Machine

Introduction

This topic will explain the Machine Tab, and all the items found in it, and will provide links to related topics.

The Machine Tab

The Machine tab in the simulation window is used as a reference to the current machine. This tab displays the machine tree that is defined in the Machine Definition page of the Current Settings dialog box. The machine definition cannot be modified in this location.

 

The Machine Tree:

 

 BC Table-Table

Y

X

      A

            C

                   Workpiece Transform

Z

Holder Transform

      Tool

CC

 

Visibility

The machine tree in the Machine tab can be used to hide, show, or change the transparency of machine elements in the simulation window. To change the visibility of a tree element, right-click the item in the Machine tree, and select the desired option from the shortcut menu. You can right-click and hide a single geometry item, or you can right-click an element, such as the  X-axis, to hide all items below the selected items of the same tree branch. You can also double right-click an object in the simulation window to get to the Show, Transparent, and Hide options for that item and others.

 

You can click certain items such as geometry or dynamic elements to highlight the selected item and show its coordinate system in the simulation window to see a menu for items that .

Open Machine File

Will launch the Open dialog for you to locate and select another machine file to open and use. Normally, this would not be used since machine selection is the first thing you do when creating a new job.

 

Warning: Care should be taken when changing machines at this stage. For features containing more than 3 Axis moves, and especially Mill Turn jobs, many of the decisions during toolpath creation are based on the kinematics of the selected machine. Changing the machine at this point, can cause crashes.

Show Information

At the top of the machine tab, you can click the Show Information button to display some information about each element in the tree. The information displayed includes translational limits, geometry file names, or collision check items of an element.

 

Note: The Show Information button is the only button used in the Machine tab. All other items are unavailable.

Machine Kinematic Search

Selecting this option presents a search box. Type the desired search item into this search box to have those matches highlighted in the machine tree.

Related Topics

To learn about modifying the Machine Definition, view the Current Settings Dialog Box.