The Steps panel contains an ordered list of steps for creating part programs. Each step is a wizard that presents a series of dialogs for each process. They are listed in the order in which you should use them during the process of creating a part program.
Stock — Click this step to open the
Stock
wizard, which steps you through entering the shape and dimensions of the stock, the stock material, the Setup (part program zero), and the coordinate system for modeling.
Geometry — Click this step to open the
Geometry Constructors dialog. Points, arcs, lines, and other shapes are used to describe the overall shape of parts. Many different geometry tools are available. You can also import geometry from CAD systems.
Curves — Click this step to open the
Curve Creation dialog. Shapes that involve more than a single line or arc are described as curves.
Surfaces — Click this step to open the
Surface Wizard, which steps you through creating surfaces from curves, primitive surfaces, surfaces from one surface, and surfaces from multiple surfaces.
Solids — Click this step to open the
Solid Wizard, which enables you to create solids using numerous techniques.
AFR (Automatic Feature Recognition) — Click this step to open the
Automatic Feature Recognition wizard, which enables you to create features automatically from solid models.
Features — Click this step to open the
New Feature wizard. Features are common shop terms like pocket, or thread. They are created from curves and dimensions. These objects describe your part in 3D and are used to generate toolpaths.
Toolpaths — Click this step to simulate toolpaths from features. You can simulate them in
FeatureCAM using toolpath centerlines, 2D shaded, or 3D solid shaded simulations.
NC Code — Click this step to open the
NC Code dialog. Machine-specific G-codes are generated from the toolpaths. Translators are provided for many different NC controls and include a program for creating new translators.
Customize Manufacturing — Click this step to open the
Customize Manufacturing dialog.
FeatureCAM automates the entire part programming process, you can customize all of the system settings including feed/speed tables, tooling databases, or feature settings.