CAMWorks 2007

M i l l /T u r n
Tutorial
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CW70d July, 2006

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 LEARNING MILL-TURN BASICS 1-1
Mill-Turn 1 ...................................................................................................... 1-2
What You'll Learn...................................................................................... 1-2
Steps to Generate Mill Toolpaths and NC Code in Part Mode............ 1-2
Step 1: Model Part in SolidWorks or Import Part............................... 1-3
Step 2: Change to CAMWorks Feature Tree ...................................... 1-3
Step 3: Define the Machine................................................................. 1-4
Step 4: Define the Stock...................................................................... 1-6
Step 5: Define Machinable Features ................................................... 1-7
Step 6: Generate Operation Plan / Adjust Operation Parameters ..... 1-10
Step 7: Generate Toolpaths ............................................................... 1-11
Step 8: Post Process Toolpaths.......................................................... 1-13
Mill-Turn 2 .................................................................................................... 1-14
What You'll Learn.................................................................................... 1-14
Inserting Multiple Wrapped Features................................................. 1-15
Adjusting Operation Parameters / Machining Using C-Axis............. 1-15
Mill-Turn 3 .................................................................................................... 1-17
What You'll Learn.................................................................................... 1-17
Inserting a Wrapped Feature Using a 2D Sketch ............................... 1-17
Unwrapping a Cylindrical Face / Creating a Wrapped Feature ......... 1-18
Adjusting Operation Parameters and Machining Using C-Axis........ 1-20
CHAPTER 2 LEARNING MORE ABOUT MILL-TURN 2-1
Mill-Turn 4 ...................................................................................................... 2-2
What You'll Learn...................................................................................... 2-2
Inserting 2.5 Axis and Multi Surface Machinable Features................. 2-2
Inserting Contain and Avoid Areas for 3 Axis Operations.................. 2-3
Adjusting Operation Parameters and Machining Using Y-Axis.......... 2-4
Mill-Turn 5 ...................................................................................................... 2-5
What You'll Learn...................................................................................... 2-5
Adjusting Entity Locations to Machine a Wrapped Engrave Feature . 2-5
Inserting a Wrapped Engrave Feature to Machine Text ...................... 2-6
Inserting a Plane for Index or Rotational Angle for Mill Setups ......... 2-7
Inserting a 2.5 Axis Wrapped Engrave Feature ................................... 2-8
Machining Using C-Axis ..................................................................... 2-9
INDEX

i
Table of Contents

ii
Chapter 1 Learning Mill-Turn Basics

This chapter provides an opportunity to learn CAMWorks Mill-Turn through a step by step
hands-on tour of the features and functions.
The exercises in this chapter are intended to show you how to use CAMWorks and may not
correspond to actual machining practices.
These exercises have been developed to provide supplemental information on Mill-Turn and
assume you are familiar with CAMWorks Mill and Turn. The CAMWorks Mill & Turn
Tutorial contains more detailed information about using CAMWorks.

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 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.

Learning Mill-Turn Basics 1-1

Mill-Turn 1

Mill-Turn 1
What You'll Learn
Steps to Generate Mill Toolpaths and NC Code in Part Mode
The following steps are used to generate Mill-Turn toolpaths and NC code:
1. Model the part or open the part file in SolidWorks.
2. Change to the CAMWorks Feature tree.
3. Define the Machine and modify the controller parameters.
4. Define the stock.
5. Define machinable features.
6. Generate the operation plan and adjust operation parameters.
7. Generate toolpaths and run simulation.
8. Adjust parameters if necessary.
9. Post process the toolpaths.

START

Generate toolpaths Simulate toolpaths

Model part in SolidWorks
or import part

Adjust operation
parameters as needed Are
Change to CAMWorks No toolpaths
Feature tree
correct?

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

Define machinable features

Define Stock (AFR & IRF)
Transmit file into CNC

END

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 Mill-Turn 1

Sample parts are provided for the exercises in this manual. When you install CAMWorks,
these files are installed automatically in the \Examples\Mill-Turn folder inside the
CAMWorks folder (e.g., \Program Files\CAMWorksxxxx\Examples\Mill-Turn).
Step 1: Model Part in SolidWorks or Import Part
A part is a solid that is created with SolidWorks or imported into SolidWorks from another
CAD system via an IGES, Parasolid, SAT file, etc. This exercise uses an existing
SolidWorks part.
1. Open the part file MT_1.SLDPRT in the \Examples\Mill-Turn folder inside the
CAMWorks folder (e.g., \Program Files\CAMWorksxxxx\Examples\Mill-Turn).
The FeatureManager design tree lists the features, sketches,
planes and axes in the part.
The tabs at the top or bottom of the tree are for moving between
the SolidWorks trees and the CAMWorks trees.
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 from
the graphics area. When the cursor changes to a bar, drag the bar
to the right until the tabs display.

CAMWorks Feature Tree tab

Step 2: Change to CAMWorks Feature Tree

1. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
The CAMWorks Feature tree displays. Initially, the tree lists the
NC Manager, Configurations, Stock Manager, Machine and
Recycle Bin items.
The CAMWorks machining trees provide an outline view of the machining information
for the model. As you follow the steps to generate an NC program, the Feature tree
expands to include Mill Part Setups and machinable features.

Learning Mill-Turn Basics 1-3

Mill-Turn 1

Step 3: Define the Machine

The Machine includes information that identifies what to machine, how to machine it, and
the format of the NC output. The icons that display in the tree identify the current Machine:
Mill Machine Turn Machine Mill-Turn Machine Wire EDM
Define the machine:
1. Right click the Machine item in the CAMWorks Feature
tree (e.g., Mill machine – inch).
The shortcut menu displays. Right-click shortcut menus
display commands that are appropriate for the item that is
highlighted in the tree.
2. Select Edit Definition on the shortcut menu.
The Machine dialog box displays the
Machine tab. The default machine is
defined in the Technology Database.
When you use CAMWorks to machine
your own parts, select the machine tool
you want to use to machine the part.
Machine tools are set up in the
Technology Database. Before using
CAMWorks to machine your parts,
make sure you define the machine tools
available in your facility.
3. In the Available machines list,
highlight Example Mill/Turn-in and
click the Select button.

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 Mill-Turn 1

4. Click the Tool crib tab and make sure

MT Crib 1 is selected.
The Tool Crib page allows you to
choose a Tool Crib, which is a set of
tools or tool assemblies that are 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.
MT Tool Crib 1 has been set up for the
sample Mill-Turn machine. When you
define your machine tools in the
Technology Database, you can set up
your own tool cribs.

5. Click the Controller tab.

The Controller tab allows you to select
the post processor from a list of
available controllers. The list that displays
depends on the post processors that are installed
on your system. By default, CAMWorks is
supplied with several default post processors that
may or may not be suitable for your needs.
Contact your CAMWorks reseller for information
on making changes to these post processors or for
other post processors.
If the controllers do not display, use the Browse
button to locate the folder containing the
controller files (*.ctl).
6. If FANTUTLM (the tutorial Mill-Turn post
processor) is not highlighted, highlight it in the
list and click the Select button. FANTUTLM is the controller used for the exercises in
this manual. When you use CAMWorks to machine your own parts, select your machine
tool controller or post processor.
7. Click the Posting tab.
The parameters on this page are used for the following:

Learning Mill-Turn Basics 1-5

Mill-Turn 1

− To provide information required to generate

the NC program. The parameters are machine-
dependent and different parameters may
display for your controller. The value for a
parameter is output in the NC code if the
machine requires it.
− To provide information for the Setup Sheet, a
file that is created when the NC program file
is generated. All of the controller parameters
are included in the Setup Sheet.
8. Click OK to close the dialog box.
Step 4: Define the Stock
The 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).
In this exercise, you define the stock as a cylinder (bar stock) box offset from the part in
length.
1. Double click Stock Manager in the tree or right click Stock Manager and select Edit
Definition on the shortcut menu.
The Manage Stock dialog box displays.
2. For the Type, use the default Bar
stock and set the following
parameters:
− Z Face = -3.1in
− Length = 3.3in
− Diameter = 2.75in
− Core Dia. = 0in
3. Click OK to close the dialog box.
The Stock is updated in the
graphics area.

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 Mill-Turn 1

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:
• Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR)
Automatic Feature Recognition analyzes the part shape and attempts to define most
common mill and turn machinable features. Depending on the complexity of the part,
AFR can save considerable time in defining features.
• Interactively created features
If AFR does not recognize features you want to machine, you can use the Insert Turn,
Insert 2.5 Axis Feature, Insert Multi Surface Feature and Insert Wrapped Feature
commands to define the features.
Using Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR)
Define machinable features automatically:
Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
The CAMWorks Message
Window displays. This window
displays automatically to report
the progress and status of the
current process. Generating
Setups is the last item.
You can control whether this
window displays temporarily or
permanently by selecting the
Options command on the CAMWorks menu and checking the Message Window option
on the General tab in the Options dialog box.
CAMWorks generates the Turn Setups, Mill Part Setups and machinable features. The
items display in the CAMWorks Feature tree.
Turn Setups and Mill Part Setups are 2 axis planes that
the tool movement will be based on. They have an
origin location and direction vectors. A Mill Part
Setup is created for each different tool orientation.
Turn Setups and Mill Part Setups are created
automatically; however, you can move the origin and
change the direction and angles of the axes.
For each Mill Part Setup and Turn Setup, the
machinable features are listed in the order in which
they were recognized.

Learning Mill-Turn Basics 1-7

Mill-Turn 1

Did You Know ...

Features that have no operations and features that could not produce operations
because the feature conditions have not been defined in the Technology Database
display in a different color. You can set the color on the Display tab in the Options
dialog box.
4. Right click Cutoff Feature1 in Turn Setup1 in the tree, select Delete on the shortcut
menu, then click Yes. The part will be held in a chuck so this feature is not needed.
5. Right click Irregular Slot1 under Mill Part Setup3 in the tree, select Delete on the shortcut
menu, then click Yes. You are going to define this feature as a Corner Slot in Mill Part
Setup1.
Defining Features Interactively
Automatic Feature Recognition can save a significant amount of time; however, AFR does
have limitations. AFR cannot recognize every feature on complex parts and does not
recognize some types of features, such as wrapped or rotary features. To machine these
areas, you need to define machinable features interactively. In this exercise, you insert 2.5
Axis Features and a Wrapped Feature.
Insert 2.5 Axis Feature in Mill Part Setup1
1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the CAMWorks Feature tree and select Insert 2.5 Axis
Feature on the shortcut menu.
The 2.5 Axis Feature Wizard: Feature & Cross Section Definition dialog box displays.
2. Click the down arrow next to the Type list box and select Corner Slot.
3. Make sure Single is selected.
4. Rotate the part and pick the flat face on the OD of
the part.
This will be a Y axis cut.
5. If the Check for taper & fillets option is checked,
remove the checkmark.
If the feature you are defining does not contain any
fillets at the base of the feature, you can disable
Check for taper & fillets to improve the performance
of the wizard.
6. Click Next.

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 Mill-Turn 1

The 2.5 Axis Feature Wizard: End

Conditions dialog box displays. This
dialog box allows you to determine
how CAMWorks calculates the depth
of the feature and select an attribute
that defines a unique machining
sequence.
7. Leave the End condition Type set to
Blind.
8. Set the Depth to
.150.
9. Make sure the
Direction is correct
on the feature. If
not, click the check
box next to the
Reverse direction option.
10. Leave the Attribute set to Rough Finish.
11. Remove the check mark from the Edit feature profiles option.
12. Click Finish.
13. Click Close to close the 2.5 Axis Feature Wizard: Feature & Cross Section Definition
dialog box.
Rectangular Corner Slot1 displays in the CAMWorks Feature tree.
Insert Wrapped Feature in Mill Part Setup1
A Wrapped Feature is defined as a pocket, boss,
slot, open profile, or engrave feature whose
geometric shape lies on a constant radius
cylinder, where the center line of the cylinder is
the same as the turn axis of rotation. Wrapped
features would be machined by C-axis motion.
1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the tree and
select Insert Wrapped Feature on the shortcut
menu.
2. Rotate the part and pick the cylindrical face
on the part. This will be a C axis cut.

Learning Mill-Turn Basics 1-9

Mill-Turn 1

3. In the Insert Wrapped Feature

dialog box, click the End
Condition tab.
4. Pick anywhere on the small OD
of the part to set the depth.
5. Click the Insert button, then click
Close.

Insert a 2.5 Axis Feature in Mill Part Setup2

1. Right click Mill Part Setup2 in the tree and select
Insert 2.5 Axis Feature on the shortcut menu.
2. In the 2.5 Axis Feature Wizard, select Corner Slot
for the Type.
3. Rotate the part, if necessary, and pick the angled
face on the part. This will be a B axis cut.
4. Click Next.
5. Leave the End condition Type set to Blind.
6. Set the Depth to .150.
7. If the Edit feature profiles option is checked, remove the check mark.
8. Click Finish, then click Close to exit the dialog box.

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 Technology
Database. In some situations, the operations defined for a feature in the Technology
Database may not be sufficient and additional operations may be required. You can insert
operations manually. For more information, see the online help.
1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks toolbar. Clicking this
toolbar button is the same as selecting the command from the NC Manager level,
regardless of the active item in the tree.
CAMWorks generates the operation plan for all the machinable features and the
Operation tree displays.

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 Mill-Turn 1

The CAMWorks Operation tree provides an

outline view of the operations for the machinable
features. Operations are listed under the Mill and
Turn Part Setups in the same order as the
machinable features in the Turn and Mill Part
Setups.
To the left of each toolpath operation is a plus
sign (+). Clicking a plus sign displays the name of
the Machinable Feature that this operation is
going to machine. These Machinable Feature
items can be used to view geometric information
and to modify the machining depth of the feature.
The operations that are generated by CAMWorks
are based on information stored in the Technology
Database. These operations are intended to be
used as a starting point. 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.
2. Right click Rough Mill4 in Mill Part Setup3 and
select Edit Definition.
3. Click the Tool Crib tab.
4. Highlight a .25in Flat End Mill in the tool list and click the <-- Select button.
5. Click Yes to replace the corresponding holder, then click OK.
Step 7: Generate Toolpaths
CAMWorks calculates toolpaths using the operation parameters and the feature's size and
shape.
1. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
CAMWorks calculates the toolpaths for each operation in the Turn and Mill Part Setups.
CAMWorks provides the ability to simulate the toolpath showing the tool movement and the
resulting shape of the part. You can define the chuck for display during simulation, including
the size of the chuck base and the jaws.
2. To set the proper view, right click Turn Setup1, select Set View, then select Turn ZX.
3. Right click Turn Setup1 in the tree and select Edit Definition on the shortcut menu.
The Operation Setup Parameters dialog box displays.

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Mill-Turn 1

4. Click the Chuck Definition tab

5. Select 4in_1Step_Chuck for the configuration
and set the Length and Width to .4in.
6. Click the Chuck Location tab.
7. Pick the two locations for the chuck shown in
the figure.
8. Click OK.

9. Click the Simulate Toolpath

button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
The Toolpath Simulation toolbar
displays.
10. Set the End condition to Next Setup.

11. Click the Run button.

The simulation runs through Turn Setup1, then
pauses.

12. Click the Run button again.

13. When the simulation pauses, continue clicking the
Run button to simulate each Mill Part Setup.
14. Click the X button in the upper right corner to
cancel the simulation and return to the SolidWorks
display.

CAMWorks also provides the ability to step through the toolpath using the Step Thru
Toolpath command.
15. Right click an operation in the tree and select Step Thru Toolpath.
The Step Thru Toolpath toolbar displays. Multiple step increment

Tool display on/off

Single step Forward multiple steps Number of toolpath

segments to display

16. Click the Single Step button (single arrow) several times.
The active toolpath node is highlighted.

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 Mill-Turn 1

17. Set the Multiple step increment to 5 and click the Forward multiple steps button (double
arrow) several times.
18. Click the Goto End button. The toolpath is completed.
19. Click the X button in the upper right corner to close the dialog box.
Did You Know ...
CAMWorks provides an option to display the XYZ position of the tool in the
Message Window during Simulation and Step Thru Toolpath. To activate this
option, select the Options command on the CAMWorks menu or the NC Manager
shortcut menu. On the General tab, select the Message Window option. On the
Simulation tab, select the Cutter Coordinates in Message Window option.
Step 8: 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 operation appears
in the CAMWorks 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 toolbar.
The Post Output File dialog box displays so you can name the NC program file.
2. If MT_1 is not in the File name text box, type MT_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.
3. In the Post Process Output dialog box, click the Run button on the control bar at the top.
4. When the post processing is finished, view the code using the vertical scroll bar.
5. Click OK to close the Post Process Output dialog box.

Learning Mill-Turn Basics 1-13

Mill-Turn 2

Mill-Turn 2
What You'll Learn
• Inserting Multiple Wrapped Features
• Adjusting operation parameters and machining using C-axis

1. Open the part file MT_2.SLDPRT in the \Examples\Mill-Turn folder inside the
CAMWorks folder (e.g., \Program Files\CAMWorksxxxx\Examples\Mill-Turn).
This part can be machined using C-axis.
2. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
3. Right click Example Mill-in in the Feature tree
and select Edit Definition.
4. Highlight Example Mill/Turn-in on the Machine tab
and click Select.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box.
6. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select
Edit Definition.
7. In the Manage Stock dialog box, set the following
parameters, then click OK:
− Z Face = -4in
− Length = 4.1in
− Diameter = 5in
8. Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the CAMWorks toolbar or right
click on the NC Manager in the tree and select Extract Machinable Features.
CAMWorks generates a Turn Setup, a Mill Part Setup and machinable features. The
items display in the CAMWorks Feature tree.
When AFR is run on some parts, CAMWorks may not 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 setups and
features and define the setups and features interactively. In this exercise, the slot features
are treated as OD features instead of face features, so a different Mill Part Setup and
features are needed.
9. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the tree and select Delete on the shortcut menu.
10. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
11. Right click Recycle Bin in the tree, select Empty, then click Yes.

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 Mill-Turn 2

Inserting Multiple Wrapped Features

1. Right click Turn Setup1 in the tree and select Insert
Mill Part Setup on the shortcut menu.
2. In the Mill Part Setup dialog box, pick Top in the
Reference planes list and click OK.
3. Right click Mill Part Setup2 in the tree and select
Insert Wrapped Feature.
4. Set the Feature Type to Wrapped Slot.
5. On the part, pick the cylindrical faces of the 2 slots.

6. Click the End Condition tab.

7. Pick the major OD.
8. Click the Edit Profile tab.
CAMWorks automatically calculates open air edges.
By definition, a Slot contains edges that are open so
that the resulting toolpath is machined past these
open edges. This page allows you to modify these
selections, if necessary. The segments are listed for
the selected feature and an icon identifies the segment
attribute (air or material). The segments are correct
for these features and no changes are necessary.
9. Click the Insert button, then click Close. The Wrapped
Slot features are listed in the tree.
You want to machine the Cutoff feature after the other
features, so you can create a Turn Setup and move the feature.
10. Right click Mill Part Setup2 in the tree and select Insert
Turn Setup.
11. Click OK in the Turn Setup dialog box.
12. Highlight Cutoff Feature1 in the tree and drag it to
Turn Setup2.
Adjusting Operation Parameters and Machining Using C-Axis
1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
2. Right click Rough Mill1 in the tree and select Edit Definition.

Learning Mill-Turn Basics 1-15

Mill-Turn 2

3. On the Roughing tab, select the Automatic angle option.

When you use this option, CAMWorks picks the longest segment and runs the toolpath
parallel to that segment.
4. Click OK.
5. Right click Rough Mill2 in the tree and select Edit Definition.
6. On the Roughing tab, select the Automatic angle option, then click OK.
7. Right click Cut Off1 in the tree and select Edit Definition.
8. On the Groove Insert tab, set the Length to 2.95in.
9. On the Holder tab, set Orientation to Down Left and the Protrusion to 2.65 and click OK.
10. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
11. Click on the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
12. Set the following display options:

Stock Shaded Display

Tool Shaded Display

Holder Shaded Display

13. Target No Display

14. Click the Run button on the toolbar to start the simulation.

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 Mill-Turn 3

Mill-Turn 3
What You'll Learn
• Creating a Wrapped Feature from a 2D sketch
• Unwrapping a solid model cylindrical face and creating a Wrapped Feature
• Machining Using C-axis

1. Open the part file MT_3.SLDPRT in the \Examples\Mill-Turn folder inside the
CAMWorks folder (e.g., \Program
Files\CAMWorksxxxx\Examples\Mill-Turn).
This part can be machined using C-axis.
2. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
3. Right click Example Mill-in in the Feature tree
and select Edit Definition.
4. Highlight Example Mill/Turn-in on the Machine tab
and click Select.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box.
6. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select
Edit Definition.
7. In the Manage Stock dialog box, change the Length to 10.25in, then click OK.
8. Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the CAMWorks toolbar or right
click on the NC Manager in the tree and select Extract Machinable Features.
CAMWorks generates a Turn Setup, Mill Part Setups and machinable features. The items
display in the CAMWorks Feature tree.
9. Right click Cutoff Feature1 in Turn Setup1 and select Delete.
10. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
Inserting a Wrapped Feature Using a 2D Sketch
1. Right click Mill Part Setup5 in the tree and select Insert Wrapped Feature on the shortcut
menu.
2. In the Insert Wrapped Feature dialog box, leave the Feature Type set to Wrapped Pocket
and pick Wrapped 1 in the list.
2D sketches that lie on a sketch plane that is parallel to and passes through the turn axis.
These sketches provide an alternative method of defining a wrapped feature. In most
cases, wrapped features will be created from edges and surfaces on cylindrical faces.
However, if the model does not have cylindrical edges or faces that can be used to create
the feature, a 2D sketch can then be used to create a feature.

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Mill-Turn 3

3. Click in the Wrapping diameter entity box to

set the focus, then pick the large OD on the part.
When creating a wrapped feature from a 2D sketch,
you must specify a diameter value to wrap the feature
about. You can either pick an entity on the model to
define the diameter or enter a value.
4. Click the End Condition tab.

5. Click the Reverse Direction button and set the

depth to .2in.
6. Click the Insert button, then click Close. The Wrapped
Pocket feature is listed in the tree.
Unwrapping a Solid Model Cylindrical Face and Creating a Wrapped Feature
When the solid model geometry does not provide enough definition for a feature, you can
use a CAMWorks function to unwrap a solid model cylindrical face or edge to a 2D sketch.
Then, you can modify the sketch geometry and use the sketch to create the Wrapped Feature.
In this exercise, to optimize the pocket cutting strategy, it would be beneficial to cut the
feature highlighted in the figure as a rectangular wrapped feature.
1. Right click Mill Part Setup5 in the tree and select Unwrap
Faces/Edges to Sketch on the shortcut menu.
2. Pick the cylindrical face indicated in the figure.
3. In the Reference plane list, pick Top Plane, then click Insert.
The Reference plane is the plane to unroll the sketch into. You
should pick a plane that is parallel to and goes through the turn
axis.
4. Click the SolidWorks FeatureManager tab.
5. Click Sketch10 in the tree and zoom out to view the sketch in
the graphics area.
6. Right click Sketch10 in the tree and select Edit Sketch on the shortcut menu.
7. Change the Orientation to Normal To.

1-18 Learning Mill-Turn Basics

 Mill-Turn 3

8. Zoom up and window pick the sketch as shown in Figure 1.

9. Press the Delete key to delete the entities (Figure 2).
10. Use the SolidWorks Extend command to connect the open entities (Figure 3).
The sketch is now a fully closed loop that CAMWorks can wrap (Figure 4).

11. Click Close to exit Sketch mode.

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4

12. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.

13. Click the Light button in the CAMWorks Warning dialog box.
The Light Rebuild option is provided for situations where a Full Rebuild is not necessary
because you know that the only changes are to sketches or that any model changes do not
affect automatically recognized features. The Light Rebuild option performs all actions of
the Full Rebuild except running Automatic feature recognition.
14. Right click in the graphics area and click Zoom to Fit to display the part.
15. Right click Wrapped Pocket1 in the tree and select Insert Wrapped Feature.
16. Leave the Feature Type set to Wrapped Pocket and pick Sketch10 in the list.

17. Click in the Wrapping diameter

entity box to set the focus.
When creating a wrapped feature
from a 2D sketch, you must specify a
diameter value to wrap the feature
about. You can either pick an entity
on the model to define the diameter
or enter a value.
18. Rotate the part and pick the bottom
face of the pocket.
19. Click the End Condition tab and pick the smaller OD on the part, then click Insert.

Learning Mill-Turn Basics 1-19

Mill-Turn 3

You can leave the dialog box open and insert the final feature, which is the wrapped slot.
1. Change the Feature Type to
Wrapped Slot.
2. Pick the face of the slot.
3. Click the End Condition tab.
4. Pick the smaller OD on the part.
5. Click Insert, then click Close.
6. In the Feature tree, highlight
Wrapped Slot1 and drag it below
Wrapped Pocket2 to change the
machining order.
Adjusting Operation Parameters and Machining Using C-Axis
1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
2. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
3. Click RoughMill4 in Mill Part Setup5 and notice the angle of the toolpath. You can edit
the operation and have CAMWorks automatically pick the most efficient angle.
4. Right click Rough Mill4 in the tree and select Edit Definition.
5. On the Roughing tab, make sure the Pattern is Zigzag and select the Automatic angle
option.
When you use this option, CAMWorks picks the longest segment and runs the toolpath
parallel to that segment.
6. Click OK.
7. Right click Rough Mill4 and select Generate Toolpath.
8. Notice the difference in the toolpath.
9. Click on the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
10. Set the following display options:

Stock Shaded Display

Tool Shaded Display

Holder Shaded Display

11. Target No Display

12. Click the Run button on the toolbar to start the simulation.

1-20 Learning Mill-Turn Basics

Chapter 2 Learning More About Mill-Turn

This chapter provides an opportunity to learn more about CAMWorks Mill-Turn.

The exercises in this chapter are intended to show you how to use CAMWorks and may not
correspond to actual machining practices.

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 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.

Learning More About Mill-Turn 2-1

Mill-Turn 4

Mill-Turn 4
What You'll Learn
• Interactively inserting 2.5 Axis and Multi Surface features
• Inserting contain and avoid areas for 3 Axis operations
• Adjusting operation parameters and machining using Y-axis

1. Open the part file MT_4.SLDPRT in the \Examples\Mill-Turn folder inside the
CAMWorks folder (e.g., \Program Files\CAMWorksxxxx\Examples\Mill-Turn).
This part can be machined using Y-axis.
2. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
3. Right click Example Mill-in in the Feature tree
and select Edit Definition.
4. Highlight Example Mill/Turn-in on the Machine tab
and click Select, then click OK.
5. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select
Edit Definition.
6. In the Manage Stock dialog box, change the Length to 16in, then click OK.
7. Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the CAMWorks toolbar or right
click on the NC Manager in the tree and select Extract Machinable Features.
CAMWorks generates a Turn Setup and machinable features. The items display in the
CAMWorks Feature tree.
8. Right click Cutoff Feature1 in Turn Setup1, select Delete and click Yes to confirm the
deletion.
Inserting 2.5 Axis and Multi Surface Machinable Features
1. Right click Turn Setup1 in the tree and select Insert Mill Part Setup on the shortcut menu.
2. Select the top plane and click the Reverse direction option.
3. Click OK.
4. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the tree and select Insert 2.5 Axis Feature on the shortcut
menu.
5. In the 2.5 Axis Feature Wizard dialog box, set the Feature Type to Pocket.
6. Pick 2x Pocket in the list of sketches and click Next.
7. Leave the End condition type set to Blind.
8. Change the Depth to 2in and click the Reverse direction option.

2-2 Learning More About Mill-Turn

 Mill-Turn 4

9. Change the Attribute to Coarse to generate only a

Roughing operation, then click Finish.
10. Click Close to exit the Wizard.
11. Right click Irregular Pocket1 in the tree and select Insert
Multi Surface Feature.

12. Make sure the Select Face button is selected.

13. Pick the yellow faces around the pocket.
14. Set the Attribute to Rgh-Pocket, Fin-3D Stepover.
15. Click Insert, then click Close.
16. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the
CAMWorks toolbar.
Inserting Contain and Avoid Areas for 3 Axis Operations
1. Right click Area Clearance1 in the tree and select Insert Contain Area on the shortcut
menu.
2. Pick the top edges of the pocket. A silhouette displays
when all the edges are selected.
3. Click Finish.
4. Right click Area Clearance1 in the tree and select Insert
Avoid Area on the shortcut menu.
5. Pick 2x Pocket in the list of sketches.
The pocket is being machined by Rough Mill1, the 2 Axis operation that was generated
for Irregular Pocket1.
6. Set the Tool Condition to On and click Finish.
You want to contain the Constant Stepover toolpath. Instead of defining a Contain Area for
this operation, you can copy the Contain you inserted for the Area Clearance operation.
7. Click the next to Area Clearance1 in the tree to expand the item. The Contain and
Avoid areas are listed in the tree.
8. Click Contain Area1 to highlight the item, hold down the Ctrl key and drag the item on
top of Constant Stepover1, then release the mouse button.
The cursor changes to an arrow to indicate copy mode.
9. Click the next to Constant Stepover1. Contain Area2 is listed.
You can copy features, contains and avoids to other operations in the same Mill Part
Setup.

Learning More About Mill-Turn 2-3

Mill-Turn 4

Adjusting Operation Parameters and Machining Using Y-Axis

1. Right click Turn Finish1 in the tree and select Edit Definition.
2. On the Finish Turn tab, check the Undercut option and click OK.
This option defines whether the toolpath can create an undercut up to the back angle of
the tool. If checked, the toolpath follows the entire toolpath observing the back angle.
3. Right click Area Clearance1 in the tree and select Edit Definition.
4. On the Area Clearance tab in the Limits section, leave the First cut from option set to Top
of Stock, change the Offset to -.25in. and click OK.
5. Right click Constant Stepover1 in the tree and select Edit Definition.
6. On the Constant Stepover tab, set the Direction control to
Zigzag.
7. In the Limits section, set the Last cut at option to User
Defined.
8. Click the Pick Point button.
9. Pick the vertex shown in the figure.
10. Set the Z Offset to -.1in. Since the bottom edge of the
feature is curved, applying the offset in Z will generate the toolpath to cut all the material.
11. Click OK to close the Define Point dialog box, then click OK to close the Operation
Parameters dialog box.
12. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
13. Click on the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
14. Set the following display options:

Stock Shaded Display Tool Shaded Display

Holder No Display Target No Display

15. Click the Run button on the

toolbar to start the simulation.

During the simulation, you can

click the Show Animation button to
adjust the speed of the simulation.
Increasing the number of moves
speeds up the simulation.

2-4 Learning More About Mill-Turn

 Mill-Turn 5

Mill-Turn 5
What You'll Learn
• Adjusting text or entity locations to machine a Wrapped Engrave Feature
• Interactively inserting Wrapped Engrave Features
• Adjusting Starting Angles and C-Axis Rotation Direction
• Creating Planes to control index angles and Setups
• Machining using C-Axis
Adjusting Entity Locations to Machine a Wrapped Engrave Feature
1. Open the part file MT_5.SLDPRT in the \Examples\Mill-Turn folder inside the
CAMWorks folder (e.g., \Program Files\CAMWorksxxxx\Examples\Mill-Turn).
This part can be machined using C-axis.
2. Click Tools on the SolidWorks menu
bar and select Measure.
3. Pick the vertical line that represents the
edge of the 1.5in diameter surface.
4. Notice that the Length (circumference) is
4.7124in.
5. Click Close to exit the Measure utility.
6. Right click TEXT-SKETCH in the
SolidWorks FeatureManager design tree
and select Edit Sketch.
Notice the vertical dimension of 1.75in. If you were to cut this 1.5in diameter surface and
lay it out flat, you would be able to machine up to a 4.7124in surface around this part.
The letters of the CAMWorks engraving will cover only 1.75in. The letter C of the text is
located at a zero start location because the text sketch was started on the Front Plane at
the edge of the center of the rotational axis of the part. If you needed to start this at a
different location, you would need to move the text up or down the vertical line offset
from the rotational axis.
In this exercise, you are going to start this text at 45 degrees instead of zero degrees, so
you need to calculate how far to move this text to start machining at 45 degrees.
To calculate this:
4.7124 (circumference distance) divided by 360 degrees = .01309 per one degree of
rotation
45 degrees x .01309 = .58905 distance
Therefore, you need to move the text a distance of .58905in up or down vertically. This
will shift the text and start angle to start machining at 45 degrees off the center of the
rotational axis.

Learning More About Mill-Turn 2-5

Mill-Turn 5

7. Select and double-click the .0001 vertical

dimension on the part, change it to .58905,
then click the green check mark to save the
change (Figure 1).

8. Click Close to exit Edit Sketch mode.

Inserting a Wrapped Engrave Feature to Machine Text

1. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
2. Right click Example Mill-in in the Feature tree and select Edit Definition.
3. Highlight Example Mill/Turn-in on the Machine tab and click Select, then click OK.
4. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select Edit Definition.
5. In the Manage Stock dialog box, change the Length to 3.1in, then click OK.
6. Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the CAMWorks toolbar or right
click on the NC Manager in the tree and select Extract Machinable Features.
CAMWorks generates a Turn Setup and Mill Setups with machinable features. The items
display in the CAMWorks Feature tree.
7. Right click Cutoff Feature1 in Turn Setup1, select Delete and click Yes to confirm the
deletion.
8. Select the Mill Part Setups, right click, select Delete and click Yes.
You are not machining the side holes in this exercise, so you can delete the setups and
features.
9. Right click the Recycle Bin, select Empty and click Yes.
10. Right click Turn Setup1 in the tree and select Insert Mill Part Setup on the shortcut menu.
11. In the Mill Part Setup dialog box, select Front Plane and click the Reverse direction
option.
12. Click OK.
13. Right click the Mill Part Setup in the tree and select Insert Wrapped Feature on the
shortcut menu.
14. In the Insert Wrapped Feature dialog box, select Wrapped Engrave for the Feature Type..
15. Set the Attribute to Fine. This attribute has been set up in the TechDB to generate one
Contour Mill operation.

2-6 Learning More About Mill-Turn

 Mill-Turn 5

16. Pick TEXT-SKETCH in the available valid sketches list.

This list shows the 2D sketches that lie on a sketch plane that is parallel to and passes
through the turn axis. These sketches provide an alternative method of defining a
wrapped feature. In most cases, wrapped features will be created from edges and surfaces
on cylindrical faces. However, if the model does not have cylindrical edges or faces that
can be used to create the feature, a 2D sketch can be used to create a feature.
17. Rotate the part to see how the feature is trying to wrap
around the surface.
18. Click in the Wrapping Diameter entity box and select
the 1.5in diameter face.
When creating a wrapped feature from a 2D sketch, you
must specify a diameter value to wrap the feature about.
You can either pick an entity on the model to define the
diameter or enter a value.
19. Click the End Condition tab.
20. Leave the Type set to Blind.
21. Change the Depth to .005in and click the Reverse
Direction button.
22. Click Insert, then click Close.
23. Rotate the part to see the Wrapped Feature on the outside diameter.
24. Click the SolidWorks FeatureManager design tree tab.
25. Right click TEXT-SKETCH and select Hide. You no longer need to see the SolidWorks
sketch.
Inserting a Plane to Control the Index or Rotational Angle for Mill Setups
In CAMWorks Mill-Turn, you can use Planes to control indexing angles or to create Mill
Setups.
1. Right click on Front Plane in the FeatureManager design tree and select Show.
2. Click View on the SolidWorks menu bar and select Temporary Axis to turn it on.
3. Rotate the part as shown in the figure.
4. Select Front Plane in the tree to
highlight the plane in the graphics
area.
5. Click Insert on the SolidWorks
menu bar and select Reference
Geometry, then select Plane.
6. Pick the Temporary Axis running
through the center of the part.

Learning More About Mill-Turn 2-7

Mill-Turn 5

7. Set the Angle to 45 degrees and click

OK.
8. With Plane1 highlighted, change the
orientation to Normal to.
9. Click the Sketch button.
10. Insert a .375in circle close to
the center.
11. Click Close to exit Edit Sketch
mode.
Inserting a 2.5 Axis Wrapped Engrave Feature
1. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
2. Right click the Mill Part Setup and select Insert Mill Part Setup.
3. In the Mill Part Setup dialog box, select Plane1, check the Reverse option and click OK.
4. Right click the new Mill Part Setup in the tree and select Insert Wrapped Feature.
5. In the Insert Wrapped Feature dialog box,
set the Feature Type to Wrapped Engrave
and set the Attribute to Fine.
6. Pick the .375in circle geometry on the
part.
7. Click in the Wrapping diameter entity box
and pick the 1.5in diameter face on the
part.
8. Click the End Condition tab.
9. Leave the Type set to Blind.
10. Change the Depth to .005in and click the
Reverse Direction button.
11. Click Insert, then click Close.
12. Click the SolidWorks FeatureManager design
tree tab.
13. Select Front Plane, Plane 1 and Sketch6, then right
click and select Hide. You no longer need to display
these items.
14. Click View on the SolidWorks menu bar and select
Temporary Axis to turn it off.
15. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.
16. Rotate the part and view the features.

2-8 Learning More About Mill-Turn

 Mill-Turn 5

Machining Using C-Axis

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
2. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
3. Click on the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks toolbar.
4. Set the following display options:

Stock Shaded Display Tool Shaded Display

Holder No Display Target No Display

5. Click the Run button on the toolbar to start the simulation.

Learning More About Mill-Turn 2-9

Mill-Turn 5

2-10 Learning More About Mill-Turn

 Index

Index
2.5 Axis Feature wizard 1-8, 1-10, 2-2 Machine 1-4
2.5 Axis feature, inserting 1-8, 1-10, 2-2 Machine dialog box
Controller tab 1-5
A
Machine tab 1-4, 1-14, 1-17, 2-2, 2-6
Automatic Feature Recognition 1-7, 1-14, 1-17, 2-2,
Posting tab 1-5
2-6
Tool Crib tab 1-5
avoid areas, inserting for Adv 3 Axis operations 2-3
Manage Stock dialog box 1-6, 1-14, 1-17, 2-2, 2-6
C Mill Part Setup, inserting plane to control angle 2-7
CAMWorks Message Window 1-7 Multi Surface feature 2-3
chuck, defining for simulation 1-11
N
contain areas, inserting for Adv 3 Axis operations 2-3
NC program
E/F/G file 1-13
Extract Machinable Features command 1-7, 1-14, generating 1-13
1-17, 2-2, 2-6 steps to generate 1-2
FANTUTLM 1-5
O
file
Operation Setup Parameters dialog box
NC program 1-13
Chuck Definition tab 1-12
setup sheet 1-13
Chuck Location tab 1-11
Generate Operation Plan command 1-10, 1-15, 1-20,
Operation tree 1-11
2-3, 2-9
operations
Generate Toolpath command 1-11, 1-16, 1-20, 2-4,
generating 1-10, 1-15, 1-20, 2-3, 2-9
2-9
generating toolpaths 1-11, 1-16, 1-20, 2-4, 2-9
I inserting avoid areas 2-3
Insert 2.5 Axis Feature command 1-8, 1-10, 2-2 inserting contain areas 2-3
Insert Avoid Area 2-3 post processing 1-13
Insert Contain Area 2-3 simulating toolpaths 1-12, 1-16, 1-20, 2-4, 2-9
Insert Multi Surface Feature command 2-3 Options dialog box, General tab 1-13
Insert Wrapped Feature command 1-9, 1-15, 1-17,
P
1-19, 2-6, 2-8
parts used in exercises
Insert Wrapped Feature dialog box 1-10, 1-15, 2-6,
mt_1.sldprt 1-3
2-8
mt_2.sldprt 1-14
M mt_3.sldprt 1-17
machinable features mt_4.sldprt 2-2
creating Corner Slot feature 1-8, 1-10 mt_5.sldprt 2-5
creating Multi Surface feature 2-3 Post Output File dialog box 1-13
creating Wrapped Engrave feature 2-6, 2-8 Post Process command 1-13
creating Wrapped feature 1-9, 1-15, 1-17, 1-19 post processor, parameters 1-5
defining automatically 1-7, 1-14, 1-17, 2-2, 2-6
S
defining interactively 1-8, 1-9, 1-10, 1-15, 1-17,
setup sheet 1-6
1-19, 2-2, 2-6, 2-8
Simulate Toolpath command 1-12, 1-16, 1-20, 2-4,
features recognized automatically 1-7, 1-14, 1-17,
2-9
2-2, 2-6
Simulate Toolpath toolbar 1-12
inserting 2.5 Axis feature 1-10, 2-2
Step Thru Toolpath command 1-12

i
Index

steps to generate NC program in Part mode 1-2

Stock 1-6
T
text, using Wrapped Engrave Feature to engrave 2-5
tool, selecting tool crib 1-5
toolpaths
generating 1-11, 1-16, 1-20, 2-4, 2-9
inserting avoid areas 2-3
inserting contain areas 2-3
post processing 1-13
simulating 1-12, 1-16, 1-20, 2-4, 2-9
stepping through 1-12
U
Unwrap Faces/Edges to Sketch command 1-18
unwrapping solid model cylindrical face 1-18
W
Wrapped Engrave feature 2-6, 2-8
Wrapped feature 1-9, 1-15
using 2D sketch 1-17, 1-19
Wrapping diameter 1-18, 1-19

ii