How to Customize Feature Operations

Introduction

The DMS Defaults, CAM Wizards, and the Machining Order are all used to customize the number and order of machining operations that are output in the NC program. The following examples explain how to customize your feature operations in these three areas.

Changing the DMS Defaults

You should first familiarize yourself with the DMS Defaults dialog box. The DMS Defaults control the default operations that are loaded for each Machining Strategy template in the CAM wizards. You use the DMS Defaults to define any operations that you frequently use. For example, if you constantly create programs that contain a pocket and a profile operation, then you can set the DMS Defaults to always include these operations in one of the operation templates.

The operations that are contained in each template can be customized using any number of Available Operations.

To open the DMS Defaults:

In the CAM Tree, right-click CAM Defaults, and click DMS Defaults.

The DMS Defaults dialog box displays.

To modify the Operations in Template:

In the list on the left side of the dialog box, expand the desired CAM feature group, and then expand the folder of the feature type that you want to modify.

The items listed below each feature type are the operation templates for that feature.
Select an operation template for the feature type to display the Operations in Template and Available Operations lists on the right side of the dialog box.
To reorder the Operations in Template, select an operation in the list, and click (Move Up) or (Move Down) to move the operation up or down in the list.
To remove an operation from Operations in Template, select the operation, and click (Delete Operation).

(Any operation that you delete from Operations in Template is always still available in the Available Operations.)
To add to the Operations in Template, select one or more Available Operations, and click (Add Operation).
You can then reorder the operations as explained in Step 3.

The operations that you define for each template are then available in the Machining Strategy page of the CAM Wizard.

Changing the Machining Strategy

The Machining Strategy of the CAM Wizards provides you with the ability to modify the operations for the feature during the feature creation. You can select a template in the Machining Strategy to load the operations for that template into the Current Operations list of the feature. You can also modify the Current Operations for each feature using the Available Operations list as explained next.

Note: The Available Operations of the DMS Defaults and the Machining Strategy are a predefined list of the available system operations for a feature. You cannot modify this list, you use it to add operations to the current operations for the template or feature.

To create a new CAM feature:

After creating a CAM Job, in the CAM Tree, right-click Machine Setup.
To open the CAM Wizard, select the desired feature type in the shortcut menu.
Work through the wizard until you reach the Machining Strategy.

To modify the Current Operations:

In the Machining Strategy, you can select a Template to populate the Current Operations for the feature.
To add an operation to the Current Operations, select an Available Operation, and click (Add Operation).

Note: When you add an operation from Available Operations to Current Operations, the operation is added below the operation that is currently selected in the Current Operations list.

Repeat Step 2 for as many operations as needed.
To reorder the operations for the feature, select a Current Operation, and click (Move Up) or (Move Down) to move the operation up or down in the list.
To remove an operation, select a Current Operation, and click (Delete Operation).
After creating the desired number and order of operations for the feature in the Current Operations list, click Next>> to go to the next page of the wizard.

The operations are added to the CAM wizard tree on the left side of the dialog box.

Changing the Posting Order

The Operation Tree provides further control of the order of operations that you create for a program. There are three optimization types that automatically reorder the operations based on Tools, Features, or Machine Setups. In addition to the optimization types, you can also manually reorder the operations inside the Operation Tree as explained next.

To access the Operation Tree:

At the bottom of the CAM Tree, click Operation Tree.

The Operation Tree displays.

To define the Posting Order:

You can first select an optimization type to organize the order of operations.
To change the order of operations, select an operation, or operations in the list, and click (Move Up) or (Move Down) to move the operation up or down in the list. You can also drag and drop the operations.
Repeat Step 2 for as many operations as needed.
1. When you are finished defining the order, you can simulate, post, and generate setup sheets as needed by right-clicking a job, or with the icons in the quick access menu.

Important: Notes about the Operation Tree:

• You must confirm the order you create in the Operation Tree is logical for the program.
• The order of operations that are defined for a single feature cannot be changed in the Operation Tree. To reorder the operations of a single feature, edit the feature wizard.

Warning: By updating the state of an operation to Post No, its order can be adjusted in the list in a manner that violates the order of operations at the feature level. (Such as posting a finish before it is roughed). When the operation is then set to Post Yes, a warning icon will be shown. () When attempting to post with this violation present, you will be presented with a message box informing you of the violation, and will allow you to continue if you wish.