Create a Multi-Axis Flank Contouring Operation in Combin Tanto Mode

This task illustrates how to create a Multi-Axis Flank Contouring operation in the program. The tool axis will be guided in Combin Tanto mode.

To create the operation you must define:

the geometry to be machined
the tool that will be used
the parameters of the machining strategy
the feedrates and spindle speeds
the macros (transition paths) .

Open the Flank_5X_test_part.CATPart document, then select Machining > Advanced Machiningfrom the Start menu. Make the Manufacturing Program current in the specification tree.

Select the Multi-Axis Flank Contouring icon

A Multi-Axis Flank Contouring entity along with a default tool is added to the program.

The Multi-Axis Flank Contouring dialog box appears directly at the Geometry tab page .

The part, drive and start/stop elements of the sensitive icon are colored red indicating that this geometry is required. All other geometry is optional.

2. Click the red part surface in the icon then select the desired surface in the 3D window.

3. Click the red drive surface in the icon then select the desired drive in the 3D window (Drive 1).

4. Click the start and stop elements in the icon then select the desired limiting elements in the 3D window.

After geometry selection, the surfaces of the icon are colored green indicating that this geometry is now defined.

Select the Strategy tab page

to specify:

Machining parameters:

Stepover parameters:

Tool axis guidance parameters:

In this example, Finishing, High-speed milling and Compensation are not required.

Click Preview in the dialog box to verify the parameters that you have specified.

A message box appears giving feedback about this verification.

A tool is proposed by default when you want to create a machining operation. If the proposed tool is not suitable, just select the Tool tab page

to specify the tool you want to use.

Please refer to Edit the Tool of an Operation.

7. Select the Feeds and Speeds tab page to specify the feedrates and spindle speeds for the operation.

Select the Macros tab page

to specify the operation's transition paths (approach and retract motion, for example).

See Define Macros of an Operation for an example of specifying transition paths on a multi-axis machining operation.

Before accepting the operation, you should check its validity by replaying the tool path.

9. Click OK to create the operation.

Multi-Edition

You can modify the parameters of two or more Multi-Axis FlankContouring operations in one shot by means of the Selected Objects > Definition... contextual command. See Editing Parameters of Several Multi-Axis Flank Contouring Operations.