How to avoid a surface using component thickness in PowerMill

How to keep a toolpath from form cutting segments on a specified surface or group of surfaces

Issue

When creating a toolpath over an entire model, it's sometimes required to avoid some surfaces or groups of surfaces for specific toolpaths. These can be marked as "collision" surfaces, and the toolpath will keep away from them.

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 avoid

   1. Hold shift on your 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. Set the machining model to > Collision

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 avoid

   1. Hold shift on your 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. Set the machining model to > Collision

8. Press Apply

9. Press Yes to the PowerMill Query Press Accept

10. Press Calculate