The Feature, Geometry, and Machining Strategy Reference Guide
Introduction
The purpose of this topic is to show all CAM Feature types that are available. The supported geometry types, default machining strategies, and the available operations for each feature type are all provided.
Mill Feature Definition
|
Feature |
Geometry |
Machining Strategy Template |
Available Operations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mill Hole This feature handles standard hole drilling. |
Points Arcs Surfaces Edges Surfaces Solids |
Center Drill Hole Bore Ream |
Center Drill Drill Chamfer Drill Chamfer Mill Ream Bore |
|
Mill Tap Hole This feature handles hole drilling and tapping. |
Points Arcs Surfaces Edges Surfaces Solids |
Tap Rolling Tap |
Center Drill Drill Tap Rolling Tap Chamfer Drill Chamfer Mill Ream Bore |
|
Mill Counterbore Hole This feature handles two concentric cylindrical holes. |
Points Arcs Surfaces Edges Surfaces Solids |
Counter Bore Hole Counterbore Ream |
Center Drill Drill Chamfer Drill Chamfer Mill Ream Counterbore Drill Counterbore Mill |
|
Mill Counterbore Tap Hole This feature handles hole drilling and tapping for counterbore holes. |
Points Arcs Surfaces Edges Surfaces Solids |
Counterbore Tap Rolling Tap |
Center Drill Drill Tap Rolling Tap Chamfer Drill Chamfer Mill Ream Counterbore Drill Counterbore Mill |
|
Mill 2 Axis This feature handles 2-axis machining. |
2D/3D
Solid/Surface Edges |
Profile Face Engrave Chamfer Plunge Rough |
Profile Rough Profile Finish Face Engraving Chamfer Mill Plunge Rough Corner Rounding |
|
Mill Thread This feature handles thread milling which includes optional operations for material removal. |
Points Arcs Surfaces Edges Surfaces Solids |
Thread |
Center Drill Drill Chamfer Drill Chamfer Mill Ream Bore Profile Rough Profile Finish Mill Thread |
|
Mill V-Carve This feature handles pocketing and engraving with a V-tool. |
2D/3D
|
V-Carve |
Tapered Pocketing V-Carve Finishing |
|
Mill 3 Axis Wireframe This feature handles 2D or 3D engraving. |
2D/3D
|
3 Axis Wireframe |
3D Engrave Finish 3D Engrave Rough
|
|
Mill 3 Axis This feature handles 3-axis machining. |
Surface Solid STL Mesh |
Strategy 1 through 4 Z Level Rough Z Level Finish Planar Spiral Radial Plunge Rough Advanced Rough Flatlands Equidistant Offset Pencil Advanced Planar Project Curves Advanced Z Level Finish |
Z Level Rough Z Level Finish Planar Spiral Radial 3 Axis Plunge Rough Advanced Rough Flatlands Equidistant Offset Pencil Advanced Planar Project Curves Advanced Z Level Finish |
|
Mill 4 Axis Rotary This feature creates rotary toolpaths. |
Surface Solid STL Mesh |
4 Axis Rotary |
4 Axis Rotary |
Multiaxis Feature Definition
The Multiaxis Feature type does not contain any geometry at the feature level. Geometry for Multiaxis features is assigned at the operation level as you can only have one operation (strategy) per feature. This is the only Mill feature type that does not follow the same setup as all other Mill feature types.
|
Feature |
Geometry |
Machining Strategy Template |
Available Operations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mill Multiaxis This feature handles 2-5 axis machining. |
The geometry for all Multiaxis features is defined at the operation level. |
Wireframe Multiaxis Roughing Swarf Machining Parallel Cuts Cuts Along Curve Morph Between 2 Curves Parallel to Multiple Curves Project Curves Morph Between 2 Surfaces Parallel to Surface |
Wireframe Multiaxis Roughing Swarf Machining Parallel Cuts Cuts Along Curve Morph Between 2 Curves Parallel to Multiple Curves Project Curves Morph Between 2 Surfaces Parallel to Surface |
Lathe Feature Definition
|
Feature |
Geometry |
Machining Strategy Template |
Available Operations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lathe End Face This feature handles facing. |
2D
Edges Surfaces |
Rough Rough, Basic Finish |
Rough Basic Finish |
|
Lathe Turning This feature handles Turning. |
2D
Edges |
Rough Rough, Basic Finish Pattern Repeat Pattern Repeat, Basic Finish |
Rough Pattern Repeat Basic Finish |
|
Lathe Groove This feature handles all lathe grooving. |
2D
Edges |
Groove Rough Groove Rough, Groove Finish |
Groove Rough Groove Finish Basic Finish |
|
Lathe Hole This feature handles all lathe hole drilling. |
Points Arcs Arc Edges |
Center Drill Hole Bore Ream |
Lathe Center Drill Lathe Drill Lathe Chamfer Lathe Bore Lathe Ream |
|
Lathe Tap Hole This feature handles all lathe hole tapping. |
Points Arcs Arc Edges |
Tap Rolling Tap |
Lathe Center Drill Lathe Drill Lathe Chamfer Lathe Ream Lathe Tap Lathe Rolling Tap |
|
Lathe Thread This feature handles all lathe threading. |
Lines |
Thread | Lathe Thread |
|
Lathe Cutoff This feature handles part cut-off using optional point geometry. |
Points Snap Points |
Cut Off |
Cut Off |
|
Lathe Stock Handling This feature handles bar puller/stock feed operations. |
None |
Stock Handling |
Stock Feed |
Wire EDM Feature Definition
|
Feature |
Geometry |
Machining Strategy Template |
Available Operations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2 Axis Inside This feature handles all closed inside profiles with or without constant taper. |
Wireframe Solid edges Contour entities |
Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 |
Rough Cut Tab Cut Skim Cut
|
|
2 Axis Outside This feature handles all closed outside profiles with or without constant taper. |
Wireframe Solid edges Contour entities |
Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 |
Rough Cut Tab Cut Skim Cut |
|
2 Axis Open This feature handles all open profiles with or without constant taper. |
Wireframe Solid edges Contour entities |
Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 |
Rough Cut Tab Cut Skim Cut |
|
4 Axis Inside This feature handles all closed inside profiles for 4 Axis machining. |
Wireframe Solid edges Contour entities |
Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 |
Rough Cut Tab Cut Skim Cut |
|
4 Axis Outside This feature handles all closed outside profiles for 4 Axis machining. |
Wireframe Solid edges Contour entities |
Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 |
Rough Cut Tab Cut Skim Cut |
|
4 Axis Open This feature handles all open profiles for 4 Axis machining. |
Wireframe Solid edges Contour entities |
Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 |
Rough Cut Tab Cut Skim Cut |
