This function allows a user to specify that a certain route operation be cut by more than one pass by assigning a special tool to the said route.
1. Open Microvellum and AutoCad.
2. Open the “Configuration Editor” by clicking on the “Options” button in the Microvellum Toolbox..
3. Click on the “Machining” tab
4. Click “Browse” to reselect the correct toolfile
5. Click the “Open Tool File” button and the interface will appear.
6. Under the “Tools” tab, select the type of tool you are adding. (Routers)
7. Then click the “Add New Multi-Pass Tool” button.
8. More options have now appeared. Using the radio buttons, select whether you are setting up “Multiple Tools” or a “Step” tool.
a. “Multiple Tools” Configuration: Allows user to specify a different tool for each pass.
1. The “Tool Name or Profile Drawing Name” may be whatever you wish.
2. The Common Tool Number should be should already be popluated by the program as 900 or greater. Leave this setting as is.
3. Actual tool number can be left blank because the program will get this information elsewhere
4. Diameter, Feed, Entry, and Rotation speed should can be copied from the tool that will actually perform the operations.
5. Add at least one Default Depth. (Necessary in order for the tool to show up in the Single Parts Editor)
6. The Face option should remain as the “Top Face”.
7. If your interface show’s “Height Offset” or “Diameter Offset”, it is not necessary to populate these fields.
8. Select the Tool Default options if they apply.
9. “Multi-Pass Tool Info” area
a. In the “Tool List”, click on “Tool Number 0.”
b. In the “Tool Number” box, add the Common Tool Name of the tool you would like to perform the first pass
c. In the “Depth” box, specify the depth you would like this tool to cut to on the first pass.
d. In the “Rough Cut Offset” box, you may specify a distance that this tool will space itself from the true border of the part on the first pass.
e. “Reverse Offset” is used in conjunction with pocket operations using a Rough Cut Offset
f. Click the “Apply” button that is inside of the “Multi-Pass Tool Info” area
g. Click the “Add Tool” Button
h. Repeat steps 1-6 for the “Multi-Pass Tool Info” area to add a tool for the second, third, or fourth passes. (Note: The “Rough Cut Offset” will only be in effect for the first tool/pass.)
10. Click “Apply”, located at the lower right corner of your current view.
OR
b. “Step” Tool Configuration: Allows user to specify number of passes with a single tool.
1. The “Tool Name or Profile Drawing Name” may be whatever you wish.
2. The Common Tool Number should be should already be popluated by the program as 900 or greater. Leave this setting as is.
3. Actual tool number can be left blank because the program will get this information elsewhere
4. Diameter, Feed, Entry, and Rotation speed should can be copied from the tool that will actually perform the operations.
5. Add at least one Default Depth. (Necessary in order for the tool to show up in the Single Parts Editor)
6. The Face option should remain as the “Top Face”.
7. If your interface show’s “Height Offset” or “Diameter Offset”, it is not necessary to populate these fields.
8. Select the Tool Default options if they apply.
9. “Multi-Pass Tool Info” area
a. In the “Tool List”, click on “Tool Number 0.”
b. In the “Tool Number” box, add the Common Tool Name of the tool you would like to perform operations
c. In the “Number of Passes” box, specify the number of passes you would like this tool to make before it cuts to the desired depth.
d. Leave “Rough Cut Offset” box blank, this does not apply to Step Tools.
e. Click the “Apply” button that is inside of the “Multi-Pass Tool Info” area
10. Click “Apply”, located at the lower right corner of your current view.
9. Click “OK”, located at the lower right corner of your current view to exit the interface.