Introduction: Introduction to 3+2 Milling

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In this final lesson, we will take our first look into the world of 5-axis machining by programming a 5-axis positional, or '3+2' milling part. To program this part, we will utilize both rotational axes to machine normally hard-to-reach areas on our solid model. While this part may seem more complex than parts in previous lessons, we will continue to follow the same workflow to help guide us through the programming of this part.

Step 1: Import, Stock, Machining Prep

  • Open a new document, and close the stock wizard
    • Milling Setup
    • Inch
    • Wizard
    • My Configuration

With a blank milling document open, we can now import our solid model to program features from.

  • Import Premium_3_Part.x_t

The Import Wizard will help us setup our part, covering our stock step, as well as some of our machining prep.

  • Align the Z direction with center of revolved surface, and use the hole in the middle of the part
  • Align the X however you would like
  • Select a simple block stock material computed from size
  • Place the Setup in the center of the stock
  • 5th Axis Positioning
  • Select the center of the hole as the center of rotation for the 5 axis part

Now that we have gone through the familiar process off importing and setting up our solid model, let's import a model to be used to define our stock material, as if we are machining a part that has already been through an operation on a lathe.

  • Import Premium_3_Stock.x_t
  • Use the same alignment as last import

With our stock solid model imported, we simply need to apply this model to the Stock section of FeaturCAM

  • Select Premium_3_Stock.x_t as Stock Solid
    • Open the Stock Properties dialog
    • User-Defined
    • Stock Solid
    • Select the model we imported to define the stock
    • Hide the stock solid

Now that we have completely worked through the import wizard, and defined our stock, we have just a few short steps left before we start programming features.

  • Select the Basic tool crib
  • Select the 5_Axis.cnc post-processor

With our part imported, stock setup, and machining details accounted for, we are ready to start programming!

Step 2: Create Features

Now that we have setup or model for machining, let's start creating features to machine this 5-axis part! To start, lets recognize the hole feature on the top of the part.

  • Create a hole feature to machine the hole on the top of this model
    • Hole from dimensions
    • Extract with feature recognition
    • Along the setup Z-axis
    • Recognize and construct multiple holes
    • Select the hole that was recognized

Notice that FeatureCAM did not recognize the holes around the OD of this part. This has to do with us selecting 'Along the setup Z-axis' as opposed to 'Along a specific vector'. This gives us a peek into how FeatureCAM thinks when recognizing multi-axis features. FeatureCAM looks for vectors to define the Z-direction of a given feature. So in the case of that last feature, FeatureCAM only looked for features that were aligned with the Z-direction of Setup1, which we defined earlier.

Now let's create features to machine the remaining holes in this part.

  • Create a hole feature to machine the remaining holes
    • Hole from dimensions
    • Extract with feature recognition
    • Along a specific vector
    • Recognize all holes
    • Recognize and construct multiple holes
    • Select All

As you probably saw, we had the option to specify a vector to define a new hole feature, but opted to automatically recognize all the remaining holes. We certainly could have specified five separate vectors to help recognize the five remaining holes, but in the interest of time, chose to use FeatureCAM's built-in intelligence to recognize the simple hole features.

Now we can move on to the two remaining features. As we saw with the hole features, we will need to help FeatureCAM recognize our 5-axis features by somehow specifying a vector to look along. The way we do this in FeatureCAM is by creating new setups, where the Z-direction is consistent with how you would like your tool aligned when machining the feature. With all features, with the exception of holes, as we saw, we will need to create additional setups before recognizing the feature.

  • Create a pocket feature to machine the pocket in this model
    • New Feature Wizard
    • Create new setup
    • Align to part geometry
    • Align Z perpendicular to a horizontal surface
    • Select the bottom surface of the pocket

With our Z-direction defined, we have everything we need to create this feature. The X-direction and setup location do not matter in this case.

    • Pocket From Curve
    • Extract with Feature Recognition
    • Select side surface
    • Select all the surfaces defining the sides of the pocket.

As a review, to create all features in a 5-axis (3+2) part, we need to somehow define the vector we would like to machine along for a given feature. For holes, we were able to simply specify, or automatically recognize that vector, but for all of other 2.5D and 3D features, we need to create new setups with the Z-direction defining our tool-axis. With that in mind, we can program the remaining feature on this model

  • Create a side feature to machine the open profile on this model
    • Create a new setup defining the machining vector
    • Extract the side feature with feature recognition
    • Select side surfaces
    • Select the five surface defining the feature

Step 3: Simulate, Revise

  • Run a 3D Simulation
  • Run a Machine Simulation

As you can see, Machine Simulations allow us to further visualize the machining of this part, by seeing the machine itself move as the part is machined. 5-axis inherently introduces a lot more moving components, and risk for collision when machining. Machine Simulations in FeatureCAM allows you to specify a ‘Machine Design’ model, and collision check your program before sending it to the machine.

For this part, feel free to make any revisions to the attributes, etc. of this part. Once satisfied, feel free to move on to the next step – NC Code.

Step 4: NC Code

With our final simulation run, our NC Code has been generated and is ready to be sent to the machine.

  • Select the Show NC icon to open our NC code in the Results window.
  • Select the Save NC icon to save the displayed code.
  • Save the NC code to your desired directory.

Note: This exercise is for educational purposes. The post-processor used in this exercise is a generic post-processor used for training that will likely not work for your machine. Do not attempt to run any code generated in this exercise.