Helix Mode

Helix Mode will allow you to cut small holes to full depth quickly and efficiently, without having to do multiple passes. When in Helix Mode, the Spindle will continuously plunge in a spiral pattern going incrementally deeper until it reaches the full depth, perform one finish pass, then automatically retract.

How to use

The button to enable a Helix cut path will appear when you have an Inside cut on a shape that fits entirely inside Origin’s Corrective Circle.  Helix Mode will work with any shape that fits inside the Corrective Circle.

First, set your cut settings as you would for a normal cut, then set cut depth to your full desired depth. Select Inside Cut.

Make sure you’ve selected the Helix Option and that the entire path fits inside the Corrective Circle.

Use the Green Button to start your cut. The spindle will plunge and move automatically, then retract when it has finished cutting to the set depth.

Things to Remember

Starting Off-Center

If a cut path qualifies for a Helix cut, you can start the cut even if the entire path isn’t currently within the circle. The spindle will plunge normally and then wait at the edge of its range for you to reposition Origin.

Helix Mode is sticky

Once you enable Helix Mode, it will stay enabled for all qualified cuts until Helix Mode is turned off.

Check your depth when leaving Helix Mode

When moving from a Helix cut to another cut, make sure to update your cut depth to something appropriate for the bit you’re using.  We recommend no deeper than the width of your cutter.

Cut Progress

If you retract the spindle before a Helix cut is complete, Origin will not pick up where it left off when you restart the cut. Instead, Origin will act as though it is starting a fresh cut. This applies to both manually retracting the spindle and when Origin automatically retracts as a result of being moved outside its Corrective Range.

Plunge and Auto Speed

For more on Feed and Speed Settings, check out this article

Plunge

Adjusting the Plunge Speed setting while in Helix mode will change how much material is removed with each revolution of the cutter. For example, a faster plunge setting will result in reaching the set depth in fewer revolutions than a slow plunge setting.

Auto

The Auto Speed setting works the same as in the normal cut mode, controlling how quickly the spindle moves along the cut path.