The CAM Tree Manager

Introduction

This topic will explain the CAM Tree Manager.

The CAM Tree Manager

The CAM Tree Manager is located, in the Manager Pane. The CAM Tree Manager is what gives you access to the CAM Tree itself, the basics of which, is explained in the following section.

The Quick access menu

- Clicking the chevron directly above the quick access menu will expand the Lua area giving you access to any of the plug-ins you have created/reloaded along with:
- Lua Plug-ins - opens the Installed Lua Plug-Ins dialog. This allows you to turn on/off the installed plug-ins to determine whether or not they show on the ribbon.
- Lua Debug - allows you to utilize the MoonSharp Debug extension from within Visual Studio Code to understand how to debug your Lua scripts written for a BobCAD-CAM product.

Tip: Find out more about Lua functionality in the dedicated BobCAD-CAM Lua plug-in help system.

New Machining Job - launches the Machining Job dialog in the Data Entry Manager to allow you to create a Milling, Turning, Mill Turn, or Wire EDM.
New Machining Job from template - launches the Machining Job dialog to allow you to select a Job Type and then select a saved Job Template from the drop down list. To create Job Templates, right-click on an existing job and select Save as Job Template.
Blank/Unblank stock - toggles the visibility of the stock in the workspace. This hides or shows the stock based on its current condition. Note that you can click the Stock item in the tree to temporarily display the (hidden) stock geometry, until you click another tree item.
Blank/Unblank toolpath and stock - toggles the visibility status of the stock and all operations in the job to hide or show. Note that you can then click any CAM Tree icon that contains a preview to show the preview of that item in the workspace until you click another location to change the focus.
Simulate - opens the simulation window for you to view any computed feature operations set to Post Yes.
Post - creates the NC program and displays it in the Posting Manager . You can view the posted program, but you can't edit it in this location. Right-click anywhere in the Posting window to access another shortcut menu, or use Post & Save As.
Post and Save as - creates and displays the NC program, but first opens the Save As dialog box for you to name and save the file. You can use the default location, or select your own location.

Note: These last two options can also post APT output for Milling jobs where the NC File Extension has been set to .APT.

The CAM Tree

The CAM Tree is where all machining programs start. 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 section contains a basic introduction to the CAM Tree and provides links to more in depth machining topics in this help system.

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.

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, or the Lathe Stock 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.