The Total Cut Depth is the final depth, in Z, you want the tool to cut down to based on the top of the geometry, regardless of the number of passes made. Router-CIM uses this number to calculate the Z axis moves for the Total Depth to cut into the material. If the Depth Per Pass field has a number smaller than this, Router-CIM calculates the number of passes necessary to reach this depth.
There are 3 options for Total Cut Depth:
1) You can enter a number into this field. This will instruct Router-CIM to always go down to the set amount you have defined.
2) You can leave the field blank which will instruct Router-CIM to obtain the value by the NEGATIVE thickness that has been assigned to the geometry.
NOTE: Also, when you give your parts negative thickness, you can use a forward slash (/) followed by a negative value (/-0.01 for example) in this field. Router-CIM will take the negative part thickness (-0.75 for example), and the negative value following the slash and calculate the Total Cut Depth. In this case the part would be cut to -0.76. If you would like to leave material, the forward slash can be followed by a positive number (/0.03 for example). With the same negative part thickness mentioned earlier (-0.75 for example), the Total Cut Depth would be -0.72
3) If you are running these parts through Router-CIM Automation Suite, you can use a capital M which will instruct Router-CIM to obtain the value by the thickness of the material that you have assigned the part to in Router-CIM Automation Suite.
NOTE: When you have Total Cut Depth set to material thickness, you can use a forward slash (/) followed by a negative value (M/-0.01 for example) in this field. Router-CIM will take the material thickness that the part was assigned to in Router-CIM Automation Suite (0.75 MDF for example), and the negative value following the M slash and calculate the Total Cut Depth. In this case the part would be cut to -0.76. If you would like to leave material, the forward slash can be followed by a positive number (M/0.03 for example). With the same material thickness mentioned earlier (0.75 MDF for example), the Total Cut Depth would be -0.72.
The following section on Material Thickness Compensation can directly affect Total Cut Depth.