1. Creating Rout Paths Using CAMMaster

2. Step 1 Import Gerber File. Import Gerber File. User Ctrl+W to window around data. User Ctrl+W to window around data. Save file as RoutPaths.bin. Save file as RoutPaths.bin.

3. Step 2 Select all traces using global select with selection criterion set to “Traces”. Select all traces using global select with selection criterion set to “Traces”. Remove text block from selection. Remove text block from selection.

4. Step 3 Replicate selection to layer 2 using Ctrl+J. Replicate selection to layer 2 using Ctrl+J. Turn off layer 1. Turn off layer 1. Turn on and activate layer 2. Turn on and activate layer 2.

5. Step 4 Window select all of the outlines. Window select all of the outlines.

6. Step 5 Convert the selection to routing paths. Convert the selection to routing paths. Note that 10 routing paths are created. Note that 10 routing paths are created.

7. Step 6 Clear all selections. Clear all selections. Turn on both layer 1 and layer 2. Turn on both layer 1 and layer 2. Zoom in on one of the slots. Zoom in on one of the slots. Notice that the cut line is centered to the board outline. Notice that the cut line is centered to the board outline. This will change when we assign the paths a tool code. This will change when we assign the paths a tool code.

8. Step 7 Setup the routing path properties. Setup the routing path properties. With all 10 paths selected, choose the Tools, Routing, Selection Properties menu item. With all 10 paths selected, choose the Tools, Routing, Selection Properties menu item.

9. Step 8 First, we will setup the tool that we want to use. First, we will setup the tool that we want to use. Click on the button shown in the figure to the right. Click on the button shown in the figure to the right.

10. Step 9 Setup tool code number 3 to be 0.061 and set the type to “Tooling”. Setup tool code number 3 to be 0.061 and set the type to “Tooling”. I know you want to use a 0.062 tool. I’ll explain later. I know you want to use a 0.062 tool. I’ll explain later.

11. Step 10 Set the routing path properties as shown. Set the routing path properties as shown. Precedence set to “0” for now. We will adjust later. Precedence set to “0” for now. We will adjust later. Orientation set to “CounterClockWise”. Orientation set to “CounterClockWise”. Compensation set to “Right”. Compensation set to “Right”.

12. Step 11 Clear all selections. Clear all selections. Turn on both layer 1 and layer 2. Turn on both layer 1 and layer 2. Zoom in on a slot. Zoom in on a slot. Note that the rout path has now been offset and that it reflects the proper tool width. Note that the rout path has now been offset and that it reflects the proper tool width.

13. Step 12 Turn off layer 1, leaving only layer 2 on. Turn off layer 1, leaving only layer 2 on. Note that the outlines have now been changed to routing paths, instead of traces. Note that the outlines have now been changed to routing paths, instead of traces. Change the selection criterion to “Routing Paths”. Change the selection criterion to “Routing Paths”. With the selection tool active, click near the board outlines. Note that these are now selected as a complete path. With the selection tool active, click near the board outlines. Note that these are now selected as a complete path. In the figure to the right, the upper left board outline is selected. In the figure to the right, the upper left board outline is selected.

14. Step 13 We will now add the plunge and retract point for the upper left board outline. We will now add the plunge and retract point for the upper left board outline. Place the cursor in the approximate area shown and zoom in. Place the cursor in the approximate area shown and zoom in.

15. Step 14 Clear all selections and deactivate the selection tool. Clear all selections and deactivate the selection tool. Your screen should appear as shown to the right. Your screen should appear as shown to the right.

16. Step 15 We will use a curved lead-in and lead-out segment. We will use a curved lead-in and lead-out segment. You will activate the “Lead-In” tool and then click on the outline where you want the lead in to join the outline. You will activate the “Lead-In” tool and then click on the outline where you want the lead in to join the outline. You will then move the mouse and click where you want the plunge point to appear. You will then move the mouse and click where you want the plunge point to appear. Begin by activating the “Lead-In” tool. Begin by activating the “Lead-In” tool.

17. Step 16 Begin by clicking at the approximate point shown in the figure to the right. Begin by clicking at the approximate point shown in the figure to the right.

18. Step 17 Now drag the cursor to the approximate position shown in the figure to the right and then click the mouse button. Now drag the cursor to the approximate position shown in the figure to the right and then click the mouse button. The path is modified to add a plunge point, a blend segment and a retract point. The path is modified to add a plunge point, a blend segment and a retract point. The routing tool will enter the material at the plunge point, traverse the path in a counterclockwise direction and exit at the retract point. The routing tool will enter the material at the plunge point, traverse the path in a counterclockwise direction and exit at the retract point. The “Blend Segment Length” is controlled by selecting “Routing, Lead-In Options, Blend Segment Length”. This is a value that is a multiple of the tool radius. The “Blend Segment Length” is controlled by selecting “Routing, Lead-In Options, Blend Segment Length”. This is a value that is a multiple of the tool radius.

19. Step 18 To graphically view the plunge point, set the display mode to zero width (press the “O” key. To graphically view the plunge point, set the display mode to zero width (press the “O” key.

20. Step 18 To graphically view the plunge point, set the display mode to zero width (press the “O” key. To graphically view the plunge point, set the display mode to zero width (press the “O” key.

21. Step 19 You could build just one routing path and add the plunge and retract points. You could build just one routing path and add the plunge and retract points. You could then step and repeat that one path. You could then step and repeat that one path. However, these are so simple, that I’ve decided to just add the plunge points to each path manually. However, these are so simple, that I’ve decided to just add the plunge points to each path manually. Do this for the rest of the outlines. Your screen should appear approximately as shown on the right. Do this for the rest of the outlines. Your screen should appear approximately as shown on the right.

22. Step 20 Now, we want to set the routing order. Now, we want to set the routing order. You do this by setting the “Precedence” property of each routing path. You do this by setting the “Precedence” property of each routing path. Lower numbers of Precedence get routed first. Lower numbers of Precedence get routed first. A precedence setting of “0” (the default) means you don’t care about the order. These paths will be routed last. A precedence setting of “0” (the default) means you don’t care about the order. These paths will be routed last. You could select all of the board outlines and set the precedence to “1”. You could then select all of the coupons and set the precedence to “2”. You could select all of the board outlines and set the precedence to “1”. You could then select all of the coupons and set the precedence to “2”. I’ve decided to rout these paths in the order shown on the right. I’ve decided to rout these paths in the order shown on the right.

23. Step 21 Let’s set the precedence for the upper left board outline. Let’s set the precedence for the upper left board outline. Make sure your selection criterion is set to “Routing Paths” and click to select the upper left board outline. Make sure your selection criterion is set to “Routing Paths” and click to select the upper left board outline. Right click the mouse and click on “Routing Properties. Right click the mouse and click on “Routing Properties.

24. Step 22 Set the Precedence to “1” for this path. Set the Precedence to “1” for this path. Select each remaining path in turn and set the precedence to match the numbers shown to the right. Select each remaining path in turn and set the precedence to match the numbers shown to the right.

25. Step 23 As a final step, we’ll output the finished file. As a final step, we’ll output the finished file. First, delete the board outline that is still on this layer. First, delete the board outline that is still on this layer. Then select the Rout Export menu. Then select the Rout Export menu.

26. Step 24 I chose the default output name. I chose the default output name.

27. Step 25 Review the output in a text editor. Review the output in a text editor.

28. A Note about Tool Sizes You wanted a 0.062 inch tool size. However, the slots are also 0.062 inches in width. Our algorithm would not automatically plunge into a slot that is the same width as the tool. We could have used 0.06199 inches and it would work. You wanted a 0.062 inch tool size. However, the slots are also 0.062 inches in width. Our algorithm would not automatically plunge into a slot that is the same width as the tool. We could have used 0.06199 inches and it would work. If necessary, we could have mapped the tool to 0.062 inch and then programmed the slots separately. But, I think that’s more work. If necessary, we could have mapped the tool to 0.062 inch and then programmed the slots separately. But, I think that’s more work. You would probably also get better (cleaner) routs if a slightly smaller tool was used... e.g. 0.055 or so. I know the tool won’t be as stiff... but it will probably make cleaner cuts in the slots. You would probably also get better (cleaner) routs if a slightly smaller tool was used... e.g. 0.055 or so. I know the tool won’t be as stiff... but it will probably make cleaner cuts in the slots.

29. Summary I hope this gives you a decent introduction to using the routing functions in CAMMaster. I hope this gives you a decent introduction to using the routing functions in CAMMaster. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to send an email to support@pentalogix.com or you can always call me directly at (307) 248-0118. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to send an email to support@pentalogix.com or you can always call me directly at (307) 248-0118. support@pentalogix.com Happy Routing!!! Max