Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant - Maruf Machining... · Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant Toolbars Reference Information Prismatic Machining Area Features Axial

Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant

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Version 5 Release 15

© Dassault Systèmes. 1994-2005 All rights reserved.

Prismatic Machining

Preparation Assistant


Overview

Conventions

What's New?

Getting Started

Open the Design Part and Start the Workbench

Automatically Create All Machinable Features

Open the Manufacturing View

Browse Axial Machinable Features and Machining Patterns

Browse Prismatic Machining Areas

User Tasks

Globally Create All Machinable Features

Locally Create Machinable Features

Create an Axial Operation on a Machinable Feature

Create a Milling Operation on a Machinable Feature

Select Machinable Features Using the Search Command

Automatically Create Machining Patterns

Create a Machining Pattern on Machinable Features

Create a Machining Process for Machinable Features

Apply a Machining Process on Machinable Features

Associativity of Prismatic Machining Area

Workbench Description


Toolbars

Reference Information

Prismatic Machining Area Features

Axial Machinable Features

Associativity

Glossary

Index



file:///C|/Program Files/Dassault Systemes/English/online/CATIAfr_C2/mpaugCATIAfrs.htm27/12/2006 3:39:28 PM



Prismatic Machining


Getting StartedBefore getting into the detailed instructions for using Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant, this tutorial is intended to give you a feel of what you can accomplish with the product.

It provides the following step-by-step scenario that shows you how to use some of the key functionalities.

Open the Design Part and Start the Workbench Automatically Create All Machinable Features

Open the Manufacturing View Browse Axial Machinable Features and Machining Patterns

Browse Prismatic Machining Areas





Prismatic Machining


Open the Design Part and Start the Workbench

This first task shows you how to open the part that is to be prepared for machining and start the workbench.

1. Select File > Open then select the SampleMPA.CATPart document.

2. If you are working with Prismatic Machining, select Machining > Prismatic Machining from the Start menu.

If you are working with Advanced Machining, select Machining > Advanced Machining from the Start menu.

The selected workbench appears. The workbench includes the Prismatic Machining Preparation toolbar.

Your design part is displayed in the Setup Editor window along with the manufacturing specification tree.







Prismatic Machining


Automatically Create All Machinable Features

This task shows you how to prepare a design part for manufacturing by automatically creating all recognizable prismatic machinable features.

1. Select the Global Feature Recognition icon .

The Global Feature Recognition dialog box appears.

2. Select the part in the 3D view.

3. In the Basic tab, select all the Feature checkboxes so that the part will be analyzed for all machinable feature types.


In the Pattern tab, select the Create pattern for recognized holes checkbox.

4. Click OK to start the feature recognition process.

An information box appears giving a summary of the process:



All recognized machinable features and patterns are added to the Manufacturing View.






Prismatic Machining


Open the Manufacturing View

This task shows you how to open the Manufacturing View to see the results of the global feature recognition step.

1. Select the Manufacturing View icon in the Machining Features toolbar.

2. The Manufacturing View dialog box appears.

Right-click the Manufacturing View object and select the Sort by Machining Features contextual command.


The view shows that six machinable axial features, four prismatic machining areas, and two pattens were created.






Prismatic Machining


Browse Axial Machinable Features and Machining Patterns

This task shows you how to browse the characteristics of axial machinable features and machining patterns.

1. In the Manufacturing View, select one of the created axial machinable features as follows:

In the example above, the selected feature is a counterbore hole. It is highlighted in the 3D view.


2. Double click the feature in the tree. A dialog box appears showing its characteristics.



3. In the Manufacturing View, select one of the created machining patterns as follows:

In the example above, the selected pattern comprises four counterbore holes. It is highlighted in the 3D view.



4. Double click the pattern in the tree. A dialog box appears showing its characteristics.



The created features can now be machined as described in the User Tasks section.






Prismatic Machining


Browse a Prismatic Machining Area

This task shows you how to browse prismatic machining areas.

1. In the Manufacturing View, select one of the created prismatic machining areas as follows:

In the example above, the selected feature is a complex step. It is highlighted in the 3D view.


2. Double click the feature in the tree. A dialog box appears showing its characteristics.



The created features can now be machined as described in the User Tasks section.






Prismatic Machining


User TasksThe user tasks you will perform with Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant involve creating and managing machinable features.

Globally Create All Machinable Features Locally Create Machinable Features

Create an Axial Operation on a Machinable Feature Create a Milling Operation on a Machinable Feature

Select Machinable Features Using the Search Command Automatically Create Machining Patterns

Create a Machining Pattern on Machinable Features Create a Machining Process for Machinable Features Apply a Machining Process on Machinable Features






Prismatic Machining


Globally Create All Prismatic Machinable Features

This task shows you how to prepare a design part for manufacturing by automatically creating all recognizable prismatic machinable features.

The SampleMPA.CATPart document should be open.

1. Select the Global Feature Recognition icon . The Global Feature Recognition dialog box appears.

2. Set Selection Type to Body then select the part in the 3D view. The feature recognition takes the associated Body object into account.

3. Select all the Feature checkboxes so that the part will be analyzed for all machinable feature types.


● To create axial machining features only, just select the Hole checkbox.

● To create prismatic machining areas only, select all the checkboxes except the Hole checkbox.

● To create all holes included in a tab hole, select the Enable creation of tab hole components checkbox. A tab (or tabulated) hole is more complex than a Part Design hole in that its hole chain (that is, all faces) do not match a Part Design feature. If the checkbox is not selected, the holes belonging to the tab holes are not created (default behaviour).

4. Click OK to start the feature recognition process.

All recognized machinable features are added to the Manufacturing View.



Note that Selection Type can be set to Face. In this case, all recognized features that open onto selected faces will created.

However, suppose a pocket has a child pocket and the top face of upper pocket is selected.

The child pocket will not be created as it does not open directly onto the selected face.

Graphic and Text Feedback about Machinable Features

When you select or move the mouse over a Machinable Axial Feature in the Manufacturing View, feedback in 3D Viewer shows: ● Highlight of flank RSURs referenced by the Machinable Axial Feature

● The entry point and entry vector of the feature.



Machining direction of a recognized through feature can be reversed by right clicking that feature in Manufacturing View and selecting the Reverse Machining Direction contextual command. This command is not available for the blind features, as they can be machined in only one direction. This command cannot be accessed if the feature is machined.

The identifier of the Machinable Axial Feature is shown as follows: Machinable Axial Feature.1 (Simple Hole Diameter=12mm Depth=20mm) representing in a summary the parameters of the feature. If you rename the feature:

MyFeature.1 (Simple Hole Diameter=12mm Depth=20mm)

Both the graphical representation and the feature in the Manufacturing View are associative and always up-to-date, positioned and filled according to design changes. When geometry can no longer be retrieved from a feature (referenced RSURs are no longer in Design Part, for example) no user representation is displayed.

Advanced Parameters

The Advanced tab page of the Global Feature Recognition dialog box contains a number of parameters for specific processing.



Machining Direction

You can specify a machining direction by selecting a face, a line or an edge. Created features will then have a machining axis parallel to the selected direction.

By specifying a machining direction, you can choose to create features that open in that direction only. For example, this may correspond to the machining direction of a particular machine setup.

If no machining direction is selected, the Create features only in this direction checkbox cannot be selected.

Hole / Pocket or Cutout

You can choose to create holes or circular pocket/cutout features depending on the value assigned for the maximum hole diameter. Using this capability: ● large diameter holes can be created as Pockets

● small diameter intersecting holes can be created as Holes instead of a single complex pocket.

Make sure you have selected the appropriate Feature type in the Basic tab page (for example, if you want to recognize a hole as a pocket, select the Hole and Complex Pocket checkboxes or just the Complex Pocket checkbox).

Ignore Tapered Hole Component



You can choose to ignore the fact that the hole type is tapered during feature recognition. In this way, you can force chamfered holes to be recognized as simple holes.

Chamfered hole: Recognized hole:

Selection of Bodies

One or more Bodies can be selected.

For feature recognition, the In-Work object must be either a Body or the last component of a Body. For example, in the figures below:● if you want to use Body.2 for feature recognition, the In-Work object must be either Body.2 or Hole.2.

● Body.2 and Hole.1 are valid In-Work objects.

The identifier of the In-Work object is underlined in the tree.






Prismatic Machining


Locally Create a Machinable Feature

This task shows you how to locally create a prismatic machinable feature in a design part.

The SampleMPA.CATPart document should be open.

1. Select the Local Feature Recognition icon . The Local Feature

Recognition dialog box appears.

2. Select the type of feature to be recognized using the combo (Complex Step, for example).


3. Click the Faces to Process: No selection field, then in the 3D view locally select one of the contour faces of the complex step:

● In previous releases, all the faces of the feature had to be selected to allow the feature to be recognized. Now, a feature can be recognized by selecting either the bottom face or one or more contour faces.

● To deselect a selected face, just reselect it. To deselect all selected faces, just click Remove All.



4. Click Recognize. An information box appears giving the following information about the recognized feature:

The created feature appears in the Manufacturing View.

In the SampleMPA.CAtPart, to create: ● one of the simple holes, you need to locally select either the bottom or

side face

● one of the counterbored holes, you need to locally select either the bottom or side face

● the complex cutout, you need to locally select either the bottom or a flank face

● the complex pocket, you need to locally select either the bottom or a flank face.

If needed, you can specify a preferred machining direction for through features by selecting a face, line or an edge. The through features are given a machining axis direction parallel to the selected direction.



Unsuccessful Local Feature Recognition

In case of local feature recognition failure, an appropriate error message is issued. Whenever possible, the elements that caused the failure are highlighted. Some examples are given below.

Feature type does not match. The recognized feature is not of the specified type.

You must select at least one face that uniquely belongs to the feature. If you do not select a unique face, feature recognition will fail.

Duplicate feature creation. When you try to recognize a feature that is already present in the manufacturing view, no new feature will be created.

Non-machinable feature due to very small dimension. When machining parameters such as depth are very small so as to make them non-machinable, such features are not recognized.

Non-machinable feature due to invalid face or edge contour. Feature creation is not possible because of the machinability checks applied on face or edge contour during feature creation.

Advanced Parameters

The Advanced tab page of the Local Feature Recognition dialog box contains a number of parameters for specific processing. For more information, please refer to: ● Machining Direction

● Hole / Pocket or Cutout .



Tips for Local Creation of Machinable Features with Feature Recognition

In general, a feature can be recognized by selecting either the bottom face or one or more contour faces.

To recognize a hole, you must select all the faces of the hole that will be machined: flank faces and, in case of a blind hole, the bottom face. Never select the top face.

To recognize a feature with fillets, you must select all the fillets to be able to recognize the feature.



Note that features surrounded by convex fillets are not considered as prismatic features and are not managed by the feature recognition capability.

In all cases, selection of non-adjacent faces will not allow feature recognition.

In the image below, selection of all the red faces will not recognize a complex step feature.



In the case of intersecting holes, feature recognition will create as many holes as separate surfaces. In the image below, three features are recognized: one for each surface color. The blue and yellow surfaces do not generate a single machining feature.






Prismatic Machining


Create an Axial Operation on an Axial Machinable Feature

This task shows you how to create a Counterboring operation using an axial machinable feature.

You can make use of one of the Counterbored Hole features created in the Globally Create All Prismatic Machinable Features task.1. Select the Manufacturing View icon in the Machining Features toolbar.

Use the Sort by Machining Features contextual command to display the desired view.2. Select a Counterbored Hole feature in the view.3. Select the Counterboring icon . The Counterboring dialog box appears.

The operation is initialized with the feature geometry as well as default parameters for machining strategy, feeds and speeds, and tool.

You can edit any of these values, if desired.4. Select the Tool tab page and choose a suitable Counterbore tool according to the feature characteristics

displayed in the Geometry page.


5. Click the Replay icon to verify the tool path.

6. Click OK to create the Counterboring operation. The operation is added to the Manufacturing View and to the program in the PPR tree.






Prismatic Machining


Create a Milling Operation on a Prismatic Machining Area

This task shows you how to create a pocketing operation on a prismatic machining area.

You can make use of the Complex Step feature created in the Locally Create a Machinable Feature task.

1. Select the Manufacturing View icon in the Machining Features toolbar.

Use the Sort by Machining Features contextual command to display the desired view.

2. Select the Complex Step feature in the view.

3. Select the Pocketing icon . The Pocketing dialog box appears.

4. The operation is initialized with the feature geometry as well as default parameters for machining strategy, feeds and speeds, and tool.

You can edit any of these values, if desired.

5. Click the Replay icon to verify the tool path.


6. Click OK to create the pocketing operation. The operation is added to the Manufacturing View and to the program in the PPR tree.






Prismatic Machining


Select Machinable Features Using the Search Command

This task shows you how to select machinable features by means of search criteria. Features selected in this way can be used for: ● creating machining operations

● machining processes

● machining patterns.

Open the Manufacturing View with the result of the Globally Create All Machinable Features task.

1. Select the Edit>Search command or run the command using the Ctrl+F shortcut.

The Search dialog box appears.

2. Select the Advanced tab.

3. Set the Workbench, Type and Attribute search criteria as shown below.

4. To find all axial machinable features with a counterbore diameter of at least 10mm, specify the following search criteria in the dialog box that appears.

Click OK.

5. Click the Search icon. The search result is displayed in the dialog box.


6. Click OK to select all the features corresponding to the search criteria. They are highlighted in the Part and in the Manufacturing View.

A description of all feature attributes is given in Prismatic Machining Areas and Axial Machining Features.






Prismatic Machining


Automatically Create Machining Patterns

This task shows you how to automatically create axial machinable features and a machining pattern in a single step.

Open the HoleMakingOperations.CATPart document, then select the desired Machining workbench from the Start menu.

1. Select the Global Feature Recognition icon . The Global Feature Recognition dialog box appears.

2. In the Basic tab page, select the Hole checkbox to create axial machinable features only. Select the top face of the part in the 3D view.

6. In the Pattern tab page, set the parameters for pattern creation as follows.


With these parameters you will create a pattern on threaded holes whose diameter is included in a specified range of diameters (that is, between 17 and 20mm).

7. Select the Manufacturing View icon and display the view sorted by patterns.

The created machining pattern is displayed.

8. Double click the machining pattern node to display the Machining pattern dialog box to obtain more information about the pattern.



Geometry Considerations for Pattern Creation

Pattern creation operates on a set of axial features selected from the Manufacturing View, a set of faces, or an entire body.● For a set of axial features, pattern creation applies the matching criteria only to that set of features.

● For a set of planar faces, pattern creation applies the matching criteria to all axial features from each face in the set. Note that all features in a pattern will have identical axes. If a reference direction is defined, the matching criteria only applies to axial machinable features parallel to this axis.

● For a set of non-planar faces, pattern creation applies the matching criteria to all axial features from each face in the set. Features in the pattern can have different axes. If a reference direction is defined, automatic pattern creation only applies to axial machinable features parallel to this axis.

● For a body, pattern creation applies the matching criteria to all axial features. Note that all features in a pattern will have identical axes. If a reference direction is defined, automatic pattern creation only applies to axial machinable features parallel to this axis.

Using Tolerances in Pattern Creation

You can retrieve the fitting tolerances defined in design features when machinable axial features are created. You can match these tolerance values in the pattern creation functionality.

The Tolerance Value checkbox for matching the fitting tolerance for pattern creation.

You can create patterns of holes having same tolerance values. Matching is done for both tabulated (H7, and so on) as well as minimum/maximum tolerance values. Features having the same tolerance values are grouped in the same pattern. Other holes, for which the tolerance value is not defined, will form a separate pattern.

The fitting tolerance value is retrieved and information is displayed to user: ● in the dialog box of the Machinable axial feature:



● in the Manufacturing View on the created pattern:






Prismatic Machining


Create a Machining Pattern on Machinable Features

This task shows you how to create a machining pattern on machinable features.

You can make use of the features created in the Globally Create All Prismatic Machinable Features task.

1. Select the Pattern Creation icon . The Pattern Creation dialog box appears.

2. Set Selection Type to Body then select the part in the 3D view. The pattern creation will take the associated Body object into account.

2. Click the Machining direction field, then select a geometric element to specify the machining direction (for example, selecting a face as shown means that the machining direction will be taken perpendicular to that face).


Only those axial machinable features in the specified machining direction will be taken into account for the pattern.

3. Click OK to create the machining pattern.

You can use the Sort by Patterns contextual command to check that the pattern is added to the Manufacturing View.

4. Double-click the pattern identifier to display the Machining Pattern dialog box.

The pattern is visualized in the part:






Prismatic Machining


Create a Machining Process for Machinable Features

This task shows how to create a machining process that will be used to apply a sequence of axial machining operations to machinable features.

More information about creating machining processes with formula, checks and tool queries is available in Create a Machining Process in the NC Manufacturing Infrastructure User's Guide.

1. Select the Machining Process View icon . The Machining Process View dialog box appears.

2. Select the Machining Process icon . The dialog box is updated with a new machining process as shown.

3. Select the Drilling icon. The Operation Definition dialog box appears, if the Start Edit mode is selected in the Tools > Options > Machining > Operation settings.

4. Just click OK to add a reference Drilling operation to the machining process.


5. In the same way, add reference Counterboring and Reaming operations to the machining process by selecting first the Counterboring icon then the Reaming icon. The Machining Process View dialog box is updated as shown.

6. Double click the Tool Query associated to the reference Drilling operation. The Tool Query Definition dialog box appears.

7. Select the tool repository Tool AssembliesSample01 using the Look in combo. Define a query as shown below:



This query will search Tool AssembliesSample01 for a drill whose nominal diameter is between 0.85 and 0.95 times the machining axial feature's diameter. Click OK to assign the tool query to the reference Drilling operation.

Assign a simple tool query to the reference Counterboring operation:



This query will search Tool AssembliesSample01 for an end-mill whose nominal diameter is the same as the machining axial feature's counterbore diameter.

Assign a simple tool query to the reference Reaming operation:

This query will search Tool AssembliesSample01 for a reamer whose nominal diameter is the same as the machining axial feature's diameter.



You can associate Formulas and/or Checks to the reference operations. For example:

Formula for the reference Counterboring operation:

This formula will ensure that:● the depth machined will equal the counterbore depth

● the diameter machined will equal the counterbore diameter.

A Check for the Counterboring operation:

This check ensures that only counterbore holes (type 2) will be machined.

Formula for the reference Reaming operation:

This formula will ensure that:● the depth machined will equal the feature depth less the counterbore depth

● the origin ofset will be set to minus the counterbore depth.



8. Select File > Save As to save the machining process in a CATProcess document called Drill_CBore_Ream_01.CATProcess, for example.

9. Right click the Machining Process in the Machining Process View and select the Save in Catalog contextual command.

10. The Save in Catalog dialog box appears. Click the [...] button and specify a new catalog name (AxialMP01.catalog, for example).

Click OK to save the machining process as a component in the specified catalog.

For the next step in the procedure, please refer to Apply Machining Process on Machinable Features.






Prismatic Machining


Apply a Machining Process on Machinable Features

This task shows how to apply a machining process on machinable features.

Open the desired CATPart document, then select the desired Machining workbench from the Start menu.

The PPR tree is intialized with a Manufacturing Program, which is empty.

1. Select the Open Catalog icon and open the catalog you created in the previous task:

AxialMP01.catalog.

2. Double click the Machining Process family: Machining Processes.


3. Double click the Machining Process to be applied: Machining Process1.

The Insert Object dialog box appears allowing you to apply the machining process.

4. Select the geometry to be machined. Just select the machining pattern Hole Orientation 2 from the Manufacturing View.

The four counterbore holes of the selected pattern are highlighted.



5. Select the Manufacturing Program in the PPR tree as the insertion level.

Then click OK in the Insert Object dialog box.

6. The program is updated with the following operations: ● Drilling

● Counterboring

● Reaming.



These operations reference the selected geometry and make use of the formula and checks defined in the machining process. In addition, the tool queries are resolved so that each operation references the desired tool.

If you create a second Manufacturing Program, and you apply the machining process to the other machining pattern that contains two simple holes, the following result is obtained:

Drilling and Reaming are created. No Counterboring operation is created because the machining features to be machined are simple holes.

A warning is issued for the Reaming operation because the formula in the reference Reaming opreation of the machining process included counterbore attributes.








Prismatic Machining



This task illustrates the associativity of prismatic machining areas.

A prismatic machining area in the manufacturing view has associated geometry in the part document. Typical geometry could be:● Top element

● Bottom element

● Boundary profile

● Other Prismatic machining area parameters such as minimum corner radius.

If the geometry is modified in the part document, then corresponding parameters and RSUR information for prismatic machining area is updated in manufacturing view to reflect correct values.

1. Select File > Open then select the PrismaticMachining.CATPart document.

2. Select the Global Feature Recognition icon and create a Complex Pocket.

3. Select the Manufacturing View icon in the Machining Features toolbar. Right-click the Manufacturing View

object and select the Sort by Machining Features contextual command.


4. Double click the created Prismatic machining area in the tree. A dialog box appears showing the characteristics of the feature.

5. Right click the green flank area of the pocket in the sensitive icon and select the Analyze contextual command. The Geometry Analyser appears showing that the status of each of the guide elements making up the pocket is Up to date.

Analyze the bottom element in the same way to check that its status is also Up to date.



6. Modify the geometry of the pocket (for example by reducing the pocket depth).

7. In the Manufacturing View, analyze the new guide elements and bottom of the pockets.

Their status is Up to date, showing the associative nature of the prismatic machining area.

Some geometry modifications to a part document can change the feature type. For example: ● the depth of complex pocket can be changed so that it becomes complex cutout

● the boundary profile of a complex pocket can be modified in such a way that it becomes a complex step, blind slot or through slot.

Such changes are not associative.






Prismatic Machining


Workbench DescriptionThis section contains the description of the specific commands that are added to your Prismatic Machining or Advanced Machining workbench when Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant is installed.

Toolbars





Prismatic Machining


Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant ToolbarsWhen Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant is installed the Prismatic Machining Preparation toolbar is added to the Prismatic Machining or Advanced Machining workbench. This toolbar contains the following commands:

Global Feature Recognition See Globally Create All Prismatic Machinable Features

Local Feature Recognition See Locally Create a Machinable Feature

Pattern Creation See Create a Machining Pattern on Machinable Features

The commands of the other toolbars of the Prismatic Machining workbench are documented in the Prismatic Machining User's Guide.

The commands of the other toolbars of the Advanced Machining workbench are documented in the Advanced Machining User's Guide.

It is useful to note that the Machining Features toolbar gives access to the Manufacturing View.

Manufacturing View See Open the Manufacturing View.





Prismatic Machining


Reference InformationReference information about Prismatic machinable features is given in this section.

Prismatic Machining Areas Axial Machinable Features

Associativity.





Prismatic Machining


Prismatic Machining AreasThis section provides reference information that is intended to help you:● create Prismatic Machining Area features from your design part

● use Prismatic Machining Area features: ❍ for formulas, checks and tool queries in machining processes and machining operations (for

example, to find the appropriate tool to machine the machining area)


❍ for search queries

For more information, refer to Feature Attributes for Tool Queries, Checks and Formula.

The following Prismatic Machining Area features are supported:● complex pocket

● complex step

● through slot

● blind slot

● complex cutout.

Islands can be included Pocket and Step type machinable features.



Complex PocketA complex pocket is a closed multi-sided recess.

Specifications on part: A bottom stamp as a hard stamp A top element as a top limit A boundary comprising a series of ordered faces.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area: A depth from top to bottom A minimum corner radius A minimum channel width A maximum channel width A top plane A bottom plane A wire frame contour.

Complex StepA complex step is an open multi-sided recess.

Specifications on part: A bottom stamp as a hard stamp A top element as a top limit A boundary comprising a series of ordered faces with hard and soft qualifications.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area: A depth from top to bottom A minimum corner radius A minimum channel width A maximum



channel width A top plane A bottom plane A wire frame contour with a series of elements qualified as soft and hard.

Through SlotA through slot is a specific step whose contour is two parallel faces as a hard boundary and two other faces as limits.

Specifications on part: A bottom stamp as a hard stamp A top element as a top limit A boundary comprising a series of 4 ordered faces with hard and soft qualifications.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area: A minimum corner radius A minimum channel width A maximum channel width A top plane A bottom plane A wireframe contour with 4 elements: 2 lines and two other elements.

Blind Slot



A blind slot is a specific step with two parallel lines and a corner between them. It has an open boundary.

Specifications on part: A bottom stamp as a hard stamp A top element as a top limit A boundary comprising a series of 4 ordered faces with hard and soft qualifications.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area: A depth from top to bottom A minimum corner radius A minimum channel width A maximum channel width A top plane A bottom plane A wireframe contour with 4 elements: 2 lines, 1 half circle and one other element.

Complex CutoutA complex cutout is a multi-sided opening through the part.

Specifications on part: A bottom element as a bottom limit A top element as a top limit A boundary comprising a series of ordered faces.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area: A depth from top to bottom A minimum corner radius A minimum channel width



A maximum channel width A top plane A bottom plane A wireframe contour.

Management of Islands

Islands can be recognized and associated to Pocket and Step type machinable features. Islands can be associated to features without necessarily sharing a bottom face. See examples below:



Specifications on part: A bottom stamp as a hard stamp A top element as a top limit A boundary comprising a series of ordered faces.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area: A depth from top to bottom A top plane and a bottom plane A wireframe contour.






Prismatic Machining


Axial Machinable FeaturesThis section provides reference information that is intended to help you:● create Axial Machinable Features from your design part

● use Axial Machinable Features: ❍ for search queries.


❍ for formulas, checks and tool queries in machining processes and machining operations

For more information, refer to Feature Attributes for Tool Queries, Checks and Formula.

A number of hole types are supported. They are identified according to the evaluation of the Hole type attribute as follows.

Hole type Name

0 Simple hole

1 Tapered hole

2Counterbored

hole



3Counterdrilled

hole

4Countersunk

hole

5 Unknown

Simple HoleSimple hole is characterized by: ● origin point and direction

● hole depth and diameter

● extension type identified according to the evaluation of the Hole Extension attribute: 1 = blind 2 = through

● for blind holes, bottom type identified according to the evaluation of the Hole bottom type attribute: Flat Bottom V Bottom.

● for V-bottom holes, bottom angle identified according to the value of the Hole bottom angle attribute.

● the hole can be threaded.

Tapered HoleTapered hole is characterized by: ● origin point and direction

● hole depth, diameter and angle

● extension type identified according to the evaluation of the Hole Extension attribute: 1 = blind 2 = through.



Counterbored HoleCounterbored hole is characterized by:

● origin point and direction


● counterbored depth and diameter

● extension type identified according to the evaluation



of the Hole Extension attribute: 1 = blind 2 = through.




Counterdrilled HoleCounterdrilled hole is characterized by:

● origin point and direction


● countersunk angle

● counterbored depth and diameter





Countersunk HoleCountersunk hole is characterized by: ● origin point and direction


● countersunk angle and diameter

● countersunk depth


● for blind holes, bottom type identified according to the evaluation of the Hole bottom type attribute:



Flat Bottom V Bottom.



Please note that the Countersunk depth can be obtained by means of the following formula:

Countersunk depth=(Countersunk diameter-Hole diameter)/(2*tan(Countersunk angle/2))

Threaded Holes

The following attributes on the axial machinable feature allow you to access threaded hole information (in the Search function, machining process definition, machining operations that require thread information, and so on).● Threaded: True or False

● Thread diameter (length value)

● Thread depth (length value)

● Pitch (length value)

● Thread direction: 0 = Right-threaded 1 = Left-threaded.

The attribute values are read from the design threaded hole (that is, as specification).






Prismatic Machining


Associativity of Machinable Axial FeaturesThis section describes the associativity behaviour of a Machinable Axial Feature after a design change (modification, move or delete) of the shape referenced by the feature. This is best illustrated by the following scenarios.

Scenario 1● Modify the shape of faces referenced by a Machinable Axial Feature (iso-topology)

● Move the shape of faces referenced by a Machinable Axial Feature (iso-topology)

● Move the products where faces of a Machinable Axial Feature are referenced.

The expected result is as follows.● When editing the Machinable Axial Feature all the parameters are updated

according to the new specifications.

● When updating the status of any Drilling operation referencing a Machinable Axial Feature, an Update mask must be displayed on the operation in the PPR tree.

● When editing any Drilling operation referencing a Machinable Axial Feature, Feature parameters displayed in Geometry tab page are updated according to the new specifications

● When replaying any Drilling operation referencing a Machinable Axial Feature using the editor, Tool Path replay must show tool path at appropriate location (except if locked).

● When replaying any Drilling operation referencing a Machinable Axial Feature not using the editor, Tool Path Replay must show tool path at appropriate location (except if locked).

Scenario 2

The following design change is made:● remove faces of a shape referenced by a Machinable Axial Feature from the Design

Part.


The expected result is as follows.● When updating the status of any Drilling operation referencing a Machinable Axial

Feature, an exclamation mask must be displayed on the operation in the PPR tree. Therefore replay is not available.






Prismatic Machining


Glossary

A

approach macro Motion defined for approaching the operation start point

auxiliary command A control function such as tool change or machine table rotation. These commands may be interpreted by a specific post-processor.

axial machining operation Operation in which machining is done along a single axis and is mainly intended for hole making (drilling, counter boring, and so on).

B

bottom plane A planar geometric element that represents the bottom surface of an area to machine. It is normal to the tool axis.

C

clearance macro Motion that involves retracting to a safety plane, a linear trajectory in that plane and then plunging from that plane.

climb milling Milling in which the advancing tool rotates down into the material. Chips of cut material tend to be thrown behind the tool, which results to give good surface finish. Compare with conventional milling.


conventional milling Milling in which the advancing tool rotates up into the material. Chips of cut material tend to be carried around with the tool, which often impairs good surface finish. Compare with climb milling.

D

DPM Digital Process for Manufacturing.

E

extension type Defines the end type of a hole as being through hole or blind.

F

Facing operation A surfacing operation in which material is removed in one cut or several axial cuts of equal depth according to a pre-defined machining strategy. Boundaries of the planar area to be machined are soft.

Fault Types of faults in material removal simulation are gouge, undercut, and tool clash.

feedrate Rate at which a cutter advances into a work piece. Measured in linear or angular units (mm/min or mm/rev, for example).

fixture Elements used to secure or support the workpiece on a machine.

G

gouge Area where the tool has removed too much material from the workpiece.

H

hard A geometric element (such as a boundary or a bottom face) that the tool cannot pass beyond.

high speed milling (HSM) Functionality that is supported for Pocketing and Facing operations in which corners and transitions in the tool path are rounded to ensure a smooth and continuous cutting effort.



I

inward helical Machining in which motion starts from a point inside the domain to machine and follows paths parallel to the domain boundary towards the center of the domain. Compare with outward helical.

island Inner domain of a pocket that is to be avoided during machining. It has a closed hard boundary.

L

linking motion Motion that involves retracting to a safety plane, a linear trajectory in that plane and then plunging from that plane.

M

machine rotation An auxiliary command in the program that corresponds to a rotation of the machine table.

machining axis system Reference axis system in which coordinates of points of the tool path are given.

machining feature A feature instance representing a volume of material to be removed, a machining axis, tolerances, and other technological attributes. These features may be hole type or milling type.

machining operation Contains all the necessary information for machining a part of the workpiece using a single tool.

machining process An ordered list of machining operations, PP instructions and, possibly, machine rotations. It can be used in two ways: ● to generate a complete subprogram by defining all

the operations from geometrical information which will be solved when the machining process is instantiated into another CATProcess file.

● to generate a subprogram by defining all the operations without any geometrical information (design or manufacturing geometrical features): this way is dedicated to the settings mode.

machining tolerance The maximum allowed difference between the theoretical and computed tool path.

manufacturing process Defines the sequence of part operations necessary for the complete manufacture of a part.



manufacturing program Describes the processing order of the NC entities that are taken into account for tool path computation: machining operations, auxiliary commands and PP instructions.

manufacturing view The set of machining features defined in the part operation.

maximum channel width The diameter of the largest circle that fits inside the machining domain boundary (including islands). The maximum channel width may be used to determine the roughing tool.

minimum channel width The smallest opening in the boundary profile (including islands) that the tool must pass through in order to completely machine the profile. Limit value: For particular geometrical cases, no minimum channel width exist. In this case the minimum channel width value must be equal to the maximum channel width value.

minimum corner radius The smallest radius of the Prismatic Machining Area boundary (including islands) that cause a constraint on the tool to be used for machining the domain. The minimum corner radius may be used to determine the finishing tool. Limit value: if an angle is detected on the profile (or islands) the minimum corner radius is 0.

multi-level operation Milling operation (such as Pocketing or Profile Contouring) that is done in a series of axial cuts.

O

offset Specifies a virtual displacement of a reference geometric element in an operation (such as the offset on the bottom plane of a pocket, for example). Compare with thickness.

outward helical Machining in which motion starts from a point inside the domain to machine and follows paths parallel to the domain boundary away from the center of the domain. Compare with inward helical.

P

part operation Links all the operations necessary for machining a part based on a unique part registration on a machine. The part operation links these operations with the associated fixture and set-up entities.



pocket An area to be machined that is defined by an open or closed boundary and a bottom plane. The pocket definition may also include a top plane and one or more islands.

Pocketing operation A machining operation in which material is removed from a pocket in one or several axial cuts of equal depth according to a pre-defined machining strategy. The tool path style is either Inward helical, Outward helical or Back and forth.

Point to Point operation A milling operation in which the tool moves in straight line segments between user-defined points.

PP instruction Instructions that control certain functions that are auxiliary to the tool-part relationship. They may be interpreted by a specific post processor.

PPR Process Product Resources.Profile Contouring operationA milling operation in which the tool follows a guide

curve and possibly other guide elements while respecting user-defined geometric limitations and machining strategy parameters.

R

retract macro Motion defined for retracting from the operation end point

return macro Motion for linking between paths or between levels. It involves retracting to a safety plane, a linear trajectory in that plane and then plunging from that plane.

S

safety plane A plane normal to the tool axis in which the tool tip can move or remain a clearance distance away from the workpiece, fixture or machine.

set up Describes how the part, stock and fixture are positioned on the machine.

soft A geometric element (such as a boundary or a bottom face) that the tool can pass beyond.

spindle speed The angular speed of the machine spindle. Measured in linear or angular units (m/min or rev/min, for example).

stock Workpiece prior to machining by the operations of a part operation.



T

thickness Specifies a thickness of material to be removed by machining. Compare with offset.

top plane A planar geometric element that represents the top surface of an area to machine. It is always normal to the associated tool's rotational axis.

tool axis Center line of the cutter.tool change An auxiliary command in the program that

corresponds to a change of tool.tool clash Area where the tool collided with the workpiece

during a rapid move.tool path The path that the center of the tool tip follows during

a machining operation.total depth The total depth including breakthrough distance that

is machined in a hole making operation.

U

undercut Area where the tool has left material behind on the workpiece.


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