Mill Turn Job Setup Example

Introduction

This topic explains how to create the Mill Turn job, stock, and machinesetups for the Mill Turn Example 1 tutorial (but applies to any Mill Turnjob). These items are already defined in the example file provided for the tutorial, so this topic provides the complete steps for those who want to learn more about the job setup.

Overview

We have created our part model in the location and orientation that we want to use, so we are ready to create the job, stock, and two machinesetups.

Example File Download

If you are connected to the Internet, the part file for this example can be downloaded automatically by clicking the following link: Mill Turn Job Setup Example.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.

This tutorial highlights the following functionality of the BobCAM software:

Creating a Mill Turn job
Adding Machine Setups to the job
Defining Stock using the Stock Wizard
Defining the Machine Setup parameters

Setting the spindle per setup
Aligning the machining origin
Defining the Work Offset parameters
Automatic Mill Turn Clearance settings

Assigning workpiece geometry

Part 1) Create the Mill Turn Job

In the BobCAM CAM Tree, right-click CAM Defaults,and click New Job.
Under JobType, click to select MillTurn.
Under Machine,click the down arrow, and select BC_2T_2S.

Note: Normally, we would click Stock Wizard now to go directly to defining the stock and machine setup. For this example, we are utilizing two machine setups (one for the front of the part and one for the back), so instead we create a second machine setup first. This allows us to define both machine setupsat the same time for the purposes of this tutorial. You may not want to create the second machine setup until you are finished creating machiningfeatures under the first machine setup. The information here applies to any workflow you prefer to use.

Clear the Start Stock Wizard check box.
Click OK to create the Mill Turn job and add it to the CAM Tree Manager.

Part 2) Add the Second Machine Setup

In the CAMTree, right-click Mill TurnJob, and click Add Setup.

This adds another machine setup to the Cam Tree.(Machine Setup 2 is added below Machine Setup 1.)

(Alternatively, you can right-click any MachineSetup, point to Additional Functions, and click Insert Setup.)

We are now ready to create the stock and define both machine setups.

Part 3) Create Stock Geometry Using the Stock Wizard

For the first half of the example, we use the isometric view.(Press Ctrl+7).

Right-click Stock,and click Stock Wizard.

Under Stock Type, click to select (Cylindrical).

The software automatically detects the solidmodel in the graphics area and creates a bounding stock. We can see that the default extrusion direction (Z Axis) needs updated for our part orientation.

Under Stock Orientation,change the Extrusion Directionto X Axis.

Under Offset, change the (Diameter Offset) value to 0.250.(Press Tab to update the stock preview.)

Change the (Start Face Offset) value to 0.100.

Change the (End Face Offset)value to 0.100.

Click to go to the Machine Setup.

Part 4) Define Machine Setup 1

Select the Machine Setup and Spindle

Notice at the top of the Machine Setup windowthat Machine Setup - 1 is selected. We use this machine setup for all features that are used to machine the front half of the part.
Confirm that the default, LeftSpindle, is selected as this machine setup is created for the main (left) spindle.

Set the Machining Origin

Next we define the machining origin for MachineSetup 1. You can see that the software automatically created bounding entities in the graphics area to assist with the origin selection.

Under Origin, the Pick Origin box is already selected so we can select the origin from geometry in the graphics area.

Click to select the point at the front of the stock.

The origin updates to the selected point.

Modify the Direction of the Machining Origin Axes

Next we modify the direction of the machiningorigin axes to align it to the machine zero (coordinate system). We need the Z-axis to be at the center line or rotation axis of the part to matchthe Z-axis of the machine.

Under Origin,click in the X Axis box, and click to select the vertical edge of the model as shown next.

The X-axis direction of the machining origin updates (shown by the red arrow) based on our geometry selection.

Click in the Z Axis box, and click to select the line on the side of the part.

The Z-axis direction of the machining origin is now parallel to the selected line, but is currently backwards, so next we use the reverse direction button.

Next to Z Axis, click the (reverse) button.

Note: For Mill Turn jobs, you have the freedom to create and orient the part anyway that you like, thus you must orient the machining origin as needed to accommodate your part orientation. An important note here is that the software analyzes the part model in the XZ plane when creating turning features.(The XZ plane is the default, which can be modified during geometry selection.) Also, if you want to use sketches for lathe profiles, create them in the XZ plane of the machining origin to reduce the need to change parameters during geometry selection.(An example is shown next. The red arrow of the gnomon indicates the positiveX-axis direction and the blue arrow indicates the positive Z-axis direction.)

All axes now point in the proper direction for a Mill Turn job, but we want our machining origin to be zeroed at the face of the part and not the stock. Next we adjust the origin location.

Modify the Origin using the Enter Origin Method

Before modifying the origin, we change the viewing orientation. Press Ctrl+1to select the Front view.

Under Origin, clickEnter Origin.
Next to X, click the down arrow one time to change the X-value to 4.000.

Note that we are changing the X-axis value because our machining origin Z-axis is aligned with the X-axis of theWCS (CAD origin). The Enter Origin values are in reference to the WCS.

The machining origin updates to the frontface of the part (instead of the front of the stock). The following image uses the wireframe view to better show the new machining origin location.

Define the Work Offset Parameters

Under Other,click the Work Offset button.

In the Work Offset dialog box, notice that Work Offset #1is selected by default. We use this offset number for Machine Setup1.
Update the Z value to5.00.This defines the distance from the virtual machine zero to the machining origin (in Z).Thisvalue is used for simulation purposes.

Update the Subspindle Zvalue to 5.00.

This defines the distance between the virtual machine zero and the front face of the sub spindle. You use this value to determine the location to which sub spindle moves when transferring the part.(This value is only used for simulation purposes.)

Important: The PartPickup Position parameter in the Part Transfer MDI command may need adjusted based on the value defined (Subspindle Z).

Click OK to close the dialog box.

Define the Clearance Settings

Click the Clearancebutton.

Notice in the Clearancedialog box that the Auto checkbox is selected under Stock Bounds.

Because our stock and machining origin are already properly defined, the Stock Bounds parameters are automatically detected and populated.

Important: The software automatically calculates the clearance (Stock Bounds) settings based on the stock geometry and the machining origin location and orientation. For this reason, you should define the machining origin before modifying the clearance settings, as the Stock Bounds parameters may not be correct otherwise. The software automatically sets values in the CAM Wizards based on the values in the clearance dialog box.

Notice the Clearancesettings for Face, Diameter,and Internal Diameter.
You can click in the box for each of these values to update the image in the dialog box to show where these clearance values apply.
Change the Face value to 0.500.
Change the Diametervalue to 0.500.
Click OK to close the dialog box.

Machine Setup 1 is now completely defined.

Part 5) Define Machine Setup 2

Because we already added the second machine setup to the job, we can now define the second machine setup. For the remainder of this example, rotate the model to view the back side of the part.