Increasing the spindle speed, reducing the depth of cut and rounding sharp corners in tool paths are not enough for successful high speed machining. NC Programmers and machinists who stop here immediately find themselves either breaking tools or scaling back machining parameters such as step-over, feed-rate and depth of cut and the value of that new high speed mill is reduced.

Address the following:

Uniform material removal 
NX CAM uses a range of methods to ensure a constant rate of material removal - a key capability, as sudden changes are an important cause of tool breakage.

Successful high-speed roughing
One of the most important areas in CAM programming, NX maintains metal removal rates while managing tool loads. NX tracks remaining material at each cut and adjusts subsequent tool paths for best finish with least machining time and with a high degree of automation in the software.

Avoiding over embedding the tool
The latest trochoidal tool-paths in NX CAM are automatically selected to avoid over-embedding the tool. The tool-path avoids the possibility of “slotting” as the tool becomes fully embedded. In NX the trochoidal loop radii are adjusted automatically to match stock and part geometry.

Consistent finish in steep and shallow regions
The automatic addition of intermediate tool paths in Z-Level in shallow regions leaves a constant depth of stock in semi finishing, ensuring uniform cutting in finishing operations.

Effective Z-Level cutting
For optimum engagement and smoothness of finish, constant z-level cutting is highly effective and enables effective control of tool loading.

Smooth continuous cutting
Various options for non-cutting moves enable tangential connections between adjacent cuts. Smooth helical cutting can be achieved even on irregular shapes.

Proven, integrated machining data
NX includes a customizable machining database allowing the user to manage and apply proven data to associative tool path operations. A data set is included for P20, a typical steel for molds and dies.

Fast tool path generation
NX CAM enables super-fast tool path computation for Z-level rest-milling. This allows tolerances to be tightened for highly accurate and robust rest-milling.

Fine-tuned output for high-speed machining
NX tool paths are fine-tuned for high-speed machine controllers. Uniformly distributed point-point, tangential circular records and NURBS output options enable users to match the method to the parameters of each task.

Managing vibration
A key contributor to tool breakage is unwanted vibration created as the tool, holder and spindle resonate with cutter impact frequencies. The resulting rapid fluctuations in tool loading will lead to premature failure.

NX Advantages:

• Automated trochoidal toolpaths for control of tool loading during roughing operations.
• Processors constantly reference an updated 3D model of the partly machined stock, critical to minimize tool overloading due to unexpected excess depth of cut.
• Flexible control over Z-level machining to achieve constant depth of cut and smooth finish.
• Provided by UGS-a long term established developer of CAM software technology with many successful customers using NX CAM for hard milling and high speed machining.