Pocket Machining Operation

Pockets are used to clear out stock within boundary shapes.

If selected shapes contain other shapes, CamBam will automatically detect these as ‘Islands’. That is, the area around them will be cleared and the islands will remain prominent.

Properties

Clearance Plane	The clearance plane (offset from the work plane). The clearance plane should be clear of the stock and any holding devices to allow free movement to any location.
Collision Detection	Makes sure adjacent toolpaths do not overlap. Multiple Toolpaths are unioned together.
Custom MOP Footer	A multi-line gcode script that will be inserted into the gcode post after the current machining operation.
Custom MOP Header	A multi-line gcode script that will be inserted into the gcode post before the current machining operation.
Cut Feedrate	The feed rate to use when cutting.
Cut Ordering	Controls whether to cut to depth first or all cuts on this level first.
Depth Increment	Depth increment of each machining pass. Determines the number of passes to reach the final target depth.
Enabled	True: The toolpaths associated with this machining operation are displayed and included in the gcode output False: The operation will be ignored and no gcode or tool paths will be produced for this operation.
Final Depth Increment	The depth increment of the final machining pass.
Finish Stepover	The horizontal stepover distance used for the final cut of the pocket.
Finish Stepover At Target Depth	If True, the finish stepover move is only used once the final target depth is reached. If False, a finish stepover will be applied at each depth increment.
Lead In Move	Defines the type of lead in move to use. Lead Move Type: None \| Spiral \| Tangent Spiral Angle: Used by spiral and tangents to control ramp angle. Tangent Radius : The radius of the tangent lead in Lead Move Feedrate : The feedrate to use for the lead move. If 0, Cut Feedrate is used. Refer to the lead move section for more information.
Lead Out Move [New! 0.9.8]	Defines the type of lead out move to use. Refer to the lead move section for more information.
Max Crossover Distance	Maximum distance as a fraction (0-1) of the tool diameter to cut in horizontal transitions. If the distance to the next toolpath exceeds MaxCrossoverDistance, a retract, rapid and plunge to the next position, via the clearance plane, is inserted.
Milling Direction	Controls the direction the cutter moves around the toolpath. Conventional \| Climb \| Mixed
Name	Each machine operation can be given a meaningful name or description. This is output in the gcode as a comment and is useful for keeping track of the function of each machining operation.
Optimisation Mode	An option that controls how the toolpaths are ordered in gcode output. New (0.9.8) - A new, improved optimiser currently in testing. Legacy (0.9.7) - Toolpaths are ordered using same logic as version 0.9.7. None - Toolpaths are not optimised and are written in the order they were generated.
Plunge Feedrate	The feed rate to use when plunging.
Primitive IDs	List of drawing objects from which this machine operation is defined.
Region Fill Style [New! 0.9.8]	This option controls the pattern used to fill the pockets. The effects of each option can be seen when using the new Draw - Fill Region menu option. Options are: Horizontal Hatch region filled with horizontal lines Vertical Hatch region filled with vertical lines Inside+Outside Offsets region filled with progressive offsets from outside in, unioned with offsets from islands radiating outward. Outside Offsets region filled with progressive offsets from outside in (like current pocket method). Inside Offsets region filled with offsets from islands radiating outward.
Roughing / Finishing	Currently only supported by 3D Profile and Lathe machining operations.
Roughing Clearance	This is the amount of stock to leave after the final cut. Remaining stock is typically removed later in a finishing pass. Negative values can be used to oversize cuts.
Spindle Direction	The direction of rotation of the spindle. CW \| CCW \| Off
Spindle Range	The pulley number or dial setting of the spindle for the target speed.
Spindle Speed	The speed in RPM of the spindle.
Start Point	Used to select a point, near to where the first toolpath should begin machining. If a start point is defined, a small circle will be displayed at this point when the machining operation is selected. The start point circle can be moved by clicking and dragging.
StepOver	The cut is increased by this amount each step, expressed as a fraction (0-1) of the cutter diameter.
Stepover Feedrate	The feed rate to use for crossover moves.
Stock Surface	This is the Z offset of the stock surface at which to start machining.
Style [New! 0.9.8]	Select a CAM Style for this machining operation. All default parameters will be inherited from this style.
Tag	A general purpose, multi-line text field that can be used to store notes or parameter data.
Target Depth	The Z coordinate of the final machining depth.
Tool Diameter	This is the diameter of the current tool in drawing units. If the tool diameter is 0, the diameter from the tool information stored in the tool library for the given tool number will be used.
Tool Number	The ToolNumber is used to identify the current tool. If ToolNumber changes between successive machine ops a toolchange instruction is created in gcode. ToolNumber=0 is a special case which will not issue a toolchange. The tool number is also used to look up tool information in the current tool library. The tool library is specified in the containing Part, or if this is not present in the Machining folder level. If no tool library is defined the Default-(units) tool library is assumed.
Tool Profile	The shape of the cutter If the tool profile is Unspecified, the profile from the tool information stored in the tool library for the given tool number will be used. EndMill \| BullNose \| BallNose \| Vcutter \| Drill \| Lathe
Transform	Used to transform the toolpath. Warning! This property is experimental and may give unpredictable results.
Velocity Mode	Instructs the gcode interpreter whether or to use look ahead smoothing. Constant Velocity - (G64) Smoother but less accurate. Exact Stop - (G61) All control points are hit but movement may be slower and jerky. Default - Uses the global VelocityMode value under machining options.
Work Plane	Used to define the gcode workplane. Arc moves are defined within this plane. Options are XY \| XZ \| YZ