Use the Import Vise add-in to import vises into FeatureCAM for 3D simulation and gouge checking.
To import a vise into FeatureCAM:
- Load the Import_Vise.bas add-in.
- Select Add-Ins tab > Macros panel > Import_Vise.
The Import Vise dialog is displayed.
- In the
Vise list, select the vise you want to import.
A preview of the vise is displayed in the dialog.
Vises
- Select an option in the Part position in vise list to specify how to align the part in the vise.
- Under Part along, select the axis that you want to be perpendicular to the jaws to specify the orientation of the part in the vise.
- Under
X offset from position, enter the offset of the part along the axis parallel to the jaws. You can enter a negative value.
For example, select a Part position in vise of Left and enter a X offset from position of -1 to extend the part by 1 inch past the left edge of the jaws.
- Under Amount of part held, enter the height at which to hold the part in the vise. If this value is set to 0 it is ignored and the part is held at the bottom of the vise. This option is unavailable when using parallels.
- Under
Jaws position, select how you want to position the jaws to hold the part.
For Selected Solid Faces, Selected Surfaces, and Selected geometry, select items in the graphics window.
- For vises with multiple holding positions, select Alternative holding to use the alternative holding position.
- To add parallels to raise the part in the vise, select
Add parallels and select the
Parallels dimensions from the list.
To add a custom parallel:
- In the Parallels dimensions list, select Custom.
- Select Metric to enter the dimensions in cm, or deselect it to enter the dimensions in inches.
- Enter the width (W), length (L), and thickness (T) dimensions.
- Select Save to library to add your custom parallel to the Parallel dimensions list.
- Click Import to import the vise.
Turning chucks
- Under Part along, select the axis about which the chuck rotates to specify the orientation of the part in the vise.
- Under Z offset from position, enter an offset to raise or lower the part in the jaws.
- Under Part length from Jaws Faces, enter the length of part you want to extend past the top of the jaws.
- Under
Jaws position, select how you want the jaws to hold the part.
For Selected Solid Faces, select solid faces in the graphics window.
- Select the Jaws types you want to use.
- Click Import to import the vise.
Setup Activate add-in
You may find the Setup Activate add-in useful when using the Import vise add-in. You can use the Setup Activate add-in to automatically hide vise solids associated with the non-active setup.