Setting up FMS in PartMaker/Mill

To set up Full Machine Simulation in PartMaker/Mill for an existing .job file:

1. Open a Machine Data (.mchdat) file in PartMaker.

   Select ToolMinder > Machine to display the Machine Data dialog. If a .mchdat file is open, the filename is displayed in the title bar of the dialog. If no .mchdat file is open, or you want to select a different one, click Open Machine File and then select the .mchdat file you want to use.

2. Details of the .mchdat file are displayed on the Machine Data dialog. You can view, or modify, the following details:
   • The type of machine, including its axis configuration and table type. These details are displayed in the Machine Configuration area of the dialog.
   • The machine table and its motion axes. Click Properties in the Table area of the dialog to display the Table Properties dialog for the selected table.
   • The tool head and its motion axes. Click Properties in the Tool Head area of the dialog to display the Tool Head Properties dialog.
   • The components comprising the machine housing and their motion axes. Click Components to display the Components dialog.
   • The tool holders used. Click Holder Data to display the Holder Data dialog.

   If you use solid models to represent parts of the milling machine, these models must meet the requirements listed in Creating solid models for Full Machine Simulation.

3. Attach any tool holders defined in the Machine Data file to tools that are used in the Process Table, so the holders appear during simulation.

   To attach tool holders to tools, select Job Optimizer > Tool Assembly to display the Tool Assembly dialog. The dialog displays a list of the tools used in the Process Table and the name of the tool holder to which each tool is attached. To attach a tool holder to a tool:

   1. Select a tool from the list.
   2. Click Select Holder to display the Select Holder dialog and then select a tool holder from the list.
   3. Click OK to return to the Tool Assembly dialog.
   4. To check if the tool assembly is correct, click Tool Assembly Preview to preview a 3D model of the tool and tool holder.

   See Attaching a tool to a holder for FMS in PartMaker/Mill for details of how PartMaker attaches the tool to the holder and then mounts the holder into the tool spindle for Full Machine Simulation in PartMaker/Mill.

4. Select Simulation > Simulation Options to display the Simulation Options dialog, where you can select options to control the simulation, for example the types of collisions detected.