How to Create a Toolpath Pattern - Array

Introduction

This tutorial explains how to create a toolpath pattern using the Arrayoption.The example provided shows how to pattern an individual featureand how to pattern multiple features together using a single toolpathpattern.

Example Part

If you are connected to the Internet, the part file for this example can be downloaded automatically by clicking the following link: Toolpath Pattern Array Example 1.sldprt

Once you download and saved the zip file, extract the files on your system in an easy place to remember.You can then open the file to use with this tutorial.All files for the tutorials in this help system available for download can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.bobcad.com/helpfiles.

In the example file provided, the stock andMachine Setup are already defined for the part.

Part 1) Pattern the First Feature

In the example file provided, two 2 Axis features with pocket and profileoperations are already created.The following steps are used to patterneach feature.

In the Property Manager, click the CAMTree tab.
Under Machine Setup, right-click1st Pocketand click Add Toolpath Pattern.

The feature being patterned is shown nextfor reference.

In the Toolpath Patterndialog box, with Array selected,click Next>>.

In the X Direction group,in the Distance box, type 5.250.

This defines the distance between each featurealong the X-axis of the machining origin (coordinate system).

The following image shows the distance measuredfrom the center of each pocket.You can use any reference point that youhave to measure the distance, as long as the same reference point is usedin each pocket.

In the Copies box, type2.

This creates two copies of the feature alongthe X-axis.

In the Y Direction box,type 3.375.

This defines the distance between each featurealong the Y-axis of the machining origin (coordinate system).

The following image shows the distance measuredusing the center of each pocket.

In the Copies box, type2.

This creates two copies of the feature alongthe Y-axis.

To compute the toolpath pattern, click OK.

Because 2 copies are made along the X-axisand 2 copies are made along the Y-axis, there are a total of 9 pocketscreated (including the original feature).

Part 2) Pattern the Second Feature

To hide the first feature and the toolpathpattern, in the CAM Tree, right-click 1st Pocket,and click Blank/Unblank Toolpath.

Right-click 2nd Pocket and click Add Toolpath Pattern.

The feature being patterned is shown nextfor reference.

With Arrayselected, click Next>>.

In the X Directiongroup, in the Distance box,type 5.250.

In the Copies box, type 2.
In the Y Directionbox, type 3.375.

In the Copies box, type 2.
Click OK.

Part 3) Modify a Patterned Feature

The last pocket feature contains a single-depth cut.The next part isto add multiple depths to the feature.After modifying the feature, youcan see that the toolpath pattern is automatically updated to includethe results.

In the CAMTree, right-click 2nd Pocket, and click Edit.
On the left side of the dialog box, under Pocket,click Parameters.
In the Depthgroup, click Multiple Steps.
Click Defined Depths.
In the Depth of Cutbox, type 0.250.
Click Compute.

You can see that not only are the changesadded to the feature, but they are also added to the pattern.

Part 4) Add a Hole Feature and Select Geometry

At this point in the example, all of pocketing for this part has beenaccomplished using two features and two toolpath patterns.The next partis to drill the four holes in each pocket.

In the CAMTree, right-click Machine Setup, and click Mill DrillHole.

The Mill Hole Wizard displays.
Under Geometry Selection,click Select Geometry.

In the Hole Selection Manager, under Point and Arc Usage, the default can be left as Ignore Z.
Click to select each of the cylindrical surfaces of the holes.
To confirm the selection, click .

The Mill Hole Wizard returns.
In the Geometry Parameters group, notice that the Diameter isautomatically set.

Click to clear the Through Hole check box.Theseholes are blind holes meaning they do not go through the entire part.
Click Next>>.

Part 5) Define the Hole Feature Parameters

Important: Because we cleared the Through Hole check box, the tip of the tool will extend past the bottom of the part enough so the full diameter of the tool reaches the specified depth.With Through Hole selected, the tool tip will go far enough past the defined depth that the diameter reaches past the defined depth in the amount defined in the Cutting Conditions Parameters dialog by the Length Through Cut value.

Notice under Hole Groups, that the Top ofFeature is automatically set based on the position of the top edge of the surfaces we selected (-0.375).

Note:
• Had the top edge of the surface been selected as geometry for the feature, we could select Use As Top for the selection in the Point and Arc Usage group.The Top of Feature would then be set automatically while the Feature depth would need to be set manually.
• Had the bottom edge been selected, we could select Use As Bottom to set depth automatically and then manually set the Top of Feature.

Click Next>>.

In the Machining Strategy,select the Hole operationtemplate.

The Current Operations list contains onecenter drill operation and one drill operation.
The operations for the feature are defined, click Next>>.

We use all of the automatically generateddrilling operation tools and settings for this example.
At the bottom of the dialog box, click Compute.

The Mill Hole feature is now complete forthe first pocket.The next step is to pattern this feature to handle thedrilling for the entire part.

Part 6) Pattern All Features in the Machine Setup

To review what has been done thus far, you have patterned two separatepocket features using two separate toolpath patterns.You have also createda Hole feature to complete the machining of the example part.All of thecurrently defined operations are shown next for reference.

At this point, you are ready to add a toolpath pattern to the Hole feature.While you could simply add another pattern as shown earlier in this example,there is another way to pattern multiple features.This part of the exampleshows how to create a pattern that is applied to all of the features containedin a Machine Setup.

In the CAMTree, below 1st Pocket, right-click Toolpath Pattern,and click Delete.
Click Yesto confirm.
Below 2ndPocket, left-click and hold the Toolpath Pattern and move your mouse (drag) to the Machine Setup before releasing left-click (drop).

The location of the toolpath pattern is updated to the entire machine setup and is applied to all features in the setup.