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Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.
Transcript
00:08
Now that we have imported our solid model, setup our stock, and taken into account any machining preparation with our setup location, tool crib and post processor, we are now ready to create the surface milling features necessary to machine our model.
00:26
The first step in creating a surface milling feature is to indicate what surfaces we would like to machine.
00:33
Since this entire model is made up of complex surfaces, they cannot be simply described by 2.5D features, I will simply box select the entire model.
00:43
With our entire model selected, I'll navigate to the Features in manufacturing ribbon and select surface milling.
00:52
Here we can see that FeatureCAM has opened up the new feature wizard, selected surface milling for us, and already added all of the surfaces that I had box selected.
01:04
I could have achieved the same result by opening up the new feature wizard, selecting surface milling, re-selecting all the surfaces and adding them into the feature using the green add button.
01:18
With our machining surfaces indicated, we can move on and let FeatureCAM know what type of strategies we'd like to use to machine this model.
01:27
In the FeatureCAM Standard class, we used this first option when creating 3D surface milling features.
01:34
This option helped us create a roughing, semi-finished, and finishing operation all within the same wizard.
01:41
While this can be very helpful, I personally prefer the control of choosing a single operation at a time.
01:48
So I'll select that option.
01:50
And in this case, let's simply select a Z level roughing strategy.
01:55
Here we have a few different options, whether we would like to rough or finish, how we would like to stepover, offset/spiral, continuous spiral or zigzag, and finally how to classify the slices.
02:08
For this part, let's leave the defaults rough, offset/slash spiral, and 3D boss.
02:16
Finally we can see a confirmation of the feature we are creating.
02:20
Let's select "Finish" and "OK" and now add a finishing operation.
02:26
To do this, I’ll again box select the entire model, select surface milling.
02:32
Next, we'll choose a single finishing operation.
02:36
And for this lesson, let's finish this part using the parallel finishing strategy.
02:43
As you may gather from the name, the parallel finishing strategy allows us to lay down parallel toolpath, whether we're going along the X direction, Y direction, or even if we want to indicate our own angle.
02:58
For this part, let's simply do an X parallel finishing strategy.
03:03
Next, leave the defaults of automatic and use stock dimensions to define our toolpath.
03:11
Let FeatureCAM know that we do not want to limit any of our toolpath based on surface slopes.
03:17
And finally get a confirmation of the parallel finishing feature we just created.
03:22
With that, I'll select "Finish", "OK".
03:25
And we've now created both the roughing and the finishing features necessary to machine this part.
03:32
With that, we can move on to the simulate and revise section of our workflow.
Video transcript
00:08
Now that we have imported our solid model, setup our stock, and taken into account any machining preparation with our setup location, tool crib and post processor, we are now ready to create the surface milling features necessary to machine our model.
00:26
The first step in creating a surface milling feature is to indicate what surfaces we would like to machine.
00:33
Since this entire model is made up of complex surfaces, they cannot be simply described by 2.5D features, I will simply box select the entire model.
00:43
With our entire model selected, I'll navigate to the Features in manufacturing ribbon and select surface milling.
00:52
Here we can see that FeatureCAM has opened up the new feature wizard, selected surface milling for us, and already added all of the surfaces that I had box selected.
01:04
I could have achieved the same result by opening up the new feature wizard, selecting surface milling, re-selecting all the surfaces and adding them into the feature using the green add button.
01:18
With our machining surfaces indicated, we can move on and let FeatureCAM know what type of strategies we'd like to use to machine this model.
01:27
In the FeatureCAM Standard class, we used this first option when creating 3D surface milling features.
01:34
This option helped us create a roughing, semi-finished, and finishing operation all within the same wizard.
01:41
While this can be very helpful, I personally prefer the control of choosing a single operation at a time.
01:48
So I'll select that option.
01:50
And in this case, let's simply select a Z level roughing strategy.
01:55
Here we have a few different options, whether we would like to rough or finish, how we would like to stepover, offset/spiral, continuous spiral or zigzag, and finally how to classify the slices.
02:08
For this part, let's leave the defaults rough, offset/slash spiral, and 3D boss.
02:16
Finally we can see a confirmation of the feature we are creating.
02:20
Let's select "Finish" and "OK" and now add a finishing operation.
02:26
To do this, I’ll again box select the entire model, select surface milling.
02:32
Next, we'll choose a single finishing operation.
02:36
And for this lesson, let's finish this part using the parallel finishing strategy.
02:43
As you may gather from the name, the parallel finishing strategy allows us to lay down parallel toolpath, whether we're going along the X direction, Y direction, or even if we want to indicate our own angle.
02:58
For this part, let's simply do an X parallel finishing strategy.
03:03
Next, leave the defaults of automatic and use stock dimensions to define our toolpath.
03:11
Let FeatureCAM know that we do not want to limit any of our toolpath based on surface slopes.
03:17
And finally get a confirmation of the parallel finishing feature we just created.
03:22
With that, I'll select "Finish", "OK".
03:25
And we've now created both the roughing and the finishing features necessary to machine this part.
03:32
With that, we can move on to the simulate and revise section of our workflow.
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