Lathe Retract to safe point between toolpaths

[Tinger]

Is there a way to force a retract between toolpaths? In this picture, I'd like it to go up to the point before starting the finish path? In this example I had to add a long lead-in to the finish path in order to avoid hitting the thread OD.

[Kyle F]

Is this a single contour we are looking at, with multipasses for rough/finish?

or are they separate contours, one for rough and one for finish?

I am a mill guy but I believe there are a few different ways you could get the movement you're looking for.

[gcode]

this is what Ref Points are for

if your screen shot is all one tool path, it won't work,

but if you have a roughing path, then a finish past, you can use Ref Points 

to do what you're looking for

[Colin Gilchrist]

I program every "ID" path with Reference Points for Approach and Retract, in Z. To make sure the tool completely retracts from the bore.

Note: you can "just use Z" (don't check X, for example), and let Mastercam use the "diameter" of the path, or you can opt to use "only X". You can also choose between absolute coordinates (forcing a specific X or Z location), or using "incremental", which means "distance is offset from the geometry or initial point of the toolpath" (not G91 output).

[Tinger]

55 minutes ago, gcode said:

this is what Ref Points are for

if you screen shot is all one tool path, it won't work,

but if you have a roughing path, then a finish past, you can use Ref Points 

to do what you're looking for

How did I miss this... lol. Looked over that reference field 10 times....

Just got mcam lathe today so its all new to me.

 

On an unrelated note... it appears the lathe side of the software does not get as much love as the milling side.