How to Use Edit Toolpath - Move

Introduction

This example explains how to use the Move option in the Edit Toolpath dialog box. The Move command will allow you to select particular toolpath elements and adjust their position. The example provided will have you:

 

  • Viewing the Toolpath
  • Opening the Edit Toolpath Dialog Box
  • Setting the Command Mode
  • Selecting Toolpath Elements
  • Setting the Parameters
  • Executing the Action
  • Viewing the Animation
  • Exiting the Edit Toolpath Dialog

Example Part

The part file for this example is available for download at: http://bobcad.com/helpfiles. If you are connected to the Internet, you can click the link provided to download and save the Toolpath_Editor_Move_Example SLDPRT.zip file. After extracting the zip file, you can open the file to follow along with this example. In the example file provided, the stock and Machine Setup are already defined for the part, and the toolpath to be adjusted has been applied.

 

 

Part 1) Viewing the Toolpath

On our example part, we have used a solid model to set the stock to a specific shape. In this case, we have roughed out the stock with an Advanced Rough and have finished that up with a Flatlands toolpath. It is the rapid heights of the Flatlands toolpath we intend to adjust. Take a moment to notice there is only two rapids, highlighted in red in the images below, that need to be at their current height.

 

  1. In the CAM Tree, click the  Flatlands operation of the Feature 3 Axis to highlight the toolpath in the graphics area.

    Take a moment to look at the existing stock compared to the existing toolpath to see what we intend to accomplish.



  2. Rotate the part into a side view.

    Notice most of these rapid moves could be lower to save some machining time.


Part 2) Opening the Edit Toolpath Dialog Box

The Edit Toolpath function is only applied to individual operations, as such, the first step is always to right-click on the operation to be adjusted.

 

  1. Right-click the  Flatlands operation of the Feature 3 Axis.

  2. Select Edit Toolpath.

    The Edit Toolpath dialog appears.

Part 3) Setting the Command Mode

The Edit Toolpath dialog gives you access to eight different Command Modes. For this example, we will be utilizing the Move Command Mode.

 

  1. Click the arrow on the Command Mode list to view the list items.

  2. Select the Move option.

  3. By default, the Preview check box is already selected. Leave this check box selected, as it will allow us to see a preview of the executable result.

Part 4) Selecting Toolpath Elements

We now, need to select the Point Pick check box under the Selected Toolpath Elements list so that we can pick the points where the vertical and horizontal rapids meet. Once this is selected, we will move and rotate the part, as needed, to pick all sixteen toolpath points shown in the images below.

 

  1. Under the Selected Toolpath Elements list, select the Point Pick check box.

    This will allow us to pick the point at which two toolpath elements meet, thereby giving us the ability to adjust both elements, rather than just one element or the other.

  2. In the graphics area, select the toolpath points shown in the image below.



    In each of the four corners of the part, there are two rapids. Be sure to pick both points on each of the eight rapid moves.

Note: When toolpath elements are close enough together, attempting to select one may cause a dialog to appear. This dialog will allow you to select, from the dialog list, the intended toolpath element, as seen in the images below.

 

Part 5) Setting the Parameters

With the toolpath elements selected, we will need to set the Parameters to define how the selected toolpath elements will be moved.

 

  1. In the Parameters group, select the Drag option.

     

Note: The Drag option will allow you to enter X, Y, and Z values in the Delta group to set the distance the selected toolpath is moved. While the Drag option is the default option, clicking the option will cause the drag handles for the axes to appear. These allow you to move the toolpath manually instead of, or in combination with, data entry using the Delta group text fields.


The drag handles appear in the graphics area.



  1. Hover over the Z Axis of the Drag Handle.

    The Z Axis highlights.

    Click the Z Axis of the Drag Handle.



    The Delta group values become unavailable.

  2. With the Z Axis highlighted, move your mouse up and down and notice the preview adjust.



    While the X,Y, and Z values can be adjusted visually, we will enter a value in the Delta Z text field.

    Click in the graphics area to set the toolpath wherever it may be.



    The Delta values become available again.

  3. In the Delta Z text field, enter -1.0.

    The preview updates to show the executable result.

Part 6) Executing the Action

To move beyond the preview, and before clicking OK to finalize and exit, it is a good idea to Execute the current settings. Although clicking OK will Execute and exit simultaneously, using Execute will allow you to use Animation to verify the results and Undo the executed command if and adjustments necessary.

 

  1. Click Execute.

    The toolpath elements update to show the effect of our edits.

Part 7) Viewing the Animation

The Animation is an excellent way to double check the edits we have made to our toolpath elements. If any issues are noticed in the animation, we can easily undo our edits and make the necessary adjustments.

 

  1. Select the check box for Animation.

    The tool appears in the graphics area at the start of our toolpath.

  2. Use the Animation controls to play through the animation. With either the (Solid), (Transparent), or (Wireframe) view.

Part 8) Exiting the Edit Toolpath Dialog

Once the Animation has been viewed to ensure no further edits are needed, click OK to finalize and exit the Edit Toolpath Dialog. If you need to change the toolpath to its original state after clicking OK, recompute the operation.

 

  1. Click OK.

    The Edit Toolpath Dialog closes.

Important: Once the toolpath of an operation has been edited, the operation will be locked. In the CAM Tree, to the left of the operation name, which will be shown in red font, you will notice a lock icon: . This ensures the toolpath can not be accidentally recalculated. To return the toolpath to its original state, or to update the operation with the wizard, and recalculate the toolpath, you must first right-click the operation and select Lock/Unlock Operation. The toolpath can then be recalculated to undo the edits that have been made to it with the Edit Toolpath dialog.

 

This concludes this example.