How to Create a Multiaxis Project Curves Feature

Introduction

This tutorial explains how to create a Project Curves Multiaxis feature. The feature projects a user defined geometry curve onto the drive surface in order to create the toolpath. The curve that is projected onto the drive surface can be geometry that is selected, or it can be a pattern that is defined in the Surface Paths tab of the Multiaxis Wizard. This tutorial explains using geometry from the graphics area.

Example File

If you are connected to the Internet, the part file for this example can be downloaded automatically by clicking the following link: Project Curves 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 and Machine Setup are already defined for the part. The part is simulated using the BC Table-Table machine.

Part 1) Add the Feature

1. In the Property Manager, click the CAM Tree tab.
   
   

2. Right-click Machine Setup and click Mill Multiaxis.
   
   

3. In the Multiaxis Wizard, select Surfaceand click Project Curves.
   
   

4. Click Next>>to go to the Posting dialog box.

Part 2) Define the Posting Parameters

1. The Work Offset # is automatically set to the value defined in the Machine Setup dialog.
   
   You can change the value here to update the Work Offset # for the feature.
   
   

2. Click Next>>to go to the Multiaxis Postingdialog.

Part 3) Define the Multiaxis Posting Parameters

1. Notice, at the top of the dialog box, that the Use Machine Settings checkbox is selected.
   
   This means that the Multiaxis Posting parameters for the feature use the same parameters as the machine that is selected in Current Settings.
   
   You can clear the Use Machine Settingscheck box to define the Multiaxis Posting parameters of the feature separately from the current machine settings.
   
   For this example, no changes are needed.
   
   

2. Click Next>>to go to the Tool page.

Part 4) Define the Tool Parameters

1. To define the tool, click ToolCrib.
   
   In the Tool Crib, on the left side, click the Endmill Roughcategory.
   
   At the bottom of the dialog, click Add From Tool Library.
   
   

2. In the Select Tool dialog, click anywhere in the row labeled 1/32 Flat Endmill - Standard (you may need to drag the bar, at the bottom of the window, to the right to view the full label).
   
   The row of the selected tool changes color to show that it is selected.
   
   To confirm the selection, at the bottom of the Select Tool dialog, click OK.
   
   To add the tool to the feature, at the bottom of the Milling Tool Crib, clickOK.
   
   

3. Depending on your Tool Library, a tool holder may already be assigned for the selected tool. A holder is assigned if the Holder Label box displays a label (and the Assign Tool Holder button is labeled Remove Tool Holder). If a holder is already assigned, skip to step 4.
   
   To assign a tool holder, click Assign Tool Holder.
   
   In the Milling Tool Holder Library,in the CAT 40 Holder list, click anywhere in the row labeled 0.25inch I.D. Arbor CAT 40.
   
   The row of the holder changes color to show that it is selected.
   
   At the bottom of the Milling Tool Holder Library, click OK.
   
   

4. Click Next>>to go to the Parameters dialog box.

Part 5) Select Geometry

1. In the Surface Paths tab, in the Patterngroup next to Type, select User Defined.
   
   To define the projection curves, click Projection.
   
   

2. In the graphics area, select the projection curves (text).
   
   
   
   

3. To accept the geometry selection, click OK.
   
   

4. To define the surface being machined, in the Pattern group, click Drive Surfaces.
   
   

5. In the graphics area, click to select the drive surface as shown next.
   
   
   
   

6. To accept the geometry selection, click OK.

The geometry selection for the feature is complete.

Part 6) Define the Parameters

1. In the Patterngroup, next to Projection Direction,select Z-axis.
   
   This projects the selected geometry along the Z-axis.
   
   

2. In the Drive Surfaces Offset box, type -0.01.
   
   This forces the tool into the stock (in-feed) by the specified value.
   
   

3. At the top of the dialog, click Link.
   
   

4. At the bottom of the dialog, click Retracts.

In the Clearance Area group, confirm that the Heightis set to 2.00.

This value is automatically set to the value that was previously set in the Machine Setup dialog when the feature is created.(Updating the Clearance Plane in the Machine Setup doesn't update existing Multiaxis features.)

To close the Retracts dialog, click OK.

5. To calculate the toolpath, at the bottom of the Multiaxis Wizard, click Compute.

The result is shown next. The Projection Curves text is hidden, and the part is made transparent to better show the toolpath.

(Because of the negative drive surface offset value, the toolpath is below the surface of the part geometry.)

Part 7) Simulate the Program

1. To view program simulation, in the BobCAM menu, click Simulation.

For help with simulation, view Getting Started with Simulation.

2. To close the simulation, in the BobCAMmenu, click Exit Simulation.

This concludes the tutorial.