Student Guide Using NX Mt11021-S-nx9
Student Guide Using NX Mt11021-S-nx9
Student Guide
October 2013
MT11021–S — NX 9
Publication Number
mt11021_s – NX 9
Proprietary and restricted rights
notice; Trademarks
Trademarks
Siemens and the Siemens logo are registered trademarks of Siemens AG.
NX is a trademark or registered trademark of Siemens Product Lifecycle
Management Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in
other countries. All other trademarks, registered trademarks, or service
marks belong to their respective holders.
Course overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Intended audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
How to use this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Template parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Classroom system information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 3
Contents
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 5
Contents
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 7
Contents
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-14
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Index-1
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 9
Course overview
This course teaches the use of the NX Manufacturing application for creating
2–1/2 and 3–axis tool paths.
Intended audience
This course is designed for manufacturing engineers, process planners and
NC/CNC Programmers that have the basic knowledge of NC/CNC manual
programming of 3–axis positioning and contouring equipment.
Objectives
After successfully completing this course, you should be able to perform the
following activities in NX:
Prerequisites
This is a basic NX manufacturing class that requires you to have basic
computer knowledge and experience as an NC/CNC programmer.
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 11
Course overview
Template parts
Template parts are effective tools for establishing customer defaults or any
settings that are part-dependent, which means that they are saved with the
part. Part-dependent settings may include non-geometric data such as:
• A frame of reference, such as a datum coordinate system
• Drawing formats
• User-defined views
• Layer categories
Student login:
User name:
Password:
Work directory:
Parts directory:
Instructor:
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 13
1
Lesson
Purpose
This lesson introduces several concepts that you will need to understand
and apply in order to effectively use the Manufacturing application of
NX. Applying these concepts, prior to creating operations, will save you
considerable time in the creation of your program.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you will be able to:
• Follow the steps of the NC Programming workflow.
1
NC Programming workflow
1. Create the manufacturing setup.
The manufacturing setup creates a manufacturing assembly and adds
other data related to your type of part. The manufacturing setup can
also be created in the same part.
2. Analyze geometry.
This step helps establish the manufacturing plan and cutting tool
selection.
1
The NX Manufacturing process
This flowchart illustrates the process you use to create and process tool
paths in NX.
1
Manufacturing toolbars
There are several toolbars in the Manufacturing application.
Insert
• Operations.
When you define cutting operations, you can select any defined parent groups
to inherit their parameters.
Operations
Actions
Use the commands on the Actions toolbar to edit, copy, paste, delete and
display objects in the Operation Navigator.
Workpiece
1
Operation Navigator
Geometry
Use the commands on the Geometry toolbar to create and edit geometry
while you are in the Manufacturing application.
1
Operation Navigator
The Operation Navigator has four hierarchical views that you use to create
and manage an NC program. Each view organizes the same set of operations
based on the theme of the view, the order of operations within the program,
the tools used, the geometry machined, or the machining methods used.
Application Manufacturing
1
Select parent groups and create an operation
This example describes how to create a cavity milling manufacturing
operation using Program, Tool, Geometry and Method groups that were
previously defined.
This example assumes that the following parent objects were previously
defined:
Parent Name
PROGRAM MY_PROGRAM
TOOL EM-12
GEOMETRY WORKPIECE
METHOD MILL_ROUGH
2. In the Create Operation dialog box, from the Type list, select mill_contour.
Cavity milling is a subtype of the mill_contour type.
• Program=MY_PROGRAM
• Tool=EM-12
• Geometry=WORKPIECE
• Method=MILL_ROUGH
6. In the Cavity Mill dialog box, in the Actions group, click Generate to
create the tool path.
1
9. At the bottom of the Operation Navigator, expand the Dependencies
window.
You can see the hierarchical relationship between the operation and its
current parent groups.
CAVITY_MILL
Children
Parents
MY_PROGRAM
EM-12
WORKPIECE
MILL_ROUGH
1
Manufacturing setup
The manufacturing setup usually refers to a single part in one orientation
on a machine tool. The setup specifies the part manufacturing type and
subtypes. The manufacturing setup usually creates a master model assembly
where the setup part is the top level assembly. This allows the Programs,
Tools, Geometry and Machining Method groups to be created in a separate
file than the master model. This is normally the parent of the manufacturing
assembly. There are different strategies to create setups. The method or
methods that you can use include these:
• Create the setup by choosing File®New, and on the Manufacturing tab,
select the General Setup, any of the express setups, or the Siemens Dual
Table Sinumerik setup.
When you use the File®New method, you are creating a new part file to
which you have full permission, and using the currently opened geometry file
as a component. This is the master model concept. The engineering geometry
is the master model, to which you need not have write permission. The CAM
setup part is an assembly that references the master model as a component.
You can also create a CAM setup in the currently open geometry file, provided
that you have write permission to it.
Application Manufacturing
Toolbar Standard®New
Menu File®New
1
Templates in Manufacturing
File templates in Manufacturing allow you to create specialized or generic
CAM setups. To find these templates, choose File→New and click the
Manufacturing tab.
On the Manufacturing tab, you can set Relationship and Units filters.
The Relationship filter helps you to create a master model assembly. The
master model is the part that you choose to reference. You need not have write
permission to the master model. The master model becomes a component of
your new setup part. You new part is automatically given the base name of
the specified master model, plus the suffix setup_1, setup_2, and so on.
All of the templates contain predefined manufacturing setups, except for
the Blank template. The Blank template creates a new file and starts the
Manufacturing application where you must select an operation template
and units. The Blank template is available when the Relationship list is set
to All or Stand-alone Part.
1
Manufacturing General Setup using file templates
Choose this option for general machining. The Manufacturing General Setup
includes many object types and subtypes to choose from. These include
milling, turning, drilling, hole making, wire EDM and other manufacturing
objects.
The Manufacturing General setup:
• Creates a new assembly file and adds the currently opened file as a
component.
Application Manufacturing
Prerequisite An open part file.
Toolbar Standard®New®Manufacturing
Menu File®New®Manufacturing
1
Manufacturing Express Setup overview using file templates
Choose one of these options when machining industry specific parts or
machine specific parts. There are setups with types and subtypes for industry
parts including Die Mold and Machinery. There are also setups with types and
subtypes for specific machines including Turning, Multi-Axis, and Mill Turn.
The Manufacturing General setup:
• Creates a new assembly file and adds the currently opened file as a
component.
Application Manufacturing
Prerequisite An open part file.
Toolbar Standard®New®Manufacturing
Menu File®New®Manufacturing
1
CAM Express
The CAM Express module provides all the tools you need to complete straight
forward manufacturing tasks. Fewer commands appear on toolbars and
menus. Command names and descriptions are included for all commands on
toolbars. If you are new to NX or do not use NX regularly, consider using
CAM Express.
Application Manufacturing
1
Specify the CAM Session Configuration and CAM Setup
Choose this method for general machining when the design or engineering file
will also contain manufacturing data. This method allows you to select from
many CAM Session Configurations and CAM Setups. This method may still
be used but is not considered a best practice. Using a method that employs
the master model is preferred.
The Machining Environment setup:
• Sets the CAM Configuration
Application Manufacturing
Prerequisite An open part file
Toolbar Standard®Start®Manufacturing
1
Create a manufacturing setup assembly automatically
You can let NX create the manufacturing setup assembly for you.
This procedure creates a new general setup assembly.
1. Open the part that you want to machine.
4. In the Templates group, from the Units list, select the units for the NC
output.
8. In the Select master part dialog box, from the Loaded Parts list, select
the part to be machined and click OK.
In the New dialog box, in the New File Name group, in the Name box, NX
appends _setup_1 to the name of the part to be machined.
9. Click OK.
1
NX does the following:
• Creates a CAM setup with:
o The NC_PROGRAM parent and a program node, for example 1234.
1
Changing roles in manufacturing
The Manufacturing application has two industry specific roles.
CAM Express
This role provides all tools you need to complete straightforward tasks.
Toolbars are presented with words, and both toolbars and menus have
reduced content. It is recommended for most users, especially new users
or users who don’t use NX regularly.
CAM Advanced
This role provides a wider set of tools to support straightforward and
advanced tasks. To enable display of additional tools, toolbars are
presented with just bitmaps. Menus may have some tools hidden. This
role is recommended for the user who needs the extra tools and already
recognizes most of the NX toolbar bitmaps.
Changing the roles from CAM Express to CAM Advanced may be needed to
complete machining on certain parts.
1
Activity: Create the Manufacturing setup
In the Basic Manufacturing concepts section, do the activity:
• Create the Manufacturing setup
1
Summary
This lesson is an introduction to basic CAM concepts.
In this lesson, you learned:
• The NC Programming workflow.
• To recognize and select the proper CAM Setup that determines the types
of operations that are made available to you.
Objective
This lesson discusses methods that you can use to examine your part model
prior to machining it, in order to get a better understanding of tooling
requirements.
After you complete this lesson, you will be able to collect the following data:
• Cut level, corner, blend, and draft data using the NC Assistant command.
o Stock requirements
• The information required to specify the correct cutting tools and tool
parameters:
o Corner radius
o Filet radius
o Draft
o Cut levels
o Hole diameters
o Tolerances
o Tool axis
NC Assistant
Use the NC Assistant command to collect the data necessary to machine
your part. You can determine:
2
• Corner radii between walls using the Corners option.
Use this option to help select tool diameters.
• Corner radii between floors and walls using the Blends option.
Use this option to help select mill tool corner radii.
Corners Blends
Draft Levels
The analysis information is displayed using face colors on the shaded model
and text in the Information window.
Application Manufacturing
You must have a part file open that contains
Prerequisite model geometry.
4. Orient your geometry to a view that allows you to select the faces to be
analyzed.
For this example, the entire blank stock and part are selected.
7. In the Analysis Type group, from the Analysis Type list, select Levels.
Because this option recognizes the depths of all planar levels in the part, it
helps you to identify the correct length of the tools for machining the part.
8. In the Reference Vector group, from the Specify Vector list, select ZC
Axis.
9. In the Reference Plane group, from the Specify Plane list, select Inferred.
10. In the graphics window, select the face to be referenced as a plane that
is equal to zero.
11. In the Limits group, enter values for Minimum Level and Maximum Level:
• Minimum Level = –3.75
In this example, the overall height of the blank stock is 3.75 and no
geometry lies above the reference plane.
12. In the Tolerances group, enter values in the Distance and Angle boxes.
These values set the tolerance range within which the software recognizes
geometry.
13. In the Actions group, click Analyze Geometry to display colors on the
faces that were analyzed.
14. In the Results group, select the Save Face Colors on Exit check box.
This ensures that the analysis colors on the faces are saved with the part.
This provides a visual cue of the results so that you do not have to repeat
the analysis later.
15. Click Information to view additional data on the faces that were analyzed.
Levels
Recognizes the depths of all planar levels in the
part. This option can help you to identify the
correct tool lengths.
Corners
Recognizes radii along the part walls. This option
can help you to identify the correct tool diameters.
Blends
Recognizes fillet and floor radii. This option can
help you to determine the correct tool corner radii.
Draft
Recognizes wall angles. This option can help you
to determine the taper angle requirements for an
end mill.
2
Reference Vector
Specify Plane Lets you specify a plane that is equal to zero. The
software measures the tolerances and limits from
this plane when analyzing and categorizing the levels
and corner radii of the part.
Limits
Tolerances
Distance/ Define the tolerance range for the analysis type you
Radius/Angle select.
2 For example, you select Levels, then enter 0.0100 in
the Distance box and enter 0.01000 in the Angle box.
The software recognizes all the faces within a
distance of 0.0100 to each other and within an
angle of 0.0100 of a degree to the specified reference
plane/vector as an individual category, and displays
them in the same color.
Distance measurements are in the part units.
Angle measurements are in degrees.
Results
Measure Distance
Use the Measure Distance command to calculate the distance between two
objects, the length of curves, or the radius of an arc, a circular edge, or a
cylindrical face. 2
You can view additional information, such as units and locations, in the
Information window.
To measure angles, use the Measure Angle command.
Projected Distance
Measures the projected distance between two objects. Use
this option, for example, to see if the part will fit on a
machining center.
Screen Distance
Measures the distance of the objects on the screen. Use this
option to measure the approximate 2D distance between two
2 objects on the screen.
Length
Measures the true length of the selected curve.
Radius
Measures the radius of the specified curve.
Diameter
Measures the diameter of circular objects.
Points on Curves
Measures the shortest distance between two points on a set
of connected curves. The set of curves may include a single
2 curve or multiple curves.
Vector
Available when Type is set to Projected Distance.
Lets you specify a vector for the projected axis.
Specify
Vector
2
Start Point, End Point
Available when Type is set to Distance, Projected Distance,
or Screen Distance.
Select Point Lets you select the start and end points between which the
or Object distance is measured.
Available when Type is set to Points on Curves.
Lets you select end points, midpoints, control points, existing
Specify Point points, or points on curves as the start and end points
between which the distance is measured.
Curve
Available when Type is set to Length.
Lets you select a curve or an edge for arc length measurement.
Select Curve
Radial Object
Available when Type is set to Radius.
Lets you select an arc, a circular edge, or a cylindrical face
Select Object for radius measurement.
Start Set, End Set
Available when Type is set to Between Sets.
Lets you select the components for the first and second set
Select Set between which the distance is measured.
Measurement
Distance Available when Type is set to Distance, Projected Distance,
or Screen Distance.
Specifies the method used to calculate how the distance
2 between the selected objects is measured.
To Point
Calculates the distance between the selected start point
and end point along the specified vector direction.
Minimum
Calculates the minimum distance between the selected
objects along the specified vector direction.
Minimum (local)
Available when Type is set to Distance or Screen
Distance.
Calculates the minimum distance between two specified
objects, or between objects on the screen.
Maximum
Calculates the maximum distance between the selected
objects projected along the specified vector direction.
Minimum Clearance
Available when Type is set to Projected Distance.
Calculates the minimum clearance distance between two
selected points or objects. The software creates a plane
normal to the specified vector direction and measures the
distance along the vector direction.
Maximum Clearance
Works the same as the Minimum Clearance option, but
calculates the maximum clearance distance.
Results Display
Show Displays the measurement results in the Information window.
Information
Window
Annotation Specifies how annotations are displayed. 2
None
Does not display annotations.
Show Dimension
Displays the dimension in the graphics window.
Create Line
Creates a line of the measured distance. This line is not
associative and will not update if you update your model.
Not available when Type is set to Length or Points on
Curves.
Settings
Line Color Specifies the line, the box, and the text color for the
dimension displayed in the graphics window. If you change
Box Color
these, you must click Apply to see the changes.
2 Text Color
Line color
Box color
Text color
Text Size Specifies the size of the text for the dimension. The choices
range from Very Small to Extra Large.
Text Style Specifies the text style for the dimension as Normal or Bold.
3 Tools
Purpose 3
In this lesson, you will learn how to create milling cutting tools.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you should be able to:
• Understand the concept of carriers, pockets, and tools.
Milling tool
Tool parameters define the characteristics of the cutting tool. All operations
3 that use the same tool inherit parameters from the tool parent group. In the
Machine Tool View view of the Operation Navigator, all operations using the
tool appear below the tool.
o To edit the tool parameters, click OK in the tool dialog box to save
your changes. If the changes affect other operations, NX displays a
Group Editing message to warn you.
Application Manufacturing
(L) Length
Number of Flutes
(D)Ball Diameter
Number of Flutes
(D) Diameter
(L) Length
Number of Flutes
(D) Diameter
Number of Flutes
3 (D) Diameter
(X1) X Center R1
7 (Y1) Y Center R1
Parameter
Mill Tool (B) Taper Angle
(L) Length
Number of Flutes
(D) Diameter
(X1) X Center R1
(Y1) Y Center R1
(L) Length
Number of Flutes
(D) Diameter
(R2) Up Radius
(L) Length
Number of Flutes
(D) Diameter
(L) Length
3
(FL) Flute Length
Number of Flutes
(D) Diameter
(L) Length
Thread
(FL) Flute Length
Mill
Number of Flutes
(P) Pitch
Form Type
Designation
Use the 7 and 10 parameter milling tools only for Planar Milling,
Surface Contouring, and Sequential Mill. Other milling operations
ignore the extended definitions of these tools.
You can validate that the tool flute length is long enough to cut to the
specified depth per cut. By using the Check Flute Length and Depth
per Cut option found in the Manufacturing Customer Defaults. If this
customer default is selected, and the flute length of the tool is less
than the nominal programmed cut depth, a warning is issued with an
option to continue.
(L) Length
3
(FL) Flute Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter
SPOTDRILLING_TOOL
(PA) Point Angle
(L) Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter
DRILLING_TOOL
(PA) Point Angle
(L) Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter
BORING_BAR
(ND) Neck Diameter
(L) Length
(L) Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter
COUNTERBORING_TOOL
(R1) Lower Radius
(L) Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter
COUNTERSINKING_TOOL
(A) Tip Angle
(L) Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter 3
TAP
(ND) Neck Diameter
(L) Length
Flutes
(P) Pitch
Designation
(D) Diameter
THREAD_MILL
(ND) Neck Diameter
(L) Length
Flutes
(P) Pitch
Form Type
Designation
(L) Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter
CENTERDRILL
(IA) Included Angle
(L) Length
Flutes
Designation
(D) Diameter
COUNTER_SINK
(IA) Included Angle
(L) Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter 3
SPOT_DRILL
(PA) Point Angle
(L) Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter
BORE
(ND) Neck Diameter
(L) Length
(D) Diameter
REAMER
(ND) Diameter
(L) Length
Flutes
Tip Dimensions
STEP_DRILL
(TD) Tip Diameter
Flutes
Drill Steps
(SD) Diameter
(SL) Length
(SA) Angle
(L) Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter
COUNTER_BORE
(CR) Corner Radius
(L) Length
3
Flutes
(D) Diameter
TAP
(ND) Neck Diameter
(L) Length
Flutes
(P) Pitch
Designation
(D) Diameter
THREAD_MILL
(ND) Neck Diameter
(L) Length
Flutes
3
(P) Pitch
Form Type
Designation
(D) Diameter
SPOT_FACING
(CR) Corner Radius
(L) Length
Flutes
(D) Diameter
MILL
(R1) Lower Radius
(L) Length
Flutes
2. In the Create Tool dialog box, from the Type list, select mill_planar.
5. (Optional) In the Name box, enter a descriptive name by which you can
identify the tool.
6. Click OK.
A default tool of the selected type is displayed in the graphics window. In
the Milling Tool-5 Parameters dialog box, in the Numbers group, the
selected pocket number is assigned in the Tool Number, Adjust Register,
and Cutcom Register boxes.
The holder definition is optional. You can click OK to create the tool
without a holder.
The new tool is created and added to the Machine Tool View of the Operation
Navigator. If you designed a holder, the holder parameters are also saved
with the tool.
To check your new tool, in the Machine Tool view of the Operation Navigator,
expand the CARRIER®POCKET_01 node and double-click the new tool node.
The saved tool and holder parameters are available for editing.
Tool tab
Legend
Example legend
Dimensions
The available dimensions vary and are described for the individual tools.
Description
Description Adds a description of the tool that is shown with the
tool name when you select tools in a dialog box.
Material Assigns or shows the current tool material from the
materials library.
Numbers
Tool Number Sets a number which identifies the code word for the
tool, usually the controller’s T word.
Adjust Register Sets the number which identifies the adjust register
that contains the tool length offset value for the tool,
usually the controller’s H word.
• If you specify a value, the Adjust Register is
activated when the tool load or tool change event
is processed.
Offsets
Z Offset Sets the distance from the spindle gauge point to the
tool tip.
• For newer machine tools capable of tool center
point programming, the Z offset value must be
zero.
Shank tab
Shank
Define Shank Lets you define a shank definition for your tool. The shank
begins at the end of the tool length. 3
The shank is inserted into the holder. If there is no shank defined, the tool
is inserted directly into the holder.
Options in other groups are available when you select the Define Shank
check box.
Legend
3 Shank Parameters
There is a tapered transition from the tool diameter to the shank diameter.
The shank is included in the tool definition in the tool library.
The default color for the shank is set by the Shank Color preference.
To view or edit the preference setting, choose
Preferences→Manufacturing, and click the Visualization tab.
Dimensions
(SD) Shank Diameter Sets the diameter of the shank on the tool that
mounts to the tool holder.
(SL) Shank Length Sets the overall length of the shank on the tool.
(STL) Shank Taper Sets the length of the tapered transition of the
Length shank. NX determines the transition angle between
the top of the top of tool diameter and the shank
diameter.
Holder Steps
Set the values for the selected step.
(LD) Lower Diameter Sets the lower diameter.
(L) Length Sets the length.
Sets the upper diameter. NX calculates the taper
(UD) Upper Diameter
angle.
Sets the taper angle. NX calculates the upper
(B) Taper Angle
diameter.
(R1) Corner Radius Sets the corner radius.
List Shows the parameter values that define each step of
the holder. The selected step is active for editing.
Adds a new step to the list. You can see the step on
Add New Set
the holder in the graphics window if you select the
Preview check box.
Tool Insertion
(OS) Offset Sets the distance that the tool or tool shank is inserted
into the holder.
Description
Description Lets you add a description of the holder that you are
editing.
Library
Holder Library If the holder was retrieved from the library, this
Reference shows the holder's unique identifier.
3 If the holder is to be exported to the library, this sets
the holder's unique identifier.
Retrieves a holder from the library.
Retrieve from
Library
Exports the current holder to the library.
Export Holder to
Library
Preview
Preview Displays a preview of the holder as it is being built.
Displays the tool in the graphics window.
Display
Holder Sets the orientation for a right angle holder. You can enter a
Number number between 1 and 6.
Text Sets the text to add to the LOAD or TURRET command in the
output.
Tracking
Tracking Opens the Tracking Points dialog box, where you can specify
Points tracking points for the tool.
Simulation
Z Mount Sets the vector from the tool tip to the gage point of a milling
or drilling tool.
Operation Parameters
You can specify the following parameters when you create most milling
tools. Because the parameters are saved with the milling tool, they can
be inherited by the cutting parameters and non-cutting moves settings of
operations that use the milling tool.
To prevent unexpected changes to legacy operations during migration,
inheritance is turned off by default.
Engage Specifies the following parameters for additional control of the
3 motions tool when it enters part material:
Ramp Angle Sets the angle at which the tool cuts into
the material. The ramp angle determines
the starting location of the tool. The Ramp
Angle value should be greater than 0
degrees but less than 90 degrees. The tool
starts the ramping move at the point of
intersection between the ramping angle
and the specified vertical clearance. No
ramping occurs if the area to be cut is
smaller than the radius of the tool.
Helical Diameter Sets a maximum ramp diameter for helical
engage motions.
Min Ramp Length Sets the minimum ramp length for Ramp
on Shape engage type. You should set
this value when you define a ramping or
helical engage motion into material with a
non-center cutting tool, such as an insert
cutter. Use a large enough value to ensure
that there is no uncut material under the
center of the cutter.
Cutting Max Cut Width Defines the maximum width, looking down
Parameters the tool axis, that the tool can cut. By
default the Max Cut Width value is set to
50% to accommodate center cutting tools.
Make sure that a non-center cutting tool's Max Cut
Width value is less than 50%.
2. In the Create Tool dialog box, in the Library group, click Retrieve Tools
from Library .
3
3. In the Library Class Selection dialog box, expand a node, and select the
tool subtype that you want to find.
For example, expand the Drilling node, and select Twist Drill.
4. Click OK.
You can click List Results to preview the tools that will be displayed
in the Search Results dialog box.
If there are too many results or no results, refine the search criteria and
count matching tools again until you are ready to proceed.
7. Click OK.
8. In the Search Result dialog box, from the Matching Items list, select
the tool that you require.
You can click Display to see a preview of a selected tool. The display does
not change until you click Display again, or leave the dialog box. You
can select the Preview check box to automatically see the display of each
tool that you select.
The tool holder for the selected tool is also shown, if one is defined.
Part, blank, and fixture geometry are hidden to clarify the example drill
previews.
The Create Tool dialog box remains open. You can continue to add or retrieve
tools, or click Cancel to close the dialog box without creating another tool.
Create a carrier
A carrier represents the tool carousel on the machine tool and can hold a
number of tools. The basic purpose of a carrier is to mimic the tool carousel of
the machine tool.
4. Click OK.
Create a pocket
A pocket represents the individual holding location on the carousel or tool
changing device. The pocket is placed in the carrier. The purpose of a pocket
is to hold individual tools. If you assign a number to a pocket, that number is
inherited by the tool that resides in that pocket. The specified pocket number
becomes the tool number when the NC program is post processed. You can see
the relationship between the carrier, the pocket, and the tool in the Machine
Tool View of the Operation Navigator.
3
Create a pocket:
3. In the Location group, verify that the Tool list is set to the correct Carrier.
4. Click OK.
3
5. In the Pocket dialog box, in the Pocket ID box, type the number of the
pocket.
Summary
To machine your part properly, it is important that you choose the correct
cutting tools. You can specify different shapes and sizes for your cutting tools,
and define a tool carrier and pockets to help organize your cutting tools.
In this lesson, you learned how to:
• Use carriers, pockets, and tools.
4 Operation Navigator
Purpose
In this lesson, you will learn how to view, edit, and manage your tool path
information in the Operation Navigator.
Objectives
4
After you complete this lesson, you should be able to perform the following
functions from the Operation Navigator:
• Activate the navigator from the Resource bar.
• Change the displayed columns and the column order in different views of
the Operation Navigator.
• Cut and paste operations between different part files. For example, you
can copy a finishing operation to another part to save time creating a
new operation.
When you create new cutting operations, you choose the appropriate parent
groups so that you can use the same programs, tools, geometry, and methods
for multiple operations. Using parent groups allows you to change the parents
for multiple operations without editing each operation individually.
The parent groups include the following:
• Program 4
• Machine Tool
• Geometry
• Machining Method
These parent groups are separated into the four views of the Operation
Navigator.
The Program Order View is used to sequence the operations for output to the
CLSF or post processor. It shows which program parent group each operation
belongs to. This is the only view in which the order of the operations is
relevant.
The Machine Tool View arranges operations by the cutting tool used in the
operation. You can also organize cutting tools by the tool type.
The Geometry View shows the MCS and machining geometry that the
operations and geometry Parent Groups will use.
Name column
In the Name column, operations are preceded by a symbol which represents
the status of the tool path.
4
Complete The tool path has been generated and the output is
up-to-date.
Regenerate The tool path for the operation has never been generated,
or the generated tool path is out-of-date.
Repost The tool path has never been output, or the tool path has
changed since it was last output and the last output is
out-of-date.
Toolchange column
This column is displayed only in the Program Order View. The icons
displayed are based on the type of the tool used in the operation. If a drill
tool is used, the symbol for a drill tool is displayed.
Path column
In the Path column, operations are preceded by a symbol which represents
the status of the tool path.
Descriptions in Manufacturing
You can add a description to any program, operation, geometry group, or
method. The description can be viewed in all four views of the operation
navigator.
This is useful to add a meaningful description to an operation.
The Description box is displayed on the tool dialog box by default. To display
the Description box in an operation dialog box, you must customize the dialog
box.
4 The following mom variables output descriptions for post and shop
documentation:
• mom_operation_description • mom_carrier_description
• mom_method_description • mom_head_description
• mom_geometry_description • mom_pocket_description
• mom_program_description • mom_operation_notes
Notes in Manufacturing
You can add multiple lines of informative text to any operation.
You can add the Notes column in the Operation Navigator by right-clicking in
the navigator background and the selecting Column®Notes.
The icon indicates that there are notes stored with the operation. To
display the note, pause your cursor on the icon.
In the Notes dialog box, you can cut, paste, copy, insert text from a file, and
save your notes as a text file.
The mom variable mom_operation_notes outputs operation notes for post and
shop documents.
Application Manufacturing
Summary
In this lesson, you learned how to:
• Open the Operation Navigator from the Resource bar.
• Use the cut, paste, and drag functions of the Operation Navigator.
• Move an operation from one tool to another and inherit the new tools
values.
4 • Change the columns displayed and the column order in the different views
of the Operation Navigator.
5 Parent groups
Purpose
In this lesson, you will learn how to view NC program data in the Operation
Navigator and learn the benefits of using parent groups when creating
manufacturing operations.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you should be able to:
• Use the four views of the Operation Navigator to view programs, tools,
geometry, and method parents. 5
• Get information about operations and their dependencies.
Operation Navigator
The Operation Navigator has four hierarchical views that you use to create
and manage an NC program. Each view organizes the same set of operations
based on the theme of the view, the order of operations within the program,
the tools used, the geometry machined, or the machining methods used.
Application Manufacturing
5
You can view the relationship between the operation and parent groups in the
columns in the Operation Navigator.
You can configure the columns in the Operation Navigator to display the
information that you want to see.
Programs groups
• Usually contains multiple operations and generates all tool paths for
these operations.
• Requires post processing to create the actual commands that are sent to
the CNC controller. 5
In the Program Order View of the Operation Navigator, all operations in
a program appear below the program group, and are listed in the order in
which they will be executed on the machine tool.
The Program Order View is the only view of the Operation Navigator in
which the order of the listed operations is relevant or important.
Application Manufacturing
Tool groups
Use the Create Tool command to create a new tool and Tool group. In the
Create Tool dialog box, you must first select a tool type from the Type list.
The type you select determines the tool subtypes that are available.
Tool groups define the cutting tools. You can populate a tool group by creating
tools or by retrieving tools from the tool library.
You can specify Mill, Drill, and Lathe tools, and save parameters associated
with the tool to use as default values for the corresponding postprocessor
commands. The parameters that you can reuse include:
• ADJUST and CUTCOM register numbers
• TOOL/POCKET number
• Spindle directions
• Offsets
5 • User-defined attributes
Each operation needs an appropriate tool to machine the part area. Tool
parameters define:
• The cutting insert shape and dimensions.
Application Manufacturing
Geometry groups
• Use one or more selection intent rules to keep your selections up to date.
Geometry groups may contain other geometry groups and cutting operations.
For example, a MILL_GEOM group may contain a MILL_AREA group, and
the MILL_AREA group may contain several operations. The operations will
inherit part geometry from both the MILL_AREA and the MILL_GEOM
groups. Not all operations can be placed in all geometry groups, because
different operations can inherit different geometry types. For example, a
milling operation cannot inherit a turning Geometry parent group.
In the Geometry View of the Operation Navigator, all operations with the
same geometry parent appear below the geometry group.
You can display the geometry inherited from a geometry parent inside
an operation, but you cannot override the geometry selections. When
geometry is inherited from a parent group, the specify button for that
geometry type is inactive.
Application Manufacturing
Method Groups
• Tolerances
• Feed rates
• Display colors
• Tool display
• Cut method
The cut method is used to calculate machining data.
Application Manufacturing
• MILL_AREA • DRILL_GEOM
• MILL_BND • MILL_GEOM
The Paste Inside with Reference option is available for most milling and
drilling operations.
Application Manufacturing
A supported milling or drilling operation
The part geometry defined in the workpiece objects
Prerequisite must originate from the same assembly component
Command Finder Paste with Reference
Menu Tools®Operation Navigator®Paste with Reference
6 Cavity milling
Purpose
When machinists need to remove large volumes of material, they can do so
using cavity mill operations. These operations are ideal for rough-cutting
parts such as dies, castings, and forgings. The material is removed in planar
levels that are perpendicular to a fixed tool axis. You can create a single Cavity
Mill operation, or a series of Cavity Mill operations that take advantage of
the In Process Workpiece (IPW). The IPW is a faceted representation that
captures what has been cut or not cut from the previous operation.
You will also create some cutting tools required for a Cavity Mill operation,
incorporate their use through the Tool parent group object and use the
Operation Navigator to observe the method in which operations inherit
information.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you should be able to:
6
• Understand the use of Cavity Mill operations.
• Create and modify various parent group objects in Cavity Mill operations.
Cavity Milling
Use Cavity Mill operations to remove large volumes of material. Cavity
milling is ideal for rough-cutting parts, such as dies, castings, and forgings.
Cavity Mill operations remove material in planar levels that are perpendicular
to a fixed tool axis. Part Geometry can be planar or contoured.
In Cavity Mill operations, you must first specify the Part and Blank geometry.
NX does the following.
It sets the top and bottom of the Blank geometry at the highest and
lowest level of cutting.
It creates one or more planes that are perpendicular to the tool axis, at
the defined cut level.
It creates intersection curves or traces between the cut level planes and
the geometry.
It combines engage and retract moves with the different cut levels.
You can have a single Cavity Mill operation, or a series of Cavity Mill
operations that take advantage of the In Process Workpiece (IPW). When
you use an IPW, NX:
• Retains what has been cut or not cut.
Application Manufacturing
2. In the Create Operation dialog box, in the Operation Subtype group, click
CAVITY_MILL .
Geometry = WORKPIECE
Method = MILL_ROUGH
4. Click OK.
5. In the Cavity Mill dialog box, in the Actions group, click Generate .
The geometry is inherited from the WORKPIECE Geometry group
(parent). The geometry options are not available for selection.
Specify Part
Specify Blank
Specify Check
7. In the Tool Path Visualization dialog box, click the 2D Dynamic tab.
8. Click Play .
10. Click OK to save the operation and close the Cavity Mill dialog box.
Part
Blank
Check
Cut Area
Trim Boundaries
Use 3D
The Use 3D option is available for Cavity Mill and Plunge Milling operations
to create representations of uncut regions. The faceted body may contain
many small uncut regions and require the system to use large amounts of
memory. The 3D IPW uses cut regions from previous operations that are
referenced to identify the remaining stock.
The Use Level Based option creates a 2D IPW. This option is preferred
for its faster performance and cleaner tool paths.
Application Manufacturing
Prerequisite You must be in a valid Milling operation 6
Location in dialog [Milling operation] dialog box Path Settings
box for Beta group®Cutting Parameters dialog box®Containment
testing tab®Blank group®In Process Workpiece list
You can also use Blank geometry to isolate areas of the part that are to be
machined.
• Specify either Auto Block or Part Offset values in the Geometry parent.
• The top and bottom of the selected geometry is automatically set as the
highest and lowest level of cutting.
• Based on the defined cut levels, one or more planes are created
perpendicular to the tool axis.
• At each specified cut level, a cut pattern is created based on the geometry
at that level.
Large plane symbols are used to display the cut ranges and smaller plane
symbols are used to display the cut levels.
Cut Levels
Use the Cut Levels command to specify Cut Ranges and the depth of the
cut within each range. Cavity Mill and Z-Level Milling operations complete
cutting at one level before moving along the tool axis to the next level.
The following visual aids help you identify cut range and cut depth levels:
6 • Cut Range
The graphic on the left shows the top level tool path. The graphic on the right
shows a lower level tool path progressing down through the Cut Levels.
Application Manufacturing
Cavity Mill or Z-Level operation dialog box®Path
Location in dialog box
Settings group®Cut Levels
User Defined
Lets you specify the bottom plane of each new range.
6
Single
Sets one cut range based on the part and blank
geometry.
Common Depth Determines how to measure the default cut depth value.
per Cut
Constant
Limits the distance between successive cut passes.
Scallop
Limits the material height between passes.
Distance Specifies the default maximum cut depth for all ranges.
Top Off Available when Range Type is set to Single.
Critical Depths
Adds a cut depth for each horizontal surface (critical
depth) in a part.
Top of Range 1
Select Object Lets you select an object as the top of the range.
Range Definition
Lets you specify parameters for the currently selected range.
Select Object Specifies an object as the bottom of a range.
Range Depth Lets you select an object as the bottom of a range.
The distance is measured from the specified reference 6
plane.
Measured From Specifies the reference plane from which to measure the
Range Depth values.
Top Level
Current Range Top
Current Range Bottom
WCS Origin
Depth per Cut Specifies the maximum cut depth for the current active
range. You can specify a different value for each cut
range.
Add New Adds a new range below the current active range.
Set
Single range with Top Off Critical Depths check box selected.
Single range with Top Off Critical Depths check box not selected.
1. Add a new cut level to an existing Cavity Mill or Zlevel Milling operation.
The graphic shows a Single Range Type that spans from the bottom
plane located at the bottom of the blank stock, up to the top plane
located at the top of the blank stock.
b. In the Cut Levels dialog box, in the Ranges group, from the Range
Type list, select User Defined.
f. In the Depth per Cut box, type 0.20, and then press Enter.
6
In the range that was added:
• The bottom plane of the new range is positioned at the base of the
edge that was selected.
• The new range spans from the bottom plane up to the bottom of
the next range above it. If there are no ranges above, the new
range spans to the top level.
• The new range is associative to the part face that was selected.
d. In the Depth per Cut box, type 0.050, and then press Enter.
6
e. Click OK.
The Cavity Mill dialog box is displayed.
a. Click Verify .
The Tool Path Visualization dialog box is displayed.
d. Click OK.
The Cavity Mill dialog box is displayed.
5. Click OK to accept the tool path and close the dialog box.
Cut patterns
Cut patterns in Planar Milling and Cavity Mill operations determine the tool
path pattern that is used to machine cut regions.
The following cut patterns remove a volume of material with parallel linear
passes:
• Zig
• Zig-Zag
• The Follow Part cut pattern follows all specified part geometry.
• The Trochoidal cut pattern cuts using loops to limit excess stepover and
control tool embedding.
The following cut patterns create one or more finish passes that follow the
part walls within open or closed regions:
• Profile 6
• Standard Drive
Application Manufacturing
Operation dialog box®Path Settings group®Cut
Location in dialog box Pattern list
Follow Part
The Follow Part cut pattern cuts along concentric offsets from all specified
Part geometry. The outermost edge and all interior islands and cavities are
used to compute the tool path. This eliminates the need for an island cleanup
pass. Climb (or Conventional) cutting is maintained.
Follow Periphery
The Follow Periphery cut pattern cuts along offsets from the outermost edge
that is defined by part or blank geometry. Internal islands and cavities
require island cleanup or a cleanup profile pass. Climb or Conventional
cutting is maintained.
Profile
The Profile cut pattern machines along part walls with the side of the tool to
create a finishing pass. The tool follows the boundary direction.
Trochoidal
Use the Trochoidal cut pattern to:
• Limit excess stepover to prevent tool breakage when the tool is fully
embedded into material.
• Avoid embedding the tool. During the engage most cut patterns generate
embedded regions between islands and parts as well as in narrow areas.
There are significant differences between the outward and inward cut
directions for the Trochoidal cut pattern.
• The outward direction starts away from part walls and progresses towards
the part walls. This is the preferred pattern, and it efficiently combines a
circular loop and smooth follow movement.
• The inward direction cuts along the part in loops, and then cuts the
inward passes in a smooth Follow Periphery pattern.
Outward Trochoidal
Inward Trochoidal
Zig
The Zig cut pattern always cuts in one direction. The tool retracts at the end
of each cut, then moves to the start position for the next cutting pass. Climb
or Conventional cutting is maintained.
Zig Zag
The Zig Zag cut pattern machines in a series of parallel straight line passes
that cut in opposite directions while stepping over in one direction. This cut
pattern allows the tool to remain continually engaged during stepovers.
The reference operations that are used to create the Level Based IPW include
Cavity Mill, Zlevel Milling, Face Milling, or Planar Milling operations that
have the following characteristics:
• They are in the same geometry group as the level based operation. The
geometry group must have blank geometry defined.
• The Use Level Based IPW option efficiently cuts the corners and
stair-steps left behind from previous operations.
• Tool path processing time is noticeably shorter than the Use 3D IPW
option for simple parts, and dramatically shorter for larger complex parts.
• You can combine the Use Level Based option with the Use Tool Holder
option so that shorter length tools that are more rigid can be used to cut
to greater depths within a cavity. The longer length tool in the following
operation needs to cut only along the walls where the shorter tool could
not reach because of holder violation.
Application Manufacturing
Prerequisite You must be in a valid Milling operation.
[Milling operation] dialog box®Path
Settings group®Cutting Parameters dialog
box®Containment tab®Blank group®In
Location in dialog box Process Workpiece list®Use Level Based
Parameters .
3. In the Blank group, from the In Process Workpiece list, select Use Level
Based.
4. Click OK.
This example shows how to create a Cavity Mill roughing operation with
an IPW.
Tool = MILL
Geometry = WORKPIECE
Method = MILL_ROUGH
6. In the Blank group, from the In Process Workpiece list, select Use Level
Based.
This creates the IPW. Use Level Based is the recommended IPW option
in most cases.
7. Click OK to accept the settings and close the Cutting Parameters dialog
box.
8. In the Cavity Mill dialog box, set the Path group settings as needed.
Variables such as cutting tool lengths and diameters, draft angles
and undercuts, fixture and tool clearances, affect the amount of
material that each operation leaves behind.
9. Click Generate .
10. To view the tool path and material removal, click Verify .
6
11. In the Tool Path Visualization dialog box, click the 2D Dynamic tab.
14. Click OK to save the operation and close the Cavity Mill dialog box.
You can use the same procedure in a subsequent operation to further reduce
the amount of material that remains in the IPW. You would have to adjust
the settings as needed.
• If you select the Cut Below Overhanging Blank check box, cutting
motions go all the way down disregarding the actual state of the IPW.
These cutting motions increase machining time.
6
Cut Below Overhanging Blank Cut Below Overhanging Blank
You get:
• Significant savings in machining time in cases where the blank has
overhangs.
• A more efficient tool path where you cannot use the Level Based IPW
option.
Application Manufacturing
Prerequisite A Cavity Mill operation
Cavity Milling dialog box®Path Settings
Summary
Cavity milling is used to remove large amounts of material in roughing
operations. You can use Cavity Mill operations on planar or contoured
geometry. Material removal is performed in levels using a fixed tool axis.
In this lesson, you:
• Learned how to create a Cavity Mill operation.
Purpose
In this lesson, you will learn how to use T-Cutter tools in NX.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you should be able to perform the following
functions using a T-Cutter:
• Identify the tracking points on a T-Cutter.
When you use the Boundary drive method in Fixed Contour operations, you
can do the following:
• Position the top edge of a T-Cutter to cut under different ledge shapes.
The ledges can be flat or contoured. To project the tool axis up from
underneath ledges, use the Tool Axis Up projection vector.
To create the tool path, some portion of the tool must be underneath
the ledge when NX projects the tool upwards.
• Select solid or sheet body ledge faces as part geometry and project the
boundary curves to create drive geometry for the operation.
NX applies the neck and shank clearance according to the collision check
status.
You can also select sheet bodies as part geometry and project the edge curves
to create the drive boundary.
Application Manufacturing
You must use a Fixed Contour operation with the
Prerequisite Boundary drive method.
Drive Method group®Method list®Boundary®Edit
Location in dialog
box ®Boundary Drive Method dialog box
NX lists the tracking point names in the Tracking Points dialog box.
For Planar Profile and Groove Milling operations, you can select one of these
tracking points to output tracking data or you can select Contact Point to
output contact data. For Groove Milling operations, there are two additional
options:
• SYS_OD_Automatic automatically selects the appropriate outer diameter
tracking point.
7
• SYS_CL_Automatic automatically selects the appropriate centerline
tracking point.
Application Manufacturing
Planar Profile or Groove Milling operation using a
Prerequisite T-Cutter tool
Tracking points:
Create Tool dialog box®Tool Subtype group®T
Cutter®Milling Tool-T Cutter dialog box®More
tab®Tracking group®Tracking Points®Tracking
Points dialog box
What is it?
In a Planar Profile operation, you can select one of the tracking points on
a T-cutter as a drive point. NX ignores the part geometry and drives the
selected tracking point along the boundary geometry. Because the part
geometry is ignored, you must define the boundary geometry carefully to
avoid gouges. When you use a tracking point, floor geometry is not necessary
1 Drive point
2 Boundary geometry
Application Manufacturing
Prerequisite Planar Profile operation using a T-Cutter tool
Location in dialog Planar Profile operation dialog box®Path Settings
box group®Drive Point list
7
Groove geometry
You define the groove geometry once. NX subtracts the in-process feature for
each operation from the material remaining in the groove. You can:
• Specify the areas to machine from within the operation using the Groove
o To include only the material in the groove, select the None option.
Number of Passes = 3
Preview
Preview Display
Application Manufacturing
You can also select one of the automatic Tracking Data options for NX to
automatically use the appropriate tracking point. When the cutter machines
with the top of the tool, it uses one of the top tracking points. When the cutter
machines with the bottom of the tool, it uses one of the bottom tracking points.
• SYS_OD_Automatic automatically selects the appropriate outer diameter
tracking point.
The tracking point that NX uses depends on the following, and can change
between each cutting pass.
• The Output Contact/Tracking Data option.
P1 = SYS_CL_Bottom
P2 = SYS_CL_Top
P3 = SYS_OD_Bottom
P4 = SYS_OD_Top
Bottom up cutting
sequence
Top down cutting
sequence
Mixed cutting sequence 7
Application Manufacturing
Prerequisite Groove Milling operation using a T-Cutter tool
[Operation dialog box]®Path Settings group®Non
2. Offsets the floor or ceiling pass away from the wall by the specified value.
3. Offsets the wall pass away from the floor or ceiling by the specified value.
4. In the cutting sequence, replaces the single original corner pass with the
offset pair. The floor or ceiling pass is first. The wall pass is second.
Application Manufacturing
Prerequisite Groove Milling operation using a T-Cutter tool
[Groove Milling operation] dialog box®Path
Summary
To machine parts with ledges or grooves efficiently, it is important to choose
the correct operation type for the part you must machine.
In this lesson, you learned how to:
• Identify the tracking points on a T-Cutter.
8 Coordinate systems
Purpose
The Manufacturing application uses multiple coordinate systems. It is
important to know the purpose and function of each coordinate system.
Coordinate systems can play a part in determining locations, orientations,
origins, and offset direction, and also effect the output of your tool path.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you should be able to:
• Create and move the Machine Coordinate System (MCS).
The WCS is a visible coordinate system that has the following characteristics:
• It is displayed in the graphics window with a C after each axis letter.
The MCS is visible only in the Manufacturing application, and has the
following characteristics:
• It is displayed in the graphics window with an M after each axis letter.
The Save MCS option saves a coordinate systems position in model space.
The axes of a saved coordinate system are marked only by X,Y, and Z.
For example, you may want to save the coordinate position when you change
the orientation of the tool axis direction for drilling holes on an angled face,
as the tool axis direction defaults to the Z-axis direction.
I,J,K vectors
Vectors are used in manufacturing to specify direction. For example you
may want to align the tool axis direction or engage and retract motion with
a vector defined with I,J,K values.
A vector can be thought of as a line between two points, that has magnitude
and direction. The first point of the vector is always assumed to be 0,0,0.
The second point is the one you define. A temporary line between these two
points is created to establish the vector.
The letters I,J,K correspond to the X,Y,Z axes of the WCS.
• I relates to X
• J relates to Y
• K relates to Z
When you provide a value for each axis, the second point is computed creating
the vector.
Rotary vectors
When programming, it is not uncommon for some machine tools to support
4-axis and 5-axis movement. There are rules for naming the rotary axes on
machine tools. These rotary axes are given a letter designation of A, B, or C.
Summary
In this lesson, you learned about the purpose and functions of the different
coordinate systems available in the Manufacturing application, and how they
effect the output of your tool path.
In addition, you learned how to:
• Define vector direction, with respect to the WCS.
9 Visualization (ISV)
Purpose
Visualizing a tool path helps machinists to inspect and verify operations and
tool paths, watch material removal, control the display of the cutting tool, and
do collision checking. Necessary modifications can then be made before any
material is cut.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you should be able to:
• Use the Tool Path Visualization dialog box to inspect single and multiple
tool paths.
Use the Verify command to visualize your tool path to detect acceptable
and unacceptable conditions, such as gouging.
In the Tool Path Visualization dialog box, there are three methods of
Verification to choose from.
1. The Replay method displays the tool or tool assembly, positioning to each
point within the tool path, and allowing for gouge checking.
2. The 3D Dynamic method displays the tool as it moves along the tool path,
showing the path with the material removed.
2. Step Backward
3. Reverse Play
4. Play
5. Step
7. Stop
You can open the Tool Path Visualization dialog box in one of these ways:
Replay
You can visualize a single tool path or a series of tool paths for verification
purposes.
The options on the Replay tab provide a quick method of viewing the tool
path. The cutter is displayed at each GOTO point.
The following Motion Display options are available on the Replay tab in the
Tool Path Visualization dialog box:
• All — Replays all tool paths.
You can turn the options on and off as needed. For example, you may want to
see the cut regions as you start to develop the tool path. Later, if you only need
to look at the cutter path, you can turn off the display of the cut region display.
Application Manufacturing
Summary
The Replay and 3D Dynamic options of the ISV module help you to verify
operations and tool paths.
In this lesson, you learned how to:
• Verify tool paths.
• Use the Edit Display features to change the tool display in an operation
when it is generated.
10 Planar milling
Purpose
When you need to machine parts with vertical walls and contain your tool
path with boundaries, you can do so with planar milling operations. The
material is removed in planar levels that are perpendicular to a fixed tool axis
and the final depth of the tool path is defined by a floor plane.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you should be able to:
• Define part, blank and check boundaries in a MILL_BND parent group.
10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-1
Planar milling
Planar milling
Use the mill_planar operation type to machine parts with vertical walls or
walls that are parallel to the tool axis.
Boundaries are used to contain many tool paths. The tool path may cut with
a single pass, multiple passes, or the entire interior of a pocket.
• Select the floor plane as the final depth of the tool path.
• Select cut levels using different methods that are unique to planar mill
operations.
Planar Mill operations contribute to the Level Based IPW for a Cavity Mill
10 operation.
Application Manufacturing
10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-3
Planar milling
Part Boundaries
Blank Boundaries
Check Boundaries
Trim Boundaries
Floor
10
10-4 NX Manufacturing Fundamentals mt11021_s – NX 9
Planar milling
• Curves or edges
• Points
10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-5
Planar milling
Part Boundaries
Use the Part Boundaries command to define the geometry to machine.
The example shows a part boundary that will contain the tool as it cuts the
part in a Planar Mill operation. The floor defines the depth.
Part boundary
Application Manufacturing
Boundaries
Application Manufacturing
Blank Boundaries
Use the Blank Boundaries command to specify the material to cut from. You
can use Part and Blank boundaries together to define the cut volume.
The example shows a part where the difference in volumes between a single
blank boundary and multiple part boundaries defines the cut volume.
Application Manufacturing
Boundaries
10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-7
Planar milling
Check Boundaries
Use the Check Boundaries command to define areas the tool must avoid,
such as clamps or other fixturing devices.
You can apply a Check Stock value to check boundaries. The value is
available on the Stock tab in the Cutting Parameters dialog box.
Check boundaries always have a Tanto tool position. The normal of a check
boundary plane must be parallel with the tool axis.
The example shows Check Boundaries that are used to define clamps for a
Planar Mill operation.
10
10-8 NX Manufacturing Fundamentals mt11021_s – NX 9
Planar milling
Application Manufacturing
Bondaries
10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-9
Planar milling
Trim Boundaries
Use the Trim Boundaries command to limit the cut regions at each cut level.
For example, you can define Trim Boundaries so that an operation only cuts
the areas where a previous operation left material underneath clamps.
NX projects the boundary to the part geometry along the tool axis vector,
identifies areas where trim boundaries overlap the specified part geometry,
and then discards the cut region inside or outside or the trim boundary.
Valid selection options include:
• Faces
• Points
• Permanent boundaries
Trim boundaries are always closed, and always have an On tool position. You
can define more than one trim boundary. To define the distance the tool is
positioned from the trim boundary, specify stock in the boundary dialog box,
or in the Cutting Parameters dialog box on the Stock tab.
10
10-10 NX Manufacturing Fundamentals mt11021_s – NX 9
Planar milling
Application Manufacturing
Boundaries
10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-11
Planar milling
10
10-12 NX Manufacturing Fundamentals mt11021_s – NX 9
Planar milling
2. Island boundaries
10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-13
Planar milling
Program = NC_PROGRAM
Tool = EM-.75-.03
Geometry = WORKPIECE
Method = MILL_ROUGH
5. Click OK.
The Planar Mill dialog box is displayed.
7. In the Boundary Geometry dialog box, select the Ignore Holes check
box.
9. Click OK.
The Planar Mill dialog box is displayed.
The boundary is created and the holes are ignored as specified.
The selected Floor Plane is the final depth of the tool path. 10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-15
Planar milling
13. In the Path Settings group, from the Cut Pattern list, select Profile.
10
10-16 NX Manufacturing Fundamentals mt11021_s – NX 9
Planar milling
In this example, the bottom of the part is selected as the floor plane.
10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-17
Planar milling
Floor then Critical Depths Lets you create a tool path at the final
depth followed by cleanup paths at
the top of each island.
Critical Depths Lets you create a planar cut at the
top of each island. This path will
cut completely at each level before
moving to the next deeper level. This
option works from the top boundary
to the final floor plane.
Constant Lets you select the Maximum depth
of cut.
10
10-18 NX Manufacturing Fundamentals mt11021_s – NX 9
Planar milling
Critical Depths
10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-19
Planar milling
• The tool path in a planar mill operation can contain an unlimited number
of boundaries.
• You can specify the depths of cut or the maximum and minimum cut
depths.
• Cut levels are created at the top of the islands if you have islands within a
pocket. If a level cannot be generated at the top of an island and remains
within the cut depth constraint, you can specify an optional pass to cut
the top face of the islands.
10
10-20 NX Manufacturing Fundamentals mt11021_s – NX 9
Planar milling
10
NX Manufacturing Fundamentals 10-21
Planar milling
Summary
Planar Mill operations offer numerous options for machining planar or 2D
shaped parts.
In this lesson, you learned how to:
• Create Part, Blank, Floor, and Check boundaries in a MILL_BND geometry
parent group.
• Create tool paths that cut at multiple levels in a planar mill operation.
10
10-22 NX Manufacturing Fundamentals mt11021_s – NX 9
11
Lesson
Purpose
When you need to machine prismatic parts or features, you can do so with
Floor Wall milling operations.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you will be able to:
• Create Floor and Wall milling operations.
• Use the Exact Positioning option to control the tool position on tapered
walls.
11
Floor and wall milling
Use the Floor Wall or Floor Wall IPW operation subtypes to efficiently
machine prismatic parts and features.
Use the Floor Wall operation for basic floor and wall milling on prismatic
parts.
Use the Floor Wall IPW operation for floor and wall milling of prismatic
parts when using an IPW to keep track of uncut material.
When you use these operations, you can:
• Machine floors, walls, and floor and wall combinations simultaneously.
• Machine walls and tapered walls that are not bounded by floor geometry.
Part and IPW showing the cut region and cut levels
11
Legacy Face Milling operations
NX migrates pre-NX 8.5 Face Milling operations to the appropriate operation
type.
Current Face Milling and Floor Wall
Pre-NX 8.5 Face Milling operations
operations
FACE_MILLING_AREA using
the Follow Part, Follow Periphery,
Floor Wall
Profile, Trochoidal, Zig, Zig Zag, or
Zig with Contour cut patterns
Application Manufacturing
11
Floor Wall milling dialog box
The following options are available in the Floor Wall and Floor Wall IPW
dialog boxes.
Geometry
Geometry list Specifies the existing Geometry group to which
your current operation is assigned. You can either
select a Geometry group from this list or create
a new Geometry group.
Opens the New Geometry dialog box where
Create New you can create a new Geometry group for the
current operation. The new group appears in the
Geometry View of the Operation Navigator and
can be inherited by other operations.
Opens a dialog box for the Geometry group to
Edit which the current operation is assigned. You
can add or remove geometry objects from the
Geometry group. You must confirm deletion of
existing geometry.
Lets you select the part to machine.
Specify Part
Lets you select the areas that you do not want to
Specify Check machine, such as fixturing components.
Body
Lets you specify the floor face that defines the cut
Specify Cut Area region.
Floor
11
Lets you specify the walls surrounding the cut
Specify Wall area.
Geometry
You can manage your walls in sets. You can have a
single set of walls or multiple sets of walls.
When using multiple wall sets, each set will have
its own implied floor and the lowest level of each
set.
In the following example, two sets of walls are
used.
11
Lets you select the type of boundary that will
Specify Trim contain your generated cutter path. Face, Curve,
Boundaries and Point boundary options are available.
Automatic Walls Finds walls from the faces adjacent to the selected
Cut Area faces automatically.
To turn on Automatic Walls identification, you
must use the Specify Cut Area Floor option
to define the machined floor faces on the Part
Body, and the part body must be selected as Part
Geometry.
Tool
Tool list Specifies the existing tool that is assigned to your
current operation. You can either select a tool
from this list or create a new tool.
The tools on this list are the same tools that are
listed in the Operation Navigator.
Opens the New Tool dialog box where you can
Create New define a new tool for the current operation. The
new tool appears in the Machine Tool View of
the Operation Navigator, and can be inherited by
other operations.
Opens the dialog box for the current tool where
Edit or Display you can edit the tool’s parameters.
Output Displays the current parameters for the tool
number, the adjusted length, cutter compensation,
and the Z offset.
Tool Number sets the T-code number that is used
to bring the tool into cutting position.
Tool Change Settings • Manual Tool Change lets you add a
Program Stop so that the tool can be changed
manually.
11
Path Settings
Method list Specifies the existing Method group that is
assigned to your current operation. You can either
select a Method group from this list or create a
new Method group.
Opens the New Method dialog box where you
Create New can define a new Method group for the current
operation. The new method appears in the
Machining Method View of the Operation
Navigator, and can be used by other operations,
for example roughing, finishing, or threading
operations.
Opens the dialog box where you can edit the
Edit values for the selected Method group.
Cut Region Containment
11
Stepover Lets you specify the distance between cut passes.
• Constant lets you specify the maximum
distance between successive cut passes.
• Passes
Lets you specify the desired number of passes.
• Variable Average
Available for Zig, Zig Zag, and, Zig with
Contour cut patterns. Lets you specify the
minimum and maximum distance values. NX
analyzes the first pass and the next wall, and
then creates equal spaces in between them.
• Exact
Lets you specify the stepover distance.
• Multiple
Available for Follow Part, Follow Periphery,
and Profile, cut patterns.
Multiple enables you to specify multiple
stepover distances and a corresponding
number of passes for each size.
11
Percent of Flat Diameter Sets a fixed distance between successive cut passes
as a percentage of the effective tool diameter.
Floor Blank Thickness Available only in the Floor Wall dialog box.
Sets the thickness of the blank material above the
floor of the machinable area that will be removed.
This value is used if the operation is not set to use
Blank Geometry or IPW.
Depth Per Cut Sets the maximum depth for a cut level. The
actual depth will be as close to the Depth Per Cut
value as possible without exceeding it.
Floor Blank Thickness and Final Floor
Stock are measured from the face plane and
along the tool axis normal to the face plane.
If the specified Depth Per Cut does not
divide evenly into the material to remove,
the number of cuts is rounded up. The cut
depth is then recalculated to remove the
stock in even increments.
11
Z-Depth Offset Sets an implied offset below the bottom edge of
the selected wall from where the Depth Per Cut
passes will start.
Additional Passes Available only for the Profile cut pattern in Floor
Wall milling.
Specifies an additional number of passes that
allow the tool to step toward the boundary in
successive concentric cuts.
Distance Sets the stepover distance between passes.
Opens the Cutting Parameters dialog box where
Cutting Parameters you can specify cut direction, path offsets, part
stock, and tolerance values.
Opens the Non Cutting Moves dialog box where
Non Cutting Moves you can position the tool before, after, and between
cut moves.
11
Machine Control
Start of Path Events Control the motion output. You can specify
machine events such as tool changes, start and
End of Path Events
end events, or special Post commands.
Lets you copy special post commands from another
Copy From operation or from an operation template.
Lets you add post commands to the start or end
Edit of the path.
Program
Program Lets you specify the program in which to place the
operation.
Lets you create a new program. The new program
Create New appears in the Program View of the Operation
Navigator.
Lets you modify the selected program.
Edit
Options
Lets you change the tool path display options such
Edit Display as color and type of tool display.
Lets you modify the layout of this dialog box. You
Customize Dialog add, remove, and reorganize text boxes, buttons,
and options.
Actions
Generates the tool path.
Generate
Refreshes the graphics window and replays the
Replay tool path.
Provides options for letting you animate the tool
Verify path.
Displays a text listing of the tool path in an
List Information window.
11
Preview
Preview Displays the cut levels and the cut regions
continuously for critical levels.
Preview
Displays the cut regions and cut levels when the
Display Preview check box is selected.
11
Activity: Preview a Floor Wall IPW operation
In the Floor and Wall milling section, do the activity:
• Preview a Floor Wall IPW operation
11
Floor Wall milling geometry
You can specify the following types of geometry in a Floor Wall or Floor Wall
IPW operation.
Specify Part Lets you specify one or more bodies that represent the
fully machined part.
Specify Lets you specify areas that you want to avoid machining,
Check Body such as clamps and holding devices.
Specify Cut Lets you specify the floor face that defines the cut region.
Area Floor
Specify Wall Lets you specify the walls surrounding the cut area. You
Geometry can manage your walls in sets. You can define a single
set of walls or multiple sets of walls. When you define
multiple wall sets, each set has its own implied floor at
its lowest level.
Specify Trim Lets you select the type of boundary that will contain your
Boundaries generated cutter path. Face, curve, and point boundary
options are available.
11
Floor Wall milling cut region containment
When you create Floor Wall and Floor Wall IPW operations, you can use two
options to limit the resulting cut region.
• The Floors option projects all cut levels along the tool axis and limits
the cut region to the floors.
• The Walls option limits the cut region to the specified floor or walls. As
the cut levels follow the tapered walls to change the cut region from the
top of the wall to the bottom of the wall, this option efficiently machines
the tapered walls.
The examples illustrate the result of using these options with 4 cut levels.
Application Manufacturing
Location in dialog Floor Wall dialog box or Floor Wall IPW dialog box
box ®Path Settings group
or
Floor Wall dialog box or Floor Wall IPW dialog
box®Path Settings group®Cutting Parameters
11
Activities: Create Floor Wall operations
In the Floor and Wall milling section, do activities:
• Create a Floor Wall milling finish operation
11
Preview a cut region and cut levels in Floor and Wall milling
When you create Floor and Wall and Floor and Wall with IPW operations,
you can:
• Select the Preview check box to continuously display cut levels, cut
regions for critical levels, and the Blank.
• Click the Display button to display the Blank and the cut regions
for all cut levels. The cut levels are not displayed. To clear the display,
right-click in the background of the graphics window and choose Refresh.
Display Display
Application Manufacturing
Location in dialog Floor Wall dialog box or Floor Wall IPW dialog
box box®Preview group
11
Extend Wall examples in Floor and Wall milling
In Floor and Wall milling operations, when you reference both floor and wall
geometry, the wall geometry helps to define the floor cut region. Walls are
used to trim the cut region and help to infer a floor cut region when no floor
face is selected. Sometimes you may need to extend the walls to define the
desired cut region.
For additional control of the floor cut region, use the Extend Walls option.
The following example shows how the floor cut region is defined when you
reference both floor and walls and do not select the Extend Walls check box.
The following examples show how the floor cut region is defined when you
reference both floor and walls and select the Extend Walls check box.
The following example shows how the cut region is defined when you
reference only walls.
Extend Walls
Extend Walls
11
Activity: Contain the cut region by extending the walls
In the Floor and Wall milling section, do the activity:
• Contain the cut region by extending the walls
11
Activity: Create a cut region with and without extended walls
In the Floor and Wall milling section, do the activity:
• Create a cut region with and without extended walls
11
Floor and Wall milling blank control
When you create Floor and Wall and Floor and Wall with IPW operations, you
can use one of three options to define blank output.
• The Blank Geometry option uses the blank defined in the Workpiece
geometry group.
• The 3D IPW option uses 3D IPW geometry from prior operations in the
same geometry group.
• The Thickness option lets you specify a blank thickness value to apply to
the floors and walls, when the blank material is not defined in the part.
11
Where do I find it?
Application Manufacturing
Location in dialog Floor Wall dialog box or Floor Wall IPW dialog
box box®Path Settings group®Cutting Parameters
11
Floor and Wall milling depth per cut
Depth Per Cut lets you specify the maximum depth for a cut level. The
actual depth will be as close to the Depth Per Cut value as possible without
exceeding it.
In Floor and Wall milling operations, the cut levels are calculated for each
selected face as follows:
Number of cut levels = (Blank Distance - Final Floor Stock) / Depth Per
Cut
Blank Distance and Final Floor Stock are measured from the face
plane and along the tool axis normal to the face plane.
If the specified Depth Per Cut does not divide evenly into the material to
remove, the number of cuts is rounded up. The cut depth is then recalculated
to remove the stock in even increments.
11
Floor and Wall milling using Exact Positioning
When you create Floor and Wall and Floor and Wall with IPW operations
using for example, an end mill with a corner radius, use the Exact Positioning
option to control how the cutter is positioned to tapered walls.
Exact Positioning would be most useful in finishing operations, but will
require more time for processing the tool path.
Application Manufacturing
Location in dialog Floor Wall dialog box or Floor Wall IPW dialog
box box®Path Settings group®Cutting Parameters
11
Exact Positioning examples in Floor and Wall milling
You can use the Cut Region Containment option for 2.5 D containment. The
containment can be focused on floors or walls.
Floor-focused containment
Wall-focused containment
For additional control of the cutting tool, select the Exact Positioning
option. This option requires additional processing time to position the
tool to the part geometry.
Floor-focused containment
The following examples are typical use cases for having exact positioning
turned off. In these cases, the resulting tool path will be the same, regardless
of whether you have exact positioning turned on or off.
In the following example, the cut region is machined using a sharp cornered
tool and the Exact Positioning check box is not selected.
The cut regions are contained and trimmed straight up the boundary of
the floor. The tool behavior is the same whether you use a corner radius
tool or a sharp corner tool.
11
The cutter moves across one or more floors without any wall involvement.
The cutter moves across the floor region without gouging the walls.
The following examples are typical use cases for having exact positioning
turned on, since this option will affect the resulting tool path.
In the following example, the tool is positioned exactly to the floor. The floor
fillet adjacent to the floor selection is considered as a continuation of the floor.
The Exact Positioning check box is selected.
• If the tool corner radius is greater than > the floor fillet radius, NX
leaves material in the fillet area.
• If the tool corner radius is less than < the floor fillet radius, NX leaves
material on the wall and fillet area.
11
The following examples show a tool with a corner radius cutting the floor.
• (2) The floor and floor fillet are cut, excluding the wall.
• (3) The floor and floor fillet are cut, and the floor cut region is trimmed
by the wall geometry to avoid cutting into the notched area.
Wall-focused containment
In the following example, the Exact Positioning check box is not selected.
The tool follows the wall, but does not position exactly, leaving material
on the wall and floor fillet.
This will not be an issue if this is for a roughing operation.
11
Activity: Specify wall geometry and wall stock
In the Floor and Wall milling section, do the activity:
• Specify wall geometry and wall stock
11
Activity: Create a Floor Wall IPW operation
In the Floor and Wall milling section, do the activity:
• Create a Floor Wall IPW operation
11
Activity: Extend the cut region to the part outline
In the Floor and Wall milling section, do the activity:
• Extend the cut region to the part outline
11
Summary
The Floor and Wall milling command’s flexibility for creating specific
operations for milling faces of a prismatic part affords you increased
productivity and efficiencies.
In this lesson, you learned how to:
• Create basic and multi-face Floor and Wall milling operations.
• Use the Exact Positioning option to control the tool position on tapered
walls.
12 Manual drilling
12
Purpose
In this lesson, you will learn how to manually drill holes in NX.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
• Create a drill.
Core Drill
What is it?
12 Use the Core Drill type to enlarge an existing hole, such as those found
in castings.
The Core Drill uses Point Angle and Point Length parameters to determine
the shape of the tip. The core drill has a flat across the tip of the drill.
Application Manufacturing
You must set Type to hole_making in the Create Tool
Prerequisite dialog box.
What is it?
Use the Point Length (PL) option to set the distance on a drill tool between 12
the shoulder and the tip.
You can specify the point length on the following drill types:
• Standard drill
• Spot drill
• Center drill
• Step drill
Application Manufacturing
You must set the Type to hole_making in the Create
Prerequisite Tool dialog box.
• Select hole geometry from within the new operation or inherit hole
geometry from a geometry parent group.
You can use the same HOLE_BOSS_GEOM parent group as you do for
hole milling and thread milling. You can also use a feature group to
improve efficiency for complex parts.
• Display the in-process features from the operation. You can display all the
features in the feature group or select individual features.
• Create motion output for machine cycles or for single moves. There are
additional cycles such as deep tapping.
• Use the same noncutting moves for all hole machining operations.
There are also legacy point to point drilling operations. Both types of drilling
operations have the same icons in the Create Operation dialog box. The
manual drilling operations and the legacy point to point drilling operations
have different icons in the Operation Navigator so that you can identify them.
Application Manufacturing
Tapping
Hole and boss geometry:
Create Geometry dialog box®Type
list®mill_planar, drill, or hole_making®Geometry
Location in dialog
box Subtype®HOLE_BOSS_GEOM
Drilling cycles
A drilling cycle describes the machine tool movements necessary to perform
functions such as drilling, tapping, or boring.
12
• For machines without canned cycle codes, multiple GOTO/ statements define
each of the tool motions and machine functions for the specified cycle.
You can choose to create cycles with either type of motion output.
• Set the Motion Output option to Machine Cycle to select a drilling cycle
that outputs the CYCLE/ statement for each drilling location.
• Set the Motion Output option to Single Moves to select a drilling cycle that
outputs individual GOTO command statements for each drilling location.
Application Manufacturing
[Manual drilling operation] dialog box®Path
Location in dialog box Settings group®Cycle list
Seconds
Specifies how many seconds to delay at depth.
NX outputs the following in the CYCLE/ statement:
DWELL,t
Revolutions
Specifies how many tool revolutions to delay at
depth.
NX outputs the following in the CYCLE/ statement:
DWELL,REV,r
For the break chip cycles, and for all cycles with
the Single Moves motion output type, NX outputs
the following to activate the specified dwell after
the tool has fed to depth. 12
DELAY/REV,r
Step Clearance Available for the Single Moves cycles Drilling with
Status chip breakage and Drilling with chip removal.
Specifies a clearance distance equal to the Step
Clearance value above the current depth after a chip
breaking or chip removal step.
Dwell Start Includes the same options as Dwell.
Dwell Final Includes the same options as Dwell.
Times Status Available for the Drilling with chip breakage cycle.
Fully retracts the tool tip to the clearance plane at
the specified frequency to extend a breakchip cycle.
Times
Specifies the number of feed movements between
each retract to the clearance plane.
Exact
Outputs a single step increment value for all
holes. The last step in each hole may be less than
the step increment.
Degression
Available for the Drilling with chip breakage and
Drilling with chip removalcycles.
Outputs decreasing step increment values. NX
continues to create steps until the hole depth is
reached.
First Distance
Specifies the value for the first depth.
Value of Degression 12
Specifies the value by which to decrease
the previous depth when NX calculates the
subsequent depth.
% Degression
Available for the Drilling with chip breakage and
Drilling with chip removalcycles.
Outputs decreasing step increment values. NX
continues to create steps until the hole depth is
reached.
First Distance
Specifies the value for the first depth.
% Degression
Specifies the percentage by which to decrease
the previous depth when NX calculates the
subsequent depth.
User Defined
Available for legacy cycle definitions.
Passes the specified values for each hole to the
cycle definition without modifications.
Step Retract Status Available for the Drilling with chip breakage cycle.
Adds a retract move equal to the specified Step
Retract value for each break chip step.
View the list of features in each feature group in the Group Features and
Hole or Boss Geometry dialog boxes.
The following example shows features of the drilling_example part selected
for grouping.
The graphic on the left shows ungrouped features selected in the feature view
of the Machining Feature Navigator. The graphic on the right shows the
same features as part of a feature group in the group view of the Machining
Feature Navigator.
DRILLING_EXAMPLE MCS_MILL
STEP2HOLE_29 WORKPIECE
STEP2HOLE_30 FG_STEP2HOLE
STEP2HOLE_31 STEP2HOLE_29
STEP2HOLE_32 STEP2HOLE_30
STEP2HOLE_33 STEP2HOLE_31
STEP2HOLE_34 STEP2HOLE_34
STEP2HOLE_35 STEP2HOLE_35
STEP2HOLE_36 STEP2HOLE_36
Application Manufacturing
Machining
Feature Navigator Right-click in the background®Group Features 12
In-process features
What is it?
NX infers the in-process feature dimensions for each operation. You can
modify the dimensions from the Hole or Boss Geometry dialog box. If you
select the 3D IPW option, the in-process feature volume extends to the end
of the in-process workpiece.
Each displayed in-process feature depends on the following:
• The remaining material.
MCS_MILL
WORKPIECE
FG_STEP2POCKET 12
DRILL
MILL_ROUGH
MILL_FINISH
REAM
3. The MILL_FINISH operation finishes the counter bore floor and wall.
Operation
Initial feature Remaining
Operation in-process
volume feature volume
feature
12 DRILL
MILL_ROUGH
MILL_FINISH
REAM
Application Manufacturing
You must use one of the following operations: Spot
Drilling, Drilling, Countersinking, Hole Milling,
Prerequisite Tapping, Thread Milling, or Groove Milling.
[Operation] dialog box®Geometry group®Specify
Location in dialog
box Hole or Boss®Display
Application Manufacturing
You must use one of the following operations: Spot
Drilling, Drilling, Countersinking, Hole Milling, Thread
Prerequisite Milling, or Groove Milling
[Operation] dialog box®Geometry group®Specify
b. Hole Milling
Group features together that are under a selected top face, or that have
the same feature type, dimensions or machining direction.
WORKPIECE
FG_STEP2HOLE
STEP2HOLE_1
12
STEP2HOLE_2
FG_STEP2HOLE_1
STEP2HOLE_1
STEP2HOLE_2
3. Create the first operation using a feature group as the geometry parent.
NX automatically adds a Drilling in-process feature to each machining
feature.
4. Create the next operation using the same feature group as the geometry
parent.
NX automatically adds a Hole Milling in-process feature to each
machining feature.
COUNTERSINKING
THREAD_MILLING
COUNTERSINKING_1
The following graphics show the material removed by each operation in the
machining sequence.
12
THREAD_MILLING COUNTERSINKING_1
COUNTERSINKING
Application Manufacturing
You must use one of the following operations: Spot
Drilling, Drilling, Countersinking, Hole Milling, Thread
Prerequisite Milling, or Groove Milling
[Operation] dialog box®Geometry group®Specify
Location in dialog
box Hole or Boss®Display
Summary
In this lesson, you learned how to:
• Find the hole features to drill.
12
• Group similar features to drill more efficiently.
Purpose 13
When you need to machine parts with contoured surfaces, you can do so with
fixed-axis surface contouring operations. You will need to specify a Cut Area
and a Drive Method to machine contoured surfaces of a part. Tool Axis and
Projection Vector options are available for additional control of the tool path.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you will be able to:
• Mill a contoured area.
• Create tool path drive points along the specified cut area.
13
For fixed-axis surface contouring operations (mill_contour operation type),
the tool axis remains parallel to a specified vector.
Application Manufacturing
13
• Surface regions
• Sheet bodies
• Faces
Trim Boundaries may also be used to contain tool path motion. All part
geometry is included as cut geometry when Cut Area geometry is not selected.
Additional drive parameters include:
• Steep containment
Application Manufacturing
•If you change these settings after you create the cut regions, the
cut regions become out of date.
13 Method Restricts the cut area based on the steepness of the part
surfaces. NX calculates the part surface angle at each
contact point.
None Imposes no steepness restrictions on the
tool path and machines the entire cut
area.
Non-steep Machines within the cut area only where
the part surface angle is less than the
Steep Angle value.
Directional Steep Machines within the cut area only where
the part surface angle is more than the
Steep Angle value.
By default, Directional Steep regions are
assigned a Non-steep containment
type. NX applies the Non-steep Cutting
drive settings. You can edit the cut
regions in the Cut Regions dialog box to
change the containment type to Steep.
Steep and Machines both steep and non-steep
Non-steep areas. NX creates separate cut regions
for the steep and the non-steep areas.
Steep Angle Specifies the angle required to consider an area steep. NX
calculates the part surface angle at each contact point.
Create
Separate
Regions For
Flat Areas
13
Cut Angle Rotates the tool path with respect to the WCS.
Automatic Evaluates each cut region shape and
determines an efficient cut angle that
minimizes internal engage moves when
cutting the region.
Specify Sets the cut angle. The angle is
measured with respect to the X-axis on
the XC-YC plane of the WCS, and then
projected to the floor plane.
Longest Edge Establishes the cut angle parallel to the
longest line segment in the peripheral
boundary. If the peripheral boundary
does not contain a line segment, NX
searches for the longest line segment in
the interior boundaries.
Vector Lets you define a 3D vector as the cut
direction. To define the cut angle, NX
Cut Regions
Options Lets you define cut region start points.
13
13
On Plane preview display Actual tool path
Create a Contour Area operation using the Surface Area drive method
2. In the Create Operation dialog box, from the Type list, select mill_contour.
Tool = MILL
Geometry = WORKPIECE
Method = MILL_FINISH
5. Click OK.
6. In the Drive Method group, from the Method list, select Surface Area.
13
11. In the Drive Settings group, from the Cut Pattern list, select Zig Zag.
13
16. Click OK to accept the tool path and close the dialog box.
13
Summary
The Area Milling drive method lets you create fixed-axis tool paths along
contoured surfaces. The tool paths may be roughing or finish cutting
operations.
In this lesson, you learned how to:
• Create a Contour Area milling operation to mill a contoured surface.
What is it?
You can simplify the selection of a cut area for contouring operations by
specifying a seed face and a closed boundary of edges. NX expands the
selection from the seed face until the boundary is reached. The seed face can
lie between two sets of edges.
The example shows the selection of an edge-bounded face region.
13
13
Where do I find it?
Application Manufacturing
Prerequisite A fixed-axis contour operation
Location in dialog Cut Area dialog box®Edge Bounded Face Region
box group
13
Use the Cut Regions geometry command to subdivide the cut area for an
Area Milling operation into regions and control the cutting behavior within
each region. NX initially subdivides the cut area based on the steepness and
collision checking settings in the operation. You then control the following:
• The region sizes. Merge or divide the regions as required. NX updates the
cut region display as you make modifications.
13
• The regions to cut, and their cutting sequence. If the current operation
is not appropriate for cutting some of the regions, you can defer cutting
the regions and import them into another operation. Delete regions to
completely avoid cutting certain areas.
• The cut pattern and other tool path parameters within each cut region.
Define a region as steep, non-steep or flat, and NX applies the appropriate
Area Milling Drive Method settings.
• The tool and tool axis tilt. When NX identifies tool holder collisions in a
region, use a longer version of the tool, a different holder, or tilt the tool
axis to avoid the collisions.
You can accept the automatic cut regions, or you can define cut regions,
cut patterns, and start points to suit your workflow before generating the
operation. NX uses the regions, cut patterns and start points you define
instead of generating the automatic cut regions.
NX does the following automatically:
If you have not run the collision check, NX indicates that the collision
status is unknown .
If you manually run the collision check and only a portion of the cut region
has collisions, the status is partially colliding .
In the following example, cut regions 2, 3, 5, and 6 are cut using the current
13 operation. Cut regions 1 and 4 have tool holder collisions, and are deferred to
cut using another operation.
Collision
Name Status Cut Order Type Parent Operation
Status
REGION_1 1 CONTOUR_AREA
REGION_2 2 CONTOUR_AREA
REGION_3 3 CONTOUR_AREA
REGION_4 4 CONTOUR_AREA
REGION_5 5 CONTOUR_AREA
6
REGION_6 CONTOUR_AREA
Application Manufacturing
A fixed-axis surface contouring operation using the
Area Milling drive method, or a Contour Area operation.
A ball-nose mill is required to change the tool axis.
You must set the Stepover Applied setting to On Plane
Prerequisite to access the Cut Regions dialog box.
Cut regions 13
[Surface contouring operation] dialog box®Geometry
group®Cut Regions
Use the Create Region List command to automatically divide the cut
area into regions in the following ways:
• Based on whether a surface is more or less steep than the Steep Angle
value for the operation.
13
Steep Angle = 45
• Based on the surface steepness, with separate regions for flat areas.
Steep Angle = 45
13
Steep Angle = 45
• Check for regions that are out of date . If you have out of date regions,
delete all the regions and create the region list again.
• Display the cut regions. The interior lines in each region are selection
13
lines that represent the cut region. Select the Preview check box to
display the region start point and tool axis vector.
Preview Preview
• Defer a region so that you can cut it with another Area Milling operation,
or delete the region if you will cut it with another type of operation. NX
displays a green check next to the regions to cut with the current
operation. Clear the check box to defer a region.
• Filter the deferred regions when you import them into a new operation.
The following example imports the flat regions deferred from a previous
operation.
Cut Regions dialog box settings Result
Region Source group:
Create From = Import
Status = Deferred
• Further divide the cut regions using the Divide command. You can
divide a region by specifying a plane or a two point line.
• Merge cut regions using the Merge Cut Regions command. Select
a single target region, then select any adjacent regions that you want
to merge with the target region. The target region controls the merged
region’s steep, non-steep, or flat attributes.
• Rename a region.
• Undo changes. You can undo changes one at a time, from the most recent
change to the first change. You cannot undo changes after you exit the
Cut Regions dialog box.
13
• Select a longer version of the tool to avoid holder collisions using the Tool
13
• Tilt the tool axis to avoid holder collisions using the Tool Collision
Avoidance command.
If only a portion of the cut region has collisions, you can use the Divide
command to create separate regions. This lets you change the tool length or
tool axis tilt for only the region with collisions.
Method Restricts the cut area based on the steepness of the part
surfaces. NX calculates the part surface angle at each
contact point.
None
Imposes no steepness restrictions on the tool path
and machines the entire cut area.
Non-steep
Machines within the cut area only where the part
surface angle is less than the Steep Angle value.
Directional Steep
Machines within the cut area only where the part
surface angle is more than the Steep Angle value.
By default, Directional Steep regions are assigned
a Non-steep containment type. NX applies the
Non-steep Cutting drive settings. You can edit the
cut regions in the Cut Regions dialog box to change
the containment type to Steep.
Steep and Non-steep
Machines both steep and non-steep areas. NX
creates separate cut regions for the steep and the
non-steep areas.
Create Separate
Regions For Flat
Areas
13
Create Separate
Create Separate
Regions For Flat Areas
Regions For Flat Areas
Flat areas are assigned a
Flat areas are assigned a
Non-steep containment
Flat containment type.
type.
Filter Deferred Regions
Available when Create From is set to Import.
Filters the available cut regions to import into the current operation.
Select whether to import Area Milling cut regions from all program groups,
or from only operations within the same program group. Set the steepness
type and collision status to further limit the cut regions to import.
Regions to Cut
Divides the cut area into regions based on the Steep
Create Region Containment settings. Creates separate regions for
List areas with tool holder collisions if you turn on collision
checking in the operation.
To turn on collision checking, in the Cutting Parameters
dialog box, select the Containment tab®Collision
Checking group®Check Tool and Holder
Region list Displays the cut regions and their current status.
Select Regions Displays the number of regions selected. You can select
regions from the region list or from the graphics window.
Preview
Preview Displays the cut region tool axis vector at the region
start point location.
13
Opens the New Tool dialog box where you can define a
new tool for the current operation. The new tool appears
in the Machine Tool View of the Operation Navigator,
Create New
and can be inherited by other operations.
Opens the dialog box for the current tool. You can edit
the tool’s parameters in the displayed dialog box.
Edit or Display
Tool Axis
Axis Controls the orientation of the tool in relation to the
Machine Coordinate System.
+ZM Axis
Assigns the axis orientation of the Machine
Coordinate System to the tool.
Specify Vector
Lets you specify the tool axis by defining a vector.
Either select an option from the list, or click Vector
Constructor to access the Vector dialog box.
Dynamic
Lets you manipulate the vector in the graphics
window to specify the tool axis.
Preview
13
Preview Preview
13
• Set Tool Collision Avoidance and adjusted the cutter used to avoid
detected collisions.
Divide by Holder
Divide by Holder lets you divide a generated tool path where there are holder
collisions. When the software finds a holder collision, it moves backwards
along the tool path to the closest transfer, then divides the tool path into two
operations at the transfer. The original operation contains collision free tool
path. The new operation contains the tool path section with holder collisions.
• Holder
• Program group
• Feed rate
• Area milling operations with a Zig or Zig Zag with Lifts cut pattern that
generates transfers.
Divide by Holder does not work if the operation does not have transfers.
For example, you cannot use Divide by Holder for a Zig Zag cut pattern
where the tool enters the cut, zig-zags everywhere to machine the part,
then retracts.
You can:
• Generate operations with holder checking turned off for faster
performance, then run Divide by Holder to remove holder collisions.
• Use Divide by Holder when there are changes to the holder information,
to correct the tool path without regenerating the operation.
Application Manufacturing
Right-click an operation®Tool Path®Divide by
Operation Navigator Holder
13
13
14 Engraving text
Purpose
When you need to engrave identification information, such as part numbers
or serial numbers into your part, you can do so with Planar Text or Contour
Text operations. You create drafting text and position the text on the part,
and machine it to a specified depth.
14
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you will be able to:
• Create text notes to be engraved on a part.
14
2. In the Note dialog box, type the note in the Text Input window.
3. Place the text on your model by clicking the left mouse button.
4. In the Planar Text or Contour Text operation dialog box, click Specify
Drafting Text .
• If you set the text depth and part stock so that the tool cuts below the part
surface, gouge checking reports the moves as gouges.
• For tool path creation, the text is projected along the tool axis to the floor
plane or part surface.
14
• To mill contour text with ball tools, do not use a depth greater than the
radius of the ball tool.
• In Surface Contouring, tool paths are not reliable if the negative floor
stock (part stock minus text depth) exceeds the lower radius of the tool. A
warning is generated when such conditions occur.
Activities
In the Text Engrave section, do the activities:
• Create text for engraving
14
Summary
You can engrave drafting text, such as part numbers and mold cavity ID
numbers, directly on a planar or contoured surface using the PLANAR_TEXT
or CONTOUR_TEXT operations.
In this lesson, you learned how to:
• Created drafting notes.
14
Purpose
In order for the machine tool and controller to interpret your tool path,
you must postprocess your NC program. To supply machinists with the
information that they need to prepare the machine to run the tool path,
you must create shop documentation with specific information about the
NC program.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you will be able to:
• Postprocess an NC program to output tool path information.
15
• Create shop documentation information in ASCII text or HTML format.
Postprocessing overview
The NX Manufacturing application generates tool paths that are used to
manufacture parts. A tool path consists of the following:
• Information about tool motion, such as GOTO points, feed rates, and tool
axis orientation.
• Instructions to the controller that are called events, for example, coolant
conditions, spindle control, and tool changes.
Each machine tool and controller combination has different requirements, for
example, specific M-codes and G-codes, and the sequence of G-codes that is
permitted in a program line. This information is not in the initial NX tool
path.
Output files
• Fully simulated with the VNCK application, which uses the Siemens 840D
controller’s logic to generate motions, alarms, and so on. The machine
tool must be equipped with the Siemens Sinumerik 840D controller and
VNCK must be configured by the machine tool manufacturer.
NX Post
NX Post is a set of programs and files that you use in the Manufacturing
application to post process NX tool paths with posts defined by the NX Post
Builder.
You can start NX Post in one of these ways:
• Right-click a selected program or operation nodes in the Operation
Navigator and choose Post Process.
NX Post uses tool path data as input, and outputs machine controller
readable CNC code. You can customize your postprocessors in several ways to
generate the output that you require. The extensibility of NX Post processor
is achieved through the scripting language Tcl and the use of definition files.
Supported machine tool categories include the following:
• Mills 15
• Lathes
You can extend postprocessors’ capability using the scripting language Tcl.
The following flowchart illustrates the steps required to postprocess tool path
data in an acceptable format for a machine tool and controller.
NX Post architecture
The event generator, event handler, and the definition file are interdependent.
The Manufacturing Output Manager and NX Post use a large number of
variables and Tcl procedures. The variables have the general name format
mom_<name> and the procedures have the general name format MOM_<name>.
To learn about specific variables and procedures, open the Post Builder
application and choose Utilities®Browse MOM Variables.
15
Shop Documentation
• Control geometry
• Machining parameters
• Post commands
• Tool parameters
• A tool list
You can add your own custom templates to the dialog box by modifying the
shop_doc.dat file which is located in the /mach/resource/shop_doc directory.
This file specifies the location of the template and event handler files used
for your shop documentation.
15
15
Summary
NX gives you the flexibility to output NC program information to match
the unique characteristics of your machine tool controller, and to generate
customized shop documentation for your specific needs.
In this lesson you:
• Postprocessed program information for a 3-axis milling machine using
the MILL_3_AXIS postprocessor.
• Created shop documentation for providing information for setups and the
manufacturing processes in both ASCII text and HTML formats.
15
Use the Tilt Tool Axis command to avoid tool holder collisions in surface
contouring, cavity milling, and Zlevel operations. NX either trims the tool
path and retracts the tool, or replaces the 3-axis, 4-axis, or 5-axis motions
with 5-axis tilting motions.
You can:
• Reach greater depths using the shortest tools possible for added rigidity.
• Adjust the tool path for fixed-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis operations.
In these examples, the tool axis tilts when a tool holder collision is detected,
so that the tool can continue cutting down the wall towards the bottom of
the part.
If you regenerate the operation in which NX tilts the tool path, the tool
path reverts to the original tool path.
• Manually tilt the entire tool path towards or away from a point or 3D
curve before NX performs the collision check and creates avoidance moves.
• Specify what NX should do when the initial tool position could cause a
tool gouge, or a collision with the shank or holder. You can automatically
do the following:
o Tilt the tool to a safe orientation.
• Avoid pole transition by defining a minimum angle for the swing/tilt axis.
Turn off collision checking in the operation and generate an initial tool path
that positions the tool in the entire machining area without considering
tool neck, shank, or holder collisions. You can then use the Tilt Tool Axis
command to create a collision-free tool path that considers the machine tool
limits and swing/tilt characteristics.
For example, you can create a tool path that positions the ball portion of the
tool in undercut areas, and then use the Tilt Tool Axis command to produce
an optimized tool path without collisions.
Application Manufacturing
• A fixed-axis or variable-axis surface
contouring operation, or a Zlevel 3-axis
A
operation.
MCS_MILL1
WORKPIECE1
OPERATION_1
MCS_MILL1_TILTED
OPERATION_2
MCS_MILL2
WORKPIECE2
OPERATION_3
A MCS_MILL2_LOCAL
OPERATION_4
3. If MCS geometry groups are not defined, NX uses the absolute coordinate
system.
If the rotary axis is not aligned with the +ZM axis of the machine tool
coordinate system, use the Main MCS Axis option to select the appropriate
axis.
(1) Motion is allowed within the Min Angle and Max Angle limits.
(2) Motion is not allowed beyond the Max Angle limit.
(3) Motion near the pole area is high-risk. The machine can do this motion,
but the machining results are not optimal. This limit is set by the Min Angle
option.
Application Manufacturing
Location in dialog Tilt Tool Axis dialog box®Rotary Axis group and
box Swinging/Tilting Axis Limits group
You should enter a value that is large enough to give the controller some
freedom for the smoothing routine, but small enough to that it does not limit
the ability of NX to find a collision-free tool path.
A
What is it?
Use the new Chamfer Mill tool type to create a mill tool that allows for
an angular corner chamfer.
(D) Diameter
A
(R1) Lower Radius
This type of tool is useful when you need to define a face mill or chamfered
end mill.
Application Manufacturing
Menu Insert®Tool
A
You can select the following geometry for holes and bosses, along with any
custom data that the geometry objects are associated with:
• Points
• Curves
• Arcs
• Cylindrical edges
• Cylindrical faces
From Table Lets you specify thread parameters that are obtained
from a data table. You specify the parameters under
Thread Dimensions in the Position group.
From Tool Lets you determine the Form and Pitch thread
parameters from the Tool specified within the
operation.
Form
Specifies a common screw thread shape, such as Unified or Metric.
Pitch
A Sets the distance between the crest points on adjacent threads.
Rotation
Specifies the thread direction as Right-hand or Left-hand.
Position
Select Object
Lets you select hole, thread or point geometry in your model.
Specify Orientation
Lets you specify the location and orientation of the CSYS.
Blind
Height A
Sets the shaft height for the boss or threaded boss.
Thread Dimensions
Available for threaded holes or bosses.
Specify the thread parameters. The available options depend on the
selected Form and Pitch option.
Major Diameter
Sets the largest diameter of the thread.
• For internal threads, this value must be larger than the Minor
Diameter value and the Tap Drill Size value.
• For external threads, this value must be larger than the Minor
Diameter value and the diameter of the boss.
Minor Diameter
Sets the smallest diameter of the thread.
• For external threads, this value must be smaller than the Major
Diameter value and the diameter of the boss.
• For internal threads, this value must be smaller than the Major
Diameter value.
Length
Sets the overall thread length from the selected starting location to
the end of the thread.
A
1 Major diameter of external thread
The following thread parameters are available only when you select From
Table from the Form and Pitch list.
Standard
Specifies the Standard for the Thread form; for example, Inch UNF or
Inch UNC.
Size
Specifies the size of a Standard Thread form.
Radial Engage
Specifies the radial engage percentage, which is the approximate
percentage used to calculate the value of the tap drill diameter.
The tap drill diameter determines the thread depth.
A
Radial engage = 50%
Sequence
Optimization
Specifies how to reorder the geometry sequence. You can either:
• Create the overall shortest path.
• Create a path by moving from one location to the next closest location.
Reorder List
Applies the selected Optimization option to the list.
Hole milling
• Set multiple axial stepovers for the Spiral and Helical/Spiral cut patterns.
The Spiral cut pattern creates the following for each axial
level:
1. A spiral cut motion.
Application Manufacturing
Blank Diameter
Diameter
Lets you specify the starting diameter of the hole or boss cutting
pattern. The example shows sample Start Diameter values for a 55
mm hole.
A
0 mm 30 mm 50 mm
Distance
Lets you specify the thickness of the material to be removed from the
hole or boss wall. The example shows sample Distance values for
a 55 mm hole.
0 mm 30 mm 50 mm
Axial Stepover
Specifies how to compute the stepover distance along the tool axis. The
Axial Stepover and Depth per Revolution options are pattern specific.
Axial Stepover options for the Spiral cut pattern:
Constant
Specifies the maximum distance between successive cut passes.
Multiple
Lets you specify multiple stepover distances and a corresponding
number of passes for each size.
The first row in the passes list corresponds to the passes nearest the
final cut level. The subsequent rows progress toward the level where
the tool engages. The example shows multiple axial stepovers.
% Flute Length
Sets the stepover as a percentage of tool flute length.
Passes
Sets the stepdown by the number of passes with equal axial depths.
The axial stepover is applied to the overall thread length including the
top and bottom offsets. The axial stepover distance will always be limited
to the flute length.
Depth per Revolution options for the Helical cut pattern:
Distance Specifies the pitch per helix revolution.
Axial Stepover options for the Helical/Spiral cut pattern combine the
options for the Helical and Spiral cut patterns.
Radial Stepover
Specifies the maximum distance between successive cut passes that are
perpendicular to the tool axis.
Constant
Sets a series of moves in constant increments.
Multiple
Sets an individual Stepover distance per pass.
The first row in the passes list corresponds to the passes nearest the
hole diameter. The subsequent rows progress toward the center of the
hole. The example shows multiple radial stepovers.
Activities
In the Appendix section, do the activities:
• Avoid collisions by tilting the tool axis automatically
• Machine a hole
Purpose
When machinists need to create tool paths for various point-to-point hole
types, they can do so using drilling, tapping, boring, counter boring and
reaming operations. They must specify parameters to control depths and
features that are associated with various types of holes. Drilling operations
inherit drill geometry parent group information which contains the geometry
necessary to create various drilling type operations.
Objectives
After you complete this lesson, you will be able to:
• Create Drill geometry parent groups.
Use drilling operations to machine simple holes. For more complex holes such
as counterbore holes or undercut holes, consider using milling operations.
Drilling operations use a point-to-point processor to generate tool paths.
Several drill Operation Subtypes options are available, in which a tool is
positioned to geometry, fed into the part, and retracted. You can control
parameters such as:
• Depth
• Dwell
• Break chip
Application Manufacturing
Use Drill geometry parent groups to manage your Drill geometry. If you
associate your drilling operations to your Drill geometry parent groups, you
do not need to select your geometry for each operation that uses that same
geometry.
Drill geometry parent groups from which drilling operations can inherit
information, include the following:
Application Manufacturing
Application Manufacturing
2. In the Create Geometry dialog box, in the Type group, from the list,
select drill.
4. In the Location group, from the Geometry list, select a geometry parent
group.
This example uses WORKPIECE because the part geometry was defined
in the workpiece.
5. Click OK.
The Drill Geom dialog box is displayed.
7. Click Select.
The Drill Geometry parent group is created, and is displayed in the Geometry
View in the Operation Navigator.
When you click Specify Holes the Point dialog box is displayed.
The Point dialog box contains several options that let you select and
manipulate points for generating a tool path.
Select Opens a selection dialog box to let you select geometry
that represents the top of the hole.
Append Adds points that you select to previously selected drill
geometry.
Omit Ignores points that you select on previously defined drill
geometry.
Optimize Opens a dialog box where you can set options to optimize
tool travel to reduce the length of the tool path.
Display Points Displays the new order of points after you use the Include,
Omit, Avoid or Optimize options.
Avoid Lets you specify tool clearance over fixtures or obstacles
within the part. You must define a start point, end point
and either an avoid distance or a clearance plane.
Reverse Reverses the order of previously selected points.
Arc Axis Control Reverses the tool axis orientation for selected arcs and
holes in sheet bodies.
Rapto Offset Opens a dialog box where you can specify a RAPTO value
to each selected point, arc, or hole. The Rapto offset is
the location where the feed rate changes from rapid feed B
rate to a cut feed rate.
Planning Closes the Point dialog box.
Complete
Only the Select option is used when specifying geometry. The
remaining options let you edit already selected geometry.
Drilling cycles
Application Manufacturing
[Drill Operation] dialog box®Cycle Type
Location in dialog box group®Cycle list
B
Entrance Lets you specify the outside diameter of an existing hole
Diameter which is to be enlarged by a countersink operation.
Increment Lets you specify the dimensional value of one of a series
of regular consecutive cuts to progressive depths used in
peck and break chip drilling operations.
Rtrcto Lets you specify a retract distance. The distance is
measured along the tool axis, from the part surface to a
point to which the tool retracts after feeding to depth.
Step Values Lets you specify the dimensional value of one of a series
of regular consecutive cuts to progressive depths used
in Standard Drill, Deep and Standard Drill, Breakchip
cycles.
This dialog box is displayed when you click Depth in the Cycle Parameters
dialog box.
Model Depth Computes the depth for each hole in a solid model. The
tool axis must be the same as the hole axis.
Tool Tip Depth Lets you set the depth from the top surface to the tool tip.
The tip of the drilling tool feeds to the specified depth.
Tool Shoulder Lets you set the depth from the top surface to the shoulder
Depth of the tool.
Thru Bottom Feeds the shoulder of the drilling tool to the bottom
Surface surface.
B
To Selected Point Feeds the tip of the drilling tool to the Z-depth of the
specified point.
Activities
This dialog box is displayed when you click Optimize in the Cycle Parameters
dialog box.
Shortest Path Arranges the points in the order required to minimize
total machining time.
• Level
o Standard refers to the process of analysis that you
want to use in determining the shortest tool path.
Horizontal Lets you confine the tool path; these bands are used for
Bands/Vertical other machining constraints such as clamp locations,
Bands machine travel limits, table size, and so on.
Repaint Points Repaints all the points after each optimization if set to
Yes.
Summary
You can use drilling operation types to create tool paths for different types
of holes. Numerous options allow you to control the depth of cut, the type of
cycles that are generated, and the quality of the holes that are created.
In this lesson, you learned how to:
• Create DRILL_GEOM parent groups.
• Set the tool depth and define the tool offset to prevent the tool from
gouging the bottom of a blind hole.
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