Machining data managed by customers (especially in aerospace)
have a very long life cycle. During the product life, customers need to modify
their products, and consequently associated machining data.
Customers need to be able to retrieve machining data generated with CATIA V4 or
other CAM systems, and modify them using Version 5 Machining products.
The NC Data Import functionality allows retrieving APT source files, clfiles, and NC code.
This section describes the NC Data Import capability and its scope for reviewing and reusing data generated with CATIA V4 or other CAM systems.
NC data files (generated using V5 or previous versions) may be tagged with markers (OPERATION NUMBER or OPERATION NAME, prefixed either by PPRINT or $$) that identify the start of each operation.
When an NC data file is imported, each operation identified in this way is defined as an entity in the resulting V5 program (APT Import, PP Instruction, Table Rotation, INDEX/TRACUT/COPY, and so on).
The following types of operation can be created:
A Version 5 Tool Change is created whenever a CUTTER statement with 7 parameters is found in the imported file. In most cases this tool change uses a V5 End Mill defined from the parameters on the CUTTER statement. In some cases a V5 Drill is used.
The parameters 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 tool height. Default values are applied to other parameters of the tool.
Note that:
If the CUTTER statement has 1 parameter, a turning assembly with insert-holder and inset is created. The parameter in the CUTTER statement represents the nose radius of the insert.
A Machining Axis Change operation is created whenever the following statements appear in the APT file:
The matrix associated with the Machining Axis Change operation is generated from the parameters associated with the *CATIA0 or ORIGIN statement.
Note that the first *CATIA0 met will generate a Machining Axis Change operation only if the associated matrix parameters are different from the machining axis system referenced by the Part Operation.
Each time a sequence of ROTABL statements is clearly identified in the file to be imported, a Machine rotation will be created in the Manufacturing Program to manage it.
The rotation matrix associated with the Machine rotation is generated from the parameters associated with the *CATIA0 syntax that follows the ROTABL statement.
Table rotation statements (ROTABL)
The supported forms of ROTABL/ axis, value, mode, way statements are all combinations of the following parameters:
The case of 2 successive table rotations is supported by the APT Import. These rotations are followed by a single matrix definition.
Example:
ROTABL/AAXIS,...
ROTABL/CAXIS,...
$$CATIA0
$$
$$ a11 a12 a13 a14
$$ a21 a22 a23 a24
$$ a31 a32 a33 a34
Notes:
Each time an INDEX, COPY or TRACUT statement is found during APT Import, a V5 COPY or TRACUT activity is created.
The following forms of INDEX, COPY and TRACUT statements are supported.
INDEX
INDEX/n where n is the index number
INDEX/n,NOMORE where n is the index number.
COPY
COPY/n,SAME,p where n is the index number and p is the number of copies
COPY/n,TRANSL,dx,dy,dz,p where n is the index number, dx,dy,dz are the
components of the translation vector and p is the number of copies
COPY/n,XYROT,a,p where n is the index number, a is the angle value and p is the
number of copies
COPY/n,YZROT,b,p where n is the index number, b is the angle value and p is the
number of copies
COPY/n,ZXROT,c,p where n is the index number, c is the angle value and p is the
number of copies
COPY/n,SCALE,s,p where n is the index number, s is the scale factor and p is
the number of copies
COPY/n,MODIFY,$
(MATRIX/a11,a12,a13,$
a21,a22,a23,$
a31,a32,a33,$
a41,a42,a43),p
where n is the index number, aij are the components of the matrix and p is the
number of copies
TRACUT
TRACUT/(MATRIX/TRANSL,dx,dy,dz) where dx,dy,dz are the components of the
translation vector
TRACUT/(MATRIX/XYROT,a) where a is the angle value of the rotation
TRACUT/(MATRIX/YZROT,b) where b is the angle value of the rotation
TRACUT/(MATRIX/ZXROT,c) where c is the angle value of the rotation
TRACUT/(MATRIX/SCALE,s) where s is the scale factor
TRACUT/(MATRIX/a11,a12,a13,$
a21,a22,a23,$
a31,a32,a33,$
a41,a42,a43)
where aij are the components of the matrix.
TRACUT/NOMORE
The purpose of the APT Import activity is to store a tool path created from parameters included in the APT file. The tool path comprises linear and circular displacements and PP words
APT Import entities are automatically locked during creation.
This allows the tool path to be modified by means of the Tool Path Editor.
Creation Conditions for a New APT Import
A first APT Import activity (with a current tool path) is created when the APT file is opened.
A new APT Import activity is created when the following parameters are decoded in the APT file:
Other Interpreted Parameters
The other interpreted parameters for the created tool path are as follows:
Syntaxes that do not include recognized parameters are stored as is in the tool path and are generated as is in the APT file (for example, this is the case for PP words and comments).
Each time a sequence of PP word statements is clearly identified (with PPRINT OPERATION NUMBER) in the NC data file, a V5 Post-Processor instruction will be created in the Manufacturing Program. The created PP instruction can be edited.
Note that PP word statements defined in macros of a machining operation remain embedded in the tool path of the operation.
You can import an APT file containing PQR cutter compensation data (that is, the drive surface normal).
This PQR data may be of 2 forms shown in the examples below.
Example 1:
CUTCOM/ NORMDS
$$ START CUTCOM NORMDS XT,YT,ZT,I,J,K,P,Q,R
GOTO / 100.00276, -17.79095, 34.00000, 0.000000, 0.000000, 1.00000$
0, 0.000000,-1.000000, 0.000000
...
CUTCOM/OFF
$$ END CUTCOM NORMDS XT,YT,ZT,I,J,K,P,Q,R
Example 2:
CUTCOM/ NORMDS
$$ START CUTCOM NORMDS XT,YT,ZT,P,Q,R
GOTO / 100.00276, -17.79095, 34.00000, $ 0, 0.000000,-1.000000, 0.000000
...
CUTCOM/OFF
$$ END CUTCOM NORMDS XT,YT,ZT,P,Q,R
A Transition Path is a complex activity including linear transitions and machine rotations. Therefore it is imported as several entities (APT Import activities and machine rotations).
Linear transitions are imported as APT Import activities. When a machine rotation is found, the APT Import activity is ended, and a machine rotation activity is generated. Then another APT Import activity is created for the next linear transitions.
The supported forms for ROTABL instructions are the same as described in Table Rotation above.
The names of all APT Import and machine rotation activities created from a V5 Transition Path includes the Transition Path name.
Automatic Generation of Transition Paths
APT Import activities are compatible with the automatic generation of transition paths capability. This enables you to complete an imported program like any other V5 program.
Sample Post Processor parameter files are delivered with the product in the
folder
\Startup\Manufacturing\PPPar
which provides NC output for various machine types.
Post Processors are provided by Cenit, Intelligent
Manufacturing Software (IMS), and ICAM Technologies Corporation.
Select the type of Post Processor parameter files to be made available for selection using Tools > Options > Machining > Output tab. If the output option is set to None, the PP File selection list will not appear in the NC File Import dialog box (no PP parameter files will be available for selection).
For information about how to acquire Post Processor parameters files that provide machine specific NC code output, please contact your IBM representative.
The following limitations apply. Please refer to Syntaxes Interpreted by APT Import for more information.