operation includes a Top Off Flat Faces feature that automatically trims flat areas of your part that would not be included in the planar level-based generation. Faces larger than the specified width are included, allowing the CAM programmer easy control over stock removal between cut levels.

In the Strategy node, Corner Smoothing allows the CAM operator to specify a smaller value to cut closer or a higher value to improve tool stability and feed rates.

Leveraging In-Process Workpiece (IPW)

Want to verify your roughing progress quickly and easily? No problem, Quick Roughing is here for that with an accurate stock model a few clicks away. Head to the Containment Group in the Geometry Node and set the In-Process Workpiece option to Use 3D. After regenerating, you can select Display Resulting IPW to visualize the machined part in its current state.

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Demonstration - How to Use Quick Roughing in NX CAM (NX2406)