What is preserve direction order for roughing?
Preserve direction order for roughing is an option likely related to multi-orientation (3+2) roughing sequences. It suggests that if multiple roughing operations occur from different directions/setups, this setting will keep the order of those directions as you’ve defined or as the AI initially chooses, rather than reordering them for some optimization. It could mean that CAM Assist will rough in the specified orientation sequence without mixing up the pattern, possibly to ensure a predictable or stable material removal sequence (for example, always rough from top first, then from one side, then another, in a fixed order). Without it, CAM Assist might reorder roughing passes based on efficiency (like do whichever first that removes the most material fastest). With preserve order on, it respects a user-defined or default directional order. This can matter if removing material in one direction before another is important (maybe to avoid tool collision or part deflection issues). Essentially, it keeps multi-direction roughing in the set order rather than potentially interleaving or reprioritizing them.
Why is preserve direction order for roughing important when using CAM Assist?
In multi-axis roughing, sometimes the sequence can affect outcome. For example, roughing a cavity from the top might be safer to do before roughing from the side (to open up space) – a user might set that expectation. If the AI, in trying to be optimal, decided to do some side roughing first, it could cause an unstable cut because the top wasn’t cleared. Preserve direction order ensures the AI doesn’t get too creative with reordering; it sticks to the logical or user-specified progression. It’s akin to controlling the schedule of operations. Also, a programmer might want to maintain a certain order to simplify simulation or avoid confusion (like always going around the part in a consistent direction). On the flip side, leaving it off could allow slightly shorter tool paths (maybe AI finds it efficient to alternate between directions to minimize repositioning – but that’s unusual, most would do one direction fully then next). Likely this setting is more relevant if you manually set the orientation sequence in user-defined mode; preserve means exactly follow that sequence. If off, maybe CAM Assist would choose to rough differently (maybe finishing one entire feature across multiple angles before moving to another feature, etc.). It’s somewhat subtle. For critical parts, predictable ordering can ensure even material removal and avoid leaving awkward sections of stock that could cause tool deflection.
Where do I find / adjust the preserve direction order for roughing in CAM Assist?
How else could preserve direction order for roughing be known?
- Maintain setup roughing sequence
- Don’t reorder multi-axis roughing
- Roughing orientation scheduling
Related articles to preserve direction order for roughing
- What is same direction for roughing and finishing? (both are about controlling strategy consistency)
- What is finishing operation ordering? (similar concept for finishing vs roughing ordering)
- What is 3+2 automatic mode? (if using automatic, preserve order might not be a thing because AI handles whole sequence anyway; this is more for user-defined where you gave an order)