The order in which cuts are made determines the time to output a finished piece.
Priority
Set the priority levels of the major parameters relative to each other.
Priority Options
Tool | Type of cutting tool used to make the cut |
Object | The object that the cut forms a part of. In this context an object a piece that will be cut from the plate |
Strategy | The strategy the cut belongs to |
Pass | The cutting pass the cut belongs to |
Layer | The layer the cut belongs to |
The order listed above is the default priority order, which is designed to minimize tool changes. If the output uses 2 tools, all of the toolpaths associated with the first tool would be cut first, followed by all of the toolpaths with the second tool.
Cutting Each Object Completely Before Continuing
A common change to the priority order list is to cut out each object completely before moving on to the next object. Moving Object to the top of the order will prioritize each object above the individual tools used to cut out the object. This will increase the number of tool changes, but that could be a valid tradeoff if it is more important to keep completed parts moving through a shop.
Tool Order
The Tools list displays all tools used in the design ranked from highest to lowest priority. Highest priority tools are used first down to the lowest priority tool. A 1/4" end mill used to cut out pieces from the plate should be prioritized lowest so that all other cuts can be made to a design before separating it from the plate.
Clear the Use check box to the right of a tool to prevent any cuts using that tool from being output.
Strategy Order
The Strategies list displays the different strategies within the design in priority order. Higher priority strategies are cut first and lower priority strategies are cut later.
Clear the Use check box to the right of a strategy to disable it from generating output. For example, if the same contours are used to generate male and female Routing Offset toolpaths for an inlay job, each strategy will need to be sent to the machine at a different time. Mark one strategy as unused to generate output files for the other strategy.
Object Order
Choose how objects are prioritized. Object order uses the same dialogue as Toolpath Ordering.
Additional Ordering Options
Small Parts First | Cut out small parts first |
Maintain Grouping | Treat grouped objects as a single reference in the cut order |
Load and Save Ordering to Preferences
Ordering parameters can be saved to preferences and reloaded later by using the Load and Save Ordering to Preferences buttons in the ordering dialogue. When Load Ordering is selected, the ordering parameters saved to preferences will be loaded into the dialogue. When Save Ordering is selected, the parameters loaded in the dialogue will be saved to EnRoute preferences, overwriting any previously saved ordering parameters.