Toolpath optimization
Optimization
The software supports several algorithms to optimize (an interval of) programmed toolpath to fulfill certain criteria, as for example to achieve a smoother motion of the manufacturing tool. Each of these algorithms modify a specific toolpath element parameter for the selected interval.
To optimize the toolpath, or parts of it, a series of manual interactions are available. The users starts the command and decides where and how to modify the part he addresses. The software also comes with several automatic routines that can generate and optimize a program toolpath autonomously.
Toolpath quality evaluation
To be able to validate the toolpath for the necessity to optimize it (partially), a toolpath quality evaluation mechanism has been implemented.
Toolpath quality evaluation is a process in which each toolpath position is analyzed and evaluated against a set of certain predefined target criteria. Criteria that have a configurable value range can be defined individually to set the value levels of the criteria, for which the analyzed toolpath result is awarded as acceptable.
Each position is analyzed and then is given an evaluation flag, for each criteria individually, to indicate the quality level and with that the acceptance of that position.
 | Good (green) The calculated value of the quality parameter is good. |
 | Acceptable (yellow) The calculated value of the quality parameter is still acceptable. |
 | Critical (orange) The calculated value of the quality parameter is still valid, but critical. |
 | Invalid (red) The calculated value of the quality parameter is invalid and not acceptable. |
The toolpath quality, i.e. its incidents, are being displayed at several places.
 |  |  |  | |||
| Active program | Toolpath monitor | 3D toolpath | Incidents at toolpath position |
The quality evaluation is to validate the current state of the program. To be able to compare different states, different (quality) versions of the toolpath, a second evaluation parameter has been introduced; toolpath costs.
Toolpath costs is a way to express the quality in a costs factor, where each target criteria has been given a certain costs function. This can be a linear, a parabolic function or anything else, as the example below shows. It is a neutral value, not any sort of currency.
At each toolpath position the costs are calculated for each analyzed criteria and then summed up. The result is being displayed in the Toolpath dashboard and is updated immediately after any modification of the toolpath.
A trend symbol indicates the costs change compared to its previous value, the one before the last toolpath modification(s).
 | Value has been increased; i.e. higher costs effect |
 | Value remained the same; i.e. neutral or no effect |
 | Value has been decreased; i.e. lower costs effect |
