How to Create Multiple Machine Setups
Introduction
The Machine Setup in the CAM Tree is used to define each setup (or position) of the part on the machine (work offset). To define multiple machine setups, in this example, you first create stock for the part and define the first Machine Setup. After these steps, the remaining Machine Setup is added to the CAM Tree. This tutorial is designed to guide you through the setup process.
Example
Part 1) Create Stock for the Part
The part used in this example is shown first. Once the part is oriented in the workspace, the stock can be created. Be aware that you do not need to orient the part in any special way. The stock and the machining origin are aligned to the part.
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To open the Stock Wizard, in the CAM Tree, right-click
Stock,
and click Stock Wizard.
The Stock -
Under Stock Type, click
Rectangle.
Notice that the stock is automatically detected by the default
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The stock is now defined, click
next
to go to the Machine Setup dialog
box.
Part 2) Defining the Machine Setup
The next step is to define the initial Machine Setup. This includes
the Work Offset and the Clearance Plane value that are used to set the
default for all features that are added to this 
Machine Setup in the CAM Tree.
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When the Machine Setup dialog box is opened, the stock is outlined with bounding entities that are automatically created for you to select the machining origin on the part.
(You are not required to use these entities, you can use any geometry in the graphics area.)
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To change the machining origin to a different location, in the
This enables selection mode for you to select geometry to set the origin.
Click the point at the top and center of the stock. The machining origin is now defined.
Tip: The bounding
entities that are created in the Machine
Setup dialog box are for your convenience in setting the machining
origin. You are not limited to
using these entities when setting the machining origin. To alter the alignment of a particular axis, click in its list box to give it focus, and then select an entity in the graphics area. Selecting a line will set the axis parallel to it. Selecting a point will direct the axis along the line formed between its zero and the selected point.
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The next step is to define the Work Offset and Clearance Plane value. For this setup, the default Work Offset # 1 and the Clearance Plane of 0.100 is used.
The values defined here are automatically set for CAM features that are added to this Machine Setup. -
To finish defining the Machine Setup, click
Part 3) Create the Second Machine Setup
At this point, you are now ready to create milling features for the first orientation of the part. For the purposes of this tutorial, you are going to define the second setup before creating milling features. So, in this part of the tutorial, you create a second Machine Setup in the CAM Tree, and then edit the Machine Setup to define the second orientation of the part on the machine.
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To create the next setup, in the CAM Tree, right-click
Machine Setup, point to Additional Functions, and click
Insert Setup.
Alternatively, you can right-click the Job folder (Mill Job or Mill Turn Job) and click Add Setup.
A new Machine Setup is added to the CAM
Tree.
Tip: You can right-click Machine Setup and click Rename to type a new name for the setup.
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To edit the new Machine Setup, right-click
Machine Setup - 2, and click Edit.
The Machine Setup dialog box displays in the
The bounding entities display in the graphics area to aid in the machining origin selection.
Note: You can edit any of the Machine Setups in this location, by selecting the Machine Setup from the list at the top of the Machine Setup dialog box.
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In order to set the origin, the part must be rotated. To rotate the part, move your mouse into the graphics area and click and hold the scroll wheel on your mouse.
The rotation icon appears.
Move your mouse so the part is turned upside down.
When you can see the bottom of the part, release the mouse button. -
In the
This enables selection mode for you to select geometry to set the origin.
Select a point or vertex to set the origin.
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Notice that the Z-axis direction is not correct. To change the Z-axis direction, under Origin, next to Y Direction, click the
(reverse direction)
button.
The direction of the Z-axis for the setup is now correct.
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For this example, we use the default Work Offset and Clearance Plane values, so the machining origin is now defined.
To finish the Machine Setup, click OK.
A Final Note on Adding Milling Features
Now that a Machine Setup is defined for each side of the part, you are
ready to add milling features. When adding features to the CAM Tree, be
sure to right-click the appropriate Machine Setup.
It is important to understand that the parameters in the Machine Setup dialog box must be set before adding CAM features, in order to have the appropriate values automatically set in the feature wizard.
Tip: The method shown in this example was used in order to provide certain key points. There is one change that can be made to the process that may save time. You can first add multiple machine setups to the CAM Tree before running the Stock Wizard. This way when you reach the Machine Setup, you can simply define the parameters for each Machine Setup at the same time. The parameters are applied to the Machine Setup that is selected at the top of the dialog box.
This concludes the example.
Related Topics
The Stock Wizard and Machine Setup Tutorials
