How to Use Edit Toolpath - Move

In this Topic Show

Introduction

This example explains how to use the Move option in the Edit Toolpath dialog box. The Move command will allow you to select particular toolpath elements and adjust their position. The example provided will have you:

 

Example Part

The part file for this example is available for download at: http://bobcad.com/helpfiles. If you are connected to the Internet, you can click the link provided to download and save the Toolpath_Editor_Move_Example BBCD.zip file. After extracting the zip file, you can open the file to follow along with this example. In the example file provided, the stock and Machine Setup are already defined for the part, and the toolpath to be adjusted has been applied.

 

 

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_PartStart.png

 

Part 1) Viewing the Toolpath

On our example part, we have used a solid model to set the stock to a specific shape. In this case, we have roughed out the stock with an Advanced Rough and have finished that up with a Flatlands toolpath. It is the rapid heights of the Flatlands toolpath we intend to adjust. Take a moment to notice there is only two rapids, highlighted in red in the images below, that need to be at their current height.

 

 

1      In the Data-CAM Tree Manager, click the CAMTabIconBBCD.png CAM Tree tab.

2      In the CAM Tree, click the FlatlandsOpIcon.png  Flatlands operation of the FeatureIconWhite.png Feature 3 Axis to highlight the toolpath in the graphics area.

Take a moment to look at the existing stock compared to the existing toolpath to see what we intend to accomplish.

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_PartStart.png   CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_PartHighlightKeep.png

3      Rotate the part into a side view.

Notice most of these rapid moves could be lower to save some machining time.

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_SidePre.png   CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_SidePreHighlightKeep.png

Part 2) Opening the Edit Toolpath Dialog Box

The Edit Toolpath function is only applied to individual operations, as such, the first step is always to right-click on the operation to be adjusted.

 

1      Right-click the FlatlandsOpIcon.png  Flatlands operation of the FeatureIconWhite.png Feature 3 Axis.

2      Select Edit Toolpath.

The Edit Toolpath dialog appears.

Part 3) Setting the Command Mode

The Edit Toolpath dialog gives you access to eight different Command Modes. For this example, we will be utilizing the Move Command Mode.

   

 

1      Click the arrow on the Command Mode list to view the list items.

2      Select the Move option.

3      By default, the Preview check box is already selected. Leave this check box selected, as it will allow us to see a preview of the executable result.

Part 4) Selecting Toolpath Elements

We now, need to select the Point Pick check box under the Selected Toolpath Elements list so that we can pick the points where the vertical and horizontal rapids meet. Once this is selected, we will move the rotate the part, as needed, to pick all sixteen toolpath points shown in the images below.

 

1      Under the Selected Toolpath Elements list, select the Point Pick check box.

This will allow us to pick the point at which two toolpath elements meet, thereby giving us the ability to adjust both elements, rather than just one element or the other.

2      In the graphics area, select the toolpath points shown in the image below.

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_PartStartEdit.png   CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_Points.png

In each of the four corners of the part, there are two rapids. Be sure to pick both points on each of the eight rapid moves.


NOTE:      When toolpath elements are close enough together, attempting to select one may cause a dialog to appear. This dialog will allow you to select, from the dialog list, the intended toolpath element, as seen in the images below.


 

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_IntersectionHighlight2.png   CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_InterLine.png  CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_InterPoint.png 

Part 5) Setting the Parameters

With the toolpath elements selected, we will need to set the Parameters to define how the selected toolpath elements will be moved.

 

 

1      In the Parameters group, select the Drag option.

The Drag handles appear in the graphics area.

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_PointsDrag.png

2      Click the Z Axis of the Drag Handle.

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_PointsDragZsel.png

The Z Axis highlights.

3      With the Z Axis highlighted, move your mouse up and down and notice the preview adjust.

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_PointsDragZUp.png

While the X,Y, and Z values can be adjusted visually, we will enter a value in the Delta Z text field.

4      In the Delta Z text field, enter -1.0.

The preview updates to show the executable result.

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_ZNeg1.png

 

 

Part 6) Executing the Action

To move beyond the preview, and before clicking OK to finalize and exit, it is a good idea to Execute the current settings. Although clicking OK will Execute and exit simultaneously, using Execute will allow you to use Animation to verify the results and Undo the executed command if and adjustments necessary.

 

1       Click Execute.

The toolpath elements update to show the effect of our edits.

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_Result.png   CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_SidePost.png

 

Part 7) Viewing the Animation

The Animation is an excellent way to double check the edits we have made to our toolpath elements. If any issues are noticed in the animation, we can easily undo our edits and make the necessary adjustments.

 

1      Select the check box for Animation.

The tool appears in the graphics area at the start of our toolpath.

2      Use the Animation controls to play through the animation. With either the ToolpathEditor_Animation_SolidIcon.png (Solid), ToolpathEditor_Animation_TransparentIcon.png (Transparent), or ToolpathEditor_Animation_WireframeIcon.png (Wireframe) view.

CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_AnimationSolid.png   CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_AnimationTrans.png   CAM_Tutorial_EditToolpath_Move_AnimationWire.png

 

Part 8) Exiting the Edit Toolpath Dialog

Once the Animation has been viewed to ensure no further edits are needed, click OK to finalize and exit the Edit Toolpath Dialog. If you need to change the toolpath to its original state after clicking OK, recompute the operation.

 

1      Click OK.

The Edit Toolpath Dialog closes.

 

This concludes this example.