Alphacam Auto Style setup: automatic machining by layer name

Auto Style is Alphacam's automation tool that assigns operations to geometry automatically by layer name. It is set up once; after that every part drawn on the right layers — by hand, from DXF or by a macro — is fully machined with one command. In the Router module it is the backbone of series production; this article gives, step by step, a setup that works in a shop. Menu names and dialogs vary by release; the logic does not.

How it works

Auto Style is a rule list: "apply this operation, with this tool, at this depth, to geometry on layer X." Geometry type is part of the rule: closed contour (outside/inside cut or pocket), open contour (groove), circle (hole — drill chosen by diameter). The rule list is saved as a style file; when a drawing is opened and Auto Style runs, Alphacam scans the drawing and creates the operation on every matching geometry. Non-matching geometry is not machined — which is good: geometry on the wrong layer does not reach the machine, stays visibly un-machined and gets noticed.

Step 1: the layer standard

Everything starts with layer names. The standard should be short, upper case, without special characters (DXF and post compatibility). A sufficient set for a furniture shop:

Step 2: style definition

One style per layer: operation type, tool, depth (or a relative value such as "material thickness + 0.5 mm"), feed/speed, cutting direction (climb/conventional), lead-in/out (ramp, arc), tab count. Recommended order:

1. Build the tool library first: name, diameter, length, speed, feed for every cutter/drill. The style binds to the tool by name.
2. Keep material thickness variable (read from the sheet setting) — one style file instead of two for 16 and 18 mm.
3. Set through-cut depth to thickness + 0.3–0.5 mm; spoilboard allowance.
4. Decide conventional vs climb for the outside cut once per material; on faced board climb usually gives the cleaner edge.
5. Make tab count a rule of part area: < 0.05 m² → 2 tabs.

Step 3: operation order and priority

Auto Style creates operations in rule order; that order is the machine order. Correct order: holes → pocket/groove/pattern → inside cut → outside cut. The outside cut must be last — once the part is free of the sheet, vacuum no longer holds it. To reduce tool changes, put operations using the same tool together; Alphacam can "sort by tool" automatically, but still check the outside cut stays last.

Step 4: preparing DXF and macro drawings

A DXF from outside carries the designer's layer names (0, Layer1, CUT_LINE…). Two fixes: (a) give the designer the standard layer list — cheapest; (b) map/rename layers in Alphacam; the Move to Layer macro (Cabinet Macros) puts selected geometry on the target layer in one click. Macro output needs no preparation: the macros in How Alphacam-based parametric door and cabinet door macros work already draw on the layer standard.

Step 5: test and maintenance

• Prepare a test drawing with one sample of every layer; whenever the style file changes, run it first and check the simulation.
• Un-machined geometry = wrong layer. Catch it with "show un-machined" on the drawing.
• Include the style file in the LICOMDIR backup; carry it over on Alphacam updates.
• New tool = style update; tool library and style file are versioned together.

After Auto Style: nesting and post

Auto Style assigns operations per part; then parts are nested onto sheets (Alphacam nesting guide: sheet layout, waste, grain direction and labels) and the post-processor writes the NC (What is an Alphacam post-processor? Producing NC code for your machine). With all three in place the flow becomes "enter dimensions → get NC"; GMacros packages provide the first step (drawing from dimensions onto the right layers): products.