14. Toolpath Editing
ArtCAM
14. Toolpath Editing
Toolpath Editing.
Any ArtCAM toolpaths can be edited within ArtCAM. Toolpaths using the same tool can be
merged together, toolpaths can be renamed.
Editing Example.
This example will open an existing model with some toolpaths already generated on them,
edit them and save them as a toolpath template. A similar saved model will be opened and the
toolpaths will be generated by loading in the toolpath template and then re-generating the
toolpaths.
 Select Open Existing Model.
 From Examples2, select the model model-a.art.
A simple badge design has been generated. Some
toolpaths have already been generated and saved with
the program.
 Select the toolpaths tab.
Several toolpaths have been generated for this model
already, but are going to need some editing, before they
are going to be saved as a toolpath template and post
processed.
 Switch off the viewing of all toolpaths. Press F3.
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 Double Click on the toolpath named Z Roughing.
 Change the name to be rough-em6.
 Press Calculate Now and then Close.
A new toolpath called rough-em6 has been added to the list of toolpaths. It has been added to
the end of the list and needs to be at the top of the list to ensure that the machining is done in
the correct sequence.
This is done by selecting the toolpath and using the move up or move down arrows.
 Click the move up arrow several times to move the toolpath rough-em6
to the top of the list.
The toolpath rough-em6 is now at the top of the list.
The toolpath Z roughing can now be selected and
deleted. There is another redundant toolpath at the
bottom of the list, which needs deleting as well.
 Select the toolpath Z Roughing.
 Select delete toolpath.
 Select the toolpath Machine Relief 6.
 Select delete toolpath.
The semi-finish toolpath is called Machine relief. This needs to be renamed, but it also needs
to be limited to a selected vector as it is currently wasting time machining the flat outside. To
limit the toolpath a selected vector needs to be made.
 Select the Assistant tab.
 Create a circle vector or radius 22 at X0 Y0.
 Select the toolpaths tab.
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Double Click on the toolpath named Machine Relief.
Change the option from Whole Model to Selected Vector.
Select the new circle vector.
Change the name to be semi-bn3.
Press Calculate Now and then Close.
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 Click the move up arrow several times to move the toolpath semi-bn3 to
below the toolpath rough-em6 in the list.
 Select the toolpath Machine Relief .
 Select delete toolpath.
The finish toolpath needs to be renamed from machine-relief 1 and the a new vector generated
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Select the Assistant tab.
Create a circle vector or radius 21 at X0 Y0.
Select the toolpaths tab.
Double Click on the toolpath named Machine Relief 1.
Select the new radius 21 circle vector.
Change the name to be semi-bn1half.
Press Calculate Now and then Close.
 Click the move up arrow several times to move the toolpath fin-bn1half
to below the toolpath semi-bn3 in the list.
 Select the toolpath Machine Relief 1.
 Select delete toolpath.
The last toolpath called 3D cut out needs no
adjustments. The ArtCAM model can now be saved
as a training file and the toolpaths stored as a
template so they can be used on the other model.
 Select File  Save As and enter training-modela in C:\Temp.
When you are saving toolpaths as templates it takes every toolpath in the current model,
which is why redundant toolpaths have been deleted.
 Select Save Toolpath as Template.
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The toolpath template is a
special file type (*.tpl) and is
stored outside of the ArtCAM
model.
It is a good idea to be as
descriptive as possible with the
template name.
 Select the area C:\temp and enter the name 6mm-3mm-1half
 Press Save.
 Select File  Close.
The other ArtCAM model can now be opened.
 Select Open Existing Model.
 From Examples2, select the model model-b.art.
This model is almost identical. The toolpath template
can now be loaded into the model.
 Select the toolpaths tab.
 Select Load Toolpath Template.
 Select 6mm-3mm-1half.tpl from C:\temp and press Open.
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All of the toolpaths are loaded into the model but
are shown in red to indicate that they have not been
calculated for this model. To calculate them, then
either us batch processing or double click on each
one and press Calculate Now.
Because some of the toolpaths rely on vectors that have not been selected in this model them
each toolpath will be recalculated manually.
 Double Click on the toolpath named rough-em6.
 Select the Material set up and press OK.
 Press Calculate Now and then Close.
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Select the Assistant tab.
Create a circle vector or radius 22 at X0 Y0.
Create a circle vector or radius 21 at X0 Y0.
Select the toolpaths tab.
 Double Click on the toolpath named semi-bn3.
 Select the circle vector or radius 22.
 Press Calculate Now and then Close.
 Double Click on the toolpath named fin-bn1half.
 Select the circle vector or radius 21.
 Press Calculate Now and then Close.
 Double Click on the toolpath named 3D Cut Out.
 Select the circle vector on the outer edge of the relief.
 Press Calculate Now and then Close.
All toolpaths have now been generated.
 Select Simulate All Toolpaths.
 Select File  Save As and enter trainingmodelb in C:\Temp.
 Select File  Close.
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Toolpath Transform and Toolpath Copy.
These two options allow you to copy and/ or move the selected toolpath.
Toolpaths Database
The toolpaths database is stored in ArtCAM8/exec and is called tool_database.tdb. Any
changes to the tools database will automatically update that file.
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