Connecting multiple Profiles

When several profiles of your workpiece share identical tool and machining parameters you can combine them into a single curve that allows to machine them within the same Work Step. This technic is also used to append island profiles to the path curve that represents the pocket boundary (click here for more information). The task of connecting the profiles is simply achieved by linking each of the sub-profiles with rapid curve links when creating the new curve. When using the Chain command for curve creation, these rapid links are inserted automatically when selecting (chaining) the individual profiles. To machine such a curve you can use any of the available milling cycles, but you should be aware of the fact  that there is no interference check when sub-profiles or the resulting toolpath's are overlapping.

The graphics below show an example of three cavities that were linked into the same curve. They were machined with only two Work Steps. The first one used the Pocketing cycle for roughing and the second one the Contouring cycle for finishing.

Pocketing Toolpath

Contouring Toolpath