Profile Milling with Tool Compensation and Ramp Entry or helical for Internal Profile

[CRIS_AFARELLI]

Hello CREO Users,

I am working on a milling operation for an internal profile (similar to a valve seat geometry) in Creo Manufacturing. My objective is to machine the internal contour using tool radius compensation (CUTCOM) and to ensure smooth ramp transitions between Z-level passes or using helical folling the profile to avoid marks on the final surface.

I have tried the following approaches:

The Cut Line strategy allows helical movements and smooth transitions between passes, but it does not support tool radius compensation (CUTCOM). This is a requirement for my process.

The Profile Milling strategy does support CUTCOM, but it does not offer ramp or spiral entry between Z-level cuts. As a result, the tool plunges vertically at each level, which causes unwanted marks and steps in the internal diameter of the part.

I've tried to explore all the SCAN_TYPE parameters. LEAD_IN and LEAD_OUT approach but nothing works well.
I need a solution that allows:

Internal profile milling

Tool radius compensation (CUTCOM)

Smooth ramp or helical transitions between Z-level passes

Is there a way to achieve this in Creo? Can you suggest any workaround or configuration that enables ramped transitions with CUTCOM enabled in Profile Milling or another equivalent strategy?

[Michael · Accepted solution]

In the config options there are several CUTCOM-related controls:

• enable_cutcom_helix_corner → improves CUTCOM handling of linear helical chains .
• enable_feed_rate_for_helix → ensures proper feed rate output during helical moves .
• enable_cutcom_plnr_apprexit_fix and enable_cutcom_apprexit_fix → improve offset handling at approach/exit  .

These options don’t directly unlock ramp/helical entry in Profile Milling, but they make CUTCOM more reliable with complex entry/exit motions, including helixes.

Also remember that for CUTCOM to work some controllers often need some kind of a jog of the tool path CUTCOM to take account

[CRIS_AFARELLI]

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation and for pointing out the CUTCOM-related config options.

In my environment, I had already set all of these parameters (enable_cutcom_helix_corner, enable_feed_rate_for_helix, enable_cutcom_plnr_apprexit_fix, and enable_cutcom_apprexit_fix) to YES, so from the configuration side I was already aligned with your recommendations.

Even so, I understand that these options do not directly enable ramp or helical entry in Profile Milling, but rather improve the reliability of CUTCOM when handling complex approach and exit motions. That makes sense, especially considering the behavior of different controllers and their need for a slight jog in the toolpath for CUTCOM to properly take effect.

Given your explanation, I will proceed with the proposed solution as the best approach in this case. I appreciate your support and the clarification—it helps me better understand the limitations and the way CUTCOM interacts with ramp/helical entries.

Best regards