Camworks Tutorial Multiax
Camworks Tutorial Multiax
Mu l t i ax i s Mac h i n i n g Tu t o r i al
Disclaimer
Geometric Technologies, Inc. makes no warranties, either express or implied with respect to this manual. Geometric Technologies reserves the right to revise and improve products as it sees fit, and to revise the specifications and information contained herein without prior notice. Due to continuing product development, specifications and capabilities described in this manual are subject to change without notice.
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Copyright 2006-2012 Geometric Technologies. (A division of Geometric Americas Inc.) All Rights Reserved.
Geometric Technologies is a subsidiary of Geometric Ltd.
CW80f 01122011
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 LEARNING MULTIAXIS MACHINING BASICS 1-1 Multiaxis Machining Terminology .................................................................. 1-2 Steps to Generate Toolpaths and NC Code ..................................................... 1-3 Multiaxis 1 ....................................................................................................... 1-4 What You'll Learn ...................................................................................... 1-4 Defining the Machine and Post Processor ............................................ 1-4 Defining the Stock ................................................................................ 1-6 Inserting a Part Setup and Defining Multi Surface Features ................ 1-7 Generating an Operation Plan/Adjusting Operation Parameters .......... 1-8 Generating Toolpaths and Running Toolpath Simulation .................. 1-10 Adjusting Machining Parameters ....................................................... 1-10 Defining the Tool Orientation ............................................................ 1-11 Post Processing Toolpaths .................................................................. 1-13 Multiaxis 2 ..................................................................................................... 1-14 What You'll Learn .................................................................................... 1-14 Using Collision Detection Options..................................................... 1-15 Controlling the Start and End of the Toolpath ................................... 1-16 CHAPTER 2 LEARNING MORE ABOUT MULTIAXIS 2-1 Multiaxis 3 ....................................................................................................... 2-2 What You'll Learn ...................................................................................... 2-2 Defining Tool Movement When Gaps are Encountered ...................... 2-3 Using Links with Gouge Checking ...................................................... 2-5 Multiaxis 4 ....................................................................................................... 2-6 What You'll Learn ...................................................................................... 2-6 Machining Undercut Areas with 3 Axis Cutting .................................. 2-6 Multiaxis 5 ..................................................................................................... 2-10 What You'll Learn .................................................................................... 2-10 Changing Machining Parameters to Produce Different Results ......... 2-10 Multiaxis 6 ..................................................................................................... 2-13 What You'll Learn .................................................................................... 2-13 Using Surfaces and Gouge Checking to Simplify Machining............ 2-13 INDEX
Table of Contents
ii
CC
= The point where the tool touches the material. CL = The point that is represented by the coordinates of the machine program. I,J,K = Values that represent the orientation of the tool axis When the tool tilts, it rotates around the contact point of the tool and the material. Note that the point on the material is fixed and the contact point of the tool changes according to the orientation of the tool axis (except for sharp corner tools).
START
Generate toolpaths
Simulate toolpaths
Yes
Post process
Define Stock
Insert Part Setup and define machinable features Transmit file into CNC
END
Multiaxis 1
Multiaxis 1
What You'll Learn
Defining the Machine and Post Processor Defining the Stock Inserting a Mill Part Setup and Interactively Defining Multi Surface Features Generating an Operation Plan and Adjusting Parameters Generating Toolpaths and Running Toolpath Simulation Adjusting Machining Parameters and Defining the Tool Orientation Post Processing the Toolpaths Open the part file MULTIAX_1.SLDPRT in the \Examples\4-5AxisMill folder. A part is a solid that is created with SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids or imported into SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids from another CAD system via an IGES, Parasolid, SAT file, etc. This exercise uses an existing SolidWorks part. Sample exercise parts are installed when you install CAMWorks and are in the \Examples\4-5AxisMill folder. This folder is inside the CAMWorks data folder (e.g., \CAMWorksData\CAMWorks20xx\Examples\4-5AxisMill). Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
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Right click the Mill-mm in the CAMWorks Feature tree and select Edit Definition on the shortcut menu.
Did You Know ...
In the Feature and Operation trees, instead of right clicking items and selecting Edit Definition, you can double-click the following items to open the dialog box for editing the items: Stock Manager Machine Setup Feature Operation
Multiaxis 1
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The Machine dialog box displays the Machine tab. The default machine is specified in the Technology Database. When you use CAMWorks to machine your own parts, select the machine tool you want to use to machine the part. Machine tools are set up in the Technology Database. Before using CAMWorks to machine your parts, make sure you define the machine tools available in your facility. In the Available machines list, highlight Mill-mm and click the Select button. Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Tool Crib 1 is the Active tool crib. This tab allows you to choose a Tool Crib, which is a set of tools or tool assemblies that are used with the machine you have chosen. These are not all the tools that are available, but a subset that you can modify to represent the actual set of tools that the machine has loaded. Tool Crib 1 has been set up for the sample Mill-mm machine. When you define your machine tools in the Technology Database, you can set up your own tool cribs.
Multiaxis 1
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Click the Post Processor tab. This tab allows you to select the post processor. The list that displays depends on the post processors that are installed on your system. CAMWorks supplies several tutorial post processors. If the list does not display, use the Browse button to locate the folder containing the files (*.ctl). Highlight M5AXIS-TUTORIAL (the tutorial Multiaxis Machining post processor) in the list and click the Select button. M5AXIS-TUTORIAL is used for the exercises in this manual. When you use CAMWorks to machine your own parts, select your machine tool controller or post processor. Click the Posting tab. The parameters on this page are used for the following: To specify whether posting uses the coolant that is defined with the tool/insert or in the post processor. To define whether the tool diameter and length offsets are set in the post processor or defined with the tool/insert. To provide information required to generate the NC program. The parameters are machine-dependent and different parameters may display for your controller. The value for a parameter is output in the NC code if the machine requires it. To provide information for the Setup Sheet, a file that is created when the NC program file is generated. All of the controller parameters are included in the Setup Sheet. Click OK to close the dialog box.
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Multiaxis 1
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For the stock, either pick the sketch named Stock in the SolidWorks FeatureManager design tree or pick the sketch on the part (shown in red in the figure below).
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Set the depth to 100mm. The depth defines the distance the sketch is extruded. Click OK.
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When picking faces in Multiaxis Machining, all faces will be machined in normal circumstances. You pick only the faces that need to be machined. Avoids are handled differently than 3 axis milling as you will learn in another exercise. In Multiaxis Machining, any faces that are selected to avoid in the Multi Surface Feature wizard are ignored. Click the Show normal check box and notice a direction arrow displays on the cylinder. When generating 4 or 5 axis simultaneous toolpaths, the side of a surface to machine on is based on the surface normal. On faces from solid models, the surface normal is always pointing away from the solid body and the machining side will be correct. However, if machining a surface, the surface normal may not be pointing to the desired side to machine on. The Show normal option allows you to view and change the surface normal. The cylinder in this part is a solid model, so the machining side for the face of the cylinder is correct. Set the Strategy to 5 Axis and click Insert. Click Close. Multi Surface Feature1 displays in the CAMWorks Feature tree.
The order of the tabs in the Operation Parameters dialog box is the recommended order for adjusting parameters. You may want to preview the toolpath after changing a parameter to see how the setting affects the toolpath. The Axis Control parameters can be set after you decide the toolpath is correct for your machining requirements.
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Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks toolbar. CAMWorks generates the operation. The CAMWorks Operation tree provides an outline view of the operations for the machinable features. To the left of each toolpath operation is a plus sign (+). Clicking a plus sign displays the name of the Machinable Feature that this operation is going to machine. The Check Surfaces item is used to modify the surfaces used for collision detection. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in Mill Part Setup1.
Multiaxis 1
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Click the Tool Crib page under Tool tab and scroll down the list of tools to locate a 20mm dia. Ball Nose. If a tool is not found, click the Add button and select Ball Nose in the Tool Type within Select Filter dialog box. In the Tools Database form, select a 20mm Ball Nose and click OK. On the Tool Crib tab, highlight the tool, click the < Select button, then click Yes to replace the corresponding holder. Click the F/S tab. The F/S tab in the Multiaxis Mill Operation Parameters dialog box lists the parameters that affect the feeds and speeds that are output in the code. For the Defined by option, select Library. When this option is selected, CAMWorks uses the values defined in the Feed/Speed library. The calculated feeds and speeds are updated automatically based on changes to the stock material, cutting conditions, or tool. When Operation is selected, CAMWorks uses the values defined on this tab and maintains any manually input feed and speed values even if the stock material, cutting conditions or tool change. When Tool is selected, CAMWorks uses the current values in the Cutting Parameters dialog box.
Slice Pattern 1. Click the Pattern tab. This tab contains options to set the Pattern type, cutting order, cut limits and the surface quality. 2. For the Pattern Type, select Slice. The Slice pattern creates toolpaths that are parallel to each other. The direction of the cuts is defined by two Cut angles. 3. Set the Cut angle (XY) to 90 deg. and the Cut angle (Z) to -90 deg. The machining strategy is parallel (slice) cuts. The angle on XY plane is 90 deg. The Angle in Z in this case is the angle in ZX plane. The setting of -90 deg. means that motions will start at the right side and advance to the left. Generally, this angle will be done on a plane normal to the above set XY plane.
Did You Know ...
4. 5. 6.
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When you place the cursor in the input box for each parameter, the graphic in the dialog box shows the effect of the parameter on the toolpath. Make sure the Direction is set to a Zigzag pattern and in the Surface Finish section, set the Max. stepover to 10mm. Click the Entry/Retract tab and set the Leadin and Leadout Method to None. In the Clearance section set the following parameters: Type = Plane in Z Z = 25mm In the Distances section set the following: Rapid length = 25mm Feed length = 15mm
Learning MultiaxisMachining Basics 1-9
Multiaxis 1
8. 9.
Click the Links tab. For Links between cut, set the Entry/Exit method options to None and click OK.
Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar. Right click on Mill Part Setup1 and select Simulate Toolpath. The Simulate Toolpath toolbar displays. Click the Run button. Note that the material left between each pass is due to the large stepover used for this exercise. Click the X button to cancel the simulation.
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Click the Close button at the top right of the collapsed dialog box to restore the dialog box. On the Pattern tab, change the Limits to Start and End at Exact Surface Edge.
Multiaxis 1
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Check the Use start hint box and set Y to -25mm. Click the Preview button to view the toolpath. With the Limits set to Start and End at Exact Surface Edge, the toolpath is generated on the entire surface and exactly up to the surface edge or to the nearest possible position. In this case, the gap that remains on the left side is probably because of tolerance reasons, as the next setup has to be on the edge. Notice the new start point. The definition of a start point is only a hint for CAMWorks. CAMWorks tries to find the nearest possible position next to your point. Click the Close button to restore the dialog box. Change the Limits to Between Two Points. Type 15mm for the X on the left (the toolpath start point) and 85mm for the X on the right (the end point). Click the Preview button to view the toolpath. This option allows you to limit the machining between one or two points. Setting the 2 limit points caused the start to be 15mm from the right edge and the end to be 15mm from the left. Note that the distance between the passes is equally spaced (less than the 10mm specified) to ensure smooth results. Click the Close button to restore the dialog box. Click the Finish tab and look at the variety of parameters that can be set to control the toolpath. For this exercise, the defaults on this tab can be used.
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Multiaxis 1
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Click the Display Tool button to turn on the wireframe display of the tool. Click the Single Step button to step through the toolpath, then hold down the space bar for continuous movement. Notice that the tool axis is not tilted. The tool axis direction equals the face normal at touch point. Click the Close button to cancel Step Thru Toolpath. Double click the operation in the tree. On the Axis Control tab, set the Tool axis to Tilted Relative To Cutting Direction. Set the Lead/lag angle to 15. With this option, you can define a Lead/lag angle to the cutting direction. Positive value = tool leans to the movement direction Negative value = tool leans away from the movement direction
No lead angle Lead angle
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Click OK and regenerate the toolpaths. Select Step thru Toolpath again and step through the toolpath. Edit the operation and change the Tool axis to Tilted With Fixed Angle To Axis. With this option, the tool axis is tilted in a fixed angle relative to the chosen axis. The tilt axis can be to the X, Y and Z axis or to any line created in the geometry. Tilt axis and surface normal build a plane in which the tool tilts. Change the Tilt axis to X-Axis. Set the Fixed tilt angle to 45deg. Click OK and regenerate the toolpath. Right click the operation in the tree and select Step Thru Toolpath. Click the Display Tool button to turn on the display of the tool.
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Multiaxis 1
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Click the Single Step button to step through the toolpath. The tool is now tilted towards X+ in a constant angle of 45 degrees all along the TP. Notice that the CC (touch) point on the surface is maintained and one of the toolpaths is moved due to the tilt. The CL point is now moved. Click the Close button to cancel Step Thru Toolpath.
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Click the Post Process button on the CAMWorks toolbar. The Post Output File dialog box displays so you can name the NC program file. If MULTIAX_1 is not in the File name text box, type MULTIAX_1, then click Save. You do not have to type the extension if you are using the default .txt. Naming the post output file the same as the part file is the most common way of saving parts and NC programs. Both files can have the same name because they have different extensions. In the Post Process Output dialog box, click the Run button on the control bar at the top. When the post processing is finished, view the code using the vertical scroll bar. Click OK to close the Post Process Output dialog box.
Multiaxis 2
Multiaxis 2
What You'll Learn
Using Collision Detection options Controlling the Start and End of the Toolpath Open the part file MULTIAX_2.SLDPRT in the \Examples\4-5AxisMill folder. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab. A Multi Surface feature has already been defined. Double click Multi Surface Feature1 in the tree and notice that no faces have been selected to avoid. For Multiaxis Milling operations, you pick only the faces that need to be machined. Avoids are handled differently than 3 axis milling as you will learn in this exercise. Any faces that are selected to avoid in the Multi Surface Feature dialog box are ignored. Right click on the Multi Surface Feature1 in the tree and select Edit Definition in the shortcut menu. The Insert/Edit Multi Surface feature dialog displays. Set the Strategy to 5 Axis, then click OK. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks toolbar. CAMWorks generates the operation. Double-click Multiaxis Mill1 in the operation tree. Click the Tool Crib page under Tool tab and click the Add button. Select Ball Nose under Tool Type in the Tool Select Filter dialog box and click OK. In the Tools Database form, highlight a 20mm tool and click OK. Highlight the newly added tool in the Tool Crib, click the <- Select button, then click Yes to replace the holder. On the Pattern tab, set the Pattern to Cuts Across Curve and in the Surface Finish section, set the Max. stepover to 10mm. Click the Curve button. The Curve Wizard: Select Geometry dialog box displays. Select Sketch2 and click Finish.
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Multiaxis 2
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Click the Close button to restore the dialog box. Click the Gouge Checking tab. In the Gouge Checking section on the Group 1 tab, check the box next to Apply gouge checking to and make sure the Non-cutting portion and Flute options are checked. This option enables the first of four different groups of options for gouge checking that can be set up to check for different collision conditions. In the Check against section, remove the check mark from the Feature surfaces option. Select the Other surfaces option and click the button. The Avoid Surfaces dialog box displays and you can identify the surfaces to check for collisions. There are two methods for adding avoid surfaces in a Multiaxis Mill operation. You can create an avoid feature before you generate operations. In this case, the feature would be in the list box. or You can click the Create Features button in this dialog box and pick the faces required to create the feature. Click the Create Features button. The Insert Multi Surface Feature dialog box displays. Pick each face on the red box. Click Insert, then click Close. Multi Surface Feature2 is now listed in the Avoid Surfaces dialog box. Make sure the box next to the feature is checked and click OK. In the Operation Parameters dialog box, in the Gouge check options section, set the Strategy to Retract Along Tool Axis. With this option selected, when a gouge is detected, the tool will retract along its axis to a position where it no longer gouges. Click the Preview button and view the results. The avoid faces were machined. At all times, the tool orientation is kept normal to the cylinder.
Learning MultiaxisMachining Basics 1-15
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Multiaxis 2
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Click the Close button to restore the dialog box. Change the Strategy to Remove Gouge Positions and in the check Against section, set the Allowance to 2mm. Click Preview and view the results. The avoid surfaces are bypassed with some rectangular motions. Change the orientation to Right view to see the offset distance from the avoid surfaces. Click the Close button. On the Pattern tab, in the Direction section, check the box next to Reverse stepover and in the Limits section, set the Method to Start and End at Exact Surface Edge. On the Axis Control tab, set the tool axis to Tilted With Fixed Angle to Axis. In the Cutting Direction tilt options section, set the Tilt axis to X-Axis and set the Fixed tilt angle to 45deg. On the Gouge Checking tab, in the Gouge Check options section, set the Strategy to Move Tool Away. Set the Retract tool to Along YZ Plane. Click the Preview button and view the results. Notice that the machining starts from the other side. In order to prevent the gouging of the avoid faces, the tool is moving away from the geometry. All the movements are done on the YZ plane, maintaining a constant X value. Click the Close button. On the Gouge Checking tab, in the Gouge Check options section, set the Strategy to Stop Toolpath Calculation and click Preview. CAMWorks generates a partial toolpath. The calculation stopped when a gouge was detected. Only the non-gouging motions calculated before the gouge are generated.
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Click the Close button. On the Gouge Checking tab, set the Strategy to Remove Gouged Positions. Click the Entry/Retract tab and set the following options: Clearance = Cylinder About X (the clearance shape is a 40mm radius cylinder with the center passing though the origin point) Radius = 40mm Rapid length = 5mm (the last rapid motion before the first feed motion) Feed length = 3mm (the last approach motion toward the material) Skim increment = 10mm
Multiaxis 2
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Click Preview and view the results. The rapid motions bypassing the avoid surfaces have a cylindrical shape. Notice that the created cylindrical motions are done in a greater radius than defined. CAMWorks calculates the minimal safe distance needed in order to avoid gouging any geometry. The search for a new safe height is done in steps of 10mm (the Skim increment). Click the Close button. Click the Pattern tab and change the Direction pattern to Zig. Check the box next to Start hint and set the Rotate next cut by option to 10deg. Click the Entry/Retract tab. Set the Leadin move to Use Leadin and the Leadout move to Use Leadout. On the Leadin and Leadout tabs, set the following: Type = Tangent arc Parameters = Arc Arc angle = 90deg % Tool diameter = 50 Height = 0.001mm Click the Preview button and view the results. Notice the tangent approach and retract. The shifted start point is the result of rotating the next cut by 10deg on the Pattern tab.
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Multiaxis 2
Multiaxis 3
Multiaxis 3
What You'll Learn
Defining Tool Movement When Gaps are Encountered Using Links with Gouge Checking
CAMWorks provides numerous settings on the Links tab that allow you to define the tool movement when gaps are encountered along cuts, between cuts and between multiple passes. This exercise uses the options for gaps along cuts. 1. Open the part file MULTIAX_3.SLDPRT in the \Examples\4-5AxisMill folder.
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Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab. Double click Mill-in in the Feature tree. Highlight Mill-in on the Machine tab and click Select. Click the Post Processor tab, highlight M5AXIS-Tutorial and click Select. Click OK. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select Insert Mill Part Setup. Expand MULTIAX_3 in the graphics area and select Top Plane. Click the Reverse Selected Entity button in the Mill Setup PropertyManager and click OK. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the tree and select Insert Multi Surface Feature. Pick the two top gray faces. Click the arrow next to Strategy and select 5 Axis. Click Insert. Multi Surface Feature1 is inserted in the Feature tree and the dialog box remains open so you can insert additional features. Pick the five faces on the red solid and click Insert. Click Close. Rename Multi Surface Feature2 in the tree to Avoid Feature. Click the SolidWorks FeatureManager design tree tab. Right click Extrude2 and select Hide. You will enable collision detection in the next part of this exercise.
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Multiaxis 3
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Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab. Right click Multi Surface Feature1 in the tree and select Generate Operation Plan on the shortcut menu. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree. On the Pattern tab, set the following: Pattern = Slice Cut angle (XY) = -180deg Cut angle (Z) = -90deg Max stepover = .15in On the Entry/Retract tab, in the Clearance section, set the Clearance Type to Plane in Z and set Z to 2in. In the Distances section, set the following. Rapid length = .15in Feed length = .05in On the Links tab, in the Links along cut section, set the Link threshold to 300. The Link threshold sets the threshold for gaps along a toolpath segment as an absolute value or as a percent of the tool diameter. Gaps along the toolpath segment that are smaller than or equal to this value are processed according to the settings for Gaps <= link threshold. Gaps that are larger than this value are processed according to the Gaps > link threshold. For Gaps <= link threshold, set the following: Link type = Broken Feed and Rapid Entry/Exit method = Use Leadin & Leadout For Gaps > link threshold, set the Link type to Clearance. Click the Preview button. With the Broken Feed and Rapid option, when a gap Broken Feed and Rapid is detected, the tool retracts to the rapid distance. The retracting direction is the tool axis. The tool
Learning More About Multiaxis 2-3
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Multiaxis 3
rapids from the surface and moves over to the next toolpath point with machining speed.
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Click the Close button at the top right of the collapsed dialog box. For Links along cut, change the Link type for Gaps <= link threshold to Direct and click the Preview button. With this option, the tool uses the shortest path to the other side of the gap without any retracting movements. The toolpath in the gap is a straight line and the tool moves in machining speed.
Direct
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Click Close and change the Link type to Clearance. Click the Preview button and notice that the toolpath retracts to the Clearance area. The tool rapids back to the Clearance plane. Only the return to the surface has machining speed. Click Close, change the Link type for Gaps <= link threshold to Blend Spline and click Preview. The Blend spline option connects the surfaces with a toolpath that leaves and enters the surfaces tangentially. The result is a very smooth connection even on edgy gaps. Click Close.
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Clearance
Blend Spline
In this exercise, you set the Entry/Exit method to Use Leadin & Leadout. The type of leadin and leadout can be changed.
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Click the button to the left of the Entry/Exit method for Gaps <= link threshold.
Multiaxis 3
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The Operation Parameters dialog box displays the Leadin and Leadout parameters that can be set. Select a Leadin and Leadout Type and the parameters, then click OK. Click OK to close the Operation Parameters dialog box and regenerate the toolpath. Notice the difference in the leadin and leadout. Double-click Multiaxis Mill1 in the tree and repeat these steps selecting a different type and view the difference in the toolpath.
Click the SolidWorks FeatureManager design tree tab. Right click Extrude2 and select Show. Click the Operation tree tab. Double click Multiaxis Mill1. On the Links tab, in the Links along cut section, set the Link type to Direct for Gaps <= link threshold. On the Gouge Checking tab, select the Apply gouge checking to option on the Group 1 tab. In the Gouge check options, set the Strategy to Retract Along Tool Axis. In the Check against section, remove the check mark from the Feature surfaces option. Select the Other surfaces option and click the button. Click the Select All button and click OK. Click the Preview button and notice that the toolpath avoids the red surface.
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Multiaxis 4
Multiaxis 4
What You'll Learn
Machining Undercut Areas with 3 Axis Cutting
CAMWorks allows you to take advantage of keyway and lollipop cutters to machine complex forms and access any undercut areas without the need for 4- and 5-axis indexing or tool tilting. 1. Open the part file MULTIAX_4.SLDPRT in the \Examples\4-5AxisMill folder.
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Double click Mill-in in the Feature tree. 4. Highlight Mill-in on the Machine tab and click Select. 5. Click the Post Processor tab, highlight M5AXIS-Tutorial and click Select. 6. Click OK. 7. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select Insert Mill Part Setup. 8. Expand MULTIAX_4 in the graphics area and select Top Plane. 9. Click the Reverse Selected Entity button, then click OK. Insert the Multi Surface feature: 1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the tree and select Insert Multi Surface Feature. 2. Pick all the blue faces. 3. Set the Strategy to Undercut - 5 Axis. 4. Click Insert, then click Close. Multi Surface Feature1 is inserted in the Feature tree. Generate the operation and adjust parameters:
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Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks toolbar. CAMWorks generates the operation. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree. Click the Tool Crib page under the Tool tab and click the Add button. Select Lollipop under Tool Type in the Tool Select Filter dialog box and click OK.
Multiaxis 4
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In the Tools Database form, highlight the lollipop tool and click OK. Scroll down and highlight the tool in the Tool Crib, click the <- Select button, then click Yes to replace the holder. On the Lollipop Tool page (under Tool tab), change the Shank diameter (D2) to .15in and the Diameter (D1) to .4in. Click the Pattern tab and set the Pattern to Flowline Between Curves. This pattern creates swarf cuts between two curves and can be used to machine steep areas for mold making. Click the Upper button. The Curve Wizard: Select Geometry dialog displays. Make sure the Select mode is set to Default; then pick the three edges at the top of the feature and click Finish. Click the Lower button. Make sure the Select mode is set to Default, pick the three edges at the bottom of the feature and click Finish.
Upper Curve Lower Curve
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On the Pattern tab, set the following: Method (in Limits section) = Start and End at Exact Surface Edges Max stepover (Surface Finish section) = .02in In the Start Hint section, check the Use start hint option.
Start Hint
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Click the Define Point button. The Define Point dialog displays. Pick the vertex on the part shown in the figure on the right and click OK to close the dialog.. The Start hint option provides more control over the XY entry position of the tool. Selecting an entry position does not mean that the tool will actually enter at the position, but the entry location of the tool will be as close as possible to the start hint location. Click the Finish tab, under Surface Finish section, set the Chaining tol. to .1in. This value is used in combination with the Mach deviation for toolpath calculation and should be set to 1 to 10 times the Mach deviation. Note that using higher values for this option increases the calculation speed; however, inaccuracies in the toolpath may occur.
Learning More About Multiaxis 2-7
Multiaxis 4
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Click the Entry/Retract tab and set the parameters as shown in the figure on the right. Set the parameters on the Leadout tab the same as the Leadin.
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Click the Links tab and set the parameters as shown in the figure on the right.
Multiaxis 4
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Click the Axis Control tab and set the following: Number of axis = 3 Axis Tool contact point = Auto Click OK to close the Operation Parameters dialog box. Click Generate Toolpath on the CAMWorks toolbar. Run Toolpath Simulation and Step Thru Toolpath.
Multiaxis 5
Multiaxis 5
What You'll Learn
Changing Machining Parameters to Produce Different Results
Different results occur depending on how the parameters are set up. It is possible to machine this part using different approaches. 1. Open the part file MULTIAX_5.SLDPRT in the \Examples\4-5AxisMill folder.
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Double click Mill-in in the Feature tree. 4. Highlight Mill-in on the Machine tab and click Select. 5. Click the Post Processor tab, highlight M5AXIS-Tutorial and click Select. 6. Click OK. 7. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select Insert Mill Part Setup. 8. Pick the top face as shown and click OK. Insert the Multi Surface feature: 9. Right click Mill Part Setup1 and select Insert Multi Surface Feature. 10. Select the two surfaces as shown. 11. For the Strategy, select 5Axis. 12. Click Insert and then click Close. Generate the operation and adjust parameters: 1. Right click Multi Surface Feature 1 and select Generate Operation Plan. 2. In the Operation tree, double click Multiaxis Mill1. 3. Click the Mill Holder tab and change the settings as follows: Top diameter (D1) = 4in Bottom diameter (D2) = 2in Overall length (L1) = 4in Bottom length (L2) = 2in Protrusion = 1.375in
Multiaxis 5
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
Click the Pattern tab. Upper Curve For the Pattern, pick Flowline Between Curves. Click the Upper button, pick the green edge and click Finish. Click the Lower button, pick the red edge and click Finish. Set the Max. stepover to .1in. Click the Entry/Retract tab. For the Leadout move, set the Method to None. Lower In the Clearance section, set the type to Plane in Z and Z to Curve 1in. In the Distances section, set the Rapid length to .5in and the Feed length to .1in. Click the Links tab. Under Links along cuts, set the Gaps <= link threshold to Direct and Gaps > link threshold to Clearance. The surfaces defining the workpiece can have gaps and holes. If gaps are detected along a toolpath segment, you have multiple options of how to transition the gap. Some options include a direct move from the start to the end of the gap and retracting to the clearance plane. The limit for ignoring the gap is defined as a percent of the tool diameter. Click OK and generate the toolpath. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar. Set the Collision buttons for the Tool, Tool Shank and Tool Holder to Cut Collision. Click the Run button. Notice that the part is gouged by half the diameter of the tool when approaching the walls of the part, as well as by the holder.
18.
Click the X button to cancel the simulation. Make adjustments to eliminate gouging: 1. Double click Multiaxis Mill1. 2. Click the Finish tab and check the Blend surfaces by tool radius option. When this option is checked, CAMWorks finds small radius areas and inner sharp edges in the surface model and does not generate toolpath in these areas. Inside corners, where the radius is less than the tool radius may result in motion that looks similar to a fish tail. These fish tails are removed using this option. In most cases, this option is used with a ball cutter, lollipop cutter or a conical cutter with ball tip. If swarf machining is applied (side cutting), then this option can also be used with cylinder and torus cutters. 3. Click OK and regenerate the toolpath.
19.
Multiaxis 5
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Simulate the toolpath. The only gouges that are left are caused by the tool holder. Close the simulation. Double click Multiaxis Mill1. Click the Axis Control tab. Under Cutting direction tilt options, set the Side tilt angle to 45 deg. Click OK and regenerate the toolpath. Simulate the toolpath. Notice the toolpath looks good until it starts to cut into the lower section. The tool needs to stay at the 45-degree angle throughout the toolpath. Close the simulation. Double click Multiaxis Mill1. For the Cutting direction tilt options, select Tilted From Curve for the tool axis. For the Curve tilt strategy, select From Start to End for Each Contour. Change to wireframe display. Click the Tilt Curve button, pick the red edge and click Finish. Click OK and regenerate the toolpath. Change the display to back to shaded or shaded with edges.
Simulate the toolpath. The toolpath looks good. Roughing passes can be added to remove the bulk of the material above the faces you are machining:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8.
Close the simulation. Double click Multiaxis Mill1. Click the Roughing tab. Check the Multi passes option. For Depth processing, select By Level. When this option is selected, roughing is completed for all areas of a given feature at a given Z depth before machining the next Z depth. In the Roughing section, enter 8 for the Number (the number of roughing passes to be generated) and 0.1in for Spacing (the distance between each rough pass). Click OK and regenerate the toolpath. Simulate the toolpath.
Multiaxis 6
Multiaxis 6
What You'll Learn
To view the cylindrical surface, right click on Solid Bodies(1) in the FeatureManager Design tree and select the Hide icon. Then right click Surface-Bodies(1) and select the Show icon. The cylindrical surface shown on the right displays. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
3. 4. 5. 6.
Double click Mill-in in the Feature tree. Highlight Mill-in on the Machine tab and click Select. Click the Post Processor tab, highlight M5AXIS-Tutorial, click Select, then click OK. 7. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select Insert Mill Part Setup. 8. Expand MULTIAX_6 in the graphics area, select the Right Plane, click the Reverse Selected Entity button in the Mill Setup PropertyManager, then click OK. Insert two Multi Surface Features: one will be defined from the cylindrical surface and the second will be defined from the actual geometry. 1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 and select Insert Multi Surface Feature. 2. Expand MULTIAX_6 in the graphics area and pick SurfaceExtrude2. This action graphically selects the cylindrical surface.
Learning More About Multiaxis 2-13
Multiaxis 6
In the Insert Multi Surface Feature dialog box, click CW Face-131. 4. Check the Show Normal option. The surface normal indicates which side of the surface will be machined. 5. Since the intent is to machine toward the outside of the surface and the arrow is pointing inward, click the Reverse direction button and make sure the arrow is pointing away from the surface. Now the tool will machine to the outside of the surface. 6. Select 5 Axis for the Strategy. 7. Click Insert and then click Close. The feature is created and inserted in the CAMWorks Feature tree. Generate the Operation Plan and Toolpaths:
3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks toolbar Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree. Click the Tool Crib tab. Click the Add button. In the Tool Select Filter dialog box, select Ball Nose. Check the Diameter option, type 0.0625in in the first input box to the right of Diameter, then click OK. Select one of the 0.0625 diameter tools at the top of the Tools Database Mill (inches) form and click OK. On the Tool Crib tab, scroll down and highlight the tool you added, then click Select. Click Yes to replace the corresponding holder. Click the Pattern tab. Set the following parameters: Pattern type = Slice Press the Constant Z button to define the Cut angle (XY) and Cut angle Z values Direction Pattern = Zig Maintain cutting direction = checked Max stepover = .03 Click the Entry/Retract tab. Under Leadin move, select None for the Method. Under Leadout move, select None for the Method. Under Clearance, select Cylinder About Z and set the Radius to 2in. Under Distances, set the Rapid length to 0.05in and the Feed length to 0.05in. Click the Links tab.
Multiaxis 6
Set every Entry/Exit method to None. 19. Click the Axis Control tab. 20. Set the Number of axis to 4 Axis and Rotate about to Z Axis. 21. Under Cutting direction tilt options, set: Tool axis will be = Tilted Relative to Cutting Direction. 22. Click OK to close the operation dialog box. 23. Right click Multiaxis Mill1 and select Generate Toolpath. 24. Right click Multiaxis Mill1 and select Step Thru Toolpath. Step the tool for a few passes to verify the pattern and the tool axis vector. You now have the intended pattern and tool axis vector, but the toolpath will machine a cylinder and not the actual part shape. Using gouge protection against the actual part shape will result in the needed toolpath.
18. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Click the FeatureManager Design Tree tab. Right click on Solid Bodies(1) and select the Show icon. Right click on Surface Bodies(1) and select the Hide icon. Click the Operation Tree tab. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the tree. Click the Gouge Checking tab. In Group 1, check the Apply gouge checking to check box. Gouge checking will be applied to the actual part shape and not the cylindrical surface. In the Check against group box, uncheck the Feature surfaces option and make sure the Other surfaces check box is checked.
Click the button to the right of the Other surfaces option so that you can define a Multi Surface feature that contains the faces of the actual part model. 10. In the Avoid Surfaces dialog box, click Create Features. This button allows you to define additional Multi Surface features if necessary. 11. In the Insert Multi Surface Feature dialog box, click Select All and associate. All the faces of the part model are added to the new Multi Surface feature. 12. Click Insert and then Close. 13. In the Avoid Surfaces dialog box, click Select All, then click OK. 14. In the Gouge check options section, select Move Tool Away for the Strategy and click OK. 15. Generate the toolpath. Run the Machine Simulation: 1. Right click Multiaxis Mill1 and select Machine Simulation. 2. Click Run and observe the toolpath.
9.
Multiaxis 6
Index
Index
3 Axis cutting for undercut areas 2-6
A
avoid features, defining 1-15, 2-15 Avoid Surfaces dialog box 1-15, 2-15
C
collision detection options 1-15, 2-5, 2-15 controlling toolpath start and end 1-16
F
Generate Operation plan command 1-8, 1-14, 2-6, 2-14 Generate Toolpath command 1-10
I
defining tool orientation 1-11 Entry/Retract tab 1-16, 2-8, 2-11 F/S tab 1-9 Finish tab 2-7, 2-11 Flowline Between Curves Pattern 2-7, 2-11 Gouge Checking tab 1-15, 2-5, 2-15 handling gaps 2-3 identify avoid surfaces 1-15 Links tab 2-3, 2-8 Pattern tab 1-9, 1-10, 2-3, 2-7 Roughing tab 2-12 Slice Pattern 1-9, 2-3, 2-14 Tool Crib tab 1-9 toolpath start and end 1-16 multiaxis milling terminology 1-2
N
Insert Mill Part Setup command 1-7, 2-2, 2-6, 2-10, 2-13 Insert Multi Surface Feature command 1-7, 2-2, 2-6 Insert Multi Surface feature dialog box 1-15
M
M5AXIS-Tutorial 1-6 machinable features creating Multi Surface feature 1-7, 2-2, 2-6 defining interactively 1-7, 2-2, 2-6 Machine 1-4 Machine dialog box Machine tab 1-5, 2-2, 2-6, 2-10, 2-13 Post Processor tab 1-6 Posting tab 1-6 Tool Crib tab 1-5 Machine Simulation command 2-15 Manage Stock dialog box 1-6 Mill Part Setup inserting 1-7, 2-2, 2-6, 2-10, 2-13 Multi Surface feature, inserting 1-7, 2-2, 2-6, 2-15 Multi Surface feature, Show normal 2-14 Multiaxis Mill operation Axis Control tab 1-11, 2-9, 2-12 changing parameters 2-10 collision detection options 1-15, 2-5 Cuts Across Curve Pattern 1-10
Operation tree 1-8 operations generating operation plan 1-8, 1-14, 2-6, 2-14 generating toolpaths 1-10 post processing 1-13 simulating toolpaths 1-10, 2-11, 2-12
P
parts used in exercises multiax_1.sldprt 1-4 multiax_2.sldprt 1-14 multiax_3.sldprt 2-2 multiax_4.sldprt 2-6 multiax_5.sldprt 2-10 multiax_6.sldprt 2-13 Post Output File dialog box 1-13 Post Process command 1-13 post processor, parameters 1-6
S
setup sheet 1-6 Simulate Toolpath command 1-10, 2-11, 2-12 Step Thru Toolpath command 1-11, 2-15 steps to generate NC program in multiaxis milling 1-3 Stock, defining 1-6
i
Index T
tool adding from library 1-9, 1-14, 2-6, 2-14 defining orientation 1-11 selecting tool crib 1-5 using lollipop for undercut machining 2-6 toolpaths controlling start and end 1-16 generating 1-10 post processing 1-13 simulating 1-10, 2-11, 2-12 stepping through 1-11
U
undercut areas, machining 2-6 Use start hint option 1-11, 2-7
ii