Use the Surface Group Parameters dialog to specify the settings for a surface group when using Advanced Surface Machining.
This dialog is displayed when you:
- Click
to create a surface group. - Double-click a surface work group in the right-hand pane of the Face window.
The following settings are available:
Toolpath Type — Select the type of toolpath you want to create; that is a 3-axis toolpath or a multi-axis simultaneous toolpath. The options available depend on the machining function used by the current Face window. When using a:
- Mill ZY Plane machining function, the following options are available:
- 3+1 Axis — Select to create a toolpath where the part can be positioned using one rotational axis before being machined using the X, Y and Z axes.
- 4-Axis Simultaneous — Select to create a toolpath where the part is machined in a 4-axis simultaneous style, with the tool moving in X, Y and Z, while the stock is rotating.
The post processor must be configured for post processing a 4-Axis Simultaneous toolpath. Refer to the "Special Functions Support" section of the Post Processor Reference Guide to see if this option is configured.
- Mill 5-Axis Plane machining function:, the following options are available:
- 3+2 Axis — Select to create a toolpath where the part can be positioned using two rotational axes before being machined using the X, Y and Z axes.
- 5-Axis Simultaneous — Select to create a toolpath where the part is machined in a 5-axis simultaneous style, with the tool moving in X, Y and Z, while the stock is rotating and the tool head is rotating about the B axis.
The post processor must be configured for post processing a 5-Axis Simultaneous toolpath. Refer to the "Special Functions Support" section of the Post Processor Reference Guide to see if this option is configured.
Operations — Select the operations required to machine the surface group:
- Roughing;
- Finishing;
- Remachining; or
- Projection.
Diam (d) — Enter the diameter of the tool used for machining.
Tool ID — Enter the ID of the tool used for machining.
Edit Tool — Click this button to display the Edit Tool dialog where you can view, or edit, the settings for the selected tool. The image displayed on this button depends on the type of tool that has been selected.
Strategy — Select the surface machining strategy for the selected operation.
Options — Click to display the Strategy dialog, where you can edit settings for the selected strategy.
Toolpath Settings
- Method — Use these options to select which surfaces you want to machine:
- Machine All Surfaces — Select to machine all the surfaces on the solid model.
- Machine Selected Surfaces — Select to machine only the surfaces you select on the solid model.
The number of surfaces currently selected is display in the Surface Selection area of the dialog. To deselect all currently selected surfaces, click Clear Selection.
- Polar Style Output — Select this option to specify that the NC program is in polar format.
This option is available only when using a Mill Diam, Polar Face window in PartMaker/SwissCAM and PartMaker/Turn-Mill.
- Lock Toolpath — Select this option to lock the toolpath. When a toolpath is locked, PartMaker does not recalculate it even if its settings on the Surface Group Parameters dialog change. Deselecting this option unlocks the toolpath.
This option is available only if the toolpath for a surface machining group has already been calculated by verifying the toolpath or generating the Process Table.
Define Block — Click to display the Define Block dialog, where you can specify the limits (in X, Y and Z) within which surface machining is performed.
Safe Area — Click to display the Safe Area dialog, where you can specify a safe area for machining.
Surface Selection — Use these options to control which surfaces are machined:
- Surface Type — Select the type of surface:
- Machining Surface for a surface that will be machined by a toolpath.
- Hole Surface for a surface belonging to holes that will be capped to prevent the tool from plunging into the hole while machining.
- Collision for a surface that will not be machined, but must be avoided (for example, a clamp).
- Ignore for a surface that will not be machined and was created only for construction purposes (for example, a surface for setting up the projection direction).
- Swarfing Surface for a surface where the tool machines with its side, rather than the tip. This is available only when using the Swarf finishing strategy.
- Selected Surfaces — Displays the number of surfaces currently selected on the solid model.
- Clear Selection —Click this button to deselect all currently selected surfaces on the solid model.
No of moves in Toolpath — Displays the total number of moves in the toolpath for machining the currently selected operation in the group.
Group Name — Enter a name for the surface machining group.
Select Tools — Click to display the Select Tool dialog, where you can select a tool for the operation.
Close — Click to save any changes and close the dialog.
Cancel — Click to discard any changes and close the dialog.
Apply — Click to apply any changes.