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Dolphin PartMaster Milling Copyright © 2000-2017 Dolphin CadCam Systems Ltd..

This document is copyrighted and all rights are reserved. This document may not, in whole or in part,

be copied or reproduced in any form, or by any means without the prior written consent of Dolphin

CadCam Systems Ltd..

Dolphin CadCam Systems Ltd.. Makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents

hereof and specifically disclaims any warranties of fitness for any particular purpose. The information

in this documentation and the software programmes to which it refers are subject to change without

notice.

Dolphin CadCam Systems Ltd.. assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this

document.

Dolphin CadCam Systems Ltd..

13, Silverwood Road

Kilmarnock. KA3 6LS

Scotland.

Tel +44 (0)1563 543989

Email info@dolphincadcam.com

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Dolphin PartMaster Milling .......................................................................................................................................... 1

Using PartMaster CAM ............................................................................................................................................... 7

Screen Layout ............................................................................................................................................................ 8

Program Operations ................................................................................................................................................... 9

Program Simulation .................................................................................................................................................. 10

Status Panel ............................................................................................................................................................. 11

Tooling Definitions Panel .......................................................................................................................................... 12

Top Toolbar .............................................................................................................................................................. 13

Operations Toolbar - Milling ...................................................................................................................................... 13

Miscellaneous Toolbar - Milling ................................................................................................................................. 13

Milling Menus ............................................................................................................................................................ 14

Graphics Display - Milling ......................................................................................................................................... 15

CREATING PROGRAMS ......................................................................................................................................... 17

EXECUTING PROGRAMS ....................................................................................................................................... 18

Execute - Run Program ............................................................................................................................................ 19

Execute - Stop Program ............................................................................................................................................ 19

Execute - Single Step ............................................................................................................................................... 19

Execute - Pause Mode .............................................................................................................................................. 19

Execute - Slower....................................................................................................................................................... 20

Execute - Faster ....................................................................................................................................................... 20

Execute - Post Process ............................................................................................................................................. 21

File Menu .................................................................................................................................................................. 22

File - New ................................................................................................................................................................. 22

File - Open ................................................................................................................................................................ 22

File - Save ................................................................................................................................................................ 23

File - Close ............................................................................................................................................................... 24

File - Save As ........................................................................................................................................................... 24

File - Import .............................................................................................................................................................. 25

File - Export .............................................................................................................................................................. 26

File - Print ................................................................................................................................................................. 26

File - Print preview .................................................................................................................................................... 27

File - Send NC Program to... ..................................................................................................................................... 28

File - Send as Mail .................................................................................................................................................... 28

Setup Menu - Milling ................................................................................................................................................. 29

Setup - Machine Type - Milling .................................................................................................................................. 29

Setup - Machine Type - Program ID .......................................................................................................................... 30

Setup - Machine Type Milling - Tool Change ............................................................................................................. 31

Setup - Machine Type - Vector Tolerance ................................................................................................................. 32

Setup - Machine Type - Origin .................................................................................................................................. 33

Setup - Machine Type - Extra Info ............................................................................................................................. 34

Setup - Fixture Offsets - Milling ................................................................................................................................. 34

Setup - Reset - Milling............................................................................................................................................... 36

Setup - Load Setup - Milling ...................................................................................................................................... 36

Setup - Save Setup - Milling ...................................................................................................................................... 36

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TOOLING ................................................................................................................................................................. 37

Tooling - Define Tool - Milling ................................................................................................................................... 38

Tooling - Definitions .................................................................................................................................................. 39

Tooling - Load Toolfile - Milling ................................................................................................................................. 39

Tooling Menu - Milling ............................................................................................................................................... 40

Tooling - Save Toolfile - Milling ................................................................................................................................. 40

Tooling - Select Tool - Milling .................................................................................................................................... 41

Tooling - Define a Milling Tool Using a Drawing ........................................................................................................ 42

MACHINING ............................................................................................................................................................. 43

Machining - Arc To .................................................................................................................................................... 44

Machining - Area Clear ............................................................................................................................................. 44

Machining - Area Clear - From .................................................................................................................................. 45

Machining - Area Clear - Islands ............................................................................................................................... 46

Machining - Area Clear - Options .............................................................................................................................. 46

Machining - Area Clear - Pre-Drill ............................................................................................................................. 48

Machining - Area Clear - Ramp ................................................................................................................................. 49

Machining - Area Clear - Z-Axis ................................................................................................................................ 51

Machining - Canned Cycles - Drilling ........................................................................................................................ 52

Machining - Chamfer ................................................................................................................................................ 54

Machining - Define Pattern........................................................................................................................................ 55

Machining - Digitise .................................................................................................................................................. 56

Machining - Digitise - Copy existing .......................................................................................................................... 58

Machining - Digitise - Edit Sequence......................................................................................................................... 58

Machining - Digitise - Menu....................................................................................................................................... 59

Machining - Engrave ................................................................................................................................................. 60

Machining - Face Mill ................................................................................................................................................ 62

Machining - Milling - Fixture Offsets .......................................................................................................................... 64

Fixture Offsets - Milling ............................................................................................................................................. 64

Machining - Goround ................................................................................................................................................ 65

Machining - Goround - Approach/Runoff ................................................................................................................... 67

Machining - Goround - From ..................................................................................................................................... 71

Machining - Goround - Options ................................................................................................................................. 72

Machining - Goround - Z Axis ................................................................................................................................... 74

Machining - Goto - Milling ......................................................................................................................................... 76

Machining Menu - Milling .......................................................................................................................................... 77

Machining - Merge .................................................................................................................................................... 78

Machining - Merge - Options ..................................................................................................................................... 79

Machining - Pocket ................................................................................................................................................... 81

Machining - Thread Mill ............................................................................................................................................. 82

Machining - Z-Profile ................................................................................................................................................. 84

Machining - Z-Profile - Revolved Surface .................................................................................................................. 85

Machining - Z-Profile - Slot........................................................................................................................................ 87

Machining - Z-Profile - Surface ................................................................................................................................. 88

Milling Menus ............................................................................................................................................................ 91

MISCALLANEOUS FUNCTIONS .............................................................................................................................. 93

Miscellaneous Toolbar - Milling ................................................................................................................................. 94

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Coolant ..................................................................................................................................................................... 94

Stop .......................................................................................................................................................................... 94

Spindle ..................................................................................................................................................................... 95

Feedrate ................................................................................................................................................................... 95

Block Skip ................................................................................................................................................................. 96

Insert ........................................................................................................................................................................ 96

Machining - Repeat ................................................................................................................................................... 97

Machining - Repeat - Mirror ...................................................................................................................................... 99

Machining - Repeat - Rotate ................................................................................................................................... 100

Machining - Repeat - Scale ..................................................................................................................................... 101

Machining - Subroutine ........................................................................................................................................... 102

Machining - Subroutine - Options ............................................................................................................................ 103

Machining - Rotary Axis (Milling) ............................................................................................................................. 103

PP Function ............................................................................................................................................................ 104

Help Menu .............................................................................................................................................................. 105

Help - About DCAM ................................................................................................................................................ 105

Help - What's New .................................................................................................................................................. 106

View Menu .............................................................................................................................................................. 107

View - Cycle Time Data .......................................................................................................................................... 107

View - Editor Font ................................................................................................................................................... 107

View - Geometry Info .............................................................................................................................................. 108

View - NC Program ................................................................................................................................................. 109

View - Notes ........................................................................................................................................................... 109

View - Options ........................................................................................................................................................ 110

View - Preferences ................................................................................................................................................. 111

View - Preferences - Angles .................................................................................................................................... 112

View - Preferences - Colors .................................................................................................................................... 112

View - Preferences - Distance ................................................................................................................................. 113

View - Preferences - Feed Per Min ......................................................................................................................... 113

View - Preferences - Feed Per Revolution .............................................................................................................. 114

View - Preferences - Folders ................................................................................................................................... 114

View - Preferences - Fonts...................................................................................................................................... 115

View - Preferences - Options .................................................................................................................................. 115

View - Preferences - Retract ................................................................................................................................... 116

View - Preferences - Simulation .............................................................................................................................. 116

View - Preferences - Spindle ................................................................................................................................... 117

View - Preferences - Tabs ...................................................................................................................................... 117

View - Preferences - Tuning .................................................................................................................................... 118

View - Preferences - User Name............................................................................................................................. 119

View - Preferences - Z Planes ................................................................................................................................ 119

View - Redraw ........................................................................................................................................................ 120

View - Rulers .......................................................................................................................................................... 120

View - Split.............................................................................................................................................................. 121

View - Toolbars ....................................................................................................................................................... 121

View - Zoom ........................................................................................................................................................... 122

View - Zoom - Cursor .............................................................................................................................................. 122

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View - Zoom - Cutter Path ...................................................................................................................................... 122

View - Zoom - Double ............................................................................................................................................. 122

View - Zoom - Extent .............................................................................................................................................. 122

View - Zoom - Half .................................................................................................................................................. 123

View - Zoom - Previous ........................................................................................................................................... 123

View - Zoom - Selection .......................................................................................................................................... 123

Window Menu ......................................................................................................................................................... 123

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Using PartMaster CAM

Starting the CAM system From the desktop select the PartMaster Cam icon, the CAM software will be invoked as follows:

Figure 1 The start up menu

To continue select an option and press the button. To quit, select Exit from the File menu. The normal way to start the CAM system is first to create the geometry or import a DXF file using the PartMaster CAD system, then crwating Contours for Milling or Profile for Turning and then invoking the CAM from the Machining menu in CAD.

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Screen Layout

Depending on your screen resolution the above layout may be different on you PC, don’t forget all toolbars are dockable in your preferred locations.

All of the individual panes of the above display screen can be re-sized by dragging the bordering bars. Toolbars can be switched

on and off by means of the commands under the View - Toolbars sub-menu

Main Menu The main menu consists of a series of 9 menus, which control all aspects of Dolphin CAM.

Toolbars The toolbars contain buttons, which offer quick access to the main functions. All of these operations are also available via the menus. See Toolbars

Main Graphics Area –

displaying geometry

and toolpaths

NC code area – only

seen after Post

processing

Tooling definitions

Program operations

such as Select Tool,

Area clear, Finish mill

etc.

Status Panel

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Tooling Definitions area This area is used to display all the tools that you have defined within the program, either by means of the Tooling Menu or by the Tool Definition buttons within the Operations Toolbar.

Program Operations area

This area is used to display all the machining operations that you have defined by means of the Machining Menu or by the buttons in the Operations Toolbar.

Graphic Display area This area is used to display the geometry that you have created or imported. The cutter paths and machining sequences that you define in Dolphin CAM are also displayed here.

Edit Area This area is used to display the NC code generated when the program is executed via one of the post processors.

Status Panel The Status panel contains a constantly updated display of various parameters for the current program.

Status Bar The Status bar shows information about the button or menu field, which lies under the cursor.

Program Operations

As each operation in the machining sequence is defined it is added to the bottom of the list in the Program Operations Pane. You can re-set the size of this pane to the full window size by means of the Operations command in the Window Menu. The Tile command in the same menu will set all the panes within the display window back to the default configuration.

Activate/De-activate operation Each operation is preceded by a box, which contains either a tick or a cross. When the operation is first defined the box is ticked, showing that the operation is activated. If you wish to de-activate the operation, simply click on the box with the left hand mouse button. Only those operations that are activated will be carried out when the program is executed for a simulation or to produce NC code via the post processor.

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Edit an operation To edit an existing operation, double click on the entry with the left hand mouse button. The Dialog that defines the operation will be displayed showing all the values and parameters that you originally set. Make any necessary alterations and then click on OK. Note that the alterations will NOT be carried out until the program has been executed after the alteration.

Errors within a sequence If the operation icon is followed by a question mark, it means that PartMaster has found a problem within the operation during execution. Use the Edit procedure as shown above, to correct the error.

Re-order operation sequence To re-order the operations simply click on the text part of the entry and, holding down the mouse button, drag the operation to the required position within the sequence. Upon release of the mouse button the operation will be placed in the new position within the list and the entries will be automatically re-numbered.

Delete operation sequence To delete an operation from the sequence simply click on the text part of the entry and hit the delete key on the keyboard or select Delete from the Edit Menu.

Insert operation into sequence A new operation is always added to the bottom of the sequence. Define the operation as required and then use Re-Order as described above to move the operation to the required position.

Block Copy, Cut & Paste operations can also be performed on multiple entries in the program operations list. Any selection of items in the list can be made by holding down the Control key whilst clicking with the left hand mouse key on the desired items. A sequential group of items may be selected by clicking on the first & last items whilst holding down the Shift key. By clicking with the right hand mouse button a new menu is displayed with the following options

Program Simulation

This group of buttons controls the simulation of the program that you have defined.

This button sets the simulation to single step mode. Every time you press the Execute button, only the next operation in the sequence will be carried out. Note that a Tool Definition or a Tool Select command is counted as an operation. This button is the same as the menu field Execute - Single Step

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Starts the execution of the program simulation. The button on the Status Panel is the same as this. This button is the same as the menu field Execute - Run Program

Stops the execution of the program simulation. Note that this button is only available if a simulation is actually running. The

button on the Status Panel is the same as this. The menu field Execute - Stop Program has the same effect as these buttons

Pressing this button when a program simulation is running will have the effect of speeding up the simulation. This button is the same as the menu field Execute - Faster. The Simulation Speed control on the Status Panel has the same effect as this button.

Pressing this button when a program simulation is running will have the effect of slowing the simulation down. This button is the same as the menu field Execute - Slower. The Simulation Speed control on the Status Panel has the same effect as this button.

See also: Status Panel & Execute Menu

Status Panel

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Tooling Definitions Panel

As each tool is defined it is added to the bottom of the list in the Tooling Definitions Pane. You can re-set the size of this pane to the full window size by means of the Tooling command in the Window Menu. The Tile command in the same menu will set all the panes within the display window back to the default configuration.

Edit a Tool Definition To edit an existing definition, double click on the entry with the left hand mouse button. The Dialog that defines the tool will be displayed showing all the values and parameters that you originally set. Make any necessary alterations and then click on OK. Note that the alterations will NOT be carried out until the program has been executed after the alteration.

Delete Tool Definition To delete an operation from the sequence simply click on the text part of the entry and hit the delete key on the keyboard or select Delete from the Edit Menu.

See Also: Define Turning Tool & Define Drilling Tool

NC Code Area

This area of the screen displays the NC code which is generated by means of the Execute - Post Process command. See Post Process. The font that is used for the text display may be changed by means of the View - Editor Font command. See View - Editor Font

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The display of this area can be switched on and off by means of the View - NC Program command in the View menu

The code displayed can be edited by means of a full screen editor, which is active when the screen cursor is clicked within the area.

USE WITH CARE If the NC code is edited in this manner; please remember that it no longer matches the

defined program and the post-processor that was used. If the program is re-run in the future the NC code generated will NOT be the same as the edited version.

Top Toolbar

This Toolbar contains all the major global operations necessary Open, Save and Print programs and also options for how the screen will present and how to draw the tools, and execute (run) a program

Operations Toolbar - Milling

This Toolbar contains all the major operations necessary to define an NC program. The buttons are laid out in a logical progression:

i.e. at the left hand end (top) is the Setup button. This operation must be carried out before any of the other commands are made available. The second button enables you to define a tool; the third button enables you to select a tool. No machining operations will become available to you until you have performed these two operations in the correct order - you cannot select a tool if you haven't defined one.

The button at the extreme right (bottom) calls the post processor, which will convert, and output the program in the appropriate NC code for the chosen machine.

Miscellaneous Toolbar - Milling

This Toolbar contains many secondary and optional operations necessary to define an NC program. .

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This Toolbar contains many secondary and optional operations necessary to define an NC program. . NOTE: The actual output of many of the miscellaneous operations are completely dependent upon the post processor settings!

Milling Menus

The main menu consists of a series of 9 menus, which control all aspects of Dolphin CAM Milling

FILE This menu contains commands concerned with loading and saving programs, printing and page setup

EDIT This menu contains commands to cut, copy and paste information and also enables you to undo unwanted operations or mistakes and to edit the postprocessor

SETUP This menu enables you to set up the main machine parameters including the tool change position, safe position, tool fixture positions etc.

TOOLING This menu contains all the option necessary to define and select tools for the machining sequences

MACHINING This menu contains all the options necessary to define machining sequences - area clearance cycles for turning and facing, boring, profile turning, drilling cycles etc.

MACROS This menu contains commands to control the generation and execution of Visual Basic Scripts (Macros)

VIEW

The view menu has two main functions: it allows you to alter which screen elements are displayed (toolbars etc.) and how the cursor appears, secondly it controls the display of geometry and toolpath simulation for the program that you have defined

EXECUTE This menu contains the options available for simulating the program that you have defined.

WINDOW This menu enables you to select which of the various frames are displayed in the program window.

HELP Offers access to this help file and information about Dolphin CAM (Version No. Etc:).

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Graphics Display - Milling

This part of the screen is used to display the geometry, which defines the workpiece. It is also used to simulate the cutter path when the program is executed.

The display options are accessed via the Options field on the View menu or via the button on the main toolbar.

Toolpath Display

The toolpath and machining that you define can be displayed in three different ways as follows:

The toolpath is shown as the centre line only of the cutter. Cutting moves at feedrate are shown as blue lines, retract and approach moves at rapid speed are shown as dotted red lines.

The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option.

The toolpath is shown as the centre line only of the cutter with an animated cutter. Note that full tool geometry can only be shown if the tool geometry is defined within a tool database. Cutting moves at feedrate are shown as blue lines, retract and approach moves at rapid speed are shown as dotted red lines.

The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option.

The toolpath is shown as full simulation of the cutter. If the view is a plan view, the machined path is shown as a filled body, which is progressively darker in colour as the depth of cut increases. This option is the nearest to a full visual re-creation of the milling process.

The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option.

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Geometry Display

The geometry that you have defined or imported can be displayed in any one of four view directions as follows:

Isometric. The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option.

Plan view (XY). The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option

Front View (XZ). The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option

End View (YZ). The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option

Sub-options are available as follows:

1 The geometry is shown at the work surface only.

2 The geometry is shown with any specified depths.

3 The names of geometric entities can be displayed

4 The span numbers of elements within geometric entities can be displayed

5 The direction of spans within geometric entities can be displayed

These options can be accessed via the Options field on the View menu or via the button on the main toolbar. See also View > Options

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CREATING PROGRAMS

Creating programs within PartMaster CAM is a sequential process, below are listed the steps required.

1) Define the tool you wish to use and set the tool type, diameter, length, maximum cutting depth etc.

2) Select the tool for use - in effect invoke a tool change sequence, here we set the spindle speed, federate etc.

3) Choose the machining option required, this could be for instance facing off a slab, performing a roughing cut or drilling some holes.

4) View the tool graphics on screen and check that the operations you have defined are correct.

5) Invoke the post processor to convert the graphics you see on screen into machine tool language, most commonly Gcodes.

6) Send the program to the machine tool controller via the RS232 port, or perhaps your machine might have a floppy disk fitted.

The actual program to cut even the simplest of components might have many operations, for instance:-

1) Define an End mill, tool number 1 2) Select tool 1 and set the speeds/feeds 3) Use the Face Mill command to clean up the top of a block. 4) Define a End mill, tool number 2 5) Select tool 2 and set the speeds/feeds 6) Use the Area clear command to rough out a pocket leaving a finishing

allowance. 7) Define a Slot drill (centre cutting End mill), tool number 3 8) Select tool 3 and set the speeds/feeds 9) Use the Goround operation to perform a finishing cut. 10) Define a Drill, tool number 4 11) Select tool4 and set the speed/feeds. 12) Use the Canned Cycle command to drill a series of holes.

For some examples use File > Open and navigate to the Examples Folder.

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EXECUTING PROGRAMS

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Execute - Run Program

This command starts the execution of the program simulation. The button on the Status Panel is a short cut for this command. When a program is executing the progress can be checked by looking at the Operations Window, the command being processed will have its tick mark highlighted in blue. On simple programs this may happen so quickly that it cannot be seen.

Execute - Stop Program

The stop program buttons on the top toolbar and on the status panel are shortcuts for this command.

Stops the execution of the program simulation. Note that this button is only available if a

simulation is actually running. The button on the Status Panel is the same as this command. The Continue Program command on the Execute menu can be used to continue execution of a program that has been stopped.

Execute - Single Step

This button sets the simulation to single step mode. Every time you press the Execute button, only the next operation in the sequence will be carried out. Note that a Tool Definition or a Tool Select command is counted as an operation.

The single step button on the top toolbar is a shortcut for this command.

If you want to move the tool WITHIN AN OPERATION from point to point, select the Execute - Pause Mode

Execute - Pause Mode

This button sets the simulation to pause mode. Every time you press the Execute button on the Status Panel, the tool is moved to the next geometry position within the operation.

Press this button to start the pause mode simulation.

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The button will turn RED and Flash; press the button to see the next tool movement. Only press this button once and wait for the tool get to its new position before pressing again. You can’t “store” hits.

Note: This is not the same as Single Step mode, which, upon activation of the Execute button, will carry out a complete single operation. See Execute - Single Step.

To switch off Pause mode use the Execute menu item and unpick Pause Mode, the system will revert to full run mode.

Execute - Slower

The slower button on the top toolbar and the Simulation Speed control on the status panel are shortcuts for this command.

Selecting this command when a program simulation is running will have the effect of slowing down the simulation

You may also use this button on the Status Panel

Execute - Faster

The faster button on the top toolbar and the Simulation Speed control on the status panel are shortcuts for this command.

Selecting this command when a program simulation is running will have the effect of speeding up the simulation.

You may also use this button on the Status Panel

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Execute - Post Process

The post process button on the operations toolbar is a shortcut for this command.

When you have completed and debugged you program, you will then need to produce a file with the NC code necessary for the machine tool. This is accomplished by means of a post processor. The required post processor can be selected by means of the dialog shown above.

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File Menu

This menu contains commands to do with opening, closing, saving and printing files.

File - New

The button on the Top Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The File - New command opens a new program. If a program is already open you will be asked if you wish to save it before the new program is started.

File - Open

The button on the Top Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The File - Open command is used to load an existing PartMaster program in a new window. There is no restriction on how many programs that you may load. The program that is the currently active program may be selected by means of the Window Menu or by clicking anywhere within the display if more than one program is displayed. How the various programs

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are displayed is controlled by the options on the Window menu. A preview panel on the dialog will show the geometry of the currently selected file as help in selecting type correct program.

The following dialog is displayed:

The dialog will automatically be set to the My Documents\PartMaster\Drawings folder. If the drawing that you wish to load is not in this folder, use the arrow button to open the complete directory, where you can select the folder that you want. Select the file name that you wish to open and then click on the Open button. Under the Windows XP operating system you will also see an extra toolbar at the left, which contains entries such as My Recent Documents etc.

File - Save

The button on the Top Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The File - Save command saves the current program to the name and directory previously assigned without further comment. If the program has not been saved previously, the File - Save command is equivalent to the File - Save As command which will ask you to choose a folder and enter a name for the drawing. See File - Save As

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File - Close

The File - Close command closes the currently selected program file. If the program has not been saved previously or it has been altered since it was opened, you will be asked if you wish to save the file before it is closed. Note that this operation does NOT exit PartMaster - the program will remain open and active. If any other programs are currently loaded, the next one on the list will become the active program.

File - Save As

The File - Save As command is used to save the current drawing to a name or folder different to that which is currently assigned.

The following dialog will be displayed:

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File - Import

The File - Import command is used to load an existing program or drawing. The file types currently available are PartMaster drawings, Dolphin CAD version 4 drawings, DXF drawings and machining programs written in Dolphin CAM version 4.

The following dialog is displayed:

The dialog will automatically be set to the My Drawings folder. If the file that you wish to load is not in this folder, use the mouse to open the complete directory, where you can select the folder that you want. Select the file name that you wish to open and then click on the Open button.

DXF IMPORT - When you import a DXF file, the elements within the drawing will be handled in the following manner:

The drawing is scanned for POLYLINE features, which have been imported as "Contours" on the layer "PartMaster", if none are found, the system attempts to create "Contours" from the available geometry. This means that if the drawing has been prepared beforehand by using POLYLINE's to identify the geometry to be imported, then the system will import only the prepared geometry, otherwise it will attempt to import all available geometry. (Maybe including the drawing frame and other undesired features).

It is useful to note that if the export software that produced the DXF file has the option to select Version 12 DXF then this is the recommended choice as this option will export any NURBS as basic elements (lines, arcs etc) which can be handled within Dolphin CAM for machining.

All suitable geometry is imported and assigned names based on the drawing name, e.g. Drawing1_CURVE001, Drawing1_CURVE002 etc. This allows geometry to be imported from multiple drawings without creating a naming conflict.

If complex drawings (containing text, help lines, frames etc.) are imported with no attempt to simplify the geometry held within them, the import routine may well find that the geometry cannot be resolved in a satisfactory manner. In these cases the

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recommended procedure is to open the DXF file within the Dolphin CAD system and simplify the drawing as required.

File - Export

The File - Export command is used to save the current program in a range of external formats (other than PartMaster). The file types currently available are PartMaster CAM files version 6004, Windows enhanced Metafile, and Text Files

The following dialog is displayed:

The dialog will automatically be set to the My Drawings folder. If this is not the folder where you wish to save the data, use the mouse to open the complete directory, where you wish to save the data. Input the file name that you wish to use and then click on the Save button.

File - Print

The button on the Top Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The File - Print command sends the selected output to the printer. A dialog will be opened where you can select the printer to be used (from the installed printers), the print parameters to be used and also what you want to send to the printer.

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What do you want to print: With this field you can select what you wish to print out

Edit Layout: This button enables you to set exactly what will printed as part of the document that you have selected.

File - Print preview

The Print Preview command opens a new window, which will display how the program will look when it is printed with the current printer settings. The display will change according to the data that you have selected to print in the Print command.

When you wish to revert to the normal Dolphin CAM window, click on the Close button.

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File - Send NC Program to...

The File - Send NC Program to command is used to send the current NC program (after it has been post processed) to a machine tool controller. The target is set to that specified in the selected cfg program. The cfg (configuration program) is set within the DComms module and specifies the target port (COM1, COM2 etc.), the baud rate, data bits, stops bits and handshaking protocol to be used in the data transfer.

The following dialog is displayed:

The dialog will automatically be set to the ApplicationsData folder. If the drawing that you wish to load is not in this folder, use the arrow button to open the complete directory, where you can select the folder that you want. Select the configuration program that you wish to use and then click on the Open button.

For further information please see the PartMaster Communications (Dcomms) program and Help files.

File - Send as Mail

The File - Send as Mail option is used to send the current CAM file *.cnc to your resident Email program such as Outlook or Outlook Express.

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Setup Menu - Milling

This menu contains commands, which enable you to define the machine type (mill, lathe, edm), to define any fixture offsets (milling & edm only), and to define a billet (raw material block). You can also save these definitions and reload a stored setup if required.

Setup - Machine Type - Milling

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command.

Setup is the first command which must be carried out when beginning a new program - when you enter PartMaster or when you activate the File - New command most other menu commands and buttons will be disabled. The Setup dialog is used to set up the basic parameters, which will apply to the new program. The Setup dialog will be displayed:

As you can see the dialog has 6 folders, the first one, which will be displayed automatically, is the one headed Machine Type. In this page you must select the type of machine to be used and the units that will be used within the program (Millimetres will be pre selected).

Note: If you enter values and the click on OK button the dialog will be closed. If you wish to enter values on various pages and activate them whilst remaining within the dialog, use the APPLY button.

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Setup - Machine Type - Program ID

In this page you can enter a part number or ID of the program in order to identify the job more easily. This name or number can be output with the NC code as a comment if the post processor is set up to do this.

The NC program number is the program number that will be output at the start of the NC code.

Neither of these names or numbers is connected with the file name under which the program will be stored on the hard disk.

Note: If you enter values and the click on OK button the dialog will be closed. If you wish to enter values on various pages and activate them whilst remaining within the dialog, use the APPLY button.

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Setup - Machine Type Milling - Tool Change

Tool Change Position This field defines the position to which the machine will go in order to carry out a manual tool change. If the machine has an auto tool changer then this position will probably be ignored by the postprocessor BUT it is still sensible to enter figures that are approximately correct because they will be used in the graphic display.

Safe (Home Position The Safe (Home) Position defines a position to which the tool can be sent when you wish to ensure that it is clear of the job. This function can be accessed via the Goto function

Clearplane This field defines the height at which XY rapid moves will be made. The clear plane defines a Z value above which the cutting tool may move in any direction without obstruction, i.e. it is higher than any point on the workpiece and clamps. Under normal circumstances PartMaster will not execute any 3 axis moves below this plane. Note that this value is absolute from program zero.

Feed Change Plane The feed change plane defines the Z value at which feedrate switches from rapid to feedrate when the tool is descending. It is often referred to as the R plane. The Feed Change Plane value is NOT absolute; it is relative to the work surface of the element that is currently being machined

Tick Boxes The first tick box allows you to ignore the programmed toolchange position for the graphic simulation (it will still be output in the program). The next tick box will retract the tool to the Clearplane level before every toolchange. The next two tick boxes allow you set a spindle stop and to switch the coolant off at every toolchange. Whether these are necessary depends upon the machine tool controller. Many machines will automatically carry out these steps as soon as a toolchange is commanded,

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others require a specific command. The last tick box will program a descent to the Clearplane after a toolchange before the tool moves to the XY position at the start of the next cutting operation.

Note: If you enter values and the click on OK button the dialog will be closed. If you wish to enter values on various pages and activate them whilst remaining within the dialog, use the APPLY button.

Setup - Machine Type - Vector Tolerance

Vector Tolerance: The Vector Tolerance is used by PartMaster to turn arcs and other curves such as splines, which the machine tool controller cannot handle, into a series of small linear moves approximating the shapes defined. The smaller the vectors the more nearly they approach the perfect form. Using an extremely small vector tolerance will produce a shape which requires little finishing but which may have many thousands of NC blocks. It is easily possible to exceed the size of a single program, which is allowed by the NC controller - in this case it may be necessary to machine the form in DNC mode by drip-feeding the controller from the computer. The Vector Tolerance sets the maximum value by which the linear moves (i.e. the vertices) may deviate from the perfect curve.

Note: If you enter values and the click on OK button the dialog will be closed. If you wish to enter values on various pages and activate them whilst remaining within the dialog, use the APPLY button.

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Setup - Machine Type - Origin

Origin The origin is used to define the machine tool zero point relative to the geometry origin and will typically appear in a G92 block. For lathes the only sensible input here is an X value, which will have the effect of moving the machining along the X-axis.

Work Offset Register The work offset register is typically used by the post processor to create a G54, G55..... block. Offset register 1 = G54, 2 = G55 etc. The exact output depends upon the post processor settings. This function is normally used on milling machines where several workpieces may be mounted at different positions on the machine table.

Note: If you enter values and the click on OK button the dialog will be closed. If you wish to enter values on various pages and activate them whilst remaining within the dialog, use the APPLY button.

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Setup - Machine Type - Extra Info

Extra Info The Extra Info command allows you to define NC blocks which are output at the start of the program after the program number but before any machining instructions. Note that the post processor will NOT act upon these entries so they must contain valid NC code for the controller in question.

Note: If you enter values and the click on OK button the dialog will be closed. If you wish to enter values on various pages and activate them whilst remaining within the dialog, use the APPLY button.

Setup - Fixture Offsets - Milling

Fixture Offsets: The Fixture Offset command allows you to name and define the position of a fixture offset and to associate any number of geometric elements (contours, patterns, profiles etc.) with this fixture. These groups can then be accessed as required and switched on and off as necessary. Note that a geometric element can only be associated with one fixture offset and that only one fixture offset can be active at one time.

The defined fixture offsets can be selected later by means of the Machining - Fixture Offsets command.

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To define a new fixture click on the Add button. The following dialog is displayed.

Members: All the geometric elements that are defined within the program are listed in the panel headed Select From. To associate a geometric element with the fixture being defined, click on the name and then hit the Add button. The name will be removed from the list on the left and transferred to the Current Members list on the right.

Edit Fixture Offset: The parameters for a fixture offset group may be edited by double clicking with the mouse on the entry in the list shown on the Work Group/Fixture Offset dialog above. The Define Work Group dialog shown above will be opened displaying all the currently defined parameters. They may then be edited as desired.

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Setup - Reset - Milling

This command enables you to selectively delete parts of an existing program. Upon choosing this command you will be asked consecutively if you wish to delete all the tools from the program, all the machining commands from the program or all the geometry from the program

Setup - Load Setup - Milling

This command enables you to re-load a set of Setup parameters previously stored with the Setup - Save Setup command. The standard File Open dialog is displayed with the default folder set to ApplicationData and the file type set to *.mcn (machine tool information file).

Setup - Save Setup - Milling

This command enables you to save a set of Setup parameters previously defined with the commands on the Setup menu. In addition to the normal setup parameters, this command will also save all the cutters that have been defined within the program.

The standard File Save dialog is displayed with the default folder set to ApplicationData and the file type set to *.mcn (machine tool information file).

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TOOLING

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Tooling - Define Tool - Milling

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The Define Tool dialog allows you to define eight different kinds of tools as shown above.

Tool Dimensions

The fields that are applicable here depend upon the type of tool that is chosen. The Lead field applies to Drills and defines the distance from the point of the tool tip to the position at which the full diameter applies. This distance is automatically calculated and filled in as soon as a diameter is specified. The cutting depth in a drilling cycle will automatically be adjusted by this amount so that the given hole depth is achieved at full diameter.

The Cut Depth field specifies the actual cutting depth which milling tools are capable of. If an attempt is made to machine a contour with either the Goround or Area clear commands at a depth greater than this value, the operation will be divided into a series of passes which do not exceed the cutting depth.This function can be switched off on the Options to the machining dialogs (go round, area clear).

The Description field will contain a short description of the tool type chosen. You can edit or delete this description and write in your own description as desired.

The Tool Number field defines the number of the tool in the program. Tools do not have to be defined or selected in any particular order. The length and offset register numbers are set in the Select Tool dialog. See Select Tool

The Drawing Name field allows you to access a PartMaster CAD drawing which defines the tool geometry. This is necessary if you wish the on-screen simulation to be done with a full drawing of the tool (including shank etc.), otherwise only the tool tip geometry as defined in the Tool Dimensions fields can be shown.

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Tooling - Definitions

As each tool is defined it is added to the bottom of the list in the Tooling Definitions Pane. You can re-set the size of this pane to the full window size by means of the Tooling command in the Window Menu. The Tile command in the same menu will set all the panes within the display window back to the default configuration.

Edit a Tool Definition To edit an existing definition, double click on the entry with the left hand mouse button. The Dialog that defines the tool will be displayed showing all the values and parameters that you originally set. Make any necessary alterations and then click on OK. Note that the alterations will NOT be carried out until the program has been executed after the alteration.

Delete Tool Definition To delete an operation from the sequence simply click on the text part of the entry and hit the delete key on the keyboard or select Delete from the Edit Menu.

Tooling - Load Toolfile - Milling

This command allows you to re-load a toolfile, which has previously been saved with the Tooling - Save toolfile command.

This is particularly useful for turning if you have tool turrets, which are always loaded with a range of standard tools, or for milling when a toolchanger or carousel has a range of standard cutters in pre-defined positions.

The Open dialog is opened with the file name extension *.tlf and the default folder set to ApplicationData

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Tooling Menu - Milling

This menu contains commands which enable you define and select tools.

Tooling - Save Toolfile - Milling

All the tool definitions in the current program can be saved to a toolfile, which can then be re-loaded into another program for future use. This is particularly useful for turning if you have tool turrets, which are always loaded with a range of standard tools, or for milling when a toolchanger or carousel has a range of standard cutters in pre-defined positions.

The Save dialog is opened with the file name extension *.tlf and the default folder set to ApplicationData

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Tooling - Select Tool - Milling

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The drop down list at the top of the dialog shows all the available tools, which have been defined within the program.

The Radius Offset and Length Offset fields refer to the offset registers of the NC machine; they may or may not be the same as the tool number.

Spindle Control: The spindle speed is set in revolutions per minute and can be clockwise or anti-clockwise.

Principle Feedrate: This defines the feedrate in the XY plane. Feedrates may be out put as Feed per Min. or Feed per revolution.

The Z-axis feedrate may be set in millimetres per minute or millimetres per revolution. This last setting is generally used for drills and taps. For tapping tools the feed per revolution represents the lead of the thread.

Coolant may be switched On after a toolchange. Note that you may switch the coolant on and off independently of a tool change by means of the menu field Machining - Coolant or

via the button on the Miscellaneous Toolbar.

The SelectTool dialogue may also used to set a new spindle speed and direction, a new cutting feedrate and to switch coolant ON. A tool change sequence is initiated only if the tool number entered is different to the currently selected tool, otherwise only the new spindle speed, feedrate and coolant settings are sent to the post-processor.

Spindle speed may also be set independently of a tool change by means of the menu field

Machining - Spindle or via the button on the Miscellaneous Toolbar.

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Tooling - Define a Milling Tool Using a Drawing

If the tool geometry is defined within a drawing and other non-drawing attribute information is added, the drawing can be accessed by the CAM system and used to display and simulate the full tool during program execution. In order for this to happen the drawing must be prepared in a particular way.

The preparation rules are as follows:

1. The main cutting part of the tool must be defined by a contour called Tip

2. Any other contours (holders, shank etc.), which are necessary to draw the tool, may have any names you wish

3. The dimensions of the tool must be defined by a special text.

4. The drawing must be stored in the folder called ApplicationData which is a sub-folder of the PartMaster System

METHOD

Draw the required geometry and trace the necessary contours using the NC Contour

command on the Machining menu or the NC button on the Drawing Operations Toolbar. Remember the Tip contour must be called Tip - the names of other contours can be whatever you like.

Enter the Special text into the drawing. This text must have the following format:

<TYPE=DRILL> <DIAMETER=6mm> <LEAD=8.2mm> <LENGTH=100mm> <CUTDEPTH=10mm> <DESCRIPTION=Centre Drill in Jacobs chuck>

The dimensions must obviously be altered to suit the tool that is being defined. The description field is simply a text description of the tool The Type can be any one of the seven types allowed within the Tool definition dialog.

A typical tool drawing showing contours and special text

Save the drawing in the folder called ApplicationData which is a sub-folder of the PartMaster System

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MACHINING

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Machining - Arc To

The Machining - Arc To command causes the cutter to move from the current position in an arc of defined radius to a new defined end position. The system will complain if the specified radius is too small to reach the new defined end point. As can be seen from the dialogue, a three dimensional arc with a z-axis increment is also allowed. How this is interpreted by the machine tool will depend upon the post-processor output.

The button enables you to pick the end position by means of a cursor click within the display area. If you click on the button, the dialog will be temporarily removed and the cursor will be placed in the display screen. Move the cursor over the required position and click with the left hand mouse button. The dialog will re-appear with the coordinates of the chosen point entered in the appropriate fields. This function will work in all screen views but the only sensible option is to use the plan view.

Machining - Area Clear

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

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Area Clear is used to machine an irregular shaped cavity - optionally with up to nine islands. There are a number of options, which affect how an area clear operation is to be performed.

Contour Name: The name of Outside contour can be selected from the drop-down list.

Z-Planes: These fields set the height and depth of the contour. If a Work Surface and Depth were defined when the contour was defined then these values will automatically be set. They can however be overwritten simply by entering the required values. If the values have been manually changed, pressing the Reset button will reset them to the geometry values.

Finish Allowance - XY and Z - These two fields allow you to specify a finishing allowance in either the XY or Z planes. This amount will be left on the contour in order to allow for a finish machining path. A negative value is also allowed - this has the effect of machining an inside contour oversize or an outside contour undersize.

If the XY finish allowance is set to value greater than zero, three further check boxes will be activated in the dialog.

Create finish pass(es) If checked a second goround operation is performed to to remove the material left by the finish allowance.

Reverse direction When checked the finish cut will be in the reverse direction to the first - roughing - cut.

Ignore tool cut depth setting This has no effect unless the tool's maximum cut depth is less than the value in the Depth of contour box. If it is checked then only one finishing cut will be generated irrespective of the number of pecks used to "rough" the contour. If it is not checked then a finishing pass is generated for every roughing pass.

Machining - Area Clear - From

The From command allows you to specify a "From" point. The co-ordinates of the "From" point define the position at which the tool will sink into the material before executing the Goround or Area Clear commands. This allows the user to pre-drill at some point, and have the tool enter the material at that same point.

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Machining - Area Clear - Islands

The contour names, which form the islands within the area to be cleared, can be selected from the drop down list. The panel above shows the island contours that have been selected. You may also use the select button and click and drag around a number of contours.

Machining - Area Clear - Options

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Swathe: This field sets the overlap amount between neighbouring passes of the tool. The value is set as a percentage of the tool diameter.

Style: This part of the dialog sets the machining strategy. There are three options:

STYLE DESCRIPTION

Use contour machining

The tool path consists of a succession of contour parallel paths, which follow the shape of the outside contour.

Use Uni-Directional Machining

Machining is a series of parallel paths at the angle set in the Machining Angle field. At the end of each pass the tool is retracted and moved at rapid back to the start of the next pass. The tool is then sunk to the specified distance and the process is repeated. Depending upon the shape of the area to be cleared, the tool MAY be retracted at intermediate positions if no other safe toolpath can be found.

Use bi-directional machining

Machining is a series of parallel cutter paths at the angle set in the Machining Angle field. The cutter is not automatically retracted and machining proceeds in a zig-zag manner. Note that the tool MAY retract if no other safe toolpath can be found.

The bottom of the dialog has a series of tick boxes for options, which can be used to modify the major options that are described above.

Use initial goround: If either of the two linear machining options is set, this box can be activated so that machining starts with one initial contour parallel path. It causes a Goround operation to be performed on the outer, and each island, boundary before the linear machining takes place.

Retract at end: If this option is not activated PartMaster will leave the tool at the current cutting depth at the end of the area clear operation (useful when performing repeats in the Z axis).

Traverse at Clearplane: If this option is activated all movements in the XY plane between positions during the cycle will be made at the Clearplane. If not activated all these movements will be made at the feed change plane.

Machine out from centre: Machining will start at the centre of the area to be cleared and will proceed outwards until the outer contour is reached. Applicable to only to the contour style machining option.

Roll sharp corners: Normally PartMaster rolls the tool around external sharp corners. Clearing this box causes PartMaster to take the extended corner route.

Machine all contours with the same group number: When contours are defined in PartMaster CAD the current layer number is stored as part of the contour name. This layer number is treated as a group number within PartMaster CAM. Ticking this box instructs PartMaster to apply the machining command to all contours whose group number (i.e. layer) matches the selected contour. This option must be used with care but can simplify the programming of components with 10’s or even 100’s of contours.

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Ensure that all contours in a group are copied (in PartMaster CAD) in the same general direction. For best results copy the shape in a clockwise direction if it is to be machined on the outside, and anti-clockwise if it is to be machine on the inside.

Group contours according to a defined plan. E.g. all contours associated with a particular face of the component to be machined, or all contours sharing a particular Z plane and depth.

Tick the Retract at end option to ensure that the tool does not stay down when moving from one contour to the next.

NOTE Area clearance with islands is not possible when machining a group of contours.

The Show command can be instructed to display group numbers – tick Show names and Redraw,

The Show command can restrict display to only those contours and Patterns within a particular group, enter the group number in the Active group number field (or press F1 to automatically select a group)

Group 0 is a synonym for all groups

Ignore Cutdepth setting: Normally the Area Clear operation considers the maximum cut depth specified for the current tool and machines the contour in "slices" so that this depth is not exceeded in order to achieve the specified depth. Ticking this box causes the contour to be machined at full depth in a single pass. See Define Tool

Pre-drill before area clear (Contour machining only): If this option is ticked then PartMaster will extract all the cutter sink positions from the current operation and prepare a drilling operation for these positions. A new dialog page will be opened in which you can define the drill to be used and the drilling options (normal drill, peck drill, deep drill etc.). See Area Clear Pre-Drill

Machining - Area Clear - Pre-Drill

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Pre-Drill Tool: Select the drilling tool from one of those displayed in the drop-down list. The Edit button opens the Select Tool dialog where you can set the spindle speed, feedrate etc.

Cycle Type: This part of the dialog sets the type of drilling cycle. There are three options:

CYCLE TYPE DESCRIPTION

DRILL Feed to depth, retract at rapid. - Can be used with tools defined as either MILL or DRILL

DEEP DRILL Drill hole in a series of pecks, retracting tool completely between each peck

PECK DRILL Drill hole in a series of pecks, retracting tool slightly between each peck. The number of pecks is entered in the dialogue. PartMaster calculates the depth of each peck.

Each of the cycles can be modified according to which options are ticked in the dialogue box.

OPTION DESCRIPTION

Traverse at Clearplane

The tool is retracted to the Clearplane before traversing to next hole; otherwise it will traverse at the Feed Change Plane. See Setup - Machinetype - Toolchange Dialog

Dwell before Retract

Use drill with dwell canned cycle. The dwell time must also be entered in the dialogue.

Rapid InFeed in Deep Drill

If a deep drill cycle is selected, ticking this option causes the tool to descend at rapid feedrate, to a point just above the previous depth drilled, after retracting to clear swarf from the hole being drilled.

Machining - Area Clear - Ramp

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Ramp - The Ramp command allows you to sink the tool at an angle rather than descending vertically when you select the Contours style of Machining or one of the linear machining options with the Use Initial Goround Option (ramp commands will be ignored by linear machining if this option is not active). Ramping enables tools that are not centre cutting to be sunk into the job. Note that it is normal to use the Machine Out From Centre option on the Options page of the dialog with the ramp commands (otherwise an outside element of the contour will not be completely machined). There are three options available:

RAMP TYPE DESCRIPTION

NONE No ramp. The tool descends vertically.

ANGLE The tool descends at the angle given in the Angle field. The required distance will be spread out along the first element of the cycle and along any succeeding elements if necessary.

ZIG ZAG The cutter will zig-zag back and forth along the first element to be machined sinking at the angle given in the Angle field. The cuts will be calculated so that the full depth is always reached at the end of one element.

Spiral Drilling: Spiral Drilling also enables tools, which are not centre cutting to be sunk into the job. The tool will descend in a spiral path until the cutting depth is reached. The two fields specify the Radius and Pitch of the spiral. The spiral is centred on the XY position of the starting point for the cycle. Note that Spiral Drilling will produce a full three axis cutter path (circular interpolation in XY plus linear in Z). There is no guarantee that your NC machine is capable of performing such interpolation.

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Machining - Area Clear - Z-Axis

Z- Axis: The Z Axis page is used to specify a simple Constant Taper Angle which can be defined directly in the dialog above and is attached to the side of the contours to be machined.

Constant Taper Angle: there are two ways to machining a Constant Taper Angle. With no options selected the form will be machined as a series of XY slices. The depth of cut between passes is set by the Z- Cut Depth field. If this field is left at zero, the depth of cut will be taken from the cutter Cutdepth as set on the Define Tool dialog. The second option is to Use 3-axis finishing which produces a cutter path in all three axes from top to bottom of the job. In this case the area clearance in Z-slices will be machined first and the 3-axis machining will be performed as a final finishing operation on the sloping sides of the shape. If the 3-axis option is activated together with the Finish only option, only the 3-axis path will be produced.

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AREA CLEAR WITH CONSTANT TAPER ANGLE

Vector Tolerance: The intermediate shapes of the form are produced by an interpolation, which produces a series of small linear moves approximating the shapes defined. The smaller the vectors the more nearly they approach the perfect form. Using an extremely small vector tolerance will produce a shape which requires little finishing but which may have many thousands of NC blocks. It is easily possible to exceed the size of a single program, which is allowed by the NC controller - in this case it may be necessary to machine the form in DNC mode by drip feeding the controller from the computer.

Cut Depth: If the Cut Depth parameter is set to a non-zero value, it will override the maximum cut depth setting for the current tool as defined by the Maximum Cut Depth field on the Define Tool Dialog. See Define Tool

Machining - Canned Cycles - Drilling

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

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Canned Cycles include all the various types of drilling, reaming and tapping cycles. Although they are called canned cycles the way that they are output to the NC machine is dependent upon the post processor setup. This means that it is possible to define a cycle, which the NC machine does not have built in, and have it output as a series of individual movement commands. It is usual to address and use the built in canned cycles on the NC machine wherever possible in order to keep the program length to a minimum.

Z-PLANES DESCRIPTION

Feed Change Plane

Feed to depth, retract at rapid. - Can be used with tools defined as either MILL or DRILL

Work Surface The Z-Axis position which defines the top of the holes and from where the Feed Change Plane and Depths are measured.

Depth of Holes The Depth of the holes in the pattern.

All the above values will default to those which were defined with the pattern definition (if any). The values inherited from the pattern definition may be overwritten as required. The Reset button will restore the default values if they have been changed in the meantime. The Feed Change plane will default to the value entered in the Toolchange page of the Setup - Machinetype - Toolchange Dialog

CYCLE TYPE DESCRIPTION

DRILL Feed to depth, retract at rapid. - Can be used with tools defined as either MILL or DRILL.

DEEP DRILL Drill hole in a series of pecks, retracting tool completely between each peck

PECK DRILL Drill hole in a series of pecks, retracting tool slightly between each peck. The number of pecks is entered in the dialogue. PartMaster calculates the depth of each peck.

REAM Feed to depth, retract at feedrate. Can only be used with Reamers

BORE Feed to depth, spindle stop, retract at feedrate, spindle start. Can only be used with BORE tools.

TAP Feed to depth, reverse spindle, retract at feedrate, reverse spindle. Can only be used with TAPs

Each of the cycles can be modified according to which options are ticked in the dialogue box.

OPTION DESCRIPTION

Traverse at Clearplane

The tool is retracted to the Clearplane before traversing to next hole; otherwise it will traverse at the Feed Change Plane. See Setup - Machinetype - Toolchange Dialog

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Dwell before Retract

Use drill with dwell canned cycle. The dwell time must also be entered in the dialogue.

Do not reverse Tap

Do not reverse tap when retracting. Tap holder reverses automatically.

Rapid InFeed in Deep Drill

If a deep drill cycle is selected, ticking this option causes the tool to descend at rapid feedrate, to a point just above the previous depth drilled, after retracting to clear swarf from the hole being drilled.

Machining - Chamfer

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The chamfer c0ommand is identical to the Goround command but is used to produce a chamfer around the edge of the contour. The tool must be specified as a Chamfer type tool.

1. The tool tip will move in XY at the current plane to the (offset) start point on the contour (as modified by any From or Approach command). 2. If the tool is above the feed change plane it will rapid descend to the feed change plane and then descend in feedrate to Depth (as modified by a Ramp command) 3. The tool will move around the (offset) contour at feedrate to the defined end point (as modified by any Runoff command). 4. If the Retract option has been specified the tool will retract to the defined Z plane

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Machining - Define Pattern

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The Define Pattern dialog allows you to define hole patterns of two different kinds without having to transfer them from a drawing.

Pattern Name - a unique name for the pattern to be defined should be entered here.

Z-Planes These fields allow you to define the starting height and depth of the pattern. The Feed Change plane will default to the value entered in the Toolchange page of the Setup -

Machinetype Dialog.

Two types of pattern are available: holes around a pitch circle diameter and holes in a regular rectangular grid.

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PATTERN - POINTS AROUND A PCD

PATTERN - POINTS IN RECTANGULAR GRID

Machining - Digitise

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

Digitise is used to define a machining sequence using the cursor. It can be used for a variety of purposes including area clearing simple shapes. The operation also permits drilling sequences to defined using the screen cursor. The current tool must be a MILL or a DRILL.

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Whilst in the digitising mode a new position for the cutter is defined by clicking with the left hand mouse button. Clicking with the right hand mouse button will open a sub-menu

where you can choose a new type of operation. See next page.

Hit keys: The kind of move that you make can be selected by means of one of the following hit keys. NOTE: The tool must be moved into an appropriate position BEFORE the hit key is selected. The move will be carried out immediately - a click with the mouse button IS NOT NECESSARY.

KEY DESCRIPTION

Z The move is only in the z-axis. No new XY position can be selected, the move will occur at the current tool position.

X The move is restricted to the X-axis only. The new X-position will be taken from the cursor position, any variation in the Y-axis will be ignored and the previous Y-value will be maintained

Y The move is restricted to the Y-axis only. The new Y-position will be taken from the cursor position, any variation in the X-axis will be ignored and the previous X-value will be maintained.

Note All the above options apply only to the current move - the mode will revert to XY automatically upon completion of the move

Name: The machining sequence (milling or drilling) that you are about to define must be allocated a unique name.

Z-Planes: Feed Change Plane: this is the height above the current Work Surface at which Z movements will change from rapid to feedrate. Work Surface: This sets the height above Z-zero from which the depth of the digitising will be measured. Depth of Contour: This field sets a default depth for the digitising.

Retract at end of sequence: If this field is activated the cutter will be retracted when the end of the sequence is reached, otherwise it will be left at the final depth.

Origin Point: When defining a new digitised sequence the X and Y origin point will be zero. If the pattern is being copied from another, then the new copied pattern can be translated in X and/or Y by entering a non-zero origin point.

Copy existing: Clicking this button will open a new dialog where you will be able to copy an existing digitising sequence. Edit sequence: Clicking this button will open a new dialog where you will be able to edit the details of a previously defined sequence.

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Machining - Digitise - Copy existing

This function allows you to copy a previously defined digitising sequence to a new name.

The options part of the dialog enables you to mirror the copy about the X or Y axes or to reverse the toolpath order.

Machining - Digitise - Edit Sequence

This function enables you to list and edit all the previously defined positions in a digitising sequence. Click on the Edit Sequence button on the Digitising Dialog and the dialog shown above will be displayed.

To edit an individual entry in the list place the mouse cursor over it and double click. A new dialog showing all the details of the entry will be displayed in which you can edit the values and options as required.

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Machining - Digitise - Menu

Whilst in digitising mode, a click with the left hand mouse button will enter a new position into the digitising sequence. A click with the right hand mouse button will open the menu shown above where you can select the type of operation required for the next move.

Hit keys: The kind of move that you make can be selected by means of one of the following hit keys. NOTE: The tool must be moved into an appropriate position BEFORE the hit key is selected. The move will be carried out immediately - A click with the mouse button IS NOT NECESSARY.

Z - The move is only in the z-axis. No new XY position can be selected, the move will occur at the current tool position.

X - The move is restricted to the X-axis only. The new X-position will be taken from the cursor position, any variation in the Y-axis will be ignored and the previous Y-value will be maintained.

Y - The move is restricted to the Y-axis only. The new Y-position will be taken from the cursor position, any variation in the X-axis will be ignored and the previous X-value will be maintained.

Note All the above options apply only to the current move - the mode will revert to XY automatically upon completion of the move.

Milling mode: If this option is activated the digitised positions will represent a series of points in a milling sequence.

Drilling mode: If this option is activated the digitised positions will represent a series of points within a drilling command.

Erase last: The last digitised position will be removed from the sequence.

Replay: Will replay all the moves in the current sequence. Normally used after an Erase last command to update the screen to the current position.

Quit: Ends and stores the current digitising sequence.

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Machining - Engrave

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

PartMaster provides an engraving feature allowing text, a component ID for example, to be machined into the component surface. This text is produced using either the simple inbuilt fonts or any of the True Type fonts that are installed on your computer.

Font Details:

OPTION DESCRIPTION

Use Simple Fonts

Click this box to select one of the simple inbuilt fonts

Italic The selected font will be italicised i.e. it will slope. This is not necessary when the selected font is already an italic type.

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Mirror Image The text will be mirror imaged about its start point.

Font Name The required font name can be selected from the drop-down list. The window below will show a sample of the selected font.

Height - Width

If you specify a Height without a Width the text will be output at the normal width given in the text definition. If you specify a Width without a Height, the width will be applied to the longest line of text and the height is scaled appropriately. If you input a Height and a Width, the standard font will either be extended or condensed so that the longest line of text will match the given width.

Justify The text can be justified so that the defined anchor point lies to the left, centre or right of the text.

Base Line: The selected text can be orientated along a line, around an arc or along a pre-defined contour.

OPTION DESCRIPTION

Engrave Text Along a Line

The text is engraved along a line, which is specified in the Text Position fields described below.

Engrave Text OUTSIDE or INSIDE an

Arc

The text will be engraved along an arc, which is specified in the Text Position fields described below. The text can be placed INSIDE or OUTSIDE the arc.

Engrave Text LEFT or

RIGHT of a Contour

The text will be engraved along the contour, which is specified in the Base Contour field. The contour can be chosen from the drop down list or selected directly on the screen by use of the

button. LEFT or RIGHT is relative to the direction of the contour as defined

Vertical Alignment

The text is normally placed so that the individual letters are normal (at right angles) to the base line, arc or contour. This option allows you to turn the letters through 90º so that they lie vertically one above the other. NOTE: If this option is selected the letters will no longer follow the line. arc or contour.

Text Position: If the text is to be placed along a line or around an arc, these fields allow you to define the position, size and orientation etc.

OPTION DESCRIPTION

X and Y fields These fields specify either the start of a line or the centre of an arc.

Angle Sets the angle of the line relative to the X-axis.

Diameter Defines the diameter of an arc.

Start Angle Defines the start position of a text around an arc.

Z-Planes:

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OPTION DESCRIPTION

Feed Change Plane

This is the height above the current Work Surface at which Z movements will change from rapid to feedrate.

Work Surface This sets the height above Z-zero at which the engraving will be set and from which the depth of the engraving will be measured.

Depth of Engraving

The depth at which the characters will be engraved, measured downwards from the Work Surface.

Text to be Engraved: The text to be engraved is entered in this box

Machining - Face Mill

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The Face Mill cycle is intended for cleaning up the top of a rough blank. The cycle can be defined by a contour or simply by the XY co-ordinates of two diagonally opposite corners.

CYCLE LIMITS: If a contour is used to define the cycle, note that it is simply used to establish the size of a rectangular area - the cycle will NOT follow the outlines of the contour. Note also that the tool will NOT be limited to the area of the contour but will be placed so that the whole of the defined area is covered by the cutter. The initial position where the cutter is sunk to the cutting depth is always placed outside of the defined area so that the cutter does not sink into the material. If no contour is available the area of the cycle can be simply established by inputting the XY co-ordinates of two diagonally opposite corners.

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Z-PLANES DESCRIPTION

Feed Change Plane

The feed change plane defines the Z value at which feedrate switches from rapid to feedrate when the tool is descending. The Feed Change Plane value is NOT absolute; it is relative to the Initial Z Surface as defined below.

Initial Z surface The absolute height in Z of the top of the material i.e. from where cutting will begin

Final Z surface The absolute Z height of the final cut.

No. of cutting passes in Z

axis

This field defines the number of passes, which will be made to reach the final depth. i.e. the cut depth of each pass will be defined by the difference between the Initial and Final Z surfaces, divided by the number of cuts.

MACHINING STRATEGY DESCRIPTION

Cut in X axis Cut in Y axis

The cutting takes place in a series of moves parallel to either the

X- or Y axis.

Uni-directional Bi-directional

Cutting cut be uni- or bi-directional. Uni-directional means that

the cutter will be retracted at the end of every cut and then moved

in rapid back to the start of the next cut. Cutting will therefore be

in one direction only. If bi-directional cutting is selected the cutter

will stay at depth and at the end of each cut will move sideways to

the start of the next move which will then be cut in the opposite

direction.

Swathe Defines the distance between adjacent cuts as a percentage of the cutter diameter. The value must lie between 5% and 95%.. i.e with a 20mm diameter cutter and a swath of 70% the distance between paths will be 70% x 20 = 14mm.

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Machining - Milling - Fixture Offsets

The top part of this dialog allows you to select one of the fixture offsets that you have previously defined using the Setup - Fixture Offsets command. For further detail click here

The bottom part of the dialog allows you to define a fixture offset without having previously defined it.

Fixture Offsets - Milling

Fixture Offsets: The Fixture Offset command allows you to name and define the position of a fixture offset and to associate any number of geometric elements (contours, patterns, profiles etc.) with this fixture. These groups can then be accessed as required and switched on and off as necessary. Note that a geometric element can only be associated with one fixture offset and that only one fixture offset can be active at one time.

The defined fixture offsets can be selected later by means of the Machining - Fixture Offsets command. For further details see previous page

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To define a new fixture click on the Add button. The following dialog is displayed.

Members: All the geometric elements that are defined within the program are listed in the panel headed Select From. To associate a geometric element with the fixture being defined, click on the name and then hit the Add button. The name will be removed from the list on the left and transferred to the Current Members list on the right.

Edit Fixture Offset: The parameters for a fixture offset group may be edited by double clicking with the mouse on the entry in the list shown on the Work Group/Fixture Offset dialog above. The Define Work Group dialog shown above will be opened displaying all the currently defined parameters. They may then be edited as desired.

Machining - Goround

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

Goround generates contour milling of the named contour with the cutting tool offset either to the left, to the right or centred on the contour.

1. The tool tip will move in XY at the current plane to the (offset) start point on the contour (as modified by any From or Approach command). 2. If the tool is above the feed change plane it will rapid descend to the feed change plane and then descend in feedrate to Depth (as modified by a Ramp command) 3. The tool will move around the (offset) contour at feedrate to the defined end point (as modified by any Runoff command). 4. If the Retract option has been specified the tool will retract to the defined Z plane

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TYPICAL GOROUND COMMAND WITH ARC APPROACH AND RUNOFF

Contour name(s) - The contour(s) to be machined are selected from the drop down list. The

button enables you to use the cursor to pick a contour directly from the screen. If you click on the button, the dialog will be temporarily removed and the cursor will be placed in the display screen. Move the cursor over the required contour and click with the left hand mouse button. The dialog will re-appear with the name of the contour entered in the appropriate field. Multiple contours can be selected by means of a drag operation with the cursor button or by inputting a list of contour names, each separated by a comma. Multiple contours cannot be selected by means of the drop down list.

Z-Planes - These fields set the height and depth of the contour. If a Work Surface and Depth were defined when the contour was defined then these values will automatically be set. They can however be overwritten simply by entering the required values. If the values have been manually changed, pressing the Reset button will reset them to the geometry values. NOTE: If the Maximum Cut Depth field on the Define Tool Dialog is less than the programmed depth of the contour, then the cutting will be split into two or more Z-axis passes so that the maximum cutting depth does not exceed the defined cut depth value of the cutter. See Tooling - Tool Definition

Direction - The contour can be machined either forwards or backwards as defined by the copy direction of the contour geometry.

Offset - The contour can be offset to the Right or Left or the offset can be set to None (the centre of the tool will be set exactly on the contour). The toolpath will then be offset in the desired direction by the current cutter diameter. Note that PartMaster will output the NC code with coordinates that have already been offset for the cutter diameter - this means that the cutter diameter in the NC machine offset register should be set to zero unless a modification is required to the toolpath. NOTE: If you wish to offset the cutter by more than the cutter radius (to leave some material on for finishing for example) use the XY Finish fields described below.

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Finish Allowance - XY and Z - These two fields allow you to specify a finishing allowance in either the XY or Z planes. This amount will be left on the contour in order to allow for a finish machining path. A negative value is also allowed - this has the effect of machining an inside contour oversize or an outside contour undersize.

If the XY finish allowance is set to value greater than zero, three further check boxes will be activated in the dialog.

Create finish pass(es) If checked a second goround operation is performed to remove the material left by the finish allowance.

Reverse direction When checked the finish cut will be in the reverse direction to the first - roughing - cut.

Ignore tool cut depth setting This has no effect unless the tool's maximum cut depth is less than the value in the Depth of contour box. If it is checked then only one finishing cut will be generated irrespective of the number of pecks used to "rough" the contour. If it is not checked then a finishing pass is generated for every roughing pass.

Machining - Goround - Approach/Runoff

This page of the dialog offers a range of options, which control how the tool will approach and leave the contour. The approach and runoff options are normally used to provide a smooth transition at the start and end of the contour so as to minimise witness marks, or else to provide extra moves during which the cutter radius compensation can be applied or cancelled. Ramp commands are normally used so that non centre-cutting tools can nevertheless be sunk into the job.

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APPLY Z MOVES DESCRIPTION

Before Approach -

After Runoff

Z-Moves to cutting depth are applied at the start of any Approach move and Retract moves at the end of cutting are applied at the end of the Runoff move - unless they are modified by a ramp command (see below).

After Approach - Before Runoff

Any Approach moves are completed before the Z-moves to cutting depth are made. Retract moves are made before any Runoff moves. Selection of this option disables ALL Ramp options (see below)

Approach and Runoff determine how the tool will attach to the shape to be machined, the point at which the tool will descend at the start of the cutting process and the point at which the tool will retract. There are 4 options:

TYPE DESCRIPTION

NONE No approach / runoff. The tool is moved to the XY start position of the contour and sinks to depth.

NORMAL The tool descends (approach) or retracts (runoff) at a point on a line at right angles to the first span to be machined, the length of this line is specified as the approach / runoff distance.

ARC A line followed by an arc, which is tangential to the first span to be machined. A Runoff move is split into an arc followed by a line. Using ARC option for both approach and runoff produces a teardrop effect.

PARALLEL The approach / runoff move is made by extending the first / last span to be machined by an amount equal to the approach / runoff distance specified.

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Ramp - the Ramp command allows you to sink the tool at an angle rather than descending vertically. This enables tools, which are not centre cutting to be sunk into the job. There are six options available:

RAMP TYPE DESCRIPTION

NONE No ramp. The tool descends vertically.

ANGLE The tool descends at the angle given in the Angle field. The required distance will be spread out along the first element of the contour and along any succeeding spans of the contour if necessary. Approach moves will NOT be ramped at this angle; they will simply be used to move the cutter down to the Work Surface.

APPROACH The tool descends so that it reaches the full cutting depth at the end of the approach move (or moves). The angle of descent is calculated automatically.

ZIG ZAG The cutter will zig-zag back and forth along the first element to be machined (including the first approach move if one is specified) sinking at the angle given in the Angle field. The cuts will be calculated so that the full depth is always reached at the end of one element.

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1st SPAN The tool will gradually descend along the length of the first contour element (approach moves will be only be used to move the cutter down to the Work Surface).

WHOLE CONTOUR

The tool will gradually descend along the length of the whole contour (approach moves will be only be used to move the cutter down to the Work Surface).

NOTES ON THE USE OF RAMP COMMANDS

Because Approach moves are ignored by the Angle, 1st Span and Whole Contour ramp commands it serves little purpose to use Approach moves when any of these ramp commands are active - the cutter will simply arrive at the contour start position at the Work Surface. The only Ramp commands that guarantee that the tool will be at full cutting depth before machining the contour proper are the Approach and Zig-Zag ramp commands used in conjunction with an Approach command. The only combination of commands that will not only guarantee that the cutter is at full depth but that the contour has a gradual approach so as to minimise witness marks is to use an Arc Approach with a Zig-Zag ramp command. This also ensures that you can specify a particular ramp angle. Note that an Approach ramp command used in conjunction with an Arc Approach will produce a full three axis cutter path (circular interpolation in XY plus linear in Z). The same is true of a Whole Contour ramp command if there are arc elements in the contour. There is no guarantee that your NC machine is capable of performing such interpolation.

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Machining - Goround - From

The From command allows you to specify a "From" point. The co-ordinates of the "From" point define the position at which the tool will sink into the material before executing the Goround or Area Clear commands. This allows the user to pre-drill at some point, and have the tool enter the material at that same point.

Tick the Use from point checkbox to enable the X and Y co-ordinate boxes. Enter the

desired values or press the button to select a point visually on the screen using the mouse.

Note:

Use of a From point is not recommended if machining multiple contours; the same "From point will be used for each contour and is unlikely to be suitable for all of them.

The user assumes responsibility for choosing the point at which the tool will descend. PartMaster CAM does not check that the path between the From point and the start of machining is valid, it is possible that it will corrupt the geometry. PartMaster does not care for instance that a From point may lie outside the boundary of an area clear operation.

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Machining - Goround - Options

PARTIAL MACHINING

These fields allow you to select any part of the profile for machining as the start and end points of the cycle.

NOTE: The simple XY position defined by say Span 1, 100% is identical to that of Span 2, 0%. This does NOT mean that these two positions are treated identically within the cycle. If you define an Approach or Runoff at this position, how this is carried out will depend upon the span geometry. For example, an Approach position defined relative to the end of span 1 may not be the same as that defined relative to the start of span 2.

These fields will always have the start and end points of the full profile as default values. i.e. if you change nothing, the whole contour will be machined (or at least as much as the cutter geometry allows).

If you select either of the options Machine all contours with the same group number or Combine multiple contours then the partial machining options will be deactivated.

Span number The span number refers to the number of the element within the profile. Spans are numbered sequentially in the

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definition direction starting with one. To display the span numbers within a profile on screen, use the View - Options - Span Numbers command.

Position This field defines (in %) the distance along the selected span. The start of the span is 0% (0), the middle of the span is 50% (0.5) and the end of the span is 100% (1).

Distance This field defines a distance along the span from the Position defined by the above field. i.e. if you select span 2, 0.5, 3mm as the start position of the profiling operation, machining will begin at a position, which is 3mm past the midpoint of span 2 as seen in the defined direction. If you wished to start machining at a point exactly 15mm along span 3 of the profile you could set the parameters as follows: Span 3, position 0, distance 15

NOTE: Theoretically it is possible to define a distance here, which will take the cutter beyond the end of the span. This will be collision checked against the profile and only carried out if the position does not interfere with other elements of the profile, otherwise machining will start (or end) at the end of the span.

Retract tool at end If this option is not activated PartMaster will leave the tool at the current cutting depth at the end of the contour path (useful when performing repeats in the Z axis).

Use part surface programming Using this option will cause PartMaster to bypass its normal offsetting routines and output the finish part surface co-ordinates together with cutter radius compensation details, instead of outputting a corrected toolpath. (Finish allowance is still considered).

This means that the offsetting routine is performed by the NC machine. There is no guarantee that the target machine tool can successfully cut the part

Roll sharp corners PartMaster can machine external sharp corners either by rolling the tool around the corner or by extending the tool path to the intersection point. It defaults to rolling around external sharp corners.

Machine all contours with the same group number When contours are defined in PartMaster CAD the current layer number is stored as part of the contour name. This layer number is treated as a group number within PartMaster CAM. Ticking this box instructs PartMaster to apply the machining command to all contours whose group number (i.e. layer) matches the selected contour. This option must be used with care but can simplify the programming of components with 10’s or even 100’s of contours.

Ensure that all contours in a group are copied (in PartMaster CAD) in the same general direction. For best results copy the shape in a clockwise direction if it is to be machined on the outside, and anti-clockwise if it is to be machine on the inside.

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Group contours according to a defined plan. e.g. all contours associated with a particular face of the component to be machined, or all contours sharing a particular Z plane and depth.

Tick the Retract at end option to ensure that the tool does not stay down when moving from one contour to the next.

The Show command can be instructed to display group numbers – tick Show names and Redraw,

The Show command can restrict display to only those contours and Patterns within a particular group, enter the group number in the Active group number field (or press F1 to automatically select a group)

Group 0 is a synonym for all groups

Ignore Cutdepth setting for current tool Normally the goround operation considers the maximum cut depth specified for the current tool and machines the contour in "slices" in order to achieve the specified depth. Ticking this box causes the contour to be machined at full depth in a single pass, regardless of the maximum cut depth specified for the tool. See Define Tool

Combine multiple contours If you have selected multiple contours on the Contour page of the dialog, this checkbox will affect how they are handled. If the checkbox is activated then all the contours will be considered together when calculating the cutting passes. This will avoid the case when the offset cutter path for contour 1 may damage contour 2. If the checkbox is not activated, all contours will be considered individually with no regard for the others.

Machining - Goround - Z Axis

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Z- Axis: The Z Axis page is used to specify a Z profile which is used in conjunction with an XY contour to produce a three dimensional shape. Note that there can only be one profile attached to a contour i.e the shape must be constant along the length of the contour. The profile may be a form, which has been drawn in the Cad system, or it may be a simple Constant Taper Angle, which can be defined directly in the dialog above.

Constant Taper Angle: there are two ways to machining a Constant Taper Angle. With no options selected the form will be machined as a series of XY slices. The depth of cut between passes is set by the Z- Cut Depth field. If this field is left at zero, the depth of cut will be taken from the cutter Cutdepth as set on the Define Tool dialog. The second option is to Use 3-axis finishing which machines the form first as a series of XY passes and then as a series of cutter paths in all three axes from top to bottom of the job. If the 3-axis option is activated together with the Finish only option, only the 3-axis path will be produced.

GOROUND WITH CONSTANT TAPER ANGLE

Use Z-axis Profile: The Z-axis form is defined by a profile. If Use Zaxis Profile is activated, the desired profile can be selected from the drop-down list. When machining a defined Z-Axis profile, the Vector Tolerance will also be used to calculate the cutdepth between successive passes. Note that the cutdepth will vary in Z depending upon the form of the Z-profile because the vector tolerance is applied along the length of the profile itself.

Vector Tolerance: When machining a Z-axis profile, the intermediate shapes of the form are produced by an interpolation, which produces a series of small linear moves approximating the shapes defined. The smaller the vectors the more nearly they approach the perfect form. Using an extremely small vector tolerance will produce a shape which requires little finishing but which may have many thousands of NC blocks. It is easily possible to exceed the size of a single program, which is allowed by the NC controller - in this case it may be necessary to machine the form in DNC mode by drip feeding the controller from the computer.

Cut Depth: If the Cut Depth parameter is set to a non-zero value, it will override the maximum cut depth setting for the current tool as defined by the Maximum Cut Depth field on the Define Tool Dialog. See Define Tool

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Machining - Goto - Milling

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

Goto is the only command (apart from Digitise) provided for driving the tool directly. All other commands drive the tool with respect to some piece of pre-defined geometry.

Gohome This command sends the tool to the Safe (Home) position as defined on the Toolchange Page of the Setup dialog. See Setup - Machine Type - Toolchange

Retract The Retract command is used to retract the tool - at rapid feedrate - to the Z axis Clear Plane value defined in the Setup dialogue [default], or to any Z value between the feed change plane and the clear plane.

Normally PartMaster will retract the tool to the feed change plane at the end of a drilling operation and leave the tool at cutting depth for most other operations - unless told not to.

Goto Sends the tool to a specific XYZ co-ordinate, or by an incremental amount in any or all axes, either at feedrate or in rapid motion if the rapid tick box is activated. If the Incremental option is selected, the default distance to move in each axis is zero. A Goto will be executed graphically by PartMaster as a 3 axis simultaneous move assuming all 3 axes are programmed. How this move is actually output will depend upon the post processor.

Caution is needed with the Goto command as the move will NOT be checked for collisions!

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Machining Menu - Milling

This menu contains commands which enable you define machining commands.

NOTE: The actual output of many of the miscellaneous operations in the lower part of the menu are completely dependent upon the post processor settings!

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Machining - Merge

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

EXAMPLE: MERGED CONTOURS

The Merge command is used to machine a shape, which is defined, by a top and a bottom contour at given Z heights. This command together with the Goround command (Z profile option) and the Z-Profile command can be used to perform 3D like machining. The interpolation betwee3n the two contours is linear in the Z-axis

Top Contour: The name of the top contour can be selected from the drop-down list. The

button enables you to use the cursor to pick a contour directly from the screen. If you click on the button, the dialog will be temporarily removed and the cursor will be placed in the display screen. Move the cursor over the required contour and click with the left hand mouse button. The dialog will re-appear with the name of the contour entered in the appropriate field. Z-height: This field sets the z-height at which the top contour is placed.

Bottom Contour: The name of the bottom contour can be selected from the drop-down list.

The button enables you to use the cursor to pick a contour directly from the screen. If you click on the button, the dialog will be temporarily removed and the cursor will be placed in the display screen. Move the cursor over the required contour and click with the left hand mouse button. The dialog will re-appear with the name of the contour entered in the appropriate field. Z-height: This field sets the z-height at which the bottom contour is placed.

Direction: The cutting direction can be set as Forward or Reverse with respect to the defined direction of the contours.

Finish XY and Finish Z - These two fields allow you to specify a finishing allowance in either the XY or Z planes. This amount will be left on the contour in order to allow for a finish

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machining path. A negative value is also allowed - this has the effect of machining an inside contour oversize or an outside contour undersize.

Offset - The contour can be offset to the right or left or the offset can be set to None (the centre of the tool will be set exactly on the contour). The toolpath will then be offset in the desired direction by the current cutter diameter. Note that PartMaster will output the NC code with coordinates that have already been offset for the cutter diameter - this means that the cutter diameter in the NC machine offset register should be set to zero unless a modification is required to the toolpath.

Machining - Merge - Options

Number of intermediate contours: This field sets the number of intermediate contours, which will be generated between the top and bottom contours. When machining in constant Z-level mode, this field sets the number of cuts that will be taken between the top and bottom contours.

Maximum length of span on surface: Intermediate contours will consist of a series of linear moves, which approximate the curve of the true contour. The smaller this distance is set the smaller the error between the linear moves and the true surface will be. If the number of spans on the top and bottom contours is the same, then PartMaster vectors the contours on a span-by-span basis. If the top and bottom spans are both lines or both arcs (with the same direction) PartMaster does not vector the span at all, reducing processing time and the size of the NC programme. When machining in 3D mode (constant Z-level switched off) this figure defines the distance between passes of the cutter.

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MERGE EXAMPLE: TWO DIFFERENT CONTOURS

Feed change plane (above top contour): This field sets the distance above the top contour at which the downward movement of the cutter will switch from rapid to feedrate.

Use Part Surface coordinates (Post processor): ticking this box will cause Dcam to output the true surface coordinates rather than a corrected cutter position, together with cutter offset information. Tool path correction will then be performed by the NC machine. Using this option will cause PartMaster to bypass its normal offsetting routines and output the finish part surface co-ordinates together with cutter radius compensation details, instead of outputting a corrected toolpath. (Finish allowance is still considered).

This means that the offsetting routine is performed by the NC machine. There is no guarantee that the target machine tool can successfully cut the part

Use Constant Z-Level machining: Ticking this box produces machining at a number of Z planes as defined by the field Number of intermediate contours. Leaving it blank produces machining as a sequence of 3 axis moves between the top and bottom contours spaced at the distance defined by the field Maximum span length on surface. This may give preferable results as it eliminates the step effect produced by the Constant Z level option.

Retract tool at end: If this box is activated, the tool will be retracted to the clear plane at the end of the machining sequence, otherwise it will remain at the final cutting depth.

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Machining - Pocket

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

Pocket Cycle is used to machine a regular shaped cavity - round or rectangular. There are a number of options, which affect how the operation is to be performed. A circular lead-in and lead-out is automatically performed at the start and end of each pass of the cutting operation.

Contour Name: The name of the pocket contour can be selected from the drop-down list.

The button enables you to use the cursor to pick a contour directly from the screen. If you click on the button, the dialog will be temporarily removed and the cursor will be placed in the display screen. Move the cursor over the required contour and click with the left hand mouse button. The dialog will re-appear with the name of the contour entered in the appropriate field.

Z-Planes: These fields set the height and depth of the contour. If a Work Surface and Depth were defined when the contour was defined then these values will automatically be set. They can however be overwritten simply by entering the required values. If the values have been manually changed, pressing the Reset button will reset them to the geometry values.

Finish XY and Finish Z: These two fields allow you to specify a finishing allowance in either the XY or Z planes. This amount will be left on the contour in order to allow for a finish machining path. A negative value is also allowed - this has the effect of machining an inside contour oversize or an outside contour undersize.

No. of passes: This field sets the number of Z-axis passes which will be required to reach the full depth.

Swathe: This field sets the overlap amount between neighbouring passes of the tool. The value is set in decimal as a percentage of the tool diameter.

Direction: The cutting direction can be set to Climb or Upcut. Climb milling is set as the default.

Use CRC: Using this option will cause PartMaster to bypass its normal offsetting routines and output the finish part surface co-ordinates together with cutter radius compensation details, instead of outputting a corrected toolpath. (Finish allowance is still considered).

This means that the offsetting routine is performed by the NC machine. There is no guarantee that the target machine tool can successfully cut the part

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Machining - Thread Mill

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

With modern machining centres utilizing helical interpolation programs, thread-milling operations can be achieved economically. Thread milling offers many advantages over tapping and is a fast growing machining concept in industry today.

Because the major diameter of the thread (for internal threads) or the minor diameter of the thread (for external threads) implies a recessing operation, the cycle consists of a feed move down to the start position, an X or y axis feed in move, a circular spiral toolpath to the end position, an x or y axis feed out move followed finally by a lift off to the traverse plane. If the thread is internal, the feed in and lift out take place on the hole centre; if the thread is external the feed in and lift out take place at Clear Distance outside the maximum diameter of the thread.

The tool used is similar to a thread-chasing tool with a cutter at right angles to the shaft. The tip of the cutter is ground to the thread form - multiple pitch tools are more commonly used than single pitch tools. In very small sizes the tools are made of solid carbide, larger tools normally have three carbide cutting inserts.

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A Typical Thread Milling

Tool with three

carbide

inserts

Pattern Name Specifies which group of holes (or single hole) is to be machined. The button enables you to pick the Pattern by means of a cursor click within the display area. If you click on the button, the dialog will be temporarily removed and the cursor will be placed in the display screen. Move the cursor over any of the holes in the required pattern and click with the left hand mouse button. The dialog will re-appear with the name of the selected pattern entered in the appropriate field. This function will work in all screen views but the only sensible option is to use the plan view.

Thread Details These fields enable you to enter the details of the thread that you wish to cut. The Start Diameter is the diameter at which cutting will start and should match the minor diameter of the thread (for internal threads) or the major diameter of the thread (for external threads).

Machining Options

Tool Type Multi Point or Single Point. This field describes whether the tool has multiple pitches on the cutting tip or just a single cutting tip. Multi-Point is normal.

Thread Type choose from Right or Left hand thread. A right hand thread is standard.

Cut Direction This options sets the direction of cut compared to the rotation of the cutter. It has the effect of either cutting from top to bottom or from bottom to top of the thread form. Climb cutting (bottom to top) is normally used for cutting internal threads to enable the swarf to be cleared from the hole. For left hand threads and external threads the effect is reversed.

Cut Division Number of cutting passes. This sets the number of passes required to reach the full thread depth, beginning at the start diameter. Cut Division Number of passes in Z This sets the number of repeats along the axis of the thread. i.e. you could set the full thread depth at say 20mm and perform the machining as four passes each of 5 mm.

These options are not exclusive i.e. you can set both radial and axial passes together

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Machining - Z-Profile

The button on the Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The Z-Profile command is used to define machining in the ZX plane. It produces a single slot, which is machined at a varying Z height. By combining this with a step and repeat command it becomes possible to machine a curved surface. This slot can also be rotated so that it is machined in any plane by repeating around a rotation centre. It is possible to machine a torus or similar shape. Surfaces are defined on the Surface and Revolved Surface pages of this dialog.

Profile Name: The name of the profile to be machined can be chosen from the drop-down list

Finish Allowance: This field allows you to specify an allowance that will be left on the shape for finish machining.

Z-Planes: Feed Change Plane: The Feed Change plane will default to the value entered in the Setup - Machine Type Dialog

Work Surface: This field allows you to define the starting height of the profile.

Start Point: These fields allow you to specify the starting point for the profile in all three axes

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Machining - Z-Profile - Revolved Surface

This page of the Z-Profile dialog is used to generate a surface of revolution by revolving the Z-Profile about the X-axis. The Create a Surface of Revolution box on the Surface page of the Z-Profile dialog must be activated

OPTION DESCRIPTION

Offset OUTSIDE

profile

If this box is activated the cutter will be offset outside the surface. This is normally used on a male part, but note that it is the Start and End Angles that actually decide whether a male or female form is produced (see below).

Offset INSIDE profile

If this box is activated the cutter will be offset inside the surface. This is normally used on a female part, but note that it is the Start and End Angles that actually decide whether a male or female form is produced (see below)

Machine surface axially

The surface will be machined in a series of passes parallel to the revolution axis. The step over between passes and the surface accuracy is set by the Vector Tolerance on the Slot page of the dialog.

Machine surface radially

The surface will be machined in a series of passes at right angles to the revolution axis. The step over between passes and the surface accuracy is set by the Vector Tolerance on the Slot page of the dialog.

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Parameters: The following parameters set the start and end angles of the revolution, together with any rotation of the principle axis about the XY origin point

OPTION DESCRIPTION

Principle axis (XY)

A figure entered here will have the effect of rotating the XY axes around the Z axis about the XY origin in an anti-clockwise direction.

Start Angle in YZ plane

Sets the start angle of the rotation in the YZ plane. The direction of rotation is set by the values given here and by the End Angle. Note that this angle is relative to the defined position of the Z-profile which is in the XZ plane. i.e if you wish to define a revolution through 180 degrees, starting and ending at the horizontal position, the start and end angles will lie at plus 90 degrees to minus 90 degrees. A start angle of -90 and an end angle of +90 will produce a female form; a start angle of +90 and an end angle of -90 will produce a male form.

End Angle in YZ plane

Sets the end angle of the rotation in the YZ plane. The direction of rotation is set by the values given here and by the Start Angle. Note that this angle is relative to the defined position of the Z-profile, which is in the XZ plane. i.e if you wish to define a revolution through 180 degrees, starting and ending at the horizontal position, the start and end angles will lie at plus 90 degrees to minus 90 degrees. A start angle of -90 and an end angle of +90 will produce a female form; a start angle of +90 and an end angle of -90 will produce a male form.

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Machining - Z-Profile - Slot

Angle between the first slot and the X-axis: If a figure is entered in this field it has the effect of rotating the orientation of the Z-profile around the XY origin point.

Vector Tolerance: When machining in the XZ plane, curves are converted to a series of linear moves. This field sets the maximum deviation of these linear moves from the true surface. The actual resolution achieved is also dependant upon the cutter diameter, which is currently selected. The smaller the figure entered, the more accurate the approximation will become, but at the expense of a longer program and machining times. This value, together with the current cutter diameter will also determine the fineness at which surfaces generated by either the Surface Patch or the Revolved Surface commands will be machined.

Machine in reverse direction: If this box is activated the Z-profile will be machined in the reverse direction with respect to the direction in which it was defined. Note This option applies only to single slots.

Retract at end: If this field is activated the cutter will be retracted when the end of the profile is reached, otherwise it will be left at the final depth.

Profile IS tool centreline: If this box is activated the cutter path will not be corrected for the tool diameter or form. The program will output coordinates on the defined profile.

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Machining - Z-Profile - Surface

Surface Options:

OPTION DESCRIPTION

Machine a single slot

If this box is activated a single slot (z-profile) is machined using the options set on the Slot page of the dialog

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Create a ruled

surface

Linear: The surface is defined by the profile, a linear distance between adjacent profiles and the number of profiles to be machined

Radial: The surface is defined by the profile, a radial step about the XY origin between profiles and the number of profiles to be machined

Create a surface patch using 2nd.

profile

This command is used to generate a surface, which is defined by two boundary profiles. The first boundary in the X-axis is defined by the profile selected on the ZX profile page of the dialog. The second boundary in the Y-axis is defined by the profile selected from the drop down list. The second profile is attached at right angles to the end of the 1st. profile. The accuracy of the surface is set by the Vector Tolerance value on the Slot page of the dialog.

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Surface of

revolution (around X-axis)

This option creates a surface of revolution by rotating the selected profile around the X-Axis. The start and end angles of the rotation are set on the Revolved surface page of the dialog. Note A surface generated by revolving the profile around the XY origin in the Z-Axis is set using the ruled surface: radial option detailed above.

Ruled Surface: If a ruled surface is selected from the surface types (option 2 above) these fields set the parameters for generating the ruled surface:

OPTION DESCRIPTION

Angle between first

slot and X axis

This field enables you to rotate the slot around the Z-axis about the XY zero position.

Linear Distance

between slots

Slots (Z-Profile) will be repeated at this linear distance apart to create a linear ruled surface

Radial Angle between slots

Slots ( Z-profiles) will be repeated at this radial angle about the XY origin to create a radial ruled surface

Total number of slots

This field sets the total number of slots that will be generated at the step as defined in one of the above two fields.

Machine alternate slots in reverse

direction

This option will cause the machining of the series of slots (as defined by the three fields above) to proceed in a zig-zag fashion, otherwise the cutter will be retracted at the end of each slot and moved over to the start point of the next so that each slot is machined in the same direction

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Milling Menus

The main menu consists of a series of 9 menus, which control all aspects of Dolphin CAM Milling

FILE This menu contains commands concerned with loading and saving programs, printing and page setup

EDIT This menu contains commands to cut, copy and paste information and also enables you to undo unwanted operations or mistakes and to edit the postprocessor

SETUP This menu enables you to set up the main machine parameters including the tool change position, safe position, tool fixture positions etc.

TOOLING This menu contains all the option necessary to define and select tools for the machining sequences

MACHINING This menu contains all the options necessary to define machining sequences - area clearance cycles for turning and facing, boring, profile turning, drilling cycles etc.

MACROS This menu contains commands to control the generation and execution of Visual Basic Scripts (Macros)

VIEW

The view menu has two main functions: it allows you to alter which screen elements are displayed (toolbars etc.) and how the cursor appears, secondly it controls the display of geometry and toolpath simulation for the program that you have defined

EXECUTE This menu contains the options available for simulating the program that you have defined.

WINDOW This menu enables you to select which of the various frames are displayed in the program window.

HELP Offers access to this help file and information about Dolphin CAM (Version No. etc:).

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Operations Toolbar - Milling

This Toolbar contains all the major operations necessary to define an NC program. The buttons are laid out in a logical progression:

i.e. at the left hand end (top) is the Setup button. This operation must be carried out before any of the other commands are made available. The second button enables you to define a tool; the third button enables you to select a tool. No machining operations will become available to you until you have performed these two operations in the correct order - you cannot select a tool if you haven't defined one.

The button at the extreme right (bottom) calls the post processor, which will convert, and output the program in the appropriate NC code for the chosen machine.

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MISCALLANEOUS FUNCTIONS

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Miscellaneous Toolbar - Milling

This Toolbar contains many secondary and optional operations necessary to define an NC program. .

Coolant

The button on the Miscellaneous Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

This option allows you to switch the flood coolant flow on the machine on or off as well as a enabling you to control through the tool coolant for machines that are fitted with this option.

Stop

The button on the Miscellaneous Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

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This option allows you to switch the NC machine off, either with a direct or optional stop command. Additional options allow you to switch both the spindle and coolant off as well, if necessary. See also Coolant and Spindle

Spindle

The button on the Miscellaneous Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

This option allows you to stop and start the spindle at any time as well as allowing you to enter a new spindle speed.

Feedrate

The button on the Miscellaneous Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

This option allows you to reset the cutting feedrate at any time during the program.

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Block Skip

The button on the Miscellaneous Operations Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

With this command you can specify a segment of the program, which will be enclosed within "optional" markers. These commands will only be carried out if the NC machine is set to read the optional blocks

Insert

This command can also be accessed via the button on the Miscellaneous Operations Toolbar

With this command you can specify a remark or other text, which will be inserted into the NC code. See also post-processing.

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Machining - Repeat

This command can also be accessed via the Repeat button on the Miscellaneous Operations Toolbar

With this command you can specify a segment of the program to be repeated. The repeat command is begun with a Start Sequence command, which must be placed in the machining operations list before the machining commands that are to be repeated. The repeat is ended by an End Sequence command, which is placed in the machining operations list after the last machining command to be repeated. No Repeat commands will be executed (because the program doesn't yet know what is to be repeated) until an End Sequence command is encountered. NOTE: Repeat commands CANNOT be nested.

A repeat command is inclusive of the original command i.e. if three repeats are specified, the sequence will be carried out three times in total, including the original. Multiple Repeat commands are additive i.e. if a machining sequence is repeated three times in X and three times in Y, the total number of sequences will be nine.

NOTE: The Mirror, Scale and Rotate options of the Repeat command may be used with only 1 repeat which has the effect of mirroring, scaling or rotating the machining without carrying out any repeats.

NOTE: For turning operations, most of these options will NOT be applicable.

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REPEAT 2 AT 100 IN X

REPEAT 2 AT 100 IN X and 2 AT 100 IN Y

REPEAT 2 AT 100 IN X and 2 AT 100 IN Y

ANGLE RELATIVE TO X 15º

Note that an ANGLE RELATIVE TO X rotates the axis along which the repeats

are made. IT DOES NOT ROTATE THE REPEATS THEMSELVES To rotate the repeats themselves use the ROTATE page of

the Dialog. See Rotate Page

REPEAT 2 AT 100 IN X and 2 AT 100 IN Y ANGLE RELATIVE TO X 15º

SKEW (INTERNAL) ANGLE IN Y 60º

Note that a SKEW (INTERNAL) ANGLE IN Y defines the angle of the Y-axis along which the repeats are made relative to the X-axis.

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ORIGINAL MACHINING

REPEAT 4 AT 90º IN C

Machining - Repeat - Mirror

This page of the Repeat dialog allows you to mirror the machining about the X and/or Y axes at the position specified. Note that the mirror image is applied separately to each repeat in its position as defined by the X and Y axis offsets. IT DOES NOT MIRROR THE COMPLETE REPEAT MACHINING SEQUENCE OVER THE AXIS - This will be clearer if you study the diagrams shown below.

NOTE: For turning operations, most of these options will NOT be applicable.

NOTE: The Mirror operation can be used with only 1 repeat, which has the effect of just mirroring the machining without repeating it.

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ORIGINAL

REPEAT 2 AT 100 IN X

REPEAT 2 AT 100 IN X MIRROR ABOUT X 0

Note: Original machining is mirrored about X0, the

repeat is then moved by X100

Machining - Repeat - Rotate

This page of the Repeat dialog allows you to Rotate the machining about a defined XY position. Note that the rotation is applied separately to each repeat in its position as defined by the X and Y axis offsets. IT DOES NOT ROTATE THE COMPLETE REPEAT MACHINING SEQUENCE - This will be clearer if you study the diagrams shown below.

NOTE: For turning operations, most of these options will NOT be applicable.

NOTE: The Rotate operation can be used with only 1 repeat, which has the effect of just rotating the machining without repeating it.

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ORIGINAL

REPEAT 2 AT 100 IN X REPEAT 2 AT 100 IN Y

ANGLE IN X 15º

REPEAT 2 AT 100 IN X REPEAT 2 AT 100 IN Y

ANGLE IN X 15º ROTATE 15º ABOUT X0Y0

Machining - Repeat - Scale

This page of the Repeat dialog allows you to scale the machining about a defined XY position. Note that the scaling is confined to the machining. IT DOES NOT SCALE ANY X AND Y POSITIONS DEFINED IN THE REPEAT - This will be clearer if you study the diagrams shown below.

NOTE: For turning operations, most of these options will NOT be applicable.

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NOTE: The Scale operation can be used with only 1 repeat, which has the effect of just scaling the machining without repeating it.

ORIGINAL

REPEAT 2 AT 150 IN X

REPEAT 2 AT 150 IN X SCALE 1.5

Note: Original machining is scaled by 1.5 about XY0, the repeat is then moved by

X150.

Machining - Subroutine

This command can also be accessed via the Sub-routine button on the Miscellaneous Operations Toolbar

With this command you can specify and name a segment of the program to be output as a subroutine. The machining sequences to be output within the subroutine are begun by a Start Subroutine command, which must be entered in the machining operations list before the machining commands in question. The subroutine is ended by an End Subroutine command, which is entered in the machining operations list after the last machining command.

The second part of the dialog allows you to output the Execute Subroutine command (which is not the same thing as defining a subroutine). In addition you can enter the number of repeats required (if any). The Options page of the dialog allows you to output a datum shift to be used with the subroutine and up to six calling parameters.

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Machining - Subroutine - Options

With this command you can specify a new origin to be used in conjunction with the Execute Subroutine command. The lower part of the dialog allows you to specify up to six pass parameters, which will also be output with the command.

Machining - Rotary Axis (Milling)

This command can also be accessed via the Rotary Axis button on the Miscellaneous Milling Operations Toolbar

With this command you can specify a position for a rotary axis as well as switching it on or off.

If you specify the rotary axis as A (parallel to the X axis), all Y values will be converted to rotary movements

If you specify the rotary axis as B (parallel to the Y axis), all X values will be converted to rotary movements

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In order to carry out this conversion the exact position of the rotary axis relative to the workpiece needs to be specified. The radius of the surface onto which the rotary movements are translated is set by the Rotary axis Z value on the dialog above (see diagram below). The offset (if any) of the rotary axis from the machine axis is set by the Rotary axis field.

PP Function

This command can also be accessed via the PP Function button on the Miscellaneous Operations Toolbar

With this command you can address a function that has been built into the post processor. The function is called by number and a parameter can also be passed. It is generally used to active special commands and features that are not available within the normal PartMaster machining commands

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Help Menu

This menu contains commands to open this help file and to show information about the version number of DCAM.

Help Topics: This field of the help menu accesses this help file.

What’s New: Opens a file, which gives information about the latest release of the software.

Tip of the Day: Opens a dialog, which gives helpful tips about PartMaster CAM About DCAD: Opens a Dialog with three tabs, which show information about DCAD - Version

No. Serial No. etc. This function can also be accessed via the button on the top toolbar

Dolphin on the Web: Will open the Internet Explorer and access the Dolphin Web Site. To be successful you must have a valid Internet connection.

Language: Opens a dialog in which you can select the required language from the pull-down list. At the moment English is the only valid choice.

Activate License ... This command gives you access to the Wizard, which will take you through the process of activating your users license. To do this you will need to acquire an activation code from Dolphin. All Dolphin products may be downloaded from the Dolphin website and will be complete in every detail except that the final output functions will be restricted. To turn your software into a full working product you need only obtain the activation code from Dolphin and then follow this procedure.

Change License ... This command gives you access to the wizard, which will take you through the steps necessary to change or update your license. An update code will be required which you can obtain from Dolphin

Help - About DCAM

This command displays a dialog, which contains information about the version number and other information about Dcam.

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Help - What's New

Opens a help file which documents all the various alterations and fixes of the various software releases

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View Menu

This menu contains commands to do with displaying the geometry and toolpath on screen as well as enabling you to set default values for a wide range of options..

View - Cycle Time Data

This command opens the dialog where data concerning machining times for the currently defined machining cycles is displayed.

View - Editor Font

This command enables you to select the font that will be used to display the NC code generated by the post processor. This text is displayed in the Edit NC Code area of the screen. The standard Windows Font dialog will be opened which will display all the fonts currently installed on your computer - select the required font, style, size and colour.

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View - Geometry Info

This command opens the dialog where a list of all the currently defined geometry is displayed.

Geometry can be activated or deactivated by means of the click boxes provided. If it is deactivated it will not be displayed on screen.

A geometric element can be deleted by clicking on it to highlight it and then hitting the Delete button.

You can edit the parameters of a geometric element by double clicking on it with the left hand mouse button. A new dialog displaying the parameters is displayed:

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View - NC Program

This command opens a window beneath the normal graphic window where the current Nc program (after post processing) is displayed. This window will also be opened automatically if you run a post process operation on the current program.

View - Notes

The View - Notes command opens a window in which you can add any notes that you wish to the program. When you have finished the note, hit the ESC key or the close icon on the window. You will be asked it you wish to save the note. If an existing note has been saved you can re-open it with the View - Notes command. The note can be edited or you can add further information as required. The View Note window is "sticky" i.e. it will remain displayed at all times irrespective of any other operations that you perform until you close it. The View-Notes command may also be used to provide on-line help in carrying out various operations. Some preliminary versions of these tutorials may be found in the How Do I ... folder. If the Notes dialog is visible when the program document is closed, it will automatically be re-displayed when that program is next opened. The dialog may be resized (by dragging its edges with the mouse) and can be moved around the screen by dragging its title bar.

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View - Options

The button on the Top Toolbar is a shortcut for this command, or right click when the cursor is in the graphics area.

This command opens the Display Options Dialog where you can set a wide range of options for displaying both the geometry and toolpaths and cutting sequences.

A general description is given below but the details will vary depending upon whether the Milling or Turning module is being used.

Tool Drawing

The toolpath and machining that you define can be displayed in three different ways as follows:

1 The toolpath is shown as a centre line only. The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option

2 The toolpath is shown as a centre line with an animated cutter. The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option.

3 A full simulation of the cutter path with an animated cutter and shading of the machined part. Note that full tool geometry can only be shown if

the tool geometry is defined within a tool database. The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option

Geometry

Geometry display options are available as follows:

1 The geometry can be shown at the work surface only or with depth (if defined)

2 The names of geometric entities can be displayed

3 The span numbers of elements within geometric entities can be displayed

4 The direction of spans within geometric entities can be displayed

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The geometry that you have defined or imported can be displayed in any one of four view directions as follows:

1 Isometric. The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option.

2 Plan view (XY). The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option

3 Front View (XZ). The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option

4 Side View (YZ). The button on the main toolbar is a shortcut for this option

View - Preferences

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

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View - Preferences - Angles

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

View - Preferences - Colors

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

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View - Preferences - Distance

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

View - Preferences - Feed Per Min

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

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View - Preferences - Feed Per Revolution

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

View - Preferences - Folders

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

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View - Preferences - Fonts

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

View - Preferences - Options

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

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View - Preferences - Retract

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

View - Preferences - Simulation

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

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View - Preferences - Spindle

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

View - Preferences - Tabs

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

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View - Preferences - Tuning

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

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View - Preferences - User Name

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

View - Preferences - Z Planes

This command opens the User Preferences Dialog where you can set a default values for a wide range of options.

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View - Redraw

The button on the Top Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The View - Redraw command redraws the current graphic screen, removing any toolpaths that are displayed. Note the toolpaths are NOT deleted; they are simply removed from the visual display.

View - Rulers

The View - Rulers command displays both horizontal and vertical rulers along the top & left hand side of the display screen id a single plan view is selected. The origin of the scales is placed at the program origin point. Movement of the cursor is shown by dynamic movement of cross hairs on the scales.

The screen Rulers

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View - Split

This command splits the screen into four smaller windows containing the four views, which are normally available. The active screen is chosen by clicking within one of the four windows with the left hand mouse button. Program execution and simulation is only shown within the currently selected window.

This is the SPLIT VIEW icon

View - Toolbars

This command opens the View - Toolbars sub-menu that you can use to switch the display of all the screen toolbars on or off.

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View - Zoom

This sub-menu contains commands to zoom the screen display:

View - Zoom - Cursor

The button on the Top Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The geometry displayed on screen is redrawn so that the area defined by the cursor just fits inside the screen limits. Any toolpaths that are displayed will be removed from the screen. Note the toolpaths are NOT deleted; they are simply removed from the visual display.

Click on the icon and then move the cursor into the graphic display area. Move to one corner of the area that you wish to display. Click and hold down the left hand mouse button. Drag the cursor to the diagonally opposite corner of the desired area. A rubber band box will be drawn to shown the area defined. When the box is at the desired position release the mouse cursor. The area of the screen defined by the box will be redrawn so that it just fits within the display area.

View - Zoom - Cutter Path

The screen is redrawn so that the cutter path is just fitted within the screen extents.

View - Zoom - Double

The button on the Top Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The geometry displayed on screen is doubled in size. Any toolpaths that are displayed will be removed from the screen. Note the toolpaths are NOT deleted; they are simply removed from the visual display.

View - Zoom - Extent

The button on the Top Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

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The geometry displayed on screen is redrawn so that all the defined elements just fit inside the screen limits. Any toolpaths that are displayed will be removed from the screen. Note the toolpaths are NOT deleted; they are simply removed from the visual display.

View - Zoom - Half

The button on the Top Toolbar is a shortcut for this command

The geometry displayed on screen is halved in size. Any toolpaths that are displayed will be removed from the screen. Note the toolpaths are NOT deleted; they are simply removed from the visual display.

View - Zoom - Previous

The screen is redrawn to the last selected zoom option.

View - Zoom - Selection

The screen is redrawn so that the currently selected geometry (contour etc.) is just fitted within the screen extents.

Window Menu

This menu contains commands, which control how the various programs that you have loaded will be displayed.

All the programs that you have currently loaded are listed at the bottom of the menu. Click on any one of these names with the left hand mouse button to select it as the currently active program.