Path Adaptive

Description
The tool uses an adaptive algorithm to create clearing and profiling paths that manage cutter engagement so that engagement and material removal never exceed a maximum value.

Usage
Usage instructions for the Adaptive operation are presented here.

Basic Operation

 * 1) Press the  icon, or select the  →  from the top menu.
 * 2) Select the tool controller for the Operation from the Tool controller dialogue pop up window, if prompted.
 * 3) Adjust the operation depths as needed in the Depths tab: Start Depth, Finish Depth, Step Down.
 * 4) Make adjustments in Heights tab if needed.
 * 5) Configure settings in the Operations tab:
 * 6) (See the Properties → Adaptive section below.)
 * 7) Set the Step Over value as a percentage of the diameter of the Tool.
 * 8) If you wish to preview the result before accepting the settings, click
 * 9) Click  button to confirm and generate paths.

Preliminary Notes About Adaptive Clearing

 * Depending on the size and complexity of the area for the operation, is might be better to not recompute the operation after every property change; rather, consider:
 * deactivate the operation with the toggle tool, make your changes to the operation's properties, then click the  icon again to re-activate the operation - which triggers a recompute internally.
 * The operation might contain a few bugs yet to be clearly identified. Please report bugs and issues in the FreeCAD Path/CAM Forum.
 * All tool shapes may not be respected with this operation. Check the FreeCAD forum for further details.
 * Should you choose to run the path simulator in the Path Workbench, it only uses the standard end mill to simulate paths. Therefore, you will not see tool-shape-specific material removal. Material removal is shown using the end mill shape.

Properties
 Note : The names of some Properties in this list differ a little from the same settings used in the Task Window Editor.


 * : Force plunging into material inside and clearing towards the edges
 * : Helix ramp entry angle (degrees)
 * : Angle (degrees) of conical helix
 * : Limit helix entry diameter, if limit larger than tool diameter or 0, tool diameter is used
 * : Max length of keep tool down path compared to direct distance between points
 * : Lift distance for rapid moves
 * : Type of adaptive operation: Clearing or Profiling
 * : Side of selected faces that tool should cut: Inside or Outside
 * : Percent of cutter diameter to step over on each pass
 * : How much stock to leave (i.e. for a separate finishing operation)
 * : Influences accuracy and performance
 * : Use Arcs (G2) for helix ramp

Note: It is suggested that you do not edit the Placement property of path operations. Rather, move or rotate the Path Job model as needed.


 * : Overall placement[position and rotation] of the object - with respect to the origin (or origin of parent object container)
 * : Angle in degrees applied to rotation of the object around Axis property value
 * : Axis (one or multiple) around which to rotate the object, set in sub-properties: X, Y, Z
 * : X axis value
 * : Y axis value
 * : Z axis value
 * : Position of the object, set in sub-properties: X, Y, Z - with respect to the origin (or origin of parent object container)
 * : X distance value
 * : Y distance value
 * : Z distance value
 * : User-provided name of the object (UTF-8)


 * : The height needed to clear clamps and obstructions
 * : Final Depth of Tool- lowest value in Z
 * : Maximum material removed on final pass.
 * : The above which Rapid motions are allowed.
 * : Starting Depth of Tool- first cut depth in Z
 * : Incremental Step Down of Tool


 * : Make False, to prevent operation from generating code
 * : An optional comment for this Operation
 * : Defines the Tool controller used in the Operation
 * : User assigned label

Tasks Window Editor Layout
Descriptions for these settings are provided in the Properties list above.

This section is simply a layout map of the settings in the window editor for the Operation.

Base Geometry

 * Add: Adds selected element(s) which should be the base(s) for the path(s).
 * Delete: Delete the selected item(s) in the Base Geometry list.
 * Clear: Clear all items in the Base Geometry list.

Operation

 * (Side)
 * (Tolerance)
 * (Helix Diameter Limit)
 * (Tolerance)
 * (Helix Diameter Limit)
 * (Helix Diameter Limit)
 * (Helix Diameter Limit)
 * (Helix Diameter Limit)

Known Issues
In case Path Adaptive creates some unwanted paths, try with a set to  or more. You can reduce the diameter of the tool by double that amount to keep the paths exact.

A proposed bugfix is available (but no one is working on integrating it):

https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/5276

Resources

 * Author's GitHub page for the original project: kreso-t/FreeCAD_Mod_Adaptive_Path
 * Active topic in FreeCAD forums for Path Adaptive operation: Adaptive Path/CAM Operation