FeatureCAM

What's New
 FeatureCAM 2012 R3

What's New
Copyright © 1995-2012 Delcam plc. All rights reserved.
Delcam plc has no control over the use made of the software
described in this manual and cannot accept responsibility for any
loss or damage howsoever caused as a result of using the software.
Users are advised that all the results from the software should be
checked by a competent person, in accordance with good quality
control procedures.
The functionality and user interface in this manual is subject to
change without notice in future revisions of software.
The software described in this manual is furnished under licence
agreement and may be used or copied solely in accordance with the
terms of such licence.
Delcam plc grants permission for licensed users to print copies of
this manual or portions of this manual for personal use only.
Schools, colleges and universities that are licensed to use the
software may make copies of this manual or portions of this manual
for students currently registered for classes where the software is
used.
Acknowledgements
This documentation references a number of registered trademarks
and these are the property of their respective owners. For example,
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States.

FeatureCAM Version: 2012 R3 Date: 13 April 2012 13:51

Contents
What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 1
General: Only one user can edit FeatureCAM files at a time .............................. 1
General: Enter custom G-code into the NC program .......................................... 2
General: Soft errors ............................................................................................ 4
User interface: Set priority for multiple operations on the Op List ....................... 4
Paste special: Copy attributes from one feature to many.................................... 4
Stock: Shaded and translucent ........................................................................... 6
Import: New surface naming scheme groups surfaces ....................................... 7
Import: PTC Creo files supported ....................................................................... 7
Tool mapping: 8-digit Diameter & Length offset registers ................................... 7
Toolpath edit: Insert multiple lines of G-code ...................................................... 8
2.5D: Rough cutter comp. machining attribute .................................................... 8
2.5D: New technology (NT) toolpaths for Side features ...................................... 9
2.5D: Select Holes by depth or diameter .......................................................... 13
Viewing modes: Horizontal milling and vertical lathe ........................................ 14
MTT: Better user interface ................................................................................ 14
Tool database: FeatureCAM add-in to import TDM tools .................................. 15
API: Help........................................................................................................... 15

What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 16

Network database: Shared machining configurations ....................................... 16
Import improvements ........................................................................................ 18
User interface: Copy and paste from PowerSHAPE ......................................... 18
2.5D: New technology (NT) toolpaths ............................................................... 18
Differences between NT and traditional toolpaths .................................... 23
Better Minimize tool retract with NT toolpaths .......................................... 24
2.5D: Separate lead-in and lead-out distances ................................................. 28
2.5D: Thread Mill tool hand ............................................................................... 29
2.5D: Face Mill tools for Chamfers .................................................................... 30
2.5D: Hole cycle G74 and G88 ......................................................................... 33
3D: Z-level finish: Flat surface support.............................................................. 33
3D: Save boundary curve ................................................................................. 34
5-axis: Turn/Mill B-axis alternative position ....................................................... 37
Simulation: Step backward ............................................................................... 37
Simulation: Faster 3D simulation ...................................................................... 37
Simulation: New keyboard shortcuts ................................................................. 38
Machine simulation: Better collision display ...................................................... 38
Turn/Mill: Cylindrical interpolation support ........................................................ 39
Turn/Mill: Separate fixture offset for each feature ............................................. 41
XBUILD: Use Delcam post processor files........................................................ 42

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New Contents • i

 Probing: UDF available ..................................................................................... 42
API: New functions ........................................................................................... 43
Other improvements ......................................................................................... 43

What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 44

User interface: More isometric views ................................................................ 44
User interface: Keyboard shortcuts ................................................................... 46
User interface: Part view multiple select ........................................................... 47
Tooling: Better Face Mill tools ........................................................................... 48
Tooling: Cutting data by tool ............................................................................. 49
Tool cutting data example ........................................................................ 51
Depth of cut precedence .......................................................................... 56
2.5D: Total stock for finish pass ........................................................................ 60
2.5D: Toolpath feature improvements ............................................................... 61
2.5D: Exact Z step ............................................................................................ 65
2.5D: Back Bore holes ...................................................................................... 67
Simulation: Part compare extended .................................................................. 68
3D: Z-level spiral roughing ................................................................................ 70
Turn: Solid model as tool holder ....................................................................... 71
Solid tool holder example ......................................................................... 72
Turn: Better tool holder graphics ....................................................................... 79
Turning leave allowance ................................................................................... 80

ii • Contents FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

What's New in
FeatureCAM 2012 R3

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 offers all of the original features of

FeatureCAM 2012 R2, but with numerous improvements. The most
significant improvements are detailed in the following topics.

General: Only one user can edit

FeatureCAM files at a time
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, a file is locked when a user opens it. If a
second user tries to open the file, a message is displayed:
The requested file is locked by [user]. Would you like to open a read
only copy?
Files that are read-only display [Read Only] in the title bar after the
name of the file.
If you open a read-only copy, you can't save any changes using
Save. (You can save a copy of the file using Save As.)

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 • 1

 General: Enter custom G-code into the
NC program
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can enter G-code directly into the NC
program, by using the new NC code text option for creating a
Toolpath feature:

Program stop code example

To enter program stop code directly into the NC program:

1 Click the Features step in the Steps panel. The New Feature
dialog opens.

2 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 2 In the From Feature section, select Toolpath and click Next. The
New Feature - Curve or Operation page is displayed.

3 Select the NC code text option and enter M00 (or M01).
4 Click Next. The New Feature - Toolpath feature page is displayed.

This page has the same toolpath editing buttons as the Toolpaths
tab in the Toolpath Properties dialog.
5 Click Finish. The Toolpath feature is listed in the Part View and on
the Op List tab.
6 Simulate the Toolpath feature. In this example, there are no
toolpaths to see, but you must simulate the feature to produce
the NC code.
7 View the NC code on the NC Code tab.

If a Toolpath feature consists only of G-code, FeatureCAM

does not display the Tools or F/S tabs in the Toolpath
Properties dialog.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 • 3

 General: Soft errors
FeatureCAM 2012 R3 introduces soft errors. A soft error does not
prevent you from running a simulation and generating NC code, but
it does prevent you saving the NC code (the File > Save NC menu
option is unavailable).
Soft errors are suffixed SE, for example FS001SE is the soft error for
Feed and speed table not found.

User interface: Set priority for multiple

operations on the Op List
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can override the priority for multiple
operations in the Operation List. To do this, SHIFT+select or
CTRL+select multiple operations on the Op List tab, right-click and
select Override priority to... in the context menu:

Paste special: Copy attributes from one

feature to many
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can copy the attributes from one
feature to many features.
To do this:
1 Select the feature whose attributes you want to copy.
2 Select Edit > Copy from the menu.
3 Select Edit > Paste Special from the menu.

4 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 The Paste Special wizard is displayed.
4 In the Paste Special wizard, select Copy the machining attributes
from the feature on the clipboard to another feature.

5 Click Next. The Paste Special - Attributes page is displayed:

6 Select the types of attribute you want to copy from:

 Feed/Speed overrides
 Tool overrides
 Machining Attributes
7 Select whether you want to Copy only the attributes that were set
on the feature or Copy all machining attributes in effect for the
feature.
8 Select the features you want to copy the attributes to.
9 Click Finish.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 • 5

 Stock: Shaded and translucent
FeatureCAM 2012 R3 can display stock as shaded and translucent.
To do this, select Shade stock by default in the Shading Options
dialog and enter a Stock Opacity of between 0 and 1.

This is an example part with Shade stock by default deselected:

And with Shade stock by default selected with a Stock Opacity of 0.3:

6 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Import: New surface naming scheme
groups surfaces
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, imported surfaces are named according to
which solid they belong to. For example, the surfaces imported from
a solid named solid1 are named solid1_1, solid1_2, solid1_3, and so
on in the Part Tree; and the surfaces from a solid named solid2 are
named solid2_1, solid2_2, solid2_3, and so on.
This makes it easier to see which surfaces belong to which solid and
to select all the surfaces from just one solid. This is useful if you
want to stitch imported surfaces back into solids.

Import: PTC Creo files supported

In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can import PTC Creo files.

Tool mapping: 8-digit Diameter &

Length offset registers
FeatureCAM 2012 R3 supports more machine types because you
can enter 8 digits for the tool Length offset register and Diameter
offset register in the Tool Mapping dialog:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 • 7

 Toolpath edit: Insert multiple lines of
G-code
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can enter multiple lines of G-code.
Click the Add NC code text button on the Toolpaths tab to open
the Add NC Code Text dialog:

Single lines of NC code have the icon on the Toolpaths tab and
multiple lines of code have the icon.

2.5D: Rough cutter comp. machining

attribute
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, there is a new Rough cutter comp option on
the Milling tab of Machining Attributes:

8 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Select the Rough cutter comp option to enable cutter compensation
for the rough pass of all milled features in the current document by
default.

The Rough cutter comp option is not available until you

select the Cutter comp option.
You can disable it at feature-level on the Strategy tab:

2.5D: New technology (NT) toolpaths

for Side features
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, the NT toolpaths that were introduced in
FeatureCAM 2012 R2 for Pocket and Boss features, are also
available for Side features.
The three new roughing Stepover types are:
 NT Spiral - can use stepovers larger than 50%
 NT Zigzag - uses an angle that is calculated automatically to cut
the longest toolpaths

You can use NT Zigzag toolpaths only with features made

from closed curves. If they are not closed and you select
this option, FeatureCAM uses NT Spiral.
 NT Continuous Spiral - eliminates nearly all stepovers

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 • 9

 Set the default type in Machining Attributes on the Stepover tab:

Click the new Stepover Options button to open the new Rough
Stepover Options dialog:

A Stepover type of Zigzag is not available for Side features.

10 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 At feature level, set the Stepover type in the new menu on the
Strategy tab of the feature's Properties dialog:

You can override this at operation level on the Stepovers tab:

If you are using Individual rough levels, you can set the Cut type for
each individual rough pass.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 • 11

 NT Side example
This example shows a centerline simulation of a Side feature using
the traditional Spiral stepover type:

Using NT Spiral gives a similar result, but the toolpaths and

stepovers are smoother:

Using NT Continuous Spiral, the closed part of the toolpath at the

center of the feature (the teardrop shape) uses a continuous spiral
and the rest of the toolpath uses a non-continuous spiral:

12 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 NT Zigzag applies only to closed curves, so with this example, the
Side feature is made from a closed curve that goes around the edge
of the Stock:

If you select a Stepover Type of NT Zigzag for an open curve,

FeatureCAM uses NT Spiral.

2.5D: Select Holes by depth or diameter

In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can select all Holes in the part with the
same depth and/or diameter.
The Select by Color/Type dialog has two new options, Hole Depth and
Hole Diameter. Select Edit > Select by Color/Type to open the dialog.

Hole Depth — To select all Holes of a particular depth, first select a

type of hole in the Entity Type menu, then enter the Hole Depth
Value, and a Tolerance for how close to the Value the depth must be.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 • 13

 Hole Diameter — To select all Holes of a particular depth, first select
a type of hole in the Entity Type menu, then enter the Hole Diameter
Value and a Tolerance for how close to the Value the diameter must
be.

Select a Hole on your part before opening the dialog to

pre-populate the fields.

Viewing modes: Horizontal milling and

vertical lathe
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, there is a new Machine tab in the Viewing
Options dialog:

Milling — Select the type of milling machine from Vertical (the

default and previous behavior) and Horizontal, to improve viewing
during machine simulation.
Turning — Select the type of turning machine from Slant bed lathe
(the default and previous behavior) and Vertical turret lathe, to
improve viewing during machine simulation.

MTT: Better user interface

In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, it is easier to access options that were
previously available only on the right-click context menu.

14 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Click the new button on the Turrets tab to access the options
Reset all opers to default turret and Remove all oper sync points:

Tool database: FeatureCAM add-in to

import TDM tools
A new FeatureCAM add-in is available that can be run independently
of the FeatureCAM MS-Access network database. It uses a
tab-delimited file to read the FeatureCAM-TDM (Tool Data
Management) tool mapping, and uses that to import tools from TDM
into the FeatureCAM network database. These are a few benefits:
 The script works with any version of FeatureCAM, as long as the
map is correct for that version.
 The FeatureCAM-TDM tool map and import script have been
separated, making the script tool-agnostic. Also you don't have
to deal with SQL and other technical details which can be
frustrating.
 The script creates a log of all the import failures.
 The script is a FeatureCAM add-in, making it easy to run and
automate if necessary.

API: Help
All new documentation for FeatureCAM's API is now available from
the FeatureCAM help file, making writing FeatureCAM addins easier
than ever before. Select Help > FeatureCAM API Help from the menu
to access it.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 • 15

What's New in
FeatureCAM 2012 R2

FeatureCAM 2012 R2 offers all of the original features of

FeatureCAM 2012, but with numerous improvements. The most
significant improvements are detailed in the following topics.

Network database: Shared machining

configurations
In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, you can share machining configurations
across a network.
There are now three types of configuration:
File (f) - Configurations for files that are currently open.
Personal (p) - Configurations that are independent of a particular
file and are stored only on your PC.
Workgroup (w) - Configurations that are independent of a
particular file and are stored on a network for sharing with
colleagues.

16 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 To create a Workgroup configuration, first enter a valid network
path in the File Options dialog on the Configurations tab:

In the Machining Configurations dialog, click New to open the New

Configuration dialog
You can now set a Configuration type of Workgroup:

After you click OK, the new configuration is shown in the list of
available configurations, with a group icon and is followed by (w)
in menu items:

You can set the new Workgroup configuration as the Initial

configuration for new documents.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 17

 Import improvements
FeatureCAM 2012 R2 can read Pro/E Family Tables, which are
multiple configurations of a given part.
SolidEdge ST4 is now supported.

User interface: Copy and paste from

PowerSHAPE
You can now copy and paste solids and surfaces from PowerSHAPE
into FeatureCAM. Surfaces, curves, lines, and arcs are supported.
You can also copy and paste solids from FeatureCAM into
PowerSHAPE.

2.5D: New technology (NT) toolpaths

In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, there are three new roughing Stepover
types:
 NT Spiral - can use stepovers larger than 50%
 NT Zigzag - uses an angle that is calculated automatically to cut
the longest toolpaths
 NT Continuous Spiral - eliminates nearly all stepovers
The NT (new technology) toolpaths support Pocket, Rectangular
Pocket, and Boss features.

18 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Set the default type in Machining Attributes on the Stepover tab:

Click the new Stepover Options button to open the new Rough
Stepover Options dialog:

The NT toolpaths are available in the Stepover menu along with the
traditional Spiral and Zigzag toolpaths.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 19

 At feature level, set the Stepover type in the new menu on the
Strategy tab of the feature's Properties dialog:

You can override this at operation level on the Stepovers tab:

If you are using Individual rough levels, you can set the Cut type for
each individual rough pass.

NT Spiral example
This example part includes a Boss feature and a Pocket feature,
outlined in red:

20 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 This is a centerline simulation of the Boss feature using the
traditional Stepover type of Spiral:

This is the same feature cut using the new technology Stepover type
of NT Spiral:

This is a centerline simulation of This is the right Pocket cut using

the left Pocket feature using the the new technology Stepover type
traditional Stepover type of Spiral: of NT Spiral:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 21

 There are three new attributes available on the roughing operation
Milling tab of the Feature Properties dialog:

HSM max tool overload % - instigates trochoidal machining. As the

tool gets towards overload, FeatureCAM automatically puts in a
trochoidal path to take away the overload..
HSM profile corner % - This allows the arc fitting of profile to avoid
sharp changes in direction in internal corners.
HSM smoothing allowance % - replaces the standard offset with a
smoother one that can achieve higher feed rates.
 Sharp rounded corners replace sharp corners.

22 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

  The stepover is changed from a fixed to a variable distance. The
percentage defines the maximum deviation from the specified
stepover. The maximum percentage is 40% of stepover. So, if
you have a 10 mm stepover the maximum deviation from the
original to the smoothed offset is 4 mm.
This replaces the standard offset with a smoother one that can
achieve higher feed rates.
 Sharp rounded corners replace sharp corners.
The stepover is changed from a fixed to a variable distance. The
percentage defines the maximum deviation from the specified
stepover. The maximum percentage is 40% of stepover. So, if you
have a 10 mm stepover the maximum deviation from the original to
the smoothed offset is 4 mm.

Differences between NT and traditional toolpaths

Pre-drill differences
There are some differences with how the Pre-drill operation works
with the NT toolpaths compared to the traditional toolpaths.
 You can use a Pre-drill operation with the NT Zigzag toolpath. It is
not available for the traditional Zigzag toolpath.
 With the NT toolpaths, zigzag ramping is automatically disabled
when you use a Pre-drill operation. This is not supported for the
original Spiral toolpath and you must set the Max. ramp angle to 0
to disable zigzag ramping when using a Pre-drill operation.
 The Pre-drill operation for the NT toolpaths includes the tops of
multi-height islands. This is not supported for the original
toolpaths.
 The traditional Spiral toolpath supports manual plunge points for
the pre-drill locations using the Plunge point(s) attribute. The NT
toolpaths support only automatic locations.

Stepover differences
There are some differences in the attributes available for NT
toolpaths on the feature Stepover tab:
There are two Ramp type options for the NT toolpaths:
 Smooth - similar to the traditional toolpath option S-type
 Direct - similar to the traditional toolpath option Line.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 23

 You can specify separate Lead-in and Lead-out options for NT
toolpaths:

The NT toolpaths have a new attribute Approach from outside. This

option automatically adds a very small lead-in whenever the tool is
plunging off the stock. When you select this option, the lead-in
options are disabled. Deselect it to manually specify the lead-in as a
line, arc, and/or toolpath extension.

The Angle attribute for NT toolpaths supports only positive

angles. The direction relative to the toolpath is automatically
determined.

Other differences
On the Milling tab, NT toolpaths have a new attribute, Stepover rapid
distance that controls when to retract and plunge on Boss
stepovers. This is an absolute distance and replaces the Min. rapid
distance % attribute used by the traditional toolpaths.

Better Minimize tool retract with NT toolpaths

Using the Minimize tool retract options with the NT toolpaths gives
better results than with the traditional toolpaths.

Pocket feature
For a Pocket feature, the toolpath slot cuts following the offsets
instead of just a straight line. There are fewer plunges than with
traditional toolpaths.

24 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Traditional toolpath example:

NT toolpath example:

Boss feature
For a Boss feature, the toolpath has a lot fewer retracts and plunges
at the edge of the Stock.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 25

 Traditional toolpath example:

26 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 NT toolpath example:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 27

 2.5D: Separate lead-in and lead-out
distances
In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, you can set lead-in and lead-out distances
separately:

28 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 2.5D: Thread Mill tool hand
FeatureCAM 2012 R2 supports either right-hand or left-hand thread
milling tools:

Select Right Hand or Left Hand for the Hand option.

The Feed Dir attribute on the Strategy tab has also been updated:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 29

 2.5D: Face Mill tools for Chamfers
In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, you can use a chamfered Face Mill tool to
cut a Chamfer feature. Face Mill tools are now available in the Tool
Group menu on the Tools tab:

The benefit of this is that you can use fewer tools to machine a part.

Example
This example part has a Face and Chamfer features on the top and
on the side:

By default, this part uses three tools:

 a Face Mill to cut the top Face, then indexed around to cut the
side Face.
 a Chamfer tool to cut the Chamfer around the top Face

30 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

  a Chamfer tool to cut the Chamfer around the side Face

Instead of the default Face Mill, you can create a new Face Mill with
a Chamfer, for example:

Set this new tool as the override for the Face feature, and then use
it to cut the Chamfer features, by overriding the default tools in the
Op List.
After simulating the part again, you can see that the new Face Mill
tool cuts both the Face features and the Chamfers:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 31

 In this example, the chamfered Face Mill tool is too large to cut the
Chamfer on the side of the part:

FeatureCAM give a warning and you can change the tool for this
Chamfer back to the default tool.
Using a chamfered Face Mill tool, you can cut this particular part
with two tools instead of three:

 a chamfered Face Mill to cut the top Face, the top Chamfer, then
indexed around to cut the side Face
 a Chamfer tool to cut the Chamfer around the side Face

32 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 2.5D: Hole cycle G74 and G88
FeatureCAM now supports the hole cycles G74 (left-handed tapping)
and G88 (boring cycle).
Enter the G-codes in the NC Codes dialog in XBUILD:

If you do not enter a G-code for the Reverse Tap cycle,

computed canned moves are performed. If you do not enter a
G-code for the Bore (FDSJ) cycle, the Bore (FF) cycle is used.
The new Reverse Tap cycle is available on the Cycle tab of a Hole
feature for a Tap operation and the Bore (FDSJ) cycle is available for
a Bore operation.

3D: Z-level finish: Flat surface support

In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, you can now use flat surface support with
Z-level finishing. This option inserts a final profile pass exactly at
the base of a flat pocket. There is a new option, Flat srf support, in
the Surface Milling Properties dialog on the Milling tab:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 33

 This example shows previous behavior, with Flat srf support
disabled:

With Flat Srf support enabled, FeatureCAM adds a final profile pass,
:

3D: Save boundary curve

You can now save the boundary curve that has been calculated for
an operation to use in subsequent operations. To save the boundary
click the new Save Combined Boundary button on the Stock tab:

34 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 The boundary is saved as Curves, which are listed in the Part View.
To use some or all of these curves as the boundary of another
operation:
1 Select the Select curves for boundaries option on the Stock tab of
the second operation.
2 Click the Curve Options button to open the Boundary Curve
dialog.
3 Click the Boundaries button to open the Select Boundary Curves
dialog.
4 Select the box(es) next to the curve(s) you want to use.

Hold down the Shift key to select multiple consecutive

curves.
5 Click OK to save and close the Select Boundary Curves dialog.
6 Click OK to save and close the Boundary Curve dialog.
7 Simulate the second operation.
The simulation is quicker because FeatureCAM does not need to
calculate the boundary again.

Example
This example part uses a Z-level finish operation restricted to the
steep areas only, using the Vertical only option on the Slopes tab,
followed by a 3D spiral operation on the shallow areas.
1 Simulate the Z-level finish operation.
FeatureCAM takes a short time to calculate the boundary and
you see a Calculating boundary message on the progress bar.
When it is complete, the toolpath looks like this:

You can save this boundary to use in subsequent operations.

2 On the Stock tab for the Z-level operation, click the Save
Combined Boundary button.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 35

 3 Click Yes to save the boundary. The boundary curves are
displayed in dark blue:

For the next operation, we want to use a 3D spiral operation on

the shallow areas of the part.
4 On the Stock tab of the 3D spiral operation, select the Select
curves for boundaries option.
5 Click the Curve Options button to open the Boundary Curve
dialog.
6 In the Boundary Curve dialog, click the Boundaries button to open
the Select Boundary Curve dialog, which displays a list of the
curves you saved.
7 Select the boxes next to the curves you want to use for the
boundary. In this case we want to use all except the first curve,
which runs around the top of the stock.
8 Click OK to save and close the Select Boundary Curves dialog.
9 Click OK to save and close the Boundary Curve dialog.
10 Simulate the 3D spiral operation. FeatureCAM does not need to
calculate the boundary again and goes straight into calculating
the toolpath:

36 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 5-axis: Turn/Mill B-axis alternative
position
In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, the Use alternative 5-axis position attribute
is available on the Drilling and Milling tab for 2.5D milling operations
in Turn/Mill parts.
This means that you could cut 2.5D operations at, for example,
B=-10 instead of the default +10 if the B-head has more clearance
tilting up.

Simulation: Step backward

You can now step backward through a simulation. Select View >
Simulation > Step Backward from the menu to go back one step, or
use the keyboard shortcut Alt+Left.

This option is available only after you have used Step Forward
from this menu or the Single Step button on the
Simulation toolbar.

Simulation: Faster 3D simulation

In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, 3D simulation and machine simulation is
faster thanks to the use of multiple cores when doing simulation.
Multiple cuts are performed simultaneously using multiple cores,
and you see the end result much sooner.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 37

 You can also save the results of a 3D simulation to use as a starting
point, to save calculation time during subsequent simulations.
Select View > Simulation > Use Results as Starting Point to use the
current simulation results. To clear the simulation results, select
View > Simulation > Clear Starting Point.

To use this feature, you must select Save result files during 3D
sim on the 2D/3D Shaded tab of the Simulation Options dialog.

Simulation: New keyboard shortcuts

There are two new keyboard shortcuts that you can use during
simulation:
Alt+Right - Press and hold the Alt key then click the right cursor
arrow key to step forward once.
Alt+Left - Press and hold the Alt key then click the left cursor arrow
key to step backward (see page 37) once.

Machine simulation: Better collision

display
FeatureCAM 2012 R3 has improved collision detection for machine
simulation.

38 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Whenever a named part of the machine collides with another solid,
a flashing arrow is displayed and the display turns transparent, for
example:

You must enable Pause on gouge on the 2D/3D Shaded tab of

Simulation Options to see this feature.
The first collision point only is marked.
The display returns to normal when you continue the
simulation.
The arrow is not shown for tools colliding with stock.

Turn/Mill: Cylindrical interpolation

support
FeatureCAM 2012 R2 supports cylindrical interpolation in the NC
code for Turn/Mill and 4th-axis parts. This enables features that are
wrapped around one of the index axes to use a cylindrically
interpolated toolpath. The result is shorter NC code and better
interpretation of cutter compensation.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 39

 To use it, select the new option Machine tool and post support
cylindrical interpolation in the General Information dialog in XBUILD:

Cylindrical interpolation uses these new reserved words:

<CYL-INTERP> - logical, TRUE if cylindrical interpolation is used
<WRAP-RADIUS> - numeric, the wrapping radius
For example, this part has four Pockets wrapped around the Z axis:

A 3D simulation looks like this:

40 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 After selecting the Machine tool and post support cylindrical
interpolation option, the NC code uses G07 to turn on cylindrical
interpolation for the Pocket operations. This makes the NC code
shorter, and smaller in memory size.

Turn/Mill: Separate fixture offset for

each feature
There are new attributes in FeatureCAM 2012 R3, on the Misc tab of
the feature's Properties dialog, which let you use a separate fixture
offset for each B-axis turn/mill Hole (or other feature).

Subfixture ID - applies to B-axis turn/mill features and corresponds

to the <SUBFIXTURE> reserved word in XBUILD. This lets you use a
separate fixture offset for each Hole (or other feature). For
example, if the Fixture ID is 54 and you enter a Subfixture ID of 1, the
output is 54.1.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 41

 For patterns, enter a Subfixture ID start value and a Subfixture ID
increment value. For example, if the Fixture ID is 54 and you enter a
Subfixture ID start of 1 and a Subfixture ID increment of 1, the output
is 54.1, 54.2, 54.3, and so on.

XBUILD: Use Delcam post processor

files
You can now use *.pmopt and *.pmoptz files with XBUILD:

Some PMOPT capabilities are not supported by XBUILD. For

example, XBUILD supports much wider variety of NC output
for 2-axis milling than is currently unavailable in PMOPT. So if
you choose PMOPT you lose such control of your NC code.
PMOPT files do not support Turning and Wire EDM.

Probing: UDF available

In FeatureCAM 2012 R2 you can preview a UDF-based probing
capability that is available to purchase as a optional module. This
module supports a variety of touch-probing capabilities such as
setting of part location fixture offsets, setting of tool offsets,
probing-and-recut, and so on. The software is developed as an
add-in that works with a modified post processor, and is available
by request to the Post department.

42 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 API: New functions
This is a summary of the new API functions, for more information
please see the API help file.
FMToolpathPts.DeleteItem - Delete a toolpath point from list of
points.
FMToolpathPt.Dwell - Return and set the dwell time associated
with the toolpath point.
FMToolpathArc.Dwell - Return and set the dwell time associated
with the toolpath arc.
FMToolpathPts.AddtoolpathNCText - Create a toolpath NC text
segment.
FMToolpathNCText - A new class to represent the NC text segment.
FMFeatures.AddToolpathFromOperation - Create a toolpath
feature from an operation.
Application.SetGraphicsWinLowerColor - Set graphics window
lower background color.
Application.SetGraphicsWinUpperColor - Set graphics window
upper background color.
FMCurves.AddFunctionCurve - Create curve from function.
FMSurfaces.AddSurfaceCoons - Create a coons surface.

Other improvements
 Network database - The network database is now more reliable.
 2.5D: Performance improvement for large STL stock.
 Turn/Mill - The Disable Macros option is now available on the
Turn/Mill tab in the Post Options dialog.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2 • 43

What's New in
FeatureCAM 2012

FeatureCAM 2012 offers all of the original features of FeatureCAM

2011 R3 (V17.8), but with numerous improvements. The most
significant improvements are detailed in the following topics.

User interface: More isometric views

There are now four isometric views available. As well as the existing
Isometric view, there are also Isometric 2, Isometric 3, and Isometric 4
views. Access the new views from the View > Principle Views menu:

44 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Or from the Principle View menu on the Standard toolbar:

The following example shows all four isometric views:

Isometric: Isometric 2:

Isometric 3: Isometric 4:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 45

 User interface: Keyboard shortcuts
There is a new tab in the Customize Toolbars dialog, Keyboard
Shortcuts:

This tab lets you assign your own shortcut keys to the FeatureCAM
menu commands.
To set a new shortcut key:
1 Select a category from the Categories list.
2 Select a command from the Commands list.
If the command already has a shortcut, it is listed under Current
keys.
3 To assign a new key, select the Press new shortcut key field and
press the keys that you want to use as the shortcut.

Press the keys on the keyboard, for example, press and

hold down the Alt key and press the N key; do not type ALT
+ N.

A warning displays if the shortcut you entered is already

assigned to a command.
4 Click the Assign button to save the new shortcut.

If you click Assign after receiving a warning that the

shortcut is already assigned to a command, the shortcut is
removed from the existing command and assigned to the
new command.

46 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Remove — Click this button to remove the shortcut assigned to the
selected command.
Reset All — Click this button to reset all shortcuts to the FeatureCAM
defaults.
Document — Click this button to open a *.txt file, containing a list of
the current shortcuts, in your text editor. You can print or save this
file.

User interface: Part view multiple

select
You can now select multiple items in the Part View using Shift + click
to select consecutive items and Ctrl + click to select non-consecutive
items.

In the following example, we To do this, select pattern1, hold

want to select all of the Hole down the Shift key and click
features to add to a group: pattern2, hold down the Ctrl key
and click pattern3, hole4, and
hole5:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 47

 Tooling: Better Face Mill tools
There is a new option to specify a 45 chamfer for Face Mill tools:

This new option allows more accurate simulation and machining.

Existing tools are classified as Round by default.
To set a 45 chamfer on a Face Mill tool:
1 Select Chamfer as the Corner type.
2 Enter an Effective Diameter greater than zero.
3 Enter a Tip Radius greater than or equal to zero.
4 Click the Apply button.
The tool preview image on the right of the dialog updates to
show the chamfer, for example:

48 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Tooling: Cutting data by tool
You can associate cutting data with individual tools in the tool
database at two levels:
 On the Overrides tab of the Tool Properties dialog. You can set
cutting data for the tool for all materials and operations.
 On the Feed/Speeds tab of the Tool Properties dialog. You can set
cutting conditions by material, operation, and cut type. These
override any settings on the Overrides tab.

You can override these settings at feature operation level.

Tool overrides for all materials and operations

The new parameters on the Overrides tab of the Tool Properties
dialog are Depth of cut (Z-step increment), Stepover distance, and
Ramp angle.
Enter values to use with the current tool for all materials, except
those overriden on the Feed/Speed tab, for example:

Tool overrides by material, operation, and cut type

As well as the previously available Speed and Feed settings, you can
set Depth (of cut) and Stepover by Material, operation (Rough and
Finish) and type of cut (Profile, Slot, Face, and Plunge Mill).

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 49

 To do this, select the Feed/Speed tab of the Tool Properties dialog
and click the Create new item button:

The Tool Specific Feeds and Speeds dialog opens.

Select the Material name from the list and enter any Depth and
Stepover overrides by operation and type of cut, for example:

50 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Click OK. The material is listed on the Feed/Speed tab:

These material-based settings take priority over any on the global

Overrides tab.

Tool cutting data example

This example part has a Side feature with a Depth of 15 mm:

We have the choice of three form tools to cut this Side feature:
 A 90 insert with a cut depth of 10 mm:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 51

  A 45 insert with a cut depth of 6.5 mm:

 A 10 insert with a cut depth of 2 mm:

Each of these tools has a different feed rate associated with it as

well as a different cut depth.
For the 90 insert tool with the depth of cut of 10 mm, we created a
material-based maximum Depth (of cut) override of 8 mm for the
Rough operation for ALUMINUM:

52 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 This is the centerline simulation of the 90 tool cutting the rough
operation of the Side feature, with two toolpath passes:

Viewing the simulation of the toolpath from the front, we can use
the Vertical Distance button on the Geometry toolbar to check
that the 8 mm Depth override has been applied to the rough pass:

For the 45 insert with a cut depth of 6.5 mm, we created a

tool-specific maximum Depth (of cut) override of 3 mm and a
Stepover override of 15 mm on the Overrides tab:

These values are used unless you set any material-based overrides
on the Feed/Speed tab.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 53

 This is the centerline simulation of the 45 tool cutting the rough
operation of the Side feature:

Using the same method as before, we can check that the 3 mm

maximum Depth (of cut) override has been applied:

For the 10 insert with a cut depth of 2 mm, we created two

material-based overrides on the Feed/Speed tab:

54 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 For ALUMINUM, we set quite a high Feed rate, and a 1.5 mm
maximum cut Depth:

For TOOL_STEEL-MOLD_P20, we set a lower cut Depth of 1 mm, a

lower Feed rate and a lower spindle Speed:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 55

 Again, we can check that the 1.5 mm maximum Depth (of cut)
override has been applied to the ALUMINUM stock:

If we change the stock to TOOL_STEEL-MOLD_P20 and run the

simulation again, we see that the 1 mm maximum cut Depth
override has been applied:

Depth of cut precedence

The Rough depth of cut is normally calculated as the tool Diameter
multiplied by the Depth % attribute set on the Stepover tab of
Machining Attributes.

56 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 The default Finish behavior is a single pass around the profile of the
feature, up to the Cutter Length of the tool. This is to avoid leaving a
mark on the side wall of the feature.

You can override both the Rough and Finish depth of cut in several
places, from lowest to highest precedence:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 57

  Tool level: Depth attribute on the Overrides tab of the Tool
Properties dialog.

58 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

  Tool level: Material-specific Depth attribute on the Feed/Speed tab
of the Tool Properties dialog.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 59

  Feature operation level: Rough/Finish pass Z increment on the
Milling tab of the Feature Properties dialog.

The final depth of cut depends on whether you have selected Equal
depth of cut on the Misc. tab of the Feature Properties dialog.

2.5D: Total stock for finish pass

In FeatureCAM 2012, you can set a Total stock attribute for finish
operations. Set it on the Milling tab for the finish operation:

60 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Previously this attribute was available only for rough operations.

2.5D: Toolpath feature improvements

Quickly create a Toolpath feature from an operation in the Op List
In FeatureCAM 2012, you can create a Toolpath feature by
right-clicking on the operation in the Op List tab and selecting the
new option, Create toolpath feature from the context menu, for
example:

Add a Dwell value to a toolpath point

You can now add a dwell value to a toolpath point. To do this, open
the Toolpath Properties dialog, and select the Toolpaths tab for the
toolpath operation. Select the toolpath segment where you want to
add the dwell and click the Edit segment button.
The new Dwell option is in the Edit Toolpath Segment dialog:

Enter the Dwell value in seconds.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 61

 The dwell amount is displayed on the Toolpaths tab, for example:

Add NC code text to a Toolpath feature

There is a new button on the Toolpaths tab, Add NC code text:

This button opens the Add NC Code Text dialog:

The Add NC Code Text dialog lets you insert NC code before the
selected point and optionally add a comment.
For example, you could enter a M00 conditional stop at a particular
point in order to check the tool:

62 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Click the Apply button, then the OK button, and the NC code and
comment are added to the Toolpaths tab to the row above the
selected row, for example:

And after simulation, you can see the code on the NC Code tab, for
example:

Your post must support dwell and EDF text to use these new
features.

Toolpath feature displayed as lines

When you create a Toolpath feature and select the Toolpaths tab,
you can now see the full lines of the toolpath, for example:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 63

 Previously, toolpath points only were displayed, for example:

Toolpath lines are displayed by default, but you can turn them on
and off in the context menu of the new Options button. Select or
deselect Display lines:

Connection options after deleting toolpath segments

In FeatureCAM 2012, when you delete toolpath segments, there are
more options for connecting the remaining segments. The Delete
Toolpath Segment dialog opens after you click the Delete segment
button:

Select from:
 Direct move between the 2 segments (previous behavior)
 Retract to rapid plane, rapid move to next segment
 Retract to specified Z value, rapid move to next segment, and enter
a Z value

Undo toolpath edits

You can now use the Undo button on the Standard toolbar to
undo edits that you make to a Toolpath feature. For example, if you
delete some toolpath points, you can click the Undo button to
restore the points.

64 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 2.5D: Exact Z step
Currently FeatureCAM calculates the depth of cut like this:
1 Divides the feature depth, for example 10 mm, by the depth of
cut you set to get the number of steps.
2 Divides the depth by the number of steps to get the actual depth
of cut (the depth of cut for each step is equal).
For example:
If the feature depth is 10 mm and you set a depth of cut of 3 mm,
the number of steps is calculated as (10/3) + 1 = 4 steps. The
actual depth of cut is 10 / 4 = 2.5 mm. The steps are cut at 2.5
mm, 5 mm, 7.5 mm, and 10 mm.
There is a new option, Equal depth of cut, at feature level:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 65

 And at machine level:

The new option is selected by default, so that FeatureCAM keeps

previous behavior.
To set an exact depth of cut, deselect Equal depth of cut.
Using the same example, with Equal depth of cut deselected:
If the feature depth is 10mm and you set a depth of cut of 3mm,
the number of steps is calculated as (10/3) + 1 = 4 steps.
FeatureCAM uses the actual depth of cut you set (3 mm) for each
pass, then cuts any remainder depth. The steps are cut at 3 mm, 6
mm, 9 mm, and 10 mm.
These features support exact depth of cut:
 Profile boss  Rectangular pocket
 Profile pocket  Step bore
 Profile side  Counter bore hole
 Profile groove (Face groove  Plain hole with drill/mill
only) roughing
 Slot  Tapped hole with drill/mill
roughing


66 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 2.5D: Back Bore holes
In FeatureCAM 2012, you can create a back bore cycle (such as a
Fanuc G87). The Back Bore hole type lets you machine back bore
holes using a single Setup.

You must use a post processor that supports back bore holes.
Back Bore Hole is a new hole type available in the Feature wizard:

And on the Dimensions tab of the Feature Properties dialog:

You must enter the Diameter, Depth, Bore Depth, and Bore Diameter
dimensions for the Back Bore Hole.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 67

 When you create a Back Bore Hole, a backbore operation is created,
with a Back Bore cycle on the Cycle tab:

If your post processor supports it, you can select a Drill Cycle type
and enter Dwell, X Shift, and Y Shift values.

Simulation: Part compare extended

In FeatureCAM 2012, Part compare is available for many more part
types. You can now use Part Compare with these modules:
 4-axis
 5-axis positioning
 5-axis simultaneous
 Turning
 Turn/mill
 Wire
To do a part compare:
1 Right-click the solid part you want to use for the part compare
and select Use Solid As Part Compare Target from the context
menu.
2 Run a 3D or RapidCut simulation on the part.

You can not run a RapidCut simulation on turned, indexed,

or multiple-fixture parts.
3 Select View > Simulation > Show Part Compare from the menu.

68 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 4 Check if there are any areas of your part that are shown in blue,
these parts have not been cut or are undercut. Areas that have
been cut correctly are shown in green.
This example shows a 5-axis part after a 3D simulation:

By using part compare, you can see that a chamfer has been
missed when programming the part. This is the area shown in blue:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 69

 3D: Z-level spiral roughing
There is a new option on the Strategy tab for Z-level roughing,
Continuous Spiral:

The Continuous Spiral option lets the tool move in a continuous,

smooth motion, which reduces deceleration and acceleration, keeps
a more constant chip load, and increases the tool life.
This blow mold base example shows a single Z-level rough slice:

Using the Offset option: Using the Continuous Spiral

option:

70 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 Turn: Solid model as tool holder
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can set solid models as turning tool
holder geometry. This gives much more accurate simulation of
turning feature operations and colision checking, for example:

There is a new option, Solid, on the Holder Drawing tab for turn
tools.
To set a solid model as a tool holder:
1 Import the solid model that represents the tool holder.
2 Position the solid model (see page 72) so that the point zero is in
the correct place.
3 On the Holder Drawing tab in the Tool Properties dialog, select
Solid, and in the Set section, select the name of the solid holder
you imported and click the Set selected button.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 71

 4 The solid holder is displayed in the preview window on the tab
and you can see the insert position relative to the holder:

The solid model holder is used in simulation.

Solid tool holder example

Here is an example of a FeatureCAM turning tool holder:

To use a solid model of the tool holder that represents it more

accurately:
1 Import the solid model file of the tool holder. Click the Cancel
button when the Solid Wizard opens.

72 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 In this example, a *.x_t solid file of the tool holder was imported.

2 Optionally rename the solid in the Part View.

3 You must now make sure that the imported solid model tool
holder is positioned correctly. First, find the zero point (mounting
point) of the solid model holder. You can do this using the
following method:
a Select the two faces that point towards the zero point, for
example:

b Hide everything that is unselected.

c Using Line from two points, create two sketch lines along the
mounting edge of the faces, for example:

d Hide the two faces to show only the two sketch lines.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 73

 e Use the Trim/Extend tool to extend the lines until they
intersect:

f Use the Clip tool to clip the ends of the lines beyond the
intersection:

You are left with a sketch of the exact zero point to use to
position the holder correctly.

4 You now need a reference point to move the holder to. You can
do this using the following method:
a Select the Holder Drawing tab in the current Tool Properties
dialog.
b Select Curve and click the Paste Example button:

74 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 You can now see the pasted curve and the solid holder in the
Graphics window:

Turn off shading of the solid to compare them more easily.

We need to move the zero point of the solid holder that we
sketched earlier, to the zero point of the pasted holder curve
.
5 Use the Transform tool to do this:
a Select the solid holder.
b Select Edit > Transform from the menu.
The Transform dialog opens.
c Select Translate and Move and under Distance from 2 points,
click the From pick location button and select the zero point
you sketched earlier:

d Click the To pick location button and select the zero point of
the pasted holder curve:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 75

 e Click the Preview button to check the new location of the solid
holder. The preview is shown in blue:

f Click OK to accept the new location.

6 Turn the solid holder shading back on and you can see the
position of the tool insert curve relative to the holder:

7 You can now delete the holder curves you pasted earlier.
8 If you look at the solid holder from the front, there is a recess
where the insert sits:

9 You must take this recess into account to achieve accurate

simulation. To do this:

76 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 a Using the Linear Distance tool, take a measurement of the
depth of the recess:

In this example, it is approximately 2mm.

b Select the solid holder.
c Select Edit > Transform from the menu to open the Transform
dialog.
d In the XYZ Distance section, enter 0 for X, -2 for Y, and 0 for Z
to move the holder down by 2mm in the Y direction.
e Click OK.
The solid holder is now in the correct position and ready to set
as the holder on the tool's Holder Drawing tab.
10 To set the solid as the holder for the tool:
a Select the Holder Drawing tab in the Tool Properties dialog.
b Select Solid, and in the Set section, select the name of the
solid holder you imported and click the Set selected button.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 77

 c The solid holder is displayed in the preview window on the tab
and you can see the insert position relative to the holder:

d Click OK to accept the solid holder.

The preview on the Tools tab updates too:

e Click OK to continue.
11 Hide the imported solid and show the part solid.

78 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

 12 Run a 3D simulation. The solid model that you imported is now
used as the tool holder and the simulation is more accurate:

Turn: Better tool holder graphics

In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, the graphical representation of tool holders
is improved.
The material behind the insert on the tool holder is now shown, for
example:

In previous versions, this material was not shown, for example:

The new tool holder graphics increase the realism of simulations

with the default tooling.

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 • 79

 Turning leave allowance
In FeatureCAM 2012, you can set X Leave Allowance and Z Leave
Allowance attributes for a Turn feature finish pass, on the Turning
tab of the Turn Properties dialog:

This means you can undercut or overcut a part without having to

remodel it. This is essential for situations such as fitting allowance.
X Leave Allowance is the amount of material to leave after the finish
pass, in the X direction, and Z Leave Allowance is the amount of
material to leave after the finish pass, in the Z direction.
The X Leave Allowance and Z Leave Allowance values can be positive
or negative, but both must have the same sign (both positive or
both negative).

80 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

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