Groups
Introduction
This topic will introduce groups, will explain how to create them, and how to work with them. This topic will also provide links to related topics.
Groups
Groups can be thought of as simply as folders on your computer. Complicated parts can cause a complicated CAM Tree. Being able to name features only gets you so far as the number of overall features and machine setups grow. In order to bring some organizational control to your CAM Tree, Groups can now be added to the machine setup. Adding a group creates a folder inside of your CAM Tree. Drag and drop features into the folder to save space in the CAM Tree and have the control to Add Toolpath Pattern, Post All Yes/No and Blank/Unblank Toolpath options on all features inside of the folder at one time.
| No Group | Group added : Empty | Group moved : Empty | Group with item : Minimized |
Group with item : Expanded |
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Milling Job
Default Template
Machine
Post Processor
Milling Tools
Workpiece
Stock
Material
Machine Setup
Feature 2 Axis
Creating Groups
Groups can be created as needed:
- Right-click the Machine Setup.
- Hover over Additional Functions and select Add Group.
The Group is added to the CAM Tree.
Moving Groups
Groups can have their position in the CAM Tree modified as needed:
- You can click and drag the Group onto a Feature, Index System, Wrapping Group, or another Group. For this example, drag the group onto the first feature in the tree.
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Geometry
Default Chain
Start Point
Pocket
Drill Tip Position
Note: As you can see in the example above, you can only place the groups on items below the Machine Setup, and only on the main feature, and not any of its components. Since the group would be placed below the item, dragging it ton the lowest feature in the example would be pointless, as it would end up in the exact same position. The remaining examples will exclude items above the Machine Setup
The Group is placed below the feature.
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Filling Groups
Groups are only of use when they have features in them.
- Click and drag the expanded feature onto the Group.
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Note: You can add as many feature to the Group as you would like.
Using Groups
The main idea of the groups, besides helping to organize an otherwise chaotic CAM Tree, is to allow control over many features at once. Right-clicking on a group provides the following context menu:
- Insert Group - places a group under the current group.
- Add Child Group - places a group inside the current group.
- Add Toolpath
Pattern - adds a Toolpath
Pattern to the selected Group. When added from this
location, the defined pattern is applied to all of the features
in the group.
- Post Yes/No
- sets all operations in the feature to post or not post in
the NC program.
- Blank/Unblank
Toolpath - allows you to hide or show all toolpaths
in the Group.
- Delete -
completely removes the group and any features in the group from the job.
- Rename - enables editing of the Group name in the CAM Tree. Type the new name for the Group.
