Manage Workbenches

task target This section explains what happens when you open a design part and enter a Machining workbench (Prismatic Machining, for example), and how to switch to and from Machining and Design workbenches.

There is also some useful information about switching between Machining and other workbenches.
scenario 1. Select File > Open then select the desired CATPart document.
2. Select Machining > Prismatic Machining from the Start menu. The Prismatic Machining workbench appears. The part is displayed in the Setup Editor window along with the PPR specification tree.

The CATPart is automatically associated to the Part Operation and an instance of the part is created in the Product List.

3. Select  Manufacturing Program.1 in the tree to make it the current entity.
To insert program entities such as machining operations, tools and auxiliary commands you can either:
  • make the program current before clicking the insert program entity command
  • click the insert program entity command then make the program current.
4. Double-click the Part entity in the tree to switch to a Mechanical Design workbench (such as Part Design or Wireframe and Surface Design depending on your configuration).
5. Double-click a Machining entity in the tree to switch back to the Machining workbench.
 

NC Machine Tool Simulation Workbench Considerations

If the NC Machine Tool Simulation product is installed, you can switch from a Machining workbench to the NC Machine Tool Simulation workbench as follows:

  • By means of a contextual command: right-click the Manufacturing Program or a machining operation in the tree and select Simulate Machine using Tool Path or Simulate Machine using NC Code.
  • By means of a toolbar command: select Starts Machine Simulation in the NC Output Management toolbar.

Please note the following points:

  • When you switch to the NC Machine Tool Simulation workbench you can use tools and tool assemblies directly from the resource list for clash checking.
  • If a machining operation's tool path is manually modified in the NC Machine Tool Simulation workbench (for example, by jogging the machine), the operation's status changes from Computed to Modified. During a tool path replay, any zones where points have been modified, inserted or removed are displayed as dashed lines.

Refer to the NC Machine Tool Simulation User's Guide for more information.

DPM Machining Process Planner Considerations

If DPM Machining Process Planner is installed, you can switch between the DPM Machining Process Planner workbench and a Machining workbench such as Prismatic Machining.

However, all the machining operations defined in the DPM Machining Process Planner workbench must be sequenced in order to be visible in the Machining workbench. Any operations that are not sequenced will not be visible in the PPR tree of the Machining workbench.

Please note that DPM Machining Process Planner's Switch activity is not supported in Machining workbenches.

Refer to the DPM Machining Process Planner User's Guide for more information about sequencing capabilities.

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