Acu-Rite CNC 3500i user manual Irregular Pocket Cycle

7.2 Canned Cycles

Irregular Pocket Cycle

Use this to mill irregular pockets. You must enter the perimeter of the shape into a sub-program. The main irregular pocket needs to be a closed shape, with contiguous line and arc movements starting and ending at the same point. The first line in the input subroutine for outside shape or islands needs a Left (G41) or Right (G42) to indicate which side of the contour the cutter needs to be, as viewed from the direction of travel. No ramp on or off movement is allowed. The cycle calculates these moves on and off the defined shape. Do not include feedrates in the sub-program. In a closed shape, the endpoint of the first (rapid to position) move and the endpoint of the last move (line or arc) are the same. The CNC automatically calculates the moves necessary to clear out the shape.

If there are islands to be avoided, they must be defined in the line preceding the line using Islands (G162).

Activate the tool prior to programming, so the cutter diameter is known.

Field	Code	Description
Sub#	W	The number of the sub-program that
		contains the perimeter of the pocket. Must
		be a closed shape. (Required)
StartHgt	H	Z absolute starting height (0.1” or 2 mm
		above surface). Executed in rapid.
		(Required)
ZDepth	Z	Absolute depth of pocket. (Required)
StepOver	A	The distance the tool steps over (width of
		cut) in the X and Y axes as it mills out the
		pocket. Defaults to tool radius, which is the
		max.
XStart	X	X-Axis rapid-to starting point. Defaults to
		current position.
YStart	Y	Y-Axis rapid-to starting point. Defaults to
		current position.
DepthCut	B	The depth of each cut per pass. Defaults to
		tool diameter. Max is the full ZDepth in
		parameter Z, less bottom finish stock. A
		negative value will cause the finish pass to
		finish the side walls in steps down.

188 7 Programming: Canned Cycles, sub-programs