Appendix A: Projection Vectors

The Projection Vector indicates the side of the part surface to be cut. It is also used to project drive
points from the drive to the part surface.
The following illustration shows a Projection Vector (defined as Away From Line, i.e. the center line)
indicating the side of the part surface to be cut. It also shows a drive point projected, along the
projection vector, from the drive surface (P1) to the part surface (P2).

(1) projection vector

(2) part surface
(3) drive surface

Note that, in this example, the drive point is projected in the opposite direction of the Projection Vector
arrowhead. The drive point is always projected toward the part surface along the projection vector but
without regard to the Projection Vector arrowhead.

A Projection Vector is required for all Variable Contour Drive Methods.

The following options allow you to define the Projection Vector:
● Specify Vector — fixed projection vectors
● Tool Axis — variable projection vector
● Away from Point — variable projection vector
● Toward Point — variable projection vector
● Away from line — variable projection vector
● Toward line — variable projection vector
● Normal to Drive — surface area drive method only
● Swarf Ruling — surface area drive method only
● User Function

Specify Vector – Fixed Projection Vectors

I, J, K define the vector by keying in values relative to the origin and orientation of the Work Coordinate
System.
Line End Points by defining two points, selecting an existing line, or defining a point and a vector.
2 Points by using the point Constructor to specify two points. The first point defines the tail of the
vector; the second point defines the arrowhead of the vector.
Tangent to Curve defines a vector tangent to a selected curve. Specify a point on the curve, select an
existing curve, and select one of two displayed tangent vectors.
Spherical Coordinates defines a fixed vector by keying in two angular values, designated as Phi and
Theta. Phi is the angle measured from +ZC and rotated in the ZC-XC plane from ZC to XC. Theta is the
rotation angle about the ZC axis from XC to YC.

(1) Phi
(2) Theta

Variable contour projection vectors

Tool Axis define a projection vector relative to the existing tool axis. When using tool axis, the vector
always points in the opposite direction of the tool axis vector.
Away From Point creates a projection vector extending away from a specified focal point toward the
part surface. Useful in machining the inside spherical (or sphere like) surfaces where the focal point is
the center of the sphere.
Towards Point creates a projection vector extending from the part surface to a specified focal point.
Useful in machining the outside spherical (or sphere like) surfaces where the focal point is the center of
the sphere.
Away From Line creates a projection vector extending from a specified line to the part surface.
Towards Line creates a projection vector extending from the part surface to a specified line.

Surface area drive method projection vectors

Normal to Drive define projection vectors relative to the drive surface normals.
Swarf Ruling allows you to define the projection vector parallel to the swarf rulings of the drive surfaces
when you use a swarf drive tool axis. It should be used only when the drive surfaces are equivalent to
ruled surfaces, since the drive surface rulings define the swarf projection vector.
The Swarf Ruling projection vector can prevent gouging the drive surface when using a tapered tool as
illustrated below:

(1) Tool Axis Projection Vector

(2) Swarf Ruling Projection Vector
(3) Ruled Drive Surface
(4) Part Surface
(5) Tapered Tool
(6) gouge
(7) drive point
(8) tool position

The above figure compares the Swarf Ruling projection vector to the Tool Axis projection vector (the
Tool Axis projection vector is the reverse of the Tool Axis Vector). Drive points are projected along the
specified vector to determine the tool position. When using the Tool Axis projection vector, drive points
are projected along the tool axis (at an angle to the drive surface), causing the tool to gouge the drive
surface. When using the Swarf Ruling projection vector, drive points are projected along the drive
surface swarf rulings causing the tool to position tangent to the drive surface.
The following is a summary table showing the types of projection methods available for each tool axis.
The x indicates that the Projection Method is not available.
Tool Axis Projection Methods
Fixed Tool Toward / Toward / Norm Swarf
Vector Axis Away Away Drive Rule
Point Line
Away From Point X
Toward Point X
Away From Line X
Toward Line X
Relative To Vector X
Normal to Part X
Relative to Part X
4–axis Normal to Part X
4–axis Relative to Part X
Dual 4–Axis on Part X
Interpolate X
Normal to Drive X
Swarf Drive
Relative to Drive
4–axis Norm to Drive
4–axis Rel to Drive
Dual 4–Axis on Drive
Same as Drive Path X X
Appendix B: Advanced surface
contouring

Projection
Mathematics of Projection:
● Place tool end at drive point
● Project tool along projection vector
● Tool stops when making contact with part
● If necessary, adjust the tool axis and repeat the above steps until the tool axis is satisfied
● Add more intermediate drive points to satisfy the Intol/Outol with the part

(1) drive point

(2) projection
vector
(3) tool position
(4) part

Projection and Steep Surface:

● ΔX = Δd/sinΘ≅Δd/Θ
ΔX becomes large if Θ is very small (steep surface)
● The source of Δd is the chordal deviation of the drive path

(1) drive path

(2) drive point
(3) Δd
(4) Δx
(5) Θ
Projection and Material Side:
● Surface contouring does not have explicit definition of material side for part geometry, only the
drive surface has explicit material side
● Material side of the part is determined implicitly by the projection vector

(1) drive point

(2) projection
vector
(3) focal point
(4) A
(5) B
(6) C
(7) away from
point
(8) all other cases

● In the case of Area Milling Drive (no projection vector), the tool axis vector is used to decide
Material Side

Tool axis
Definition of Lead/Tilt angles:

(1) lead
(2) tilt
(3) tool axis
vector
(4) reference
vector
(5) cut vector
(6) tool axis

● Begin with cut vector, rotate it toward the Reference vector 90°- Θ degrees
● Then rotate around the cut vector Φ degrees (counter clockwise)
● Reference vector is the surface normal relative to the part/drive or a vector which is relative to a
vector
Definition of 4-axis rotation angle:

(1) rotation angle

(2) perpendicular plane
(3) tool axis
(4) projected tool axis
(5) 4–axis vector
● Compute tool axis vector
without 4–axis constraint
first
● Project this tool axis vector
onto the perpendicular
plane of the 4–axis vector
● Rotate the projected tool
axis vector along 4–axis
vector Θ (counterclockwise)

The unconstrained tool axis vector could be:

● Normal to Part / Drive
● Relative to Part / Drive
Interpolated tool axis algorithm:

(1) data point 1; (2) data point 2

(3) data point 3; (4) data point 4
(5) grid cell
● divide the whole parameter (u,v) space for
the drive surfaces by a 19x19 grid
● compute the tool axis at each grid pt using
the data pts weighted by the inverse of the
distance square
● inside each grid cell, calculate the tool axis
vector as the linear/spline interpolation of
the tool axis vector at the four corners.

Drive surface
Remap of drive surface:
Remap algorithm:

(1) trimmed face; (2) underlined surface

● merge the exterior edges of the trimmed
face to 4 sides
● re-proportion the parameters of the
exterior edges according to arc length
● use the arc length proportional edge
parameters to construct the new (u',v')
space for the trimmed face (Coon's
mapping).
● align the multiple drive surfaces into a
rectangular grid pattern

Limitations of remap
● fails on 3–sided faces
● fails on faces that do not have rectangular shapes
● may fail on faces with too many edges
● multiple drive surfaces must be in grid formation
Swarf developable surface:
● Developable surfaces are special kinds of ruled surfaces when the surface normal vectors on any
given rule line are the same (ruled surface without twisting)
● Only developable surfaces can be milled by swarfing without undercut or overcut

Planar milling

● Blank - the region to be included

● Part - the region that can not be violated
● Check - the additional region that can not be violated
● Trim - as a final step, the region to be trimmed away

(1) check inside

(2) blank inside
(3) trim outside
(4) part inside

Boolean logic
Boundary Drive
● Drive boundary - similar to "blank" if no part containment, otherwise it is like "part"
● Part containment - similar to "blank"
Area Milling Drive
● Cut area - similar to "blank"
● Trim - behaves slightly different from planar milling

Stock
Part offset and part stock

What Where

Part Offset Offset of part as the permanent Geometry Group

definition of the final shape of
the product
Part Stock Leftover material on part by a Operation
given operation

● Part stock is defined on "top" of part offset

(1) part stock of

roughing
(2) part
(3) part stock of semi-
finish
(4) part offset
Safe clearance and part stock offset

What Where

Part Stock Offset Difference between the part Operation

stock from the previous
operation and the part stock of
the current operation

Safe Clearance The additional safety zone for Operation

collision checking

● Safe clearance is defined on "top" of part stock offset

(1) safe clearance

(2) part
(3) part stock
(4) part offset
(5) part stock offset

● Part stock offset is used in multiple pass, engage/retract and collision checking
● Safe clearance is used in engage/retract and collision checking

Gouge / Collision
Definitions:

Rapid moves Feed moves

Cutting part of tool Collision Gouge

assembly

Non-cutting part of tool Collision Collision

assembly

● Usually gouge check against part offset + part stock

● Usually collision check against part offset + part stock + part stock offset + safe clearance
 (1) collision
(2) gouge

Usage:

Collision check Gouge check

Tool Path Generation No Yes on Part

Drive Path Generation No Optional on Drive

Engage/Retract No Optional on Part

Transfer Moves Optional on Part Optional on Part

Cut Region Computation Optional (holder) on Part/Check Yes on Part

(Cut Area)

Check Geometry No Optional on Check

Gouge Check No (No Part Stock)

(Operation Navigator)
Noncut moves
Azimuth / Latitude:

(1) latitude
(2) azimuth
(3) part normal
(4) cut vector
(5) engage/retract vector

● Begin with cut vector, rotate it toward the part normal Θ degrees
● Then rotate around the part normal Φ degrees (counter clockwise)
End / Intermediate traverse:

(1) retract
(2) departure
(3) int traverse
(4) end traverse
(5) approach
(6) engage

● There is only one End Traverse in the sequence, but there may be zero or multiple Int Traverse
● The Start and End positions of the End Traverse move are determined by other moves in the
sequence
Appendix C: Multi-axis drilling (point-
to-point operations)
Multi-axis drilling (point-to-point operations)

Purpose
In this lesson, you will learn how to drill holes from multiple directions using the legacy point-to-point
operations.

Objective
After you complete this lesson, you should be able to:
● Define a drill geometry parent group.
● Optimize a drilling tool path.
● Set the tool axis options for the drill geometry parent group so that you can drill from multiple
directions.
Point-to-Point Drilling operations (Legacy)
Use drilling operations to machine simple holes. For more complex holes such as counterbore holes or
undercut holes, consider using milling operations.
Drilling operations use a point-to-point processor to generate tool paths. Several drill Operation
Subtypes options are available, in which a tool is positioned to geometry, fed into the part, and
retracted. You can control parameters such as:
● Depth
● Minimum clearance distance
● Dwell
● Break chip

Drilling operations are associated with Drill geometry parent groups.

Where do I find it?

Application Manufacturing
Command Finder
Create Operation
Location in dialog box Type group→drill→[valid Operation Subtype]
Workflow for multi-axis drilling
1.
Create the drill geometry group.

Type = drill, Geometry Subtype = DRILL_GEOM

Select the Geometry parent that defines the part geometry. This is usually the Workpiece.

2.
Select the holes.

3. Optimize the hole sequence.

4. Set the Tool Axis option for the geometry group to Specify Vector.
This step makes the Use Arc Axis option available.

5. Select the Use Arc Axis check box.

The Use Arc Axis option enables a variable tool axis.

6.
Create the operation.
Type = drill, Operation Subtype = any drilling operation
Select the Geometry parent you just created that defines the optimized hole sequence and variable
tool axis.

7.
Generate the operation.
 Drill geometry parent groups
Use Drill geometry parent groups to manage your Drill geometry. If you associate your drilling
operations to your Drill geometry parent groups, you do not need to select your geometry for each
operation that uses that same geometry.
Drill geometry parent groups from which drilling operations can inherit information include the
following:
Defines the origin for subsequent tool
MCS path data based on the Machine
Coordinate System.

Inherits the MCS from the MCS

WORKPIECE parent group. You can assign Part and
Blank material. This parent group is
also used in tool path verification.

Defines hole geometry that is used in

DRILL_GEOM drilling operations. This parent group
can inherit the workpiece from the
WORKPIECE parent group.

Where do I find it?

Application Manufacturing
Command Finder
Create Geometry
Location in dialog box Type group→drill→[valid Geometry Subtype]
Drill geometry subtypes
You must specify holes.
The point to point software normally uses the depth of the selected holes. If you have special
requirements, you can also specify a top and bottom surface.

Use this geometry subtype to

select the hole geometry and
Specify specify parameters.
Holes

Use this geometry subtype to

define a face or plane to which
Specify all points are projected. Your
Top Surface drilling feed rate starts at the
minimum clearance.

Use this geometry subtype to

define the hole depth in the
Specify model. You must select a face, a
Bottom plane, or an arc to specify the
Surface bottom surface to drill to.

Where do I find it?

Application Manufacturing
Command Finder
Create Geometry
Location in dialog box Type group→drill→Geometry Subtype

group→DRILL_GEOM
Specify Holes — Point dialog box

When you click Specify Holes the Point dialog box is displayed.
The Point dialog box contains several options that let you select and manipulate points for generating a
tool path.
Select Opens a selection dialog box to let you select geometry that represents the top
of the hole.

Append Adds points that you select to previously selected drill geometry.

Omit Ignores points that you select on previously defined drill geometry.

Optimize Opens a dialog box where you can set options to optimize tool travel to reduce
the length of the tool path.

Display Points Displays the new order of points after you use the Include, Omit, Avoid or
Optimize options.

Avoid Lets you specify tool clearance over fixtures or obstacles within the part. You
must define a start point, end point and either an avoid distance or a clearance
plane.

Reverse Reverses the order of previously selected points.

Arc Axis Control Reverses the tool axis orientation for selected arcs and holes in sheet bodies.

Rapto Offset Opens a dialog box where you can specify a RAPTO value to each selected point,
arc, or hole. The Rapto offset is the location where the feed rate changes from
rapid feed rate to a cut feed rate.

Planning Closes the Point dialog box.

Complete

Only the Select option is used when specifying geometry. The remaining options let you edit
already selected geometry.
Optimize dialog box
This dialog box is displayed when you click Optimize in the Cycle Parameters dialog box.
Shortest Path Arranges the points in the order required to minimize total machining time.
● Level
o Standard refers to the process of analysis that you want to use
in determining the shortest tool path.
o Advanced increases machine time efficiency at a maximum.
● Based On is the only option for a fixed axis tool path; variable axis tool
paths can take the tool axis into account when determining machining
efficiency.
● Start Point controls the start point of the tool path.
● End Point controls the end point of the tool path.
● Start Tool Axis controls the tool axis at the beginning of the cutting
motion. This option is only available for variable axis tool paths.
● End Tool Axis controls the tool axis at the end of the cutting motion.
This option is only available for variable axis tool paths.
● Optimize initiates the optimization process.

Horizontal Lets you confine the tool path; these bands are used for other machining
Bands/Vertical constraints such as clamp locations, machine travel limits, table size, and so on.
Bands

Repaint Points Repaints all the points after each optimization if set to Yes.
Activity: Drill a part from multiple directions
In the Multi-axis drilling section, do the following activity:
● Drill a part from multiple directions
Summary: Multi-axis drilling
You did the following:
● Defined a drill geometry parent group.
● Optimized a drilling tool path.
● Drilled a part from multiple directions.
Appendix D: Machining with a T-Cutter
Cutting under ledges with the Boundary method

When you use the Boundary drive method in Fixed Contour operations, you can do the following:
● Position the top edge of a T-Cutter to cut under different ledge shapes. The ledges can be flat or
contoured. To project the tool axis up from underneath ledges, use the Tool Axis Up
projection vector.

To create the tool path, some portion of the tool must be underneath the ledge when
NX projects the tool upwards.

● Select solid or sheet body ledge faces as part geometry and project the boundary curves to
create drive geometry for the operation.
NX applies the neck and shank clearance according to the collision check status.

Drive geometry boundary curves

Select ledge faces as part geometry, and then project the edge curves to a boundary plane to create the
drive boundary. When you generate the operation with the Tool Axis Up option, NX projects the drive
boundary up along the tool axis to position the T-cutter underneath the ledge.
1 Ledge faces selected as part geometry
2 Boundary plane
3 Drive boundary
4 Tool path

You can also select sheet bodies as part geometry and project the edge curves to create the drive
boundary.
1 Sheet body selected as part geometry
2 Boundary plane
3 Drive boundary
4 Tool path

Where do I find it?

Application Manufacturing

Prerequisite You must use a Fixed Contour operation with the Boundary
drive method.

Location in dialog box Drive Method group→Method

list→Boundary→Edit →Boundary Drive Method dialog

box
Activity: Machine with a T-Cutter
In the Appendix section, do the activity:
● Machine with a T-Cutter
T-cutter tracking points
T-cutters have 4 default tracking points. You can select one of these tracking points as the drive point for
a Planar Profile operation.
● SYS_CL_Top and SYS_CL_Bottom are the tool centerline tracking points.
● SYS_OD_Top and SYS_OD_Bottom are the tool contact tracking points.
The SYS_CL_Top tracking point is associative to
the tool center and flute length.

The SYS_OD_Top (R2) tracking point is

associative to the tool diameter and flute length.

The SYS_OD_Bottom (R1) tracking point is

associative to the tool diameter.

The SYS_CL_Bottom tracking point is

associative to the bottom center of the tool.

NX lists the tracking point names in the Tracking Points dialog box.
For Planar Profile and Groove Milling operations, you can select one of these tracking points to
output tracking data or you can select Contact Point to output contact data. For Groove Milling
operations, there are two additional options:
● SYS_OD_Automatic automatically selects the appropriate outer diameter tracking point.
● SYS_CL_Automatic automatically selects the appropriate centerline tracking point.
Where do I find it?
Application Manufacturing

Prerequisite Planar Profile or Groove Milling operation using a T-Cutter tool

Location in dialog box Tracking points:

Create Tool dialog box→Tool Subtype group→T
Cutter→Milling Tool-T Cutter dialog box→More
tab→Tracking group→Tracking Points→Tracking Points
dialog box
Output tracking data:
[Operation dialog box]→Path Settings group→Non Cutting

Moves →Non Cutting Moves dialog box→More

tab→Cutter Compensation group→Output Contact/Tracking
Data →Tracking Data list
Planar Profile drive point control for T-cutters

What is it?
In a Planar Profile operation, you can select one of the tracking points on a T-cutter as a drive point.
NX ignores the part geometry and drives the selected tracking point along the boundary geometry.
Because the part geometry is ignored, you must define the boundary geometry carefully to avoid
gouges. When you use a tracking point, floor geometry is not necessary and the Specify

Floor command is not available.

1 Drive point
2 Boundary geometry

Why should I use it?

When you select a tracking point as a drive point, you can position a T-cutter to cut the underside of a
ledge more easily.

Where do I find it?

Application Manufacturing

Prerequisite Planar Profile operation using a T-Cutter tool

Location in dialog box Planar Profile operation dialog box→Path Settings

group→Drive Point list
Activity: Identify and use the tracking points on a T-cutter
In the Appendix section, do the activity:
● Identify and use the tracking points on a T-cutter
Groove Milling operation
Use the Groove Milling operation to machine linear grooves, slots, and clevises using T-Cutters. The
operation provides several strategies to sequence the cutting passes, and automatically changes the
tracking point for top and bottom cutting. You can efficiently use multiple operations to rough and finish
machine the groove.
Groove geometry
You define the groove geometry once. NX subtracts the in-process feature for each operation from the
material remaining in the groove. You can:
● Specify the areas to machine from within the operation using the Groove

Geometry command, or inherit the groove geometry from a feature group.

● Display the in-process feature for the operation.

● Control how NX calculates the in-process feature by using the in-process workpiece options.
o To extend the in-process feature to the end of the in-process workpiece, select the Use
3D option.

o To include only the material in the groove, select the None option.
Cut levels and level sequencing
When you specify the number of cut levels, you can also control the cutting sequence. The cut levels
display helps you to visualize the cutting sequence. The following example uses these settings:
Level Sequencing = Center to Ceiling to Floor
Depth per Cut = Passes
Number of Passes = 3

Preview

Preview Display

Where do I find it?

Application Manufacturing

Command Finder
Create Operation

Location in dialog box Create Operation dialog box→Type

list→mill_planar→Operation Subtype

group→GROOVE_MILLING
Groove Milling tracking point selection
For a Groove Milling operation, NX uses the selected T-cutter tracking point as the drive point for the
operation. You can specify one of the default tracking points.
● SYS_CL_Top and SYS_CL_Bottom are the tool centerline tracking points.
● SYS_OD_Top and SYS_OD_Bottom are the tool contact tracking points.
You can also select one of the automatic Tracking Data options for NX to automatically use the
appropriate tracking point. When the cutter machines with the top of the tool, it uses one of the top
tracking points. When the cutter machines with the bottom of the tool, it uses one of the bottom
tracking points.
● SYS_OD_Automatic automatically selects the appropriate outer diameter tracking point.
● SYS_CL_Automatic automatically selects the appropriate centerline tracking point.
The tracking point that NX uses depends on the following, and can change between each cutting pass.
● The Output Contact/Tracking Data option.
● The Tracking Data setting.
● The tracking point locations.
● Whether the pass is at the top or bottom of the slot.
● The cutting sequence.
 P1 = SYS_CL_Bottom
P2 = SYS_CL_Top
P3 = SYS_OD_Bottom
P4 = SYS_OD_Top

Output Contact/Tracking Data, Tracking Data = SYS_OD_Automatic

Bottom up cutting sequence Top down cutting sequence Mixed cutting sequence

Output Contact/Tracking Data, Tracking Data = SYS_CL_Automatic

Bottom up cutting sequence Top down cutting sequence Mixed cutting sequence

Where do I find it?

Application Manufacturing

Prerequisite Groove Milling operation using a T-Cutter tool

Location in dialog box

[Operation dialog box]→Path Settings group→Non Cutting

Moves →Non Cutting Moves dialog box→More

tab→Cutter Compensation group→Output Contact/Tracking
Data →Tracking Data list
Groove Milling relief clearance
Use the Relief Clearance option to specify a small offset value for corner passes so that NX does not
recut the adjacent surfaces and create tooling marks. The following example shows a tool path without
a Relief Clearance value.

Tool path, Relief Clearance = 0 Top pass, Relief Clearance = 0

When you specify a Relief Clearance value, NX does the following:

1. Duplicates the original corner pass, including cut direction, to create a floor or ceiling pass and a
wall pass.
2. Offsets the floor or ceiling pass away from the wall by the specified value.
3. Offsets the wall pass away from the floor or ceiling by the specified value.
4. In the cutting sequence, replaces the single original corner pass with the offset pair. The floor or
ceiling pass is first. The wall pass is second.
The following example uses a Relief Clearance value of 1 mm so that you can see how the option
affects the tool path. This value is typically around 0.01 mm.

Top ceiling pass Top wall pass

Result
Where do I find it?
Application Manufacturing

Prerequisite Groove Milling operation using a T-Cutter tool

Location in dialog box

[Groove Milling operation] dialog box→Path Settings

group→Cutting Parameters →Cutting Parameters

dialog box→Strategy tab→Avoid Recutting group
Activity: Machine a groove with a T-cutter
In the Appendix section, do the activity:
● Machine a groove with a T-cutter
Appendix E: Pasting operations with
reference
Pasting operations with reference

You can copy operations from one workpiece and paste them with reference into another workpiece in
the setup. To do this, use the Paste Inside with Reference option.
The figures below show operations and dependencies copied from the parent (WORKPIECE_1), and
pasted to the child (WORKPIECE_2).

Name Path Dependencies

GEOMETRY

Unused Items

MCS_MAIN

WORKPIECE_1

MCS

MILL_CONTROL

FLR_WALL_TOP

FLR_WALL_WALL

CAVITY_MILL

DRILLING

MILL_BND

WORKPIECE_2

MCS_1

MILL_CONTROL_1

FLR_WALL_TOP_1
 FLR_WALL_WALL_1

CAVITY_MILL_1

DRILLING_1

MILL_BND_1

The following geometry objects are supported:

● MCS ● HOLE_BOSS_GEOM
● MILL_AREA ● DRILL_GEOM
● MILL_BND ● MILL_GEOM

The Paste Inside with Reference option is available for most milling and drilling operations.

Application Manufacturing

Prerequisite A supported milling or drilling operation

The part geometry defined in the workpiece objects must originate
from the same assembly component

Command Finder Paste with Reference

Menu Tools→Operation Navigator→Paste with Reference

Activity: Copy operations between setup locations associatively
In the Appendix section, do the following activity:
● Copy operations between setup locations associatively
Appendix F: Area Milling cut regions
Area Milling cut regions

Use the Cut Regions geometry command to subdivide the cut area for an Area Milling
operation into regions and control the cutting behavior within each region. NX initially subdivides the
cut area based on the steepness and collision checking settings in the operation. You then control the
following:
● The region sizes. Merge or divide the regions as required. NX updates the cut region display as
you make modifications.
● The regions to cut, and their cutting sequence. If the current operation is not appropriate for
cutting some of the regions, you can defer cutting the regions and import them into another
operation. Delete regions to completely avoid cutting certain areas.
● The cut pattern and other tool path parameters within each cut region. Define a region as
steep, non-steep or flat, and NX applies the appropriate Area Milling Drive Method settings.
● The start point for each cut region.
● The tool and tool axis tilt. When NX identifies tool holder collisions in a region, use a longer
version of the tool, a different holder, or tilt the tool axis to avoid the collisions.
You can accept the automatic cut regions, or you can define cut regions, cut patterns, and start points to
suit your workflow before generating the operation. NX uses the regions, cut patterns and start points
you define instead of generating the automatic cut regions.
NX does the following automatically:
● Indicates whether a cut region is valid , invalid , or out of date .
A cut region becomes invalid if you change an operation parameter that defines the region. For
example, if you use a different tool. A cut region becomes out of date if you change a parameter
that modifies the region. For example, if you change the part stock.
If there are invalid regions, you must delete all the regions and create new ones. If there are out
of date regions, you can still generate the tool path, but may need to update the regions. To
update regions, delete all of the regions and create new ones.

● Indicates whether a cut region has tool collisions or is collision-free .

If you have not run the collision check, NX indicates that the collision status is unknown .
If you manually run the collision check and only a portion of the cut region has collisions, the
status is partially colliding .

● Identifies a cut region as steep , non-steep , or flat .

In the following example, cut regions 2, 3, 5, and 6 are cut using the current operation. Cut regions 1 and
4 have tool holder collisions, and are deferred to cut using another operation.

Name Status Cut Order Type Collision Parent Operation

Status
 REGION_1 1 CONTOUR_AREA

REGION_2 2 CONTOUR_AREA

REGION_3 3 CONTOUR_AREA

REGION_4 4 CONTOUR_AREA

REGION_5 5 CONTOUR_AREA

REGION_6 6 CONTOUR_AREA

Cut Regions list example

Cut Regions graphics display

Where do I find it?

Application Manufacturing

Prerequisite A fixed-axis surface contouring operation using the Area Milling

drive method, or a Contour Area operation.
A ball-nose mill is required to change the tool axis.
You must set the Stepover Applied setting to On Plane to
access the Cut Regions dialog box.

Location in dialog box Cut regions

[Surface contouring operation] dialog box→Geometry group→Cut

Regions
Stepover Applied setting
[Surface contouring operation] dialog box→Drive Method

group→Edit →Area Milling Drive Method dialog

box→Drive Settings group→Non-steep Cutting
Creating cut regions

Use the Create Region List command to automatically divide the cut area into regions in the
following ways:
● Based on whether a surface is more or less steep than the Steep Angle value for the
operation.

Steep Angle = 45
● Based on the surface steepness, with separate regions for flat areas.

Steep Angle = 45
● Based on tool holder collisions.
You must turn on collision checking in the operation. Cutting Parameters→Containment
tab→Collision Checking group→Check Tool and Holder

Steep Angle = 45
Managing cut regions
Manage the cut regions in the following ways:

● Delete regions. Use the Delete All Regions command or select individual regions to
delete.
● Check for regions that are out of date . If you have out of date regions, delete all the regions
and create the region list again.
● Display the cut regions. The interior lines in each region are selection lines that represent the cut
region. Select the Preview check box to display the region start point and tool axis vector.

Preview Preview

● Defer a region so that you can cut it with another Area Milling operation, or delete the region if
you will cut it with another type of operation. NX displays a green check next to the regions
to cut with the current operation. Clear the check box to defer a region.

1 Flat regions are deferred

2 Flat regions are deleted
To machine the deferred regions, copy the Area Milling operation and paste it to create a new
operation. You can then edit the cut regions in the new operation to import the deferred
regions.
● Filter the deferred regions when you import them into a new operation. The following example
imports the flat regions deferred from a previous operation.
 Cut Regions dialog box settings Result
Region Source group:
Create From = Import

Filter Deferred Regions group:

Program = All

Steep Type = Flat

Status = Deferred

● Further divide the cut regions using the Divide command. You can divide a region by
specifying a plane or a two point line.

● Merge cut regions using the Merge Cut Regions command. Select a single target
region, then select any adjacent regions that you want to merge with the target region. The
target region controls the merged region’s steep, non-steep, or flat attributes.

1 Non-steep target region, 2 Steep tool region, 3 Non-steep merged region

 1 Steep target region, 2 Non-steep tool region, 3 Steep merged region
● Reorder the region cutting sequence. By default, NX orders steep regions before non-steep
regions. If you create separate flat regions, they are ordered last.
● Rename a region.
● Undo changes. You can undo changes one at a time, from the most recent change to the first
change. You cannot undo changes after you exit the Cut Regions dialog box.
Controlling the tool path in cut regions
You can do the following to control the tool path in cut regions:
● Specify a custom start point or change the settings for a selected region using the

Edit command.

1 Default region start point 2 Specified region start point

When you set the Containment Type setting to Steep , Non-steep , or Flat ,
NX applies the appropriate Area Milling Drive Method settings for cut pattern, cut direction,
stepover, and cut angle.
In the Preview group, click Display to see the cut pattern.

● Select a longer version of the tool to avoid holder collisions using the Tool Collision

Avoidance command.
 Preview display of shorter tool shows Preview display of longer tool shows no collisions.
collisions.

● Tilt the tool axis to avoid holder collisions using the Tool Collision

Avoidance command.

Preview display of tool shows collisions. Preview display with 5 degree tilt shows no
collisions.

If only a portion of the cut region has collisions, you can use the Divide command to create
separate regions. This lets you change the tool length or tool axis tilt for only the region with collisions.
Merge Regions dialog box
Target Region
NX assigns the target region’s steepness attribute to the final merged region. For example, if the target
region’s attribute is Steep, and the tool regions are set to Non-steep, the merged region’s steepness
attribute will be Steep.
Displays the pre-selected target region and lets you
Select Target Region change the target region. You can select one region
for the target.
Tool Regions
The tool regions are merged into the target region.
Lets you select any regions that are adjacent to the
Select Target Region target region.
Cut Regions dialog box
Region Source

Create From Specifies how to create the cut regions.

Operation
Creates the cut regions based on the steep containment settings and the tool
parameters used in the current operation.

Import
Lets you import deferred cut regions created for a previous operation.

Steep Containment

Available when Create From is set to Operation and there are no previously created regions in the
region list.

Assigns the cut regions based on the steepness of the part surfaces.

These options are also set in the Area Milling Drive Method dialog box.

Method Restricts the cut area based on the steepness of the part surfaces. NX
calculates the part surface angle at each contact point.

None
Imposes no steepness restrictions on the tool path and machines the entire
cut area.

Non-steep
Machines within the cut area only where the part surface angle is less than
the Steep Angle value.

Directional Steep
Machines within the cut area only where the part surface angle is more than
the Steep Angle value.
By default, Directional Steep regions are assigned a Non-
steep containment type. NX applies the Non-steep Cutting drive
settings. You can edit the cut regions in the Cut Regions dialog box to
change the containment type to Steep.

Steep and Non-steep

Machines both steep and non-steep areas. NX creates separate cut regions
for the steep and the non-steep areas.
Steep Angle Specifies the angle required to consider an area steep. NX calculates the part
surface angle at each contact point.

Create Separate
Regions For Flat
Areas

Create Separate Regions For Create Separate Regions For

Flat Areas Flat Areas
Flat areas are assigned a Non- Flat areas are assigned a
steep containment type. Flat containment type.

Filter Deferred Regions

Available when Create From is set to Import.

Filters the available cut regions to import into the current operation.
Select whether to import Area Milling cut regions from all program groups, or from only operations
within the same program group. Set the steepness type and collision status to further limit the cut
regions to import.

Regions to Cut

Divides the cut area into regions based on the Steep Containment
Create Region settings. Creates separate regions for areas with tool holder collisions if you
List turn on collision checking in the operation.
To turn on collision checking, in the Cutting Parameters dialog box, select
the Containment tab→Collision Checking group→Check Tool and
Holder

Deletes all regions in the list.

Delete All
Regions If there are invalid regions, you must delete all the regions and create new
ones. If there are out of date regions, you can still generate the tool path, but
may need to update the regions. To update regions, delete all of the regions
and create new ones.

Region list Displays the cut regions and their current status.

Lets you divide a region by specifying a plane or a two point line.

Divide
 Checks for tool holder collisions. To avoid holder collisions, select a longer
Tool Collision version of the tool or tilt the tool axis.
Avoidance

Lets you select a single target region, and then select any adjacent regions
Merge Cut that you want to merge with the target region. The target region controls the
Regions merged region’s steep, non-steep, or flat attributes.

Lets you specify a custom start point or change the steepness attribute for a
Edit selected region.

Default region start point Edited region start point

When you set the Containment Type setting to Steep , Non-

steep , or Flat , NX applies the appropriate Area Milling Drive
Method settings for cut pattern, cut direction, stepover, and cut angle.

Select the Operation Regions node to edit the operation drive

settings without closing the Cut Regions dialog box.

Lets you undo changes one at a time, from the most recent change to the
Undo first change. You cannot undo changes after you exit the Cut Regions
dialog box.

Select Regions Displays the number of regions selected. You can select regions from the
region list or from the graphics window.

Preview

Preview Displays the cut region tool axis vector at the region start point location.

Displays a preview of the tool path with the settings for cut pattern, cut
Display direction, stepover, and cut angle applied.
Tool Collision Avoidance dialog box
Tool
You must select a tool with the same diameter and profile as the tool used to create the cut region. You
can use a longer version of the tool or a tool with a different holder.

If you change the tool or the tool axis, NX applies the changes to all the regions in the
operation, not just the ones that you selected to check for collisions.
Tool list Specifies a previously defined tool that you can use for the cut region. You can
either select a tool from this list or create a new tool.
Opens the New Tool dialog box where you can define a new tool for the
current operation. The new tool appears in the Machine Tool View of the
Create New Operation Navigator, and can be inherited by other operations.

Opens the dialog box for the current tool. You can edit the tool’s parameters
in the displayed dialog box.
Edit or Display
Tool Axis
Axis Controls the orientation of the tool in relation to the Machine Coordinate
System.

+ZM Axis
Assigns the axis orientation of the Machine Coordinate System to the tool.

Specify Vector
Lets you specify the tool axis by defining a vector. Either select an option from
the list, or click Vector Constructor to access the Vector dialog box.

Dynamic
Lets you manipulate the vector in the graphics window to specify the tool axis.

Preview
Preview Lets you evaluate tool collisions at different locations. When you drag the tool
to a point on a selection line within a region, NX displays multiple tool
instances relative to the selected point. Red tool instances indicate collisions.
 Preview Preview

Displays the portions of the cut region with tool collisions highlighted in red.
Display
Activity: Divide cut regions by surface steepness
In the Appendix section, do the activity:
● Divide cut regions by surface steepness
Index

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