Photo/Video

This document explains how to customize material removal simulation settings for Machining products.

Select the Photo/Video tab, which is divided up into areas.

Parameters in this area... Allow you to customize...
Simulation at material removal simulation at program of Part Operation level
Video Video material removal simulation options
Photo Photo material removal simulation options
Performance settings that influence performance
Color color during material removal simulation
Positioning Move allowed tool axis variation between two operations

Simulation at

Select the desired option to perform material removal simulation at either Program or Part Operation level.
Depending on the selected level, simulation begins either from the start of the manufacturing program or from the start of the Part Operation.
Best performance is obtained with Program level.

By default, the Program level option is selected.

Video

Stop at tool change

Select the Stop at tool change check box if you want the Video simulation to stop each time a tool change is encountered in the program.

By default, this check box is not selected.

Collision detection

Select the desired Collisions detection option to:

  • ignore collisions during the Video simulation
  • stop the Video simulation at the first collision
  • continue the Video simulation even when collisions are detected. In this case, you can consult the list of collisions at any time during the simulation.

Best performance is obtained when collisions are ignored.

By default, the Ignore option is selected.

Touch is collision

Select the Touch is collision check box if you want touch (or contact) type of collision to be detected.

By default, this check box is selected.

Multiple Video result on program

Select the Multiple Video result on program check box if you want to store video results on more than one operation in the program.

By default, this check box is not selected.

Photo

Select the desired Fault box type for examining remaining material or gouges:

  • Transparent: to display a transparent bounding box
  • Wireframe: to display a wireframe bounding box
  • None: if no bounding box is required.

By default, the Wireframe option is selected.

Select the check box to compute all information at the picked point.

By default, this check box is not selected.

Best performance is obtained when Fault box is set to None and the Compute all information at picked point check box is not selected.

Performance

Tool and faceting

There are three methods of tool faceting used in Video simulation: Standard, Smaller and Larger.
The number of facets for a tool representation is determined by the chord deviation that is set for the tool diameter (0.005% of the tool diameter).

  • Smaller: The picture shows a rough approximation of a tool with six facets. Note that the chord deviation is always inside the actual circle, and that the points are always on the circle (accurate). 

    This is the most accurate method for the Arc through Three Points command.

  • Standard: The picture shows a rough approximation of a tool with six facets. Note that the chord deviation is partly inside and partly outside the actual circle, and that the points are not always on the circle.

    This is the best method for material removal simulation. 
    However, this is not suitable for the Arc through Three Points command.

  • Larger: The picture shows a rough approximation of a tool with six facets. Note that the chord deviation is outside the actual circle, and that the points are not on the circle.

    This is not suitable for the Arc through Three Points command.
    However, it can be useful for gouge detection.

By default, the Standard option is selected.

Photo resolution

Best performance is obtained when the Photo resolution is set to 0. In this case, a detailed simulation of a portion of the part can be obtained using the Closeup command.
Increasing the resolution improves machining accuracy and gives a very detailed simulation. However, this requires increased memory and computation time.

By default, this resolution is set to 0.

Tool axis interpolation angle (5-axis only)

Specify the maximum angle that the tool axis is allowed to vary between two consecutive points.
Best performance is obtained for an angle of 10 degrees. Decreasing the angle improves the precision of the simulation. However, this requires increased memory and computation time.

By default, this angle is set to 1degree.

Optimized rendering for Video

Select the Optimized rendering for Video check box to obtain an optimized rendering that improves Video simulation performance.
Otherwise, more realistic colors are obtained with a slightly degraded performance. Milling, drilling, and turning operations are supported .

By default, this check box is selected.

Color

Set the tool (and associated machined area) color to be the same as or different from the last tool, or have different colors for all tools. Best performance is obtained with same colored tools.

By default, the All different option is selected.

Assign colors to the different tools using the associated color combo.

Assign colors to tool holders, parts, and fixtures using the associated color combos.

Positioning Move

Set the Maximum tool axis variation that is to be allowed between the end point of an operation and the start point of the next operation. If the tool axis varies by an amount greater than the specified value, then the tool is positioned at the start of the following operation.

By default, this angle is set to 1degree.