Glossary

A
approach macro	Motion defined for approaching the operation start point.
APT Import activity	This is an entity created in the Manufacturing Program by importing NC data (APT source, Clfile or NC code). It references a tool path, like a machining operation, but it has no attribute specification. The tool path comprises tool motions and/or Post-Processor words.
APT Tool	This is a tool which is created from the CUTTER definition found in the APT source file or Clfile. The CUTTER definition includes 7 parameters which are tool radius, corner radius, horizontal and vertical distances from the center of the corner to the tool axis or bottom, bottom and flank angles, and finally the tool height. This definition is quite poor to define a Version 5 tool. An APT Tool is a resource which cannot be modified and used by Version 5 machining operations.
auxiliary command	A control function such as tool change or machine table rotation. These commands may be interpreted by a specific post-processor.
axial machining operation	Operation in which machining is done along a single axis and is mainly intended for hole making (drilling, counter boring, and so on).
B
back and forth	Machining in which motion is done alternately in one direction then the other. Compare with one way.
bottom plane	A planar geometric element that represents the bottom surface of an area to machine. It is normal to the tool axis.
C
check	A list of Knowledgeware expressions that are used to constrain the validity of a machining process or a machining operation. In a single expression, operators such as and and or are available. In a list of expressions, an and operator is applied between check expressions. When a machining process is applied, the checks list is executed, a logical status is returned, and the operation is created if the status is true.
clearance macro	Motion that involves retracting to a safety plane, a linear trajectory in that plane and then plunging from that plane.
climb milling	Milling in which the advancing tool rotates down into the material. Chips of cut material tend to be thrown behind the tool, which results to give good surface finish. Compare with conventional milling.
conventional milling	Milling in which the advancing tool rotates up into the material. Chips of cut material tend to be carried around with the tool, which often impairs good surface finish. Compare with climb milling.
D
DPM	Digital Process for Manufacturing.
E
extension type	Defines the end type of a hole as being through hole or blind.
F
Facing operation	A surfacing operation in which material is removed in one cut or several axial cuts of equal depth according to a pre-defined machining strategy. Boundaries of the planar area to be machined are soft.
Fault	Types of faults in material removal simulation are gouge, undercut, and tool clash.
feedrate	Rate at which a cutter advances into a work piece. Measured in linear or angular units (mm/min or mm/rev, for example).
fixture	Elements used to secure or support the workpiece on a machine.
formula	A Knowlegeware expression containing feature attributes that is used to compute parameters (mainly parameters of a machining operation).
G
generic machine	A CATProduct machine representation that was created using the NC Machine Tool Builder product.
gouge	Area where the tool has removed too much material from the workpiece.
H
hard	A geometric element (such as a boundary or a bottom face) that the tool cannot pass beyond.
I
inward helical	Machining in which motion starts from a point inside the domain to machine and follows paths parallel to the domain boundary towards the center of the domain. Compare with outward helical.
L
linking motion	Motion that involves retracting to a safety plane, a linear trajectory in that plane and then plunging from that plane.
M
machine rotation	An auxiliary command in the program that corresponds to a rotation of the machine table.
machining axis system	Reference axis system in which coordinates of points of the tool path are given.
machining feature	A feature instance representing a volume of material to be removed, a machining axis, tolerances, and other technological attributes. These features may be hole type or milling type.
machining operation	Contains all the necessary information for machining a part of the workpiece using a single tool.
machining process	An ordered list of machining operations, PP instructions and, possibly, machine rotations. It can be used in two ways: to generate a complete subprogram by defining all the operations from geometrical information which will be solved when the machining process is instantiated into another CATProcess file. to generate a subprogram by defining all the operations without any geometrical information (design or manufacturing geometrical features): this way is dedicated to the settings mode.
machining tolerance	The maximum allowed difference between the theoretical and computed tool path.
manufacturing process	Defines the sequence of part operations necessary for the complete manufacture of a part.
manufacturing program	Describes the processing order of the NC entities that are taken into account for tool path computation: machining operations, auxiliary commands and PP instructions.
manufacturing view	Allows various views of the part operation: sorted by features sorted by operations sorted by patterns sorted by tooling (that is, tools or tool assemblies) sorted by machinable features.
milling operation	Operation in which 2.5 to 5-axis capabilities are used for part machining (roughing, pocketing, surface machining, contouring, and so on).
multi-level operation	Milling operation (such as Pocketing or Profile Contouring) that is done in a series of axial cuts.
N
NC Setup Assembly	The assembly in the process that contains the design part and all other parts (such as fixtures, stock, and In Process Model) that are necessary to perform the process. All the components of the NC Setup Assembly are positioned.
O
offset	Specifies a virtual displacement of a reference geometric element in an operation (such as the offset on the bottom plane of a pocket, for example). An offset value can be greater than, less than, or equal to zero. It is measured normal to the referenced geometry or in a specific direction such as axial or radial. For example, a 5mm Offset on Contour means that a virtual displacement is applied normal to the contour geometry. A 5mm Axial Part Offset means that a virtual displacement is applied to the part geometry along the tool axis direction. Compare with thickness.
one way	Machining in which motion is always done in the same direction. Compare with zig zag or back and forth.
outer part	See pocket.
out ward helical	Machining in which motion starts from a point inside the domain to machine and follows paths parallel to the domain boundary away from the center of the domain. Compare with inward helical.
P
part operation	Links all the operations necessary for machining a part based on a unique part registration on a machine. The part operation links these operations with the associated fixture and set-up entities.
pocket	An area to be machined that is defined by an open or closed boundary and a bottom plane. The pocket definition may also include a top plane and one or more islands. Distinction between pocket and outer part Let's consider the case below. The part is shown in black and the stock in blue. There is a hole with an opening outside the part. Case 1: the tool cannot go through the opening, so we have two tool paths: one in the grey area, limited by the part only, that is a pocket one in the blue area limited by the stock only (for example, in a machining plane above the part), that is an outer part. Case 2: the tool can go through the opening, there is only one tool path limited by both the part and stock. The whole blue area is an outer part. As a consequence, the grey portion in Case 1 is no longer considered as a pocket, and will not be machined if you have selected the `Pockets only` option. In short, a pocket is limited by the part only, an outer part is limited by the stock or by both the stock and part.
Pocketing operation	A machining operation in which material is removed from a pocket in one cut or several axial cuts of equal depth according to a pre-defined machining strategy.
Point to Point operation	A milling operation in which the tool moves in straight line segments between user-defined points.
PP instruction	Instructions that control certain functions that are auxiliary to the tool-part relationship. They may be interpreted by a specific post processor.
PPR	Process Product Resources.
Process Template	A CATProcess that is 'cleaned' from all linked files and all unnecessary information (except machining operations). For example, all links to external tool paths, IPM bodies or CATDrawings associated to the previous design are removed. This allows reusing a CATProcess structure to program the machining of a new design by keeping the sequence of operations and the parameter values that were used in the previous program.
Profile Contouring operation	A milling operation in which the tool follows a guide curve and possibly other guide elements while respecting user-defined geometric limitations and machining strategy parameters.
R
retract macro	Motion defined for retracting from the operation end point
return macro	Motion for linking between paths or between levels. It involves retracting to a safety plane, a linear trajectory in that plane and then plunging from that plane.
S
safety plane	A plane normal to the tool axis in which the tool tip can move or remain a clearance distance away from the workpiece, fixture or machine.
set up	Describes how the part, stock and fixture are positioned on the machine.
soft	A geometric element (such as a boundary or a bottom face) that the tool can pass beyond.
spindle speed	The angular speed of the machine spindle. Measured in linear or angular units (m/min or rev/min, for example).
stock	Workpiece prior to machining by the operations of a part operation.
T
thickness	Specifies a thickness of material to be removed by machining. A thickness value must be greater than zero and is measured normal to the machined geometry. For example, if a 5mm Finish Thickness is specified on an operation then 5mm of material will be removed during the finish pass. Compare with offset.
top plane	A planar geometric element that represents the top surface of an area to machine. It is always normal to the associated tool's rotational axis.
tool axis	Center line of the cutter.
tool change	An auxiliary command in the program that corresponds to a change of tool.
tool clash	Area where the tool collided with the workpiece during a rapid move.
tool path	The path that the center of the tool tip follows during a machining operation.
tooling query	One or more Knowledgeware expressions that define criteria to find an appropriate tool for a given machining operation.
total depth	The total depth including breakthrough distance that is machined in a hole making operation.
U
undercut	Area where the tool has left material behind on the workpiece.
W
WPC file	This is the file format for data resulting from a material removal session. A typical ascii WPC file contains the number of faces/edges available in the solid and all the vertex information forming each of the triangles in the solid.
Z
zig zag	Machining in which motion is done alternately in one direction then the other. Compare with one way.

Glossary

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