Ramping can be used to reduce strain on the tool when plunging into the material. When ramping is activated, the tool will move down at an angle rather than plunging straight down in the Z-axis as it normally does.

 

Consider the following part:

 

 

As you can see from the red toolpath line, the tool plunges straight down in Z to the contour depth. Let's use ramping instead to create a toolpath with less strain on the tool.

 

Open the parameters for the contour cut layer and click on the Ramping tab.

 

 

You can either accept the calculated default values or enter your own.

 

 

Now, the tool moves downward in a zig-zag pattern.

 

It is up to you to calculate the optimal Ramping Angle and length.

 

Please note that ramping cannot be done on arcs. Also, if your Ramp Length (L) value is longer than the first linear movement, the ramp will continue on the next linear movement, and so on. Therefore, you need linear movements with a total length longer than the Ramp Length to avoid an error.

 

 

Ramping with a length overlapping the first three linear movements in the contour.

 

Ramping and Stepping can be combined. See Stepping.