The Machine Setup has two important components: the Machine Setup dialog box and the Machine Setup in the CAM Tree. The Machine Setup dialog box is used to define the machining origin (or work offset) and the clearance plane for all features that are added to the Machine Setup in the CAM Tree. This is critical to creating correct toolpaths and NC programs. The Machine Setup in the CAM Tree is used to edit the Machine Setup parameters and create CAM features.
TIP: It is important to understand that when creating CAM features, the machining origin (Machine Setup) defines the machining coordinates and not the WCS (or the world coordinate system) of the graphics area.
A Machine Setup can be created for each orientation of the part on the machine. Each setup represents a Work Offset. For Wire EDM, only one machine setup per job is currently supported.
Before you define a Machine Setup for any part, you must first create stock geometry for the part. To learn how to create stock geometry and define the Machine Setup, view the Stock Wizard and Machine Setup.
After the stock geometry is created, in the CAM Tree, right-click Machine Setup, and click Edit. This opens the Machine Setup dialog box in the Data Entry tab.
IMPORTANT: If
you move the machining origin of a Machine Setup that contains existing
features, you need to re-confirm the geometry selection and compute the
toolpath to update the change. Right-click the Geometry item of the feature,
click Re/Select, and click OK (
).
To create multiple Machine Setup items (Mill and Mill Turn only), in the CAM Tree, right-click Machine Setup, point to Additional Functions, and click Insert Setup. This adds another Machine Setup below the previous. Both Machine Setup items are then available for selection in the Machine Setup dialog box.
The Machine Setup in the CAM Tree