A preset is a saved set of feeds, speeds and step values for one tool doing one kind of operation, optionally on one stock material. After CAM Assist generates a program, you can swap its calculated cutting parameters for your presets.
What a preset holds
| Part | What it is |
|---|---|
| Usage | The operation it's for, such as Adaptive roughing or Drilling. One usage per preset. |
| Material | One stock material, or All to match any material. |
| Cutting parameters | Spindle speed, feeds, step over, step down and so on. Which ones depends on the usage. See Cutting parameter preset fields by operation. |
A tool can have many presets, for example one per usage and material. Presets are kept with the tool in its library. See Add or edit cutting parameter presets.
When CAM Assist uses presets
When you run CAM Assist, it calculates AI-driven cutting parameters for every operation. Presets are applied afterwards, in the Program stage:
- All operations: click Apply presets to all operations at the top of the program. Each operation gets the preset that matches its tool, usage and your part's material. Restore original cutting parameters undoes it.
- One operation: click the operation, click Edit cutting parameters, and pick a preset under Source. Presets that fit the operation are under Available presets. See Edit cutting parameters for an operation.
A preset matches when its usage is the operation's usage and its material is the part's material or All. If a preset leaves some values empty, CAM Assist fills them in; the operation's source then shows (Completed automatically).
Each operation shows where its values came from: AI params, Preset params or Custom params.
What makes a preset invalid
A preset is invalid if a required value is missing or out of range. Invalid presets show a warning icon with "Missing required fields: …" or "Invalid values in: …". A preset whose usage or material the tool doesn't allow shows "… is not allowed by this tool". In the tool list, hovering over the status of a tool with an invalid preset shows "One or more presets are invalid. For best results, fix them before running CAM Assist."
What this means for you
- For shop-proven feeds and speeds, add presets to your tools, then apply them in the Program stage after each run.
- Saving a preset adds its usage and material to the tool's allowed lists, so the tool becomes available for that work.
- You can turn cutting parameters you've tuned on an operation into a preset. See Save cutting parameters as a preset.
Videos
These CloudNC Academy videos were recorded with an earlier version of CAM Assist, so some screens look different.