The CAM Overview
Getting Started Machining
The CAM Tree is where all machining programs start in BobCAD-CAM. The CAM Tree is used to define system settings, including the system defaults and job settings. It is also used to create and edit machining jobs, tools, stock, and features. This topic contains an introduction to all of the major areas of the CAM system and provides links to all of the machining topics in this help system.
Read Me First - CAM Quick Guide
Setting Defaults and Creating Jobs
CAM Defaults
The CAM defaults and new jobs are handled using the top folder in the
CAM Tree, CAM Defaults. This item is always available
in the CAM Tree. The CAM Defaults include the Current Settings, Cutting
Conditions, Tool Pattern, Tool Library, Thread Library, Stock Material
Library, Adapter Library, and Tool Holder Library. You start with the
CAM Defaults to define the system settings as you need them. This includes
machine creation and setup, tool data, operation defaults, and stock materials.
You can also use CAM Defaults to start a new machining job.
To create a new job or define system defaults for machining:
-
In the
CAM
Defaults. -
Select an item from the shortcut menu as explained in CAM Defaults.
CAM Jobs
All CAM Jobs start with the Machining Job dialog box. You select the Job Type and the machine for the job. You can then start the Stock Wizard, Lathe Stock Wizard, or the Nesting Wizard to begin creating the program. Before you create a job, the CAM Tree only contains the CAM Defaults folder. When you create a CAM job, it is added to the CAM Tree with all the items that you need to start creating the program. The following section shows what items are added to the CAM Tree for each job type. Click the links in the following section to learn all about CAM Jobs.
Milling Job
The following items are added to the CAM Tree when you create a Milling job.
Milling Job
Machine
Post Processor
Milling Tools
Workpiece
Stock
Stock
Material
Machine Setup
To learn about Milling Jobs, view The Milling Job.
Turning Job
The following items are added to the CAM Tree when you create a Turning job.
Turning
Job
Machine
Post Processor
Turning Tools
Workpiece
Stock
Stock
Material
Machine Setup
To learn about Turning Jobs, view The Turning Job.
Mill Turn Job
The following items are added to the CAM Tree when you create a Mill Turn job.
Mill Turn Job
Machine
Post Processor
Mill Turn Tools
Workpiece
Stock
Stock
Material
Machine Setup
Submachine
To learn about Mill Turn Jobs, view The Mill Turn Job.
Machines
The machine is an integral part of setting up the software to create machining programs. The machine controls various settings such as the post processor and posting parameters for the machine and what type of programming functionality is available for the current job, such as multiaxis output. The following topics contain everything you need to know about machines in BobCAM.
The Current Settings Dialog Box
Machine Selection in the CAM Tree
The Machine Setup Modification and Feature Creation
Creating Tools
The Tool Library contains the tool data for all Mill and Lathe tools in the system with a Drill category that is shared between the two. Creating your tools in the library can greatly speed up program creation. This makes it easy to add the tools that you need for a job to the Tool Crib, which aids in proper tool selection for feature operations in the CAM Wizards.
Creating Stock
Milling, Turning, Mill Turn, and Wire EDM Jobs start with stock creation which leads you into the Machine Setup to define the machining origin, work offset number, and clearance plane for the Machine Setup. After defining these parameters, you are ready to start creating machining features. Nesting Jobs are handled using the Nesting Wizard which creates Sheets to define the stock for nesting parts.
The Stock Wizard (Mill, Mill Turn)
Stock Materials and Feeds and Speeds
Setting the stock material for your job defines the feeds and speeds that are used for automatic feedrate calculations in the CAM Wizards.
Stock Material Selection and Modification
The CAM Wizards
When you create a CAM feature, the CAM wizard displays to guide you through creating the machining feature. You select the geometry, set the parameters, define the machining strategy, or number and order of operations for the feature, and define the operation parameters. When you finish a machining wizard, the Feature is added to the CAM Tree.
Features in the CAM Tree
When you finish a wizard, the feature is added to the job in the CAM Tree. The Feature tree handles feature modification, feature creation, feature status, and operation status. This includes posting status, toolpath visibility, toolpath color, and naming. Editing of geometry selection, boundary selection, operation start points, and toolpath calculation is also accomplished using the Feature tree.
Milling Features in the CAM Tree
Turning Features in the CAM Tree
Toolpath Patterning
Toolpath patterns are used to create repetitive programs from a feature, machine setup, wrapping group, or index system.
4 and 5 Axis
The following items are used to create programs for 4 and 5 Axis machining. (View the CAM Wizard topics to learn about the 4 Axis Rotary and Multiaxis features.)
Laser, Plasma, and Waterjet Machining
Creating programs for routers, laser, plasma, and waterjet machines follows the same process as milling with some minor differences in the setup process.
Program Simulation
Program simulation provides an extensive set of tools for verifying the programs that you create.
Getting Started with Simulation
Posting
All of the following topics explain what you need to know about creating NC programs (G-Code). The machine is an important part of posting programs in BobCAM. The following topics explain machine and post processor setup, posting order control, post processor selection and customizing, and how to post (output) the G-code.