the MILL-TURN Edge

SolidCAM Application Tutorial

Mold Machining
SolidCAM + SOLIDWORKS
The Complete Integrated Manufacturing Solution
 Contents

1. Introduction................................................................................................................. 1

2. CAM-Part Definition.................................................................................................... 5

3. 3-Axis Roughing........................................................................................................ 11

4. 3-Axis Semi-Finishing............................................................................................... 25

5. 3-Axis Finishing......................................................................................................... 31

i
Introduction 1
About this course

The goal of this course is to teach you how to use SolidCAM’sHSR, HSS, and HSM technologies
to machine a die mold. This tutorial covers the basic concepts of Die Mold Machining. Once you
have developed a good foundation in basic skills, you can refer to the online help for information
on the less frequently used options.

Prerequisites
Students attending this course are expected to have basic knowledge of the SolidCAM software.

Course design
This course is designed around a task-based approach to training. The guided exercises will teach you
the necessary commands and options to complete a machining task. The theoretical explanations
are embedded into these exercises to give an overview of the Die Mold Machining capabilities.

Using this book

This tutorial is intended to be used in a classroom environment under the guidance of an
experienced instructor. It is also intended to be a self-study tutorial.
This book is made with SOLIDWORKS 2020 and SOLIDCAM 2020 SP0.

2
 1. Introduction

Die Mold Machining

This tutorial illustrates the use of HSS technology for 3-Axis roughing and finishing of a mold part.
HSS technology is used to finish the entire part as it gives a better finish than HSM on a Multi-axis
machine.
Important things to keep in mind before using HSS for machining a part:
It works directly on surface data.

The user needs to define the gouge checks manually.

It cannot handle surface overlaps.

The gaps between surfaces and cuts can be handled in the Links section.

It is widely used only for local area finishing.

It can easily control the point spacing. An even and controlled spacing of Tool path
points exponentially improves the surface finish.

3
4
CAM-Part Definition
2
The CAM-Part definition process for the part consists of the following stages:

CAM-Part creation

CNC-Machine definition

Coordinate System definition

Stock and Target definition

• CAM-Part creation. At this stage, you have to define the CAM-Part name and location.
SolidCAM defines the necessary system files and a folder to allocate the place to store
SolidCAM data.
• CNC-controller definition. It is necessary to choose the CNC-controller. The controller
type influences the Coordinate System definition and the Geometry definition.
• Coordinate System definition. You have to define the Coordinate System, which is the
origin for all machining operations of the CAM-Part. You can create multiple CoordSys
positions and in each machining step select which CoordSys you want to use for the
operation.
• Stock and Target definition. It is necessary to define a boundary of the stock that is used
for the CAM-Part machining. SolidCAM enables you to define the model of the part in
its final stage after the machining.
The following exercises describe the full process of the CAM-Part definition. It is recommended to
go through the stages in order to understand how the CAM-Part features are built. For this purpose,
you have to turn off the automatic CAM-Part definition.

1.  Click Tools > SolidCAM > SolidCAM

Settings.

6
 2. CAM-Part Definition

2.  In the left pane, select CAM-Part.

3.  Ensure that the settings are as shown in the

image.

This enables you to start

directly adding operations
in a new part.

4.  In the left pane, select Automatic CAM-Part

definition.

5.  In the right pane, click the Milling tab.

6.  Ensure that the settings are as shown in the

image.

7.  Click OK.

8.  Browse to open the SOLIDWORKS part Mold_Insert.SLDPRT.

9.  Click Tools > SolidCAM > New >

Milling.

7
Define the CAM-Part in the Milling Part Data dialog box:

10.  In the CNC-Machine list, click Mitu_E.

11.  Click
the CoordSys button in the Define section to set the
coordinate system for this part.

12.  In the Place CoordSys origin to list, click Top center of

model box.

13.  Select the face as shown in the image.

14.  Click
The CoordSys Data window displays.

15.  Click in the CoordSys Data window.

16.  Click in the CoordSys Manager window.

17.  Click Edit iMachining Database in the iMachining Data section.

The iMachining Database window displays.

8
 2. CAM-Part Definition

18.  Right click Machines > New Machine to define a new machine.

19.  In the left pane, right click New Machine to change the name.

20.  Enter Mazak. as the machine Name.

21.  Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

22.  Click Apply.

23.  Right click Materials > New Material to define a new material.
A new material is added.

24.  In the left pane, right click New Material to change the name.

25.  Enter P20 as the material Name.

26.  Enter the MPa value of 1030.

27.  Click Save & Exit.

28.  Click in the Milling Part Data window.

29.  Right click on CAM-Part > CAM-Part Definition.

30.  In the Edit iMachining Database, select the machine and material you defined.

9
31.  Click in the Milling Part Data window.

32.  Right click Operations > Machine Setup > Add at

start of operations tree.

33.  Enter a value of 125 in the Z column.

34.  Click OK.

This is the ideal value for

the bottom of the part to
rest on the machine table
face during machine
simulation.

35.  Right click Stock > Define.

36.  Set all the values in Expand box at section as 0.

37.  Click

The CAM-Part is now defined.

10
3-Axis Roughing
3
1. Right click Setup > Add Milling Operation >
3D HSR.

2. In the Technology list, click Contour

roughing.

3. Click Geometry.

4. Click under CoordSys.

5. Select the face as shown in the image.

6. Click

7. Click Tool > Select.

8. Click to add a new tool.

9. Select BULL NOSE MILL as the tool.

10. Enter the tool parameters as shown in

the image.

11. Select the Holder check box.

12. Select BT40 ER 32x60.

13. Click

12
 3. 3-Axis Roughing

14. Click Constraint boundaries.

15. Click the Created manually option.

16. In the list, click User-defined boundary.

17. Click icon under Boundary name.

18. Select the two boundaries as shown in

the image.

19.Click Yes in OK to accept? window each

time.

20. Click

21. Click Passes.

22.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

23. Click the Adaptive step down tab.

13
24. In the Adapt Step down by list, click None.

25. Click Link.

26. Click the Ramping tab.

27.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

28. Click the Retracts tab.

29. Click the Minimal vertical retract option.

30. Click

31. Click
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

14
 3. 3-Axis Roughing

32. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > 3D iMachining.

33. Click Tool > Select.

34. Click to add a new tool.

35. Select END MILL as the tool.

36.Enter the tool parameters as

shown in the image.

37. Select the Holder check box.

38. Select BT 40 ER 32x60.

39. Click

40. Click Technology Wizard.

41. Click Modify cutting conditions tab.

42. Set Max. Cutting Angle as 35.

The angle is changed in order to reduce the spindle load. Reduction of Max cutting angle has direct
effect on reduction of Spindle load depicted in KW.

15
43. Click Technology.

44.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

45. Click the

46. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

16
 3. 3-Axis Roughing

47. Right click > Copy the iMachining operation.

48. Right click > Paste the operation.

49. Right click > Edit the operation.

50. Click Tool > Select.

51. Click to add a new tool.

52. Select BULL NOSE MILL as the tool.

53. Enter the tool parameters as shown in

the image.

54. Select the Holder check box.

55. Select BT 40 ER 32x60.

56. Click

57. Click Technology Wizard.

58. Click the Modify cutting conditions tab.

59. Set Max. Cutting Angle as 30.

60. Click Technology.

61. Unselect the Scallop check box.

62. Click

17
63. Click
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

64. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > 3D HSR.

65. In the Technology list, click Rest roughing.

66. Click Tool > Select.

67. Click to add a new tool.

68. Select BALL NOSE MILL as the tool.

69.Enter the tool parameters as

shown in the image.

18
 3. 3-Axis Roughing

70. Select the Holder check box.

71. Select BT 40 EM 10x65.

72. Click

73. Click Constraint boundaries.

74. Click the Created manually option.

75. In the list, click User-defined boundary.

76. Click under Boundary name.

77.Select the boundary as shown in the

image.

78. Click Yes in OK to accept? window.

79. Click

19
80. Click Passes.

81.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

82. Click Link.

83.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

84. Click the Retracts tab.

85. Click the Minimal vertical retract option.

86. Click

87. Click

20
 3. 3-Axis Roughing

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

You have completed 3-Axis roughing of the mold part.

21
22
3-Axis Semi-Finishing
4
1. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > 3D HSM.

2. In the Technology list, click Constant Z machining.

3. Click Tool > Select.

4. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for an earlier operation.

5. Click Constraint boundaries.

6. Select the Created manually option.

7. Click under Boundary name.

8. Select the boundary as shown in the image.

9. Click Yes in the OK to accept? window.

10. Click

11. Click Passes.

12. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

26
 4. 3-Axis Semi-Finishing

13. Click Link.

14.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

15. Click the Strategy tab.

16.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

17. Click the Retracts tab.

18. Click the Minimal vertical retract option.

19. Click the Leads tab.

20.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

27
21. Click

22. Click
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

23. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > 3D HSM.

24. In the Technology list, click Linear machining.

25. Click Tool > Select.

26. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for an earlier operation.

27. Click Constraint boundaries.

28. In the Boundary name list, click contour 3.

This is the same boundary you had used for the previous HSM operation.
The name in your CAM-part may be different than the one mentioned in
this book.

28
 4. 3-Axis Semi-Finishing

29. Click Passes.

30.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

31. Click Link.

32.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

33. Click

34. Click

29
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

You have finished semi-finishing of the mold.

30
3-Axis Finishing
5
1. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

2. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

3. Click Geometry.

4. Click under Drive surface.

5. Select the faces as shown in the image.

6. Click

7. Click under Start edge curve.

8. Select the curve as shown in the image.

9. Click Yes in OK to accept? window.

10. Click

11. Click under End edge curve.

32
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

12. Select the curve as shown in the image.

13. Click Yes in OK to accept? window.

14. Click

15. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at

exact surface edges.

16. Click Tool > Select.

17. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was

defined for an earlier operation.

18. Click Levels.

19.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

20. Click Tool path parameters.

21.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

33
22. Click the Sorting tab.

23. In the Cutting method. list, click Spiral.

24. Click Link.

25. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

26. Click next to Use Lead-In.

The Lead-In window displays.

27. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

28. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

29. Click OK.

30. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

The Lead-Out window displays.

31. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

32. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

33. Click OK.

34. Click Gouge check.

35. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

36. Click under Check surfaces 1.

34
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

37. Select the faces as shown in the image.

38. Click

39. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

35
40. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

41. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

42. Click Geometry.

43. Click under Drive surface.

44. Select the faces as shown in the image.

45. Click

46. Click under Start edge curve.

47. Select the curve as shown in the image.

48. Click Yes in OK to accept? window.

49. Click

50. Click under End edge curve.

36
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

51. Select the curve as shown in the image.

52. Click Yes in OK to accept? window.

53. Click

54. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at

exact surface edges.

55. Click Margins.

56. Enter the values as shown in the image.

57. Click OK.

58. Click Tool > Select.

59. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for an
earlier operation.

60. Click Levels.

61. Set the Plane height as 25.

62.Click Tool path parameters.

63.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

64.Click the Sorting tab.

65. In the Cutting method. list, click Spiral.

37
66. Click Link.

67. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

68. Click next to Use Lead-In.

The Lead-In window displays.

69. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

70. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

71. Click OK.

72. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

The Lead-Out window displays.

73. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

74. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

75. Click OK.

38
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

76. Click the Links tab.

77. Enter the values as shown in the image.

78. Click Gouge check.

79. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

80. Click under Check surfaces 1.

81. Select the faces as shown in the image.

82. Click

83. Click

84. Click

The calculated tool path should look as

displayed in the image.

39
85. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

86. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

87. Click Geometry.

88. Click under Drive surface.

89. Select the faces as shown in the image.

90. Click

91. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at

exact surface edges.

92. Click Margins.

93. Enter the values as shown in the image.

94. Click OK.

95. Click under Start edge curve.

40
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

96. Select the curve as shown in the image.

97. Click Yes in OK to accept? window.

98. Click

99. Click under End edge curve.

100. Select the curve as shown in the image.

101. Click Yes in OK to accept? window.

102. Click

103. Click Tool > Select.

104.Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that

was defined for an earlier operation.

105. Click Levels.

106. Set the Plane height as 25.

107. Click Tool path parameters.

41
108. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

109. Click the Sorting tab.

110. In the Cutting method. list, click Spiral.

111. Click Link.

112. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

113. Click next to Use Lead-In.

114. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

115. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

116. Click OK.

117. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

118. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

42
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

119. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

120. Click OK.

121. Click Gouge check.

122. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

123. Select under Check surfaces 1.

124. Select the faces as shown in the image.

125.Click

126. Click

127. Click

The calculated tool path should look as

displayed in the image.

43
128. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

129. Click Geometry.

130. Click under Drive surface.

131. Select the faces as shown in the image.

132. Click under Start edge curve.

133. Select the curve as shown in the image.

134. Click

135. Click under End edge curve.

136. Select the curve as shown in the image.

137. Click

138. In the Type list, Full, start and end at exact surface
edges.

139. Click Tool > Select.

140. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for an earlier operation.

44
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

141. Click Levels.

142. Set the Plane height as 25.

143. Click Tool path parameters.

144. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

145. Click the Sorting tab.

146. In the Cutting method list, click Spiral.

147. Click Link.

148. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead Out.

149. Click next to Use Lead-In.

150. Clear the Use default Lead-In check box.

151. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

152. Click OK.

153. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

154. Clear the Use default Lead-Out check box.

45
155. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

156. Click OK.

157. Click Gouge Check.

158. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

159. Click under Check surfaces 1.

160. Select the faces as shown in the image.

161. Click

162. Click

163. Click

Select the check box before the

164.
completed operation.
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

46
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

165. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

166. In the Technology list, click Parallel to curves.

167. Click Geometry.

168. Click under Drive surface.

169. Select the face as shown in the image.

170. Click

171. Click under Edge curve.

172. Select the contour as shown in the image.

173. Click

174. In the Type list, click Determined by number of

cuts.

175. Enter 5 in the Number of cuts option.

176. Click Tool > Select.

177. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for an earlier operation.

178. Click Levels.

179. Set the Plane height as 25.

47
180. Click Tool path parameters.

181. Click the Sorting tab.

182. In the Cutting method list, click Zigzag.

183. Click Link.

184. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead Out.

185. Click next to Use Lead-In.

186. Clear the Use default Lead-In check box.

187. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

188. Click OK.

189. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

190. Clear the Use default Lead-Out check box.

191. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

48
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

192. Click Gouge Check.

193. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

194. Click under Check surfaces 1.

195. Select the faces as shown in the image:

196. Click

197. Click

198. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

49
199. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

200. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

201. Click Geometry.

202. Click under Drive surface.

203. Select the highlighted faces.

204. Click

205. Click under Start edge curve.

206. Select the highlighted curve.

207. Click Yes in the OK to accept? window.

208. Click

50
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

209. Click under End edge curve.

210. Select the highlighted curve.

211. Click Yes in the OK to accept? window.

212. Click In the Type list, click Full, start and end
at exact surface edges.

213. Click Tool > Select.

214. Click add a new tool.

215. Select BALL NOSE MILL as the tool.

216. Enter the tool parameters as shown in the image.

217. Select the Holder check box.

218. Select BT 40 EM 10x65.

219. Click

51
220. Click Levels.

221. Set the Plane height as 25.

222. Click Tool path parameters.

223.Enter the parameters as shown in the

image.

224. Click the Sorting tab.

225. Select Spiral as the Cutting method.

226. Click Link.

227. Select Use Lead-In and Use- Lead Out from the drop down lists.

228. Click next to Use Lead-In.

229. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

230. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

231. Click OK.

232. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

233. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

52
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

234. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

235. Click OK.

236. Click Gouge Check.

237. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

238. Click under Check surfaces 1.

239. Select the faces as shown in the image.

240. Click

241. Click

242. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

53
243. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > 3D HSM.

244. In the Technology list, click Horizontal machining.

245. Click Tool > Select.

246. Select the 6 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for an earlier operation.

247. Click Constraint boundaries.

248. Click the Created manually option.

249. In the list, click User-defined boundary.

250. Set 1 as the Offset value.

251. Click under Boundary name.

252. Select the highlighted boundary.

253. Click Yes in Ok to accept window.

254. Click

54
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

255. Click Passes.

256. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

257. Click Link > Ramping.

258. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

259. Click the Retracts tab.

260. Select the option of Minimal vertical retract.

261. Click

262. Click
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in
the image.

55
263. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

264. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

265. Click Geometry.

266. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

267. Click Margins.

268. Enter the margins as shown in the image.

269. Click OK.

270. Click under Drive surface.

271. Select the highlighted faces.

272. Click

56
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

273. Click under Start edge curve.

274. Select the highlighted curve.

275. Click Yes in the OK to accept? window.

276. Click

277. Click under End edge curve.

278. Select the highlighted curve.

279. Click Yes in the OK to accept? window.

280. Click

281. Click Tool > Select.

282. Select the 6 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was

defined for an earlier operation.

283. Click Levels.

284. Set the Plane height as 25.

57
285. Click Tool path parameters.

286. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

287. Click the Sorting tab.

288. In the Cutting method list, click Spiral.

289. Click Link.

290. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

291. Click next to Use Lead-In.

292. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

293. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

294. Click OK.

295. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

296. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

297. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

298. Click OK.

58
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

299. Click Gouge Check.

300. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

301. Click under Check surfaces 1.

302. Select the faces as shown in the image.

303. Click

304.Click

305. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

59
306. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > 3D HSM.

307. In the Technology list, click Horizontal machining.

308. Click Tool > Select.

309. Select the 6 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for an earlier operation.

310. Click Constraint boundaries.

311. Click under Boundary name.

312. Select the highlighted curve.

313. Click Yes in the OK to accept? window.

314. Click

315. Click Passes.

316. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

60
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

317. Click Link.

318. Set the Clearance level value as 25.

319. Click the Ramping tab.

320. Enter the values as shown in the image.

321. Click the Retracts tab.

322. Click the Minimal vertical retract option.

323. Click

324. Click
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

61
325. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

326. In the Technology list, select Morph between two boundary curves.

327. Click Geometry.

328. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

329. Click under Drive surface.

330. Select the highlighted faces.

You have to select total 5

faces.

331. Click

332. Click under Start edge curve.

333. Select the highlighted curve.

334. Click the Accept chain icon.

335. Click

62
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

336. Click under End edge curve.

337. Select the highlighted curve.

338. Click the Accept chain icon.

339. Click

340. Click Tool > Select.

341. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was

defined for an earlier operation.

342. Click Levels.

343. Set the Plane height as 25.

344. Click Tool path parameters.

345. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

346. Click the Sorting tab.

347. In the Cutting method list, click One way.

348. Click Link.

349. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

350. Click next to Use Lead-In.

351. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

63
352. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

353. Click OK.

354. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

355. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

356. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

357. Click OK.

358. Click Gouge Check.

359. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

360. Click under Check surfaces 1.

361. Select the faces as shown in the image.

You have to select 26

faces.

64
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

362. Click

363. Click

364. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

365. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

366. In the Technology list, select Morph between two boundary curves.

367. Click Geometry.

368. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

65
369. Click under Drive surface.

370. Select the highlighted faces.

You have to select

3 faces.

371. Click

372. Click under Start edge curve.

373. Select the highlighted curve.

374. Click the Accept chain icon.

375. Click

376. Click under End edge curve.

377. Select the highlighted curve.

378. Click the Accept chain icon.

379. Click

380. Click Tool > Select.

66
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

381. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for an earlier operation.

382. Click Levels.

383. Set the Plane height as 25.

384. Click Tool path parameters.

385. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

386. Click the Sorting tab.

387. In the Cutting method list, click One way.

388. Click Link.

389. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

390. Click next to Use Lead-In.

391. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

392. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

393. Click OK.

394. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

395. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

67
396. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

397. Click OK.

398. Click Gouge Check.

399. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

400. Click under Check surfaces 1.

401. Select the faces as shown in the image:

You have to select 3

faces.

402. Click

403. Click the Gouge 2 tab.

404. Click under Check surfaces 2.

405. Select the faces as shown in the image.

406. Click

407. Click

408. Click

68
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

409. The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

Now repeat the same process to create the tool path for the opposite side. As it is an identical
operation to the one you just did, it is not documented in the tutorial.

410. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

411. Click Geometry.

412. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

413. Click under Drive surface.

414. Select the highlighted faces.

You have to select 5 faces.

415. Click

69
416. Click under Start edge curve.

417. Select the highlighted curve.

418. Click the Accept chain icon.

419. Click

420. Click under End edge curve.

421. Select the highlighted curve.

422. Click the Accept chain icon.

423. Click

424. Click Tool > Select.

425. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was

defined for an earlier operation.

426. Click Levels.

427. Set the Plane height as 25.

428. Click Tool path parameters.

429. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

70
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

430. Click the Sorting tab.

431. In the Cutting method list, click Zigzag.

432. Click Link.

433. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

434. Click next to Use Lead-In.

435. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

436. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

437. Click OK.

438. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

439. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

440. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

441. Click OK.

71
442. Click Gouge Check.

443. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

444. Click under Check surfaces 1.

445. Select the faces as shown in the image.

You have to select 7

faces.

446. Click

447. Click the Gouge 2 tab.

448. Click under Check surfaces 2.

449. Select the faces as shown in the image.

You have to select 4 faces.

450. Click

451. Click

452. Click

72
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

453. Select the check box before the completed operation.

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

454. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

455. Click Geometry.

456. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

457. Click under Drive surface.

458. Select the highlighted face.

459. Click

460. Click under Start edge curve.

73
461. Select the highlighted curve.

462. Click the Accept chain icon.

463. Click

464. Click under End edge curve.

465. Select the highlighted curve.

466. Click the Accept chain icon.

467. Click

468. Click Tool > Select.

469. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was

defined for an earlier operation.

470. Click Levels.

471. Set the Plane height as 25.

472. Click Tool path parameters.

74
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

473. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

474. Click Link.

475. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

476. Click next to Use Lead-In.

477. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

478. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

479. Click OK.

480. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

481. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

482. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

483. Click OK.

484. Click the Links tab.

75
485. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

486. Click Gouge check.

487. Click under Check surfaces 1.

488. Select the faces as shown in the image.

You have to select 16 faces.

489. Click

490. Click

491. Click

The calculated tool path should look as

displayed in the image.

76
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

492. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

493. In the Technology list, click Parallel to curves.

494. Click Geometry.

495. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

496. Click under Drive surface.

497. Select the highlighted face.

498. Click

499. Click under Edge curve.

500. Select the highlighted curve.

501. Click the Accept chain icon.

502. Click

503. Click Tool > Select.

504. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for an earlier operation.

77
505. Click Tool path parameters.

506. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

507. Click the Sorting tab.

508. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

509. Click Link.

510. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

511. Click next to Use Lead-In.

512. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

513. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

514. Click OK.

515. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

516. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

78
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

517. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

518. Click OK.

519. Click the Links tab.

520. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

521. Click Gouge check.

522. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

523. Click under Check surfaces 1.

524. Select the face as shown in the below image.

79
525. Click

526. Click

527. Click
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

528. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

529. In the Technology list, click Parallel to curves.

530. Click Geometry.

531. In the Type list, click Determined by number of cuts.

532. Set Number of cuts as 10.

533. Click under Drive surface.

80
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

534. Select the highlighted face.

535. Click

536. Click under Edge curve.

537. Select the highlighted curve.

538. Click the Accept chain icon.

539. Click

540. Click Tool > Select.

541. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was

defined for an earlier operation.

542. Click Levels.

543. Set the Plane height as 25.

544. Click Tool path parameters.

545. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

546. Click the Sorting tab.

547. In the Cutting method list, click Zigzag.

81
548. Click Gouge check.

549. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

550. Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

551. Click under Check surfaces 1.

552. Select the highlighted face.

553. Click

554. Click

555. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

82
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

556. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

557. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves

558. Click Geometry.

559. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

560. Click under Drive surface.

561. Select the highlighted faces.

562. Click

563. Click under Start edge curve.

564. Select the highlighted curve.

565. Click the Accept chain icon.

566. Click

83
567. Click under End edge curve.

568. Select the highlighted curve.

569. Click the Accept chain icon.

570. Click

571. Click Tool > Select.

572. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was

defined for an earlier operation.

573. Click Levels.

574. Enter Plane height as 25.

575. Click Tool path parameters.

576. Enter the Maximum step over value as 0.12.

577. Click Link.

578. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

579.Click next to Use Lead-In.

580. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

581. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

582. Click OK.

84
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

583. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

584. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

585. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

586. Click OK.

587. Click the Links tab.

588. Set a value of 300 as Small move as size in % of step

over.

589. Click Gouge check.

590. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

591. Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

592. Click under Check surfaces 1.

593. Select the highlighted faces.

594. Click

85
595. Click the Gouge 2 tab.

596.Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

597. Click under Check surfaces 2.

598. Select the highlighted faces.

You have to
select 7 faces.

599. Click

600. Click

601. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

86
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

Now repeat the same operation for the opposite side. As it will be identical to the operation just
defined, it is not documented in the tutorial.

602. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

603. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves

604. Click Geometry.

605. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

606. Click under Drive surface.

607. Select the highlighted faces.

You have to select 4

faces.

608. Click

609. Click under Start edge curve.

610. Select the highlighted curve.

611. Click the Accept chain icon.

612. Click

87
613. Click under End edge curve.

614. Select the highlighted curve.

615. Click the Accept chain icon.

616. Click

617. Click Tool > Select.

618. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was

defined for an earlier operation.

619. Click Levels.

620. Enter Plane height as 25.

621. Click Tool path parameters.

622. Enter the Maximum step over value as 0.12.

623. Click the Sorting tab.

624. Select the Flip step over check box.

625. Click Link.

626. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

627. Click next to Use Lead-In.

628. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

88
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

629. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

630. Click OK.

631. Click next to Use Lead-In.

632. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

633. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

634. Click OK.

635. Click the Links tab.

636. Set a value of 300 as Small move as size in % of step

over.

637. Click Gouge check.

638. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

639. Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

640. Click under Check surfaces 1.

89
641. Select the highlighted faces.

You have
to select
10 faces.

642. Click

643. Click

644. Click
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

Now repeat the same operation for the opposite side. As it will be identical to the operation just
defined, it is not documented in the tutorial.

645. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

646. In the Technology list, click Parallel to Curves.

647. Click Geometry.

90
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

648. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

649. Click under Drive surface.

650. Select the highlighted face.

651. Click

652.Click under Edge curve.

653. Select the highlighted curve.

654. Click the Accept chain icon.

655. Click

656. Click Margins.

657. Enter the values as shown in the image.

658. Click OK.

659. Click Tool > Select.

660. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for
an earlier operation.

91
661. Click Levels.

662. Enter Plane height as 25.

663. Click Tool path parameters.

664. Enter the Maximum step over value as 0.12.

665. Click Link.

666. In the list, click Use Lead-In.

667. Click next to Use Lead-In.

668. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

669. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

670. Click OK.

671. Click the Links tab.

672. Set a value of 500 as Small move as size in % of step

over.

673. Click Gouge check.

674. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

675. Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

676. Click under Check surfaces 1.

92
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

677. Select the highlighted faces.

678. Click

679. Click

680. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

Now repeat the same operation for the opposite side. As it will be identical to the operation just
defined, it is not documented in the tutorial.

681. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

682. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

683. Click Geometry.

684. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

93
685. Click under Drive surface.

686. Select the highlighted faces.

You have to select

11 faces.

687. Click

688. Click under Start edge curve.

689. Select the highlighted curve.

690. Click the Accept chain icon.

691. Click

692. Click under End edge curve.

94
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

693. Select the highlighted curve.

694. Click the Accept chain icon.

695. Click

696. Click Margins.

697. Enter the values as shown in the image.

698. Click OK.

699. Click Tool > Select.

700. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for
an earlier operation.

701. Click Levels.

702. Enter Plane height as 25.

703. Click Tool path parameters.

704. Set the Maximum step over value as 0.2.

705. Click Link.

706. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

707. Click next to Use Lead-In.

95
708. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

709. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

710. Click OK.

711. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

712. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

713. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

714. Click OK.

715. Click Gouge check.

716. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

717. Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

718. Click under Check surfaces 1.

719. Select the highlighted faces.

You have to select 14 faces.

720. Click

96
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

721. Click

722. Click
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

723. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

724. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

725. Click Geometry.

726. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

727. Click under Drive surface.

97
728. Select the highlighted faces.

You have to select 11 faces.

729. Click

730. Click under Start edge curve.

731. Select the highlighted curve.

732. Click the Accept chain icon.

733. Click

734. Click under End edge curve.

735. Select the highlighted curve.

736. Click the Accept chain icon.

737. Click

98
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

738. Click Margins.

739. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

740. Click OK.

741. Click Tool > Select.

742. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for
an earlier operation.

743. Click Levels.

744. Enter Plane height as 25.

745. Click Tool path parameters.

746. Set the Maximum step over value as 0.2.

747. Click Link.

748. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

749. Click next to Use Lead-In.

750. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

751. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

752. Click OK.

99
753. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

754. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

755. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

756. Click OK.

757. Click Gouge check.

758. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

759. Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

760. Click under Check surfaces 1.

761. Select the highlighted faces.

You have to select 15

faces.

762. Click

763. Click

764. Click

100
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image:

765. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

766. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

767. Click Geometry.

768. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

769. Click under Drive surface.

770. Select the highlighted face.

771. Click

101
772. Click under Start edge curve.

773. Select the highlighted curve.

774. Click the Accept chain icon.

775. Click

776. Click under End edge curve.

777. Select the highlighted curve.

778. Click the Accept chain icon.

779. Click

780. Click Margins.

781. Enter the values as shown in the image.

782. Click OK.

783. Click Tool > Select.

784. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for
an earlier operation.

785. Click Levels.

786. Enter Plane height as 25.

102
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

787. Click Tool path parameters.

788. Set the Maximum step over value as 0.2.

789. Click Link.

790. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

791. Click next to Use Lead-In.

792. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

793. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

794. Click OK.

795. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

796. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

797. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

798. Click OK.

103
799. Click Gouge check.

800. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

801. Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

802. Click under Check surfaces 1.

803. Select the highlighted faces.

804. Click

805. Click

806. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

104
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

807. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

808. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

809. Click Geometry.

810. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

811. Click under Drive surface.

812. Select the highlighted face.

813. Click

814. Click under Start edge curve.

815. Select the highlighted curve.

816. Click the Accept chain icon.

817. Click

818. Click under End edge curve.

105
819. Select the highlighted curve.

820. Click the Accept chain icon.

821. Click

822. Click Margins.

823. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

824. Click OK.

825. Click Tool > Select.

826. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for
an earlier operation.

827. Click Levels.

828. Enter Plane height as 25.

829. Click Tool path parameters.

830. Set the Maximum step over value as 0.12.

831. Click Link.

832. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

833. Click next to Use Lead-In.

834. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

106
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

835. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

836. Click OK.

837. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

838. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

839. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

840. Click OK.

841. Click Gouge check.

842. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

843. Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

844. Click under Check surfaces 1.

845. Select the highlighted faces.

846. Click

847. Click

848. Click

107
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

Now repeat the same operation for the opposite side.

849. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

850. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

851. Click Geometry.

852. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

853. Click under Drive surface.

854. Select the highlighted faces.

855. Click

108
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

856. Click under Start edge curve.

857. Select the highlighted curve.

858. Click the Accept chain icon.

859. Click

860. Click under End edge curve.

861. Select the highlighted curve.

862. Click the Accept chain icon.

863. Click

864. Click Margins.

865. Enter the values as shown in the image.

866. Click OK.

867. Click Tool > Select.

868. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for
an earlier operation.

869. Click Levels.

870. Enter Plane height as 25.

109
871. Click Tool path parameters.

872. Set the Maximum step over value as 0.12.

873. Click Link.

874. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

875. Click next to Use Lead-In.

876. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

877. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

878. Click OK.

879. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

880. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

881. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

882. Click OK.

110
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

883. Click Gouge check.

884. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

885. Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

886. Click under Check surfaces 1.

887. Select the highlighted faces.

888. Click

You have to select 7 faces.

889. Click

890. Click

The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

Now repeat the same operation for the opposite side. As it will be identical to the operation just
defined, it is not documented in the tutorial.

111
891. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > HSS.

892. In the Technology list, click Morph between two boundary curves.

893. Click Geometry.

894. In the Type list, click Full, start and end at exact surface edges.

895. Click under Drive surface.

896. Select the highlighted faces.

897. Click

898. Click under Start edge curve.

899. Select the highlighted curve.

900. Click the Accept chain icon.

901. Click

902. Click under End edge curve.

112
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

903. Select the highlighted curve.

904. Click the Accept chain icon.

905. Click

906. Click Margins.

907. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

908. Click OK.

909. Click Tool > Select.

910. Select the 8 mm BALL NOSE MILL that was defined for
an earlier operation.

911. Click Levels.

912. Enter Plane height as 25.

913. Click Tool path parameters.

914. Set the Maximum step over value as 0.12.

915. Click the Sorting tab.

916. Select the Flip over check box.

917. Click Link.

918. In the lists, click Use Lead-In and Use Lead-Out.

113
919. Click next to Use Lead-In.

920. Unselect the Use default Lead-In check box.

921. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

922. Click OK.

923. Click next to Use Lead-Out.

924. Unselect the Use default Lead-Out check box.

925. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

926. Click OK.

927. Click the Links tab.

928. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

114
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

929. Click Gouge check.

930. Select the Enable/Disable check box.

931. Unselect the Drive surfaces check box.

932. Click under Check surfaces 1.

933. Select the highlighted faces.

You have to select 14

faces.

934. Click

935. Click

936. Click
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

115
937. Right click the operation > Add Milling Operation > Pocket.

938. Click under Coordsys.

939. Select the highlighted curves.

940.Click Yes in OK to accept?

window.

941. Click Tool > Select.

942. Click to define a new tool.

943. Select BULL NOSE MILL as the

tool.

944. Enter the parameters as shown

in the image.

945. Select the Holder check box.

946.Select BT 40 ER 32x60 as the

holder.

947. Click

948. Click Levels.

116
 5. 3-Axis Finishing

949. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

950. Click Technology.

951. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

952. Click the Contour tab.

953. Enter the parameters as shown in the image.

954. Click

955. Click

117
The calculated tool path should look as displayed in the image.

End of the tutorial.

118
 SolidCAM Application Tutorial
Mold Machining
the MILL-TURN Edge

iMachining 2D 2.5D Milling HSS (High-Speed Surface Machining)

iMachining 3D Indexial Multi-Sided Machining HSM (High-Speed Machining)

Sim. 5-Axis Machining Turning & Advanced Mill-Turn Solid Probe

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