In this step we will open a new file and create a new CAM Process Plan.

 

• All icons and forms shown in this walk through contain hints and links to additional help topics. Use the hints to display the name of the command or form and the links to get additional reference material.

 

 

1. If you are currently in an active part, pick to return to the object level.

2. Pick File>Save or Save All to save any files you have worked on in the active session.

3. Pick File>New or pick the New File icon from the Tool Bar or press (Ctrl+N) to display the New File/Object Form.
    

Using the New File/Object Form

 

4. We can use the New File/Object Form to create a new VX file and our CAM process plan at the same time. Select the CAM Plan icon, enter My_CAMPlan.VXas the file name and then pick OK. Both the new file and the new CAM Process Plan will be created.
   
   You are now at the CAM level. The new CAM Process Plan is created and activated. The VX Title Bar indicates this with the description:
   
   File [My_CAMPlan.VX], CAM Plan [My_CAMPlan], Layer [Default].

  

 

 

You will notice the CAM Plan Manager shown below on the left side of the display. All CAM activity is performed using this manager.

 

The CAM Plan Manager

 

A default setup is already created for you containing all of the elements needed to get started creating tool paths. Functions are performed by either selecting an element directly (e.g., Geometry, Machine, etc.) or by right-clicking on an element and selecting from the Object Editor popup menu. Elements that require further definition are indicated as (undefined).

 

• You can toggle the CAM Plan Manager on and off using the icon on the Tool Bar.

 

 

 

Let's begin by inserting the CAM geometry that we'll use for this walk through. Its an assembly consisting of a part, clamps and stock. Each are components within the assembly and each have the appropriate CAM class attributes assigned to them. Refer to the Part Attributes Form for more about assigning CAM class attributes at the part level.

 

1. Under Setup1 in the CAM Plan Manager, right-click on Geometry and select Insert. This will display the CAM Browser.

 

The CAM Plan Manager - Geometry Insert

 

2. In the Paths list of the CAM Browser, locate the "\training" sub-directory of your user directory and select it.  User directories are created during VX installation or by running Setup.exe. If the directory is not listed, select the folder icon below the list and use the File Browser to locate and select it. It will then show up in the Paths list for selection.

 

Selecting Geometry with the CAM Browser

 

3. Now the Files list shows all of the VX files located in the "\training" directory. Select the file "millbottleCam.VX."

4. From the Shapes list, select "camassy."

5. Pick Yes to insert the assembly. It should look like the figure below. Notice that the part, stock and clamp components were added to the Geometry tree in the CAM Plan Manager.

 

The CAM Geometry

 

The CAM Plan Manager - Geometry Tree

 

 

 

Now that the CAM geometry is inserted, we need to specify the machine parameters used for this Setup. These parameters include: X,Y and Z limiting, Tool Changer, Sequence Files, Cutter Compensation, Axes and Offsets and Post Processing. Notice that (undefined) appears to the right of Machine in the manager tree. Let's create a new machine.

 

1. In the CAM Plan Manager left-click on Machine. The CAM Machine Manager Form shown below will be displayed.

 

Creating a CAM Machine

 

You will notice that a default machine is already specified. Its a vertical 3-axis milling center with a rotating head. If you select Parameters, Axes, Sequence Files, Programming, etc. you will notice that all parameters have default values. We don't even need to give the machine a name but let's do so anyway.

 

2. In the Name field enter "my first machine" (without the quote marks).

3. Now pick OK to create the new machine.  
   
   Notice that the name of our machine now appears to the right of Machine in the manager tree.

 

The CAM Plan Manager - The Machine is now Specified

 

 

 

You will notice in the CAM Plan Manager that Clearances and Frames are listed under Setup1. These are already assigned default values and we will not change them here. A set of default clearance planes were automatically created when the cam assembly was inserted in STEP 3.  Refer to the geometry figure in that step.

 

Setup1 will automatically use the world XY datum plane as the default Frame.  We can use these clearances and frames for now. You can customize them in future CAM plans.  Let's continue.

 

 

 

As you can see, the new CAM Plan Manager mikes it quite easy to create the elements necessary to create a setup. Our geometry, machine, clearances and frame are all specified. Now let's create an operation.

 

1. Under Setup1, left-click on Operations.  This will display the CAM Operation Type Form.  All VX CAM milling operations from each tool path group are listed on this form.  Optionally, you can Right-click on any of these items in the 'setup' and get a menu of choices.

 

CAM Operation Type Form

 

2. An operation which can be applied to entire CAM Components, without any other features present, is "mapcut." Its in the Finishing group on the 3X Mill tab. Select it and the form will close automatically.

 

Now notice that a new operation called Mapcut 1 was created with default parameters and added to the Operations tree.

 

The CAM Plan Manager - Mapcut 1 Operation

 

 

 

You will notice that the Tool for the operation Mapcut 1 is currently (undefined). Let's specify a tool to use for this operation.

 

1. Under Mapcut 1, left-click on Tool. This will display the CAM Tool Manager Form. It allows you to create, manage and select tools for operations.

 

Notice that by default, VX creates an end mill tool. Again, you don't have to name your tools since VX CAM will assign names automatically but it helps to recognize them when you have quite a few. So let's name our first tool.

 

The CAM Tool Manager

 

2. Enter "my first tool" (without the quote marks) in the Name field.

3. Pick Properties to display the Tool Properties Form. It will contain the default properties for our end mill tool.

4. These properties are fine for our demonstration so pick the close box in the top-right corner of the form to close it.

5. Again, these properties are fine for our demonstration.

6. Now pick OK from the CAM Tool Manager to create our end mill tool and exit the form.

 

You will notice in the CAM Plan Manager that our end mill tool has been assigned to the Mapcut 1 operation.

 

The CAM Plan Manager - A Tool is Specified for Mapcut 1

 

 

 

Containments in a CAM plan are used to limit tool paths to a defined area. In our assembly we want to limit the Mapcut 1 operation to the profile of the part cavity block. To do this we will add a CAM profile feature and then reference the feature into our Mapcut 1 operation.  But let's not get ahead of ourselves.  First let's create the CAM feature.

 

 

1. Under Geometry, right-click on Part : camblank (1) < millbottle Cam.VX.  Move the cursor down to Add Feature and then select Profile from the list of possible CAM features.

 

 

The CAM Plan Manager - Add a Feature

 

 

Notice that the command prompt says: "Select curves or profiles <by Filter>." and that only the part is shown in the graphics window.  VX CAM is waiting for you to select the profile geometry.

 

2. Pick the Zoom Window icon from the Tool Bar or press (Ctrl+W) and then select two diagonal points to create a zoom window around the part cavity block.

 

 

 

Selecting Edges for the CAM Profile Feature

 

3. Now select the four edges shown in the figure above (in a COUNTER-CLOCKWISE direction) and middle-click to complete the selection. This will display the CAM Profile Feature Form.
   
   This form allows you to add multiple profiles to create CAM feature sets as well as assign various attributes. We only need one profile for our example and the default attributes will be fine.
    

4. Pick the Type button and it will toggle to Contain. We plane to use this profile as a containment for our Mapcut 1 operation.

 

CAM Profile Feature Form

 

5. Under 'Profiles', click on 'P0'
   
   You will see an arrow displayed on the profile.  Picture yourself traveling along the profile in the direction of the arrow.  You want to cut on the Left side.....right?  Make sure the Part Side option is set to Left, Tangent.

 

6. Pick OK to create the CAM profile feature.

 

Notice in the CAM Plan Manager that our CAM profile feature was added to our part in the Geometry section of Setup1 as shown below.

 

The CAM Plan Manager - Profile Added to Part

 

 

 

It's time to set the parameters for our Mapcut 1 operation.

 

1. Under Mapcut 1,left-click onParameters. This will display the 3 Axis Mapcut Operation Definition Form.

 

This form contains default parameters that we can use for our tool path. In the future, you will use these operation definition forms (referred to as Opdefs) to customize the cutting parameters for your operations. Each operation type has an Opdef form similar to this one.

 

2. For our tool path the default parameters are fine.  Pick OK to close the Opdef form.

 

3 Axis Mapcut Operation Definition Form

 

 

 

Remember in STEP 8 when we said that our Mapcut 1 operation would reference the CAM profile feature? This is where we make that happen.

 

Now everything is set for our Mapcut 1 operation except for defining what part features to cut. You're doing excellent so far and this is an easy step so lets do it.

 

 

1. Under Mapcut 1 you will notice that Features are currently (undefined). Select Feature (undefined) now and the command prompt says: "Select feature or <middle-click> to create." We can select actual geometry from the graphics window or from the Geometry section of the CAM Plan Manager tree.  The CAM Plan Manager contains the information we need.

 

 

For this demonstration we want to machine the entire part. In the future you may want to machine individual CAM features such as pockets, steps, etc. You would do so by creating additional CAM features from part geometry similar to the way we created our CAM profile feature in STEP 8. So let's continue.

 

 

2. Under Geometry select Part : camblank (1) < millbottleCam.VX and notice that it has now been added under Features as well. Our features to cut are now defined.

 

 

The CAM Plan Manager - Selecting the Part

 

Now let's repeat the process to add our Containment Profile Feature to the operation.

 

3. Select Features and again the command prompt says: "Select feature or <middle-click> to create." We could select the actual geometry but again, the CAM Plan Manager contains the information we need.
    

4. Under Part : camblank (1) < millbottleCam.VX select Profile 1 and notice that it has now been added under Features as well. Our containment is now defined for this operation.

 

The CAM Plan Manager - Selecting the Profile Feature for Containment

 

 

 

Now that we have the Mapcut 1 operation completely defined, it's time to calculate the tool path. This again is an easy process.

 

• Under Operations, right-click on Mapcut 1 and select Calculate.

 

The CAM Plan Manager - Calculate Mapcut 1

 

A status bar will be displayed while the tool path is calculated. When complete, the tool path will be displayed on the CAM assembly in the graphics window as shown below.

 

The Mapcut 1 Tool Path is Displayed

 

 

 

Congratulations! You have now created your first tool path using VX CAM. As you can see, its a very simple process that uses the power of the CAM Plan Manager to assemble, define and calculate tool paths. In the future, you can use this same process to create multiple tool paths within a setup using entire parts or CAM features.

 

But we're not done yet. Let's perform a rapid verification of the tool motion just to make sure it looks ok. This is called a rapid verify because the tool rapidly moves through its motions. Here we go.

 

1. Under Operations, right-click on Mapcut 1 and select Verify. This will display the Toolpath Verify Form.

 

This form has controls to move forward and back through the tool path. Overall tool motion can be verified or specific motions within the path. The coordinates and tool normal are displayed for each tool position in the frame of Setup 1.

 

Tool Path Verify Form

 

 

2. Select the > button to set the tool in motion. It will rapidly move through its approach and retract motions as well as each cut in the tool path.

 

 

Tool Motion during Verify

 

 

3. You may not want to wait for the tool to complete its entire path. You can pick || from the Tool Path Verify Form to stop the tool and then pick the close box in the top-right corner of the form to close it.

 

 

 

 

You can also perform a more visual solid verification. The components (part, stock and clamps) in our CAM assembly are solid models (although you can also use open surface models). During a solid verification, the display is changed to shaded mode and the actual material removal is simulated and displayed and displayed.

 

1. Under Operations, right-click on Mapcut 1 and select Solid Verify. This will display the Solid Verify Session Form.

 

 

The Solid Verify Session Form contains functions similar to the Toolpath Verify Form that we used in the previous step.  There are display and tool movement controls and access to additional options and settings.

 

 

Beginning the Solid Verify Session

 

Solid Verify Session Form

 

2. Let's begin the session by picking the button. Now sit back and watch as Solid Verify cuts our Mapcut 1 operation.

 

 

The Solid Verify Session Complete

 

3. When the session is complete, the tool will retract to its initial point. You can now pick Close from the Solid Verify Session Form to close it.

 

 

 

Now that Mapcut 1 has been verified it's time to actually output some documents. The Documents tab of the CAM Output Manager contains all of the information and options we need to generate NC programs, G and M Codes, tooling lists and operation lists. We're almost done so let's wrap it up!

 

1. Under Setup 1,select Output again to display the CAM Output Manager.

2. On the Organize tab select the Mapcut 1 operation from the list (again it should be the only one there).

3. Now pick the Document tab.

 

CAM Output Manager- Document Tab

 

4. Enter and select the options as shown on the form above. Each entry is listed below.
    

• In the Part Id field, enter: part cavity

• elect Output next to Tool Changes.

• In the Programmer field, enter your name.

• Select Output next to Speeds/Feeds.

• Select Tool Id next to Tool Num.

• In the Name field enter: my first toolpath. In the future you can pick the folder icon and use the File Browser to select an existing file to overwrite if you wish.

• Place a check in the box next to Display Output.  The NC Program window is displayed. Don't worry that its empty right now.  The various documents that we create will be displayed there.
  
   

5. Now pick the NC Program button to display the output from the default VX Flex Post Fanuc 10 post-processor. Different configurations (other than the Fanuc 10) can be created to customize the output for different controllers.  Refer to the Machine Programming Details Form for more information.

 

NC program Output for the VX Flex Post Fanuc 10 Post-processor

 

6. Now pick the G and M Codes button. The output will be displayed.

 

G and M Code Output

 

7. Next, pick the Tooling List button to display and output a list of the required tools.

 

Tooling List Output

 

8. Last but not least pick the Operations List button to display and output a detailed listing of all the operations in the setup. This listing's format and its contents are fully customizable.

 

Operation List Output

 

9. Pick Dismiss to close the CAM Output Manager. The NC Program window will also close.
    

10. Pick File>Save or pick the Save File icon from the Tool Bar or press (Ctrl+S) to save your VX file and CAM plan if desired.
    
    The Message Area will say: "Save" was successful.
     

11. If you wish to close VX now pick File>Exit and then choose Yes to exit VX.

 

We just produced 4 output files that are now located in your CAM Output Directory.  This directory is defined on the Files tab of the VX Configuration Form.  By default, the location is \output of your user directory. All of the files are given the same file name "my first toolpath" with the extensions: .cl, .flp, .tl and .op. You can use Windows Explorer and go to your user directory now to locate your output files.

 

 

Congratulations! Your basic walk though of VX CAM is now complete.  We hope you enjoyed your visit.