Mill_Tutorial Capitulo 1

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CAMWorks 2014

Mill

Tutorial


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Disclaimer

Geometric Americas, Inc. makes no warranties, either express or implied witrespect to this manual. Geometric Americas, Inc. reserves the right to revise animprove products as it sees ft, and to revise the specifcations and inormatio

contained herein without prior notice. Due to continuing product developmentspecifcations and capabilities described in this manual are subject to changwithout notice.

Trademarks

he ollowing and other product names and corporate reerences herein arregistered or proprietar! trademarks o their respective owners.

"A# $orks% is a registered trademark o Geometric Americas, Inc.&olid$orks% is a registered trademark o Dassault &!st'mes&olid$orks "orp.

(eature#anager) is a trademark owned jointl! b! D& &olid$orks and *entle&!stems, Inc.

All other brands and names are the propert! o their respective owners.

"op!right +--/012 Geometric Americas, Inc. All 3ights 3eserved.

4roduct5 CAM Works6ersion5 2014 SP27icense 6ersion Date5 March 01, 2014


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Table of Contents

TAB! "# C"$T!$TS ...............................................................................................................

C%APT!& 1' !A&$($) 2 A*(S M( BAS(CS .......................................................

2 A+is Mill 1........................................................................................................................&teps to Generate #ill oolpaths and 8" "ode in 4art #ode .............

&tep 5 #odel 4art in &olid$orks9"A# $orks &olids or Import 4art .

6iewing the (eature#anager Design rees ...................................

&tep 05 "hange to "A#$orks (eature ree ................................................"A#$orks #achining rees..................................................................."A#$orks "ommand #anager ..........................................................."A#$orks :ptions .................................................................................."A#$orks :nline ;elp ...........................................................................

&tep 5 Generate :peration 4lan and oolpath ........................................

Generate :peration 4lan "ommand ................................................Generate oolpath "ommand ..............................................................

&tep ?5 Adjusting oolpath 4arameters .........................................................

&imulate oolpath......................................................................................&tep hrough oolpath ...........................................................................

&tep 5 4ost 4rocess oolpaths..........................................................................

2 A+is Mill 2........................................................................................................................

@xtracting and $orking with #achinable (eatures..................................

ool "rib ab ............................................................................................................ool "rib 4riorit!.........................................................................................

ool "rib has &ub &tations ....................................................................@diting the ool "rib ................................................................................

#odi!ing the ools in the echnolog! Database .........................

4ost 4rocessor ab and 4osting ab ...............................................................

Defning the &tock ................................................................................................

@xtract #achinable (eatures ............................................................................

&etting (eatures !pes to be recognied b! A(3.........................


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3ebuild the (eatures ...............................................................................&etting (eature &trateg!........................................................................#ill 4art &etup ............................................................................................

Generate :peration 4lan.....................................................................................

7ocating :perations or &elected (eature.......................................

Mill Ttorial

2 A+is Mill .....................................................................................................................................................

4.&tep 5 :pening the 4art and Defning the #achin........................................................................................................................................

2=&tep 05 Defning the &tock rom a *ounding *o........................................................................................................................................

2>&tep

:ptions Dialog box............................................................................................................................

2>@xecuting @xtract #achinable (eatures "omman............................................................................................................................

2?&tep 25 Interactive (eature 3ecognition........................................................................................................................................

2?8eed or Interactive (eature 3ecognitio............................................................................................................................

2?Deleting a (eature............................................................................................................................

2?Inserting Additional #ill 4art &etups............................................................................................................................

23eorganiing #achinable (eature............................................................................................................................

2-&uppressing #achinable (eature............................................................................................................................

=1


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Inserting 0.= Axis (eatures............................................................................................................................

=1"ombining #achinable (eatures............................................................................................................................

=2&tep =5 Generate :peration 4lan and oolpaths........................................................................................................................................

==Generate an :peration 4lan or each #ill 4art &etu............................................................................................................................

==Generate oolpaths and 4ost 4rocess the 4a............................................................................................................................

=>"A#$orks #essage $indow............................................................................................................................

=>&imulating the oolpat............................................................................................................................

=>&tep >5 4ost 4rocessing the oolpath........................................................................................................................................

=?

2 A+is Mill .....................................................................................................................................................

./&eBuence o machining............................................................................................................................

=

&tep 5 :pening the 4art and Defning the #achin........................................................................................................................................

=-&tep 05 Defning the &tock rom a &ketch........................................................................................................................................

=-

&tep 1&ettings or 3ecogniing (ace (eature Automaticall!

............................................................................................................................>1Automatic (eature 3ecognition............................................................................................................................

>1

&tep 25 Interactivel! Inserting (eature........................................................................................................................................


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>Interactivel! inserting an :pen 4ocket (eature............................................................................................................................

>&tep =5 Generating :perations........................................................................................................................................>2Adjusting :peration 4arameters............................................................................................................................

>2@xpanding and "ollapsing Items in the ree............................................................................................................................>2Deleting an :peration............................................................................................................................

>?Inserting an :peratio............................................................................................................................

>

&tep >5 Defning 4rogram Cero........................................................................................................................................

?1

&tep ?5 Generate oolpaths........................................................................................................................................

?&tep 5 &orting :peration........................................................................................................................................

?

&tep -5 &imulate oolpath and 4ost 4rocess........................................................................................................................................

?5 &tep hrough oolpath........................................................................................................................................>0&tep ?5 Generating &piral oolpaths sing 4attern 4roject........................................................................................................................................

>All &ilhouettes #ethod............................................................................................................................

->

Cha3ter 1' earnin 2 A+is Mill Basics

his chapter provides an opportunit! to learn "A# $orks 0 Axis#ill through a step b! step hands/on tour o the eatures andunct ions.

he exercises in this chapter are intended to show !ou how touse "A#$orks and ma! not correspond to actual machiningpract ices.

he exercise parts are instal led when !ou install "A#$orksand are in the \Examples\Mill o lder in the "A# $orks data

olderE!pical 7ocation5 Drive5 \CAMWorksData \ CAMWorks201x\Examples \Mill).

( M P " & T A $ T 5 C A M W o r k s s e s a s 6 b e t a s e o d f k r n o l e 7 s l m a c h i n i n o 3 e r a t i o n s t of e a t r e s a . i n T s h t e h e T t h em a c h i n i n 3 r o c e s s 3 l a n s a n d c a nb e m e t h o d o l o 8 9 W h e n 8 o d ot h e s e e + e r c i s d e s c r i b e d i n t h es t e 3 s a n d i l l s t r a t e d n i i ns e : e n c e s a n d o 3 e r a t i o n s d a t a i n8 o r T t h e d a t a b a s e s e d t o3 r o d c e t h e d o c m e

h e o l l o w i n g s e r i e so e x e r c i s e s s h o w !


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& o l i d $ o r k s 9 " A # $ o r k s & o l i d s p a r tm o d e l .

I n o r d e r t o g i v e ! o u a g e n e r a l u n d e r s t an d i a p a r t t h a t w a s p r e v i o u s l ! m o d e l e di n & o l toolpaths, !ou will ollow steps and instructions. hesesteps and instructions are brie in nature in order to show !outhe basics o generating toolpaths rom start to fnish withoutgetting into the details at this time. In case !ou wish to havedeeper understanding o the unctionalities within "A#$orkswe recommend that !ou reer to CAMWorks "nline %el3

his context /sensi ti ve ;elp is disp la!ed when !ou click on the;elp button o the various dialog boxes or ser Interaceswithin the applicat ion.

&ample parts are provided or the exercises in this manual.$hen !ou install "A#$orks, these fles are instal ledautomaticall!. hese sample parts are installed in the Examplesolder located within the "A#$orks installation older. &ampleparts or #ill are located in the Mill subo lder wi th in theExamples older.

Mill Ttorial

2

A+is Mill 1

To3ics co;ered in this ttorial'Ste3s to )enerate Mill Tool3aths and $C Code in Part

Modehe ollowing steps are used to generate #illtoolpaths and 8" code5


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1. #odel the part or open the part fle in&olid$orks9"A#$orks &olids.2. "lick on the "A#$orks (eature tree.3. Defne the #achine and modi! the controllerparameters.4. Defne the stock.5. Defne machinable eatures.6. Generate the operation plan and adjust operationparameters.7.

Generate toolpaths.8. &imulate material removal.

9. 4ost process the toolpaths.

Ste3 1' Model Part in SolidWorks


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&olid$orks9"A#$orks &olids rom another "ADs!stem via an IG@&, 4arasolid, &A fle, etc. hisexercise uses an existing &olid$orks part.

:pen the part fleM(2A*=19SDP&T inthe ollowing older.Drive:\CAMWorksData \CAMWorks201x\Examples\Mill.

16 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics


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Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 17


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Mill Ttorial

Viewing the FeatureManager Design Treeshe (eature#anager design tree displa!sthe list o the eatures, sketches, planes andaxes related to the part.

o use "A#$orks, !ou need to move between&olid$orks9"A#$orks &olids trees and the "A# $orks(eature trees. Dierent tabs are provided to access the

&olid$orks9"A#$orks &olids trees and the"A#$orks (eature trees. "lick thePin button to continuousl! view this ree area.

I the "A#$orks tabs J , K are not visible, !ou canexpand the sie o the tree. 4osition the cursor onthe line that divides the tree area rom thegraphics area. $hen the cursor changes to a bar,

drag the bar to the right until the tabs displa!.



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Items under the (eature #anagerDesign tree

Ste3 2' Chane to CAM Works #eatre Tree

"lick the CAMWorks Feature ree ta! to viewthe items under this tree.

Initiall!, the tree lists the "A#$orks 8" #anager,&tock #anager, #achine and 3ec!cle *in items.


$ine that di%ides the tree from theCAMWorks Feature &ree tab

graphics area


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CAMWorks Machining Treeshe "A#$orks machining trees provide an outlineview o the machining inormation or the model.Initiall!, the "A# $orks (eature tree shows onl!the "A#$orks 8" #anager, "onfgurations, &tock#anager, #achine and 3ec!cle *in items. As !ouollow the steps to generate an 8" program, thistree expands to include #ill 4art &etups andmachinableeatures.

x Con>rations

#ultiple "A#$orks datasets are supported.@ach dataset is called a confguration. Lou canuse confgurations to support multiplemachines and &olid$orks confgurations.

x Stock Manaerhe stock is the material rom which thepart will be machined. I the #achine t!pechosen is #ill, !ou can defne the stock as arectangular shape Ebounding boxF or an

extruded sketch or an &7 fle. Lou can alsospeci! the t!pe o material.



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x Machinehe #achine item defnes the machine toolthat the part will be machined on. hemachine defnition includes the t!pe omachine Ee.g.5 #ill, urn, #ill/urnF, ooldefnitions and the 4ost processor. he

machines are set up in the echnolog!Database.

Mill Ttorial

x &ec8cle Binhe 3ec!cle *in in the "A#$orks (eaturetree is used to store machinable eaturesthat !ou do not intend to machine.

CAMWorks Command Manager"lick CAM Works on the &olid$orks9"A#$orks

&olids menu bar. his action displa!s the "A#$orks "ommand #anager. It provides access to



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the main "A# $orks commands. he commandsare explained in the "A# $orks online ;elp.

CAM WorksCommand Manaer

Cstomi?ation of CAM Works CommandManaer"ommand #anager is a context/sensitive toolbarthat can be d!namicall! updates based on thetoolbar !ou want to access. It provides access tothe main "A#$orks commands ound on the"A# $orks menu. *! deault, it has toolbarsembedded in it.

he "A#$orks "ommand #anager can becustomied. 3ight click an!where on the"A#$orks "ommand #anager and selectCustomi"e menu rom the 3#* context menu.

he Customi"e dialog box will be displa!ed. sethe ool!ars# Comman$s# Menus# %e&!oar$

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s'ort(ut# Mouse esture an$ *ptions tab o thisdialog box to customie the "ommand #anageras per !our reBuirements.

Alternati;e Access to CAM WorksCommandsAll the commands executed rom the "A#$orks"ommand #anager can also be alternativel!accessed rom the 3#* context menu o the"A#$orks 8" #anager. his is a context menu.

o execute the command, right click on the"A#$orks 8" #anager item in the tree andselect the desired command rom the 3#*context menu. In addition to the "ommand#anager commands, this right click contextmenu also provides access to a variet! ocommands.

CAMWorks Optionsse the CAM Works *ptions dialog box tochanges the various settings !ou want appl! in

"A#$orks.o open the CAM Works *ptions dialog box5



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."lick on the CAMWorks *ptions icon inthe "A#$orks "ommand #anager. :3

3ight/click on the CAM Works +C Manaeritem in the CAMWorks Feature tree and select*ptions rom the 3#* context menu.

2.

he *ptions dialog box will be displa!ed. In thisdialog box, go to the Mill Features tab. nderExtra(t Ma('ina!le Features group box, ensurethat the Met'o$ is set to M, -ie EdeaultsettingF.

3. "lick *% toappl! the changes andclose the dialog box.CAMWorks OnlineHelp

In addition to tutorial documents, "A#$orks is provided witha context based online help. @ver! dialog box and interace

within "A#$orks has an associated /elp button. "lick onthe /elp button on the "A#$orks "ommand



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#anager to open the online ;elp. @ver! parameterand tab o each dialog box in explained in the:nline ;elp.

Ste3 -' De>ne the Machinehe machine includes inormation that identifeswhat to machine, how to machine it, and theormat o the 8" output. Important parameters othe machine defnition include5

x Machine t83e @ Mill, Trn, Mill6Trn or Wire

!DM' he machine t!pe defnes the machinableeature set that can be recognied automaticall!and defned interactivel!.

he icons that displa! in the tree identi! thecurrent machine5

Mill Machine TrnMachine Mill6Trn Machine Wire !DM

An alternative machine can be selected at an!time to output dierent G/code programs oralternative machine tools. I the machine t!pechanges, then all eatures and operations will be

deleted.x Tool crib' A subset o tools rom the tool librar!



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that are commonl! loaded into or used with thecurrent machine.

x Post Processor' he post processor identifesthe ormat o the 8" G/code output.

Defne the Machine

. 3ight click Ma('ine Millmetri( in the"A#$orks (eature tree and select E$itDe3nition or double click the item in the tree.

Did You now !!!(n the #eatre and "3eration trees, instead ofriht clickin items and selectin !dit De>nition,8o can doble6click the item to o3en the dialobo+ for editin the Stock Manaer, Machine,Set3s, #eatres and "3erations9

he #achine dialog box displa!s the #achinetab. he deault machine is specifed in the

echnolog! Database. Millmetri( is the deault

machine used or the metric parts in thismanual. $hen !ou use "A# $orks to machine



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!our own parts, select the machine tool !ouwant to use to machine the part.

Mill Ttorial


Machine tools are set up in

the Technolog !ata"ase.

Be#ore using CAM$or%s to

&achine our parts' &a%e

sure ou (e#ine the &achinetools a)aila"le in our

#acilit. *or &ore

in#or&ation' re#er the +!*

&anual Technology

Database Tutorial.

2. ,n the A)aila"le &achines

list' highlight Millmetric

an( clic% the Select"utton.

3. Clic% the Tool crib ta" an(

&a%e sure Tool Cri" 1

-&etric is the Acti)e tool

cri".

Machine ta" o# Machine $ialog Box

The Tool Cri"page allo/s outo choose a Tool Cri"' /hich is a

set o# tools or tool asse&"lies

that are use( /ith the &achine

ou ha)e chosen. These are not

all the tools that are a)aila"le' "uta su"set that ou can &o(i# torepresent the actual set o# tools

that the &achine has loa(e(.

Tool Crib 1 (metric) is a (e#ault

tool cri" that has "een set up #or

the sa&ple Mill &achine. $hen

ou (e#ine our &achine tools

in the Technolog !ata"ase'

ou can set up our o/n tool

cri"s.4. Clic% thePost Processor ta".

This ta" allo/s ou to select the

internal post processor or the

A+T CL option to output a CL

#ile. The list that (isplas(epen(s on the post processors

that are installe( on our sste&.

CAM $or%s is supplie( /ith

Tool Cri" ta" o# Machine $ialog Box


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several tutorial post processors. "ontact !our"A# $orks 3eseller or more inormation onobtaining and9or customiing post processorsor !ourmachinetool.

I the postprocessorsdo notdispla!, use

the 4rosebutton tolocate theoldercontainingthe flesEM.ctlF.

5. I M5A6789*;7Aet $e,ault button to set the osetvalues to pre/defned deault values.

4. &elect "#$% as the material rom theMaterial dropdown list.

5. "lick *% to close the dialog box.

Ste3 .' De>ne Machinable #eatresIn "A#$orks, machining can be done onl!on machinable eatures. Lou use theollowing two methods to defne machinableeatures5

x Atomatic #eatre &econition A#&

Automatic (eature 3ecognition anal!es

the part shape and attempts to defnemost common machinable eatures suchas pockets, holes, slots and bosses.Depending on the complexit! o the part,A(3 can save considerable time indefning two/dimensional prismaticeatures.

Did You now !!!o can select the t83e of 29. featres that 8o7ant A#& to reconi?e9 "3en the "3tions dialobo+9 o can select the t83e of featres to be

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics !!


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reconi?ed b8 selectin the desired featres inthe #eatre T83es ro3 bo+ on the Mill #eatrestab of this dialo bo+9

x (nteracti;el8 Created #eatresI A(3 does not recognie a eature !ouwant to machine, !ou need to defne theeature interactivel! using the +e 2.?

Axis Feature command. I !ou have roup1 in the tree andselect Parameters on the context menu.

he /ole Parameters dialog box displa!sthe number o components and the holeparameters. &ince there is no ph!sicalinormation about the t!pe o hole,"A#$orks allows !ou to defne a &trateg!or the hole EDrill, *ore, 3eam, hread or auser/defned &trateg!F.

2. "lick the down arrow next to Drill to seethe choices.

3. "lick 'rea$ in the list.

he fgure changes to reect !our choiceand the hread parameters are enabled.

4. "lick the 8trate& dropdown list and selectDrill again.


6. "lick the next to /ole >roup1 in the"A#$orks (eature tree. he treeexpands to displa! each individual hole.

7. "lick the next to /ole >roup1 in the(eature tree.

he tree collapses hiding the individualhole eatures.

8. "lick the *ptions button the "A#$orks"ommand #anager.

8ote that !ou can also select the *ptionscommand rom the 3#* context menu othe "A# $orks 8" #anager in the tree.


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he *ptions dialog box is displa!ed.

:n the >eneral tab, make sure the8ave@;estore part option is checked.

"lick *% to appl! the settings and closethe dialog box.

I this 8ave@;estore part option ischecked, when !ou save and close apart document, the machining data issaved and restored with the part

design inormation when the partdocument is reopened.

I this option is not checked, when !ousave and close a part document thatcontains at least one &etup, a message

indicates that &ave93estore is disabled.I !ou click Les,

Mill Ttorial

"A# $orks saves all machining databeore closing the fle. I !ou click 8o,"A# $orks closes the part and discardsan! new machining data since the lastsave.

9. &elect 8ave As on the (ile menu. *rowseto the location where !ou wish to save the fle.

10. In the 8ave As dialog box, assign thedesired fle name and click the 8ave button.

SAE! #&!F G!$T5

When 8o o3en a >le, 8o areactall8 7orkin on a co38 ofthe >le9 The oriinal is stillstored on disk9 Periodicall8sa;in 8or >le ensres that8or latest 7ork is retained9

CAMWorks 3ro;ides an Atosa;e o3tion on the )eneral tabin the "3tions dialo bo+ foratomaticall8 sa;in 8or CAMWorks data9

#re:ent sa;es 3re;ent ha;in toredo a time6consmin model orCAM o3eration9 (f a 3o7er failreoccrs, 8o 7ill lose 7hate;er8o ha;e been 7orkin on9

Defning Features &nteracti'el(

Automatic (eature 3ecognition can save asignifcant amount o timeP however, A(3does have limitations. A(3 cannot

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics !7


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recognie ever! eature on complex partsand does not recognie some t!pes oeatures. o machine these areas, !oucan defne machinable eaturesinteractivel! using the +e 2.? AxisFeature command.

(or some parts, (ace (eatures can berecognied b! A(3 b! selecting the(ace option under the Feature &pesgroup box on the Mill Features tab in

the *ptions dialog box.

(or learning purposes, in this tutorial,!ou will insert a (ace (eature so that!ou can ace the top o the part. Inorder to defne a (ace (eature, !ouselect a ace on the &olid$orks partthat is at the depth !ou want to acethe part to.

1. 3ight click Mill Part 8etup1 in the"A#$orks (eature tree and select+e 2.? Axis Feature on the

context menu.he 2.? Axis Feature Wi"ar$: Feature Cross8e(tion De3nition dialog box is displa!ed.

2. "lick the down arrow next to the !pelist box and select Fa(e Feature.

3. 4ick the top main ace. he outline o theace is highlighted on the part and (aceRS displa!s in the @ntities selected list.

4. "lick the +ext button.

he 2.? Axis Feature Wi"ar$: En$Con$itions dialog

box is displa!ed. his dialog box allows !outo determine how "A# $orks calculates thedepth o the eature and select a &trateg!that defnes a uniBue machining seBuence.

5. 7eave the @nd condition !pe set to pto8to(k.

6. 7eave the &trateg! set to Coarse.

7. "lick Finis'.

8. "lick Close to close the 2.? Axis FeatureWi"ar$: Feature Cross 8e(tion De3nitiondialog box.

Fa(e Feature1 is displa!ed in the"A# $orks (eature tree. Lou have nowdefned all the machinable eatures in thispart and !ou are read! to generate the:peration 4lan.

2)5 Axis *eature Wi+ar(: *eature , Cross

-ection $e#inition (ialog "ox


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(nteracti;el8 inserted #ace #eatre

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics !


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Ste3 ' )enerate "3eration Plan and Tool3at)enerate Operation *lan Command

An :peration 4lan contains inormation on how each machinable eature is to bemachined and how the 8" code will be output. $hen Generate :peration 4lan isrun, operations or each machinable eature are created automaticall! based oninormation in the echnolog! Database. In some situations, the operationsdefned or a eature in the echnolog! Database ma! not be suTcient andadditional operations ma! be reBuired. Lou can insert operations interactivel!using the +e 2 Axis *peration# +e /ole *peration and +e 5 Axis *perationcommands. hese commands are explained in the "A# $orks online ;elp.

&elect one o the ollowing methods to generate an operation plan5"lick the >enerate *peration Plan button on the "A#$orks "ommand #anager.

:3

3ight click Mill Part 8etup1 in the "A#$orks (eature tree and select >enerate*peration Plan on the context menu.

:3

3ight click CAMWorks +C Manaer in the "A#$orks (eature tree and select>enerate *peration Plan on the context menu.


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$ote'

x I !ou execute the >enerate *perationPlan command rom the "ommand#anager or the "A# $orks 8"#anager level, then operations will begenerated or all prismatic eatures in

the tree, regardless o the active itemin the tree.

x I !ou execute the >enerate *perationPlan command rom the #ill 4art&etup level, then operations will begenerated onl! or those prismaticeatures listed under the given #ill&etup.

x I !ou execute the >enerate *perationPlan command at the eature level Eb!right/clicking on a eature listed in the

(eature tree and executing >enerate*peration Plan command rom the3#* context menuF, then operationswill be generated onl! or the selectedeature.



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"A#$orks generates the operation plan or all the machinable eatures in#ill 4art &etup . he operations are listed in the "A#$orks :perationtree, which displa!s automaticall!. he :peration tree can also beaccessed b! clicking the "A#$orks :peration ree tab.

he "A#$orks :peration tree provides an outline view o the operations othe machinable eatures. :perations are listed under the #ill 4art &etup in thesame order as the machinable eatures. At the top o the tree is the "A#$ork

8" #anager. he &tock #anager and #achine items are the same as in th"A#$orks (eature tree. Lou can change the stock sie and shape and the posprocessor used b! "A#$orks to produce G/code.

he "A#$orks :peration tree allows !ou to5

Insert, rename, suppress, and delete operations

"hange operation parameters"ombine operations

&ort operations"hange the machining order

Generate toolpaths&imulate toolpaths

4ost process the toolpaths

;ide or show toolpath displa!&earch based on item name

o the let o each toolpath operation is a plus sign EF. "licking a plus signdispla!s the name o the #achinable (eaturethat this operation is going to machine. hese#achinable (eature items can be used to view

geometric inormation and to modi! themachining depth o the eature.

he operations that are generated b! "A#$orks are based on inormation stored in the

echnolog! Database. hese operations areintended to be used as a starting point. @achoperation contains operation parameters thataect how the toolpath is created and specifcparameters that will be output to the 8"program. hese parameters can be editedbeore generating the toolpaths and postprocessing the part


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Did You

(f an o3eration dis3la8s in acolor other than black, thenit indicates that tool3athsha;e not been enerated forthat 3articlar o3eration9This occrs 7hen 8o insert

a ne7 o3erationinteracti;el8, 8o insert ane7 featre interacti;el8andenerate o3erations for thene7 featre, or CAM Workscannot enerate thetool3ath for an o3erationbecase of an error in thetool3ath alorithm or a3arameter is not correct9

Dis3la8 tab of

)enerate Toolpath Command

"lick the >enerate oolpat' button on the "A#$orks "ommand#anager. :3

3ight click Mill Part 8etup1 in the "A#$orks :peration tree and select>enerate oolpat' command on the context menu.

"A# $orks calculates the toolpaths or each operation in the #ill 4art &etup.

$ote'

Uust like the Generate :peration 4lan command, the scope o the

Generate oolpath command too depends rom which level thecommand is executed.

x @xecuting the >enerate oolpat' command rom the "A#$orks 8"#anager level generates toolpaths or all the operations.

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x @xecuting the >enerate oolpat' commandat #ill 4art &etup level generates toolpathsonl! or operations listed under the givenmill setup.

x Lou can also generate toolpaths or eachoperation individuall! b! right/clicking onan operation and executing >enerateoolpat' command on the context menu.

1. ;ighlight the frst operation in the :perationtree, hold down the 8'i,t ke!, then highlightthe last operation.

his action displa!s the toolpaths or all theoperations on the part Ein the graphics areaFshowing the centerline o the toolpath.

2. "lick an operation in the "A#$orks :peration

tree.he toolpath or that operation is

displa!ed.

As !ou click each operation, thetoolpath or that correspondingoperation is displa!ed.

Generated toolpath list is displa!ed in the:peration tree.


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"3eration tree afteneration of Ste3 ' AdHstin Tool3ath Parameters Tool3aths

"A# $orks calculates toolpaths using the operation parameters and the eatureVssie and shape. Ater toolpath is generated or a particular operation, then thatoperation is displa!ed in black/colored ont in the :peration tree. heseparameters can be edited ater generating the toolpaths and beore postprocessing the part.

!dit tool3ath 3arameters'. Double click ;ou' Mill2 Ethe operation generated or Irregular 4ocket0F in

the "A# $orks :peration tree.

:3

3ight click on ;ou' Mill2 and select E$it De3nition on the context menu.

he :peration 4arameters dialog box isdispla!ed. his dialog box gives !ou accessto all the parameters used to defne thetoolpath.

General parameters or the t!pe o toolpathinclude the method o machining, depth o cut, step over, stock allowance,retract height, speeds and eeds. his dialog box also gives !ou access tothe parameters or the tool !ou are using and allows !ou to select a dierenttool.

2. "lick the;ou'in taband changethe 4ocketing4attern to

Bi"a.

3. "lick theFeature*ptions taband changethe @ntr!#ethod toEntr& /ole.

4. "lick *% toclose the

dialog box.

5. :bserve the "A# $orks :peration tree. 8otice that the toolpaths or CenteDrill and Drill operations were created automaticall! or ;ou' Mill2 operatiosince !ou set the @ntr! #ethod to Entr& /ole.

.(it $e#inition/ coan( on the

context enu

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$hen using the @ntr! ;ole method, control is provided to5&peci! an! number o machining processes in the echnolog!Database to machine the entr! hole Ei.e. "enter Drill and DrillF.

ool t!pe selection is based on what each operationsupports.

ool diameter selection can be customied in the echnolog!Database.:peration parameter deaults can be defned in the echnolog!Database.

)enerdrill %ole M

+imulate Toolpath"A# $orks provides the abilit! to simulate the toolpath showing the tool moveme

and the resulting shape o the part.. 3ight click on Mill Part 8etup1 and select 8imulate oolpat' rom the context

menu. he oolpath &imulation toolbar is displa!ed.

he toolbar controlsallow !ou to5

3un thesimulation in

ool or ur!o mode.

Displa! thesimulated

Mill Ttorial

part, the design part and a comparison o the two b! clicking on the 8'oDi,eren(ebutton"ustomie the displa! o the stock, tool and tool holder =ire,rame#translu(ent# s'a$e$# or no $ispla&) in ool mode.

8ote that these options are disabled in urbo mode.

3un the simulation or all or selected operations.

$hen simulating an operation, the simulation can be or the currenoperation or or all previous operations up to the selected operation.

4ause the simulation using Pause button in both ool and ur!o mode.

D!namicall! change the orientation o the part using oom, pan, rotate, etc

"ontrol the simulation speed b! dragging the &imulati&peed "ontrol slider

I !ou want to simulate onl! the toolpath or a given operation, !ou can right clon that operation and select 8imulate oolpat' in the context menu.

Toolpath -iulation Tool"ar


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0. &et the simulation mode to oolmo$e b! clicking on the ool mo$e button

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3. &et the tool displa! as 8'a$e$ Wit'E$es .

4. &et the ool "ollision, ool &hank &etthe tool holder displa! as ool CutCollision# ool 8'ank Cut Collision an$ool /ol$er Cut


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Collision

5. "lick the ;unbutton.


.


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he simulation runs in ool mo$e withthe tool and holder displa!ed duringsimulation.

6. "lick the Pause button to pauseduring

simulation. "lick the ;unbutton to

continue simulation.


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"lick the button in the upper right corner to cancel or close the simulation.

+tep Through Toolpath"A# $orks also provides the abilit! to visualie the tool motion and veri! toolpositions using the &tep hru oolpath command.

. !+ectin the Ste3 Thr Tool3ath command' *oth the 8imulate oolpat' an8tep 'ru oo lpat' commands can be executed at the global, setup and operatiolevels.

)lobal le;el' o step through the toolpaths o all the operations in the:peration tree, right click on the CAMWorks +C Manaer in the :perationtree and select 8tep 'ru oolpat' command in the context menu.

:3

&elect 8tep 'ru oolpat' command on the "ommand#anager.

Set3 e;el' 3ight/click on the Mill Part 8etup1 and select 8tep 'ru

oolpat' command in the context menu.

.



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"3eration le;el'3ight/click on thedesired operation inthe :peration tree andselect 8tep 'ru oolpat' in the contextmenu.

:n execution o the

&tep hru oolpathcommand using one othe above methods, the8tep 'ru oo lpat'dialog box is displa!ed.

2. se controls given inthe Displa& *ptionsgroup box to set theoptions as to how thetoolpath will bedispla!ed during the&tep hrough process.

3. In the Pla& ool ntildropdown list, leavethe end condition setto the deault En$.

4. se the Animationspee$ slider to adjustthe animation speed.

5. "lick the Pla& buttonto

continuousl! back/

plot the tool till theend conditionspecifed in the Pla&ool ntil feld isreached.

6. During animation,the Pla& buttondispla! changes to

Pause button . "lickthe Pause button to

pause the

Mill Ttorial

animationwhile it is inprogress.

?. $hen theanimation

' button

)la* button

Animation speedslider

&ool )ositionslider

Controls to set theoptions for

&ool ath dis la

"nformation on the currenttoolpath mo%e

Dis la s information onthe current operationbeing back+ plotted

-tep Through Toolpath (ialog


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has not !etbegun orwhen it ispaused, theForar$8inle8tep# >otoEn$ o, Current

oolpat'and >otoEn$buttons areactive.

se the Forar$ 8inle 8tep button time the button isclicked.

to moveach

se the >oto En$ o, Current oolpat' button last toolpathrecord o the current operation.

se the>oto En$button thever! lastoperation.

$ote'Thelasto3eration;ariesde3endinon7hichle;eltheSte3ThrohTool3athcommand ise+e


to &o)e the tool position to the last toolpath recor( o#


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ctedfrom9#ore+am3le, ifthis

command7ase+ectedfromtheMillSet

3le;el,thenthelasto3eration7old

bethelasto3erationnderthat3articlar

set39

. $hen theanimationhas beencompletedor when it ispaused, the;everse8inle 8tep#>oto 8tart


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o, (urrentoolpat'and >oto8tartbuttons areactive.


to &o)e the tool position to the #irst toolpath rec


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se the ;everse 8inle8tep button time thebutton is clicked.

to move one toolpath recordbackwards each



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se the >oto 8tart o, Current oolpat' button frst toolpathrecord o the current operation.

se the >oto 8tart button the ver! frst operation.9. I !ou are unsure about the use o an! parameter within this

dialog box, click on the /elp button at the upper right corner.his action will displa! the online help or &tep hrough oolpathcommand.

10. "lick the *% button in the upper let corner toclose the dialog box. Ste3 /' Post Process Tool3aths4ost processing is the fnal step in generating the 8" program fle.$hen !ou use a"A# $orks internal post processor, this step translates generaliedtoolpath and operation inormation into 8" code or a specifcmachine tool controller. "A#$orks creates 8" code or eachtoolpath in the order the operation appears in the "A#$orks:peration tree. $hen !ou post process a part, "A# $orks createstwo fles5 the 8" program and the &etup &heet. hese are text flesthat !ou can read, edit and print using a word processor or texteditor.

Did You now !!!#or more information on eneratin an enhanced APT C >le thatcan be sed b8 e+ternal 3ost 3rocessin 3rorams, see theonline %el39

In this tutorial, !ou will post process all the operations and generate the 8"program5



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1. "lick thePost Pro(ess button on the "A#$orks "ommand #anager. :3

3ight click on the CAMWorks +C Manaer in the :peration treeand select Post Pro(ess on the context menu.

he Post *utput File dialog box is displa!ed so that !ou can savethe 8" program fle.

!picall!, the 8" program and &etup &heet fles are stored in theolder that contained the lastpart that was opened. I !ouwant these fles in another location, !ou can change the olderlocation.

$ote' (f the Post Process command is ra8ed ot on theCAM Works Command Manaer or on an8 conte+tmen, make sre that 8o ha;e selected a 3ost3rocessor and enerated the tool3aths9 &eferinstrction 4 of Ste3 - in this ttorial9

2. In the Post *utput File dialog box, click the down arrow to theright o the 8ave as t&pe box.

"A# $orks provides a list o commonl! used extensions that!ou can select. (or this exercise, use the .txt extension.

Did You now !!!(f 8o 7ant chane the defalt e+tension from 9t+t to one of theones in the list or if 8o 7ant a dierent >le name e+tension for $C3roram >les, 8o can edit or create a 93inf >le and s3ecif8 the ne7e+tension9 #or more information on makin these chanes, see theonline %el39

3. In the File name textbox, t!pe the suitable fle name, andthen click 8ave button.



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2. he Post Pro(ess *utput dialog box is displa!ed. "lick the 8tep bat the top.

"A# $orks starts to generate the 8" program and the frst lineo 8" code displa!s in the 8" code output view box. he postprocessing mode is set to post process one line o code at a timeE&tep modeF.



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Mill Ttorial=. "lick the 8tep button. he next line o 8" code isdispla!ed.

2 A+is Mill 2

To3ics co;ered in this ttorial'

"A# $orks is a eature/based machining s!stem. (eature/based machiningprovides numerous benefts because the defnition o the eature enables ahigher level o automation when creating machining operations and associatedtoolpaths. Adding to this beneft, "A# $orks provides two methods or extractingeatures5

x AGT"MAT(C #!ATG&! &!C")$(T("$

he automatic method o extracting eatures is called Automatic (eatur3ecognition EA(3F. here are two methods or extracting machinable eatureautomaticall!5 AF; and M,-ie. Lou can set the method or automatiextraction o machinable eatures to either AF; or M,-ie on the MiFeatures tab o CAM Works *ptions dialog box. he deault method is set tM,-ie.

he #g 6iew method has the ollowing benefts5

x "A# $orks uses an alternative method to generate eatures and fndsadditional eature t!pes not ound b! A(3. 8on/hole eatures can beedited the same as interactivel! inserted eatures.

x A 3ecognie (eatures command is enabled on the #ill 4art &etup contexmenu that

provides the abilit! to recognie eatures rom a user/defned direction onl!.$e recommend that !ou use the M,-ie method. he automaticallrecognied eatures in all the tutorials given in this manual are recogniedusing M, -ie method.

x ($T!&ACT(E! #!ATG&! &!C")$(T("$

An interactive method or inserting eatures using the +e 2.? Axis Feature o+e Multi 8ur,a(e Feature unction.

A "A#$orks fle can contain both t!pes o eatures W automaticall! recogniedas well as interactivel! inserted eatures.

he ollowing tutorial demonstrates how some o the eatures are identifeautomaticall! using the Extra(t Ma('ina!le Features command.

te 3un

%ost process 'utput (ialog "ox



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!+tractin and Workin 7ith Machinable #eatres

1. :pen the part fle M(2A*=29SDP&Tin the Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAM Works201x\Examples \Mill older.

2. @xamine the part. Lou can recognie varioussies and shapes o holes, bosses, pocketsand slots. It appears that "A#$orks extracts

eatures based on &olid$orkseatures used to create the

part. As !ou will see, this isnot necessaril! so. 8oticethat the design tree containsno design eatures. his partwas imported into&olid$orks9 "A#$orks &olids.

In this tutorial, !ou will see how "A# $orksdetermines

Mill Ttorial

machinable eatures.

3. "lick the CAMWorks Feature ree tab.

4. Double clickMa('ine Millin(' in the"A# $orks (eature tree.

Did You now !!!(n the CAMWorks #eatre and"3eration trees, instead ofriht6clickin on the listed

items and selectin !ditDe>nition from the conte+tmen, 8o can doble6click theitem to o3en the dialo bo+ foreditin the Stock Manaer,Machine, Set3s, #eatres and"3erations9

he #achine dialog boxis displa!ed. his dialogbox allows !ou to selecta machine defnition,tool crib and postprocessor. :n the#achine tab o thisdialog box, Millin(' isthe Active machine.

his machine defnitionhas been created orthe "A#$orks tutorials.

Tool Crib Tab

$hen !ou use "A#$orks


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to machine !our own parts, !ou need to selectthe machine tools that !ou want to use tomachine the part.

"lick on the ool Cri! tab. his tab allows !outo choose a tool crib or set o tools that areused with the machine !ou have chosen. he

ool crib does not contain all the tools that areavailableP rather it contains a subset o toolsthat !ou can modi! to represent the actual set

o tools that is loaded on the machine.

Tool Cri, *riorit(I !ou select the ool cribpriorit! option, tool selection rules are modifedto place a higher priorit! on selecting tools romthe tool crib. his results in ewer tools beingadded to the tool list rom the tool librar!. 3eer tothe "A#$orks :nline;elp to understand the rules that are observedwhen this option is used.

Tool Cri, has +u, +tations

&elect this option i !our machine supportsgang tooling. In this tutorial, this option will belet unchecked.

-diting the Tool Cri,Lou can add, remove and edit tools in the Activeool "rib rom the ool Cri! tab.

1. #ake sure Cri! 1 is the Active tool crib.

2. ;ighlight a tool in the Active tool crib listand click E$it ool button.

he E$it ool Parameters dialog box isdispla!ed.

his dialog box allows !ou to change theparameters or the selected tool. he

changes !ou make in this dialog box aect onl! thetool crib or the current part. !dit ToolParameter Dialo bo+

o change the tool defnition or all uturejobs, click the 8ave ool Cri! button on theool "rib tab or edit the tool crib defnitionin the echnolog! Database.

3. "lick *% to appl! the changes and closethe E$it ool Parameters dialog box."lick Can(el to close this dialog box

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4. without saving the changes.5. o add tools rom the tool librar! to the

Active ool crib, click the A$$ ool buttonbelow the ool (ri! tab in the Ma('ine dialogbox.

he ool 8ele(t Filter dialog box is displa!ed.his

dialog box allows !ou to set flters ordispla!ing and selecting tools.

6. &elect the reBuired flters and enter thecorresponding range values in the providedfelds. "lick *%.

he ools Data!ase orm isdispla!ed. his orm allows !ou to add anexisting tool in the echnolog! Database tothe ool "rib or the current part. It lists allthe existing tools in the echnolog!

Database which meets the flter criteriaentered in

Mill Ttorial

the ool 8ele(t Filter dialogbox. o add a tool rom this listinto the active tool crib,highlight the reBuired tool andclick *%.he tool will be addedat the bottom o the active tool

crib. o make this tool availablein the active tool crib or alluture jobs, click on the8ave ool Cri! button.

$ote'o cannot se the form toadd ne7 tools to the

Technolo8Database9 (t can

Tool -elect *ilter $ialog "ox


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Tool database #ormonl8 be sed to addtools to the acti;etool crib9

>. "lick Can(el to close the ools Data!aseorm without adding a tool to the activetool crib.

Modi.(ing the Tools in the Technolog(Data,ase

Lou can add, edit and delete tools presentin the echnolog! Database using the ool7ibrar! buttons provided in the ool Cri!tab o the Ma('ine dialog box.

Addin a $e7 Toolo add a new tool to the echnolog! Database,click on the +e ool button in the ool Cri! tab.

he +e ool dialog box is displa!ed. Assigntool parameters as desired. "lick *% to close the

+e ool dialog box. :bserve that the new tool isadded to the Active ool crib list. he tool is alsoadded to the echnolog! Database.

Sa;in Chanes Made to a Tool in the Acti;eTool CribI !ou edit a tool listed in the A(tive tool (ri! list,then the changes are applicable or the currentpart onl!. hese changes can be madepermanent Eand thus available or uturemachining jobsF b! saving them to the

echnolog! Database. o do so, highlight the toolin theA(tive tool (ri! list andclick on the 8ave ool button. he "A#$orksdispla!s a pop/up message asking !ou whether!ou wish to modi! theexisting tool or save the tool as a new toolwithin

the database. "lick C'ane in the message

box to save thechanges to theexisting tool. "lick

A$$ in the messagebox to save theedited tool as a newtool.

Deletin a Toolo permanentl!delete a tool rom


Message (ispla3e( on clicking the -ae Tool/ "utton

Message (ispla3e( on clicking the $elete Tool/ "utton


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the echnolog! Database, highlight the toolin theA(tive tool (ri! list and click on theDelete ool button. his action will removethe tool rom the echnolog! Database.;owever, the tool will still be visible in theActive tool crib listor the current part. o remove it rom the

A(tive tool (ri! list, highlight the tool in the listand click on the ;emove tool button.

Post Processor Tab and Postin Tab1. "lick the Post Pro(essor tab in the

#achine dialog box and make sureM5A678*;7A< is selected.

he M5A6789*;7A< post processor is usedor the exercises in this manual. $hen !ou use"A# $orks to machine !our own parts, select!our machine tool controller or postprocessor.

2. "lick the Postin tab.hese parameters provide inormationreBuired to generate the 8" program. $hen

!ou use "A#$orks to machine !our own parts,change these parameters as reBuired.

3. "lick *% to close the Ma('inedialog box. De>nin the Stock

1. Double click 8to(k Manaer in the(eature tree.2. he 8to(k Manaer dialog box is

displa!ed. 7eave the 8to(k &pe set todeault 4oun$in !ox.

3. "hange the *ounding box osets to auniorm 091in or N, L, and C.

4. "lick *% to appl! the changes and closethe dialog box.

-etting Boun(ing Box o##setsin -tock Manager $ialog Box


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Mill Ttorial

!+tract Machinable #eatres

1. "lick the Extra(t Ma('ina!leFeatures button on the "A# $orks"ommand #anager.

:3

3ight click on the CAMWorks +CManaer in the (eature tree andselect Extra(t Ma('ina!le Featurescommand on the context menu.

he CAMWorks Messae Win$o isdispla!ed. his window reports the processstatus and shows the progress o theprocess.

$hen A(3 is fnished, the "A#$orks (eaturetree displa!s the machinable eatures.

(rom the tree, !ou can reorder eatures using

drag and drop, change eature names andsuppress eatures.

2. "lick each machinable eature in the"A#$orks (eature tree.

As !ou pick each machinable eature, thegeometr! or that eature highlights on thepart.

*eatures recogni+e( autoatical

ectangular Slot a#ter executing .M* coan('bround ,oss

ectangular )ocket

ectangular ,oss

"rregular Slot -. A0is )ocketCounterbore1ole

Countersunk1ole

1ole



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hbossfeat

resasislands

+etting Features T(pes to ,e recogni/ed ,(AF0

1. "lick on the *ptions button inthe "A#$orks "ommand#anager. he *ptions dialogbox is displa!ed.

2. "lick on the Mill Features tab. 8otice thatwhen the Met'o$ is set to M,-ie# thenthe deaults in the Feature t&pes group boxare set or "A# $orks to recognie and

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create /oles,+on 'oles# 4oss and apere$an$ 3llete$ eatures. I the Met'o$ is set to

AF;# then in the Feature t&pes group box,the deaults are set to /oles, +on'oles and 4oss eatures.

3. In the (eature t!pes section, checkthe Fa(e option.

I the Fa(e option is checked, then a(ace (eature is created automaticall!

when the Extra(t Ma('ina!le Featurescommand is executed and is listedunder the (eature tree under the #ill4art &etup i the top most ace isparallel to the &etup and the &etup isparallel to one o the sides o thestock.

4. $hen "A# $orks extracted eatures,a

Mill Ttorial

0.= Axis pocket E3ectangular 4ocket0F wasound. his eature was recognied becausethe apere$ 3llete$ option in the Feature&pes group box was checked. $hen theapere$ 3llete$ option is checked,"A#$orks can automaticall! create 0.= axiseatures thatmeet thedefnition o flleted and

-electing *eature T3pes to "e recogni+e( "3 CAMWorks 6hen.M* coan( is execute(



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tapered eatures which ulfll the ollowingconditions5

he top and bottom o the eature are atand parallel to the #ill 4art &etup

direction.

Ta3ered I >lleted rectanlar 3ockethe side wall can be vertical or a

hihlihted in reen

constant taper with a top orbottom fllet and9or a top obottom chamer.

"orner fllets must be conical as defnedb! the taper angle o the eature.

$ote' Ta3ered and >lleted featres7hich do not fl>ll the abo;econditions are not reconi?edatomaticall8 b8 A#& 7hen the!M# command is e+ected9 Schfeatres can be createdinteracti;el8 sin the $e7 29.

A+is #eatre command9

0e,uild the Features

8ow that the (ace (eature option has been checked within the listo (eatures !pes to be recognied, !ou need to execute theExtra(t Ma('ina!le Features command once again to rebuild theeatures.



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. "lick the Extra(t Ma('ina!le Features button on the "A#$orks "ommand #anager.

0. "A# $orks rebuilds the eature list. :bserve the "A# $orks(eature tree. 8otice that A(3 has created a (ace eature.

#ace #eatrPartSet3

#ace #eatre hihlihted in reen

+etting Feature +trateg(#achinable eatures are recognied based on thepartVs geometr! Ethe shape o a eatureF andtopolog! Ehow the eatures are related to oneanotherF. ;owever, not all strategies o a eaturecan be determined rom the geometr! andtopolog!.

(or example, Automatic (eature 3ecognitionEA(3F cannot determine whether a hole has beenthreaded, reamed or bored. "A#$orks allows !ou



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to speci! an additional &trateg! to a eature sothat more appropriate operations can be can becreated.



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(ollowing are the steps tospeci! the strateg!5

1. Double click /ole1 in the(eature tree.

he 4arameters dialog boxis displa!ed. his dialogbox provides a geometricand dimensional report onthe eature and allows !outo assign additionalinormation to the eature.In the case o holes, !oucan identi! whether thehole is to be drilled, bored,reamed or threaded, etc.

Depending on the&trateg!, a dierentmachining process can beassigned. Lou can changehow each eature is

processed b! defning theseBuence in theechnolog! Database.

2. In the 8trate&dropdown list, select4ore.

3. "lick *% to appl! thechanges to &trateg! andclose the dialog box.

%araeters (ialog "ox


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4. 3eview the parameters o other machinable eatures to understand more aboutthe eatures.

Mill *art +etupDuring automatic eature recognition, the Extra(t Ma('ina!le Featurescommand also created Mill Part 8etup1.he #ill 4art &etup defnes the tooldirection necessar! to machine these eatures.

. "lick Mill Part 8etup 1 in the (eature tree.A marker displa!s on the part. he arrow indicates the

Mar

Mill Ttorial

machining direction. hecross in the center o thecircle represents themachining N and L axes.

he N machining directioncan be changed i necessar!. (or moreinormation, see the"A#$orks :nline ;elp.

he origin o the #ill 4art&etup is program ero. *!deault, the origin is set to avertex or middle o the topmost eatures. In mostsituations, !ou will want to

change this.;ow to change the #ill 4art&etup origin is explained in "hapter


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reBuirements.

3. "lick *% to appl! the changes and close the dialog box.

4. 3ight click ;e(tanular Po(ket1 in the (eaturetree and select >enerate *peration Plancommand on the context menu.

he :peration tree lists a ;ou' Mill operationor the rectangular pocket.

5. "lick the CAMWorks Feature ree tab to returnto the (eature tree.

6. 3ight click ;e(tanular Po(ket1 in the treeand select Parameters in the context menu.

7. In the ;e(tanular Po(ket Parameters dialogbox,

change the &trateg! to ;ou'Finis'# and then click *%.

his ;ou' Finis' strateg! is auser/defned strateg! that hasbeen set up in the echD* togenerate 3ough #ill and "ontour#ill operations or a 3ectangular4ocket eature. Lou can modi!or delete the user/defned&trategies and !ou can defne additional &trategies to customie the echD*3eer 1Technolog( Data,ase Tutorial2 or details.

. 3ight click ;e(tanular Po(ket1 in the (eature tree and select >enerate*peration Plan command.

&ince the >enerate *peration Plan command has alread! been run once or thieature, when !ou execute the command again, "A# $orks displa!s the>enerate *peration Plan dialog box which has the ollowing choices 5

G3date' &elect this option to generate operations or new eatures or oeatures that !ou deleted all previousl! generated operations. he operationlist will not be updated or eatures that have previousl! generated operations.

&eenerate' I !ou select this option, all previousl! generated operationsare deleted and new a new operation list is created. I !ou have modifed an!operations, these modifcations will be lost.

Cancel' "lick Can(el to revoke the >enerate*peration Plan command.

9. "lick ;eenerate to delete the previous3ough #ill operation and generate a newoperation list.

he :peration tree lists 3ough #ill and"ontour #ill operations or the rectangularpocket.

10. "lick the CAMWorks Feature ree tab toreturn to the (eature tree.

11. 8ow change the strateg! or ;e(tanularPo(ket2 too. Double click ;e(tanular

ough Mill operation generate( #oectangular %ocket #eatu

$ialog "ox (ispla3e( 6hen &'% coan( isexecute( #or a #eature 6ith operation8s9

'perations generate( 6henstrateg3 is set to Rough Finish


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Po(ket2 in the tree.

12. he 2.? Axis: En$ Con$itions dialog box is displa!ed. "hange the &trateg! tCoarse and click Finis' to appl! the settings.

13. 3ight click Mill Part 8etup1 in the (eature tree and select >enerate*peration Plan command on the context menu.

14. &ince operations alread! exist or at least one eature listed in the #ill 4ar&etup E3ectangular 4ocket in this caseF, the >enerate *peration Plan dialogbox will be displa!ed. &elect p$ate in this dialog box in order to generate

operations onl! or those eatures or which do not have operations.Lou have not changed an! operation parameters or the 3ough #ill and "ontour #operations that have alread! been generated or ;e(tanular Po(ket1. ;ence, !ou couldMill Ttorial

select either ;eenerate or p$ate because in both cases, the result would bthe same. I !ou had modifed these operations, !ou would want to selep$ate to generate an operation list onl! or the eatures that do not havoperations.

he "A#$orks :peration tree now contains operations or all machinabeatures in the selected #ill 4art &etup.

%ocatingOperations .or+elected Feature

Lou can use the>o o commandor locatingoperations orthe desiredeature.

1. "lick theCAMWorksFeature reetab.

2. 3ight click onM8 /ole1M8/1 =in(')in the (eature tree andselect >o o#

then select *perations For on the context menu.his command allows !ou to Buickl! locate operations that were generated oa selected eature.

he Fin$ in CAM Works ree dialog box is displa!ed. he operation Center Drilland Drill5 is listed in this dialog box. A lone drill operation is not enough tmachine a multi/step eature.

In the echD*, the &trateg! J#&;EinchFK has been defned togenerate a center drill c!cle, 0 single drill c!cles, 0 3ough #ill c!cles and 0

hread #ill c!cles or multi/stepped hole eatures. &ince multi/stepped holecan be an! shape, !ou need to defne machining seBuences in the echD* thaare common or machining multi/stepped holes in !our acilit!.


The Operations For coan( in the context enu*in( in CAM Works Tree (ialog "ox


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o generate the 8" code or this part, !ou would adjust the operationparameters as reBuired or the operations, insert a series o operations orthe multi/stepped hole, generate toolpaths, and post process the part.

hese steps will be explored in urther tutorials.

2 A+is Mill -


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To3ics co;ered in this ttorial'x Defning the &tock rom a *ounding*oxx Inserting Additional #ill 4art &etups

x "reating a (ace (eaturex 3eorganiing #achinable (eatures

x &uppressing #achinable (eatures

x Inserting 0.= Axis (eaturesx "ombining #achinable (eatures

In this tutorial, assume that the partstarts out as a casting and machining isreBuired onl! or the holes and certainaces.

In the frst clamping position or #ill 4art&etup, !ou will ace the bottom o thepart and drill the large center hole andthe three outside holes.

In the second clamping position or #ill4art &etup, !ou will machine o the topcenter ace Eshown in magenta colorF,and the three irregular corner slotsEshown in !ellow colorF.

8ote that the irregular pockets Eshownin gre! colorF and the part perimeterwill not be machined.



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M(2A*=-9SDP&T' The 3arto bmachined

Ste3 1' "3enin the Part and De>nin the Machine

1. :pen part fle M(2A*=-9SDP&T in the ollowing older.

Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x \Examples\Mill.


3. Double click on Ma('ine Millin(' in the (eature tree. he #achine dialog boxis displa!ed.

:n the Ma('ine tab, ensure that Millin(' is the Active machine.Mill Ttorial

"lick on the ool Cri! tab and make sure Cri! 1 is the Active tool set.

"lick on the Post Pro(essor tab and make sure M5A6789*;7Anin the Stock from a Bondin Bo+he stock sie, shape and material t!pe are defned next.

he stock defnition serves several purposes5

x Defnes the stock sie and shape or simulation.x &pecifes the material t!pe, which is used b! the echD* or eed9speecalculations.*! deault, the stock shape is a cube Ebounding boxF whose dimensions enclosthe part. ;owever, in realit!, the sie o the stock is usuall! larger than the sie othe part.(or this tutorial, assume that the part is machined rom a casting that has 091incmaterial to be removed rom the top, bottom and side suraces. Lou will use th

deault &tock !pe o 4oun$in !ox and oset the minimum stock sie b! 1. inch1. Double click 8to(k Manaer in the "A# $orks (eature tree.2. he &tock #anager dialog box is displa!ed. "hange the *ounding box oset

or N, L, and C to a uniorm 091in93. "lick *% to appl! the osets and close the

dialog box. Ste3 -' !+tractin Machinable #eatresOptions Dialog ,o3

*eore "A#$orks @xtracts #achinable (eatures, !ou can customie A(3 b! usinthe "A# $orks :ptions dialog box.

1. "lick the *ptions button on the "A# $orks "ommand #anager.

2. he *ptions dialog box is displa!ed. "lick the Mill Features tab in thdialog box.3. @nsure that the Met'o$ is set to M,-ie.

4. In the (eature t!pes section, make sure the Fa(e option is not checked.

"A#$orks can recognie some (ace eatures automaticall! when !ou select thFa(e option. ;owever, or some parts, !ou ma! need to defne a (ace (eaturinteractivel! since the (ace (eature recognied b! A(3 might not be suitable o!our machining reBuirements. Interactive insertion o (ace eature is explainein this tutorial.

5. "lick *% to appl! the changes and close the dialog box.


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-3ecuting -3tract Machina,le FeaturesCommand


Mill Tutorial


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"lick the Extra(t Ma('ina!le Features button onthe "A# $orks "ommand #anager.


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:3

3ight click CAMWorks +C Manaer in the tree andselect Extra(t Ma('ina!le Features on thecontext menu.

"A# $orks creates the #ill 4art &etup necessar!to machine all o the machinable eatures that arerecognied.

:bserve that the (ace eatures werenQtrecognied as this eature t!pe was not selectedin the t!pes o eatures to be recognied usingA(3 in the :ptions dialog box.

In this tutorial, the ace eature or the top andbottom ace o the part will be inserted interactivel!.

! Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics


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#eatres reconthroh A#&

Ste3 4' (nteracti;e #eatre &econition4eed .or &nteracti'e Feature 0ecognition

"A# $orks ma! not be able to fnd all eatures on a part. :n complex parts, A(3ma! not recognie all possible eatures that !ou want to machine or A(3 marecognie a eature that might not be suitable or the intended machining process$hen this occurs, !ou can defne these eatures interactivel!.

Deleting a Feature

(or learning purposes, in this tutorial,!ou will have to delete the threeirregular corner slot eatures andthen insert them interactivel!.

1. ;old down the 8'i,t ke! on theke!board and click each 7rreularCorner 8lot in the tree to highlightthe items, then select Delete onthe context menu.

2. "lick es to confrm the deletion.he eatures are moved to the3ec!cle

*in . $hen a eature is deleted, itis automaticall! placed in the3ec!cle *in, which is used to storemachinable eatures that !ou donot intend to machine.

3. "lick the minus sign to the let othe 3ec!cle *in to collapse it.

&nserting Additional Mill *art +etups"lick Mill Part 8etup1 in the (eature tree and notice thatthe machining direction indicated b! the triad thatdispla!s in the graphics area.Mill Part 8etup1 defnes the tool direction pointingdown rom the top o the part. In this tutorial, !ou needto ace the underside o the part frst.

o machine the underside, !ou need to defne a #ill 4art&etup or that tool direction. 8ew Mill Part 8etups can be

interactivel! inserted into the"A# $orks (eature tree b! selecting a part ace thatis normal to the tool axis o the #ill 4art &etup.

Machinin directiob8 triad

Gnderside of the 3art Mill Set3 Dialo bo+

$eleting #eatures

#iel(.

-teps to interactiel3 insert a Mill %art-etup:

1. 3otate the part so that the un(ersi(e sur#ace is

)isi"le.

2. 3ight clic%Mill Part Setup 1 in the CAM$or%s

*eature tree an( selectNew Mill Part Setup

#ro& the context &enu. The Mill etup (ialog

"ox is (isplae(.

3. ,n the graphics area' pic% the un(ersi(e #ace.

This #ace /ill "e liste( in the Selected Entity


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4. In the +e Features group box, make sure the Fa(e option is checked.

I this option is checked, when "A# $orks creates a #ill 4art &etup, a aeature is created automaticall! i the top most ace is parallel to the &etup athe &etup is parallel to one o the sides o the stock.

=. "lick *% to close the Mill 8etup dialog box.Mill Part 8etup2 is created in "A# $orks (eature tree with the tooldirection. he (ace (eature is created automaticall! and listedunder this #ill 4art &etup.

he names or Mill Part 8etup1 and Mill Part 8etup2 can be changedto op and *ottom or some other recognied convention.

>. 3ight click Mill Part 8etup1 and select ;ename rom the contextmenu.

?. "hange the name to To3 Part Set3, and then press Enter.

8otice that when !ou click a #ill 4art &etup in the tree, an axisdispla!s on the part to indicate the tool direction.

. 3ight click Mill Part 8etup2 and select ;ename rom the contextmenu.

(nteracPartSet

9. "hange the name to Bottom Part Set3, and then pressEnter. 0eorgani/ing Machina,le Features

In addition to the ace eature, !ou can also drillthe hole eatures rom the 4ottom Part 8etup.;owever, the hole eatures were recognied inthe op Part 8etup. $ith the mouse, !ou can dragthe eatures in the "A# $orks (eature tree romthe op Part 8etup to the 4ottom Part 8etup.1. ;old down the let mouse button and drag

/ole1 over *ottom 4art &etup, then releasethe button.

8otice that as !ou drag the item, an arrowdispla!s to indicate where the item will bepositioned./ole1 is listed ater 4ottom Part 8etup.

2. 8ext, hold down the let mouse button anddrag /ole >roup1 over /ole1# then releasethe button./ole >roup1 is listed ater /ole1.

&eorani?in featres

dra



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dro3 fnction

Mill Ttorial

+uppressing Machina,le FeaturesLou will now defne eatures to machine the top o the part. he onl! machinaeatures let in the op 4art &etup are the :pen 4ocket and the three irregulpockets. &ince the irregular pocket eatures will not be machined in this tutorial, !

can either delete or suppress them. he steps below show !ou how to supprethese eatures.

1. ;old down the Ctrl ke! andselect 7rreular Po(ket1#7rreular Po(ket2# and7rreular Po(ket5 in the "A#$orks (eature tree.#ake sure !ou select all enerate *perationPlan command wouldcreate three 3ough #illoperations and three"ontour #ill operations

or these eatures.o make it easier tomanage the operationparameters or theseeatures, !ou canmake a single Groupeature that containsall three eatures. As aGroup eature, thethree Irregular "orner&lot eatures will bemachined with one set

o operations.

Ste3s to c reate a)ro3 #eatre'In this tutorial, theirregular corner sloteatures will begrouped. (ollowing arethe steps to group theeatures5

. 3ight click the frst

Irregular "orner&lot =7rreularCorner 8lot1) in the"A# $orks (eaturetree and selectCreate >roup inthe 3#* contextmenu.

he E$it Feature>roup dialog boxis displa!ed.

Create &roup coan( on the MB context enu

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics !


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he Feature


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2. 4ick 7rreular Corner 8lot2#clickA$$.

3. :bserve that this eatureis added to the Feature


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Ste3 .' )enerate "3eration Plan and Tool3aths

)enerate an Operation *lan .or each Mill *art +etup

.

:3

3ight click CAMWorks +C Manaer in the"A# $orks (eature tree, select >enerate *peration Plan rom the contexmenu.

:perations are created or the machinable eatures in the 4ottom Part 8etuand op Part 8etup.

he operations are in listed in the :peration tree in the same order as theirassociated machinable eatures. Lou can easil! change the order.

2. I the (ace #ill operation is not listed frst in the op Part 8etup or 4ottom Part8etup# !ou can drag and drop this operation to the frst position.

3. In the op Part 8etup# press and hold down the let mouse button with thepointer over Fa(e Mill1.

4. Drag the operation over the top o op Part 8etup and release thebutton. he :peration tree redispla!s with the operation moved tothe new location.

Mill Ttorial

=. 3epeat steps 0 or Fa(e Mill2 o 4ottom Part 8etup and drag the operation ove

the top o 4ottom Part 8etup and release the

button. his action moves it frst positionunder the 4ottom Part 8etup.

)enerate Toolpaths and *ost *rocess the*art

Eerif8 "3eration Parameters and)eneratin Tool3ath

1. Double click each operation item in the treeto open the :peration 4arameters dialogbox and review the cutting parameters.

2. Ater !ou have verifed that the parameters

or each operation are set the wa! !ou wantthem, right click 4ottom Part 8etup in the"A#$orks :peration tree and select>enerate oolpat' command in the 3#*context menu.

3. 3epeat step 0 or the op Part 8etup.4. @xperiment b! changing parameters or the operations and regenerating

the toolpaths. CAMWorks Message Window"heck the "A#$orks #essage $indow.

he #essage $indow provides inormation !ou ma! fnd helpul. (or examplebased on the inormation in this window, !ou ma! want to change a tool o

Clic% the Generate peration Plan"utton on the

CAM $or%s Co&&an( Mana er.


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insert a fnish operation in order to cut a machinable eature completel!.

I the #essage $indow is not displa!ed, select *ptions on the"A#$orks "ommand #anager and check the #essage $indow check boxon the General tab.

Lou can move the window and adjust the sie. o change the sie, point to border or corner o the window Ethe pointer changes to a two/headed arrowDrag the corner or border until the window is the sie !ou want, and therelease the mouse button.

+imulating the Toolpath

"A#$orks provides the abilit! to simulate toolpaths showing the tool movemenand the resulting shape o the part.

1. "lick the 8imulate oolpat' button on the "A# $orks "ommand #anager.

2. "lick the ;un button.:bserve the simulated toolpath. In case o an! errors or collisions, modi! th:peration 4arameters, regenerate toolpaths and simulate the toolpaths onc

again. :bserve that the perimeter o the part is not simulated since no parperimeter eature was inserted in the list o eatures to be machined.

"lick the Close button in the upper right corner o the 8imulation toolbar to exit &imulatiomode.

Ste3 ' Post Processin the Tool3aths

1. 3ight click 4ottom Part 8etup in the "A#$orks :peration tree and select PosPro(ess in the 3#* context menu.

2. In the 8ave Post *utput File dialog box, click 8ave to accept the deault flname. "hange the fle name i reBuired.

8ote that i !ou are running "A#$orks in Demonstration mode, this menoption and dialog box does not displa!.

3. he Post Pro(ess *utput dialog box is displa!ed. In the Displa& group box othis dialog box, check the Centerline option so that the toolpath will bhighlighted as each line o code is produced.


.


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4. "lick the Pla& button .

8" code is created or the 4ottom Part 8etup.

5. Ater viewing the code, click *% to close the dialog box.

6. 3ight click op Part 8etup in the "A# $orks :peration tree and select PostPro(ess in the 3#* context menu.

7. In the 8ave Post File dialog box, t!pe a suitable fle name.

8. In the Post Pro(ess *utput dialogbox, click the 4la! button .

8" code will be created or the op Part 8etup.


10. :pen the saved 4ost process fles. :bserve that the generated 8" code hasbeen saved.

Mill Ttorial

2 A+is Mill 4

To3ics co;ered in this ttorial'

x Defning the &tockrom a &ketch xInserting :pen 4ocket(eature x Adjusting:peration 4arametersx Deleting an:peration

x Inserting an :perationx Defning 4rogram Cero

%ost %rocess 'utput $ialog Box


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x &orting :perations

his tutorial guides !ou through the steps to machine the part shownbelow. he concepts given above Eunder $hat LouQll 7earnF will beexplained during the execution o the steps reBuired to machine this part.

Lou are expected to have an understanding o the concepts explained inthe previous three tutorials beore beginning with this tutorial.

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics


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+e7uence o. machining8Mill Part Set31' To machine

the to3 sideof the 3art

x Drill two holes on each end opart. x (ace top o part.

x (ace depression on let side opart.

x (inish profles the hole on eachend o the part.x 3ough and fnish rectangular pocket.x (inish machine three obround holes.

x 3ough and fnish outside partshape rom stock EopenpocketF.

Mill Part Set32' To machinethe bottomside of the3art

x (ace the bottom o the part.

x 3ough and fnish the twodepressions on the bottom othe part.

G33er side of the 3art to bmachined

Bottom #ace de3ressionirrelar slots



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Ste3 1' "3enin the Part and De>nin the Machine

1. :pen the part fle M(2A*=49SDP&T in theollowing older. Drive:\ CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Mill


3. Double click Ma('ine Millin(' in the (eature tree. he Ma('inedialog box is displa!ed.

:n the #achine tab, Millin(' is the Active machine.

"lick the ool Cri! tab and make sure Cri! 1 is the Active tool set.

"lick the Post Pro(essor tab and make sure M5A6789*;7Aenerate *peration Plan button onthe "A#$orks "ommand #anager. he

operations are listed in the :peration tree orboth Mill Part 8etup1 and Mill Part 8etup2.:3

3ight click Mill Part 8etup1 in the tree andselect >enerate *peration Plan in the contextmenu.

:perations will be generated or Mill Part8etup1 in the "A#$orks :peration tree.

2. &witch back to the CAMWorks Feature tree.

3.3ight click Mill Part 8etup2 and select>enerate *peration Plan in the contextmenu.

:perations will now be generated or Mill Part8etup2 in the "A# $orks :peration tree.

4."lick on the plus s!mbol next to eachoperation under Mill Part 8etup1. his actionexpands the tree to identi! the eature thatis machined b! the particular operation.

5.:bserve that the operations are generated orthe eatures in the same seBuence as theeatures listed in the (eature tree. his is trueor both Mill Part 8etup1 and Mill Part 8etup2.

Ad9usting Operation *arameters

he operations that are generated b! "A# $orks are based on inormation storedthe echnolog! Database. @ach operation contains parameters that aect how ttoolpath is created and specifc parameters that will be output to the 8" progra

hese parameters can be edited beore generating the toolpaths and post processthe part.

In this tutorial, !ou will edit the :peration 4arameters o the ollowing operations5

x (or the "ontour #ill :peration generated or :bround 4ocket Group eature, thetool used to machine the operation will be changed.

x (or the 3ough #ill :perations generated or the Irregular &lot (eatures and:bround 4ocket Group eature, the tool parameters will be changed.

-3panding and Collapsing &tems in the Tree

. "lick the s!mbol next to Contour MillH in the "A#$orks :peration tree.



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Mill

he tree expands to identi! the *!roun$ Po(ket >roup 1 as the eature or wthe operation was generated or.

0. o collapse this item, click on the s!mbol next to ContourMillH. :3

3ight click Contour MillH and select Collapse 7tems on the context menu.Lou can use either and s!mbols or the Expan$ 7tems and Collapse 7tecommand on the context menus to view items in the trees.

Ste3s to chane the tool sed to machine an "3eration'

1. In the :peration tree, double click Contour MillH.

:3

3ight clickContourMillH andselect E$itDe3nition on

the contextmenu.

2. he*perationParametersdialog box isdispla!ed."lick on theool tab.

nder ool(ri! page,

select a091/.indiameter(lat @nd millwithin thelist o displa!ed tools. In case (lat @nd tools are not listed, clear the check mark to tlet o the Filter button.

3. "lick the 8ele(t button.his action will assign thehighlighted tool as the toolbe used or machining this

operation.

4. "A#$orks will displa! awarning message whichprompts !ou to selectwhether the correspondingholder o the tool is also tochanged. "lick es toreplace the correspondingholder.

5. he Mill ool page is nowdispla!ed. It displa!s the parameters o



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selected tool. Lou can edit the toolspecifc parameters within this

Mill Ttorial

page. An! changes made will be specifc to this operation. he changes madethe tool parameters will not be saved to the echD*.

6. "lick the Contour tab o the :peration 4arameters dialog box.

7. In the 8i$e parameters group box, make sure theAlloan(e is setto 0in9 &etting theAlloan(e to this value

Mill_Tutorial Capitulo 1

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