GibbsCAM

TUTORIAL

VERSIONS 2000 & 2002

PRODUCTION

MILL

PRODUCTION MILL

WITH SOLIDS IMPORT

LATHE

JEFF HATLEY

SDC

Schroff Development Corporation

www.schroff.com

www.schroff-europe.com

PUBLICATIONS

95

Chapter 4

The CAM Process

Introduction

There are 6 exercises in this chapter. For each exercise you will open a part

file that contains CAD geometry. You will then set up the tools needed to

machine the part, create machining processes, simulate them, and post

process the machining operations to generate CNC code. Part files for the exercises in this chapter can be downloaded at www.schroff1.com.

Exercise 1 – Drilling

Note: The machine type, units, stock size, and CAD geometry for this part

have been set up.

Choose File-Open from the Main Menu. Select the file DRILLING.vnc and

click on Open. The CAD geometry for this part consists of points that will

be used for drilling operations.

Select the Tools icon in the Top Level Palette to open up the Tool List.

GibbsCAM Tutorial

96

Double click on Tile 1 in the Tool List to create the first tool.

The Tool Creation dialog box will appear. Select the drill as the tool type.

Enter the values in the diagram to define the size of the tool.

Close the Tool 1 dialog box.

The CAM Process

97

The tool will appear in the Tool List.

Double click on Tile 2 in the Tool List to create the second tool.

GibbsCAM Tutorial

98

The Tool Creation dialog box will appear. Select Tap as the tool type. Enter

the values shown to define the size of the tool.

Close the Tool 2 dialog box. The tool will appear in the Tool List.

The CAM Process

99

You are now ready to begin the machining operations. Select the CAM icon

on the Top Level Palette to open the Machining Palette, Process List, and

Operations List.

Machining operations are created by dragging a tool from the Tool List and

a machining function from the Machining Palette on to the Process List.

Select the Drilling icon from the Machining Palette and drag it to Tile 1 of

the Process List.

GibbsCAM Tutorial

100

Select Tool 1 from the Tool List and drag it to Tile 1 of the Process List.

The Process dialog box will appear.

For the Entry Exit Cycle choose Feed In – Rapid Out.

Enter 1 for the Entry Clearance and Exit Clearance. Enter 3 for the spot

diameter (This is the diameter of Tool 1). Enter 0 for the Z surface value.

Enter –3 for the final Z depth of the tool. The software will automatically

enter the value –2.XXX based on the Tool Creation diagram.

The CAM Process

101

Enter the remaining values as shown.

Close the dialog box. You will now select the geometry for this operation.

Hold down the control key and select the four points located in the center of

the part.

GibbsCAM Tutorial

102

Complete the operation by clicking on Do It on the Machining Palette.

Change your view to a Front View. This will allow you to see the drilling

depth. The orange lines represent the tool path.

Change the view to an isometric view. To simulate this operation click on

the Cut Part Render icon on the Top Level Palette.

The Rendering Controls will appear. Click on the Visible Tool icon as

shown. Hit the Stop button and then the Rewind button to reset the

simulation. Hit the Play button to run the simulation.

Note: You can drag the slider + or – to speed up or slow down the

simulation.

The CAM Process

103

Select the Cut Part Render icon again on the Top Level Palette to exit the

simulation. Notice that a Drilling icon appears on Tile 1 of the Operations

List. The Operations List contains the final output.

To begin the second operation, select Tile 2 on the Operations List.

GibbsCAM Tutorial

104

Only the information from the Operations List will be included in the final

output. Drag Tile 1 from the Process List to the Trash Can.

Drag the Tap tool (Tile 2 of the Tool List) to Tile 1 of the Process List.

The CAM Process

105

Drag the Drilling Icon to Tile 1 of the Process List.

GibbsCAM Tutorial

106

The Process dialog box will appear. Enter the values as shown.

Close the dialog box. Hold down the control key and select the 4 corner

points as shown.

Click on Do It.

The CAM Process

107

To simulate this operation select the Cut Part Render icon from the Top

Level Palette.

The Render Controls will appear. Hit the Stop button and then the Rewind

button to reset the simulation. Hit the Play button to run the simulation.

GibbsCAM Tutorial

108

You are now ready to post-process the output. Select the Post icon from the

Top Level Palette.

The Post Processor dialog box will appear.

The CAM Process

109

Select the Post Processor Selection button.

The Open Post File Selection Box will appear. See your instructor or system

administrator for the location and name of the Post File you will use. Select

the file and click on Open.

Select the Program Name Button.

The Save NC File dialog box will appear. Enter DRILLING in the File

name box and choose NC files (*.NCF) as the Save as type. Click on Save.

This is the file that will be downloaded to the CNC mill to machine this part.

GibbsCAM Tutorial

110

Select the Text Window button to view the CNC code.

Notes:

1. Clicking on the Process button would update an older file with the

same name.

2. The .NCF file can be opened and edited in many NC editing programs

such as Gibbs Editor.

Close the Post Processor dialog box.

This completes the exercise. Save the file. Choose File-Save from the Main

Menu.