Before creating toolpaths, the model must be prepared properly. Go to File > Open and select your CAD file.
When entering tight slots, the toolpath automatically morphs into a series of circular loops, maintaining a constant tool engagement angle and preventing catastrophic tool failure.
Marco was a veteran machinist, but this part—a twisted turbine housing with undercuts and a zero-tolerance draft angle—was a nightmare. He knew his usual CAM software would choke on it. Then he remembered the old license on his second monitor: . worknc tutorial
Ensure the machining direction matches your physical CNC setup (usually aligning the spindle axis with the Z-axis).
Marco leaned back. It was 2:00 AM. He was supposed to be exhausted, but he felt a strange excitement. He loaded the final tutorial: "5-Axis Swarf Machining for Impossible Angles." Before creating toolpaths, the model must be prepared
). Ensure the Z-axis points exactly parallel to the spindle tool axis. Use the Create Coordinate System tool to align the UCS with a flat setup face or the center of a cylindrical bounding box.
WorkNC automatically calculates a minimum rectangular box around your part. You can add offsets (e.g., +2mm on all sides, +5mm on the bottom for clamping). Marco was a veteran machinist, but this part—a
: Click File > New Workzone . Avoid generic naming conventions; use descriptive identifiers (e.g., WZ_DiePart_Rev2 ).
Finishing creates the final precise surface profile of your mold or part. Choose your strategy based on the steepness of the part topology. Choosing the Right Strategy Strategy Name Ideal Surface Topology Machining Characteristic Vertical / Steep walls ( >45∘is greater than 45 raised to the composed with power Constant Z-level planar slices down the walls. Planar Finishing Flat / Shallow regions ( Isoparametric Complex, organic curves