The SmartCAM system now uniquely identifies all Lead elements, whether created with the Geometry Edit - Lead In/Out tool, or by toolpath generation processes that support leads. This new lead identity provides several benefits.

When viewing elements in the list view or Element Data it is now clearly visible which elements are Leads. This change makes it easy to understand where each toolpath profile begins and ends.

More importantly, the system can intelligently use the lead identity to allow leads to be automatically replaced with new leads or ignored when using profiles containing leads as input to other functions; for example a pocket boundary.

The Geo Edit - Lead In/Out command has been separated into three distinct methods, each presented on a new tabbed panel. The two new lead methods are Parametric and Start/End, and the previous lead method is found on the "Classic" tab. The new methods allow leads to be applied to multiple profiles using an active or named Group.

The new Parametric method allows leads to be defined using Line, Arc, or Line & Arc parameters. The lead-in and lead-out can now be specified independently, as can the Line Angle. This allows different lead in/out configurations to be created in a single execution of the panel, eliminating the need to run the lead panel multiple times to get the desired result.

Begining with V15.5, the Parametric method also allows Line and Arc Angles to be specified as either relative to the profile start and end tangent vectors or the absolute 3:00 position. Absolute angles make it easy to enter or retract along a particular axis, regardless of the profile start and end orientation. In the case of turning, absolute angles can be used to ensure the tool enters and retracts along the tool bisector angle.

The new Start/End method allows Line, Arc, or Line & Arc leads to be defined using a combination of independent Start and End points, and Arc parameters when applicable.

The new Parametric and Start/End Lead In/Out methods allow a start Near point to be specified for closed profiles. If an existing endpoint on the profile is specified, the profile is simply resequenced starting at that endpoint. If the start Near point is specified along an element or somewhere off the profile, the system will use the specified point to automatically split and resequence the profile.

An Overlap amount can also be specified to automatically extend the start and end of closed profiles, to ensure complete cleanup. This feature saves time by eliminating the many steps otherwise necessary to perform these operations, particularly when many profiles are involved, for example multiple Z-level passes.

The new Geo Edit - Lead In/Out methods allow existing leads to be automatically replaced by changing the In and Out panel options from Add to Replace. When using the Replace setting the system checks to see if there are elements identified as lead at the beginning or end of each profile, and if so, removes them before adding whatever lead-in and lead-out has been specified.

Leads can be entirely removed by using the Replace option and setting the Lead In and Lead Out Style to None. This feature greatly simplifies lead editing, and allows any lead, even those created by a toolpath generation Process to be quickly and easily changed.

The processes that support lead-in and lead-out have been updated similar to the new Parametric method. The Parameters dialog box has been reconfigured to use tabs and presents the lead parameters on one tab and the remaining process parameter options on the other. Independent lead-in and lead-out definitions are now possible, and a Line Angle and Overlap can be specified.