MillSortAuto

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to automatically define the order in which the NC Drill machine will drill the holes listed in the drill file, based on the use of a defined scan-box.

Access

This command is accessed from the CAMtastic Editor by choosing the View » Sort/Optimize Options » Automatic command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the Enter Value dialog will appear. Use the dialog to enter a value for the scan-box used to automatically sort the order that the drill points will be drilled by the NC Drill machine.

For example, if there are four sizes of hole on the drill layer (associated with four differently-sized drill tools) and you wish the smallest to be drilled first, set a value in the dialog to be greater than the diameter of the smallest drill tool, but less than that of the next drill size up.

The order for drilling is then automatically defined as follows:

1. The scan box covers the drill layer in a left-to-right, bottom-to-top fashion, with the drill points associated to the drill tool of equal size, or less, than the scan-box, being drilled first.
2. The scan box is then reset to the bottom-left of the layer and scans again, with the drill points associated with the next drill size up being drilled next.
3. The scanning is repeated for each additional drill size used, until all drill points have been accounted for.

Tips

1. The order in which the NC Drill machine will actually drill the holes, can be previewed using the Preview Drill/Rout command.