Cover Page

CAMWorks 2014
Turn
Tutorial
Disclaimer
Geometric Americas, Inc. makes no warranties, either express or implied with respect to this
manual. Geometric Americas, Inc. reserves the right to revise and improve products as it sees
fit, and to revise the specifications and information contained herein without prior notice.
Due to continuing product development, specifications and capabilities described in this
manual are subject to change without notice.

Trademarks
The following and other product names and corporate references herein are registered or
proprietary trademarks of their respective owners.
CAMWorks® is a registered trademark of Geometric Americas, Inc.
SolidWorks® is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
FeatureManager™ is a trademark owned jointly by DS SolidWorks and Bentley Systems,
Inc.
All other brands and names are the property of their respective owners.

Copyright ©1998-2013 Geometric Americas, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

CW2014 SP0.0 20130919

 Turn Tutorial

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS I

CHAPTER 1: LEARNING 2 AXIS TURN 7

Turn 1 ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Steps to Generate Turn Toolpaths and NC Code ............................................................ 8
What You'll Learn ................................................................................................................. 9
Step 1: Model Part in SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids or Import Part .......................... 9
Viewing the FeatureManager Design Trees ......................................................................... 9
Step 2: Change to CAMWorks Feature Tree ............................................................... 10
CAMWorks Machining Trees............................................................................................. 11
CAMWorks Menu and CAMWorks NC Manager ............................................................. 11
CAMWorks Command Manager ........................................................................................ 12
CAMWorks Workflow Toolbar.......................................................................................... 12
CAMWorks Options ........................................................................................................... 12
Step 3: Define the Machine .......................................................................................... 13
Step 4: Edit the Stock Definition .................................................................................. 17
Step 5: Define Machinable Features ............................................................................ 18
Using Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) .................................................................... 19
Defining Machinable Features Automatically .................................................................... 19
Defining Features Interactively (IFR) ................................................................................. 23
Step 6: Generate Operation Plan and Adjust Operation Parameters ............................ 25
Step 7: Generate Toolpaths .......................................................................................... 27
Step 8: Simulate Toolpaths ............................................................................................ 28
Change the Machining Order .............................................................................................. 30
Step 9: Post Process Toolpaths ..................................................................................... 30
Setup Sheets ........................................................................................................................ 32
Turn 2 ...................................................................................................................................... 34
What You'll Learn ............................................................................................................... 34
Turn Feature Types Recognized by AFR and IFR ........................................................ 34
AFR & IFR ......................................................................................................................... 34
Supported Turn Feature Types............................................................................................ 34
Step 1: Open the Part ..................................................................................................... 35
Step 2: Defining the Machine and Editing the Stock Definition................................... 35
Define the Machine ............................................................................................................. 35
Editing the Tool Crib .......................................................................................................... 36
Selecting the Post Processor ............................................................................................... 38
Editing the Stock Definition ............................................................................................... 38
Step 3: Extracting Machinable Features and Editing Feature Parameters .................... 39
Extracting Machinable Features ......................................................................................... 39

Table of Contents i
Turn Tutorial

Feature Strategy .................................................................................................................. 40

Step 4: Generating Operations ...................................................................................... 41
Step 5: Generating NC Code ......................................................................................... 43
Turn 3 ...................................................................................................................................... 44
What You'll Learn ............................................................................................................... 44
Step 1: Open the Part, Define the Machine, Edit the Stock Definition and Extract
Machinable Features ...................................................................................................... 44
Define the Machine Parameters .......................................................................................... 44
Editing the Stock Definition ............................................................................................... 44
Extract machinable Features ............................................................................................... 45
Step 2: Interactively Inserting an OD Profile for Threading ......................................... 45
Step 3: Reorganizing Machinable Features ................................................................... 47
Step 4: Suppressing Machinable Features ..................................................................... 47
Step 5: Saving the File ................................................................................................... 47
Step 6: Generating an Operation Plan and Toolpaths ................................................... 48
CAMWorks Message Window ........................................................................................... 48
Step 7: Simulate Toolpaths ............................................................................................ 49
Viewing XZ cutter coordinates of the Tool in CAMWorks Message Window ................. 50
Step 8: Post Processing Toolpaths................................................................................. 51
Turn 4 ...................................................................................................................................... 53
What You'll Learn ............................................................................................................... 53
Step 1: Open the Part and Define the Machine ............................................................. 53
Step 2: Defining the Stock as a Forging or Casting ...................................................... 53
Step 3: Recognizing Machinable Features using AFR.................................................. 54
Deleting Unwanted Features Recognized by AFR ............................................................. 55
Step 4: Defining a Rectangular OD Groove Feature Interactively ............................... 55
Step 5: Deleting an Operation ....................................................................................... 57
Step 6: Adjusting Operation Parameters ....................................................................... 57
Step 7: Displaying the Chuck in Graphics Area............................................................ 58
Step 8: Defining Program Zero ..................................................................................... 59
Step 9: Simulate Toolpath ............................................................................................. 60
Step 9: Post Processing Toolpaths ................................................................................. 60
Turn 5 ...................................................................................................................................... 61
What You'll Learn ............................................................................................................... 61
Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the Machine and Stock .................................... 61
Open the Part....................................................................................................................... 61
Define the Machine Parameters .......................................................................................... 61
Defining the Stock .............................................................................................................. 61
Step 2: Extract Machinable Features ............................................................................. 62
Deleting Features ................................................................................................................ 62
Step 3: Adding an ID Groove Feature Interactively ..................................................... 63
Step 4: Adding OD Thread and ID Thread Features Interactively ............................... 64
Interactively Inserting a Threaded OD Feature .................................................................. 64
Interactively Inserting a Threaded ID Feature .................................................................... 66

ii Table of Contents
 Turn Tutorial

Step 5: Changing Feature Parameters, Generating Operations and Modifying Operation

Parameters ..................................................................................................................... 67
Changing Feature Parameters and Renaming Features ...................................................... 67
Generating Operations ........................................................................................................ 68
Modifying Operation Parameters ........................................................................................ 68
Step 6: Defining the Machining Sequence and Generating Toolpaths ......................... 71
Step 7: Displaying the Chuck ........................................................................................ 71
Step 8: Defining the Chuck ........................................................................................... 72
Step 9: Defining the Chuck Location ............................................................................ 74
Step 10: Simulate Toolpath ........................................................................................... 76
Step 11: Post Processing Toolpaths............................................................................... 77
Turn 6 ...................................................................................................................................... 78
What You'll Learn ............................................................................................................... 78
Step 1: Opening the Part ................................................................................................ 78
Step 2: Defining Machine Parameters ........................................................................... 78
Step 3: Establishing Part Zero ....................................................................................... 79
Step 4: Defining the Stock from a Sketch for Double Chucking .................................. 80
Step 5: Defining Machinable Features .......................................................................... 81
Changing Feature Definitions for OD and ID Profiles ....................................................... 81
Step 6: Changing the Origin Machining Direction ....................................................... 83
Step 7: Generating Operations and Editing Operation Parameters ............................... 84
Step 8: Defining the Chuck Configuration .................................................................... 85
Step 9: Setting the Chuck Display State ........................................................................ 85
Step 10: Setting the Chuck Location ............................................................................. 86
Step 11: Simulating the Toolpaths for Double Chucking ............................................. 88
Step 12: Post Processing Toolpaths............................................................................... 89
Turn 7 ...................................................................................................................................... 90
What You'll Learn ............................................................................................................... 90
Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the Machining Parameters............................... 91
Defining Machining Parameters ......................................................................................... 91
Step 2: Extracting Machinable Features using Plane Section Method.......................... 91
Setting the Method for AFR ............................................................................................... 91
Extracting Machinable Features ......................................................................................... 92
Step 3: Using the Plane Section to Extract Machinable Features Correctly ................. 92
Viewing the Feature Relative to the Standard Orientation ................................................. 94
Turn 8 ...................................................................................................................................... 96
What You'll Learn ............................................................................................................... 96
Step 1: Open the Part and Defining the Machine Parameters ....................................... 96
Step2: Defining a Thread Feature ................................................................................. 96
Step 3: Cutting Multiple Start Threads.......................................................................... 98
Step 4: Enabling the ‘Process by Level’ Option for a Threading Operation ................ 99
Step 5: Step Through Toolpath ................................................................................... 100
Step 6: Simulating the Threading Toolpath ................................................................ 100

Table of Contents iii

Turn Tutorial

CHAPTER 2: LEARNING 4 AXIS TURN 102

4 Axis Turn 1 ......................................................................................................................... 103
What You'll Learn ............................................................................................................. 103
Step 1: Opening the Part .............................................................................................. 103
Step 2: Define the Machine Parameters for 4 Axis Machining................................... 104
Step 3: Defining the Stock ........................................................................................... 105
Step 4: Defining Features Automatically and Interactively ........................................ 105
Step 5: Editing Machinable Features........................................................................... 106
Extents of the OD feature ................................................................................................. 107
Extents of the ID feature ................................................................................................... 108
Interactively inserting Face Feature and OD Feature in Turn Setup2 .............................. 108
Step 6: Generating Operations and Toolpaths ............................................................. 110
Step 7: Defining the Chuck Location for Turn Setup1 ............................................... 113
Disabling Chuck Display in Graphics Area ...................................................................... 113
Defining the geometry of the chuck.................................................................................. 113
Step 8: Defining the Chuck Location for Turn Setup2 ............................................... 114
Step 9: Simulating the Toolpaths for Multiple Turn Setups ....................................... 117
4 Axis Turn 2 ......................................................................................................................... 119
What You'll Learn ............................................................................................................. 119
Step 1: Opening the Part .............................................................................................. 119
Step 2: Define the Machine Parameters for 4 Axis Machining................................... 120
Step 3: Defining the Stock ........................................................................................... 121
Step 4: Defining Features Automatically and Interactively ........................................ 121
Changing Feature Definitions for OD and ID Profiles ..................................................... 122
Step 5: Generating Operations Plan ............................................................................ 124
Step 6: Defining the Chuck Configuration .................................................................. 124
Setting the Chuck Location for Turn Setup from the Main spindle: ................................ 125
Setting the Chuck Location for Turn Setup from the Sub spindle:................................... 126
Step 7: Adjusting the Parameter and Generating the Toolpaths ................................. 128
Step 8: Inserting the Sub spindle Operation Interactively........................................... 128
Step 9: Simulating the Toolpaths for Turn Setups ...................................................... 130

iv Table of Contents
 Turn Tutorial

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn

This chapter provides an opportunity to learn CAMWorks 2 Axis Turn through a step by step
hands-on tour of the features and functions.
The tutorials in this chapter are intended to show you how to use CAMWorks and may not
correspond to actual machining practices.
The exercise parts are installed when you install CAMWorks and are in the \Examples\Turn
folder. This folder is inside the CAMWorks data folder.
Typical location: Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn).

IMPORTANT! CAMWorks uses a set of knowledge-based rules to assign

machining operations to features. The Technology Database contains the
data for the machining process plans and can be customized for your
facility's machining methodology. When you do these exercises, your results
may not be exactly the same as described in the steps and illustrated in the
figures. This is because the machining sequences and operations data in
your Technology Database may be different from the database used to
produce the documentation.

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn 7

Turn Tutorial

Turn 1
Steps to Generate Turn Toolpaths and NC Code
The following steps are used to generate Turn toolpaths and NC code:
1. Model the part or open the part file in SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids.
2. Click on the CAMWorks Feature tree.
3. Define the Machine and modify the post processor parameters.
4. Edit the Stock definition.
5. Define machinable features and adjust feature parameters.
6. Generate the operation plan and adjust operation parameters.
7. Generate toolpaths.
8. Simulate Material Removal.
9. Post process the toolpaths.

START

Simulate toolpaths
Model part in SolidWorks Generate toolpaths
or import part

Adjust operation No Are

Change to CAMWorks parameters as needed toolpaths
Feature tree correct?

Yes
Generate operation
Define machine/change
plan
controller parameters
Post process

Define machinable
features (AFR & IFR)
Define Stock
Transmit file into CNC

END

8 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn

 Turn Tutorial

The following series of tutorials show you how to generate finish toolpaths on a SolidWorks/
CAMWorks Solids part model. In order to give you a general understanding of how to use
CAMWorks, you work with a part that was previously modeled in SolidWorks. When you
define the operations and toolpaths, you will follow steps that are not explained in depth.
This is done to show you the basics of generating toolpaths from start to finish without
getting into the details at this time.
Sample parts are provided for the tutorials in this manual. When you install CAMWorks,
these files are installed automatically.

What You'll Learn

 Using the CAMWorks Command Manager or Workflow toolbar to execute commands
 Editing the Machine Definition
 Editing the Stock Definition
 Changing Default Settings using Options dialog
 Using the CAMWorks Feature Tree and Operation Tree
 Defining Machinable Features Automatically
 Interactively inserting an OD Feature
 Generating Toolpaths
 Simulate Toolpaths
 Post Process Toolpaths

Step 1: Model Part in SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids or Import Part

A part is a solid that is created with SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids or imported into
SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids from another CAD system via an IGES, Parasolid, SAT file,
etc. This tutorial uses an existing SolidWorks part.
Open the part file TURN2AX_1.SLDPRT in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn

Viewing the FeatureManager Design Trees

The FeatureManager design tree displays the list of
the features, sketches, planes and axes related to the part.
To use CAMWorks, you need to move between
SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids trees and the
CAMWorks Feature trees. Different tabs are provided to TURN2AX_1.SLDPRT
access the SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids trees and the
CAMWorks Feature trees. Click the Pin button to continuously view this Tree area.

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn 9

Turn Tutorial

If the CAMWorks tabs [ , ] are not visible, you can expand the size of the tree. Position
the cursor on the line that divides the tree area from the graphics area. When the cursor
changes to a bar, drag the bar to the right until the tabs display.

Step 2: Change to CAMWorks Feature Tree

Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
When the CAMWorks Feature tree is displayed, it initially lists
Configurations, Stock Manager, Machine and Recycle Bin
items.
The icons that display for the ‘Stock Manager’ and ‘Machine’ CAMWorks
are indicative of the machine which is currently selected. Feature Tree
Step 3 of this tutorial explains how to select a turn machine
(shown in the images on the next page).
If you work mainly with turn parts, you can set the default to Turn in the TechDB so that
CAMWorks will select a Turn machine and stock when you open part files.

To change the default, click the TechDB button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
Under the navigation tree in the Technology Database – Main Menu window, change the
Appln default to Turn and then click Quit. When you open a part file, CAMWorks will select
a Turn machine by default.

Operation Tree CAMWorks menu

CAMWorks CAMWorks Command

Workflow Toolbar Manager Tab

Feature Tree
items

Graphics area

10 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn

 Turn Tutorial

CAMWorks Machining Trees

The CAMWorks machining trees provide an outline view of the machining information for
the model. Initially, the CAMWorks Feature tree shows only the NC Manager,
Configurations, Stock Manager, Machine and Recycle Bin items. As you follow the steps to
generate an NC program, this tree expands to include Turn Setups and machinable features.
The tabs are for moving between the SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids trees and the
CAMWorks trees.
 Configurations
Multiple CAMWorks datasets are supported. Each dataset is called a configuration. You
can use configurations to support multiple machines and SolidWorks configurations.

 Stock Manager
The turn stock is the material from which the part will be machined. You can define the
stock as a cylinder (for bar stock) or as a closed sketch (for a forging or casting) and
specify the type of material.

 Machine
Turn Mill Mill-Turn Wire EDM
The Machine item defines the machine tool that will be used to machine the part. The
machine definition includes tool definitions and the post
processor. These machines are set up in the Technology
Database.

 Recycle Bin
The Recycle Bin is used to store machinable features that
you do not intend to machine.

CAMWorks Menu and CAMWorks NC Manager

1. Click CAMWorks on the SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids
menu bar.
2. The CAMWorks NC Manager item is present in both the
Feature tree and the Operation tree. Right click on the
CAMWorks NC Manager in the tree. A list of executable
commands is displayed on the context menu. These right-
click context menus provide access to a variety of
commands. The commands displayed on the context menu
for CAMWorks NC Manager item in the Feature tree is
different from that in the Operation tree.
3. The CAMWorks commands are explained in the
CAMWorks online Help.

CAMWorks Menu

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn 11

Turn Tutorial

CAMWorks Command Manager

Click CAMWorks on the SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids menu bar. This action displays the
CAMWorks Command Manager. The CAMWorks Command Manager provides access to
the main CAMWorks commands. The commands are explained in the CAMWorks online
Help.

CAMWorks Command Manager

Customization of CAMWorks Command Manager

Command Manager is a context-sensitive toolbar that can be dynamically updates based on
the toolbar you want to access. It provides access to the main CAMWorks commands found
on the CAMWorks menu. By default, it has toolbars embedded in it.
The CAMWorks Command Manager can be customized. Right click anywhere on the
CAMWorks Command Manager and select Customize from the RMB context menu. The
Customize dialog will be displayed. Use the Toolbars, Commands, Menus, Keyboard
shortcut, Mouse gesture and Options tab of this dialog to customize the Command Manager
as per your requirements.

Alternative Access to CAMWorks Commands

All the commands executed from the CAMWorks Command Manager can also be
alternatively accessed from the RMB context menu of the CAMWorks NC Manager. This is
a context menu. To execute the command, right click on the CAMWorks NC Manager item
in the tree and select the desired command from the RMB context menu. In addition to the
Command Manager commands, this right click context menu also provides access to a
variety of commands.

CAMWorks Workflow Toolbar

The CAMWorks Workflow toolbar contains all the major commands of CAMWorks in a
separate toolbar. When executed in sequential order, they define the workflow in
CAMWorks. The workflow includes, setting up of the machine, stock and subsequent
features, operations and toolpaths.

CAMWorks Options
1. Click the Options button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
OR
Click CAMWorks on the SolidWorks/ CAMWorks Solids menu bar and select Options
from the dropdown menu.

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 Turn Tutorial

Options button on the CAMWorks Command

Manager

The Options dialog box is displayed. This dialog contains various tabs to customize
settings and options related to Saving data, Feature recognition, Display, Simulation,
Updation and Rebuild of CAMWorks data and File locations.
2. Click on each different tab in this dialog and click the Help button. Each tab is explained
in the online Help.
3. To close the Online Help, click the Close button in the upper right corner of the
Help window to close the window.
4. Click OK/Cancel to close the Options dialog box.

Step 3: Define the Machine

The machine definition specifies the type of machining that will be done for the current
model and the associated machine tool control (post processor) for proper generation of the
NC program. Based on the selected machine, the Extract Machinable Features command will
recognize mill, turn or EDM features. The machine can be changed to produce NC code for
an alternate machine tool of the same type. The icons that display in the tree identify the
machine:
Turn Mill Mill-Turn Wire EDM
1. Right click the Machine item in the CAMWorks Feature
tree and select the Edit Definition from the context
menu.
OR
Double click the Machine item in the Feature tree to edit
the machine definition.
The Machine dialog box is displayed.
Select ‘Edit Definition’ on the
context menu
Did You Know ...
In the Feature and Operation trees, instead of right clicking items and selecting Edit
Definition on the context menu, you can double-click the item to open the
corresponding dialog box for editing the Stock Manager, Machine, Setups, Features
and Operations.

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn 13

Turn Tutorial

2. On the Machine tab, select Turn Single Turret- inch in

the list of Available machines and click the Select
button.
Milling is the default machining type that is set when
CAMWorks is first installed. The default machining
type is specified in the Technology Database. This is
the machine used for all the tutorials for Turn
machining in this manual. When you use CAMWorks
to machine your own parts, select the machine tool you
want to use.
Machines and the Machine tools are set up in the
TechDB. Before using CAMWorks to machine your
parts, make sure you define the machine and the
machine tools available in your facility within the
TechDB.
Selecting the Machine
Customizing the TechDB to suit your facility’s
requirements is explained in
Chapter 8 of this manual.
3. Click the Tool Crib tab. Make sure
Inch Turret 1 in the Available tool
cribs list is selected.
If it is not selected, highlight Inch
Turret1 in the Available tool cribs list
and click the Select button.
The name of the selected tool crib will
be displayed below the Select button.
The Tool Crib page allows you to
choose the tool crib (set of tools) that
is used with the machine you have
chosen. These are not all the tools that
are available, but a subset that you
can modify to represent the actual set
of tools that the machine has loaded.
Inch Turret 1 is a default tool crib that
has been set up for the sample turn
machine. When you define your
machine tools in the Technology
Database, you can set up your own
tool cribs. Selecting the Tool Crib
4. Click the Post Processor tab.

14 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn

 Turn Tutorial

CAMWorks is supplied with

several tutorial post processors.
The list that displays depends on
the post processors installed on
your system.
If the post processors do not
display, use the Browse button to
locate the folder containing the files
(*.ctl). By default, tutorial post
processors are located in the
following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks
201x\Posts
If T2AXIS-TUTORIAL (the tutorial
post processor) is not the Active
post processor, highlight it in the
list and click the Select button.
Information displays about
T2AXIS-TUTORIAL. A short
Selecting the Post Processor
description displays in the window.
This window contains information only if an optional file has been created for the post
processor.
T2AXIS-TUTORIAL is the post processor used for the Turn machining related tutorials
in this manual. When you use CAMWorks to machine your own parts, select your post
processor.
Contact your CAMWorks reseller for more information on obtaining and/or
customizing post processors for your machine tool.
5. Click the More button.
A longer description displays. The More button is activated only if a second optional file
has been created. This information is intended for use in training or as a detailed
description of post processor attributes that can be created.
Information files are provided for the sample post processor. Your CAMWorks
reseller or your company manager may be able to supply these files if they are
available for your post processor. If files are not available, you can create post
information files as explained in the Online Help.
6. Click the Posting tab.
The parameters in this tab provide information required to generate the NC program. The
parameters are machine-dependent and different parameters may display for the selected
post processor. The value for a parameter is output in the NC code if the machine
requires it.

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn 15

Turn Tutorial

If you have installed the Feed/Speed Library, you can specify a material on this tab or
when you define the Stock. If the Feed/Speed Library is not installed, you can specify the
material only on this tab.
The Z Preset and X Preset values are used by the system for a return position. These
values are absolute
numbers from X0,
Z0. If your machine
requires an absolute
preset to be output
in the program,
these values are
used. If you always
change tools at the
same position,
setting these values
saves you time later.
The Maximum RPM
Posting tab: Displays information and parameter values related to
defines the
generating NC code
maximum RPM that
your machine allows when running Constant Surface Feed per Minute (CSFM). This
prevents an overspeed spindle alarm as the tool moves to centerline. If necessary, you can
set a lower maximum RPM
for individual operations.
7. Type 1001 for the Program
Number.
8. Click on the Chuck tab.
The Chuck tab allows you
to define the Chuck
geometry (size of the chuck
base and the jaws) during
toolpath simulation.
The chuck base and jaws
can be viewed in the
Graphics area of
SolidWorks/CAMWorks
Solids when the Chuck Tab
is selected within the
Machine Dialog Box.
The Main Spindle
Information and Sub
Spindle Information group
boxes display information
Chuck related information of the Main and Sub Spindles

16 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn

 Turn Tutorial

related to the Main and Sub Spindle respectively. The Sub Spindle Information group box
is enabled only when the Use Sub Spindle option in the Machine tab of the Machine
dialog is checked.
In this tutorial, the turn part
will be machined using only
the Main Spindle. Sub spindle
will not be used.
9. Click OK to close the
Machine dialog box.
10. Click on the Machine [Turn
Single Turret -inch] in the
CAMWorks Feature Tree.
Observe that the chuck is
displayed on the part in the Chuck displayed on the part in the graphics area
SolidWorks/CAMWorks
Solids Graphics area.
To control the chuck display settings, right click on the Machine item in the
Machinable Features tree and choose the appropriate Display state within the Chuck
Display cascading menu. The display states for the chuck include Wireframe,
Transparent, Shaded and Shaded with Edges.
If you do not wish to view the chuck in the graphics area, right click on the Machine
item in the tree and select the Chuck Display state as ‘None’.

Step 4: Edit the Stock Definition

Stock is the material from which the part will be machined. The default Stock is the smallest
cylinder (bar stock) that the part will fit into. Typically, this is not the size of the stock you
will be using. You can change the Stock definition either by offsetting the length and/or
diameter of the bar stock from the part or by defining the Stock from a closed sketch (for a
casting or forging). Currently, the sketch has to be in the same plane as the Stock in terms of
the X and Z plane and must be a closed profile. No revolve line is needed for the geometry.
In this tutorial, you will define the Stock as a cylinder
(bar stock) offset from the part in length.

Following are the steps:

1. Right click Stock Manager item in the Feature tree
and select Edit Definition on the context menu.
OR
Double click Stock Manager item in the
Command to open the Stock Manager
Feature tree.
dialog

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn 17

Turn Tutorial

OR

Click the Stock Manager button on the

CAMWorks Workflow toolbar.
The Stock Manager dialog box is displayed.
2. Select 304L as the material from the Material
dropdown list.
3. Leave the Stock type set to Round Bar Stock.
The stock type can be defined from a revolved
closed sketch, WIP sketch file or an STL file.
Defining the stock using these types will be
explored in later tutorials of this manual
4. In the Bar Stock Parameters group box, change the
Stock Length dimension to 6.85in.
5. Leave the Outside Diameter set
to 4in.
6. Click OK to close the Manage Stock dialog box.
The Stock is updated in the graphics area.
7. Right click on the Stock Manager in the Feature
tree and select Display>>Translucent in the
cascading context menu. The stock will now be
Stock Manager Dialog Box
displayed in the graphics area
whenever you select the Stock
Manager item in both the Feature
tree and Operation tree.
Notice the Stock line moved out
from the face by 0.1in (in the +Z-
axis direction).

Stock displayed over the part in translucent shade

Step 5: Define Machinable Features

In CAMWorks, machining can be done only on machinable features. You use the following
two methods to define machinable features:

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 Turn Tutorial

 Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR)

Automatic Feature Recognition analyzes the part shape and attempts to define most
common machinable features such as grooves, outside and inside profile features, and
face features. Depending on the complexity of the part, AFR can save considerable time
in defining turn machinable features.

Use the Extract Machinable Features command available on the CAMWorks

Command Manager/Workflow Toolbar/ CAMWorks menu or the RMB context menu of
the CAMWorks NC Manager to recognize features by AFR.

 Interactive Feature Recognition (IFR)

If AFR does not recognize a feature you want to machine, you can define the feature
interactively using the New Turn Feature command.

Using Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR)

Automatic Feature Recognition is one of CAMWorks’s most powerful features. The idea of
AFR is to scan the part for features that can be machined. This process is much the same as
what you would do if you were to pick up a part that you had to machine. You would look it
over, take measurements and begin deciding what machining processes you would need.
CAMWorks does not machine the SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids features directly. Instead,
it creates a separate list of Machinable Features. This is because a single SolidWorks or
CAMWorks Solids feature may have several areas that need to be machined in different
ways with different tools.
The part used in this tutorial contains the following machinable features, which are defined
automatically by CAMWorks:
 Face Feature
 OD Profile Feature
 Rectangular Groove Features
 Cutoff Feature

Defining Machinable Features Automatically

Automatic Feature Recognition
Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow toolbar.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager in the Feature tree and select Extract Machinable
Features on the context menu.

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Turn 19

Turn Tutorial

The Message Window is displayed.

This window displays automatically
to report the progress of the current
process. Generating Setups is
always the last item during
Automatic Feature Recognition.
When you see the line ‘Generating
Setups’ in the message window, you
CAMWorks Message Window
can be sure that the process is
almost complete.

You can control whether the

Message window displays
temporarily or permanently.

Click on the Options

button on the CAMWorks
Command Manager. This
action opens the Option
dialog box. On the General CAMWorks Options Dialog- General Tab
tab of this dialog, check the Message Window option.
To view the Options dialog, you can also click CAMWorks on the menu bar OR right click
CAMWorks NC Manager in the Feature tree and select the Options command.

On execution of the Extract Machinable Features command, CAMWorks generates the Turn
Setup and the machinable features. The items are displayed in the Feature tree.

Turn Setup: The Turn Setup is the 2 axis (X and Z) plane that the tool movement will be
based on. It has an origin location, and X, Y, and Z direction vectors. The Turn Setup is
created automatically; however, you can move the origin and change the direction and
angles of the axis. Most turning applications work in
the X and Z plane, which is relative to the
SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids Y and X axis plane
respectively.
When you define the Stock as bar stock, only one
Turn Setup (X and Z) is created and all features will
be machined using tool orientations that are relevant
for a rear turret machine configuration.

Feature Tree: The Feature tree allows you to:

 Copy, rename, suppress, delete and combine
machinable features Features recognized by AFR
 Change machinable feature parameters listed in Feature tree

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 Change the order in which the features are machined

 Insert Turn features
 Search for a feature based on item name
 Hide or show feature display in graphics area
 Generate an Operation Plan and find the first
operation for a feature

Did You Know ...

When you recognize features by Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) or
Interactive Feature Recognition (IFR), the features listed in the Feature tree will
display in different color Magenta color (by default) till you generate operations for
these features. Once a valid operation is generated, the color of the corresponding
feature item will change Black color (by default) indicating successful generation
of the operation(s). If operations could not be generated for a feature (because the
feature conditions have not been defined in the Technology Database for that
particular feature type), then the feature will continue to display in the initial color
(Magenta color), thus indicating that they have no operations defined.
You can set these colors on the Display tab in the Options dialog box.

Changing Feature Parameters

Most feature parameters are fixed; however,
some parameters can be changed using the
Parameters command on the context menu
for the feature item in the Feature tree.
1. Right click OD Feature1 in the Feature
tree and select Parameters from the
context menu.
The OD Profile parameters dialog is
displayed. Since there is no physical
information about the type of profile, Select Parameters from the RMB context
CAMWorks allows you to define a menu
Strategy for the profile.
2. Click the down arrow next to Coarse in order to view the Strategy dropdown list
containing the choices.
Coarse, Taper, Reverse Taper, Thread, Round and Square are system Strategies. User-
defined Strategies are also listed. For example, RF80-80 is a shortcut name for roughing
and finishing the profile using 2 tools (80 degree diamond tools).
3. Leave the Strategy set to Coarse and click OK or Cancel to close the dialog box.

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Feature Parameters Dialog Box

Save the part with the machinable feature data

1. Click the Options button the CAMWorks Command Manager to open the options
dialog.
2. Make sure the Save/Restore part option on the General tab is checked, then click OK to
close the dialog.
 If this option is checked,
when you save and close
a part document, the
machining data is saved.
When the part document
is opened again, the
machining data is
restored along with the CAMWorks Options Dialog- General Tab
part design information.
 If this option is not checked, when you save and close a part document that contains at
least one CAMWorks Setup, a message indicates that Save/Restore is disabled. If you
click Yes, CAMWorks saves all CAMWorks data before closing the file. If you click

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No, CAMWorks closes the part and discards any new CAMWorks data since the last
save.
3. Click on the File menu and select Save As on the dropdown menu.
4. In the Save As dialog box, type in the desired file name and click the Save button.
Make sure you save frequently. When you open a file, you are actually working on a
copy of the file. The original is still stored on disk. Periodically saving your file
ensures that your latest work is retained.

Defining Features Interactively (IFR)

Automatic Feature Recognition can save a significant amount of time; however, AFR does
have its limitations. AFR cannot recognize every feature on complex parts and does not
recognize some features such as certain types of grooves. To machine these areas, you need
to define machinable features interactively using the New Turn Feature command.
CAMWorks also provides the flexibility to edit machinable features to accommodate
machining requirements. For example, if you want the OD machined in segments to take into
account possible machining rigidity, you can define features for the segments in the OD
Feature as shown in this tutorial as well as subsequent tutorials in this chapter.
In this tutorial, you will insert an OD Feature so that you can rough turn the first OD step of
the part. This OD segment will be finished in the Turn Finish operation for OD Feature1.

Steps to interactively insert OD feature:

1. Right click OD Feature1 in the Feature tree and select New Turn Feature on the context
menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog box is displayed. The part profile is shown in the graphics
area. Rotate the part to view the part profile in case it is not visible.
2. In the Features group box this dialog, select OD Feature for Type.
3. Leave the Strategy set to Coarse.
4. In this tutorial, we will interactively define a feature picking the segment(s) on the
highlighted geometry of the part. Hence, in the Define from group box, leave the method
set to <Part Profile>.
5. Since the part does not contain
any non-revolved features,
leave the Part Profile Method
set to Plane Section.
6. In the graphics area, the
profile of OD Feature1 is
highlighted on the part. Pick Pick the first OD profile Segment
the first OD profile segment to
the right of the groove closest to the face to select it. The single segment is highlighted.

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The selected segment will be listed in the Selected entities list box of
the dialog as CW Face-2. Extent 1 and Extent 2, which are
parameters used to determine how the toolpath is computed at the
ends of the feature, are listed in this box.
7. In the Extent 2 group box, set the Extent to Along X.
Defining Extent 2
This terminates the feature at the end of the segment and up to the
Stock major OD.
8. Click OK to apply the changes.
9. Click Cancel to close the New Turn Feature dialog
box.
OD Feature2 displays in the Feature tree. You have
now defined all the machinable features in this part.
10. Drag OD Feature2 above OD Feature1 in the tree.
You need to reorder these features because you want to
rough OD Feature2 before cutting the entire OD. If
you generated operations and toolpaths without
reordering, CAMWorks would generate toolpaths for
OD Feature1 first, which includes the segment in OD
Feature2. Toolpaths would not be generated for OD
Feature2 since there would be no material left to
remove.

Features after Re-ordering

New Turn Feature Dialog

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Step 6: Generate Operation Plan and Adjust Operation Parameters

An Operation Plan contains information on how each machinable feature is to be machined
and how the NC code will be output. When Generate Operation Plan is run, operations for
each machinable feature are created automatically based on information in the TechDB.

Did You Know ...

In some situations, the operations defined for a feature in the TechDB may not be
sufficient and additional operations may be required. You can insert operations
interactively using the New Turn Operation command. This command is explained in
detail in the CAMWorks online Help.

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on

the CAMWorks Command Manager/Workflow
toolbar.
OR
Right click Turn Setup1 in the Feature tree and
click Generate Operation Plan on the context
menu.
CAMWorks generates the operation plan for all the
machinable features in Turn Setup1.
The Operation tree is displayed and it lists the
operations that were generated. The listed
operations are displayed in magenta color (default
color setting). This color indicates that toolpaths
have not yet been generated for the operations.
2. Click on the Feature tree tab. Observe that the font Generated Operations listed in
color of all the listed features has changed from Operation Tree
magenta to black (default color settings). This
change in color for all the features indicates that operations were generated for all the
features.
You can set the color for the features listed in the Feature tree on the Display tab of
the Options dialog box.

3. Click the Operation Tree tab to display the

Operation tree again.
Operation Tree tab
Operation tree: The Operation tree provides an
outline view of the operations for the machinable features. Operations are listed under the
Turn Setup in the same order as the machinable features. At the top of the tree is the NC
Manager. The Stock Manager and Machine items are the same as in the Feature tree. You
can change the definition of your stock and the post processor used by CAMWorks to
produce G-Code.

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The Operation tree allows you to:

 Insert, rename, suppress and delete operations
 Change operation parameters
 Edit the feature list
 Change the machining order
 Generate toolpaths
 Simulate toolpaths
 Hide or show toolpath display
 Post process the toolpaths
 Search based on an item name
4. Click the plus sign ( ) next to Turn Finish1.
This action displays the name of the machinable
feature that this operation is going to machine.
5. Right click Turn Finish1, select Delete on the
context menu and click Yes to confirm the Expand the Operation item to view the
deletion. feature it machines
 Based on the information in the TechDB, rough and finish operations were generated
for OD Feature2. In this tutorial, you want to finish turn this OD segment in the finish
operation for the entire OD (Turn Finish2) so you can delete the finish operation.
 If you typically machine the OD in segments, you can customize the TechDB and set
up a Strategy to generate only a rough turn operation for this type of OD feature.
The operations that are generated by CAMWorks are based on information stored in the
Technology Database. Each operation contains parameters that affect how the toolpath is
created and specific parameters that will be output to the NC program. These parameters
can be edited before generating the toolpaths and post processing the part.
6. Double click Turn Rough1 (Roughing operation for OD Feature2) in the tree.
The Operation Parameters dialog box for the operation is displayed.
The Operation
Parameters
dialog box gives
you access to all
the parameters
used to define
the toolpath.
This dialog box
also provides
access to the
parameters for
the tool you are
using and allows
you to select a
The Operation Parameters dialog

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different tool.
7. Click on the Rough Turn tab. In the Profile Parameters group box, change the First cut
amount to 0.15in.
8. Click on the other tabs and view the parameters. When you cut your own parts, you can
edit these values as per your machining requirements.
9. Click OK to apply the changes made and close the dialog box.

Step 7: Generate Toolpaths

CAMWorks calculates toolpaths using the operation parameters to define how to machine
each machinable feature.
1. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow toolbar.
OR
Right click Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree
and select Generate Toolpath on the context
menu.
On executing the Generate Toolpath command,
CAMWorks calculates the toolpaths for each
operation in the Setup. The font color of all the
listed operations in the Operation tree changes
from magenta to black. This change in color
indicates that toolpaths were successfully
generated. Black font color of the operations
indicates that toolpaths were successfully
generated
Did You Know ...
If an operation displays in a magenta color instead of black, then toolpaths have
not been generated. This might occur in one of the following situations:
i. When you insert a new operation interactively;
ii. When you insert a new feature interactively and then generate operations for
the new feature;
iii. When CAMWorks cannot generate the toolpath for an operation because of
an error in the toolpath algorithm or a parameter is not correct.
2. Left click any operation in the Operation tree. That operation will be highlighted in the
Operation tree.
 The toolpath for that highlighted operation will be displayed in the graphics area. As
you highlight each operation in the tree, the toolpaths for that corresponding operation
will be displayed.

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 Turning operation parameters can be edited and the operation can be renamed, moved,
suppressed, deleted, etc. after toolpaths have been generated. These commands are
available in the RMB context menu.
 If you make any changes, the toolpaths must be updated by selecting Generate
Toolpath again at
the Setup level.
3. Hold down the Shift
key and select the first
and last operation in
the tree. This action
selects all the
operations.
The toolpaths for all
the operations will be
displayed on the part
showing the centerline
of the toolpath.
Toolpaths for all the operations displayed on the part when all
the operations are selected in the operation tree

Step 8: Simulate Toolpaths

CAMWorks provides the ability to simulate the toolpaths showing the tool movement and
the resulting shape of the part.
1. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow toolbar.
OR
Right click on Turn Setup1 in the operation tree and select Simulate Toolpath on the
context menu.
On executing this command,
the Toolpath Simulation
toolbar will be displayed.
Some of the options you can
select to customize the The Toolpath Simulation toolbar
simulation include:
 Update the Stock after each cut or show the completed part at the end of the
simulation.
 Change the display of the stock, tool, tool holder, and target part (wireframe,
translucent, shaded, or no display).
 Run the simulation to the end or advance by single step or by feature.
 Compare the design part and the simulated part during simulation.
 Show a cross section of the material removal.

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 Show holder and fixture collisions.

 Control the simulation speed by dragging the Simulation Speed Control slider.

If you want to simulate only the toolpath for a given operation, you can right click
that operation and then select Simulate Toolpath from the context menu.

2. When you click on the display control buttons of the Simulation toolbar, the available
settings associated with that button are displayed in a dropdown list.
3. Set these toolbar buttons as below:
 Section View: Full
 Stock: Shaded with Edges
 Tool: Shaded with Edges
 Tool Holder: Shaded with Edges
 Fixture: No display
 Tool Collision: Tool Ignore Collision
 Tool Holder Collision: Tool Holder Ignore Collision

4. In the End Condition dropdown list, select Next Operation.

5. Click the Run button.
The simulation is run with the tool
displayed during simulation. As the
End Condition is set to Next
Operation, only the first operation is
simulated. Click the Run button each
time you wish to simulate the
subsequent toolpaths. The toolpaths
will be simulated in the serial order of
the operations listed in the Operation
tree.
6. Use the Simulation Speed
Control slider to control the speed of Toolpath Simulation
the Simulation.

7. To pause the simulation while it is running, click on the Pause button. When you
click Run button again, the Simulation will continue from the point where it was paused.
8. Click the Close button in the upper right corner of the Simulation toolbar to exit the
simulation mode and return to the SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids display.

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Did You Know ...

CAMWorks provides an option to display the XZ position of the tool in the Message
Window during simulation. To activate this option, select the Options command on
the CAMWorks Command Manager to open the Options dialog. On the General tab,
ensure that the Message Window option is checked. On the Simulation tab, select the
Display Coordinates option.

Change the Machining Order

Operations are generated in the same order that the machinable features are listed in the tree.
This may not cut the part in the order you think is most efficient or practical for your
machining requirements. You can drag and drop
operations in the tree to reorder them.
For example, it is more practical to first machine
the groove closest to the face rather than any
other groove. Similarly, it is prudent to first rough
machine the grooves followed by the Finish
operations.
1. Drag and drop the Groove operations in the
order shown in the tree on the right.
2. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Command Manager/Workflow Operation Tree after reordering Groove
toolbar. operations
If you change the order of the operations after you generate toolpaths, you must
regenerate the toolpaths so that the work in process can be updated.
3. Simulate the toolpaths. Run the simulation and observe that the groove closest to
the face is cut first and both grooves are rough cut and then finished.

Step 9: Post Process Toolpaths

Post processing is the final step in generating the NC program file. This step translates
generalized toolpath and operation information into NC code for a specific machine tool
controller. CAMWorks creates NC code for each toolpath in the order the toolpath operation
appears in the Operation tree. When you post process a part, CAMWorks creates two files:
the NC program and the Setup Sheet. These are text files that you can read, edit and print
using a word processor or text editor.
In this exercise, you post process all the operations and generate the NC program:
1. Click the Post Process button on the CAMWorks Command Manager/Workflow
Toolbar.
OR

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Right click the CAMWorks NC Manager in the Operation tree and select Post Process on
the context menu.
The Post Output File dialog box will be displayed. Use this dialog to name and save the
NC program file.

If you are running CAMWorks in Demo mode, the Post Output File dialog box
does not display because you cannot save NC code in Demo mode.

Typically, the NC
program and Setup
Sheet files are stored in
the folder that contained
the last part that was
opened. If you want
these files in another
location, you can
change the folder
location.
If Post Process button is
grayed out on the
CAMWorks menu,
Command Manager or
the CAMWorks
Workflow toolbar, make
sure that you have
selected a post
processor and generated Post Output File dialog box
the toolpaths.
2. Click the down arrow to the right of the Save as type box.
CAMWorks provides a list of commonly used extensions that you can select. For this
tutorial, use the default .txt extension.

Did You Know ...

If you want change the default extension from .txt to one of the ones in the list or if
you want a different file name extension for NC program files, you can edit or
create a .pinf file and specify the new extension. For more information on making
these changes, see the Online Help.

3. If TURN2AX_1 is not in the File name text box, type TURN2AX_1, then click Save.
You do not have to type the extension if you are using the default .txt. Naming the post
output file the same as the part file is the most common way of saving parts and NC
programs. Both files can have the same name because they have different extensions.

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4. After executing Save command, the Post Run

Process Output dialog box is displayed. Click Step

the Step button at the top of the Post

Process Output dialog box.
CAMWorks starts to generate the NC program
and the first line of NC code displays in the
NC code output view box. When you click the
Step button, CAMWorks generates one line of
code.
5. Click the Step button again.
The next line of NC code is displayed.
6. Click the Run button.
Post processing continues until it is
completed.
When the post processing is finished, you can
view the code using the vertical scroll bar.
7. Click OK to close the dialog box.

Post Process Output dialog

Setup Sheets
The Setup Sheet is a printable file
that contains information the machine
tool operator can use to set up the
part and the tools required to produce
a part. The information includes the
machine, the controller, estimated
machine time, the part material, and
the tooling used to machine the part.
CAMWorks provides two methods
for creating Setup Sheets:
 During post processing,
CAMWorks automatically creates Setup Sheet Command on CAMWorks NC Manager
a simple text file with a .set context menu
extension.
 Click Setup Sheet command on the CAMWorks NC Manager context menu and the
Generate Setup Sheets command on the Setup context menu provide a choice of two
formats:

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i. Access: When you select Access, the

Setup Sheet is based on an Access
database report template and the
information is stored in the Report
Database to view at any time.
CAMWorks supplies several report
templates that can be used as is. You can
also open the Report Database in Access
and create customized reports based on
these templates or design your own
original reports.
ii. XML: When you select XML, the
information is saved in an XML file,
which allows the Setup Sheet to be
formatted with an HTML style sheet and
displayed in a web browser.

Read the CAMWorks Online Help

for detailed Help on how to
generate Setup Sheets.
Setup Sheet Options dialog

Click Help to view Online

help on the topic

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Turn 2
What You'll Learn
 Turn feature types recognized by AFR and IFR
 Editing a tool in the active tool crib
 Removing a tool from the active tool crib
 Adding a tool to the active tool crib
 Saving the changes made to the tools in the tool crib
 Changing the Feature Strategy

Turn Feature Types Recognized by AFR and IFR

AFR & IFR
CAMWorks is a feature-based machining system. Feature-based machining provides
numerous benefits because the definition of the feature enables a higher level of automation
when creating machining operations and associated toolpaths.
CAMWorks provides two methods for extracting features:
i. An automatic method called Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR),
ii. An interactive method using the New Turn Feature function.
A CAMWorks file can contain features recognized by any one or both of the above methods.
Supported Turn Feature Types
The following turn feature types are currently recognized:
 Face Feature: A Face feature exists on the outermost portion of the part.
 OD Profile Feature: An OD profile feature covers the entire outer surface of the part.
 ID Profile Feature: An ID profile feature covers the entire inner surface of the part.
 Groove Feature with vertical walls: A Groove is a feature that is totally closed and
below the surrounding features.
 Grooves are further broken down into one of two categories: Rectangular and
Outbound.
 Three types of grooves are supported:
 OD Groove
 ID Groove
 Face Groove
 Cutoff Feature: A Cutoff feature is generated on the opposite side of the Face feature
when the Stock is defined as bar stock. A Cutoff feature is similar to a face and can be
converted to a Face feature for two-step turning operations.

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This tutorial demonstrates the types of features identified automatically by the Extract
Machinable Features command.

Step 1: Open the Part

In this tutorial, you will extract features and generate operations and toolpaths for a turn part
that was imported into SolidWorks/ CAMWorks Solids.
1. Open the part file TURN2AX_2.SLDPRT located in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn.
2. Click on FeatureManager Design
Tree. Notice that the design tree
contains no design features. This part
was imported into SolidWorks.
3. Examine the part.
You can recognize various sizes and
shapes of faces, profiles and grooves.
It would appear that CAMWorks
extracts features based on
SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids TURN2AX_2.SLDPRT
features used to create the part.
As you will see in this tutorial, this is not necessarily so. The part used in this tutorial is
an imported part. This tutorial will demonstrate how CAMWorks determines machinable
features.

Step 2: Defining the Machine and Editing the Stock Definition

Define the Machine
1. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
2. or Double click the Machine item in the Feature tree.
OR

Click on the Define Machine button on the

CAMWorks Workflow toolbar.
The Machine tab of the Machine dialog is displayed. CAMWorks Feature Tree

3. Highlight Turn Single Turret - inch in the Available Machines list and click the Select
button.

This machine definition has been created for the CAMWorks exercises. When you use
CAMWorks to machine your own parts, select the machine tool you want to use to
machine the part.

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Editing the Tool Crib

1. Click the Tool Crib tab of the
Machine dialog.
From this tab, you can add,
remove and edit tools in the Tool
Crib.
2. In the Available tool cribs, make
sure Inch Turret 1 is the Active
tool crib.
To select a particular tool crib as
the Active tool crib, highlight it
in the Available tool cribs list
and then click the Select button.

Editing a Tool
1. Select any tool from the Active
tool crib list and click the Edit
button.
To select a tool in the Active tool
crib grid, click on any field in
the row containing the tool.
Tool Crib Tab of Machine dialog
2. When you click the Edit button
for a selected tool, the Edit Tool Parameters dialog is displayed. This dialog contains
three tabs that allow you to change the parameters for the selected tool.
3. Click the tabs to view the tool and holder
parameters. If you make any changes to the
parameters, click OK to apply those changes
and close the Edit Tool Parameters dialog
box. The changes you make in this dialog box
affect only the tool crib for the current part.
To change the tool definition for all future
jobs, you need to click on the Save button in
the Tool crib tab else the changes will be
applicable only for the current model part.
Alternatively, you can edit the Tool Crib
definition in the Technology Database.
Edit Tool Parameters dialog
Removing a Tool
To remove a tool from the Active tool crib, select the tool in the Active tool crib grid and
then click the Remove button.

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Note that the tool removal from the tool crib is effective only for the current part. To
make this change available for all future jobs, click on the Save Tool Crib button to
permanently save the changes.

Adding a Tool
Use the Add button to add a tool to the
Active Tool crib.
1. Click the Add button in the Tool
Crib tab.
2. The Tool Select Filter dialog box is
displayed. This dialog box allows
you to set filters for displaying and
selecting tools.
In this tutorial, you will insert a Turn
tool to the active tool crib.
3. In the Tool Select Filter dialog box,
select Turn Tool from the dropdown
list for the Tool type. Tool Select Filter dialog box
4. Click OK.
5. The Tools Database form for Turn Tools is displayed. This form allows you to add an
existing tool in the TechDB to your active Tool Crib. The list contains all the tools that
have been entered into the TechDB. However, you cannot use this form to add new tools
to the TechDB.
6. To add a tool from
this form to the
active tool crib,
highlight the tool
and click the OK
button. To exit
without adding any
tool, click on the
Cancel button.
7. If you selected a
tool from the tools
Database form to Tools Database form
add to active tool
crib, then the new tool will be added to the bottom of the Active Tool crib grid.

Note that the tool addition to the active tool crib is effective only for the current
part. To make this tool addition available for all future jobs, click on the Save Tool
Crib button to permanently save the changes.

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Saving the changes made to a Tool

If you make changes to any tool in the active tool crib, the changes are effective only for the
current part and not for any other part. The edits made to a tool to make available for all
future jobs, highlight the
tool in the Active tool crib
grid and click on the Save
button.
When you click Save,
CAMWorks displays a
message prompting you to
select whether you wish
modify the existing tool or Message displayed when you try to Save a Tool
add a new tool to the
database.
 If you select ‘Change’, then the modifications made to the tool will be saved to the
Technology Database, thus making them permanent. The modified tool will now be
available for all future jobs.
 If you select ‘Add’, then the original tool parameters and Tool ID of the edited tool will
be retained. Instead, a new tool with the edited parameters will be created and saved to
the Technology Database. The edited tool will continue to show the newly edited values.
These values will be displayed only for the current part and not any future jobs.
The newly created tool will not be visible in the Active tool crib. If you wish to add this
new tool to the active tool crib, use the functionality of Adding a tool to add it.

Selecting the Post Processor

1. Click the Post Processor tab in the Machine dialog box.
2. Make sure T2AXIS-TUTORIAL (the tutorial post processor) is selected as the active post
processor.

T2AXIS-TUTORIAL is used for the exercises in this manual. When you use
CAMWorks to machine your own parts, select your machine tool controller or post
processor.
3. Click OK to apply the changes and close the Machine dialog.

Editing the Stock Definition

1. Double click Stock Manager in the CAMWorks Feature tree.
OR

Click on the Stock Manager button of the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar.

The Stock Manager dialog is displayed.

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2. In the Bar Stock Parameters group box, change the Stock Length of the bar stock to
6.85in.
By default, the Stock shape is a cylinder whose dimensions enclose the part. For this
tutorial, the part is machined from a bar stock that has 0.10in material to be removed
from the face.
3. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

Step 3: Extracting Machinable Features and Editing Feature Parameters

Extracting Machinable Features

1. Click the Extract Machinable Features

button on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow toolbar.
OR
Select the Extract Machinable Features command
from the CAMWorks menu.
The CAMWorks Message Window is displayed.
This window shows the progress of the process.
When Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) is Turn features recognized by AFR
finished, the Feature tree displays the five as listed in the Feature Tree
machinable features recognized by AFR.

Turn Setup
Observe that AFR created Turn Setup1. The Setup defines the
machining direction necessary to machine these features. The
origin of the Setup is program zero for the Setup. By default, the
origin is set to the front of the part.
For this tutorial, you will use the current machining direction.

By default, the origin of the Turn setup is set to the front of

the part. You can change the machining direction using Origin of setup is set at
the Edit Definition command on the Turn Setup context the front of the part
menu. Tutorial Turn 4 explains how to change this origin to
another location.
2. Click each machinable feature in the Feature tree.
As you pick each machinable feature, the geometry for that feature is highlighted on the
part.

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OD Feature1

Groove Rectangular OD1

Groove Rectangular OD2
Cutoff Face Feature1
Feature

Turn features are highlighted on the part as you pick each feature in the Feature tree

Feature Strategy
Machinable features are recognized based on the part’s geometry (the shape of a feature) and
topology (how the features are related to one another). However, not all attributes of a
feature can be determined from the geometry and topography. For example, AFR cannot
determine that an ID profile has been threaded, reamed or bored. CAMWorks allows you to
specify additional Strategies to a feature so that more accurate operations can be created.
1. Right click on OD Feature1 in
the Feature tree and choose
Parameters in the context menu.
2. The Parameters dialog box for
the selected feature is displayed.
This dialog provides a geometric
and dimensional report on the
feature and allows you to assign
additional information to the
feature. Depending on the
Strategy, a different machining
process can be assigned. You can
change how each feature is
processed by defining the
sequence in the Technology
Database.
3. View the Strategy dropdown list.
The Strategies in the list are user-
defined Strategies that have been
set up in the TechDB for other
operation sequences. After you OD Profile Parameters Dialog Box
have learned how to use

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CAMWorks, you can modify or delete these user-defined Strategies and you can define
additional Strategies to customize the TechDB.
4. Leave the Strategy set to Coarse.
This Strategy has been defined to generate Rough Turn and Rough Finish operations
using an 80-degree diamond insert tool.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box.
6. Review the parameters of other machinable features to understand more about the
features.

Step 4: Generating Operations

In this tutorial, you will first generate operations and toolpaths for OD Feature1, change its
Feature strategy and then regenerate operations and toolpaths. After successfully generating
toolpaths for OD Feature1, operations will be generated for the remaining turn features.

1. Right click OD Feature1 in the Feature tree and

select Generate Operation Plan from the context
menu.
The Operation tree lists Turn Rough and Turn
Finish operations for the OD feature.
2. Right click Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree and
select Generate Toolpath from the context menu.
3. Left click the Turn Rough operation in the Operations generated for OD
Operation tree. Feature1
Notice the amount of material
remaining after the Turn Rough
operation. The back angle of the
insert does not allow the tool to
machine the entire feature.
4. Changing the Feature Strategy:
- Click the CAMWorks
Feature Tree tab to return to
the Feature tree. Turn Rough Toolpath for OD Feature1

- Right click OD Feature1 and select Parameters on the context menu.

The OD Profile Parameters dialog is displayed.
- In this dialog, set the Strategy to RF80-GR.
The RF80-GR strategy has been defined in the TechDB to generate rough turn, finish
turn rough groove and finish groove operations for an OD Profile feature.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

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5. Regenerating operations:
 Regenerate the operations
for OD Feature1 by right-
clicking it in the Feature tree
and selecting Generate
Operation Plan on the
context menu.
Since the Generate Dialog displayed when the Generate Operation Plan is
Operation Plan has already executed once again for a Feature with operations
been run once for this feature, CAMWorks displays a dialog box with choices:
 Update: Select this option to generate operations for new features or if you have
deleted previously generated operations for existing features. The operation list
will not be updated for features that have previously generated operations.
 Regenerate: If you select this option, all previously generated operations are
deleted and a new operation list is created.
If you have modified any operations, those
modifications will be lost.
 Click Regenerate in the dialog to delete the
previous operations and generate a new
operation list.
 The Operation tree now lists four operations
for OD Feature1.
6. In the Operation tree, right click Turn Setup1 and Operations regenerated for OD
select Generate Toolpath from the context menu. Feature1
7. Press the Shift key and select
all the four operations listed
in the Operation tree.
The toolpaths generated are
displayed in the graphics area.
Observe the toolpaths for the
groove operations. These
toolpaths machine the
material leftover previously.
Toolpaths to machine OD Feature1
8. Click the CAMWorks
Feature Tree tab to return to the Feature tree.
9. You now need to generate operations for the remaining four features in the Feature tree.
Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow toolbar.

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10. The Generate Operation Plan message window

is displayed again. Click either Update or
Regenerate. The operations generated when you
click either button will be the same.
The Operation tree now contains operations for
all machinable features in the Turn Setup.
 If you have not changed any machining
parameters for the operations that have
already been generated, you can select
either Regenerate or Update.
 If you have modified the operations,
select Regenerate to delete all previous
operations and generate new operations
for all the features.
 If you have modified the operations, Operations generated for all
select Update to generate operations only machinable features
for those features that do not have operations.

11. Click on the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command

Manager/Workflow toolbar.

Step 5: Generating NC Code

To generate the NC code for this part, you must:
 Adjust the operation parameters as required
 Reorder the operations in the tree if necessary (Refer Step 8-b of Tutorial1)
 Generate toolpaths (Refer Step 7 of Tutorial 1)
 Run the Toolpath Simulation (Refer Step 8 of Tutorial 1)
 Readjust operation parameters if necessary
 Post process the part (Refer Step 9 of Tutorial 1)

Did You Know ...

Depending on your machining preferences, you could delete the OD feature and the
two rectangular groove features found by AFR, then interactively insert an OD
feature that includes the grooves. This feature could be machined completely with
the operations generated by the RF80-GR Strategy.

The next tutorial explains how to insert Turn features interactively.

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Turn 3
What You'll Learn
 Inserting an OD Profile for Threading
 Reorganizing Machinable Features
 Suppressing Machinable Features
 Significance of the CAMWorks Message Window
 Viewing XZ coordinates of the tool in the CAMWorks Message Window
 Post Processing Toolpaths

In this tutorial, assume that the part starts out as a casting and machining is required only for
the features up to the larger diameter.
In Turn Setup1, you face the part, rough and finish the OD profile, rough and finish the
rectangular grooves and cut the part off.

Step 1: Open the Part, Define the Machine, Edit the Stock Definition and Extract
Machinable Features
1. Open part file TURN2AX_3.SLDPRT in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn
2. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.

Define the Machine Parameters

1. Double click the Machine item in the
Feature tree. OR

Click on the Define Machine button on the

CAMWorks Workflow toolbar. The Machine
TURN2AX_3.SLDPRT
dialog is displayed.
 On the Machine tab, highlight Turn Single Turret- inch and click Select.
 Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Inch Turret 1 is the Active tool crib.
 Click the Post Processor tab and make sure T2AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected
 Click OK to apply the changes and exit the Machine dialog box.

Editing the Stock Definition

1. Double click Stock Manager item in the Feature tree. OR

Click the Stock Manager button in the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar.

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The Stock Manager dialog box is displayed.

2. In the Bar stock parameters group box, change the Stock Length of the bar stock to
6.85in.
By default, the Stock shape is a cylinder whose dimensions enclose the part. For this
tutorial, the part is machined from bar stock that has 0.10in material to be removed from
the face. Assume that the largest OD of the part is to size and is not machined in this
Setup. Since CAMWorks currently defines the Stock as round bar stock, you will use the
default round shape and offset the minimum Stock size by 0.10in in length.
3. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

Extract machinable Features

Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the

CAMWorks Command Manager/Workflow toolbar.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager in the Feature tree
and select Extract Machinable Features from the context
menu.
On executing this action, AFR creates Turn Setup1. It
recognizes five features and list them in the Feature tree. Turn features recognized by AFR
as listed in the Feature Tree

Step 2: Interactively Inserting an OD Profile for Threading

Now that a Turn Setup has been defined, you can create an OD profile feature to thread the
part. All turn features including the OD Feature are created interactively using the New Turn
Feature command.
1. Right click OD Feature1 in the Feature tree and select New Turn Feature from the
context menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog box is displayed. The part profile is shown in the graphics
area. Notice that as you move your cursor over the profile, the entities change color and
are highlighted.
2. In the Features group box this dialog,
- Select OD Feature for Type.
- Click the down arrow next to the Strategy list box and select Thread.
The Thread Strategy has been defined in the TechDB to generate a thread operation.
3. In this tutorial, we will interactively define a feature picking the segment(s) on the
highlighted geometry of the part. Hence, in the Define from group box, leave the method
set to <Part Profile>.
4. Since the part does not contain any non-revolved features, leave the Part Profile Method
set to Plane Section.

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5. Turn features can be defined by an outside shape and optionally inside shapes to
represent profiles. These shapes can be sketches or part profiles that are normal to the
current Setup.
- In the graphics area,
pick the OD profile
segment on the right at
the part face to select it.
The single segment is
highlighted.
- The selected segment Pick the first OD profile Segment
(face) will be listed in
the Selected entities list box of the dialog as CW
Face-16. Extent 1 and Extent 2, which are
parameters used to determine how the toolpath is
computed at the ends of the feature, are also listed in
this box.
6. Make sure that Extent1 and Extent 2 are set to None in
their respective group boxes.

If CAMWorks is calculating the Work In Process

(WIP), then the ID and OD Thread features should
not be extented in either Z or X direction. If you
extent the Thread features, CAMWorks determines
the feature length relative to the WIP and may
extent the feature to start threading closer to the
face than you want. Typically, this would occur
when the thread feature is not located at the face
of the part.

7. Click OK to insert the feature and then click

Cancel to close the New Turn Feature dialog box.
A feature labeled OD Feature2 is displayed in the
Feature tree under OD Feature1. You have now defined
all the machinable features in this part.

OD Feature2 in Feature Tree New Turn Feature Dialog

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Step 3: Reorganizing Machinable Features

To change the machining order, you can reorder either the machinable features or the
operations that are generated for the features. You can drag a feature in the Feature tree from
the current location to a position above or below another feature in the same Setup.
1. Left click Groove Rectangular OD1, then click
Groove Rectangular OD2. Observe the order the
grooves are highlighted on the part model in the
graphics area.
This may not be the order you want to machine
these features.
2. Click on Groove Rectangular OD1; hold down the
left mouse button; drag Groove Rectangular OD1
Reorganized list of Machinable
over Groove Rectangular OD2 and then release the
Features
mouse button.
Notice that as you drag the item, an arrow displays to indicate where the item will be
positioned. Groove Rectangular OD2 is now listed before Groove Rectangular OD1 and
will be machined first.

Step 4: Suppressing Machinable Features

You can suppress a machinable feature and machine
the feature later. Suppressing a feature prevents
operations (and associated toolpaths) from being
created for that feature. For example, if there is not
enough tool capacity to do threading on the machine
which you are using, you can suppress OD Feature2
and output the thread operation separately.
1. Right click OD Feature2 in the Feature tree and Suppressed OD Feature2
select Suppress on the context menu.
This action grays out OD Feature2 icon in the tree.

Step 5: Saving the File

1. Click on the File menu and select Save As on the dropdown menu.
2. The Save As dialog is displayed. Browse to the location where you wish to save the file.
3. If you wish to save the file with another name rather than the default name, assign
another file name
4. Click the Save button.

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Step 6: Generating an Operation Plan and Toolpaths

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow toolbar.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager in the
Feature tree and select Generate Operation Plan
on the context menu.
Operations are created for the machinable
features in the Turn Setup.
The generated operations are in listed in the
Operation tree.
2. Click on the sign against each operation
listed in the Operation tree to view the feature
machined by that selected operation.
Observe that no operations were generated for
OD Feature2 as this feature was suppressed.
3. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the Operations with toolpaths generated
for all Turn features listed in the
CAMWorks Command Manager/Workflow Operation tree
toolbar.
OR
Right click Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree and select Generate Toolpath from the
context menu.
The change in the font color of the listed operations from Magenta to Black (default
color settings) indicates that toolpaths have been generated for all operations.
4. Experiment by changing parameters for the operations and regenerating the toolpaths for
all operations in the Setup.

Did You Know ...

When you change operation parameters after generating toolpaths, we
recommend that you regenerate toolpaths at the Setup level so the work in
process can be updated correctly.

CAMWorks Message Window

Check the CAMWorks Message Window.
 This CAMWorks window displays automatically whenever CAMWorks commands such
as Extract Machinable Features, Generate Operation Plan, Generate Toolpath etc. are
executed.

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 The Message Window provides

information you may find
helpful. For example, based on
the information in this window,
you may want to change a tool
or insert a finish operation in
order to cut a machinable
feature completely.
 If the Message Window is not
displayed, you can do any one
the following to display the
Message Window: CAMWorks Message Window
 Select Options on the
CAMWorks menu or the CAMWorks NC Manager context menu. The Options dialog
will be displayed. On the General tab, check the Message Window check box.
 Click on the Message Window button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
 You can move and resize the window. To change the size, point to a border or corner of
the window (the pointer changes to a two-headed arrow). Drag the corner or border until
the window is the size you want and then release the mouse button.
 For turn and mill-turn parts, CAMWorks provides an option to display the XZ position of
the tool in the Message Window during simulation. How to use this functionality is
explained in the Step 7 of this tutorial in the section Viewing XZ Cutter coordinates of
the Tool in the Message Window.

Step 7: Simulate Toolpaths

1. Click the Simulate Toolpath button
on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow toolbar.
OR
Select Simulate Toolpath from the
CAMWorks menu.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager
in the Operation tree and select
Simulate Toolpath on the context
menu.
2. The Toolpath Simulation toolbar is
displayed. The graphics area enters Running Toolpath Simulation
Simulation mode.

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3. Select the following display options:

Stock: Shaded Display

Tool: Shaded with Edges Display

Tool Holder: No Display

Target Part: Translucent Display

Fixture: Shaded with Edges

Section View: Half

4. Rotate the part, if necessary, so that you can see the simulation.
5. Click the Run button.
6. Click the close button in the upper right corner of the Toolpath Simulation toolbar to
exit Simulation mode.

Viewing XZ cutter coordinates of the Tool in CAMWorks Message Window

For turn and mill-turn parts,
CAMWorks provides an option to
display the XZ position of the tool
in the Message Window during
toolpath simulation. To view the
coordinates,

1. Click on the Options button

in the Toolpath Simulation
toolbar.
2. The Simulation Tab of the
Options dialog is displayed. In
the Display group box, ensure
that the option Cutter
Coordinates in Message
Window is checked.
3. Click OK to close the Options
dialog.
4. Click Yes to restart the
Simulation mode when
CAMWorks prompts a warning
message in order to apply the The Simulation tab of Options dialog
new simulation settings.

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5. In the Simulation
toolbar, click the Cutter
coordinates button.
6. The X coordinate is
displayed as a Radial value
by default. Click on the
Radial or diameter
coordinate display button to
view the X coordinate as a
diameter value.
7. The XZ coordinates are CAMWorks Message Window displaying XZ coordinates
output to the tool center by
default. To output these coordinates to the theoretical Tool Tip, click on the Tip or center
coordinate display button.
8. Run the Simulation. Observe that the XZ coordinates of the tool are output in the
CAMWorks Message Window.

Step 8: Post Processing Toolpaths

1. Click the Post Process button on the CAMWorks Command Manager/Workflow
Toolbar.
OR
Right click Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree and select Post Process from the context
menu.
OR
Click the Post Process on the CAMWorks menu.
2. The Post Output File dialog box is displayed. Browse to the folder where you wish to
save the file.

If you are running CAMWorks in Demo mode, the Post Process functionality will be
disabled.
3. If you do not wish to save the file with the default file name, assign another file name in
the File name field.
4. Click Save to save the file.
5. The Post Process Output dialog box is displayed. In the Display group box, check the
Centerline option so that the toolpath will be highlighted as each line of code is
generated.
6. Click the Play button.

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This command generates the NC code. The generated NC code can be viewed in the NC
code output area of the dialog.
7. After viewing the code, click OK to close the dialog.

Did You Know ...

You should save the part
frequently. If you want the
CAM information saved with
the part, make sure that the
Save/Restore part option is
checked on the General tab
in the Options dialog box
before you save. When you
open the part, make sure
that Save/Restore is
checked or the CAM
information will not be
restored.
The General tab in the
Options dialog box also has
an Auto save option for
automatically saving your
CAMWorks data.

Post Process Output dialog box

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Turn 4
What You'll Learn
 Defining the Stock as a Forging or Casting
 Defining a Rectangular OD Groove Feature interactively
 Deleting an Operation
 Adjusting Operation Parameters
 Defining Program Zero
This tutorial guides you through the steps for the sequence of machining the turn part when
the stock is defined from a forging or casting. The machining sequence is:
 Rough and finish the face of the part
 Rough and finish the OD profile
 Rough and finish the groove

Step 1: Open the Part and Define the Machine

1. Open part file TURN2AX_4.SLDPRT in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn
2. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
3. Double click the Machine item in the Feature tree.
OR

Click on the Define Machine button on the

CAMWorks Workflow toolbar. The Machine dialog is
displayed.
 On the Machine tab, highlight Turn Single Turret-
inch and click Select.
 Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Inch Turret 1 TURN2AX_4.SLDPRT
is the Active tool crib.
 Click the Post Processor tab and make sure T2AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
 Click OK to apply the changes and exit the Machine dialog.

Step 2: Defining the Stock as a Forging or Casting

In this tutorial, assume that the stock of the part is a forging. A sketch named Stock Profile
has already been created in this part to represent the forging.
1. In the Feature tree, double click the Stock Manager item to open the Stock Manager
dialog.

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OR

Click the Stock Manager button in the

CAMWorks Workflow toolbar.
By default, CAMWorks automatically calculates
the Stock size based on the smallest cylinder
possible. (Default Stock Type: Round Bar Stock).
You can change this definition by specifying a
sketch to use (Stock Type: From Revolved Sketch ).

2. Select From Revolved Sketch for the Stock

type.
3. In the Available sketches list, select Stock Profile.
The profile sketch representing the shape of the
stock is highlighted on the part model in the
graphics area.
4. Click OK to apply the changes and close the
Manage Stock dialog.

Stock Manager dialog box

Step 3: Recognizing Machinable Features using AFR

Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the CAMWorks Command

Manager/Workflow Toolbar
OR
Select Extract Machinable Features from the CAMWorks menu.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager in the Feature tree and select Extract Machinable
Features from the context menu.
AFR creates Turn Setup1 and Turn Setup2 and lists all
the recognized features in Feature tree. The recognized
features under Turn Setup1 include a Face Feature, an
OD Feature and a Rectangular OD groove.
Turn Setup2 is created as a separate setup for the second
side of the part, which includes a Face feature.

When the Stock is defined from a sketch,

CAMWorks creates a second setup with a Face feature.

Rectangular OD groove feature

recognized by AFR
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Deleting Unwanted Features Recognized by AFR

When AFR is run on some parts, all the features you want to machine might not be
recognized. In certain cases, AFR may recognize a feature that might not be suitable for the
intended machining process. When this occurs, you can delete unwanted features and define
features interactively.
For learning purposes, in this tutorial, you will delete the Rectangular OD groove feature and
insert the same feature interactively.
1. Right click Groove Rectangular OD1 in the tree and
select Delete on the context menu.
2. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
The deleted feature is moved to the Recycle Bin.
3. Click the sign to the left of the Recycle Bin in the
Feature tree to collapse it.

Deleted features are automatically placed in the

Recycle Bin, which is used to store machinable
features that you do not intend to machine.

Step 4: Defining a Rectangular OD Groove Feature

Interactively
Following are the steps to interactively insert a Rectangular
OD groove feature. This feature is defined in order to
machine the undercut.
1. Right click OD Feature1 in the Feature tree and select
New Turn Feature from the context menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog is displayed.
2. In the Feature group box,
- Set the Feature Type to Groove Rectangular.
- Leave the Location set to OD.
- Make sure the Strategy is set to Coarse.
3. In the Define from group box,
- Ensure that the Part Profile Method is set to Plane
Section.

If the part does not contain any non-revolved

feature(s), then you can set the Part Profile method
to either Plane Section or Revolved Section. The
Part Profile created in both cases will be the same.
Ideally:
 Use Plane section method when the part does not
contain any non-revolved features New Turn Feature Dialog

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 Use Revolved section method when the part contains non-revolved features or
mill features.
- In the list box, ensure <Part Profile> is selected.

When <Part Profile> is selected in the Define From list box, all profiles in the
current section plane are highlighted on the model in the graphics area. The
profiles recognized are based on the Part Profile Method selected.
4. In the Selected entities list box,
- Check the Windows selection check
box.
- In the graphics area, use the mouse
to select the geometry for the groove
by drawing a window around the
groove entities as shown in the
figure.
- The Selected entities list box will be
updated to contain 5 selected faces
entities and 2 extent entities. Window Select the Rectangular OD Groove
Feature
- Highlight Extentd1 in the Selected
entities list box.
 The Extent1 and Extent2 group boxes will be expanded.
 In the Extent1 group box, set the direction to Along X.
 In the Extent2 group box, set the direction to Along X.
The extents will be displayed on the model part in the graphics
area. Extents

5. Click OK to insert the feature.

6. Click Cancel to close the New Turn Feature
dialog box.
Groove Rectangular OD2 is added to the
Feature tree.
7. Click the Generate Operation Plan button
on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow Toolbar.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager and select
Generate Operation Plan from the context
menu.
The operations for Turn Setup1 and Turn Setup2
are listed in the Operation tree. CAMWorks Operation Tree

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Step 5: Deleting an Operation

In some cases, it may be desirable to delete operations that are created automatically. In this
tutorial, all of the operations that were generated for Turn Setup1 are required to machine the
part.
If the stock is a casting or forging and you use a sketch to define the Stock, CAMWorks
generates a second setup for the other side of the part. Depending on whether or not a second
setup is needed for this machining session, you can delete or suppress the operations that
were generated for Turn Setup2. In this tutorial, you will delete the second setup and all the
operations under it.
1. In the Operation tree, right click Turn Setup2 and select Delete on the context menu.
2. Click Yes to confirm you want to delete the Setup and all dependant operations under it.
The Setup is deleted and the operations are moved to the Recycle Bin.
3. Click the sign to the left of the Recycle Bin in the Operation tree to collapse it.

Step 6: Adjusting Operation Parameters

Each operation contains machining parameters that affect how the toolpath is created and
specific parameters that will be output to the NC program. These parameters can be edited
before generating the toolpaths and post processing the part.
1. Click the sign next to Face Rough1 in the Operation tree.
The tree expands to identify the machinable feature the operation was generated to
machine (Face Feature1).
2. Click the sign next to Face Rough1 in order
to collapse it.
3. Double click Face Rough1.
The Operation Parameters dialog box is
displayed.
4. In the operation Parameters dialog,
- Click on the NC tab. Expanding the tree
- Within the Clearance group box, change the Retract dist. to 0.15in.
This parameter specifies the distance away from the part to start the cycle in the X and
Z axis. This is where the tool rapids to at the beginning of the cycle and the distance
the tool retracts from the part after each cutting pass.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
5. Double click Face Finish1 in the tree to open the corresponding Operation Parameters
dialog.
- Click on the Tool tab and select the Tool Crib page.
- Select the Diamond 55deg tool.

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- Click the Select

button in order to
use this tool for
the current
operation.
The current tool is
replaced with the
tool you selected.
If the tool you
want is not listed
in the Tool Crib,
you can click Add
and select a tool
on the Tools
Database form.
- Click OK to close Operation Parameters Dialog for Face Finish1
the dialog box.

Step 7: Displaying the Chuck in Graphics Area

You can choose to display the chuck in the graphics area in any one of the following display
states:
 None (no display)
 Wireframe
 Translucent
 Shaded
 Shaded with Edges
In this tutorial, you will display the chuck in a Shaded with edges display state.

Following are the steps to display the chuck:

1. Right click the machine item Machine [Turn Single Turret-inch] in the Operations tree
and select Chuck Display>>Shaded with Edges from the cascading context menu.
2. Once again, right click on this item and ensure that Chuck Display>>Machine Node and
Chuck Display>>Setup Node options in the cascading context menu are checked.
To check/uncheck this option, left click on the desired option in the cascading menu.
The above action ensures that the chuck is displayed whenever the Machine item or Turn
Setup is selected in the Operations tree.

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Step 8: Defining Program Zero

Each Setup has a different origin. The Turn Setup defines the tool direction and Program
Zero. Program Zero can be changed in the Setup by picking one of the following that is
closest to the desired work Z0 face:
 An OD that is concentric to the part. OR
 Angle that is concentric to the part. OR
 ID face that is concentric to the part.

Following are the steps to change

the Program Zero:
1. Double click Turn Setup1in the
Operation tree.
The Operation Setup Parameters
dialog is displayed.
2. On the Origin tab:
- Select Automatic in the Defined
from list box.
Turn Setup Parameters dialog box
- Check the Other end option to
move the origin to the left side of the
part.
The Chuck Location and Chuck
Definition tabs are explained in the
next lesson.
- Click OK to apply the changes and
close the dialog.
3. Click on the Yes button if you get a pop-
up message prompting you to regenerate
the toolpaths.
Change in Origin when it is defined as
OR
‘Automatic’ from the ‘Other End’

Click the Generate

Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow
toolbar.
Toolpaths are generated
for all operations.
4. Click each operation in the
tree to view the toolpaths.
Warning message to regenerate toolpaths

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Step 9: Simulate Toolpath

1. Click on the View Orientation and select the Isometric view orientation.
2. Right click Turn Setup1 and select Simulate Toolpath from the context menu.
The Toolpath Simulation toolbar is displayed.
3. Select the following display options:

- Stock: Shaded Display

- Tool: Shaded with Edges Display

- Target: Translucent Display

- Fixture: No Display

- Section View: Three Quarter

4. Click the Run button.
Since you deleted Turn Setup2 and the
Face Feature, material is left on the
locating face. This could be machined
using another setup.
Toolpath Simulation
5. Click the Close button to exit the
simulation mode.
6. Using ‘drag and drop’ feature, reorder the operations to cut the part in the order you think
is most efficient.
7. Click on the File menu and select Save As to save the part using an appropriate file name.

Step 9: Post Processing Toolpaths

Post process the toolpaths in the same manner as explained in Step 8 of the previous tutorial
(Tutorial 3) of this chapter.

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Turn 5
What You'll Learn
 Adding an ID Groove Feature
 Adding OD Thread and ID Thread Features
 Displaying the Chuck
 Defining the Chuck
 Defining the Chuck Clamping Location
 Viewing the Chuck in Toolpath Simulation

Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the Machine and Stock
Open the Part
1. Open part file TURN2AX_5.SLDPRT in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn

Define the Machine Parameters

1. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
2. Double click the Machine item in the Feature tree.
OR

Click on the Define Machine button on the

CAMWorks Workflow toolbar.
The Machine dialog is displayed.
 On the Machine tab, highlight Turn Single Turret- TURN2AX_5.SLDPRT
inch and click Select.
 Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Inch Turret 1 is the Active tool crib.
 Click the Post Processor tab and make sure T2AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
 Click OK to apply the changes and exit the Machine dialog.

Defining the Stock

1. Double click Stock Manager in the Feature tree.
OR

Click the Stock Manager button in the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar.

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2. The Stock Manager dialog is displayed. In this

dialog,

- Leave the Stock Type set to Bar stock.

- Change the Stock Length to 2.05in
- Click the down arrow to the right of the
Material list and select the desired material from
the dropdown list or use the default material.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the
dialog.

Step 2: Extract Machinable Features

Click the Extract Machinable Features button on

the CAMWorks Command Manager/Workflow toolbar.
AFR analyzes the model for features to machine. When
AFR is completed, the tree displays Turn Setup1,
which establishes the workplane for turning, and the
machinable features that were recognized.
When AFR is run on some parts, CAMWorks may not
Stock Manager Dialog
recognize all the features you want to machine or AFR
may recognize a feature that might not be suitable for the intended machining process. When
this occurs, you can delete unwanted features and define features interactively.
Deleting Features
1. Right click the Groove Rectangular
ID2 feature and select Delete on the
context menu.
For learning purposes, in this tutorial,
you will delete the Groove Rectangular
ID2 feature and insert it interactively.
2. Since you will be defining a chuck for
this part, also delete Cutoff Feature1.
The deleted feature is moved to the
Recycle Bin.
3. Click the sign to the left of the
Recycle Bin in the Feature tree to
collapse it.

Deleting Features
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Step 3: Adding an ID Groove Feature Interactively

In this tutorial, you are going to add three features interactively. The first feature will be the
groove that you deleted in the previous step.
CAMWorks understands the shape of a groove and knows how it is to be machined. When
you insert a Groove feature for this undercut area, CAMWorks knows how to machine the
area using the standard Rectangular Groove machining techniques.

Within CAMWorks, the typical groove configuration

is defined as a rectangular shape consisting of two
equal length walls, which may or may not have fillet
radii and may or may not have corner breaks.

Steps to interactively insert an ID Groove

Feature:
1. Right click Turn Setup1 in the Feature tree and select
Set View>>Turn ZX from the context menu.
2. The new feature will be inserted after the feature ID
Feature1. Right click on ID Feature1 and select New
Turn feature from the context menu.
The New Turn feature dialog is displayed.
3. In the Feature group box:
- Select Groove Rectangular for Feature Type
- Set the Location to ID.
- Leave the Strategy set to Coarse.
4. In the Selected Entities list box, make sure that the
Window selection check box is checked.
5. In the graphics area, use the mouse to select the
geometry for the groove by drawing a window
around the groove entities as shown in the figure.

Window Select the Rectangular ID Groove Feature

New Turn Feature Dialog

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The Selected entities list box will be updated to contain 5 selected face entities and 2
extent entities.
6. Highlight Extent2 in the Selected entities
list box.
- The Extent1 and Extent2 group boxes
will be expanded.
- In the Extent1 group box, set the
direction to Tangential.
- In the Extent2 group box, set the
direction to Tangential.
Setting the direction of the Extent entities
The extents will be displayed on the
model part in the graphics area.
7. Click OK to insert the feature.
8. Click Cancel to close the New Turn Feature dialog.
Groove Rectangular ID3 is added to the Feature tree.

Step 4: Adding OD Thread and ID Thread Features Interactively

Thread information comes in many different formats and has many parameters. For a
CAD/CAM system, it is not practical to model threads on a solid. Even though this can be
done, it is very difficult for software to interpret a helical cut in the OD of a part and
decipher what type of thread it is.

In CAMWorks, you can assign a Strategy to define a thread on a feature.

In this tutorial, you will define OD and ID features to be threaded.

Interactively Inserting a Threaded OD Feature

1. In the Feature tree, right click OD Feature1 and select New Turn feature on the context
menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog is displayed.
2. In the Feature group box:
- Leave the Feature Type set to OD
Feature.
- Set the Strategy to Thread.
3. In the graphics area, use the mouse button
to pick the OD segment where the thread
will be machined (indicated by the arrow
in the figure). Pick the OD segment to be threaded
The Selected entities list box will be

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updated to contain 1 selected face entity and 2 extent entities.

4. In the Selected entities list box, highlight Extent 1 and Extent 2. Make sure None is
selected in the corresponding Extent group box.

If CAMWorks is calculating the WIP (work in process), ID and OD Thread features should
not be extented in either Z or X. If you extent Thread features, CAMWorks determines the
feature length relative to the WIP and may extent the feature to start threading closer to
the face than you want. Typically, this would occur on thread features such as this one
where the feature is not located at the face of the part.
To adjust the machining length for a Thread feature, you can:
 Specify a Start length in the Thread operation machining parameters.
 Set up the TechDB to define an amount that you want the tool to go beyond the thread
length into a thread relief area.
5. Click OK to insert the feature.
6. Click Cancel to close the New Turn
Feature dialog.
OD Feature2 is listed in the Feature tree
after OD Feature1.
Context menu to open Parameters dialog
7. Right click on OD Feature2 and select
Parameters on the context
menu.
The OD Profile Parameters
dialog is displayed.
8. Observe that the Maximum
dia. (D1) for this feature is
1.5in.

In order to generate a
Thread operation, the
corresponding thread
condition must be
selected from the
TechDB. The major
diameter in the TechDB
must match the feature
maximum diameter.
Initially, the Thread
Parameters display the values
in the first record in the
TechDB; however, this record
has not been selected.
9. Click the Library button.
OD Profile Parameters dialog

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The Tools Database - Thread Condition form is displayed.

Several thread conditions have been set up in the TechDB. When you machine your
own parts, you can add data for additional threads.
10. In this form:
- Select ID 3,
which has a
1.5 Major
Dia.
- Click OK to
assign the
selected
Thread
Condition. Tools Database - Thread Condition form
11. Click OK to close the OD Profile Parameters dialog.

Interactively Inserting a Threaded ID Feature

1. Right click ID Feature1 in the Feature tree and select New
Turn feature from the context menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog box is displayed.
2. In the Feature group box:
- Set the Feature Type set to ID Feature.
- Set the Strategy to Thread.
3. In the graphics area, use the mouse button to pick the ID
segment at the front of the part where the thread will be
machined (indicated by the arrow in the figure).

Pick the ID segment to be threaded

4. The Selected entities list box will be updated to contain 1

selected face entity and 2 extent entities.

New Turn Feature Dialog

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5. In the Selected entities list box, highlight Extent 1 and Extent 2. Make sure None is
selected in the corresponding Extent group box.
6. Click OK to insert the feature.
7. Click Cancel to close the New Turn Feature dialog.
ID Feature2 is added to the Feature tree after ID Feature1.
8. Right click on ID Feature2
and select Parameters from
the context menu.
The ID Profile Parameters
dialog box is displayed. You
need to select the thread
condition for ID Feature2.
9. Observe that the Maximum
dia. (D1) for this feature is
0.95in.
10. Click the Library button in
this dialog.
The Tools Database - Thread
Condition form is displayed.
11. In this form:
- Select ID 5, which has a
0.95 Major Dia.
- Click OK to assign the
selected Thread
Condition.
12. Click OK to close the ID
Profile Parameters dialog. ID Profile Parameters dialog

Step 5: Changing Feature Parameters, Generating Operations and Modifying

Operation Parameters
Changing Feature Parameters and Renaming Features
Before generating operations, you can change feature parameters and rename features so that
they are more descriptive.
1. Right click ID Feature1 in the Feature tree and select Parameters from the context menu.
The ID Profile Parameters dialog is displayed.
- Change the Strategy to Coarse.
- Click OK to close the ID Profile Parameter dialog box.

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2. Right click OD Feature2 in the Feature tree and select Rename from the context menu.
- A text box displays around the item. .
- Type OD Thread and press Enter key.
3. Right click ID Feature2 and select Rename from the context menu.
- A text box displays around the item. .
- Type ID Thread and press Enter key.

Generating Operations
Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the
CAMWorks Command Manager/Workflow Toolbar.
OR
Right click Turn Setup1 in the tree and select Generate
Operation Plan from the context menu.
The Operations for all the features are generated and
listed in the Operation tree.

Modifying Operation Parameters

You can modify operation parameters before or Operations listed in Operation tree
after generating toolpaths. Choosing parameters
for machining depends on your machining practices.
The following examples show you how to make changes.
1. Double click Thread1 in the Operation tree. The
Operation Parameters dialog is displayed.
2. Click on the Thread tab. Change the following
values in the Parameters group box:
 Depth per cut = 0.03in
 Final cut amount = 0.009in
 Start length = 0.15in
The start length is measured from the start of the
OD Thread feature that you created and is a
distance in front or to the right of the feature.
Since this is an OD feature and the tool is on a
rear turret, the tool orientation is down and left.
(Click on the Holder page of the Tool tab to
view the Tool Orientation.)
 Pitch = 0.065in
 Click OK to close the dialog. Modifying Thread Parameters

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3. Double click Rough Groove1 in the tree. The Operation Parameters dialog is displayed.
4. Click on the Rough Groove tab.
- In the Allowance group box, change the Radial (X) and Axial (Z) allowances to 0.0in.
- Click OK to close the dialog.
5. Right click Finish Groove1 in the Operation tree and select Delete from the context
menu. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
By setting the Rough Groove allowances to 0.0in, you can rough and finish the groove in
one operation. Hence, this Finish Groove operation was deleted.
6. Double click Rough Groove2 in the Operation tree. The Operation Parameters dialog is
displayed.
7. Click on the Rough Groove tab.
- In the Allowance group box, change the Radial (X) and Axial (Z) allowances to 0.0in.
8. Click on the Tool tab.
Select the Boring Bar page.
In the graphics area,
observe that the width of
the Groove Insert used to
machine this feature is
greater than the width of
the feature. Toolpath
cannot be generated for this
operation unless an
appropriate Groove insert
is selected.
- Click on the Tool Crib
page of the Tool tab.
Select a 0.062in Groove Width of the Groove Insert is greater than the width of the
Insert from the Tool feature
Crib. (Groove Insert tool with a width of 0.062inch).
- CAMWorks
displays a message
stating that the
current insert/
holder orientation is
not allowed and that
valid orientation for
the holder was
selected. Click OK
to close the warning
message. Warning Message on Holder Orientation

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- The Holder page of the Tool

Crib tab is displayed.
 Ensure that the Holder
edge is set to End.
 View the orientation
section. CAMWorks has
set the orientation to Left
Up which is a valid
orientation.
- Click OK.
- If CAMWorks displays a
message asking whether you
want to Add or Change the
tool, then select Change.
This sets the correct
orientation for Rough
Groove2.
9. Right click Finish Groove2 and
select Delete from the context
menu. Click Yes to confirm the
deletion.
10. Double click Bore Rough1.
CAMWorks displays a message
stating that the current insert/
holder orientation is not
allowed and that valid
orientation for the holder was Holder Page of the Tool Crib tab for Rough Groove2
selected. Click OK to close the operation
warning message.
11. The Operation Parameters dialog for the Bore Rough1 operation is displayed. Click on
the Tool tab.
- Click on the Boring Bar page under the Tool tab.
- View the
Orientation
section.
CAMWorks has
set the orientation
to Left Up which
is a valid
orientation.
- Click OK.
Warning Message on changes made to Tool Parameters

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- If CAMWorks displays a message asking whether you want to Add or Change the
tool, then select Change.
This sets the correct orientation for Bore Finish1.

Step 6: Defining the Machining Sequence and Generating Toolpaths

The order that the operations are listed is relative to the feature order. Both the Feature tree
and the Operation tree can be reordered to achieve the specific machining sequences that are
needed in terms of tool order and material removal.
1. In the Operation tree, drag Rough Groove2 above Bore Finish1.
2. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow Toolbar.
OR
Right click on Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree and select Generate Toolpath from the
context menu.
3. Click on each operation to view the toolpath.

Step 7: Displaying the Chuck

You can choose to display/not
display the chuck in which the part
will be clamped.
1. In the Operation tree, right
click on the Machine [Turn
Single Turret -inch] and select
Chuck Display.
An expandable cascading menu
displays the various display
options on how the chuck will
be displayed in the Graphics
area. Chuck Display Options
- Non-display: When set to
None, the chuck will not be displayed in the Graphics area. Instead, two locating
triangles will be displayed. These triangles provide a graphical representation of
where the part will be clamped in the chuck.
- Chuck Display States: When the other display option Wireframe, Transparent,
Shaded or Shaded with Edges is chosen, the chuck will be displayed accordingly in
the graphics area.
- Node Display: You can select the Operation tree item, which on being
selected/highlighted in the Operation tree, will display the Chuck in the selected

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display option state. You can select one or more among the options of Machine node,
Setup node and Operation node.
2. In the Chuck Display cascading menu:
- Select Transparent for Chuck Display state.
- Select Machine Node and Setup node by clicking on these options. A checkmark next
to these options indicates that they have been selected.
- Ensure Operation node is not selected.
3. In the Operation tree, left click on Turn Setup1. Observe that the Chuck is displayed in
the graphics area.
4. Next, left click on the Machine [Turn Single Turret - inch]. The chuck is once again
displayed in the graphics area.
5. Left click on the different operations. Observe that the chuck is not displayed. This is
because the Operation Node display option was not selected in the Chuck Display menu.

Step 8: Defining the Chuck

1. Double click the Machine [Turn Single Turret - inch] in the Operation tree.
OR

Click on the Define Machine button in the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar.

The Machine Dialog is displayed.
2. Click on the Machine tab. Ensure that the Use Sub-spindle option is not checked.
3. Click on the Chuck tab.

The Chuck tab allows you to define the Chuck geometry (size of the chuck base and the
jaws) to be displayed in the graphics area and during toolpath simulation.
4. The Chuck tab displays the Main Spindle Information and Sub Spindle Information. Since
only a single Spindle (main spindle) is used for machining this part, the Sub Spindle
Information group box is grayed out.
5. In both the Main Spindle Information and Sub Spindle Information group boxes, the
Name field indicates the name of the current Chuck Configuration. By default, the Chuck
Configuration 4in_1Step_Chuck is displayed.

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A Chuck Configuration is a set of chuck parameter values defined and saved in the
TechDB. CAMWorks allows multiple configurations of chuck parameters to be saved in
the TechDB and reused. You must select/create/edit a chuck configuration as per your
requirements for the turn part.
A ready set of commonly used chuck
configurations are already available within
CAMWorks.
6. In the Main Spindle Information group box, click
on the Edit button. The Chuck Parameter: [Main
Spindle] dialog is displayed.

Use the Chuck Parameter dialog to edit existing

chuck configurations and to define additional
chuck configurations.
This dialog allows you to define the size of the
chuck base and the jaws.
7. In the Chuck Parameters group box, assign the
following values:
- OD = 4in
- ID = 1in
- Thickness = 1.5in
The Preview area of the dialog provides a
graphical description of the active Chuck
Parameter.
Observe that as soon as you shift focus from the
active Chuck parameter, the graphical
representation of the chuck is immediately updated
in the graphics area to match the new values you
have entered.
8. In the Jaw Parameters group box, assign the
following values:
- Number of Jaws= 4
- Number of Steps = 1
- Jaw Thickness = 0.6in
- Step Length = 0.6in
- Step Width = 0.4in

The Jaw Thickness value should be less than

or equal to the Step Length else CAMWorks
will not display the chuck and will display an
error message indicating that the Jaw
Chamfer is larger than the Step Length.

Chuck Parameter dialog

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The Equal step length and Equal Step width options apply only when there are multiple
steps.
9. The changes you have made to the active chuck configuration can either be saved to the
TechDB or applied only for the current part.
- If you directly click OK after making the changes, then the changes made to the
chuck configuration will be applicable only to the current part. For all other
machining jobs, the original set of values will be applied.
- Overwriting existing Chuck Configuration:
In the Chuck Management group box, the name of the active chuck configuration is
displayed in the name field. If
you click on the Save button
next to this field after making the
changes, CAMWorks will
display a warning message
indicating that a chuck
configuration by that name
already exists.
 If you click Yes within the CAMWorks Warning message displayed when you
message, then the active try to save an edited Chuck Configuration
chuck configuration will be
replaced with the new set of values and saved to the TechDB. The new set of
values will be available for all future jobs.
 If you click No within the message, CAMWorks will return to the Chuck
Parameter dialog.
- Defining a new Chuck Configuration:
If you want the changes made as a new chuck configuration which will be available
for future jobs, enter a new name in the Name field in the Chuck Management group
box. After making the changes, click on the Save button . This new chuck
configuration will be available in the Available Chucks drop down list.
10. In this tutorial, you will not save the edited configuration. Click OK to exit the
Chuck Parameter: [Main Spindle] dialog.
11. Click OK to close the Machine dialog.

Step 9: Defining the Chuck Location

1. Double click Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree.
The Operation Setup Parameters dialog is displayed.
2. In the Origin tab, select Automatic in the Defined from dropdown list.
This is where the Origin or Part Zero is located.

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3. Click the Chuck Location tab.

The WIP Sketch/Stock Boundary is
displayed on the part in the graphics
area. Two locating triangles display
at Part Zero by default.
Use the parameters in the Clamping
Location group box of the Chuck
Location tab to position these two
triangles in order to reflect where the
chuck will be located.

For a Main Spindle Turn setup,

the Clamping Location Operation Setup Parameters: Origin Tab
(represented by the locating
triangles) is located at the most negative Z end point of the WIP sketch/Stock
Boundary.
4. Use the Select Entity for Z Clamping Location field in the Clamping Location group box
to select the entity to clamp along Z.

- Click on Select Entity for Z Clamping Location field to set the focus.
- In the graphics area, pick any circular
edge of the part whose normal is parallel
to the turn axis and center is concentric
with turn axis. Observe that the
Clamping Location changes.

Selecting a Circular edge

- Now click on the left-most vertical edge

of the stock WIP sketch. The Clamping
Location moves back to its original
location.

An entity fulfilling any one of the

following criteria can be selected
as a Z Clamping location:
 Circular edge whose normal is
parallel to the turn axis and Selecting a Left-most vertical WIP entity
center is concentric with turn
axis
 Vertical WIP entity
 Vertex (for mill-turn features)

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5. You can also change the size of the triangles. Use the Triangle display group box in the
Chuck Location tab to change the size. Change the size to 0.2in.
6. Observe the Chuck Properties group box in the Chuck Location tab. You can define the
chuck from the Machine level or Setup level.
- For parts created in CAMWorks 2013 and future versions, the default setting is Chuck
defined from Machine. This setting uses the globally defined chuck parameter values
assigned on the Chuck tab of the Machine dialog.
- Defining the chuck from Setup may be preferred when machining a part with multiple
turn setups where the chuck may change from setup to setup.

For legacy parts (parts created in CAMWorks 2012 or earlier versions), the
default setting is Chuck defined from Setup. This allows the Chuck Geometry to
be defined in the Setup node, as was the case in CAMWorks 2012 and earlier
versions.
7. Click OK to close the dialog box.

A graphic of the part can be added to the setup sheet to give the shop floor a better
understanding of the setup.

Did You Know ...

If you change the Chuck Configuration, you will need to position the locating
triangles again using the Chuck Location tab of the Operation Parameters dialog.

Step 10: Simulate Toolpath

1. Change the View Orientation to Isometric

You do not need to simulate this operation.

2. Right click Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree and
select Simulate Toolpath from the context menu.
OR
Click on the Simulate Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Command Manager/Workflow
toolbar.
The Toolpath Simulation dialog is displayed.
3. Select the following display options:

- Fixture: Shaded With Edges Toolpath Simulation

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- Tool holder: Shaded With Edges

- Tool: Shaded With Edges

- Target part: Translucent Display

- Section view: Half

4. Click on the Run button.

Observe that the OD feature is threaded.
5. Click Close to exit the simulation.
6. Double click on the Machine [Turn Single Turret - inch] in the Operation tree.
7. Click on the Chuck tab. Edit the Chuck Configuration and try different settings: change
the number of steps and the size of the steps and the base, then click OK.

8. Run the Toolpath Simulation again and view the changes.

Step 11: Post Processing Toolpaths

Post process the toolpaths in the same manner as explained in Step 8 of the Tutorial 3 of this
chapter.

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Turn 6
Double chucking is a method that allows the NC programmer to machine a Turn Stock on
both sides of the part using the Main Spindle. Such double chucking operations are
supported in CAMWorks turning.
The methodology for doing a double chucking operation using the Main spindle is explained
in this tutorial.

What You'll Learn

 Establishing Part Zero
 Defining a stock from a sketch for double chucking
 Changing Feature Definitions for OD & ID Profiles
 Changing the origin machining direction
 Defining the Chuck Configuration
 Setting the Chuck Display State
 Setting the chuck location
 Simulating toolpaths for double chucking

Step 1: Opening the Part

1. Open part file TURN2AX_6.SLDPRT in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn
In this tutorial, assume that Side 1 and Side 2 are Side 1 Side 2
established as shown on the right.
- Side 1 will be machined first and you will be
chucking on Side 2.
- Since the material is a solid billet, you will be
locating on the billet OD on Side 2.

Step 2: Defining Machine Parameters

1. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
2. Double click the Machine item in the Feature tree. TURN2AX_6.SLDPRT
OR

Click on the Define Machine button on the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar.

The Machine dialog is displayed.
- On the Machine tab, highlight Turn Single Turret-inch and click Select.

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- Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Inch Turret 1 is the Active tool crib.
- Click the Post Processor tab and make sure T2AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
3. Do not close the Machine dialog box.

Step 3: Establishing Part Zero

Since this part is a cylinder, CAMWorks already knows where the centerline is. CAMWorks
automatically sets the origin to a default setting and establishes a default centerline.
For a single chucking operation, the default origin may be acceptable. Since you are doing a
double-chucking operation, however, you need
change the default to set the system origin for Side 1.
1. Click the Setup tab in the Machine dialog box.
The origin X and Z symbol displays on the part
in the default location (at the face of the part) for
Side 2.
2. In the Setup definition group box, select
Coordinate System for the Method. The Machine
dialog box minimizes.
3. Click the FeatureManager Design Tree tab
and pick Side 1 Origin in the tree. This action
selects the entity Side 1 Origin.
The origin marker moves to Side 1.
4. Click OK button in the Machine dialog to apply
Feature Manager Design Tree
the changes and close the dialog.

Default Origin at Side 2 Origin changed to Side 1

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Setup tab of Machine dialog

Step 4: Defining the Stock from a Sketch for Double Chucking

The turn part model in this tutorial will be machined by double chucking. For double
chucking, two Turn Part Setups will be required. To define two setups, a sketch (which is
longer than the part on both the sides) must be used to define the stock.

Always define the stock from a sketch when machining a turn part using double
chucking. Defining a stock from a sketch establishes 2 distinct faces (or ends of the
part) which is necessary for double chucking.
Since bar stock has an infinite side length and one
face, you cannot select Bar stock for double chucking.

In this tutorial, you will define the stock from a sketch for
the purpose of generating two setups for double chucking.
1. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
2. Double click Stock Manager in the Feature tree.
OR

Click the Stock Manager button in the CAMWorks

Workflow toolbar.
The Stock Manager dialog is displayed. In this dialog:

- Set the Stock Type to Revolved Sketch.

- In the Available sketches list, select Sketch6.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the
dialog.
Stock Manager Dialog

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Step 5: Defining Machinable Features

Click the Extract Machinable Features button on

the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar or Command
Manager.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager in the Feature tree
and select Extract Machinable Features from the context
menu.
On executing this command, two Turn Setups are created
and AFR recognizes the features that can be machined in
each Setup.
AFR has found an OD Feature and an ID Feature in
Setup 1 that each extent from the front face to the back
face. Turn features recognized by EMF

Changing Feature Definitions for OD and ID Profiles

In this tutorial, you will edit
the feature definitions in OD
Setup 1 and create new ID
features in Setup 2 such that
half of the OD profile and ID
profile is machined from
Setup1 while the other half of
these profiles is machined
from Setup 2. The double-
chucking environment makes OD and ID Feature recognized by Setup1
this possible.

Editing OD Feature in Turn Setup1:

1. Double click OD Feature1 in
the tree. The Edit Turn
Feature dialog is displayed.
2. In this dialog, in the Selected
Entities list box, make sure the
Window selection option is
checked. Deleting segments of the OD feature which will not be
3. Window-pick the segments of machined from Setup1
the part as shown in the figure.
The Selected entities list displays the selected segments which will be removed.

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4. Click OK to close the dialog.

Inserting OD Feature in Turn Setup2:

1. Right click Face Feature2 in Turn Setup2 and select New Turn Feature from the context
menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog is displayed.
2. In this dialog, ensure that OD Feature will be set for the Feature Type.
3. In this dialog, in the Selected Entities list box, make sure the Window selection option is
checked.
4. Window-pick the same segments (faces) that you removed from OD Feature1 as shown
in the figure on the previous page.
5. Click OK to insert the feature.
6. Click Cancel to close the dialog
OD Feature2 is added to Setup2 after Face Feature2.

Editing ID Feature in Turn Setup1:

1. Double click ID Feature1 in the tree. The Edit Turn Feature dialog is displayed.
2. In this dialog, in the Selected
Entities list box, make sure the
Window selection option is
checked.
3. Window-pick the segments of the
part as shown in the figure.
The Selected entities list displays
the selected segments which will
Deleting segments of the ID feature which will not
be removed. be machined from Setup1
4. Click OK to close the dialog.

Inserting ID Feature in Turn Setup2:

1. Right click OD Feature2 in Setup2 and select New Turn
Feature from the context menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog is displayed.
2. In this dialog, select ID Feature for the Feature Type.
3. In the Selected Entities list box, make sure the Window
selection option is checked.
ID Feature2 inserted in Setup2

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4. Window-pick the same

segments (faces) that you
removed from ID Feature1 as
shown in the right side figure.
5. Click OK to insert the
feature.
6. Click Cancel to close the
dialog Deleting segments of the ID feature which will not
be machined from Setup1
ID Feature2 is added to
Setup2.
The OD and ID features in Setup2 should look like the features in the figure on the right.

OD

OD and ID Features machined by Setup2

ID

Step 6: Changing the Origin Machining Direction

1. Left click each Turn Setup in the tree and notice the Origin of the machining direction
indicated by the 3D Origin marker that displays on the part model.
2. The Origin is at the back of the part for both Turn Setups. For Turn Setup1, this is
correct; however, the
origin needs to be changed
for Turn Setup2.
3. In the Operation tree,
double click Turn Setup2.
The Operation Setup
Parameters dialog is
displayed.
4. On the Origin tab, set the
Defined from option to 3D Origin marker displayed on the part model
Automatic.
5. Click OK to close the dialog.
Observe that the 3D Origin marker for Turn Setup2 has moved to the front face.

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Step 7: Generating Operations and Editing Operation Parameters

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar or
Command Manager.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager in the Feature tree and select Generate Operation
Plan from the context menu.
Operations are created for the machinable features in the Turn Setups and are listed in the
Operation tree.
2. Double click Drill1 under Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree. The Operation Parameters
dialog is displayed.
3. On the Feature Options tab:
- Change the Machining length to 5.2in. Increasing this length will drill the part all the
way through.
- Place a check in the Add tip length check box. With this option selected, CAMWorks
takes into account the drill point angle when generating the toolpath.
4. Click OK.
5. Double click Drill2 under Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree. The Operation Parameters
dialog is displayed.
- On the Feature Options tab, change the Machining length to 5.2in
- Check the Add tip length check box.
6. Click OK.
7. In Turn Setup2, hold down the Shift key and
click the Center Drill2, Drill3 and Drill4
operations in the tree.
8. Click on the Delete key.
9. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
As a result of the changes to the drill operations
in Setup1, you can delete these operations
because there will no longer be stock on the
face.
10. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Workflow toolbar or the
Command Manager.
11. Click each operation in the tree to view the
toolpaths.

Deleting Drill Operations in Turn

Setup2
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Step 8: Defining the Chuck Configuration

You are now ready to define the chuck location for
each Setup and run the Toolpath Simulation.
1. Double click the Machine [Turn Single Turret -
inch] in the Operation tree. The Machine dialog
is displayed.
2. Click on the Chuck tab.
- In the Main Spindle Information group box,
click on the Edit button.
The Chuck Parameter [Main Spindle] dialog
is displayed.
- In the Chuck Management group box, select
6in_2Step_Chuck from the Available Chucks
list.
- In the Jaw Parameters group box, change the
Length and Width to 0.5in.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close
the dialog.
3. Click OK to close the Machine dialog.

Step 9: Setting the Chuck Display State Dialog for editing Chuck Parameters

1. Right click the Stock

Manager item in the
Operations tree and select
Display>>Translucent in the
cascading menu.
2. Right click on the Machine
[Turn Single Turret - inch]
item in the Operation tree and
select Chuck Display>>
Shaded with Edges in the
cascading menu.
3. Once again, right click on
the Machine [Turn Single
Setting Chuck Display Options

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Turret - inch] item in the Operation tree and this time, select Chuck Display>>Machine
Node from the cascading menu. The active selection is indicated by a check next the
Machine Node label.
When the Machine Node option is selected, the chuck is displayed in the graphics area
whenever the Machine item is selected in the Operation tree.
4. Once again, right click on the Machine item in the Operation tree and this time, select
Chuck Display>>Setup Node from the cascading menu. The active selection is indicated
by a check next the Setup Node label.
When the Setup Node option is selected, the chuck is displayed in the graphics area
whenever the any of the Setups is selected in the Operation tree.
5. Left click on the Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree. Observe that the Chuck is displayed
as Shaded with Edges in the graphics area. As Turn Setup1 machines Side 1 of the part,
the location of the chuck at the back of the part is correct.
6. Now, mouse over the Stock
Manager item in the
Operation tree. A translucent
display of the stock is
displayed in the graphics
area.
7. Left click on the Turn Setup2
in the Operation tree.
Observe that the Chuck is
displayed as Shaded with
Edges in the graphics area.
As Turn Setup2 machines
Side 2 of the part, the location
of the chuck displayed is
incorrect. The chuck should Chuck Displayed as ‘Shaded with Edges’ for Turn
be located at the opposite Setup1
end, which is the front of the part. The chuck location needs to be changed.

Step 10: Setting the Chuck Location

As seen in the previous step, the location of the Chuck for Turn Setup2 needs to set at the
front of the part (Side 1). The Chuck location for a given step can be changed using the
Chuck Location tab of the Operation Setup Parameters dialog.

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Following are the steps:

1. Right click on the Machine item in the Operations tree and select Chuck
Display>>None from the cascading context menu.
2. Double click Turn Setup2 in the
Operation tree. The Operation Setup
Parameters dialog is displayed.
3. Click the Chuck Location tab. Observe
that, in the graphics area the outline of
the WIP stock is displayed over the part
model.
Datum triangles also display over the
part model. These datum triangles
indicate the location and diameter of WIP stock sketch displayed over the part model
the chuck on
the WIP stock
sketch.
4. In the
Clamping
Diameter
group box of
the Operation
Setup
Parameters
dialog, click
on the field
next to the
symbol. The
mouse tip
indicates that
this is the
Select Entity
for Z
Clamping
Diameter
field. The
stock WIP is
the default
selected entity.
Click in this
field to set the
focus.
Chuck Location tab of the Operation Setup Parameters dialog
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5. In the graphics area, pick the horizontal edge representing the OD of the stock WIP. This
action sets the clamping Horizontal Edge
diameter of the chuck.
Observe that the Entity field
displays CW Vertical Edge
Face-2.
6. In the Clamping Location
group box, click on the field
next to the symbol. The
mouse tip indicates that this
is the Select Entity for Z
Clamping Location field. The Setting the Clamping Location and Diameter on the
stock WIP is the default WIP stock for Turn Setup2
selected entity. Click in this field to set the focus.
7. In the graphics area, pick the vertical edge representing the machined face of the part as
shown in the image on the right. This action sets the chuck face. Observe that the Entity
field displays CW Edge-30.
Note that you may need to zoom in to this area in order to pick these segments easily.
The datum triangle representing the chuck clamping location and the chuck (if display is
enabled) move as shown in the figure.
8. Click OK to apply the changes and close the Operation Setup Parameters dialog.

Step 11: Simulating the Toolpaths for Double Chucking

1. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar/Command
Manager.
The Toolpath Simulation toolbar
is displayed.
2. Click the down arrow next to
End and select Next Setup.
3. Select the following display
options:

- Fixture: Shaded With

Edges

- Stock: Translucent

- Target Part: Shaded

Display
Toolpath Simulation for Turn Setup1

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- Tool Holder: Shaded With Edges

- Tool: Shaded with Edges

4. Rotate the part so you can see the part being machined in Turn Setup1.

5. Click Run button. The simulation runs through the operations in Turn Setup1, then
the chuck display changes to Turn Setup2.
6. Rotate the part so you can see the part being machined in Turn Setup2.

7. Click Run. The toolpaths for the operations in Turn Setup2 are simulated.

Step 12: Post Processing Toolpaths

Post process the toolpaths in the same manner as explained in Step 8 of the Tutorial 3 of this
chapter.

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Turn 7
Turn features that are recognized automatically and created interactively are based on the
spindle centerline and turn section plane. CAMWorks provides two methods for Automatic
Feature Recognition (AFR):
1. Revolved Section: This method uses a more advanced method of recognizing OD
features and in most cases is capable of calculating the minimum rotary silhouette of the
OD of the part. When this method is selected, the part profile is generated using an
automatic method of rotating all model geometry around the turning axis and then
creating a section through the revolved model. For parts with both mill and turn features,
this method will generate a more complete part profile by calculating the minimum
silhouette of the model as it rotates. However, if the Turn part you intend to machine
does not contain any mill features, then you can use the Plane Section method.

Revolved section is the default AFR method.

2. Plane Section: When this method is selected, the part profile is based on the section
plane through the centerline of the part and along the X axis. The section plane is defined
in the Setup tab under the Machine node. Any non-revolved features present on the part
are ignored if they are not in line with the section plane selected in the Setup tab. If this
section plane does not cross through all areas of the part, the resulting features will not be
correct. The Define Turn Section Plane command allows you to define the section plane
so the features will be correct.

The spindle centerline and origin are automatically determined properly for most
turning parts. By default, CAMWorks will position the machining origin at one end
of the part and set the positive Z machining direction to be in the same direction as
the positive SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids X, Y, or Z axis.
When necessary, use the Define Turn Section Plane command to modify the
automatically determined origin, spindle centerline, machining direction and AFR
section plane (for Plane Section).

The Turn part model in this tutorial contains protrusions or ears (mill feature) on the OD of
the part. If the Revolved section method were to be used, then the OD would have included
the shape of the protrusion. However, in order to learn how to define a Turn section plane,
you will use Plane section method.

What You'll Learn

 Setting the AFR method to Plane section
 Using Plane section to extract features correctly
 Viewing the feature relative to standard orientation

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Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the Machining Parameters

1. Open part file TURN2AX_7.SLDPRT in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn
Notice the protrusion on the OD of the large
diameter of the part.

Defining Machining Parameters

1. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
2. Double click the Machine item in the Feature
tree.
OR

Click on the Define Machine button on the

TURN2AX_7.SLDPRT
CAMWorks Workflow toolbar. The Machine
dialog is displayed.
- On the Machine tab, highlight Turn Single Turret - inch and click Select. This
action selects the Turn machine.
- Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Inch Turret 1 is the Active tool crib.
- Click the Post Processor tab and make sure T2AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

Step 2: Extracting Machinable Features using Plane Section Method

Setting the Method for AFR

1. Click the
Options button on
the CAMWorks
Command Manager.
OR
Select Options from
the CAMWorks
menu.
The Options dialog
is displayed.
2. Click on the Turn
Features tab. Setting the AFR method in Turn Features Tab of Options dialog

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3. On this tab, in the Extract Machinable Features group box, set the Method to Plane
Section.
4. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

Extracting Machinable Features

1. Click on the Extract Machinable Features button on the CAMWorks Workflow

toolbar or Command Manager.
2. The features recognized are listed in the CAMWorks Feature tree.
3. Change the View Orientation

to Front .
4. Left click OD Feature1 in the
tree and notice that the OD
feature profile does not include
the shape of the protrusion.
You need to define a section
OD profile (highlighted in orange color) that does not
plane that cuts through the include the shape of the protrusion
protrusion.

Step 3: Using the Plane Section to Extract Machinable Features Correctly

1. Change the View Orientation to Right .

2. Right click CAMWorks NC Manager item in the Feature tree and select Define Turn
Section Plane from the context menu.
3. The Setup tab of the Machine dialog is displayed. For this part, the origin is on the front
right side of the part.

On the Setup tab in the Machine dialog box, the Setup definition options define the
machining origin and the location of the spindle centerline for the part. The origin
specifies program zero and the Z axis identifies the location and direction of the
spindle axis, which determines the features that will be recognized automatically and
created interactively. If the part contains more than one centerline direction, you can
define the desired centerline by selecting a SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids
coordinate system.
In this tutorial, there is only one logical centerline direction and the Automatic setting
finds it properly.
4. The center of the protrusion is 20 degrees counterclockwise off the vertical, so you need
to rotate the section plane to cut through the protrusion. In the Turn feature section plane
group box, set the Angle to 20deg. Notice that the X axis now points through the
protrusion.

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Setting the Angle to 20 degrees for the Turn Feature section plane

When recognizing features using Plane Section, CAMWorks sections the part
through the centerline and along the CAMWorks X axis. If this section plane does
not cross through all areas of the part, the resulting recognized features will not be
correct.
By default, the X axis, which defines the section plane, is vertical and will not cut
through the protrusion, so the protrusion would not be included in the OD feature.

Protrusion at 20degrees X axis points through the

counterclockwise to the X axis protrusion after aligning

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5. Press the tab button to the keyboard to switch focus from the Angle field of Turn feature
section plane to that of Turn feature display plane. (Alternatively, you may click on any
field within the Turn feature display plane group box to shift the focus.)
Notice that the X axis is vertical again. This is because the Turn feature display plane
section of the dialog box is currently set to 0 degrees.

The Turn feature display plane is the plane that the features are displayed parallel
to. This plane can be set separately from the Turn section plane. The display plane
is provided for viewing purposes only and has no affect on AFR.

6. To graphically verify that the rebuilt

OD feature includes the protrusion, set
the Angle for the Turn feature display
plane to 20deg.
7. Click OK to apply the change and close
the dialog.
8. Click Yes when the warning message
displays asking if you want to rebuild.
Warning message
9. Right click Turn Setup1, select Set
View on the context menu, then select
Turn ZX from the cascading menu.
CAMWorks displays turn features
from a single view that is normal to
the Turn feature display plane.
10. Click on the OD feature1 in the tree
to verify that the protrusion is
included in the feature. OD profile recognized by Plane section now
includes the protrusion

Viewing the Feature Relative to the Standard Orientation

In many cases, you may not have a SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids orientation that is normal
to the Turn section plane and you may want to view the features relative to a standard
orientation. To do this, you can set the Turn feature display plane to be parallel to a standard
orientation.

Following are the steps:

1. Double click the Machine [Turn–in] in the Feature tree.
The Machine dialog is displayed.
2. Click on the Setup tab. (This is another way to access the Setup tab.)
3. On the Setup tab in the Turn feature display plane group box, set the Angle back to 0deg.
4. Click OK.

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5. Change the View Orientation to Isometric .

6. Click the OD feature1 in the Feature tree and notice the difference in the display.

OD profile view with orientation aligned

with Turn section plane

OD profile viewed relative to

standard orientation

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Turn 8
In this tutorial, you will learn to define a thread feature and associated operations to cut
double and triple lead threads.

What You'll Learn

 Defining a Thread Feature
 Cutting Multiple Start Threads
 Using the ‘Process by Level’ option for a Threading Operation
 Simulating a Threading toolpath

Step 1: Open the Part and Defining the Machine Parameters

1. Open part file TURN2AX_8.SLDPRT in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn
2. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
3. Double click the Machine item in the
Feature tree.
OR

Click on the Define Machine button on

the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar. The
Machine dialog is displayed.
- On the Machine tab, highlight Turn Single
Turret - inch and click Select. This
action selects the Turn machine.
TURN2AX_8.SLDPRT
- Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Inch
Turret 1 is the Active tool crib.
- Click the Post Processor tab and make sure T2AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

Step2: Defining a Thread Feature

1. Click on the FeatureManager Design tree.
2. Right click Revolve1 in the FeatureManager design tree and select Edit Sketch.
3. In the graphics area, observe that two separate line segments are displayed.

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Notice that the length of the cylindrical turn part is 3 inches and radius is 1 inch. In this
tutorial, you will be threading only the first inch at the front of the part. A separate line
segment of 1 inch length has
been created so that you can
define the feature being
machined for the length of the
thread. You could also use
one long line and edit the
operation's feature length to
cut only the first inch.

4. Click to exit the

sketch.

5. Click the Extract Deleting the three features recognized by EMF command
Machinable Features button
on the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar or Command
Manager.
AFR finds a Face Feature, an OD Feature and a
Cutoff Feature.
6. Select the three features in the Feature tree then
right click and select Delete from the context menu.
As you are not going to use these features, so you
can delete them.
7. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
8. Right click the Recycle Bin and select Empty from
the context menu. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
9. Right click Turn Setup1 in the tree and select New
Turn Feature from the context menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog is displayed.
10. In the Feature group box,
- Ensure that the Feature Type is set to OD
Feature.
- Set the Strategy to Thread.
11. In the Define from group box, highlight Sketch1 in
the list.
12. In the graphics area, either change the View

Orientation to Isometric .
OR
New Turn Feature Dialog

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Rotate the part so that you can see the

Pick the 1 inch segment
sketch. on the sketch
13. Click in the Selected Entities list box of
the dialog to set the focus.
14. Move the pointer over the sketch and
pick the 1 inch line segment. The
segment is added to the Selected
Entities list in the dialog.
15. Click OK to insert the feature.
16. Click Cancel to close the dialog.
Observe that OD Feature2 is added to
the Feature tree.
17. Right click OD Feature2 in the tree and select Parameters in the context menu.
The OD Profile Parameters dialog is
displayed.
18. In the OD Profile Parameters dialog,
set the following in the Thread
Parameters group box:
 Major diameter = 2in
 Thread Depth = 0.085in
 Pitch = 0.25in
19. Click OK to apply the changes and
close the dialog.

OD Profile Parameters dialog

Step 3: Cutting Multiple Start Threads

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar or
Command Manager.
2. Right click Turn Setup1 and select Set View>>Turn ZX from the context menu.
3. Double click Thread1 in the Operation tree.
The Operation Parameters dialog is displayed.

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4. Click on the Thread tab.

5. In the Parameters group box:
- Change the Depth per cut to 0.050in.
- Set the Final cut amount to 0.0in.
6. In the Multi start group box,
leave the Number of starts set to
1.
7. Click the Preview button to
generate and view the toolpath.
8. Double click the blue title bar to Toolpath when Number of Cuts = 1
expand the dialog box.
9. On the Thread tab in the Multi start group box, set the Number of starts to 3.
10. Ensure that you leave the Process by level option unchecked. When this option is not
checked, CAMWorks
generates each start to depth.
11. Click the Preview button to
generate and view the
toolpath. Notice the three
leads.
12. Double click the blue title bar Toolpath when Number of Cuts =3
of the Operation Parameters
dialog to expand the dialog box.
13. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

Step 4: Enabling the ‘Process by Level’ Option for a Threading Operation

1. Double click the Thread1 operation in the Operation tree. The Operation Parameters
dialog is displayed.
2. Click on the Thread tab.
3. In the Multi start group box, check the Process by level option.

When the ‘Process by Level’ option is selected for a threading operation,

CAMWorks generates all starts at the first depth level, then processes all starts at
the next level and so on for each depth.
4. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
5. Regenerate the toolpath by clicking on the Generate Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Command Manager or Workflow Toolbar.

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Step 5: Step Through Toolpath

1. Click the Step Thru Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar or
Command Manager. The Step Through Toolpath dialog is displayed.
2. In the Display Options group box, set the
following:

- Tool: Shaded with Edges

- Tool Holder: Shaded with Edges

- Set No. of Moves as the option for

Display Number of Toolpath records.
- Assign a value of 20 in the Number of
Leading moves field.
- Assign a value of 10 in the Number of
Trailing moves field.

Use the Number of Leading moves field

to input the number of toolpath records
ahead of the current tool position which
are to be displayed.
Use the Number of Trailing moves field
to input the number of toolpath records
following the current tool position which
are to be displayed.
3. In the Information group box:

- Ensure that the Radial or

Diameter Coordinate Display button is
indented. This will output the XZ coordinates
to the tool tip.
Step Through Toolpath
- Ensure that the Tip or Center
Coordinate Display button is indented. This will output the X coordinates in Diameter
mode.

4. Click on the Forward Single Step button in order to step through the toolpath to
view the processing order.
5. Click the OK button to close the Step Through Toolpath dialog.

Step 6: Simulating the Threading Toolpath

Click the Options button on the CAMWorks Command Manager. OR

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Select Options from the CAMWorks menu.

The Options dialog is displayed.
6. Click on the Simulation tab.
7. On this tab, check the Simplified threading option in the Display group box.

The ‘simplified Threading’

option can be used to simulate
a thread in a simplified form to
improve performance. When
this option is not checked,
CAMWorks simulates the full
thread, which can result in very
slow simulation speeds. When
this option is checked,
CAMWorks simulates the
thread as if the cut is a normal
turning cut and thread
simulation should be much
faster.
8. Click OK to apply the changes and
close the dialog.
9. Right click Turn Setup1 in the tree, Thread Toolpath Simulation in progress
select Set View>>Turn -ZX from the
cascading context menu.
10. Click the Simulate Toolpath
button on the CAMWorks Workflow
toolbar or Command Manager.
11. Set the following Display Options:

- Fixture: No display.

- Target Part: No display

- Tool: Shaded with Edges

- Tool Holder: Shaded with

Edges.

- Stock: Shaded with Edges

Completed Thread Feature after Toolpath
12. Use the Zoom to Area button to Simulation
zoom to the front of the part.

13. Click the Single Step button repeatedly. View how each toolpath cuts into the part to
generate thread feature.

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Chapter 2: Learning 4 Axis Turn

CAMWorks uses the Rear turret for 2 Axis Turn machining and as the default for 4 Axis
Turn machining. All tool motion and output is displayed and output from a Rear turret
perspective.
When the machine has 4 Axis capability, you can define the machine in the Technology
Database to use both Rear and Front turrets. Then, you can choose to have the display and
output for any of the operations in the Operation tree generated from the Rear or Front turret
(providing there is a tool available on the Front turret).
This chapter provides an opportunity to learn CAMWorks 4 Axis Turn. The exercises in this
chapter are intended to show you how to use CAMWorks and may not correspond to actual
machining practices.
The exercise parts are installed when you install CAMWorks and are in the \Examples\Turn
folder. This folder is inside the CAMWorks data folder
(Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn).

IMPORTANT! CAMWorks uses a set of knowledge-based rules to assign

machining operations to features. The Technology Database contains the
data for the machining process plans and can be customized for your
facility's machining methodology. When you do these exercises, your results
may not be exactly the same as described in the steps and illustrated in the
figures. This is because the machining sequences and operations data in
your Technology Database may be different from the database used to
produce the documentation.

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4 Axis Turn 1
CAMWorks provides support for machines with front and rear turret configurations allowing
2+2 axis machining. For machines that are defined as 4 axis in the Technology Database, an
option is provided to select either Front or Rear turret for each operation.

What You'll Learn

In this tutorial, you will explore how to machine a turn part using 4axis machining. The
following aspects will be covered in detail:
 Defining a 4 Axis machine
 Defining machinable turn features interactively
 Defining the Chuck location for multiple Turn Setups
 Simulating toolpaths for operations machined from Multiple Turn Setups

Step 1: Opening the Part

1. Open part file TURN4AX_1.SLDPRT in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples
\Turn
2. Observe that there are 5 grooves on the part in this
tutorial: 2 face grooves, 2 OD grooves and 1 ID
groove. There is also an OD thread that will be
machined. There is also an OD thread that will be
machined. In this tutorial, all the features will be
machined from the Main Spindle. However, the
rear end of the part contains a rectangular groove
on the face feature which cannot be machined from
the same turn setup as other features (unless Sub
Spindle functionality is used). This feature will be
TURN4AX_1.SLDPRT
machined from a different Turn Setup along with
an OD feature and Face feature.
Face Feature
OD Feature

Rectangular
Groove Face

Rectangular Groove Face

Features machined from Turn Setup2

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Step 2: Define the Machine Parameters for 4 Axis Machining

1. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
2. Double click the Machine item in the Feature tree.
OR

Click on
the Define
Machine
button on the
CAMWorks
Workflow
toolbar. The
Machine
dialog is
displayed.
3. On the Machine
tab, highlight
Turn Twin
Turret - inch
and click
Select.
Selecting Turn Twin Turret - inch Machine
This action
selects the Active
machine.
This machine has
been defined as a
4 axis machine in
the TechDB.
Before using
CAMWorks to
machine your
parts, make sure
you define the
machine tools
available in your
facility.
4. Click the Tool
Crib tab.
 For the Rear
Turret,
highlight Inch Assigning Tool crib to the Front turret

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Turret 1 in the Available tool cribs list and click Select.

 In the Turret dropdown list, change the Turret to Front Turret.
 Highlight Inch Turret 1 in the Available tool cribs list and click Select.
You can use Inch Turret 1 as the Active tool crib for both Rear and Front turrets.
5. Click the Post Processor tab and make sure T4AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
This tutorial post processor supports 2+2 axis output. When you use CAMWorks to
machine your own parts, select your machine tool controller or post processor.
6. Click OK to apply the changes and exit the Machine dialog.

Step 3: Defining the Stock

1. Double click Stock Manager in the Feature tree.

2. Leave the Type set to Bar stock.

3. Set the following parameters:
- Outside Diameter to 4.25in
- Stock Length to 4.1in
- Back of Stock Absolute to -4.05in
4. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

Step 4: Defining Features Automatically and Interactively

In order to define the machinable features on this part, you will run the Extract Machinable
Features command.
Since this turn part will be chucked, two different
setups will be used to machine the features. The rear
portion of the part will be machined from a different
setup from the front portion of the part.

1. Click the Extract Machinable Features button

on the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar or Command
Manager.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager and select
Extract Machinable Features from the context
menu.
Two Turn Setups are created and AFR recognizes
the features that can be machined in each Setup.
2. Since you will be chucking, right click on Cutoff
Feature1 in the Turn Setup1, select Delete on the Features recognized by EMF

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context menu and click Yes to confirm the deletion.

3. Right click on Groove Rectangular OD3 feature in the tree and select New Turn Feature
from the context menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog box is displayed.
- In the Feature group box:
 Select OD Feature for Type.
 For the Strategy, select Thread from the list.
- Click in the Selected entities list box to set the focus.
 Pick the horizontal
segment shown in the
figure.
 The selected face
entity and two extent
entities display in the
Selected entities list.
You do not need to
extent either end of
the segment. Highlight the segment to be threaded

4. Click OK to insert the feature.

5. Click Cancel to close the dialog.
OD Feature2 [Thread] is listed in the Feature tree after Groove Rectangular OD3.
6. Right click OD Feature2 and select Parameters from the context menu.
The OD Profile Parameters dialog is displayed.
 In this dialog, set the following thread parameters:
 Major dia = 3.85in
 Thread depth = 0.05in
 Pitch = 0.05in
 Minor dia = 3.75in
7. Click OK to apply the changes and close the OD Profile Parameters dialog.

Step 5: Editing Machinable Features

One of the advantages of CAMWorks is that WIP (work-in-process) is updated after
generation of every toolpath, which reduces the amount of air cutting. The feature geometry
defines which portions of the part to cut and is based on the part itself. In almost all cases the
initial stock will be larger than the finished part size and CAMWorks must determine how to
intersect the feature geometry to the stock WIP. By editing the feature geometry you can
modify which portion of the part to machine and how the feature will extent to the WIP. In

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the following steps, you will learn how to remove segments from a feature and learn how to
set the extent direction for each end of the feature.

Extents of the OD feature

1. Double click OD Feature1 in the Feature tree.
The Edit Turn Feature dialog is displayed.
2. Observe the Selected entities list box and note that the feature is defined by 13 geometry
segments and two extent segments.
3. Since the rear of the part will be machined from a separate setup, remove the segment
that will machine the largest diameter at the rear of the part. This segment will be later
machined as an OD feature from Turn
Setup2.
Removing this segment from the list
can be done in either of the following
two ways:
- By highlighting the segment in the
Selected entities list and pressing
the Delete key.
Pick the segment indicating the largest diameter
- By simply picking the entity on
the OD profile of the part in the graphics area.
After you remove the segment using one the above two methods, note that the feature
now contains only 12 geometry
segments.
4. The Extent segments define how the start
and end of the feature will project to meet
the WIP. Now that you have removed the
last geometry segment from the feature,
you want to define the extent segment at
the rear of the part to project in direction Extending the segments for OD Feature1
X towards the OD of the stock. To
determine which extent segment is associated to the last geometry segment, pick either
the first or last Selected entity in the list to see which graphically highlights. In most cases
the last segment in the list will be towards the rear of the part.
- You would want the feature extent direction at the front of the part to be along the Z
direction. In the Extent1 group box (representing the extent segment at the front of the
feature), select Along Z.
- In the Extent2 group box, (representing the extent segment at the back of the feature),
select Along X.

To determine which Extent Entity group box (between Extent1 and Extent2)
represent the front and back of the part, pick different options in these group

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boxes. The change in extent direction as represented in the graphics area helps
you to determine which Extent represents the Front and Rear.

5. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

Extents of the ID feature

1. Double click ID Feature1 to define the extent directions for the ID feature.
The Edit Turn Feature dialog is
displayed.
2. At the start of the feature, you would
want to extent along Z. In the Extent2
group box, select Along Z.
3. The extent segment for the end of the
feature should extent toward the Extending the segments for ID Feature1
centerline of the part. In the Extent1
group box, select Along X. If necessary, select the Reverse option to point the extent
direction toward the centerline.
4. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

Interactively inserting Face Feature and OD Feature in Turn Setup2

When you machine the rear of the part while holding with
the Main Spindle, you will need to turn down the diameter
at the rear of the part, face the back of the part and machine
the rear groove. AFR already found the groove at the rear of
the part (in Turn Setup2), but not the face feature or OD
feature.
(The OD feature is the OD segment of OD Feature1 which
was deleted with the intent of machining it Turn Setup2.)
In this step, you will interactively insert these features.
1. Right click Turn Setup2 and select New Turn Feature
from the context menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog is displayed. Picking the vertical segment
2. In the Feature group box, select Face Feature for Type. indicating the face feature

3. Click in the Selected entities list box to set the focus.

- Pick the vertical segment as shown in the figure.
- The selected entity and two extent entities display in the Selected entities list. You do
not need to extent either end of the segment.
4. Click OK to insert the feature.
5. Click Cancel to close the dialog.

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Face Feature2 will be listed under Turn Setup2 in the Feature tree.
6. Once again, right click Turn Setup2 and select New Turn Feature from the context menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog is displayed.
7. In the Feature group box:
- Select OD Feature for Type.
- Leave the Strategy set to Coarse.
8. Click in the Selected entities list box to set the
focus.
- Pick the horizontal edge shown in the figure.
- The selected entity and two extent entities
display in the Selected entities list. You do not
need to extent either end of the segment.
9. Click OK to insert the feature. Picking the segment at the rear
10. Click Cancel to close the dialog. end to define OD Feature

OD Feature3 will be listed under Turn Setup2 in

the Feature tree.
11. Drag and drop Face Feature2 so that it is the first
feature listed under Turn Part Setup2.
12. Ensure that features are listed in Feature tree as
shown in the image to the right.
The features at the rear end of the part which will be
machined from Turn Setup2 are given below.
Face Feature2

OD Feature3

Order of Features

Features machined from Turn Setup2

Groove Rectangular Face5

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Step 6: Generating Operations and Toolpaths

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks Command Manager or
Workflow toolbar.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager in the Feature tree and select Generate Operation
Plan from the context menu.
Operations are created for the machinable features in both the Turn Setups.
2. Double click Turn Rough1 (for OD Feature1) in the Operation tree to edit the operation.
- On the Rough Turn tab, ensure that the Undercut option in the Profile parameters
group box is checked.

The Undercut option defines whether the toolpath can create an undercut up to
the back angle of the tool. When checked, the toolpath follows the entire
toolpath observing the back angle.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
3. Double click Turn Finish1 operation (for OD Feature1).
- On the Finish Turn tab, ensure that the Undercut option is checked.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
4. Double click Rough Groove2 operation (for Groove Rectangular OD2 feature).
The Operation Parameters dialog is displayed.
5. On the Rough Groove tab of the Operation Parameters dialog, make the following
changes:
 Set the Stepover to 0.05in.
 Activating the Groove Peck type enables the First peck amt., Sub Peck amt. and Min.
Peck amount fields in the Parameters group box.
 Set the First peck amt. to 0.05in.
 Set the Sub peck amt to 0.05in.
 In the Grooving styles group box:
 Change the Groove peck type to Constant.
With this option selected, the tool feeds in the First peck amount, then continues
feeding in the Sub peck amount until the depth is reached.
 Make sure the Groove style is set to Normal.
This option generates a toolpath where the tool plunges perpendicular to the
bottom of the groove. Multiple parallel plunge cuts will be produced when the
width of the groove is wider than the tool. The sequence of the cuts is based on the
specified order. Using the optional Deep groove cycle, the tool can be retracted
between each depth of cut to allow chip removal.
 Check the Deep groove cycle option.

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With this option selected, the tool pecks at a specific depth (much like in the
Cutoff cycle). This cycle is used for machining grooves that are unusually deep
and require using a thin insert that would break if you could not peck the groove.
6. Click the Tool tab.
- Select the Tool Crib page,
 Select Front Turret for the Turret option.
 Highlight the tool in Stn.No.04 (Groove Insert tool of 0.008in. radius and 0.062in.
Width) and click Select.
- On the Groove Insert page,
 Set the Length to 1in.
- Click the Holder page,
 In the Orientation group box, make sure the orientation is set to Up right or Up
left.
 In the Holder Edge group box, make sure the Holder edge is set to Side.
 Change the Protrusion to 0.65in.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
- If CAMWorks displays a warning stating that Tool Parameters have changed and
prompt you to either change the Tool parameters or the add it as a new tool. Select
Add.
7. Double click Finish Groove2 operation (for Groove Rectangular OD2 feature).
The Operation Parameters dialog is displayed.
- Select the Tool Crib page of the Tool tab.
 Select Front Turret for the Turret option.
 Highlight the tool in Stn.No.04 (Groove Insert tool of 0.008in. radius and 0.062in.
Width) and click Select.
- Click the Holder tab and verify that the holder is the same as for Rough Groove2 and
has the same orientation.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
- If CAMWorks displays a warning stating that Tool Parameters have changed and
prompt you to either change the Tool parameters or the add it as a new tool. Select
Add.
8. Double click Rough Groove4 operation (for Groove Rectangular ID4 feature). The
Operation Parameters dialog is displayed.
- On the Tool tab:
 Select the Boring Bar page.
 Change the Lead angle to 0deg.
- On the Rough Groove tab:
 Change the Radial (X) and Axial (Z) allowances to 0.0in.

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 In the Cleanup group box, set the Cleanup pass option to Full Groove.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
- CAMWorks will display a warning stating that Tool Parameters have changed and
prompt you to either change the Tool parameters or the add it as a new tool. Select
Add.
9. Right click Finish Groove4 (operation for Groove Rectangular ID4 feature) in the
Operation tree and select Delete. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
10. Double click the Drill1 operation.
- On the Feature Options tab,
 Check the Add tip length option.
 Change the Machining length to 4.05in.
Increasing this length ensures that the full diameter of the drill will pass through
the back of the part.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
11. Double click the Thread1 operation.
- On the Thread tab,
 Set the Start length to 0.075in.
 Set the End length to 0.05in.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
12. Under the Turn Setup2, double click the Face Rough2 operation (for Face Feature 2).
- On the Holder Page of the Tool tab,
 Change the Lead Angle to 0deg.
 Ensure that the Orientation is Down right.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
- CAMWorks will display a warning stating that Tool Parameters have changed and
prompt you to either change the Tool parameters or the add it as a new tool. Select
Add.
13. Repeat the process mentioned in above Step no. 12. for Face Finish2 operation.
14. Double click Rough Groove5 operation (for Groove Rectangular Face5 feature).
The Operation Parameters dialog is displayed.
- On the Tool tab:
 Select the Holder page.
 Set the Holder edge to End.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.
15. Repeat the process mentioned in above Step no. 14. for Finish Groove5 operation.

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16. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager or
Workflow toolbar.

Step 7: Defining the Chuck Location for Turn Setup1

Disabling Chuck Display in Graphics Area
Right-click on the Machine item Turn
4ax (2+2) and set the Chuck Display
to None.
This action disables the chuck display.
The chuck display has been disabled at
this stage because the chuck
configurations and locations have not
yet been properly defined. Once
defined, the chuck display will be
enabled again.

Setting the Chuck Display option to ‘None’

Defining the geometry of the chuck

1. Double click the Machine item Turn 4ax (2+2) in the Operation tree.
The Machine dialog is displayed.
2. Click on the Chuck tab.
3. Turn Setup1 is machined from the Main Spindle. Hence, in the Main Spindle Information
group box, click on the Edit button.
4. The Chuck Parameter : [Main Spindle] dialog is displayed. This dialog is used to defined
the geometry of the chuck.
- In the Chuck Management group box, select 8in_2Step_Chuck from the list of
Available Chucks.
This is one of several chuck configurations that has been saved in the TechDB. You
can define additional configurations by setting the parameters on this tab, then typing
a name in the input box and clicking the Save button.
- In the Jaw Parameters group box:
 Uncheck the Equal step width option.
 Set the Step 2 Width to 0.5in.
 Set the Step 1 Length to 0.6in.

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5. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

6. Click OK to close the Machine dialog.
7. Double click on Turn Setup1in the Operations tree.
The Operation Setup Parameters dialog is displayed.
Datum triangle indicating
8. On the Chuck Location tab, clamping diameter
- Observe that, in the graphics
area, the outline of the work-
in-process (WIP) stock is
displayed over the part model.
Datum triangles also display
over the part
model. These
datum triangles Datum triangle
indicate the indicating clamping
location
location and Stock sketch and datum triangles
diameter of the chuck on the
WIP stock sketch.
- In the graphics area, observe that the datum triangle representing the Clamping
diameter and Clamping location are located correctly on the stock sketch. The triangle
indicating the clamping location is located on the vertical edge representing the back
(locating) face.
9. Click OK to close the dialog.

Step 8: Defining the Chuck Location for Turn Setup2

1. Double click on Turn Setup2 in the Operations tree.
The Operation Setup Parameters dialog is displayed.
2. On the Origin tab, change the Origin Defined from
option to Automatic.
3. Ensure that the Other end option is checked.
4. The origin marker displays as shown in the image on Change in location of Origin
the right. marker

5. Click on the Chuck Location tab,

- In the graphics area, observe that, the outline of the work-in-process (WIP) stock is
displayed over the part model. The location of the datum triangles indicating the
clamping diameter and location are incorrect. This is because the Clamping diameter
and Clamping location for the turn setup have not been defined in the Chuck Location
tab. These parameters need to be defined.
- To set the Clamping diameter, following are the steps:

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 In the Clamping Diameter group box of the Chuck location tab, click in the Select
Entity for Z Clamping Diameter field next to the symbol in order to set the
focus.
In the graphics area, pick
the right-most horizontal
edge of the WIP stock
sketch (indicated by the
arrow in the image on the
right). Observe that the
location of the triangle
representing the Clamping
diameter changes.
 Observe that WIP is listed WIP stock sketch and datum triangles
as the entity Select Entity
for Z Clamping Diameter field.
- To set the Clamping location, following are the steps:
 In the Clamping Location group box of the Chuck location tab, click in the Select
Entity for Z Clamping Location field next to the symbol in order to set the
focus.
 In the graphics area, pick
the WIP stock sketch at the
back vertical edge of the
small diameter for the
chuck face as shown in the
image on the right.
Note that you may need to
zoom in to this area in
order to pick easily.
 Observe that the location Corrected location of the datum triangles
of the triangle representing
the Clamping Location changes as well as the triangle representing Clamping
Diameter changes.
 Observe that CW Edge-50 is listed as the entity Select Entity for Z Clamping
Location field.
6. In the Chuck properties group box, set Chuck defined from Setup.

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7. As observed, the geometry of

the chuck is defined from the
Chuck Parameters dialog in
the Machine node. By
default, this globally defined
chuck location is used for all
the turn setups. This is
indicated in the Chuck
Properties group box on the
Chuck Location tab.
 If the Chuck properties
group box indicates
Chuck defined from
Machine, then the chuck
geometry defined from the
Machine node is currently
being used for the Turn
Setup.
 If the group box indicates
Chuck defined from
Setup, then the chuck
geometry defined at the
Setup level. This option is Operation Setup Parameters dialog
preferable when
machining the part using multiple turn setups where the chuck may change from setup
to setup.
8. Click on the Edit button in the Chuck properties group box.
The Chuck Parameters dialog is displayed.
- In the Jaw Parameters group box, select the Jaws out option.
- Click to apply changes and close the dialog.
9. Click OK to close the Operation Setup Parameters dialog.
10. Click Yes when CAMWorks displays a message stating that toolpaths need to
recalculated.
OR
Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow toolbar to regenerate toolpaths for both Setups.

If you change the Chuck Configuration in the Chuck tab of the Machine dialog, you
will need to pick the Chuck Location again on the Chuck Location tab of the
Operation Setup Parameters dialog.

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11. Right click on the Machine item Turn 4ax (2+2) in the Operation tree and set the Chuck
Display option to Shaded with Edges.
12. Once again right click on the Machine item Turn 4ax (2+2) in the Operation tree and set
the Chuck Display option to Machine node and Setup node.
This action ensures that the Chuck is displayed in the graphics area whenever a machine
node or Setup node is highlighted in the Operation tree.
13. Left click Turn Setup1 in the Operation tree and observe the Chuck in the graphics area.
14. Left click Turn Setup2 in the Operation tree and observe the Chuck in the graphics area.

Step 9: Simulating the Toolpaths for Multiple Turn Setups

1. Change the View Orientation to Isometric view .

2. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command
Manager/Workflow toolbar.
The Toolpath Simulation dialog is displayed.

3. Set the Fixture Display to Shaded with Edges. The chuck defined for Turn
Setup1[TurnOpSetup1] will be displayed.
4. Click the down arrow next to End and select Next Setup from the dropdown list.
5. Select the following display options:

- Fixture: Shaded with Edges (The chuck defined for Turn Setup1[TurnOpSetup1]
will be displayed)

- Stock: Translucent Display

- Tool: Shaded Display

- Holder: Shaded Display

- Target: Shaded Display

6. Click the Options button on the Toolpath Simulation toolbar.

7. In the displayed Options dialog, check the Simplified Threading option.
8. When this option is checked, CAMWorks simulates the thread as if the cut is a normal
turning cut and thread simulation should be much faster. When this option is not checked,
CAMWorks simulates the full thread, which can result in very slow simulation speeds.
Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog.

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9. Click Yes when CAMWorks displays

a warning stating that Simulation
must be restarted for the new settings
to take effect.

10. Click Run button on the

Toolpath Simulation toolbar.
The simulation runs through the
operations in Turn Setup1 which is
machined from the Main Spindle.
11. After simulating all the operation in
this Setup, it will then display the
chuck for Turn Setup2 which is also
machined from the Main spindle.
The simulation stops because the end
condition was specified as Next
Setup. Operations machined from Turn Setup1
12. Rotate the part so you can see the
face with the groove.

13. Click Run button on the Toolpath

Simulation toolbar. The operations in
Turn Setup2 are simulated.
14. After simulation, click the Close
button on the Toolpath Simulation
toolbar to exit Simulation mode.

Operations machined from Turn Setup2

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4 Axis Turn 2
CAMWorks provides support for machines with front and rear turret configurations allowing
2+2 axis machining. For machines that are defined as 4 axis in the Technology Database, an
option is provided to select either Front or Rear turret for each operation.
These machines have a twin Spindle Setup: Main Spindle and Sub Spindle.

If your CAMWorks license does not support Multi Function module, then all
commands related to machining using a twin spindle setup will be disabled.

What You'll Learn

In this tutorial, you will explore how to machine a turn part using 4axis machining. The
following aspects will be covered in detail:
 Defining a 4 Axis machine
 Defining the Features Automatically and Interactively
 Generating the Operation Plan
 Setting the chuck location for Turn Setup machined from the Main Spindle
 Setting the chuck location for Turn Setup machined from the Sub Spindle
 Adjusting the Parameter and Generating the Toolpaths
 Inserting the Sub Spindle Operation Interactively
 Simulating the Toolpaths for Turn Setups

Step 1: Opening the Part

1. Open part file TURN4AX_2.SLDPRT in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Turn
In this tutorial, assume that Side 1 and Side 2 are
established as shown on the right.
Side 2 Side 1
- Side 1 will be machined first and you will be
chucking on Side 2.
- Side 2 will be machined second and you will be
chucking on Side 1.
2. In this tutorial, the features of the Side 1 will be
machined from the Main Spindle and the features
of the Side 2 will be machined from the Sub
spindle. This all features will be machined from a
different Turn Setup.
TURN4AX_2.SLDPRT

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Step 2: Define the Machine Parameters for 4 Axis Machining

1. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
2. Double click the
Machine [Mill – inch]
item in the Feature
tree.
OR

Click on the
Define Machine
button on the
CAMWorks
Workflow toolbar.
The Machine dialog
box is displayed.
3. On the Machine
tab, highlight Turn
Twin Turret - inch
and click Select.
This action selects the
Active machine.
4. In the Machine
Information group
box, observe that
whether the checkbox
for Sub-Spindle
support is checked or
not.
 If this checkbox is
checked, it
indicates that your Selecting Turn Twin Turret - inch Machine
current license
supports Sub Spindle functionality.
 If this checkbox is not checked, then your current license does not support this
functionality. Contact your CAMWorks Reseller to get the appropriate license.
This machine has been defined as a 4 axis machine in the TechDB. Before using
CAMWorks to machine your parts, make sure you define the machine tools available
in your facility.
5. In the Active machine group box, check the Use sub-spindle option.
This action allows the current part model to use Sub Spindle for machining operations.

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6. Click the Tool Crib tab, highlight Inch Turret 1 in the Available tool cribs list and click
Select.
This action selects the Active Tool Crib.
7. Click the Post Processor tab and make sure T4AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
This tutorial post processor supports 2+2 axis output. When you use CAMWorks to
machine your own parts, select your machine tool controller or post processor.
8. Click OK to apply the changes and exit the Machine dialog box.

If your machine tool has a Sub spindle and the output generated by your active post
processor indicates that the Sub Spindle functionality is not supported, please
contact your CAMWorks Reseller to request the functionality be added to your post
processor.

Step 3: Defining the Stock

1. Double click Stock Manager in the Feature tree.
The Stock Manager dialog box is displayed.

2. Leave the Stock Type set to Bar stock.

3. Set the following parameters:
- Outside Diameter to 5.25in
- Stock Length to 6.1in
- Back Of Stock Absolute to -6.05in
4. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

Step 4: Defining Features Automatically and Interactively

In order to define the machinable features on this part, you will run the Extract Machinable
Features command.

Click the Extract Machinable Features button on

the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar or Command
Manager.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager and select
Extract Machinable Features on the context menu.
On executing this command, Turn Setup is created and
AFR recognizes the features that can be machined in
the Setup.
AFR has found an OD Feature and an ID Feature in
Features recognized by EMF
Turn Setup 1 that each extent from the front face to the

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back face.

Deleting the CutOff feature in Turn Setup1:

1. Since you are chucking, right click CutOff Features1 in the Turn Setup1 and select the
Delete on the context menu.
2. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
The deleted feature is moved to the Recycle Bin.
3. Click the sign to the left of the Recycle Bin in the Feature tree to collapse it.

Changing Feature Definitions for OD and ID Profiles

In this tutorial, you will edit
the feature definitions in Turn OD
ID
Setup1 and create new features
such that half of the OD profile
and ID profile is machined
from Main Spindle while the
other half of these profiles is
machined from Sub spindle.
The double-chucking
environment makes this
possible. OD and ID Feature recognized by Turn Setup1

Editing OD Feature in Turn Setup1:

1. Double click OD Feature1 in the tree. The Edit Turn Feature dialog box is displayed.
2. In this dialog box, in the
Selected Entities list box, make
sure the Window selection
option is checked.
3. Window pick the segments of
the part as shown in the image
on right. Deleting the segments of the OD feature which will not
The Selected entities list be machined from Main spindle
displays the selected segments
which will be removed.
4. Click OK to close the dialog.

Inserting OD Feature in Turn Setup1:

1. Right click Turn Setup1 in the CAMWorks Feature tree and select New Turn Feature on
the context menu.

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The New Turn Feature dialog box is displayed.

2. In this dialog box, ensure that OD Feature is set for the Feature Type.
3. Select the Sub spindle as a Spindle type from the dropdown list.
4. In this dialog box, in the Selected Entities list box, make sure the Window selection
option is checked.
5. Window pick the same segments (faces) that you removed from OD Feature1 as shown
in the above images.
6. Click OK to insert the feature.
7. Click Cancel to close the dialog
OD Feature2 is added to Turn Setup1.

Editing ID Feature in Turn Setup1:

1. Double click ID Feature1 in the tree. The Edit Turn Feature dialog box is displayed.
2. In this dialog box, in the Selected
Entities list box, make sure the
Window selection option is
checked.
3. Window pick the segments of the
part as shown in the image or
right.
The Selected entities list displays
the selected segments which will
be removed. Deleting the segments of the ID feature which will
not be machined from Main spindle
4. Click OK to close the dialog.

Inserting ID Feature in Turn Setup1:

1. Right click Turn Setup1 and select New Turn Feature on the context menu.
The New Turn Feature dialog box is displayed.
2. In this dialog box, select ID Feature for the Feature Type.
3. Select the Sub spindle as a Spindle type from the dropdown list.
4. In the Selected Entities list box, make sure the Window selection option is checked.
5. Window pick the same segments (faces) that you removed from ID Feature1 as shown in
the above image.
6. Click OK to insert the feature.
7. Click Cancel to close the dialog
ID Feature2 is added to Turn Setup1.

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8. Press the Control key and highlights the OD Feature1 and ID Features1 in Turn Setup1.
Observe that the features will be look like this for machining from Main spindle.

ID
OD

OD and ID Features machined by Main Spindle

Step 5: Generating Operations Plan

Click the Generate Operation Plan
button on the CAMWorks Workflow toolbar
or Command Manager.
OR
Right click CAMWorks NC Manager in the
Feature tree and select Generate Operation
Plan from the context menu.
Operations are created for the machinable
features in the Turn Setups and are listed in
the Operation tree.

Operation recognized after GOP

Step 6: Defining the Chuck Configuration

You are now ready to define the chuck location for each Turn Setup and generate the
toolpath.
1. Double click the Machine [Turn Twin Turret - inch] in the Operation tree. The Machine
dialog box is displayed.
2. Click on the Chuck tab.
- In the Sub Spindle Information group box, set the Distance (D) to 8in.
3. Click OK to close the Machine dialog box.

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Setting the Chuck Location for Turn Setup from the Main spindle:
1. Right click on the Machine [Turn Twin Turret - inch] in the Operations tree and select
Chuck Display>>None on the cascading context menu.
2. Double click the Turn Setup1 [Turn OpSetup1] in the Operation tree. The Operation
Setup Parameters: [Main Spindle] dialog box is displayed.
3. Click the Chuck Location tab.
Observe that, in the graphics area the outline of the WIP stock is displayed over the part
model. Datum triangles also display over the part model. These datum triangles indicate
the location and diameter of the chuck on the WIP stock sketch.

4. In the Clamping Diameter group box, click on the field next to the symbol. The
mouse tip indicates that this is the Select Entity for Clamping Diameter field. The stock
WIP is the default selected entity.
Horizontal Edge
5. Click in this field to
set the focus.
6. In the Vertical Edge
graphics area,
pick the horizontal
edge representing the
OD of the stock WIP
as shown in the image
on right. This action
sets the clamping
diameter of the chuck.
Selection the Clamp Location and Diameter for Turn Setup1
7. In the Clamping Location
group box, click on the field next to the symbol. The mouse tip indicates that this is
the Select Entity for Z Clamping Location field. The stock WIP is the default selected
entity.
8. Click in this field to set the focus.
9. In the graphics area, pick the vertical edge representing the machined face of the part as
shown in the above image. This action sets the chuck face.
10. In the Clamping Location group box, set the Z offset to -0.3in.
11. The datum triangle representing the chuck clamping location and the chuck (if display is
enabled) move as shown in the image below.
12. Click OK to close the Operation Setup Parameters dialog box.

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Chuck location after selection Clamping

Location and Diameter and setting the Z offset
value for Turn Setup1

Setting the Chuck Location for Turn Setup from the Sub spindle:
1. Double click the Turn Setup1 [Turn OpSetup2] of Sub spindle in the Operation tree. The
Operation Setup Parameters: [Sub Spindle] dialog box is displayed.
2. Click the Chuck Location tab.

3. In the Clamping Diameter group box, click on the field next to the symbol to set the
focus.
4. In the graphics area, pick
the horizontal edge of
the part as shown in the
image on right. This
action sets the clamping Horizontal Edge

diameter of the chuck.

Observe that the Entity
field displays CW Face- Vertical Edge
76.
5. In the Clamping
Location group box,
click on the field next to
the symbol to set the Selection the Clamp Location and Diameter for Turn
focus. Setup2

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6. In the graphics area, pick the vertical edge of the part as shown in the image(highlighted
in blue). This action sets the chuck face. Observe that the Entity field displays CW Edge-
0.
Note that you may need to zoom in to this area in order to pick these segments easily.
7. In the Clamping Location group box, set the Z offset to 0.3in.

Operation Setup Parameters: [Sub Spindle] dialog box

8. The datum triangle representing the chuck clamping location and the chuck (if display is
enabled) move as shown in the figure.
9. Click OK to close the Operation Setup Parameters dialog box.

Chuck location after selecting the Clamp Location

and Diameter and setting Z offset value for Turn
Setup2

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Step 7: Adjusting the Parameter and Generating the Toolpaths

1. Double click on the Bore Finish2 of the Turn Setup1 [Turn OfSetup2] of Sub spindle.
2. The warning message displayed which prompt that the current holder orientation is not
allowed and CAMWorks have selected a valid orientation. Click OK to review the
orientation.

Warning Message
3. The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed.
4. Click the Preview button and observe the orientation.
5. Click the button to restore the dialog and click OK to close.
6. Observe the CAMWorks Operation tree that the toolpath for Bore Finish is created
automatically since you have approved for the holder orientation.

7. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.

CAMWorks calculates the toolpaths for each operation in the Turn Setup.

Step 8: Inserting the Sub spindle Operation Interactively

You are now interactively inserting the Sub Spindle Operation in the Turn Setup1 [Turn
OfSet1] of Main Spindle. You are inserting Sub spindle operation in the bottom of generated
toolpath of Main spindle because sub spindle toolpath will start after completion the Main
Spindle toolpath and it is required to hold the part in sub spindle clamp before starting the
toolpath.
Alternatively, you can also insert the Sun spindle operation in the top of the Turn Setup 1
[Turn OpSetup2] of sub spindle.

1. Click on the Turn Setup 1 [Turn OfSet1] in the Operation tree.

2. Click on the New Sub Spindle Operation on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
The New Sub Spindle Operations dialog box is displayed.
3. In the Available Templates list, select the Grab and pull by Distance template.

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4. Click OK to apply the changes.

The Sub Spindle Parameters dialog box is displayed.
5. In the Steps list of the Parameters tab, there are two Spindle Feed options.
The Spindle Feed step provides the ability to move the sub spindle along Z in either rapid
or feed motion.
- When you will click on the first Spindle Feed
from the list, this action will display the
Spindle Feed Move group box and enable the
Absolute to check box. When this option is
selected, the sub spindle position can be
specified as an absolute location relative to a
selected reference position.
- When you will click on the second Spindle
Feed from the list, this action will enable the
Incremental by check box in the same Spindle
Feed Move group box. When this option is
selected, the sub spindle position is controlled
as an incremental value relative to specified
by an incremental value relative to the current
location.
6. Click on the first Spindle Feed option from the
list.
7. In the enabled Absolute to option, set the
Clearance value to 0.3in.
8. Click on the second Spindle Feed option from the
list. Selecting the first Spindle Feed
9. In the Incremental by option, set the
Clearance to 1.5in.
10. Click OK to apply the changes.
11. Click Cancel to close the New Sub
Spindle Operations dialog box.
The Sub Spindle 7 is listed in the bottom of
the Turn Setup [Turn OpSetup1] of the
Operation tree.

Setting the Clearance for Incremental by

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Step 9: Simulating the Toolpaths for Turn Setups

1. Change the View Orientation to Isometric view .

2. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager or
Workflow toolbar.
The Toolpath Simulation dialog box is displayed.
3. Click the down arrow next to End and select Next Setup from the dropdown list.
4. Select the following display options:

- Fixture: Shaded with Edges

- Stock: Translucent Display

- Tool: Shaded Display

- Holder: Shaded Display

- Target: Shaded Display

5. Click Run button on the Toolpath

Simulation Command Manager.
The simulation runs through the
operations in Turn Setup1 [Turn
OpSetup1] which is machined for
Main Spindle.
6. After simulating all the operation in
this Setup, it will then display the Operations machined from Main Spindle
chuck for Side2 which is machined for
the Sub spindle.
The simulation stops because the end
condition was specified as Next Setup.
7. Rotate the part so you can see the face
with the groove.

8. Click Run button on the Toolpath

Simulation Command Manager. The
operations in Turn Setup1 [Turn
OpSetup8] [SUB2] are simulated.
9. After simulation, click the Close
button on the Toolpath Simulation
toolbar to exit Simulation mode.
Operations machined from Sub Spindle

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