The Document Default and Current Document Tabs

Introduction

This topic will explain the Document Default and the Current Document tabs of the Settings dialog, will explain where to access them, will explain the options found in them, and will provide links to related topics.

The Document Default and Current Document Tabs

The Settings dialog has a tab for the currently open document, and another for future documents. These tabs are called the Document Default tab, and the Current Document tabs. These handle settings like CAM Tolerances, Default Machining Order.

To access the Settings dialog , do one of the following:

 

  • In the BobCAM ribbon, click Settings.

  • In the command line, type BobCAM and press Enter.

    You are prompted to enter the name of the BobCAM Command.

    • Type Settings and press Enter.

 

Once in the Settings dialog, click on either the Document Default tab, or the Current Document tab.

The Document Default and the Current Document dialogs

Each of these tabs contain the same settings for the user to adjust. While on a particular tab, a button is available at the bottom to apply the settings to the other tab. This can come in handy when you are setting the settings for the Document Default (future documents) and decide you would also like the same settings to be applied to the current document, or vice versa.

 

CAM

CAM Tolerance

 

  • System - sets the default CAD tolerance.

  • Chain Select - sets the largest distance between two entities that is acceptable when selecting a chain.

  • Spun - The Spun Profile is used to pull an overall profile from a surface or solid that is revolved around a particular axis during geometry picking. This sets the tolerance used to create the spun geometry.

  • 2 Axis - sets the tolerance used for 2 Axis features.

  • 3 Axis - sets the tolerance used for 3 Axis features.

  • Lathe - sets the tolerance used for Lathe features.

 

Simulation

  • Workpiece Mesh Tolerance - sets the tolerance used for generating the STL for simulation for the workpiece.

  • Fixture Mesh Tolerance - sets the tolerance used for generating the STL for simulation for the fixture.

 

 

Default Machining Order

This group will allow you to set the Default Machining Order for each job type. For Milling Job, Turning Job, Mill Turn Job, and Wire EDM Job, choose one of the following options: 

 

  • Individual Feature

    • Milling Job / Turning Job / Mill Turn Job / Wire EDM Job

      When selecting Individual Feature, all operations are performed for each feature before moving on to the next feature. This method does complete all possible operations with each tool before making a tool change as in Individual Tool, but it does not complete similar operations with the same tool across multiple features. This method is useful when one feature operation must remove stock material before the next feature operation can start.

  • Individual Tool Per Machine Setup / By Operation Type

    • Milling / Mill Turn / Turning (Individual Tool Per Machine Setup)

      When selecting Individual Tool Per Machine Setup, the Machining Order is optimized in a manner similar to Individual Tool. The difference is that each possible operation for each tool is performed, before a tool change, across all features contained in a Machine Setup group. This method is useful when using a different Machine Setup for each side of a part.

  • Individual Tool / By Pass Sequence

    • Milling / Mill Turn / Turning (Individual Tool)

      When selecting Individual Tool, the Machining Order is optimized by completing all possible operations with each tool before changing the tool and moving on to the next operation. This is done across all features to reduce the number of tool changes. This method is useful, for example, when drilling operations of different sizes are performed with multiple drilling features. All center drill holes are drilled before changing the tool. Then all drill holes of the same size are drilled before the next tool change. This process is repeated until all features are completed.

  • Sort Between Probing Operations

    • Grouping method.

  • Probe Operation Must Follow CAM Tree Sequence (Insert After)

    • Probing comes after the operation it was below in the CAM Tree.

  • Probe Operation Must Follow CAM Tree Sequence (Insert Before)

    • Probing comes before the operation it was in front of in the CAM Tree.

  • No Probe Operation Influence

    • Sorts by tool with no special handling for probing.


 

Default Tool Numbering

This group allows you to set the default setting for the Use automatic tool numbering option in the Tool Crib and Assigned Tools dialog for milling and turning jobs. For each job type, choose between: 

 

  • Automatic Tool Numbering - The Use automatic tool number option in the Tool Crib and Assigned Tools dialog is selected for new jobs. Tools are numbered sequentially as they are added to the Tool Crib.

  • Manual Tool Numbering - The Use automatic tool number option in the Tool Crib and Assigned Tools dialog is cleared for new jobs. Tool numbers are read from the Tool Library. Tools added which do not exist in the library are then numbered sequentially beginning with the lowest tool number not currently existing in the Tool Crib.

 

 

Colors

 

  • Toolpath - sets the default color of the computed toolpaths.

  • Highlight - sets the default color of the highlighted feature previews.


 

 

  • Apply to Default / Document - Applies the currently visible settings to the other document type. When in the Document Default tab, this will apply the same settings to the Current Document. When in the Current Document tab, this will apply the same settings to the Document Default.

Note: Only one page at a time can be applied to the other document type with the "Apply to ..." button. This ensures that the user can see the settings that are being copied to the other document type.

 

  • OK - Closes the dialog.

  • Apply - Applies the current settings.

  • Cancel - Cancels any changes that have not been applied and exits the dialog.

Related Topics

The System Tab