How to Create a Toolpath Pattern - Translate

Introduction

This tutorial explains how to create a toolpath pattern using the Translate option. The example provided shows how to create a toolpath pattern for two features separately. The first feature is patterned using coordinate values (Delta method), and the second feature is patterned by selecting geometry (Sketch/Enter method). Both methods define the distance that the pattern is translated.

Example Part

The part file for this tutorial 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 Pattern Translate Example 1 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.

 

In the example file provided, the first two features, a pocket and two drill holes, are already created for the part. The toolpath patterns are added to copy the defined features to the non-machined areas of the part. In this example, you add toolpath patterns to each feature individually. This is done instead of patterning all of the features in the Machine Setup, because you may want to add other machining features that do not need to be included in the patterns.

 

Part 1) Pattern the First Feature

In the following steps, the distance between features is already known, so Delta values are used to define the distance that each feature is copied from the current position. For example, you can use any point of one pocket and measure the distance in X and Y to the same point of the next pocket.

 

1. In the PropertyManager, click the CAM Tree tab.
   
   

2. In the CAM Tree Manager, below Machine Setup, right-click Feature 2 Axis, and click Add Toolpath Pattern.
   
   

3. In the Toolpath Pattern dialog box, click Translate, and click Next>>.
   
   

4. With Delta selected, in the Copies box, type 2.

 

This creates two copies of the current feature.

 

 

5. Under Delta, in the X box, type 2.500.

 

This defines the distance between each feature along the X-axis of the machining coordinate system.

 

 

6. In the Y box, type 1.500

 

This defines the distance between features along the Y-axis of the machining coordinate system.

 

 

7. To compute the toolpath pattern, click OK.

 

 

You can see that the original feature is copied twice and patterned by the specified values.

Part 2) Pattern the Hole Feature

In the following steps, instead of entering values for the distance between features, geometry is selected directly from the part model. This method is helpful when you have a part but do not know the distances to use. The start and end points that are selected create a line that is used to define the distance that each pattern copy is moved.

 

1. In the CAM Tree, right-click Feature Mill Hole, and click Add Toolpath Pattern.
   
   
2. In the Toolpath Pattern dialog box, click Translate, and click Next>>.
   
   
3. In the Translate group, click Sketch/Enter.
   
   
4. In the Copies box, type 2.
   
   
5. To select geometry that defines the start point, under Start, click Pick.
   
   The dialog disappears and the Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog appears in the Data Entry Manager.
   
   
6. Select the vertex seen in the image below.
   
   
   
   
7. The item is added to the list. Click OK.
   
   The Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog reappears.
   
   Notice that the Start values are automatically updated. The Start values are X3.5 Y1.25 Z0.

 

Important: the values here are not too important as long as the end point picked is the proper distance away from the start. A different selection could be used from what is shown in the image so long its match in the next iteration of the pattern is selected for the end value.

8. In the End group, to select geometry, click Pick.
   
   The dialog disappears and the Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog appears in the Data Entry Manager.
   
   
9. Select the matching point of the next iteration as seen below.
   
   
   
   The position is added to the Selected Geometry list.
   
   
10. The item is added to the list. Click OK.
    
    The Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog reappears.
    
    Notice that the Start values are automatically updated. The Start values are: X6.000 Y2.750 Z0.
    
    
11. To calculate the toolpath pattern, click OK.
    
    

 

Tip: To hide a toolpath pattern, in the CAM Tree, right-click Toolpath Pattern and click Blank/Unblank Toolpath Pattern. Alternatively, if you hide the original feature, the original feature and the pattern are hidden.

Part 3) Simulate the Program

1. In the quick access toolbar, of the CAM Tree Manager, click .

 

(Alternatively, you can right-click Milling Job, and click Simulation.)

 

After simulating, the stock model appears as shown next.

 

 

2. To close the simulation, click Exit Simulation.

 

 

This concludes the tutorial.

Related Topics

 Toolpath Patterns