> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://doc.realvirtual.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://doc.realvirtual.io/components-and-scripts/machining-volume.md).

# Machining Volume (Pro)

**MachiningVolume** turns a GameObject into a machinable workpiece, removing material in real time as a **MachiningTool** passes through it.

{% hint style="info" %}
This feature was added in realvirtual **6.3.5** (Professional)
{% endhint %}

## Overview

MachiningVolume simulates real-time material removal for virtual commissioning of CNC milling, drilling and grinding applications. Internally it represents the workpiece as a voxel-based stock: as one or more MachiningTool objects move through the volume, material is subtracted continuously and the visible mesh is rebuilt as a watertight, closed surface - no pre-baked cut animations, no scripted geometry swaps.

<figure><img src="/files/Yt5W4YSXkGXmElrQCpbJ" alt=""><figcaption><p>A 3-axis gantry mill cutting serpentine grooves into an aluminum block with MachiningVolume</p></figcaption></figure>

Use MachiningVolume together with **Drive** components to move the tool along the real machining path, and connect PLC signals to reset and monitor the process exactly as on a real CNC control.

## Properties

### Workpiece Settings

**Grid Resolution** (Vector3Int) Voxel grid resolution along X, Y and Z (for example 64 x 64 x 64). Higher resolution produces finer, smoother cut surfaces but increases memory use and mesh rebuild cost - start low and increase only where the extra detail is visible.

**Workpiece Size** (millimeters) The size of the workpiece stock along X, Y and Z, used for the Box and Cylinder shapes.

**Shape** (enum: Box / Cylinder / Mesh) The starting stock shape. **Box** creates a rectangular block spanning Workpiece Size. **Cylinder** creates a capped cylinder inscribed in Workpiece Size, oriented along **Cylinder Axis**. **Mesh** voxelizes any closed, watertight mesh into the stock - use this to machine arbitrary CAD parts instead of a primitive shape.

**Cylinder Axis** (enum: X / Y / Z) The axis a Cylinder workpiece lies along. X or Z produces a lying (horizontal) cylinder, Y produces an upright cylinder. Only used when Shape is Cylinder.

**Stock Mesh** (Mesh) The source mesh for Shape = Mesh. Leave empty to machine the mesh already assigned to the workpiece's Mesh Filter (what you see is what gets machined). The mesh must be closed and readable, and any transform scale on the GameObject is baked into the stock automatically, so a scaled Unity primitive machines exactly as displayed.

### Tools

**Tools** (list) The MachiningTool objects that subtract material from this volume every simulation tick, evaluated in list order. Assign tools directly, or let **Tool Group** discover them automatically.

**Tool Group** (string) An optional realvirtual Group name. Any object carrying a MachiningTool component and this group is added to Tools automatically, including MUs spawned at runtime - useful for tool-changer setups or machining stations fed by a Source. Leave empty to use only the explicit Tools list.

**Sweep Tool Motion** (boolean) When enabled, the volume subtracts the swept path of each tool between simulation steps instead of only its end position, so fast tool motion still cuts a continuous groove rather than a series of disconnected dents.

**Max Sweep Substeps** (integer) The maximum number of tool poses sampled along the swept motion path per simulation step, per tool. Raise this if very fast tool moves leave visible gaps in the cut; lower it to save performance.

### Mesh Output

**Meshing** (enum: MarchingCubes / DualContouring) The surface reconstruction algorithm. **MarchingCubes** is the robust default with slightly rounded edges. **DualContouring** (experimental) produces sharper edges and corners, at higher computational cost.

**Crease Angle** (degrees) The hard-edge threshold used by Dual Contouring: surface normals that diverge by more than this angle get a sharp, unsmoothed edge instead of a rounded one. Set to 0 to disable and always smooth-shade.

**Generate UVs** (boolean) Generates UV coordinates on the machined surface using triplanar projection, so materials with textures map correctly onto newly cut faces.

**Statistics Interval** (seconds) How often the **Material Remaining Percent** and **Voxels Modified** statistics in the Inspector are refreshed.

### Signals / IOs

**Signal Spindle On** (PLC output) While false, no material is removed - use this to simulate the spindle being switched off.

**Signal Reset** (PLC output) A rising edge restores the workpiece to its original, unmachined state - wire this to a "load new blank" or "cycle reset" step in your control logic.

**Signal Machining Active** (PLC input) True while material is actively being removed or the mesh is still catching up with recent cuts - use it as a busy/in-cycle indicator.

### Status (read-only)

**Material Remaining Percent** The percentage of the original stock volume still present.

**Voxels Modified** The number of voxels removed since the workpiece was last initialized or reset.

## Quick Start

1. Add a **MeshFilter** and **MeshRenderer** to your workpiece GameObject (a Unity primitive works, or your own CAD stock mesh).
2. Add the **MachiningVolume** component and choose a **Shape** - Box, Cylinder, or Mesh for a custom CAD stock.
3. Add a **MachiningTool** component to the object representing your cutter, and set its shape and dimensions.
4. Drag the tool into the **Tools** list of the MachiningVolume (or assign a matching **Tool Group** instead).
5. Move the tool through the workpiece with a **Drive** and press Play - material is removed live as the tool passes through.

## Common Use Cases

* **CNC Milling Virtual Commissioning** - Validate a real milling program's tool path and cycle time against a live 3D representation of the finished part.
* **Robot Deburring / Grinding** - Simulate a robot-mounted grinding or deburring tool removing material along a programmed path.
* **PLC-Driven Machining** - Drive the spindle and axes from a real PLC interface, using **Signal Reset** and **Signal Machining Active** for cycle control exactly as on the real machine.
* **Arbitrary CAD Stock Machining** - Machine an imported CAD part directly using Shape = Mesh, instead of approximating it with a Box or Cylinder.

## See Also

* [Machining Tool](/components-and-scripts/machining-tool.md) - Defines the cutter geometry that removes material from a MachiningVolume
* [Drive](/components-and-scripts/motion/drive.md) - Move the tool along the real machining path


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