page 1 prismatic machining preparation assistant

Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant

Overview

What's New

Getting Started

Open the Design Part and Start the Workbench

Automatically Create All Machinable Features

Open the Manufacturing View

Browse Axial Machinable Features

Browse Prismatic Machining Areas

User Tasks

Automatically Create All Machinable Features

Locally Create Machinable Features

Create an Axial Operation on a Machinable Feature

Create a Milling Operation on a Machinable Feature

Select Machinable Features Using the Search Command

Automatically Create Machining Patterns

Create a Machining Pattern on Machinable Features

Create a Machining Process for Machinable Features

Apply a Machining Process on Machinable Features

Associativity of Prismatic Machining Area

Workbench Description

Toolbars

Reference Information

Prismatic Machining Area Features

Axial Machinable Features

Associativity

Glossary

Index

1Page Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant Version 5 Release 13

OverviewWelcome to the Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant User's Guide. This guide is intended for users who need to become quickly familiar with the Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant Version 5 product.

This overview provides the following information:● Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant in a Nutshell

● Before Reading this Guide

● Getting the Most Out of this Guide

● Accessing Sample Documents

● Conventions Used in this Guide

Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant in a NutshellPrismatic Machining Preparation Assistant delivers Machinable Features recognition and associated functionalities for preparing a Design Part for Prismatic Machining.

This product assists the NC programmer in making the link between Design and Manufacturing. It provides a set of functionalities that generate all Prismatic Machinable Features of the Design Part. It builds a real Manufacturing View of the Design Part with all the drilling and milling features to be machined. Thanks to its Machinable Features Recognition technology, Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant allows Prismatic Machinable Features creation for all kinds of CATIA Design Parts, even those with no Design Feature specifications.

It is totally integrated with the Prismatic Machining and Advanced Machining products. It dramatically reduces programming times by automatically creating all geometric areas that must be machined with Prismatic Machining operations, decreasing time spent in geometry selections.

All Machinable Features can be fully machined with Prismatic Machining strategies by creating elementary Machining Operations or applying complex Machining Processes in both drilling and milling domains.

Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant offers the following main capabilities: ● Automatically creates all Prismatic Machinable Features of a Design Part

● Locally creates a Prismatic Machining Feature of a Design Part

● Machinable Features integration in Prismatic Machining product

● Management of Recognized Prismatic Machinable Features in Manufacturing View (Presentation, Edition, Highlight).

Certain portions of this product contain elements subject to copyright owned by the following:

© Copyright Geometric Software Solutions Ltd., all rights reserved.

Before Reading this Guide


Before reading this guide, you should be familiar with basic Version 5 concepts such as document windows, standard and view toolbars. Therefore, we recommend that you read the Infrastructure User's Guide that describes generic capabilities common to all Version 5 products. It also describes the general layout of V5 and the interoperability between workbenches.

You may also like to read the following complementary product guides, for which the appropriate license is required:

● Prismatic Machining User's Guide: explains how to machine prismatic parts.

● NC Manufacturing Infrastructure User's Guide: explains how to use common NC Manufacturing functionalities.

Getting the Most Out of this GuideTo get the most out of this guide, we suggest that you start reading and performing the step-by-step Getting Started tutorial. This tutorial will show you how to prepare a basic prismatic part for machining.

Once you have finished, you should move on to the User Tasks section, which gives more complete information about the product's functionalities.

The Workbench Description section, which describes the commands that are specific to Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant, and the Customizing section, which explains how to customize settings, will also certainly prove useful.

Accessing Sample DocumentsTo perform the scenarios, you will be using sample documents contained in the doc/online/mpaug_C2/samples or doc/online/mpaug_D2/samples folder. For more information about this, refer to Accessing Sample Documents in the Infrastructure User's Guide.

Conventions Used in this GuideTo learn more about the conventions used in this guide (as well as in other user's guides), refer to the Conventions section.


What's New?

Enhanced Functionalities

Additional attributes for Prismatic Machining Area analysisMinimum corner radius, minimum channel width, and maximum channel width are now supported. They can be used in machining process formulas, checks and tooling queries (for example, to find the appropriate tool to machine the machining area).

Capability to specify machining direction of machinable featuresYou can now specify the preferred machining direction of prismatic and axial machinable features at feature creation time or in Manufacturing View.

User information after feature recognitionA pop-up displays user information at the end of the feature recognition process in Fill-up or Local mode.

Associativity of Prismatic Machining AreasAssociativity is provided between the geometry in the CATPart and the profile boundary and other parameters in the CATProcess.


Getting StartedBefore getting into the detailed instructions for using Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant, this tutorial is intended to give you a feel of what you can accomplish with the product.

It provides the following step-by-step scenario that shows you how to use some of the key functionalities.

Open the Design Part and Start the WorkbenchAutomatically Create All Machinable Features

Open the Manufacturing ViewBrowse Axial Machinable FeaturesBrowse Prismatic Machining Areas


Open the Design Part and Start the WorkbenchThis first task shows you how to open the part that is to be prepared for manufacturing and start the workbench.

1. Select File > Open then select the SampleMPA.CATPart document.

2. If you are working with Prismatic Machining, select NC Manufacturing > Prismatic Machining from the Start menu.

If you are working with Advanced Machining, select NC Manufacturing > Advanced Machining from the Start menu.

The selected workbench appears. The workbench includes the Prismatic Machining Preparation toolbar.

Your design part is displayed in the Setup Editor window along with the manufacturing specification tree.


Automatically Create All Machinable FeaturesThis task shows you how to prepare a design part for manufacturing by automatically creating all recognizable prismatic machinable features.

1. Select the Fill-Up Prismatic Machinable Features icon .

The Fill-Up Prismatic Machinable Features dialog box appears.

2. Select the part in the 3D view.

3. Select all the Feature checkboxes so that the part will be analyzed for all machinable feature types.

4. Click OK to start the feature recognition process.

An information dialog box appears giving the following information:● List of input bodies selected

● Total Number of faces in all input bodies

● Number of faces used in created features

● Number of machining features created.

All recognized machinable features are added to the Manufacturing View.


Open the Manufacturing ViewThis task shows you how to open the Manufacturing View to see the results of the global feature recognition step.

1. Select the Manufacturing View icon in the Machining Features toolbar.

2. The Manufacturing View dialog box appears.

Right-click the Manufacturing View object and select the Sort by Machinable Features contextual command.

The view shows that 6 machinable axial features and 4 prismatic machining areas were created.


Browse an Axial Machinable FeatureThis task shows you how to browse axial machinable features.

1. In the Manufacturing View, select one of the axial machinable features as follows:

In the example above, the selected feature is a counterbore hole. It is highlighted in the 3D view.

2. Double click the feature in the tree. A dialog box appears showing the characteristics of the feature.


Browse a Prismatic Machining AreaThis task shows you how to browse prismatic machining areas.

1. In the Manufacturing View, select one of the prismatic machining areas as follows:

In the example above, the selected feature is a complex step. It is highlighted in the 3D view.

2. Double click the feature in the tree. A dialog box appears showing the characteristics of the feature.


User TasksThe user tasks you will perform with Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant involve creating and managing machinable features.

Automatically Create All Machinable FeaturesLocally Create Machinable Features

Create an Axial Operation on a Machinable FeatureCreate a Milling Operation on a Machinable Feature

Select Machinable Features Using the Search CommandAutomatically Create Machining Patterns

Create a Machining Pattern on Machinable FeaturesCreate a Machining Process for Machinable FeaturesApply a Machining Process on Machinable Features

Associativity of Prismatic Machining Area


Automatically Create All Prismatic Machinable Features

This task shows you how to prepare a design part for manufacturing by automatically creating all recognizable prismatic machinable features.

The SampleMPA.CATPart document should be open.

1. Select the Fill-Up Prismatic Machinable Features icon . The Fill-Up Prismatic Machinable

Features dialog box appears.

2. Select the part in the 3D view. The feature recognition takes the associated Body object into account.

3. Select all the Feature checkboxes so that the part will be analyzed for all machinable feature types.

4. If needed, specify a preferred machining direction for through features by selecting a face, line

or an edge.The through features will be given a machining axis direction parallel to the selected direction.

● To create axial machining features only, just select the Hole checkbox.

● To create prismatic machining areas only, select all the checkboxes except the Hole checkbox.

● To create all holes included in a tab hole, select the Enable creation of tab hole components checkbox.A tab (or tabulated) hole is more complex than a Part Design hole in that its hole chain (that is, all faces) do not match a Part Design feature.If the checkbox is not selected, the holes belonging to the tab holes are not created (default behaviour).


5. Click OK to start the feature recognition process.

All recognized machinable features are added to the Manufacturing View.

6. When you select or move the mouse over a Machinable Axial Feature in the Manufacturing View, feedback in 3D Viewer shows:

● Highlight of flank RSURs referenced by the Machinable Axial Feature

● The entry point and entry vector of the feature.

Machining direction of a recognized through feature can be reversed by right clicking that feature in Manufacturing View and selecting the Reverse machining Direction contextual command. This command is not available for the blind features, as they can be machined in only one direction.

The identifier of the Machinable Axial Feature is shown as follows:

Machinable Axial Feature.1 (Simple Hole Diameter=12mm Depth=20mm)

representing in a summary the parameters of the feature.

If you rename the feature:

MyFeature.1 (Simple Hole Diameter=12mm Depth=20mm)

Both the graphical representation and the feature in the Manufacturing View are associative and always up-to-date, positioned and filled according to design changes. When geometry can no longer be retrieved from a feature (referenced RSURs are no longer in Design Part, for example) no user representation is displayed.

One or more Bodies can be selected.

For feature recognition, the In-Work object must be either a Body or the last component of a Body. For example, in the figures below:

● if you want to use Body.2 for feature recognition, the In-Work object must be either Body.2 or Hole.2.

● Body.2 and Hole.1 are valid In-Work objects.


The identifier of the In-Work object is underlined in the tree.


Locally Create a Machinable FeatureThis task shows you how to locally create a prismatic machinable feature in a design part.

The SampleMPA.CATPart document should be open.

1. Select the Prismatic Feature Local Recognition icon . The Prismatic Feature Local

Recognition dialog box appears.

2. Select the type of feature to be recognized using the combo (Complex Step, for example).

3. In the 3D view, locally select the faces that will allow the feature to be recognized. For example, select the 6 faces making up the complex step:


To deselect a selected face, just reselect it.

To deselect all selected faces, just click Remove All.

4. Click Recognize. The created feature appears in the Manufacturing View.

In the SampleMPA.CAtPart, to create:● one of the simple holes, you need to locally select 2 faces (bottom and side faces)

● one of the counterbored holes, you need to locally select 4 faces (bottom, side and counterbore faces)

● the complex cutout, you need to locally select 4 faces (flank faces)

● the complex pocket, you need to locally select 9 faces (bottom and flank faces).


If needed, you can specify a preferred machining direction for through features by selecting a face, line or an edge.The through features will be given a machining axis direction parallel to the selected direction.

Tips for Local Creation of Machinable Features with Feature Recognition

In general, when you are prompted to select all the faces to recognize the appropriate feature, all faces that belong to the stamps of the feature to be recognized (and only those faces) must be selected.

To recognize a complex step, you must select the bottom face and the flank faces of the feature. You must not select the top face or the limiting flank faces which will be automatically set by the system.

To recognize a hole, you must select all the faces of the hole that will be machined: flank faces and, in case of a blind hole, the bottom face. Never select the top face.


To recognize a feature with fillets, you must select all the fillets to be able to recognize the feature.

Note that features surrounded by convex fillets are not considered as prismatic features and are not managed by the feature recognition capability.

In all cases, selection of non-adjacent faces will not allow feature recognition.


In the image below, selection of all the red faces will not recognize a complex step feature.

In the case of intersecting holes, feature recognition will create as many holes as separate surfaces. In the image below, three features are recognized: one for each surface color. The blue and yellow surfaces do not generate a single machining feature.


Create an Axial Operation on an Axial Machinable Feature

This task shows you how to create a Counterboring operation using an axial machinable feature.

You can make use of one of the Counterbored Hole features created in Automatically Create All Prismatic Machinable Features.

1.Select the Manufacturing View icon in the Machining Features toolbar.

Use the Sort by Machinable Features contextual command to display the desired view.2.Select a Counterbored Hole feature in the view.3.Select the Counterboring icon . The Counterboring dialog box appears.

The operation is initialized with the feature geometry as well as default parameters for machining strategy, feeds and speeds, and tool.

You can edit any of these values, if desired.4.Select the Tool tab page and choose a suitable Counterbore tool according to the feature characteristics

displayed in the Geometry page.


5.Click Replay to verify the tool path.

6.Click OK to create the Counterboring operation. The operation is added to the Manufacturing View and to the program in the PPR tree.


Create a Milling Operationon a Prismatic Machining Area

This task shows you how to create a pocketing operation on a prismatic machining area.

You can make use of the Complex Step feature created in Locally Create a Machinable Feature.

1. Select the Manufacturing View icon in the Machining Features toolbar.

Use the Sort by Machinable Features contextual command to display the desired view.

2. Select the Complex Step feature in the view.

3. Select the Pocketing icon . The Pocketing dialog box appears.

4. The operation is initialized with the feature geometry as well as default parameters for machining strategy, feeds and speeds, and tool.

You can edit any of these values, if desired.


5. Click Replay to verify the tool path.

6. Click OK to create the pocketing operation. The operation is added to the Manufacturing View and to the program in the PPR tree.


Select Machinable Features Using the Search Command

This task shows you how to select machinable features by means of search criteria. Features selected in this way can be used for:

● creating machining operations

● machining processes

● machining patterns.

Open the Manufacturing View with the result of the Automatically Create All Machinable Features task.

1. Select the Edit>Search command or run the command using the Ctrl+F shortcut.

The Search dialog box appears.

2. Select the Advanced tab.

3. Set the Workbench, Type and Attribute search criteria as shown below.

4. To find all axial machinable features with a counterbore diameter of at least 10mm, specify the following search criteria in the dialog box that appears.

Click OK.

5. Click Search. The search result is displayed in the dialog box.


6. Click OK to select all the features corresponding to the search criteria. They are highlighted in the Part and in the Manufacturing View.

A description of all feature attributes is given in Prismatic Machining Areas and Axial Machining Features.


Automatically Create Machining PatternsThis task shows you how to automatically create a machining pattern on machinable features.

You will use the Pattern Creation dialog box create a pattern on threaded holes whose diameter is included in a specified range of diameters.

Open the HoleMakingOperations.CATPart document, then select the desired NC Manufacturing workbench from the Start menu.

1. Select the Fill-Up Prismatic Machinable Features icon .

2. In the Fill-Up Prismatic Machinable Features dialog box, select the Hole checkbox to create axial machinable features only. Select the part in the 3D view.

3. Click OK to start the feature recognition process. All recognized axial machinable features are added to the Manufacturing View.

4. Select the Machinable Axial Features Pattern Creation icon . The Machining Pattern Creation

dialog box appears.

5. Select the top face of the part.

6. Set the parameters for the matching criteria as shown.


7.Select the Manufacturing View icon and display the view sorted by patterns.

The created machining pattern is displayed.


8. Double click the machining pattern node to display the Machining pattern dialog box to obtain more information about the pattern.


Pattern creation operates on a set of axial features selected from the Manufacturing View, a set of faces, or an entire body.

● For a set of axial features, pattern creation applies the matching criteria only to that set of features.

● For a set of planar faces, pattern creation applies the matching criteria to all axial features from each face in the set. Note that all features in a pattern will have identical axes. If a reference direction is defined, the matching criteria only applies to axial machinable features parallel to this axis.

● For a set of non-planar faces, pattern creation applies the matching criteria to all axial features from each face in the set. Features in the pattern can have different axes.If a reference direction is defined, automatic pattern creation only applies to axial machinable features parallel to this axis.

● For a body, pattern creation applies the matching criteria to all axial features. Note that all features in a pattern will have identical axes.If a reference direction is defined, automatic pattern creation only applies to axial machinable features parallel to this axis.


Create a Machining Patternon Machinable Features

This task shows you how to create a machining pattern on machinable features.

Select 4 counterbore holes using the method described in the Select Machinable Features Using the Search Command task.

1. Select the Machining Pattern icon in the Machining Features Toolbar.

The Machining Pattern dialog box appears.

2. Click the No Point text then select all the features that you want to include in the pattern.

Double click to end selections.

The dialog box is updated.


The pattern is visualized in the part:

You can use the Sort by Patterns contextual command to check that the pattern is added to the Manufacturing View.


Create a Machining Process for Machinable Features

This task shows how to create a machining process that will be used to apply a sequence of axial machining operations to machinable features.

More information about creating machining processes with formula, checks and tool queries is available in Create a Machining Process in the NC Manufacturing Infrastructure User's Guide.

1. Select the Machining Process View icon . The Machining Process View dialog box appears.

2. Select the Machining Process icon . The dialog box is updated with a new machining process as

shown.

3. Select the Spot Drilling icon. The Operation Definition dialog box appears, if the Start Edit mode is selected in the Tools > Options > NC Manufacturing Operation settings.

4. Just click OK to add a reference Spot Drilling operation to the machining process.

You can associate Formulas or Checks to this reference operation and specify a Tool Query.

5. In the same way add Drilling and Tapping operations to the machining process by selecting first the Drilling icon then the Tapping icon. The Machining Process View dialog box is updated as shown.


6. Double click the Tool Query associated to the Spot Drilling operation. The Tool Query Definition dialog box appears.

7. Select the tool repository ToolsSampleMP using the Look in combo. Define a query to look for a spot drill whose nominal diameter is equal to the diameter of the machining axial feature.

Click OK to assign the tool query to the Spot Drilling operation.

You can assign simple tool queries to the Drilling and Tapping operations:Name=Drill D10.5 and Name=Tap D12, for example.


8. Select File > Save As to save the machining process in a CATProcess document calledAxialMachiningProcess1.CATProcess, for example.

9. Right click the Machining Process in the Machining Process View and select the Save in Catalog contextual command.

10. The Save in Catalog dialog box appears. Click the [...] button and specify a new catalog name (catalogAxialMP1.catalog, for example).

Click OK to save the machining process as a component in the specified catalog.

The following are initialized automatically:● family name: Machining Process

● component name: name given to the machining process using File > Save As.

However, you can change family or component in the Catalog Editor workbench. Click here to see how you can organize machining processes in a catalog using the Catalog Editor workbench.

For the next step in the procedure, please refer to Apply Machining Process on Machinable

Features.


Apply a Machining Processon Machinable Features

This task shows how to apply a machining process on machinable features.

Open the desired CATPart document, then select the desired NC Manufacturing workbench from the Start menu.

1. Select the Open Catalog

icon and open the

catalog you created in the previous task:catalogAxialMP1.catalog.

2. Double click the

Machining Process family:AxialMachiningProcesses.

3. Double click the Machining Process to be applied:AxialMachiningProcess1.


The Insert Object dialog box appears allowing you to apply the machining process.

4. Select the geometry to be machined. This can be one of the following:● a design feature

● a machining pattern

● an axial machinable feature

● a machining pattern of axial machinable features

● a prismatic machining area.


Then click OK in the Insert Object dialog box.

5. The program is updated with the operations contained in the machining process:

● spot drilling

● drilling

● tapping.

These operations reference the selected geometry and make use of any formula defined in the machining process.

In addition, the tool queries are resolved so that each operation references the desired tool.


Associativity of Prismatic Machining AreaThis task illustrates the associativity of prismatic machining areas.

A prismatic machining area in the manufacturing view has associated geometry in the part document. Typical geometry could be:

● Top element

● Bottom element

● Boundary profile

● Other Prismatic machining area parameters such as minimum corner radius.

If the geometry is modified in the part document, then corresponding parameters and RSUR information for prismatic machining area is updated in manufacturing view to reflect correct values.

1. Select File > Open then select the PrismaticMachining.CATPart document.

2. Select the Fill-Up Prismatic Machinable Features icon and create a Complex Pocket.


3. Select the Manufacturing View icon in the Machining Features toolbar. Right-click the

Manufacturing View object and select the Sort by Machinable Features contextual command.

4. Double click the created Prismatic machining area in the tree. A dialog box appears showing the characteristics of the feature.


5. Right click the green flank area of the pocket in the sensitive icon and select the Analyze contextual command. The Geometry Analyser appears showing that the status of each of the guide elements making up the pocket is Up to date.

Analyze the bottom element in the same way to check that its status is also Up to date.

6. Modify the geometry of the pocket (for example by reducing the pocket depth).


7. In the Manufacturing View, analyze the new guide elements and bottom of the pockets.

Their status is Up to date, showing the associative nature of the prismatic machining area.

Some geometry modifications to a part document can change the feature type. For example:● the depth of complex pocket can be changed so that it becomes complex cutout

● the boundary profile of a complex pocket can be modified in such a way that it becomes a complex step, blind slot or through slot.

Such changes are not associative.


Workbench DescriptionThis section contains the description of the specific commands that are added to your Prismatic Machining or Advanced Machining workbench when Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant is installed.

Toolbars


Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant ToolbarsWhen Prismatic Machining Preparation Assistant is installed the Prismatic Machining Preparation toolbar is added to the Prismatic Machining or Advanced Machining workbench. This toolbar contains the following commands:

See Automatically Create All Prismatic Machinable Features

See Locally Create a Machinable Feature

See Automatically Create Machining Patterns

The commands of the other toolbars of the Prismatic Machining workbench are documented in the Prismatic Machining User's Guide.

The commands of the other toolbars of the Advanced Machining workbench are documented in the Advanced Machining User's Guide.

It is useful to note that the Machining Features toolbar gives access to the Manufacturing View.

See Open the Manufacturing View.


Reference InformationReference information about Prismatic machinable features is given in this section.

Prismatic Machining AreasAxial Machinable Features

Associativity.


Prismatic Machining AreasThis section provides reference information that is intended to help you:

● create Prismatic Machining Area features from your design part

● use Prismatic Machining Area features in the Prismatic Machining or Advanced Machining product:❍ for machining process formulas, checks and tooling queries (for example, to find the appropriate tool

to machine the machining area)

❍ for search queries.


The following Prismatic Machining Area features are supported:● complex pocket

● complex step

● through slot

● blind slot

● complex cutout.

Islands can be included Pocket and Step type machinable features.

Complex Pocket


A complex pocket is a closed multi-sided recess.

Specifications on part:A bottom stamp as a hard stampA top element as a top limitA boundary comprising a series of ordered faces.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area:A depth from top to bottomA minimum corner radiusA minimum channel widthA maximum channel widthA top planeA bottom planeA wire frame contour.

Complex StepA complex step is an open multi-sided recess. Specifications on part:

A bottom stamp as a hard stampA top element as a top limitA boundary comprising a series of ordered faces with hard and soft qualifications.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area:A depth from top to bottomA minimum corner radiusA minimum channel widthA maximum channel widthA top planeA bottom planeA wire frame contour with a series of elements qualified as soft and hard.

Through SlotA through slot is a specific step whose contour is two parallel faces as a hard boundary and two other faces as limits.

Specifications on part:A bottom stamp as a hard stampA top element as a top limitA boundary comprising a series of 4 ordered faces with hard and soft qualifications.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area:A minimum corner radiusA minimum channel widthA maximum channel widthA top planeA bottom planeA wireframe contour with 4 elements: 2 lines and two other elements.

Blind Slot


A blind slot is a specific step with two parallel lines and a corner between them. It has an open boundary.

Specifications on part:A bottom stamp as a hard stampA top element as a top limitA boundary comprising a series of 4 ordered faces with hard and soft qualifications.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area:A depth from top to bottomA minimum corner radiusA minimum channel widthA maximum channel widthA top planeA bottom planeA wireframe contour with 4 elements: 2 lines, 1 half circle and one other element.

Complex CutoutA complex cutout is a multi-sided opening through the part.

Specifications on part:A bottom element as a bottom limitA top element as a top limitA boundary comprising a series of ordered faces.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area:A depth from top to bottomA minimum corner radiusA minimum channel widthA maximum channel widthA top planeA bottom planeA wireframe contour.

Management of Islands

Islands can be recognized and associated to Pocket and Step type machinable features. Islands are only associated to features if they share a bottom face with it.

Specifications on part:A bottom stamp as a hard stampA top element as a top limitA boundary comprising a series of ordered faces.

Results in Prismatic Machining Area:A depth from top to bottomA top plane and a bottom planeA wireframe contour.


Axial Machinable FeaturesThis section provides reference information that is intended to help you:

● create Axial Machinable Features from your design part

● use Axial Machinable Features in the Prismatic Machining or Advanced Machining product:❍ for machining process formulas and checks

❍ for search queries.

A number of hole types are supported. They are identified according to the evaluation of the Hole type attribute as follows.

Hole type Name

0 Simple hole

1 Tapered hole

2 Counterbored hole

3 Counterdrilled hole

4 Countersunk hole

5 Unknown

Simple Hole


Simple hole is characterized by:● origin point and direction

● hole depth and diameter

● extension type identified according to the evaluation of the Extension attribute: 1 = blind2 = through

● for blind holes, bottom type identified according to the evaluation of the Hole bottom type attribute: Flat BottomV Bottom.

● for V-bottom holes, bottom angle identified according to the value of the Hole bottom angle attribute.

● the hole can be threaded.

Tapered HoleTapered hole is characterized by:

● origin point and direction

● hole depth, diameter and angle

● extension type identified according to the evaluation of the Extension attribute: 1 = blind2 = through.



Counterbored HoleCounterbored hole is characterized by:



● counterbored depth and diameter






Counterdrilled HoleCounterdrilled hole is characterized by:



● countersunk angle

● counterbored depth and diameter





Countersunk HoleCountersunk hole is characterized by:



● countersunk angle and diameter

● countersunk depth





Please note that the Countersunk depth can be obtained by means of the following formula:

Countersunk depth=(Countersunk diameter-Hole diameter)/(2*tan(Countersunk angle/2))

Threaded Holes

The following attributes on the axial machinable feature allow you to access threaded hole information (in the Search function, machining process definition, machining operations that require thread information,


and so on).● Threaded: True or False

● Thread diameter (length value)

● Thread depth (length value)

● Pitch (length value)

● Thread direction:0 = Right-threaded1 = Left-threaded.

The attribute values are read from the design threaded hole (that is, as specification).


Associativity of Machinable Axial FeaturesThis section describes the associativity behaviour of a Machinable Axial Feature after a design change (modification, move or delete) of the shape referenced by the feature. This is best illustrated by the following scenarios.

Scenario 1● Modify the shape of faces referenced by a Machinable Axial Feature (iso-topology)

● Move the shape of faces referenced by a Machinable Axial Feature (iso-topology)

● Move the products where faces of a Machinable Axial Feature are referenced.

The expected result is as follows.● When editing the Machinable Axial Feature all the parameters are updated according to the new

specifications.

● When updating the status of any Drilling operation referencing a Machinable Axial Feature, an Update mask must be displayed on the operation in the PPR tree.

● When editing any Drilling operation referencing a Machinable Axial Feature, Feature parameters displayed in Geometry tab page are updated according to the new specifications

● When replaying any Drilling operation referencing a Machinable Axial Feature using the editor, Tool Path replay must show tool path at appropriate location (except if locked).

● When replaying any Drilling operation referencing a Machinable Axial Feature not using the editor, Tool Path Replay must show tool path at appropriate location (except if locked).

Scenario 2

The following design change is made:● remove faces of a shape referenced by a Machinable Axial Feature from the Design Part.

The expected result is as follows.● When updating the status of any Drilling operation referencing a Machinable Axial Feature, an

exclamation mask must be displayed on the operation in the PPR tree. Therefore replay is not available.


Glossary

Aapproach macro

Motion defined for approaching the operation start point

auxiliary command

A control function such as tool change or machine table rotation. These commands may be interpreted by a specific post-processor.

axial machining operation

Operation in which machining is done along a single axis and is mainly intended for hole making (drilling, counter boring, and so on).

Bbottom plane A planar geometric element that represents the bottom surface of an area to machine. It is

normal to the tool axis.

Cclearance macro

Motion that involves retracting to a safety plane, a linear trajectory in that plane and then plunging from that plane.

climb milling Milling in which the advancing tool rotates down into the material. Chips of cut material tend to be thrown behind the tool, which results to give good surface finish. Compare with conventional milling.

conventional milling

Milling in which the advancing tool rotates up into the material. Chips of cut material tend to be carried around with the tool, which often impairs good surface finish. Compare with climb milling.

DDPM Digital Process for Manufacturing.

Eextension type

Defines the end type of a hole as being through hole or blind.

FFacing operation

A surfacing operation in which material is removed in one cut or several axial cuts of equal depth according to a pre-defined machining strategy. Boundaries of the planar area to be machined are soft.

Fault Types of faults in material removal simulation are gouge, undercut, and tool clash.feedrate Rate at which a cutter advances into a work piece.

Measured in linear or angular units (mm/min or mm/rev, for example).fixture Elements used to secure or support the workpiece on a machine.

Ggouge Area where the tool has removed too much material from the workpiece.


Hhard A geometric element (such as a boundary or a bottom face) that the tool cannot pass

beyond.high speed milling (HSM)

Functionality that is supported for Pocketing and Facing operations in which corners and transitions in the tool path are rounded to ensure a smooth and continuous cutting effort.

Iinward helical Machining in which motion starts from a point inside the domain to machine and follows

paths parallel to the domain boundary towards the center of the domain. Compare with outward helical.

island Inner domain of a pocket that is to be avoided during machining. It has a closed hard boundary.

Llinking motion Motion that involves retracting to a safety plane, a linear trajectory in that plane and then

plunging from that plane.

Mmachine rotation

An auxiliary command in the program that corresponds to a rotation of the machine table.

machining axis system

Reference axis system in which coordinates of points of the tool path are given.

machining feature

A feature instance representing a volume of material to be removed, a machining axis, tolerances, and other technological attributes. These features may be hole type or milling type.

machining operation

Contains all the necessary information for machining a part of the workpiece using a single tool.

machining process

An ordered list of machining operations, PP instructions and, possibly, machine rotations. It can be used in two ways:

● to generate a complete subprogram by defining all the operations from geometrical information which will be solved when the machining process is instantiated into another CATProcess file.

● to generate a subprogram by defining all the operations without any geometrical information (design or manufacturing geometrical features): this way is dedicated to the settings mode.

machining tolerance

The maximum allowed difference between the theoretical and computed tool path.

manufacturing process

Defines the sequence of part operations necessary for the complete manufacture of a part.

manufacturing program

Describes the processing order of the NC entities that are taken into account for tool path computation: machining operations, auxiliary commands and PP instructions.

manufacturing view

The set of machining features defined in the part operation.

maximum channel width

The diameter of the largest circle that fits inside the machining domain boundary (including islands).The maximum channel width may be used to determine the roughing tool.


minimum channel width

The smallest opening in the boundary profile (including islands) that the tool must pass through in order to completely machine the profile.Limit value: For particular geometrical cases, no minimum channel width exist.In this case the minimum channel width value must be equal to the maximum channel width value.

minimum corner radius

The smallest radius of the Prismatic Machining Area boundary (including islands) that cause a constraint on the tool to be used for machining the domain.The minimum corner radius may be used to determine the finishing tool.Limit value: if an angle is detected on the profile (or islands) the minimum corner radius is 0.

multi-level operation

Milling operation (such as Pocketing or Profile Contouring) that is done in a series of axial cuts.

Ooffset Specifies a virtual displacement of a reference geometric element in an operation (such as

the offset on the bottom plane of a pocket, for example). Compare with thickness.

outward helical

Machining in which motion starts from a point inside the domain to machine and follows paths parallel to the domain boundary away from the center of the domain. Compare with inward helical.

Ppart operation Links all the operations necessary for machining a part based on a unique part registration

on a machine. The part operation links these operations with the associated fixture and set-up entities.

pocket An area to be machined that is defined by an open or closed boundary and a bottom plane. The pocket definition may also include a top plane and one or more islands.

Pocketing operation

A machining operation in which material is removed from a pocket in one or several axial cuts of equal depth according to a pre-defined machining strategy. The tool path style is either Inward helical, Outward helical or Back and forth.

Point to Point operation

A milling operation in which the tool moves in straight line segments between user-defined points.

PP instruction Instructions that control certain functions that are auxiliary to the tool-part relationship. They may be interpreted by a specific post processor.

PPR Process Product Resources.Profile Contouring operation

A milling operation in which the tool follows a guide curve and possibly other guide elements while respecting user-defined geometric limitations and machining strategy parameters.

Rretract macro Motion defined for retracting from the operation end pointreturn macro Motion for linking between paths or between levels. It involves retracting to a safety

plane, a linear trajectory in that plane and then plunging from that plane.

Ssafety plane A plane normal to the tool axis in which the tool tip can move or remain a clearance

distance away from the workpiece, fixture or machine.set up Describes how the part, stock and fixture are positioned on the machine.soft A geometric element (such as a boundary or a bottom face) that the tool can pass beyond.spindle speed The angular speed of the machine spindle.

Measured in linear or angular units (m/min or rev/min, for example).stock Workpiece prior to machining by the operations of a part operation.


Tthickness Specifies a thickness of material to be removed by machining.

Compare with offset.

top plane A planar geometric element that represents the top surface of an area to machine. It is always normal to the associated tool's rotational axis.

tool axis Center line of the cutter.tool change An auxiliary command in the program that corresponds to a change of tool.tool clash Area where the tool collided with the workpiece during a rapid move.tool path The path that the center of the tool tip follows during a machining operation.total depth The total depth including breakthrough distance that is machined in a hole making

operation.

Uundercut Area where the tool has left material behind on the workpiece.


Index

AApply Machining Process on Machinable Features

approach macro

Associativity

Automatically Create All Machining Features

Automatically Create Machining Patterns

auxiliary command Axial Machinable Feature

Counterbored Hole

Counterdrilled Hole

Countersunk Hole

Simple Hole

Tapered Hole

axial machining operation

BBlind Slot

Prismatic Machining Area

Cclearance macro

climb milling command

Fill-Up Prismatic Machinable Features

Machinable Axial Features Pattern Creation

Machining Process

Machining Process View

Manufacturing View


Open Catalog

Prismatic Feature Local Recognition

Search Complex Cutout

Prismatic Machining Area Complex Pocket

Prismatic Machining Area Complex Step

Prismatic Machining Area contextual command

Sort by Machinable Features

Sort by Patterns

conventional milling Counterbored Hole

Axial Machinable Feature Counterdrilled Hole

Axial Machinable Feature Countersunk Hole

Axial Machinable Feature

Create Axial Operation on Machinable Feature

Create Machining Pattern on Machinable Features

Create Machining Process for Machinable Features

Create Milling Operation on Machinable Feature

FFacing operation

Fault

Fill-Up Prismatic Machinable Features command

Ggouge


Hhard geometric element

high speed milling (HSM)

IInward helical

Island

Island in Machinable Feature

LLocally Create a Machinable Feature

MMachinable Axial Features Pattern Creation command

Machine Rotation

machining axis system

machining feature

machining operation

machining process

Machining Process command

Machining Process View command

machining tolerance

manufacturing process

Manufacturing Program

manufacturing view

Manufacturing View command

maximum channel width

minimum channel width

minimum corner radius


Ooffset

Open Catalog command

Outward helical

PPart Operation

pocket

Pocketing operation

Point to Point operation

PP Instruction

PPR

Prismatic Feature Local Recognition command Prismatic Machining Area

Blind Slot

Complex Cutout

Complex Pocket

Complex Step

Through Slot

Profile Contouring operation

Rretract macro

return macro

SSearch command Simple Hole



soft geometric element

Sort by Machinable Features contextual command

Sort by Patterns contextual command

TTab Hole Tapered Hole


thickness Through Slot

Prismatic Machining Area

Tool Change

tool clash

Uundercut
