Lesson 2 - Import, Setup, Machining Prep
Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.
Transcript
00:14
Welcome to the second lesson in this FeatureCAM for lathes class.
00:18
In the last lesson, we programmed a part based on an engineering drawing.
00:24
In this lesson, we’ll be starting from a CAD model.
00:28
As with any project in FeatureCAM, we’ll be using our workflow to help guide us through the programming process.
00:36
Start by creating a new blank turning document for us to import our part into.
00:42
Select turning or turn/mill, indicate millimeter as the unit of measurement, select none, and my configuration, and create a new document.
00:55
With our blank document opened, we can import the solid model by navigating to file and selecting Import.
01:03
FeatureCAM can import a wide variety of CAD formats, including industry-standard solid models and surface models.
01:12
For this exercise, we’ll be importing the turning part to parasolid file, which you can download from the course page.
01:21
Once the part is imported, we are met with the Import Wizard.
01:25
Similar to this stock wizard, the import wizard will help setup our part by helping us align our model, setup our stock, and place our setup location.
01:36
To use the wizard, select Use the wizard to establish the initial setup location and stock size and press "Next".
01:45
The first thing the Import Wizard wants us to do is define our positive Z direction.
01:50
There are a number of different methods we can use to do this.
01:54
For this exercise, let's go with the third option, align Z with center of a revolved surface.
02:01
Selecting the cursor icon hides the Import Wizard window and we can select a revolved surface.
02:08
For this part, let's select this in a surface here.
02:12
As a tip, when selecting surfaces in FeatureCAM, I recommend that you select the edge of the surface.
02:20
When you see the inner surface we want highlighted, click to select it.
02:25
Now if you look at the axis in the bottom left corner, we can see that the Z direction is aligned along the cylindrical surface we picked.
02:34
If the Z direction is aligned correctly, but pointing the wrong direction, you can always reverse its direction to get the desired result.
02:43
Next, we have similar options to define our X direction.
02:47
Let's leave this as it is and move on to the next page.
02:51
We can now define our stock in the same way that we did in the last lesson.
02:55
Once again, choose a Round stock shape.
02:59
FeatureCAM needs to know where our stock central rotation will be while the part is on the machine.
03:06
You'll notice that we again have the option to define this as a center of a revolved surface.
03:12
Let's select that option and pick the same inner diameter cylindrical surface that we used before.
03:18
Now as we preview our stock, we can see that the round stock appears to be centered around our model.
03:25
The next page is the stock dimensions page.
03:29
Enter a length and outer diameter of 15 millimeters.
03:34
Once again, we'll be facing a small amount of material off the front of our stock.
03:39
So let's add a length of set of 0.75 millimeters.
03:43
With that, we have completely defined our stock
03:46
and the import wizard is transitioning to help us start the machining preparation step of our workflow by helping us place our setup location.
03:55
Again, this is the point from which all of our NC Code will be calculated and likely where you will be touching off on the machine.
04:04
Let's align our setup location at the center of our stock’s right face, and use the blue Z option to offset the Z value of our setup location to align it with the part rather than the stock.
04:18
With that, we can finish the Import Wizard and wrap up the machining preparation step of our workflow.
04:24
With our part imported, stock setup, and setup location defined, all we have to do is indicate a tool crib and select our post processor.
04:34
Again, the quickest way to access these is in the bottom right corner of the user interface in the status bar.
04:42
Start by selecting the tools, tool crib.
04:44
And this time, rather than browse into our post processor in the Post Options dialog, let's simply drag and drop our Turn Post 2 Post Processor into the user interface.
04:57
Notice that when we do this, the active post processor in the status bar has been updated to the Turn 2 Post Processor.
05:06
With that, we've --
00:14
Welcome to the second lesson in this FeatureCAM for lathes class.
00:18
In the last lesson, we programmed a part based on an engineering drawing.
00:24
In this lesson, we’ll be starting from a CAD model.
00:28
As with any project in FeatureCAM, we’ll be using our workflow to help guide us through the programming process.
00:36
Start by creating a new blank turning document for us to import our part into.
00:42
Select turning or turn/mill, indicate millimeter as the unit of measurement, select none, and my configuration, and create a new document.
00:55
With our blank document opened, we can import the solid model by navigating to file and selecting Import.
01:03
FeatureCAM can import a wide variety of CAD formats, including industry-standard solid models and surface models.
01:12
For this exercise, we’ll be importing the turning part to parasolid file, which you can download from the course page.
01:21
Once the part is imported, we are met with the Import Wizard.
01:25
Similar to this stock wizard, the import wizard will help setup our part by helping us align our model, setup our stock, and place our setup location.
01:36
To use the wizard, select Use the wizard to establish the initial setup location and stock size and press "Next".
01:45
The first thing the Import Wizard wants us to do is define our positive Z direction.
01:50
There are a number of different methods we can use to do this.
01:54
For this exercise, let's go with the third option, align Z with center of a revolved surface.
02:01
Selecting the cursor icon hides the Import Wizard window and we can select a revolved surface.
02:08
For this part, let's select this in a surface here.
02:12
As a tip, when selecting surfaces in FeatureCAM, I recommend that you select the edge of the surface.
02:20
When you see the inner surface we want highlighted, click to select it.
02:25
Now if you look at the axis in the bottom left corner, we can see that the Z direction is aligned along the cylindrical surface we picked.
02:34
If the Z direction is aligned correctly, but pointing the wrong direction, you can always reverse its direction to get the desired result.
02:43
Next, we have similar options to define our X direction.
02:47
Let's leave this as it is and move on to the next page.
02:51
We can now define our stock in the same way that we did in the last lesson.
02:55
Once again, choose a Round stock shape.
02:59
FeatureCAM needs to know where our stock central rotation will be while the part is on the machine.
03:06
You'll notice that we again have the option to define this as a center of a revolved surface.
03:12
Let's select that option and pick the same inner diameter cylindrical surface that we used before.
03:18
Now as we preview our stock, we can see that the round stock appears to be centered around our model.
03:25
The next page is the stock dimensions page.
03:29
Enter a length and outer diameter of 15 millimeters.
03:34
Once again, we'll be facing a small amount of material off the front of our stock.
03:39
So let's add a length of set of 0.75 millimeters.
03:43
With that, we have completely defined our stock
03:46
and the import wizard is transitioning to help us start the machining preparation step of our workflow by helping us place our setup location.
03:55
Again, this is the point from which all of our NC Code will be calculated and likely where you will be touching off on the machine.
04:04
Let's align our setup location at the center of our stock’s right face, and use the blue Z option to offset the Z value of our setup location to align it with the part rather than the stock.
04:18
With that, we can finish the Import Wizard and wrap up the machining preparation step of our workflow.
04:24
With our part imported, stock setup, and setup location defined, all we have to do is indicate a tool crib and select our post processor.
04:34
Again, the quickest way to access these is in the bottom right corner of the user interface in the status bar.
04:42
Start by selecting the tools, tool crib.
04:44
And this time, rather than browse into our post processor in the Post Options dialog, let's simply drag and drop our Turn Post 2 Post Processor into the user interface.
04:57
Notice that when we do this, the active post processor in the status bar has been updated to the Turn 2 Post Processor.
05:06
With that, we've --
