Hole Recognition Dialog

Introduction

This topic will explain the Hole Recognition dialog, describe how to access it, explain the options found in it, will provide an example, and provide links to related topics.

The Hole Recognition dialog

The Hole Recognition dialog allows you to select a knowledge base template to apply to selected geometry

 

The first step of Milling Wizards is to assign geometry for the feature. All operations in the feature are performed on the selected geometry. This can be a single entity or multiple entities depending on the type of feature. The Hole features use points, arcs, cylindrical surfaces, or solid edges for the feature geometry.

To apply the Hole Recognition feature, you can either: 

 

  • In the CAM Tree, right-click the Milling Job, and select Hole Recognition.

    This method will apply the Hole Recognition to all available Machine Setups in the job, and any Index Systems contained in those Machine Setups.

  • In the CAM Tree, right-click the desired Machine Setup, and select Hole Recognition.

    This method will apply the Hole Recognition only to that particular Machine Setup, and any Index Systems contained in that Machine Setup.

  • In the CAM Tree, right-click the desired Index System, and select Hole Recognition.

    This method will apply the Hole Recognition only to that particular Index System.

Supported Geometry Types

When selecting geometry for Hole Recognition, you can select whole solids, points, arcs, surface edges, or cylindrical surfaces. Using the whole solids method is highly recommended.

 

Selecting Whole Bodies

When using the Select Whole Bodies option, the software automatically creates features for all holes (or radii) found in the model. This may result in more features than desired, but you can simply deselect the extra features from the Recognized Hole Features dialog, or delete them from the CAM tree after they are created. Note that you can use the Options group to limit the hole diameters for which the software creates features. To use any other selection option, ensure the Select whole bodies option is cleared.

 

Cylindrical Surfaces

Selecting cylindrical surfaces allows the software to automatically set the diameter, top of feature, and the feature depth for you.

 

Points, Arcs, or Surface Edges

Depending on the Z-axis location of the geometry and the settings that you define, the software may automatically set the diameter, top of feature, or feature depth, but not all of them. Be sure to properly set (or confirm) all of these parameters when using these geometry types.

The Hole Recognition dialog

Knowledge Base

Use the drop down to choose a particular Knowledge Base template. Using this template will apply the rules defined in it to create the hole features. To learn more about the Knowledge Base, see the Knowledge Base topic.

 

Note: The last Knowledge Base template to be edited in the Knowledge Base will automatically be shown here.

 

Geometry

  • Select Whole Bodies

    Select the check box to enable whole body selection. When you click a part model, the entire model is selected. Single entity selection is disabled. When using the Select Whole Bodies option, the software automatically creates features for all holes (or radii) found in the model. This may result in more features than desired, but you can simply delete the extra features from the CAM tree after finishing the wizard. Note that you can use the Options group to limit the hole diameters for which the software creates features.

    Clear the check box to use standard single entity picking. This allows you to select single sketches, edges, surfaces, or CAD features.

 

 

Selecting and Removing Geometry

The entities that you select in the graphics area display in the Selected Geometry list.

 

  • Delete - Removes the currently selected items from the list.

  • Delete All - Removes all selections from the list.

 

Tip: You can also remove geometry selections by deselecting entities in the graphics area

 

 

Point and Arc Usage

  • Ignore Z - means that the Z-axis location of the geometry is ignored so that you can manually set the Top of Feature and the Feature Depth in the wizard. This option is helpful when the selected geometry is not the top or bottom of the hole.



  • Use as Top - means that the geometry is the Top of Feature (the top of the hole). The software calculates the toolpath using the Z-axis location of the geometry as the top.



  • Use as Bottom - means that the geometry is the bottom of the feature (bottom of the hole). The software calculates the toolpath using the Z-axis location of the geometry as the bottom.

 

 

Options

The Options group allows you to set particular parameters to decide what will be created for a hole feature and what will be ignored.

 

  • Minimum Hole Diameter - is the smallest hole diameter that is used for the current drilling feature. Any smaller holes will be ignored.

  • Maximum Hole Diameter - is the largest hole diameter that is used for the current drilling feature. Any larger holes will be ignored.

  • Minimum Sweep Angle - allows you to define an acceptable range for open, or partial holes. Any holes whose start and end ranges are below the specified angle will be ignored.

  • Allow group
    With this check box selected, holes with the same diameter, but different depths or heights, will be divided into separate groups inside of the same feature.
    With this check box cleared, holes with the same diameter, but different depths or heights, will be kept as separate features.

 

Quick Steps

In the Hole Recognition dialog: 

 

  1. Select the Knowledge Base template to apply.

  2. Select the desired geometry.

  3. Adjust the Parameters as needed.

  4. Adjust any necessary Options.

  5. Click OK.

    The Recognized Hole Features dialog appears.