Multi-Axis Sweeping: Optimized Lead

This task illustrates how to create a Multi-Axis Sweeping operation in the program.

To create the operation you must define:

the geometry to be machined
the tool that will be used
the parameters of the machining strategy with the tool axis guided in Optimized Lead mode
the feedrates and spindle speeds
the macros (transition paths) .

More information can be found in Selecting Geometry.

Open the MultiAxisMilling01.CATPart document, then select Machining > Advanced Machining from the Start menu.
Make the Manufacturing Program current in the specification tree.

Select the Multi-Axis Sweeping icon .
A Multi-Axis Sweeping entity along with a default tool is added to the program.
The Multi-Axis Sweeping dialog box appears directly at the Geometry tab page .
This tab page includes a sensitive icon to help you specify the geometry to be machined.
The part surface of the icon is colored red indicating that this geometry is required.
All other geometry is optional.
Select the Select faces item in the contextual menu of Part in the icon then select the desired face in the 3D window.
The part surface of the icon is now colored green indicating that this geometry is now defined.

Select the Strategy tab page to specify parameters for:

Machining

Radial

Tool axis (set it to Optimized Lead).

Click the View Direction arrow (V) and select the part surface. The surface normal is used as the view direction.
Click the Start Direction arrow (S) and set this direction to (0,0,1) in the dialog box that appears.
The View and Start directions define the guiding plane for the operation.
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 Tooltab page

to specify the tool you want to use.

Please refer to Edit the Tool of an Operation.

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.

Click OK to create the operation.