Additive toolpath offset in X and Y axis.

[ap4264]

As you can see all the consecutive layers have a X and Y offset

Hello,

I am trying to print a weave sort of pattern and I need to generate a toolpath which will have a offset in X and Y axis in each consecutive layer. Currently I am using surface coating feature as the weave is non planar. The photos will describe it better. The question is how can I offset in X and Y direction while using the same workplane.

The only option that I can find is to have a Z offset.

[Luke.Davidson-DSI]

Whenever we would like to do anything that may not be available in Feature Construction or Surface Coating strategies we turn to Pattern machining from the subtractive toolpath, Strategy selector.  A Pattern Toolpath essentially allows the user to create any wireframe and convert that wire frame to a toolpath.  The wire frame can be created inside of PowerMill Curve Editor or can be imported as a CAD Model File>Import>File Type>Browse to file location.  Once the pattern geometry has been collected into a Composite curve and sorted as you would like the toolpath to be performed.  If using an arbitrary surface as the base, you may want to use an embedded pattern so that your curves pickup the normal tool vector from the surface in which you have embedded the curve to.  Next, exit the curve editor and initiate the Pattern toolpath. Toolpath Tab>Toolpath>Finishing>Pattern Finishing. This should have given you a single layer of toolpath.  You can then use your toolpath edit tools to move/copy that toolpath to reproduce additional layers.  Once you are satisfied with the toolpath you can then convert it to additive to establish a layer index and apply point parameters if necessary.  Converting a subtractive toolpath to additive is simple.  Additive tab>Convert to Additive, here you will select your base and your layer height (usually matches your increment that you moved/copied your toolpath).  Of course there are other ways to do this but this allows users to have complete control of the toolpaths which is generally desired in DED AM.  This is one of the huge benefits of using PowerMill for DED is that there is almost always a solution.