The CAM Plan Manager is used to interface with the CAM Application Tactics Manager using standard Object Editing techniques. Right-click on Application Tactics in the manager tree and select Insert RuleSet or simply left-click to display the Intelligent Hole Making RuleSet Form (see below).

 

All available functions are accessed from this form or by right-clicking on existing RuleSets (or the features assigned to them) in the manager tree and selecting options from the pop-up menus.

 

 

 

Here are the basic steps for defining an intelligent hole making operations.  Refer to the additional topics on this page for more detailed information.

 

1. In the CAM Plan Manager tree, left-click on Application Tactics to display the Intelligent Hole Making RuleSet Form.
    

2. Complete the "Definition"section of the form. Enter a name for the RuleSet or let VX CAM generate one for you and set the material and the axis type.
    

3. Select a tool library if desired.  Tools will be imported to the local CAM plan as needed to machine the features specified in the RuleSet .  Refer to the Intelligent Hole Making RuleSet Form below for more about using a tool library.  See Applying VX CAM for more about using the VX Tool Library and adding tools to a library.
    

4. Complete the "Rules for" section of the form by picking each button and setting the rules and parameters as needed.  Default values are always supplied.  Each form is discussed on this page.
    

5. In the Frame Order section, specify a list of frames which will be considered (in order) for matching holes to frames.  Only the frames specified for the given Ruleset will be considered.  The machine space is the default and at least one frame is required.  For 5-axis hole making, exactly one frame must be specified for all holes in that Ruleset.
    

6. Pick OK to create the RuleSet.  It will be added to the CAM Plan Manager tree under the Application Tactics section.
    

7. Notice that Features under the new RuleSet is (undefined). Right-click on Features and select Add from the pop-up menu, or just simply left-click on Features.
    

8. Select a CAM feature from the CAM Feature Manager section of the tree. Do not select geometry from the graphics window. Use the CAM Feature Manager ahead of time to define the CAM features used in the setup. The CAM feature will be added to the new RuleSet under the Features section. Repeat this procedure to additional features to the RuleSet as required.
    

9. Right-click on the RuleSet in the manager tree and select Calculate/Update from the pop-up menu. VX CAM will automatically analyze and calculate the intelligent hole making operations. Each operation will then be added to the Operations section of the manager tree. Refer to the CAM Plan Manager tree at the top of this page.
    

10. Right-click on one of the operations you just created and select Verify from the pop-up menu to quickly verify the new tool path. Refer to the CAM Operations Manager for more information.  You can click on the movie icon to the left to see a tool path verify session of the [Hole RuleSet 1] drill.2 operation shown in the manager tree at the top of this page.
     

11. Select Output from the manager tree to perform additional solid and rapid verifications of the tool path as desired. Refer to the CAM Output Manager for more information.

 

 

 

Use this form to define a RuleSet for creating intelligent hole making operations. These rules will be applied to selected CAM hole features.  Among other things, these rules will determine which tools to use from the tool library, the order in which the hole types (hole, bore, ream, tap, etc.) will be machined and the cutting order (pick order, minimum distance, etc.) to determine the tool path.

 

 

Definition

 

Name

For a new RuleSet, enter a name.  To select from a list of RuleSets currently defined in the active CAM plan, pick the Name button and select a RuleSet.  Its name and parameters will populate the form.

 

Material

Select the material that will be machined from the list.

 

Axis Type

Sets the number of axes needed for the hole operation. Select 3 axis to generate 3 or 5 axis fixed face tool paths.  Select 5 axis for simultaneous tool paths. The traverse motions between different holes will consist of linear or arc movements.

VX automatically calculates hole orientations in spite of their definitions from point, arc, cylinder or hole feature data based on the geometry. Global collision avoidance is automatic.
 

Tool Library

Use this option to select a CAM Plan (i.e., your tool library) from which to import tools as needed to machine the features specified in the RuleSet .  Only those tools that are actually used in the resulting operations are copied into the local CAM plan.  Each time the RuleSet is recalculated, the specified tool library is checked for changes to any of the tools.

 

See Applying VX CAM for more about using the VX Tool Library and adding tools to a library.

 

Rename Duplicates

If this box is not checked, tools in the local CAM plan of the same name as those copied from the tool library (see above) will be updated.  If this box is checked, a new tool with a new name will be created.  Each time the associated operations/tool paths are recalculated, this CAM Plan is checked to ensure that the most recent set of tools are used.

 

 

Rules for

 

The parameters defined on the following forms will apply to the active RuleSet.

 

• Drilling - Displays the Intelligent Hole Making Rules for Drilling Form.

• Boring - Displays the Intelligent Hole Making Rules for Boring Form.

• Reaming - Displays the Intelligent Hole Making Rules for Reaming Form.

• Sorting- Displays the Sorting Rules for Drilling Form.

• Parameters - Displays the Intelligent Hole Making Parameters Form.

 

 

Frame Order

 

This section allows you to specify a list of frames which will be considered (in order) for matching holes to frames.  Only the frames specified for the given Ruleset will be considered.  The machine space is the default and at least one frame is required.  For 5-axis hole making exactly one frame must be specified for all holes in that Ruleset.

 

• Add - Add a frame to the order.  The list of all available frames in the current Setup is displayed (minus those already selected for this RuleSet). The "machine" frame is special and will be displayed even if no frame entity has been created.  Each frame added appears at the bottom of the list.

• Remove - This removes a frame from the order.

• Up, Down - These are used to move the selected (highlighted) frame upward or downward in the list.  The frames are examined for hole matching in order from top to bottom.  Changes to this list take effect (i.e., are saved in the database) when you select OK.  If you select Cancel or the form is closed, the database is not changed.

 

Operations

 

This list shows the tool path operations generated by the active RuleSet.  The RuleSet name is a compilation of the RuleSet name in brackets (e.g., [Hole RuleSet 1]) followed by a system generated name (e.g., Hole 1).  Each operation is added to the CAM Plan Manager tree under the Operations section. This section is referred to as the CAM Operations Manager.

 

 

Other Options

 

• OK - Accept the new RuleSet or modified RuleSet. If features are defined, all of the necessary tool path operations will be defined and listed in the Operations section (se above).

• New - Clear the form and create a new RuleSet.

• Close - Close only the form with no action taken.

 

 

Intelligent Hole Making RuleSet Form

 

Use this form to define the rules for intelligent drilling operations.  These refer to the allowable machining tolerances and how deep holes are defined and what operation they will use.

 

 

 

General Rules

 

• Tol + Possible - The allowable positive tolerance for hole size dimensions, like diameters, depth

• Tol - Possible - The allowable negative tolerance for hole size dimensions.

• Finish Possible - The allowable hole surface finish tolerance.

• Circularity Possible - The allowable hole circularity tolerance.

• Cylindricity Possible - The allowable hole cylindricity tolerance.

 

 

Deep Hole Rules

 

• Method - The method used for deep holes.  Select Peck Drill or Chip Break.  See Hole Making Operations for definition of each hole type.

• If Depth:Dia Ratio>= - If the Depth/Diameter ratio of the CAM hole feature is greater than this value, the hole will be treated as a deep hole using the Method selected above.

 

 

Intelligent Hole Making RuleSet Form

 

Use this form to define the rules for intelligent boring operations.  These refer to the allowable machining tolerances and maximum stepover along the hole radius for roughing and finishing.

 

 

 

General Rules

 

• Tol + Possible - The allowable positive tolerance for hole size dimensions, like diameters, depth

• Tol - Possible - The allowable negative tolerance for hole size dimensions.

• Finish Possible - The allowable hole surface finish tolerance.

• Circularity Possible - The allowable hole circularity tolerance.

• Cylindricity Possible - The allowable hole cylindricity tolerance.

• Rough: Max Cut (Rad) - Defines the maximum boring stepover along the hole radius for hole roughing.

• Finish: Max Cut (Rad) - Defines the maximum boring stepover along the hole radius for hole finishing.

 

 

Intelligent Hole Making RuleSet Form

 

Use this form to define the rules for intelligent reaming operations.  These refer to the allowable machining tolerances.

 

 

 

General Rules

 

• Tol + Possible - The allowable positive tolerance for hole size dimensions, like diameters, depth

• Tol - Possible - The allowable negative tolerance for hole size dimensions.

• Finish Possible - The allowable hole surface finish tolerance.

• Circularity Possible - The allowable hole circularity tolerance.

• Cylindricity Possible - The allowable hole cylindricity tolerance.

 

 

Intelligent Hole Making RuleSet Form

 

Use this form to define the sorting rules for creating intelligent hole making operations. These rules will define the order in which the operations will be performed.

 

 

 

Sorting Rules

 

• Sort by Tool Size - How the operations will be sorted by tool size. Currently, only the small_tools_first option is available.

• Order of Operations - This list defines the order in which the operations are performed based on hole operation type. Use the Add, Remove, Up and Down options below to define the operation order. Notice that the center hole operation type is not in the list because it will always be the first process for hole making.

• Add-Add a  hole feature type from a pop-up list.

• Remove - Highlight the hole feature type in the "Order of Operations" list and pick this button to remove it from the list.

• Up/Down - Will move the highlighted hole feature type up/down in the list.

 

 

Intelligent Hole Making RuleSet Form

 

Use this form to define common parameters for all intelligent hole making operations.

 

 

 

Hole Making Parameters

 

• Dwell - Dwell time allowed at the bottom of hole during the process.

• Return Level - Sets the tool return level.
  "R" Level - Determined by "R-Level Clear".
  Initial Level - which is determined by Clear_Z in the frame or the setup clearances if no frame is selected.

• R-Level Clear - defines the height of R-Level measure from the hole start point.

• Radial Thick - thickness measured from the radial direction.

• Axial Thick - thickness along the hole axis.

• Cut Order - the order to machine each hole in one operation. Select from Pick Order, Min. Distance, X Zigzag, X Oneway, Y Zigzag or  Y Oneway.

• Gouging Check - Analyze all motion between holes for collisions with objects in the current setup. Lift the tool where necessary to avoid collisions (the tool will lift to the height of the interfering geometry plus the approach distance). Select Yes or No.

• Tool Depth Ref - Defines the method of determining the depth of tool position against the bottom of the hole. Select Tip or Shoulder.

 

 

 

Here is a complete list of functions available by right-clicking on Application Tactics from the CAM Plan Manager tree. They are displayed in a pop-up menu.

 

 

Application Tactics Level Functions
Insert RuleSet	Display the Intelligent Hole Making RuleSet Form to insert a new RuleSet.  However, you can simply left-click to perform the same task.

 

 

 

Here is a complete list of functions available by right-clicking on a RuleSet under the Application Tactics section of the CAM Plan Manager tree. They are displayed in a pop-up menu.

 

 

Operation Level Functions
Edit RuleSet	Displays the Intelligent Hole Making RuleSet Form for the selected RuleSet. Any changed will apply to the selected RuleSet.
Rename RuleSet	Rename the selected RuleSet.
Delete RuleSet	Delete the selected RuleSet. You are asked if you also want to delete all operations generated by the RuleSet.
Create/Update Operations	For a new RuleSet, VX CAM will analyze the CAM Features associated with the RuleSet, apply all rules and calculate the necessary tool path operations. They will be listed under the Operations section of the CAM Plan Manager tree. For an existing RuleSet, all of its generated operations will be updated with any rule changes.

 

 

 

The complete list of functions available by right-clicking on a RuleSet generated operation is the same as those available from any other operation.  Refer to the CAM Operations Manager for the definition of each function.