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      Understand the Lead/Lean Tool Axis

      Using the Lead/Lean option for your tool axis to turn a toolpath into a 5-axis. What does Lead/Lean do to the tool axis?

      Issue

      Trying to understand what Lead/Lean does to your tool axis when used.
       

      Answer

      Using the Lead/Lean option for your tool axis will affect your toolpath in the following ways.

       
      1. Using a Lead angle of 45 degrees and a mode of Vertical will tilt the tool axis in the direction of the cut pulling the tool behind the holder.
      2. A Lead angle of -45 degrees and a mode of Vertical will tilt the tool axis in the direction of the cut, pushing the tool in front of the holder.
      3. Using a Lean angle of 45 or -45 degrees and a mode of Vertical will tilt the tool axis to one side or the other about the direction of the cut.
      4. Using a Lead/Lean angle of 0 (zero) and the mode set to Contact Normal will keep the tool perpendicular or normal to the point of the surface it's touching.
      5. Using a Lead/Lean angle of 0 (zero) and the mode is set to Vertical, the tool cannot finish any undercut regions and stays in the Vertical position.
      6. With any of the Projection style finishing toolpaths using a Lead/Lean angle of 0 (zero) and the mode set to Preview Frame Normal, the tool axis is now utilizing the preview when you click the preview button of your projection toolpath.