How to add thickness to a surface using component thickness in PowerMill

How to leave thickness on a specified surface or group of surfaces when machining to zero stock or other stock value.

Issue

When finishing a part you may need to leave extra stock on specific surfaces to be removed later in the manufacturing process. This can be set up inside component thickness when semi-finishing and finishing the part.

Answer

Component thickness for a new toolpath

1. Open the toolpath settings

2. Click on the Component thickness icon

3. Select the surface in the graphic window to add thickness to

   1. Hold shift on the keyboard and left-click to select more than one surface

4. In the component thickness page > select a new Set

5. Click on the Acquire Components icon on the component thickness page

6. Enter the thickness to leave in the thickness dialog > press Tab on the keyboard to enter

7. Press Apply and Accept

8. Press Calculate

Component thickness for an existing toolpath

1. Open the toolpath settings

2. Press the recycle button to enable edits to the toolpath settings

3. Click on the Component thickness icon

4. Select the surface in the graphic window to add thickness too

   1. 1. Hold shift on the keyboard and left-click to select more than one surface

5. In the component thickness page > select a new Set

6. Click on the Acquire Components icon on the component thickness page

7. Enter the thickness to leave in the thickness dialog > press Tab on the keyboard to enter

8. Press Apply

9. Press Yes to the PowerMill Query

10. Press Accept

11. Press Calculate