In order to provide this simplified interface, several assumptions are made:

 

• There is only one part to be machined, that CAM Component is already defined and has class "Part", but the shape is not yet specified.

• There is only one stock to be machined, that CAM Component is already defined and has class "Stock", but the shape is not yet specified.

• There is no need to identify CAM Featureson the part.

• The part and the stock geometry are defined in "machining position."

• The current Plan contains a list of fully defined operations which reference the "Part" and "Stock" objects, and the tools, setup and Speeds/Feeds tables to be used are already defined.

 

 

 

Part

Pick part to display the CAM Browser and select a shape. It will be automatically assigned to the CAM Component of class "part".

 

Stock

Pick stock to display the CAM Browser and select a shape. It will be automatically assigned to the CAM Component of class "stock." This is an optional input.

 

Op Type

Pick op type to display the Mill Tactic Operations Type Form. It presents the Hole making, 2-1/2 Axis, Rough, 3 Axis, 5 Axis and QuickMilling tool path types available in the Milling Tactic. Select an operation type.

 

 

Tool

Pick tool to display a list of previously created tools (see below). The controls at the bottom of the list allow you to view the selected tool or create a new tool. If in "pick" mode, the selected tool name is displayed in the tool field.

 

The tool chosen should be appropriate for the op type specified. For example: a drill tool is only appropriate for certain hole making operations and never for milling. Refer to Hole making, 2-1/2 Axis, Rough, and 3 Axis tool paths for a list of valid tools for each operation type.

 

• Pick - Sets the mode to pick. Select a tool from the list to send it to the Mill Tactic Operations Form.

• View- Sets the mode to preview. Select a tool from the list. It will be displayed in the preview window.

• Create - Displays the CAM Tool Manager Form to create a new tool.

 

Accept

Pick accept will assign the above part and stock shapes to the appropriate CAM Components, and the op type and tool will be assigned to the active operation definition. Pick accept to create a Mill tactic Operation with the specified information.

 

Reset

Pick reset to set the part, stock, op type and tool fields to reflect the current contents of the active Operation Definition.

 

Clear

Pick the clear button to keep the contents of the form, but deactivate any active Operation Definition. The op type field is blanked out.

 

Delete

If an Operation definition is active, pick the delete button to remove it from the current Plan.

 

 

 

The Operation List shows the name and operation type of all the operations in the current Plan. If one of these is highlighted, it is the active Operation Definition. Pressing accept will assign the above part and stock shapes to the appropriate CAM Components, and the op type and tool will be assigned to the active operation definition.

 

If no Operation Definition is active (press clear to ensure none is active), a new one will be created. Mouse button functionality (see below) provides the ability to inspect or modify any of the parameters which are used to complete that operation definition.

 

 

 

Left-click selects an operation definition from the list and activates it (i.e., its definition is displayed in the Auto Path Manager Form.

A double-left-click selects an operation definition from the list, activates it, and displays the appropriate operation definition form.

 

Right-click is the same as middle-click below.

 

After selecting an operation definition from the list using the left or right mouse button, double-middle-click the mouse to display the Object Editormenu. This menu contains editing functions that will apply to the selected operation.  Refer to the list of functions below.

 

The first two options apply to operation definitions.

 

• Edit- Display the operations definition form for the selected operation.

• Delete- Remove the Operation Definition from the current Plan.

• The last six options apply to the tool path associated with the selected operation.

• TpCalc - (Re)calculate the tool path for the highlighted Operation Definition.

• TpCalc All-(Re)calculate the tool paths for all the operation definitions in the current plan.

• TpCalc Missing-Calculate the tool paths for all operation definitions which do not yet have their paths calculated.

• TpVer - Display the Toolpath Verify Form (wireframe mode) to verify the tool path associated with the selected operation.

• Tp Edit- Display the Tool Path Editor Form to edit the tool path associated with the selected operation.

• Tp Delete- Delete the tool path associated with the selected operation.

 

 

 

• Calc - Calculate the tool path for the selected operation.

• Verify - Display the Toolpath Verify Form (wireframe mode) to verify the tool path associated with the active operation.

• Edit - Display the Tool Path Editor Form to edit the tool path associated with the active operation.

• Delete - Delete the tool path associated with the active operation. The tool path will also be deleted from its target process.

• Calc All - (Re)calculate the tool paths for all the operation definitions in the current plan .

• Calc Missing - Calculate the tool paths for all operation definitions which do not yet have their paths calculated.

 

 

 

• The Auto Path Manager is a very simple interface to CAM Objects. It is possible to access the same objects through the standard CAM Object Manager forms available from the CAM Tool Bar. That is, you are able to move back and forth between this simplified interface and the standard interface at any time. Full access to all the parameters which define any CAM object are always available through the CAM Object Managers.

• Before the Auto Path Manager is displayed, the Check Tool Path Regen Status command is executed to ensure all tool paths are up to date.  If a tool path is outdated, a message is displayed.