Create a Profile Contouring Operation
for Flank Contouring

task target This task shows how to insert a 'Flank Contouring' Profile Contouring operation in the program. To create the operation you must define:
  • the Contouring mode as Flank Contouring
  • the tool that will be used
pre-requisites Open the PrismaticMilling02.CATPart document, then select the desired Machining workbench from the Start menu. Make the Manufacturing Program current in the specification tree. 
scenario 1. Select Profile Contouring I_MfgProfileContouring.gif (963 bytes). The Profile Contouring dialog box appears directly at the Geometry tab page . This page includes a sensitive icon to help you specify the geometry to be machined.

Set the Contouring mode to By Flank Contouring.

The guiding element in the icon is colored red indicating that this geometry is required for defining the operation. All other geometry is optional.
2. Click the guiding element in the icon, then select the vertical face of the part in the 3D window.
3. Click the first relimiting element in the icon, then select a vertical edge at one end of the part in the 3D window.
4. Click the second relimiting element in the icon, then select the vertical edge at the other end of the part in the 3D window.
The guide and limit elements of the icon are now colored green indicating that this geometry is now defined. These are also indicated on the part.
5. If needed, set offsets on the geometric elements.
6. Select the Strategy tab page and choose the desired tool path style. You can then use the tabs to set parameters for:

A tool is proposed by default when you want to create a machining operation. If the proposed tool is not suitable, just select the Tool tab page to specify the tool you want to use. This is described in Edit the Tool of an Operation.
7. Select the Feeds and Speeds tab page to specify the feedrates and spindle speeds for the operation.
8. Check the validity of the operation by replaying the tool path.

You can add approach and retract motions to the operation in the Macros tab page . This is described in Define Macros of an Operation.
9. Click OK to create the operation.
 

More About Profile Contouring Operations

Multi-Edition

You can modify the parameters of two or more Profile Contouring operations in one shot by means of the Selected Objects > Definition...  contextual command. See Editing Parameters of Several Profile Contouring Operations.

Collision Checking

A Collision Checking capability is available in the Geometry tab page, which allows collision checking between the tool and guide elements during macro motions. See Reference section for more information.

end of task