RabbitCAM X Support

Creating the Operation and Assigning the Pocket

1. Prepare the part, stock, and work zero in Model.
2. Open Machining > New Operation and select 2.5D Pocketing under 2D / 2.5D Operations.
3. Review the operation name and assigned milling tool, then click Create.
4. Select the operation and open Job Assignment.
5. Use Pick to select the pocket geometry, then complete the selection with the corresponding Finish Selection button in the 3D view.

Use Surface or Surfaces (Lasso) to define a target from selected surfaces, Boundary for a closed CAD boundary, or Curves to build a closed chain. Boundary and curve assignments must form valid, continuous, closed regions.

Each assigned region is a machining target. Review the assignment list and the highlighted geometry to confirm the intended pockets. If the list is empty, RabbitCAM X uses the stock extent as the target, subject to part protection and other restrictions; assign geometry when you want to limit the operation to specific pockets.

Choosing Adaptive Contour or ZigZag

• Adaptive Contour generates contour-based passes for the available pocket region and remaining material. Order selects Inside to Outside or Outside to Inside for the generated contours. Milling Direction offers Both, Climb, and Conventional.
• ZigZag generates parallel passes in alternating directions. Orientation selects Horizontal, parallel to X, or Vertical, parallel to Y. Milling Direction is fixed to Both.

The screenshot uses Adaptive Contour, Inside to Outside, and Both. The Order field controls the contours within this operation; the Operations tree determines the order of separate machining operations.

After switching strategy, review the fields again because the available direction and pattern controls change.

Depth per Pass, Stepover, and Stock to Leave

• Depth per Pass is the maximum vertical step between cutting layers. A smaller final step is used when the total depth is not an exact multiple of this value.
• Stepover is the target lateral advance between passes as a percentage of tool diameter. A 16 mm tool at 40% gives a nominal 6.4 mm advance. The available range is 1–99.9% for Adaptive Contour and 1–100% for ZigZag.
• Stock to Leave retains radial material on pocket walls for later finishing. It does not specify a separate allowance above the pocket floor.

The example uses 4 mm, 40%, and 0 mm respectively. Zero Stock to Leave requests no additional radial allowance, although material can remain where the tool cannot reach.

Setting the Machining Levels

The level fields use Z coordinates relative to the project's work zero:

• Top Level — the starting height for the depth range.
• Bottom Level — the requested final height. It must not be above Top Level.
• Safe Level — the clearance height for approach, linking, and retract moves. It must be above Top Level.

The screenshot uses Top Level = 0 mm, Bottom Level = -32.5 mm, and Safe Level = 5 mm. For a target that reaches this Bottom Level, a 4 mm Depth per Pass gives eight 4 mm steps followed by a final 0.5 mm step.

For a Surface or Surface Group assignment, the operation stops at the higher of the requested Bottom Level and the lowest point of the selected surfaces. A selected floor can therefore limit the depth even when a lower Bottom Level is entered.

Use the pick buttons beside Top Level and Bottom Level to obtain values from a part surface. Top Level uses the surface's highest Z and Bottom Level uses its lowest Z, converted to work coordinates.

For origin setup, see Setting the Workpiece Coordinate System.

Plunge Type and Feeds and Speeds

Plunge Type controls entry into a cutting layer:

• Straight uses a vertical feed move to the cutting depth.
• Ramp lowers the tool progressively while following a suitable cutting path. The path may be repeated or traversed back and forth to provide the required ramp length.

If a suitable ramp cannot be formed, the original straight plunge is retained. Inspect the generated entry moves in Simulation.

RPM sets spindle speed, Feed Rate sets cutting feed in mm/min, and Plunge Rate sets the feed for straight downward entry moves. With Ramp selected, the Plunge Rate field is disabled and generated ramp moves use the cutting-path feed.

The pictured project uses Straight, 3581 RPM, 1432 mm/min Feed Rate, and 358 mm/min Plunge Rate. Select operating values for your actual cutter, material, machine, and engagement.

Machine Outside Boundary if Possible

This option controls whether the tool center may cross the assigned machining boundary.

• Enabled — permits movement beyond the boundary where the available stock, part geometry, and protected regions allow it. This can provide access around open sides of a pocket.
• Disabled — keeps the tool-center region inside the machining boundary, with the required tool-radius and allowance offset.

Part protection, islands represented by the machining geometry, Restricted Areas, and Work Holding remain part of the calculation. Enabling this option does not allow unrestricted cutting through adjacent walls or fixtures.

The screenshot has this option enabled. Inspect paths near openings and boundary edges after changing it.

Generating and Checking the Pocket Toolpath

1. Review the assigned regions and any Restricted Areas. Imported Work Holding models are included as automatic obstacles.
2. Click Run & Link and select the pocketing operation to inspect its toolpaths.
3. Check coverage around walls and islands, the lowest cutting level, entry moves, and any motion outside the selected boundary.
4. Open Simulation and review the removed and remaining material. The calculated clearance height may be raised above Safe Level to clear modeled part or fixture geometry.
5. Recalculate after changing assignments, parameters, tools, stock, or fixture placement. Save with Ctrl+S and use Post Process when the setup is ready.

If the result is empty or shallower than expected, review the selected surfaces, their lowest Z, remaining stock from earlier operations, tool diameter, and protected regions. If generation reports invalid geometry, check that boundary and curve assignments are closed and continuous, and that the level and stepover values are valid.