Machining rings

If you are machining a ring:

  1. Ensure the items you want to machine are visible in the 3D view.
  2. Select the root Assembly in the Project Tree. This displays the Assembly panel below the splitter bar.
  3. In the Tools area of the Assembly panel, click the 3D Machining Wizard button to display the Multi-Sided Machining panel below the splitter bar.
  4. Click Edit Settings to display the Model Type settings.
  5. Select the Ring option.
  6. Click Next to display the Model Size settings.
  7. In the Diameter box, specify the diameter of the ring.
  8. In the Resolution box, specify the resolution of the model.
    Note: A default resolution of 30 pixel/mm is used.
  9. Click Next to display the Machining Orientations settings.
  10. Select the machining orientations you want to use for machining the ring.
  11. Click Next to display the Templates & Supports settings. The settings on the panel depend on your chosen machining orientations.
  12. For each selected orientation, assign a toolpath template.

    The MMBlue.tpl toolpath template is selected by default when using a Three Axis orientation for the first time.

    The MMBlue-Pockets.tpl toolpath template is selected by default when using a Rotary Axis orientation for the first time.

    The Internal.tpl toolpath template is selected by default when using an Inside orientation for the first time.

    The MMBlue.tpl toolpath template is selected by default when using an Indexed orientation for the first time.

    To associate a different toolpath template with a machining orientation:

    1. Click Select to display the Select Toolpath Template dialog.
    2. Open the folder containing the template file (.tpl) , and click the file. Its name is displayed in the File name box.
    3. Click Open to import the template file and close the dialog. Its name is displayed in the Templates & Supports settings.
  13. The 2D HPGL (.plt) post-processor is selected by default. To select an alternative post-processor:
    • Click the Post Processor list, then select the type of post-processor you want to use for your CNC machine.
  14. To use supports during the machining process:
    • In the Bridges area, specify the number of bridges you want to create to hold the piece in position during the machining process in the Number box, and then enter the dimensions of each bridge in the Width and Thickness boxes.
    Note: If you are only using an Indexed template, the page has tab settings instead of bridge settings. If you are using a combination of orientations, you must define the tab settings for the Indexed template and the bridge settings for the Three Axis, Rotary Axis and/or Inside templates. The bridge settings are applied only to the Three Axis, Rotary Axis and/or Inside templates and the tab settings are applied only to the Indexed template.
  15. Customise the remaining settings for the machining orientations.

    When using a Three Axis Template:

    • If you do not want ArtCAM to remove all points with a negative Z value, deselect Remove Negative Points.
    • If you only need to machine the surface positioned against the jig, deselect Machine Both Sides.

    The Boss.3da file is selected by default. To change the boss file used during the machining process:

    1. Click Select in the Boss File area to display the Select Boss Assembly dialog:
    2. Navigate to the folder on your computer in which the ArtCAM Assembly (.3da) file that you want to use is stored.
    3. When you have found the file, click its name. Its name is displayed in the File name box.
    4. Click Open to import the selected ArtCAM Assembly (.3da) file and close the dialog. Its name is displayed in the Templates & Supports settings.

    When using a Rotary Axis Template:

    • In the Jig Diameter box, specify the diameter of the jig you are using to prevent the tool from colliding with the machining jig.
    When using an Inside Template:
    • If you want to machine the inner surface of the ring at the top rather than at the bottom when using an Internal Machining Unit (IMU), select Offset for Bangle.
    When using an Indexed Template:
    • In the Jig Diameter box, specify the diameter of the jig you are using to prevent the tool from colliding with the machining jig.
    • In the Jig Offset box, specify the safe distance that you want to set around the jig.
    • In the Start Angle box, specify the angle at which the tool begins machining the first step. The ring is rotated to this angle on the index machine.
    • In the End Angle box, specify the angle at which the tool machines the last step.
    • In the Number of Steps box, specify the number of steps.
      Note: There is no limit to the number of steps you can use, although ArtCAM only displays up to 1000. Generally, the number of steps required varies according to the level of detail in the ring.
    • To display the toolpath centres in the 3D view, select Show Toolpath Centers. The entry step is shown in green, all intermediate steps are shown in black, and the exit step is shown in red.
      Note: The angle between each intermediate step is equivalent to the start angle divided by the number of steps.
    • To add four tabs around the circumference of the ring, select Add Tabs.
    • To limit the number of tabs to two, select Two Tabs.
    • To offset the tabs from the circumference of the ring, specify the offset distance in the Tab Offset box. A negative value moves the tabs outwards, while a positive value moves the tabs inwards.
      Note: If you offset the tabs inwards and the offset distance goes beyond the offset distance that surrounds the jig, the tabs are removed.
    • To reposition the tabs around the circumference of the ring, click and drag the Tab Rotation slider. Drag the slider to the right if you want to rotate the tabs clockwise, and left if you want to rotate them counter-clockwise.
    • To allow ArtCAM to machine past the position of the jig, select Cut Through To Back.
      Note: You may want to use the Cut Through To Back option when machining hollow pieces or when you are no longer using a jig.
    Note: A message is displayed warning that all jig settings are ignored and that ArtCAM will machine through the back surface of the piece.
  16. Click Next to return to the first page of the Multi-Sided Machining panel. The machining settings are displayed in the Ring Model area of the panel.
Note: The availability of this feature is license dependent.
Parent topic: Using the 3D machining wizard