Delcam FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help 2-2

7/17/2019 Delcam FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help 2-2

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FeatureCAM 15.0

Reference Help

By Delcam plc

Release Issue 1.0


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Disclaimer

Delcam plc has no control over the use made of the software described inthis manual and cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage

howsoever caused as a result of using the software. Users are advised that

all the results from the software should be checked by a competent

person, in accordance with good quality control procedures.

Information contained in this manual is subject to change without noticeand does not represent a commitment by Delcam plc. The software

described in this manual is furnished under licence agreement and may be

used or copied in accordance with the terms of such licence. No part of

this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by anymeans, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording,

for any purpose without the express permission of Delcam plc.Copyright 1995-2008 Delcam plc. All rights reserved

Acknowledgements

This documentation references a number of registered trademarks and

these are the property of their respective owners. For example, Microsoft

and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of

Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Restricted Rights Legend

The Program and Program Materials are provided with RestrictedRIGHTS. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the United States

Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph

(c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software Clause

at DFARS 252.227-7013, Manufacturer is the Licensor: Delcam plc.

Permission to Copy for Licensed Users

Delcam plc grants permission for licensed users to print copies of this

manual or portions of this manual for personal use only. Schools that are

licensed to use FeatureCAM may make copies of this manual or portionsof this manual for students currently registered for classes where

FeatureCAM is used.

FeatureCAM Version: 15.0 Date: 23/12/2008 12:13


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FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help Contents i

Contents

Import/Export 15Importing files..............................................................................................15

Importing *.dwg, *.dxf files ................................................................17

Importing dimensions from *.dxf and *.dwg files ..............................18

Simplifying 3D AutoCAD data for 2D import....................................18

Importing ACIS files ...........................................................................19Importing Parasolid files......................................................................19

Importing Autodesk Inventor files ......................................................20

Importing Solidworks files ..................................................................20

Importing Solidworks assemblies........................................................20

SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor automatic hole recognition example..............................................................................................................21

Inventor hole recognition.....................................................................23

SolidWorks hole recognition ...............................................................24

SolidEdge hole recognition..................................................................25

Importing Unigraphics files.................................................................25

Importing CATIA V4 files ..................................................................26

Importing CATIA V5 files ..................................................................27

Importing Pro/E files ...........................................................................27

Importing STEP files ...........................................................................27

Importing SolidEdge files....................................................................28

Importing STL .....................................................................................28

Importing DMT ...................................................................................28

Digitized data import/export options...................................................28

Format of digitized files.......................................................................29

Importing IGES files............................................................................29

Working with imported geometry .......................................................31

General Import/Export Options ...........................................................32

Import/Export Options.........................................................................34

SolidWorks Export settings .................................................................34

AutoCAD Export settings....................................................................36

Exporting files..............................................................................................37

Exporting DXF and DWG files ...........................................................37

Exporting IGES Files...........................................................................38Save STL dialog ..................................................................................38


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ii Contents FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help

Import/Export Options.........................................................................39

Generating/simulating toolpaths 40Simulating parts ...........................................................................................40

Interaction between viewing and simulation ...............................................41

How to generate toolpaths ...........................................................................41

Using simulation video-style controls .........................................................42

Pausing a toolpath simulation......................................................................43

Region of interest.........................................................................................43

Preview simulation button ...........................................................................44

Part Compare ...............................................................................................45

Part compare example..................................................................................46

Simulation options .......................................................................................47

General simulation options..................................................................472D/3D simulation options....................................................................49

Centerline simulation options..............................................................52

Rapidcut conversion tolerance.............................................................54

Part compare rest material ...................................................................54

Target part tessellation tolerance.........................................................55

Wire simulation options.......................................................................56

Simulating 3D toolpaths ..............................................................................56

Mixing 3D simulation and rapidcut.............................................................57

Detecting gouges..........................................................................................58Fixture and clamp collision detection..........................................................59

Simulating multiple setups...........................................................................59

Manufacturing errors ...................................................................................60

Tool load ......................................................................................................61

Power graph sample/min .............................................................................62

Part documentation 63Manufacturing reports..................................................................................63

Reports .................................................................................................63Operation List ......................................................................................64

Manufacturing tool detail sheet ...........................................................65

Changing the fonts for the reports in the Manufacturing Feedback

window.................................................................................................65

Op List tab....................................................................................................65

Simulation control using the Op List tab.....................................................66

Breakpoints in Op List tab ...........................................................................66

Display a single Z level ...............................................................................66

Viewing centerlines for an operation...........................................................67Viewing intermediate shaded simulations...................................................68


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FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help Contents iii

Turn operation order ....................................................................................69

Feature and operation editing using the Op List tab....................................69

Overriding the tool, feed or speed for multiple operations at once .............70

Printing.........................................................................................................70

File Print Preview command ...............................................................71File Print Setup command ...................................................................71

Tooling 72Overview of tooling .....................................................................................73

Previewing the automatically-selected tool .................................................73

Tool numbering............................................................................................74

Tooling database ..........................................................................................75

Initializing FeatureCAM databases .............................................................75

Shared Network Database............................................................................75Tool Manager...............................................................................................76

Adding tools to an existing tool crib............................................................77

Adding a new tool grade for turning operations..........................................78

How to delete a tool crib..............................................................................78

How to import tooling..................................................................................78

How to export tooling..................................................................................79

How to explicitly set a tool for a milling operation.....................................80

How to explicitly set a tool for a turning operation.....................................80

How to put two tools in the same tool slot ..................................................80How to use an insert drill to drill and bore in the same program ................80

Form tools ....................................................................................................81

Creating a form tool .....................................................................................81

Displaying a profile of an existing tool .......................................................82

Using a form tool or insert drill for drilling operations ...............................82

Using an insert drill for both drilling and boring.........................................83

Iscar Cut-grip tooling...................................................................................83

Milling tools.................................................................................................83

Tooling groups.....................................................................................83Common milling tool parameters ........................................................84

Boring bars for milling ........................................................................85

Chamfer mills ......................................................................................85

Counter bores.......................................................................................86

Countersink..........................................................................................86

Endmill tools........................................................................................87

Face mills.............................................................................................88

Reams...................................................................................................88

Rounding mills.....................................................................................88

Side mills .............................................................................................89


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iv Contents FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help

Spot drills.............................................................................................89

Center drills..........................................................................................90

Taps......................................................................................................90

Thread mills .........................................................................................91

Twist drills ...........................................................................................91Using a form tool or insert drill for drilling operations.......................92

Selecting tools by diameter..................................................................92

Turning tools................................................................................................92

Turning tool overrides tab ...................................................................92

Insert tab ..............................................................................................93

Holder drawing tab ..............................................................................99

Orientation tab .................................................................................. 107

Program point tab ............................................................................. 107

Tool Mapping............................................................................................ 108

Instructions for changing Tool number or Cutter comp........................... 109

Spindles and tool holders .......................................................................... 109

Overview of spindles and toolholders .............................................. 110

Spindles and tool holders dialog....................................................... 110

Displaying spindles or tool holders during simulation..................... 111

Setting the length of tool extending past the holder......................... 111

Detecting gouging with tool holders and spindles ........................... 111

Spindle properties dialog .................................................................. 111

Toolholder properties dialog............................................................. 111

Creating or modifying spindles ........................................................ 112

Creating or modifying toolholders ................................................... 113

Tool holder selection ........................................................................ 113

Tool life management overview ............................................................... 114

Restrictions for tool life management....................................................... 114

Tool Life dialog ........................................................................................ 115

Removing tool life restrictions on a tool .................................................. 116

Turret location........................................................................................... 116

Feeds and speeds 117Overview of feeds and speeds .................................................................. 117

Feeds and speeds tables ............................................................................ 118

Viewing feed/speed tables ........................................................................ 118

Modifying existing feed/speed tables ....................................................... 119

Wire EDM cut data ................................................................................... 119

Adding a new material .............................................................................. 119

Adding a new tool grade for turning operations....................................... 120

Deleting a feed/speed table ....................................................................... 121

How to import feed/speed or cutting data tables ...................................... 121


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FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help Contents v

Creating a text file for wire material databases ........................................ 122

How to export feed/speed tables............................................................... 123

How feedrates are scaled .......................................................................... 124

Setting a feed or speed value for a milled operation ................................ 124

Default feed/speed values for turning....................................................... 124Show/hide material ................................................................................... 125

Initializing FeatureCAM databases .......................................................... 125

Adding default tools and feed/speed tables to the database ..................... 125

Macro programming options .................................................................... 126

Recreating tooling and feed/speed databases if they become corrupt...... 129

Shared Network Database......................................................................... 129

Feed optimization...................................................................................... 130

Feed optimization parameters................................................................... 131

Feedrate optimization example................................................................. 133

Target horsepower .................................................................................... 134

Creating NC code 135Posting your program................................................................................ 135

Post options............................................................................................... 135

Post options for milling .................................................................... 135

Post options for turning .................................................................... 136

Post options FeatureWIRE ............................................................... 138

Saving an NC part program to disk .......................................................... 138Save Options ............................................................................................. 140

Milling macros .......................................................................................... 140

Incremental programming and local coordinate systems ......................... 141

Turning canned cycles .............................................................................. 142

4th Axis (2.5D & 3D) 143Indexing .................................................................................................... 143

Overview of indexing ............................................................................... 144

How to create an indexed program........................................................... 1444th-axis rotation ........................................................................................ 145

4th-axis indexing with a single setup - positioning features .................... 146

4th-axis indexing with multiple setups ..................................................... 147

4th-axis indexing - specifying the tool change position........................... 148

4th axis indexing - How the clearance plane is calculated....................... 149

Restrictions of indexing ............................................................................ 149

The Stock axis........................................................................................... 150

Viewing the stock axis .............................................................................. 150

Wrapping (3D) .......................................................................................... 1504th-axis wrapping ............................................................................. 150


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vi Contents FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help

Overview of 4th-axis wrapping ........................................................ 151

Wrap tolerance.................................................................................. 151

Basic 4th-axis wrapping requirements ............................................. 153

How to create a NC program using 4th-axis wrapping .................... 153

Creating a 4th-axis wrapped feature from a 3D model .................... 154Curve unwrap.................................................................................... 155

Cylindrical cams ............................................................................... 155

How to create a cylindrical CAM..................................................... 156

Cut sides perpendicular to index axis............................................... 157

Restrictions for cut sides perpendicular............................................ 158

Restrictions of 4th-axis wrapping..................................................... 159

4-axis simultaneous................................................................................... 160

Multiple fixture documents (2.5D & 3D) 161Example of multiple fixture part............................................................... 162

Multiple fixture part.................................................................................. 162

Editing a multiple fixture design .............................................................. 163

Configuration ............................................................................................ 163

Layout ....................................................................................................... 163

Individual blocks....................................................................................... 164

Single block .............................................................................................. 164

Nested ....................................................................................................... 164

Stock.......................................................................................................... 165Completing the multiple fixture part ........................................................ 166

Parts list..................................................................................................... 166

Saving and opening multiple fixture parts................................................ 166

3D surface modeling (3D) 167Surface wizard .......................................................................................... 167

Surface definition...................................................................................... 168

Surface design hints .................................................................................. 168

Surface editing .......................................................................................... 169Surface editing hints ................................................................................. 169

Surfaces from curves ................................................................................ 170

Extrude surface ................................................................................. 170

Revolution......................................................................................... 172

Sweep................................................................................................ 175

Ruled................................................................................................. 179

Coons ................................................................................................ 182

Mesh.................................................................................................. 183

Loft.................................................................................................... 186Cap .................................................................................................... 189


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FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help Contents vii

Surface primitives ..................................................................................... 192

Sphere ............................................................................................... 192

Cylinder ............................................................................................ 195

Flat surface........................................................................................ 196

Surfaces from one surface......................................................................... 197Surface region ................................................................................... 197

Reverse surface ................................................................................. 199

Surface offset .................................................................................... 200

Extend ............................................................................................... 201

Trim surface...................................................................................... 203

Untrim surface .................................................................................. 207

Split surface ...................................................................................... 209

Surface from multiple surfaces ................................................................. 210

Fillet .................................................................................................. 210

Merging surfaces .............................................................................. 215

Surface/surface trimming.................................................................. 216

Surface from feature ......................................................................... 221

Modify surface.................................................................................. 222

Corner blend ..................................................................................... 225

3D solid modeling (Solid Modeling) 230Overview of solids in FeatureCAM.......................................................... 230

Comparison of surface and solid modeling .............................................. 232Part View for solids .................................................................................. 232

Unattached design features ....................................................................... 233

Selecting and deleting solids..................................................................... 234

Verifying that a solid is valid.................................................................... 234

Transforming a solid................................................................................. 235

Solid wizard and Solid toolbar ................................................................. 235

Defining the base solid in the solid wizard............................................... 237

Extrude solid design feature ..................................................................... 237

Using open curves for solid extrudes ............................................... 238Revolved solid design feature................................................................... 238

Examples of solids of revolution...................................................... 239

Using open curves for solids of revolution............................................... 240

Swept solid design feature ........................................................................ 241

Troubleshooting swept solids ........................................................... 242

Lofted solid design feature ....................................................................... 242

Closed lofted solids........................................................................... 243

Overview of stitching................................................................................ 244

Stitching surfaces into solids ............................................................ 244

Troubleshooting stitching ................................................................. 245


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Overview of solid from 2.5D feature........................................................ 245

Creating a solid modeling operation from a 2.5D feature ................ 245

Solid from stock or cube ........................................................................... 246

Creating a solid from the stock dimensions ..................................... 246

Creating a cube solid design feature................................................. 246Extrude surface solid design feature ......................................................... 246

Revolved solid from surface design feature ............................................. 247

Overview of solid fillets ........................................................................... 248

Creating a constant radius solid fillet ............................................... 249

Controlling the shape of solid fillet joints ........................................ 250

Overview of cut solid with parting surface............................................... 250

Cutting a solid with parting surfaces ................................................ 251

Overview of combine solids ..................................................................... 252

Solid operations ................................................................................ 252

How to combine solids ..................................................................... 253

Overview of shell solid design feature ..................................................... 254

Creating a Shell Solid Design Feature.............................................. 254

Troubleshooting shell solid design features ..................................... 255

Silhouette curves....................................................................................... 255

Overview of Silhouette Curves......................................................... 255

Creating silhouette curves or splitting faces of a solid at silhouette curves

........................................................................................................... 256

Include hidden silhouettes ................................................................ 257

Select core/cavity ...................................................................................... 257

Overview of select core/cavity ......................................................... 258

Selecting core or cavity faces from a solid....................................... 259

Creating a solid form core or cavity faces of a solid........................ 260

Split face ................................................................................................... 261

Deleting faces............................................................................................ 262

Explode solid ............................................................................................ 263

Parting surface .......................................................................................... 263

Changing the direction of a segment of a parting surface ........................ 264

Draft a Face............................................................................................... 264

3D surface manufacturing (3D) 267Overview of 3D surface manufacturing ................................................... 267

Overview of surface manufacturing ......................................................... 268

How to create a surface milling feature.................................................... 269

How to add an operation to an existing surface milling feature............... 269

Types of surface milling operations ......................................................... 270

Tool selection for 3D milling features...................................................... 273

Properties dialog for 3D milling ............................................................... 273


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FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help Contents ix

Tree view for surface milling features.............................................. 275

Dimensions tab (3D)......................................................................... 276

Part surfaces ...................................................................................... 276

Check surfaces .................................................................................. 277

Process tab ........................................................................................ 277Machining Side tab (3D) .................................................................. 279

Misc tab............................................................................................. 281

Strategy tab ....................................................................................... 283

Edges tab (3D) .................................................................................. 286

Stock tab ........................................................................................... 288

5-Axis tab.......................................................................................... 289

Slopes tab (3D) ................................................................................. 304

Surface control tab (3D) ................................................................... 307

F/S tab ............................................................................................... 309

Leads tab (3D) .................................................................................. 310

Z level slice classification................................................................. 318

3D milling strategies................................................................................. 318

Types of surface milling operations ................................................. 318

Cutting strategy for new features...................................................... 321

Parallel milling.................................................................................. 323

2D Spiral milling .............................................................................. 328

3D spiral............................................................................................ 335

Radial toolpaths ................................................................................ 339

Z-level roughing ............................................................................... 339

Z-level finishing................................................................................ 350

Isoline milling................................................................................... 358

Flowline ............................................................................................ 361

Between Two Curves........................................................................ 364

Pencil milling.................................................................................... 365

Horizontal + vertical strategy ........................................................... 367

Plunge roughing................................................................................ 368

Four Axis Rotary .............................................................................. 369

Overview of Corner Remachining.................................................... 373Overview of remachining ................................................................. 375

Swarf milling .................................................................................... 380

5-Axis Trim....................................................................................... 387

3D machining attributes............................................................................ 388

3D Milling tab and Manufacturing attributes................................... 388

Switch settings .................................................................................. 388

Attributes .......................................................................................... 399

Default 3D attributes......................................................................... 424

Troubleshooting 3D toolpaths .................................................................. 426


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Extending FeatureCAM 427FeatureCAM add-ins................................................................................. 427

Installing new add-ins............................................................................... 427

Loading the example add-ins that were installed with FeatureCAM....... 428

Running the API examples provided with FeatureCAM ......................... 429

Creating toolbar buttons for macros ......................................................... 430

Assigning a macro to a toolbar button...................................................... 431

Feature Recognition (RECOG or 3D) 432Overview of feature recognition ............................................................... 433

Types of features that can be recognized.................................................. 434

Feature recognition examples ................................................................... 435

Hole recognition........................................................................................ 436Slot recognition......................................................................................... 438

Boss recognition........................................................................................ 439

Pocket recognition .................................................................................... 441

Side recognition ........................................................................................ 441

Face feature recognition............................................................................ 442

Methods of feature recognition................................................................. 442

Styles of automatic feature recognition .................................................... 443

Invoking the automatic feature recognition wizard.................................. 445

Automatic feature recognition error ......................................................... 445Invoking the automatic option of new feature wizard.............................. 445

Automatic boss recognition on solid models............................................ 445

Interactively extracting chamfers from a solid or surface model ............. 446

Automatic pocket recognition on solid models ........................................ 446

Automatic side recognition on solid models ............................................ 448

How to recognize features from surfaces ................................................. 449

Feature recognition surface requirements................................................. 451

How to recognize all holes in a setup ....................................................... 451

How to recognize features from surfaces using curve chaining............... 452

How to recognize pockets and bosses from top or bottom surfaces......... 453

How to recognize pockets automatically from solids............................... 453

New feature - pocket recognition options................................................. 454

How to recognize drafted features............................................................ 454

How to recognize face features from flat surfaces ................................... 456

Rerecognition wizard................................................................................ 456

Unchanged features .......................................................................... 457

New features ..................................................................................... 457

Modified features.............................................................................. 457

Deleted features ................................................................................ 457


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FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help Contents xi

Tombstone machining (TOMB) 458Overview of tombstone machining........................................................... 459

Specifying tombstone dimensions ............................................................ 459

Creating global fixture coordinate systems from setups on placed parts . 460

Creating global fixture coordinate systems on the tombstone.................. 461

Creating a tombstone machined part ........................................................ 462

Adding a part to the tombstone................................................................. 462

Specifying ordering of tombstone operations........................................... 462

Saving and opening tombstone parts ........................................................ 463

Tombstone delete button........................................................................... 463

Tombstone edit button .............................................................................. 463

Tombstone reload button .......................................................................... 464

Overview of 5-axis positioning (5-axis Pos) 4655-axis positioning example ....................................................................... 466

5-axis machine types................................................................................. 466

Use alternative 5 axis position.................................................................. 471

5-axis positioning using a single coordinate system ................................ 473

5-axis positioning using fixture offsets..................................................... 475

Rotation of primary axis ........................................................................... 476

Turn/milling (TURN/MILL) 477Turnmilling ............................................................................................... 478

Beginning a turnmill part .......................................................................... 478

Turn/mill feature type dialog .................................................................... 479

Features appropriate for turn/mill ............................................................. 479

Feature location......................................................................................... 480

Tool selection for turn/mill features ......................................................... 480

Feed rates for turn/mill features................................................................ 481

Polar interpolation in turnmill................................................................... 481

Generate single program for all setups ..................................................... 481

Introduction to FeatureWIRE for FeatureMILLusers 482

Simulated slug removal ............................................................................ 483

FeatureWIRE feature types....................................................................... 483

Multiple curves in a single 2-axis wire EDM feature....................... 484

Die..................................................................................................... 484

Punch ................................................................................................ 485Side ................................................................................................... 485


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Side feature restrictions .................................................................... 486

Wire EDM Taper .............................................................................. 486

Types of wire EDM tapers................................................................ 486

Default conical corner....................................................................... 487

ISO cylindrical corner....................................................................... 487Variable taper table........................................................................... 488

4-axis Die feature (Wire) .................................................................. 488

4-axis Punch feature (Wire).............................................................. 489

4-axis Side feature (Wire)................................................................. 489

Wire EDM feature recognition......................................................... 489

New feature - surface boundaries ..................................................... 491

Alignment of 4-axis curves............................................................... 492

Overview of EDM operations................................................................... 493

Operations (FeatureWIRE) ............................................................... 494

Retract operation............................................................................... 494

Stop operation................................................................................... 495

Overview of Pocketing Cycle ........................................................... 497

Overview of Zig-Zag Cycle.............................................................. 498

Start point for Zig-Zag Cycle ........................................................... 498

Cutoff operation................................................................................ 499

Contour operation ............................................................................. 499

Attributes................................................................................................... 501

Strategy tab ....................................................................................... 501

Start tab ............................................................................................. 511

Misc tab............................................................................................. 514

Cuting data tab .......................................................................................... 517

New cutting condition............................................................................... 517

Feed, water and cutter compensation registers ......................................... 518

Network security version (Net) 520

Overview of multi-axis multi-turret turning (MTT) 521Setting up a part for multi-spindle turning ............................................... 522

Setting up a part for multi-turret turning .................................................. 523

Turrets tab ................................................................................................. 523

Time view ......................................................................................... 524

Operation view.................................................................................. 524

Automatic synchronized turning............................................................... 528

Viewing a turret's NC code....................................................................... 529


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FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help Contents xiii

Machine simulation (MSIM) 530Machine design overview ......................................................................... 530

Lathe design overview .............................................................................. 532

Machine design concepts .......................................................................... 534

Full Machine Simulation overview .......................................................... 536

Specifying file for machine simulation..................................................... 537

Setup simulation information.................................................................... 537

Using Full Machine Simulation................................................................ 537

Machine design tutorial ............................................................................ 539

Specify movement .................................................................................... 547

Parent/child relationship ........................................................................... 548

Top-most table .......................................................................................... 549

Subspindle................................................................................................. 550

Add tool location....................................................................................... 551

Local coordinate system ........................................................................... 555

Tool block for turret.................................................................................. 556

G53 Z0 before indexing ............................................................................ 558

G28 before tool change............................................................................. 559

Delete tool location................................................................................... 559

Positioning turning tool holders in a tool block ....................................... 559

How does FeatureCAM make its decisions? 561How holes are manufactured .................................................................... 561

How bosses are manufactured .................................................................. 562

How is a chamfer machined?.................................................................... 562

How faces are manufactured..................................................................... 563

How is a face groove machined? .............................................................. 563

How is a simple face groove machined? .................................................. 564

How is an ID or OD groove machined? ................................................... 564

How pockets are manufactured ................................................................ 564

How rectangular pockets are manufactured ............................................. 565

How is a round machined?........................................................................ 566

How sides are manufactured..................................................................... 566

How slots are manufactured ..................................................................... 567

How Step Bores are manufactured ........................................................... 567

Manufacturing draft angles or bottom radius regions .............................. 568

Manufacturing milled features with tapered walls ................................... 568

How a turn feature is manufactured.......................................................... 568

How a bore feature is manufactured......................................................... 569

How a turned groove feature is manufactured.......................................... 569

How a thread feature is manufactured...................................................... 569How a cutoff feature is manufactured ...................................................... 570


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xiv Contents FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help

How a turned face feature is manufactured .............................................. 570

3D manufacturing ..................................................................................... 570

How do I get the file to the machine? 572Configuring HyperTerminal ..................................................................... 572

EZ-UTILS................................................................................................. 573

Cables........................................................................................................ 573

Serial port pinouts..................................................................................... 574

Support information 575Technical support...................................................................................... 575

What does this warning mean? ................................................................. 575

General information on manufacturing errors .................................. 575Manufacturing errors ........................................................................ 576

Error hints dialog box ....................................................................... 576

Warning codes .................................................................................. 577

Error codes........................................................................................ 581

Index 585


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FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help Import/Export 15

Importing filesTo import CAD files:

1. Open a new or existing part file. You must have a part open toimport geometry.

2. Select File > Importfrom the menu.

The Import function is not available unless you already have a part file

open. A standard Browse dialog for Windows appears. You can also set afew parameters in the Import Optionsdialog such as replacing existingprofiles with newly imported profiles with the same name. You can also

set how fine to smooth the curves and to keep a *.igeslog file.

You can set the file type and folders you want to import from or simplybrowse until you locate the file you want to import.

After importing the file, the Import Resultswindow opens.

FeatureCAM can import these formats. If the description listed has (3D)

following it, you need FeatureMILL3D or the Solid Import Module to

import it.

Type Description LatestVersion

*.dwg

(see page

17)

AutoCAD files (3D for embedded

solids)

2008

*.dxf (see

page 17)

AutoCAD files (3D for embedded

solids)

2008

Import/Export


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16 Import/Export FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help

*.iges

(see page

29)

Industry standard neutral CAD

files (3D for surface or solids)

5.3

*.geo Bridgeport EZ-CAM 2D geometry*.xmt and

*.xmb(see page

19)

Parasolid-based solid models (3D) 19.1

*.sat and

*.sab (see

page 19)

ACIS-based solid models (3D) 18

*.sldprt(see page

20)

SolidWorks files (3D) 2008

*.sldasm

(see page20)

SolidWorks assembly files (3D) 2008

*.mod

and

*.model

(see page26)

CATIA V4 files (This module is

priced separately.)

4.2.x

*.ipt and

*.iam (see

page 20)

Autodesk Inventor files (3D) 2008

*.prt,

*.prt,

*.asm and*.asm

(see page

27)

Native Pro/ENGINEER files (This

module priced separately.)

Wildfire 4

*.catpart

(see page

27)

CATIA V5 files (This module

priced separately.)

R18

*.par (see

page 28)

Native SolidEdge files (3D) V19


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*.prt (see

page 25)

Unigraphics native files (priced

separately)

NX5

*.stp or

*.step(see page

27)

STEP files (priced separately) AP

203/AP214

Importing *.dwg, *.dxf files

FeatureMILL supports the import of the *.dwgand *.dxfentities below.Up to the AutoCAD 2007 version is supported for importing *.dwgand*.dxffiles. *.dxffiles have both ASCII and binary forms, *.dwgfileshave only binary form, all of these formats are supported.

FeatureMILL supports the import of the following *.dwgand *.dxfentities. If the entity has a (3D) listed after it, then FeatureMILL3D or the

Solid Import Module is required.

.dxf entity FeatureMILL object

LINE line from 2 points

POLYLINE lines from 2points

POLYLINEwith smooth

vertices

curve (see Digitized data import/export options(see page 28))

POLYGON

MESH

surface (see Digitized data import/export options

(see page 28))

LINE3D line from 2 points

POINT point

SPLINE (DXFonly) curve

UCS UCS

SEQEND line from 2 points

LAYER layer

VERTEX line from 2 points

COLOR object colors are maintained upon import


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CIRCLE circle center radius

arc center begin end

arc center begin end

curve

ARC arc center begin end

curve, if asymmetrically scaled

INSERT DXF

BLOCK

BODY

SHEET

3DSOLID

trimmed surfaces (3D)



DIMENSION dimension object (see Importing dimensions from*.dxf and *.dwg files (see page 18))

See Simplyfying 3D AutoCAD data for 2D import (see page 18) for

further details.

Importing dimensions from *.dxf and *.dwg files

AutoCAD files can contain two different spaces, model space and paperspace. Model space is where you draw up geometry, 3D solids, and so on.

Paper space is the formatted space where multiple views are formatted.

Most AutoCAD files have only model space. FeatureCAM can import

dimensions in both model space and paper space.

AutoCAD dimensions are imported as FeatureCAM dimensions. That

means that you can modify the color of the dimension, easily delete the

entire dimension or use the Showor Hidepull-out menus to toggle thedisplay of dimensions.

Simplifying 3D AutoCAD data for 2D importMany AutoCAD models are comprised of higher level objects such as

3DSOLIDs or BODYs. If you have licensed FeatureMILL3D or the Solid

Import Module, you can import these entities directly into FeatureCAM.

If not, you must simplify this data before importing.

To import the geometry that is used to create the 3DSOLIDs, select your

model and then use the EXPLODE command, or the Explodepull-outfrom the Modifytoolbar, to repeatedly reduce your model into these

more primitive elements.


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When exploding solids you often get duplicate lines and circles. Any

edge that was shared between two different faces will be duplicated. This

repeated geometry causes trouble if you try to chain the geometry bydouble-clicking. To work around this, you can:

Chain manually, by picking each piece individually

Use AutoCAD to explode specific faces of the model (not theentire model), and then do chaining normally with double-click or

piece-to- piece

Remove duplicate pieces in EZFM and then do chaining normally

To see if you have imported geometry:

1. Select a line or circle.

2. Look at the object's name listed in the status bar. Imported lineshave names that begin with_lnand imported circles have namesthat begin with_circ.

3. Select the object again.

4. See if the same name is listed in the status bar.

5. If a duplicate name appears and selected geometry is the same,delete the second occurrence of the geometry.

If your AutoCAD model contains layers, those layers will be retained

upon import.

Importing ACIS files

This function requires FeatureMILL3D or the Solid Import Module.

CAD systems that use the ACIS kernel can create files of type *.sat.These files contain the solid models created by systems including

Mechanical Desktop, CadKey and others. These solids can also be

imported in *.dwgand *.dwffiles. FeatureCAM can import ACIS files

of version 14.0 or earlier.

FeatureCAM cannot import wireframe models, only solids. The

normals of solids are reverse for ACIS models since the ACIS

convention is opposite of the FeatureCAM convention.

Importing Parasolid files

This function requires FeatureMILL3D or the Solid Import Module.


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CAD systems that use the Parasolid kernel can create files of type *.xmt.These files contain the solid models created by systems including

SolidWorks, SolidEdge and Unigraphics. FeatureCAM can import

ASSEMBLIES and PARTS that are made up of BODIES.

FeatureCAM can import files of version 18.0 or earlier of the Parasolidlibrary. Later versions may be supported since then, so please visit

FeatureCAM.com for further information.

SolidWorks is a registered tradename of Solidworks Inc.

Parasolid, SolidEdge and Unigraphics are registered tradenames of

Siemens AG.

Importing Autodesk Inventor filesAutodesk inventor *.iptfiles can be directly imported into FeatureCAM.Only the final 3D solid model is imported, 2D geometry, assemblies, and

sketches are not imported. Solids contained in Autodesk Inventor

assembly files can also be imported directly from *.iamfiles. Files up toand including Inventor version 2008 can be imported.

Importing Solidworks files

The files have a *.sldprtextension. Only the final solid model isimported. No geometry or curves are imported and the construction

history is also not imported. This means that you only get a single solid

and not the individual design features from SolidWorks.

SolidWorks configurations are also supported. If there are multiple

configurations, you are prompted for which one you want to import.

At the time of writing, SolidWorks2006 (or earlier version) files can beread directly into FeatureCAM. Later versions may be supported since

then. Please visit FeatureCAM.com for further information.See also Color in Solidworks and .x_t files,Importing Solidworks

assemblies (see page 20) and Importing_other_CAD_files (see page 15).

Importing Solidworks assemblies

The solids contained in Solidworks assemblies (files with a *.sldasmextension) can be imported if you have the *.sldasmfile and all of thereferenced *.sldprtfiles.


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Files written with SolidWorks 2002 or earlier requires that youhave a copy of SolidWorks on the same computer on which

FeatureCAM is installed. Solidworks is run automatically by

FeatureCAM to extract the solids and send them to FeatureCAM.

Files written with Solidworks 2003 or a later version do not requireyou to have a resident copy of SolidWorks.

Each solid of the assembly is loaded into a single FeatureCAM document.

See also Importing Solidworks files (see page 20), Color in Solidworksand .x_t files, and Importing other CAD files (see page 15).

SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor automatic holerecognition example

The solid part is initially imported as follows:


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After recognizing and suppressing the holes the model appears as shown

below. Note that the holes are filled in. The circles that are visible are

actually the top of the hole features that were recognized.

By looking at the Part view, you can see that eight holes were createdautomatically.


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Inventor hole recognition

This is the final page of the import wizard if you have imported an

Autodesk Inventor part file (see page 20). If you have Inventor on your

computer, you have the option of using Inventor to recognize and

suppress the holes in the solid model as shown in this example (see page

21). Using Inventor to recognize holes is the only way to recognize non-

geometric information, like threads for tapped holes. The suppression is

used to remove the holes from the solid model so that FeatureCAM does

not try to recognize them again if you run FeatureCAM's automatic

feature recognition (AFR) (see page 432).

There are two important points regarding this page:

Only holes that were created using Inventor hole features will be

recognized automatically. Holes that were created as extrusionshave to be recognized using FeatureCAM's automatic feature

recognition.

You must have Inventor on the same machine where you arerunning FeatureCAM for this method to work.

To complete this page:

1. To use Inventor to recognize the hole, select Use Inventor toextract information about hole types and dimensions.

2. If you also want the holes suppressed, or removed from the solidmodel after they are recognized, select Suppress recognizedholes in imported model.

3. If you do not want to perform hole recognition using Inventor,select Use FeatureCAM to recognize holes later.

4. Click Finish.

It may take some time to start up Inventor and recognize the holes,

so please be patient.


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SolidWorks hole recognition

This is the final page of the import wizard if you have imported a

SolidWorks part file (see page 20). If you have SolidWorks on your

computer, you have the option of using SolidWorks to recognize and


21). Using SolidWorks to recognize holes is the only way to recognize

non-geometric information, like threads for tapped holes. The suppression

is used to remove the holes from the solid model so that FeatureCAM

does not try to recognize them again if you run FeatureCAM's automatic

feature recognition (AFR) (see page 432).

There are four important points regarding this page:

Only holes that were created using SolidWorks hole wizard will be


recognition.

FeatureCAM supports recognizing tapped, counter drill andcounter bore holes created in SolidWorks. We don't support

reaming or boring since those are dependent on tolerance.

You must have SolidWorks on the same machine where you arerunning FeatureCAM for this method to work.

FeatureCAM will recognize Solidworks patterns only if thosepatterns can be mapped to a FeatureCAM pattern.


1. To use SolidWorks to recognize the hole, select Use SolidWorksto extract information about hole typesand dimensions.


3. If you do not want to perform hole recognition using SolidWorks,select Use FeatureCAM to recognize holes later.

4. Click Finish.

It may take some time to start up SolidWorks and recognize theholes, so please be patient.


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SolidEdge hole recognition

This is the final page of the import wizard if you have imported a

SolidEdge part file (see page 28). If you have SolidEdge on your

computer, you have the option of using SolidEdge to recognize and


21). Using SolidEdge to recognize holes is the only way to recognize

non- geometric information, like threads for tapped holes. The

suppression is used to remove the holes from the solid model so that

FeatureCAM does not try to recognize them again if you run

FeatureCAM's automatic feature recognition (AFR) (see page 432).

There are three important points regarding this page:

Only holes that were created using SolidEdge hole wizard will be


recognition.

You must have SolidEdge on the same computer where you arerunning FeatureCAM for this method to work.

FeatureCAM will recognize SolidEdge patterns only if thosepatterns can be mapped to a FeatureCAM pattern.


1. To use SolidWorks to recognize the hole, select Use SolidEDGEto extract information about hole typesand dimensions.


3. If you do not want to perform hole recognition using SolidEdge,select Use FeatureCAM to recognize holes later.

4. Click Finish.

It may take some time to start up SolidEdge and recognize the holes,

so please be patient.

Importing Unigraphics files

Native Unigraphics (or UG) *.prtfiles can be imported directly intoFeatureCAM. Only solid models are imported. Importing native

Unigraphics files requires licensing the Unigraphics import module.


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At the time of writing FeatureCAM supports versions 11-18, NX, NX2

and NX3. Later versions may be supported since then, so please visit

FeatureCAM.com for more information.

Importing CATIA V4 filesCATIA version 4 (specifically versions 4.1.x or 4.2.x) files can be

imported directly into FeatureCAM. Note that importing CATIA files

requires the purchase of a separate optional module. These files must

have a *.modor *.modelextension. In general, only 3D surface andsolid models can be imported, but composite curves can also be imported.

A log of the import is recorded in windows\temp\catia.txt.

CATIA Object Type FeatureCAM Object Type

Point Not translated

Line Curve

Circle Curve

Ellipse, Hyperbola, Parabola Curve

Curve Curve

Composite curve Curve

NURBS curve Curve

Polynomial surface, B-spline

polynomial surface

Surface

NURBS surface Surface

Skin Surfaces or solid depending onoption settings (see page 32).

Exact solid Surfaces or solid depending on

option settings (see page 32).

Polyhedral solid Surfaces or solid depending on

option settings (see page 32).


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Importing CATIA V5 files

CATIA V5 files can be imported directly. This requires the purchase of

an optional import module. These files must have an extension of

*.catpart. A log of the import is recorded in windows\temp\catia.txt.Only solid models are read from a CATIA V5 file. Any curves orsurfaces read must be part of a solid. Colors are preserved upon import.

The CATIA V5 import module will not import CATIA V4 files.

CATIA V4 import must be licensed separately.

Not all CATIA solids can be imported into FeatureCAM as solids.

This is because the solid modeling technology used by FeatureCAM

requires that a solid be truly watertight, and CATIA uses a different

solid modeling technology that allows for solid models that aren'ttruly watertight. So the bottom line is that FeatureCAM won't be

able to import every CATIA solid as a solid, but it should be able to

bring them in as surfaces at the very least. If you import-as-

surfaces, then you should be able to stitch the surfaces into a solid

with some amount of retrimming/remodelling effort depending upon

the quality of the original CATIA model.

Importing Pro/E files

These files must have an extension of *.prt, *.prt.(forexamplefoo.prt.8), *.asmor *.asm.(for examplebar.asm.23). Only solid models are imported from Pro/E. The solid

models are imported as Surfaces or solid depending on option settings

(see page 32). Only solids are read from a Pro/E file. Any curves or

surfaces read must be part of a solid. Importing native Pro/E files requires

licensing the separate Pro/E import module.

You can import Pro/E v16-v20, 2000i, 2000i2, 2001, Wildfire1-4 files

directly into FeatureCAM. Later versions may be supported since then, so

please visit FeatureCAM.com for further information.

Importing STEP files

FeatureCAM can import solid models via STEP AP203 or AP214. The

solid models are imported as Surfaces or Solids depending on option

settings (see page 32).

AP203 and AP214 contain the same geometry specifications. AP214

allows support for attributes which are not present in AP203 (color, line

thickness, line type, and so on).


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Importing SolidEdge files

FeatureCAM can import the solid models directly from a native

SolidEdge (*.par) file. The solid models are imported as Surfaces orSolids depending on option settings (see page 32).

Up to V18 is supported. Later versions may be supported since then.

Please visit FeatureCAM.com for more information.

Importing STL

STL (Standard Tessellation Language) is a file format native to

stereolithography CAD software. A standard format STL file can be

imported directly into FeatureCAM with no special license or optional

reader (STL import is part of the 2D milling product). These files must

have a *.stlextension. The result is an STL 'blob' which is all thetriangles as a single pickable unit, that is, not separate solids, or separate

faces. The blob can then be machined using 3D techniques for rapid

prototyping (surface manufacturing - in the 3D product), or can be used

as a stock model (in all products).

FeatureCAM supports both binary and ASCII STL.

Importing DMT

DMT (Delcam's Machining Triangles) is a file format generated byDelcam (http://www.delcam.com)'s CAD software including

PowerMILL, PowerSHAPE, and CopyCAD. The file has the extension of

*.dmtand can be imported directly into FeatureCAM. The DMT filerepresents 3D models as triangles, similar to an STL (see page 28) file.

Any function or operation that can be applied to an STL file can also be

applied to a DMT file.

Digitized data import/export options

Digitized data is imported into FeatureMILL through DXF POLYLINE

entities. The Digitized data import/export options affect how this data is

imported. These settings only affect the import of the data. If you want to

change one of these options, you must remove the old data and import the

*.dxffile again.

Non-smooth Polyline Import

If a non-smooth polyline is imported it is imported as a curve if As

curveis selected. If As connected linesis selected, the polyline isimported as a series of line segments.


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Smooth Polyline Import

If the POLYLINE has smooth vertices, it is imported as a curve. The

DXF Smooth Polyline Import Method has two settings:

Interpolation - the curve will pass through the data. If the data isvery dense, interpolation will sometimes cause the curve to wiggle

in between the points. The spline interpolation technique is used to

create the curve.

Approximation - the curve will come very close to the datapoints and is unlikely to wiggle for densely-spaced data.

Polygonal Mesh Import

If the POLYLINE is a polygonal mesh it is imported as a surface. The

DXF Polygonal Mesh Import Method has two settings: Interpolation - the surface will pass through all of the data points.

If the data is very dense, some wiggles may appear in the surface.

A cubic hermite technique is used to create the surface.

Approximation - the surface will come close to the data points.The points are used as control points to the surface and the surface

is unlikely to wiggle for densely-spaced data.

Details of digitized file formats (see page 29)

Format of digitized files

Details of DXF digitized file formats:

Example of digitized data format for a 3D point

Example of digitized data format for a two point curve

Example of digitized data format for a spline curve

Example of digitized data format for a surface defined by four corner

points

Importing IGES files

FeatureCAM can read *.igesfiles of version 5.3 or earlier.

It is helpful to set the export settings of your CAD system for properimport.

SolidWorks settings (see page 34)

AutoCAD settings (see page 36)


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For other systems try and ensure that 3D surfaces are exported astrimmed NURBS.

If you are working with Pro/Engineer from Parametric Technology

Corporation set the following IGES import options:

Physically dependent - OFF

Logically dependent - ON

Both physically and logically dependent - ON

See Import/Export Options for more details on these parameters

Import/export options are divided into two tabs:

The General tab (see page 32) contains mainly IGES import options.

The Digitized Data (see page 28) tab contains information on importing

digitized curves and surfaces via DXF.

FeatureMILL can read the following IGES entities. If the 3D column is

checked, then FeatureMILL3D or the Solid Modeling option is required

to read these entities.

Entity IGES Description FM Object Type 3D

100 Circular Arc Circle and arc

102 Composite Curve Curve

104 Conic Arc Curve

106 Copious Data Line

108 Plane Not supported

110 Line Line, multiple lines

112 Parametric Spline

Curve

Curve

114 Parametric Spline

Surface

Surface

116 Point Point

118 Ruled Surface Surface

120 Surface of Revolution Surface

122 Tabulated Cylinder Surface

126 Rational B Spline

Curve

Curve

128 Rational B SplineSurface

Surface


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141 Boundary Curve

142 Curve on Parametric

Surface

Curve

143 Bounded Surface Surface

144 Trimmed Surface Surface

186 Brep Solid with Solid

Modeling, Surfaces

without Solid Modeling

304 Line Font Definition Not supported

408 Subfigure Instance Geometry, curves, or

surfaces

410 View Not supported

502 Vertex Point

504 Edge Curve

508 Loop Curve

510 Face Surface without Solid

Modeling

514 Shell Surfaces without SolidModeling,

Solid with Solid

Modeling

All other IGES entities are ignored. Look in the status bar and the log file

for feedback about the IGES file import. After importing a *.igesfile youwill be told either The IGES file has been imported successfully or

The file example.igesis corrupted and cannot be imported. A log fileis created which details the IGES import process. The name of this file is

specified in the Import Settingsdialog which is displayed with theImport Settingsoption of the Filemenu.

Working with imported geometry

Imported geometry is often less exact than geometry you create directlyin FeatureMILL. End points may not match and you may find that you

have a lot of extraneous data on your screen. Deleting or hiding the

extraneous data greatly speeds up the display of your part. You may also

want to chain your data one piece at a time instead of using automaticchaining.


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Gaps in your data make chaining your geometry into curves more

difficult. With small gaps you may have to adjust the Chainingtoleranceset in Chainingin the Optionsmenu. This tolerancerepresents the distance between endpoints that will automatically be

bridged by the chaining algorithm. By increasing this tolerance you maybe able to automatically close the gaps between endpoints during

chaining. You can change this tolerance in the Chainingdialog. Withsome data you may find that you must manually insert line segments or

arcs to close the gaps in the data. After closing these gaps, you should

find that the data will chain more easily.

General Import/Export Options

Set these options to control how FeatureCAM imports or exports files.

Always replace object on importwhen selected, overwrites objectsof the same name when you import. Deselected prompts for every

replacement. You cant have two objects with the same name.

Smooth EZ-MILL curvessets how to improve EZ-MILL curves onimport as FeatureMILL has a higher resolution curve format.

Keep IGES import log filesets whether to keep a log of the importprocess for later review or troubleshooting.

Review IGES logdisplays the log file (in Notepad) after importing afile.

IGES log file namesets the path and filename for saving a record ofthe import process.


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Physically dependent -generally, this check box should be deselectedto indicate that you do not want physically dependent entities to be

imported. But if you are having trouble with your IGES file and it isn't

importing properly, then try selecting this check box and reimporting.

Entities in an IGES file are marked to be either physically dependent ornot. Those that are marked to be physically dependent are entities that are

used in the construction of other entities. For example, a trimming loop is

physically dependent upon the trimmed surface that uses it. The trimming

loop isn't important all by itself, but is instead a building block of

something else. The trimmed surface will in turn be marked physically

dependent to indicate that it is a building block of a parent entity, a solid.

By selecting Physically dependent, you will be causing FeatureCAMto show everything in the IGES file - not just the top-level entities that are

usually shown, but also all of the lower-level building blocks. This isgenerally not what you want. Generally you want only the top-level

entity, for example the solid. But if you are having trouble importing,

then consider turning on Physically dependent.

Logically dependentcan exist by itself but is also referenced byanother entity (case of groups or grouping situation).

Both physically and logically dependentmeets both logically andphysically dependent criteria (is referenced by at least two other entities -

the parent for the logical link can not be the parent for the physical as

well).

Number of decimal places in IGES exportdetermines how finelydata is exported to the IGES format.

Center stock automaticallywill alter the stock to automatically sizeand position itself so that it covers the imported data. See also Resizing

the stock.

Heal Catia solidwill try and repair the faces or surfaces contained inthe CATIA *.modfile. This option can be time-consuming since it

Documents

Delcam FeatureCAM 15.0 Reference Help 2-2