Sec 3.4] SmartCAM 101

3.4 SMARTCAMSmartCAM is a PC-based, two-dimensional, menu-driven,

graphical part programming system. The part may be defined by selectingan element of the part geometry, such as a line or arc, from an on-screenmenu and entering the endpoint coordinates of the element in responseto system prompts for the X, Y values. Part geometry is displayed aseach element is defined; any errors in the definition can be interactivelycorrected. The tool path is derived directly from this definition and canbe displayed for verification. The part may, more easily and conveniently,be defined using other PC-based CAD packages, such as AutoCAD orPersonal Designer, and ported directly to SmartCAM using a CADdrawing database file called a DXF file. Each machining operation isdefined seperately, on layers within the CAD package Within SmartCAM special functions (such as facing tool paths,pocketing and island avoidance for milling, and rough turning andthreading cycles for turning) are provided to reduce programming time.The program does not have the capabilities of the integrated CAD/CAMprograms described in Chapter 4 although for a PC-based program it isvery effective. It can be used for a range of CNC equipment includingmilling machines, lathes, electric discharge machines (EDM), and flamecutting machines.

The main menu with two sub-menus, called Job Plan and Shape,are shown in Table 3.1. A further two sub-menus of the Shape module,called View and Tool Path, are given in Table 3.2. The purpose of the JobPlan module is to provide a data base of tool information and cuttingparameters. The Shape module is used for part definition and togenerate CNC code. Within Shape, part definition elements may becreated or modified, and finishing and roughing tool paths can begenerated and displayed. As shown in Table 3.2, the View sub-menuallows the user to adjust the graphics display with windows, viewpoint,zoom etc. and the Tool Path sub-menu to enter or change tool pathinformation such as operation sequence, direction of cut, startingposition, tool-path profile, lead-in and lead-out etc. Some of themachining capabilities include:

Wall Offset option, which defines a tool path that is parallel orconcentric to previously defined lines or arcs. It can be used toleave a stock allowance on rectangular and circular profiles or toleave material for a roughing pass.

Roughing option, which is used to Pocket or Face with a mill, Turnor Face with a lathe, and Clear an area with a punch. With thePocket option, in which a cavity is machined in a block ofmaterial, the tool path starts at the centre of the cavity and worksout to the walls. Both Pocket and Face options provide a choice ofLinear, Spiral, or Zig Zag tool paths, Island avoidance and Stockallowance.

Code option, which generates the G-code for a defined tool path.If standardized 'start' and 'end' procedures are required, theinformation to generate these tasks is stored in the Template file

102 Computer-Assisted Programming [Ch.3and is read and incorporated in the part program as the code isgenerated.

Table 3.1SmartCAM Menus

System MenuJob PlanShapeEdit PlusUtilitiesCAM ConnectionTape-to-ShapeDrafting SystemLeave SmartCam

Job Plan sub-menuNew PrintJob Info Files

Tools ReadEdit SaveInsert List DirDelete Del FillMove LeaveCam LayersEdit Delete

Shape sub-menuNewEdit ShapeViewGroupTool PathRoughingCodeFiles

Sec 3.4] SmartCAM 103

Table 3.2SmartCAM Menus

View, sub-menu of ShapeWindow ZoomPanFull Base Chg BaseLast Window View 3D

IsometricShow Path Window Name Window Input WindowGet Window Window ClearOutput Adjust Screen Printer DigitizerList DirColors

Tool Path, sub-menu of ShapeChangeOffsetToolLayerZ-PositionDepthHole OpRapid ClearFollowSequenceTool SortRev OrderProf StartLead In/OutWall OffsetExplodeRoughingPocket(mill)Face (lathe)

104 Computer-Assisted Programming [Ch.33.4.1 Example of SmartCAM Programming

A SmartCAM program for the milling example given in Section2.1.5 is given below. Three sets of geometry for track pocketing, sidecutting and hole pattern are defined within SmartCAM. The relevantcutter paths are produced automatically as each section is defined. Thegeometry can also be defined through AutoCAD, and transferred toSmartCAM as a DXF file. The principle operations are:

1. select JOB PLAN to create a job plan2. select SHAPE and sub-menus NEW and EDIT SHAPE to

create the part geometry3. select SHAPE sub-menu VIEW to display the tool paths4. select SHAPE sub-menu CODE to generate the CNC code5. select EDIT PLUS to list the CNC code

1. JOB PLANIn the NEW menu the filename, metric units, milling operation,

drawing number, part number, machining operations (track pocketing, sidecutting and hole making), and part material (aluminum) are selected. Theend-mill and drill are defined as numbers 1 and 2 respectively and relevantcutter data, such as diameter, length, cutting speed and feed etc., arerecorded. The screen work area, or window limits, required in order todisplay all the geometry and the tool paths for the part is set as:

Min X: -130 Min Y: -100Max X: 130 Max Y: 100

2. SHAPEInsert a tool change pointSelect EDIT SHAPE/Insert/PointEnd X: 150End Y: 130Select Quit

Select the milling tool number 1Select EDIT SHAPE/Update/Feature Chg/ToolSelect a geometry element associated with tool #1Select Element 1Select Tool Number 1Select Clear Z: 30Select Prof Top: 0Select Z Level -5Select Quit

Define and display side cutting profile

Select Start Point Figure 3.2(a)Enter End X: -90Enter End Y: -50Select Line

Sec 3.4] SmartCAM 105

Enter End X: -90 Figure 3.2(a)Enter End Y: 50

Select Arc (intersection CCW) Figure 3.2(b)Enter Radius: 30Enter Centre X: -90

Select Line (intersection) Figure 3.2(b)Enter End X: 90Enter End Y: 50

Select Line Figure 3.2(c)Enter End X: 90Enter End Y: -50

Select Line Figure 3.2(c)Enter End X: -90Enter End Y: -50

Select Chamfer Figure 3.2(d)Angle from 1st element: 45Size parallel 1st element: 25

Select Blend Figure 3.2(d)Select the lineEnter Radius: 30

Select EDIT SHAPE/Update/Feature Chg/Offset Figure 3.2(e)Select a geometry element associated with tool #1Select RightSelect Quit

Define and display track pocket

Select EDIT SHAPE/Insert Figure 3.3(a)Select Start PointEnter End X: 0Enter End Y: -40

Select Line Figure 3.3(a)Enter End X: 20Enter End Y: -40

Select Arc (Tangent) Figure 3.3(a)Enter Radius: 40Enter End X: 20

Select Line (Tangent) Figure 3.3(b)

106 Computer-Assisted Programming [Ch.3Enter End X: -20Enter End Y: 40

Select Arc (Tangent) Figure 3.3(b)Enter Radius: 40Enter End X: -20

Select Line (Tangent) Figure 3.3(b)Enter End X: 0Enter End Y: -40

Select EDIT SHAPE/Update/Feature Chg/Offset Figure 3.3(c)Select a track pocket elementSelect LeftSelect Quit

Rough the pocket Figure 3.3(c)

Select MAIN/Roughing/PocketSelect an element on the pocket boundarySelect SpiralSelect ContinueEnter Finish Allowance: 1Enter Width of Cut: 10Enter Final Depth: -10Select GO

Define and display hole pattern

Insert a tool change pointSelect EDIT SHAPE/Insert/PointEnd X: 150End Y: 130Select Quit

Select the drill, tool number 2Select EDIT SHAPE/Update/Feature Chg/ToolSelect the tool change pointSelect Number 2

Select Start Point Figure 3.4Enter End X: 30Enter End Y: 0

Select EDIT SHAPE/Group/Copy Figure 3.4Select Rotate CopyEnter Pivot Point X: 0Enter Pivot Point Y: 0Enter Rotation Angle: 60

Sec 3.4] SmartCAM 107

Enter Number of Copies: 5

Select EDIT SHAPE/Update/Feature Chg Figure 3.4Select Hole OPSelect the holes associated with the drill (tool #2)Select Clear Z: 30Select Prof Top: 0Select Depth Hole/Full DepthSelect Quit

3. SHAPE/MainSelect VIEW to display tool path

4. SHAPE/MainSelect CODE to generate the CNC codeSelect QuitSelect Leave

5. EDIT PLUSTo list the NC code:Select Files/ReadEnter Filename

A 3-D isometric plot of the part is shown in Figure 3.5.

Figure 3.2(a) SmartCAM sidecutting

108 Computer-Assisted Programming [Ch.3

Figure 3.2(b) SmartCAM sidecutting

Figure 3.2(c) SmartCAM sidecutting

Sec 3.4] SmartCAM 109

Figure 3.2(d) SmartCAM sidecutting

Figure 3.2(e) SmartCAM sidecutting

110 Computer-Assisted Programming [Ch.3

Figure 3.3(a) SmartCAM trackpocket

Figure 3.3(b) SmartCAM trackpocket

Sec 3.4] SmartCAM 111

Figure 3.3(c) SmartCAM trackpocket

Figure 3.4 SmartCAM hole pattern

112 Computer-Assisted Programming [Ch.3

Figure 3.5 SmartCAM isometric view