CAM Tool: Tangent Drag

This CAM function allows you to pick a line or arc and drag the tool along it, always staying tangent to the entity, outputting the coordinates.

If you pick a Line: Pick the line on the side that you want the tool to be tangent to. The tool will appear tangent to the spot where you picked, but now you can move the mouse and the tool will move, always remaining tangent, even when you go past the endpoints of the line. The position coordinates are continuously displayed in the status window. When you click the left mouse button the tool will stop in its position. Then you can use the X,Y,Z insert buttons to insert the coordinates into the editor. Then its ready to pick the next line.

If you pick an Arc: Since the NC output for an arc requires the start position and end position, Drag Arc will give the opportunity to pick both. First pick the arc on the side you want to be tangent to. Then drag the tool around to the start point and press the left mouse button. This will store the start position coordinates into the X,Y,Z insert buttons. Then continue to drag the tool around to the end point for the arc. Press the left mouse button again and the end point coordinates and the I,J,K values will be stored into the arc insert button. Notice that the G02-G03 value changes back and forth depending on whether you drag the tool around clockwise or counter-clockwise.

By using the Shift key or Ctrl-Shift, you can drag the tool horizontal or vertical from a mouse point. Hold the Shift key down and pick any place in the window with the mouse, and the tool will drag horizontal from there. Use Ctrl-Shift for vertical.

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