Automatic Machining Strategies

By Author: Andy Smith
Total Articles: 1
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Normally, Creating a CAM program, we have to do a lot of things, such as analyzing the features, creating tools, choosing strategies, setting many parameters. Is there any powerful software can do it automatically? Yes! We can find the answer in ZW3D 2011. ZW3D 2011 includes a new CAM technology that extends state of the art of feature recognition with a built-in intelligent knowledge base. Using ZW3D's combination of tools, automation and shop-floor machining logic, ZW3D breaks down part topology into solid features and then analyzes the capabilities of library tools to produce an effective, efficient machining plan and generate a more realistic machining work flow. Here are three tactics using about the new technology:

1. Hole Tactic
Right click to the item of Tactic under the Setup1 in the CAM plan manager to access menu, then right click to select the option of Add Hole Tactic, a hole making tactic will be defined and shown under the item of Tactic. Double click with your left mouse button on the hole tactic you can get the Hole Tactic Manager popup and then go to set the drilling rules such as the sequence ...
... of drilling, parameters of each drilling and the type of axis and so on. Please refer to the picture shown below.

After you have finished those steps go to select machining feature selection. You can either select Hole feature or part as the feature. The rules set in the Hole tactic Manager will be applied to the selected features. Besides the rules will determine which kind of tools will be used according to the feature. Normally the cutting order will be performed according to the feature type such as hole, bore, ream, tap, etc, and it also can be changed by user in the hole tactic manager. Then right click your mouse button on the defined tactic and select the option of "Create/update operation for hole tactic" to calculate the cutting operation automatically.
It can generate not only the 3-axis hole making operations but also the 5-axis operations. Just like the picture as follows

2. Mill2 Tactic
The operation is same to the Hole Tactic. It is used for 2 Axis Milling tactics. Using it to define a Mill2 Tactic which can create "intelligent" rule-based 2 Axis milling operations for the selected feature or part. There is a simple floe to show how it works.

* Firstly, add a Mill2 Tactic.

* Secondly, select the machining feature.

* Thirdly, setting parameters according to your requirements

* Then, All the flat areas will be automatically recognized and the related cutting operation will be generated.

3. Mill3 Tactic
It is used for 3 Axis Milling Using it to define Mill3 Tactic and creating "intelligent" rule-based 3 Axis operations. Engineers can break down part topology into solid features and then analyzes the capabilities of Tool library to produce an effective, efficient machining plan and generate a more realistic machining work flow. The operation of the strategy is very similar to that of the mill2 tactic.

About ZW3D
ZW3D, The All-in-one CAD/CAM, was included into ZWSOFT`s product portfolio in 2010. As the successor of VX CAD/CAM, ZW3D provides ease-of-use, performance, and all-in-one capability. The brand new software can extend enterprise-level mechanical design and engineering capabilities to the desktop at a fraction of the cost of other comparable systems. Experience ZW3D 2010, where the only limit is your imagination. Please go to http://zw3d.zwcad.org/ to download a free 30-day trial today.