key creator nc 2axis tutorial

8/3/2019 Key Creator Nc 2axis Tutorial

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KEYCREATOR NC provides multiple surface and solid tool path generation

and post processing for 2 and 3 axis applications. For this tutorial well

investigate 2 axis capabilities. This tutorial was designed to help you become

familiar with basic 2 axis NC tool path generation and post-processing using

KEYCREATOR. Youll learn the basic work flow for generating and post

processing a 2 axis tool path. Additionally, youll get a chance to look at the 2

axis NC functions and machining strategies used in KEYCREATOR.

KEYCREATOR uses all types of pure geometry (wireframe, solids, and

surfaces) to help define tool paths. The part youll be working with

(nesting_fixture.ckd) is a solid with several 2 axis features including 2D

contours, nested pockets, pockets with islands, and drilled holes.

KEYCREATORS 2 axis strategies can be used to define tool paths for these

features. This tutorial was designed with the assumption that the user has hadgeneral CAD/CAM software experience. It might be a good idea to complete

the KEYCREATOR BASIC TUTORIAL before attempting this tutorial. For

additional information on any of the commands used in this tutorial, please

refer to the KEYCREATOR NC reference material, available for download at

www.kubotekusa.com.


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Get Started- Open and shade the sample partOpen the part, nesting_fixture.ckd that is in the CKD directory of your KEYCREATOR

install (or downloaded with this tutorial). To do that, choose FILE>OPEN from the pull down

menus and browse for nesting_fixture.ckd. Once the part is loaded, type SHIFT+5 (hotkey

combination for shading) to shade the part. The part should be displayed as shown above.

The four main steps that are followed when creating a tool path with KEYCREATOR are shown

above. Each step is significant to the process and critical information will be defined at each

step. The tutorial will review and identify the importance of each of the steps. For 2 axis

machining operations, steps 2 and 3 have been combined in a wizard like interface that can be

repeated for additional tool paths.

Repeat foradditional toolpaths

Center drillDrill

End Mill

DrillingPocketing

Contouring

Define Tools

ChooseMachining

MethodGenerate

Path

Verify

Post-Process

Process theTool Path

Curves

PointsArcs

SelectGeometry tobe Machined

WIZARD


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STEP 1 Define the tools that you will use

In this tutorial you will be generating tool paths for pockets, profiles and drilling operations.You can define all of the tools that youll use now. Keep in mind that tools can also be

defined while you are defining the machining strategy as well. You will need a 6 mm flat end

mill, a 13 mm flat end mill, a center drill, and a 13 mm drill. To define these tools Choose

TOOLS>NC>PATH>TOOLS from the pull down menus. In the SELECT THE ACTIVE TOOL

dialog box, click DEFINE NEW.

In the ADD A NEW TOOL dialog box set the parameters a shown above to define a 6 mm flat

end mill. Click OK to add the tool to the tool list. Next, repeat the process to add the 13 mm flat

end mill, the center drill, and the 13 mm drill.

Tool type

Tool name(user defined)

Toolspecificparameters

Machiningparameters


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Once all of the necessary tools have been defined, the tool list should look similar to the list

shown above. This tool list can be saved to a file and retrieved at any time in the future. To

finish the tool definition process, click DONE. For the next step, youll start by generating a

tool path for the external profile of the part. Next, youll use the pocketing routine to generate

a tool path for a nested pocket and a pocket with islands. Youll also investigate the creation

of a tool path for a drilling operation.

STEP 2 Select the geometry and generate the tool path for a profiling operation

(Before you start, set the QUICK CHAIN selection function by choosing EDIT>SYSTEM

SETTINGS>QUICK CHAIN from the pull-down menus. This will allow you to select profile

geometry much easier throughout the tutorial).Start by creating a tool path for the externalprofile of the part. Choose TOOLS>NC>2D>PROFILE from the pull down menus to enter the

profile wizard. In the PROFILE MILLING dialog box, choose SELECT NEW TOOL to select a

tool from the TOOL LIST. In the TOOL LIST, click on the 13 mm end mill that you defined

earlier, then, click DONE. Youll return to the PROFILE MILLING dialog box. The 13 mm end

mill will be the CURRENT TOOL. In the PROFILE MILLING dialog box, click NEXT.


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Next, youll need to select the geometry that will define the profile. The bottom edge of the

part will work well for this. Choose SELECT PROFILE. On the conversation bar click CHAIN.

You turned on QUICK CHAIN earlier, so simply move the cursor near the position shown to

highlight the entire edge of the bottom of the part as shown above, then click to select the

geometry. (If the entire chain is not selected right away, move the cursor slightly to get

the desired results)

Once youve selected the profile youll need to decide whether to climb or conventional mill theprofile. Lets choose conventional milling for this example. There will be an arrow displayed on

the model indicating the machining direction. The conversation bar will prompt you to

REVERSE MACHINING DIRECTION? Click on YES or NO depending on the direction that the

arrow is indicating. Click ACCEPT. The desired direction is shown above.

Move cursor nearthis position

Machiningdirection


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Once youve chosen a machining direction youll be prompted with WHICH SIDE OF THE

PROFILE DO YOU WANT TO CUT? on the conversation bar. Right or left is determined by

looking in the cut direction. Click RIGHT. The display will verify that you have chosen the

desired side. Click ACCEPT. Next, youll be prompted with WHERE DO YOU WANT THE

TOOL TO ENGAGE THE PART? Click MID on the conversation bar. This refers to the position

on the entity that was used to select the profile. You placed the cursor near the straight edge

along the bottom of the part to select the profi le, therefore, the tool will engage the profile at the

MIDpoint of that edge.

Once youve completed the geometry selection process, take note of some of the parameters

that can be set for profile milling. The parameters include cutter compensation, tapered wall

profiling and lead-in/lead-out definition. Set the parameters a shown above left then click

NEXT. The final step in the profile wizard allows you to set the Z parameters and define the

roughing and finish parameters for the part. Set the parameters as shown above right, then

click CREATE PATH.


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Enter a tool path description and choose CREATE to generate the tool path. The tool path willbe generated based on the information that you have input in the previous steps. Rapid and

feed motions are differentiated by color and line type. Manipulation of the tool path (delete,

copy, rotate) can be done with the tools found in TOOLS>NC>PATH from the windows pull

down menu. Keep this in mind as you continue to become familiar with KEYCREATOR NC.

Take note of the position where the tool engages the profile (MID) and the shape of the lead-

in/lead-out path (BLEND ON/BLEND OFF radius of 7.8mm). Also, based on parameters that

you defined earlier, one pass was made on both the Z and XY directions.

STEP 3 Select the geometry and generate the tool path for a pocket with islands

The next feature to consider is the pocket with islands. KEYCREATORs pocketing routine

allows you to generate a tool path for a pocket with islands automatically. The key is the

geometry selection process. Youll need to select a profile for the pocket, then, a profile for

each island. To start the process, choose TOOLS>NC>2D>POCKET from the pull down

menus.


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Click SELECT NEW TOOL, then, pick the 6 mm flat end mill that you defined earlier. Onceyouve returned to the POCKETING dialog box, click next. To select the geometry that will

define the boundary of the pocket, click SELECT OUTER BDY. Choose SINGLE/MULTIPLE

CAVITIES HAVING THE SAME DEPTH, then, click OK. The conversation bar will prompt you

with, SELECT THE BOUNDARY CURVES FOR POCKET. Click CHAIN on the conversation

bar.

QUICK CHAIN was turned on earlier, so simply move the cursor near the position shown to

highlight the pocket boundary as shown above. Click to select the geometry, then click

ACCEPT.

Next, youll need to select the geometry that will define the islands. In the POCKETING dialog

box, choose SELECT ISLANDS.

Use chain tohighlight and selectpocket boundary


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Youll be prompted to SELECT THE CURVES FOR ISLAND. Choose CHAIN on the

conversation bar. You turned on QUICK CHAIN earlier, so simply move the cursor near the

position shown to highlight the island boundary as shown above. Click to select the geometry.

Next, choose CHAIN, then move the cursor near the second island boundary and click to

select the geometry. Click ACCEPT. Set up the various pocketing options as shown above

right. (for more information on pocketing refer to the KEYCREATOR NC REFERENCE

MATERIAL)

The final step before generating the tool path is to set up the various depths for the pocket.

The diagram in the POCKETING dialog box will help you to do that. Input the values shown for

Z-CLEAR (20) and Z-SURF (0). To define Z-FLOOR, choose the CURSOR SELECT button to

the right of the Z-FLOOR value. CURSOR SELECT will allow you to define the Z-FLOOR value

by picking a position from the part geometry. Move the cursor near the END of the line shown

above and click when the POSITION SNAP snaps to the END position. Note that the

Z-FLOOR value will update to -22.86.

Use chain tohighlight and selectisland boundaries

Use cursor to selectEND to define the pocketfloor


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To generate the tool path, choose CREATE PATH. Enter a tool path description, then, chooseCREATE. The tool path should look similar to the tool path shown above.

STEP 4 Select the geometry and generate the tool path for nested pockets

The next feature to consider is nested pockets. KEYCREATOR handles this type of featurenicely, however, the geometry selection process is again the key to success. For the nested

pockets shown above, youll need to select the pocket boundaries and positions that will define

the depth of each pocket. To start the process, choose TOOLS>NC>2D>POCKET from the

pull down menus.


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The 6 mm tool was selected when you generated the tool path for the pocket with islands and

KEYCREATOR has remembered that, so, you wont need to select a tool. Click NEXT. The

geometry that you used to generate the tool path for the pocket with islands has also beenremembered by KEYCREATOR. Youll need to reset the selected geometry before you select

the geometry for the nested pockets. Click both RESET buttons shown above.

Now that youve RESET the selected geometry click SELECT OUTER BDY. ChooseMULTIPLE/NESTED CAVITIES HAVING DIFFERENT DEPTH and click OK. Youll be

prompted with SELECT THE BOUNDARY CURVES FOR POCKET NR1. Click CHAIN on the

conversation bar. Move the cursor near the position shown above to highlight the boundary of

the first pocket then click to select the geometry.


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Youll be prompted with SELECT ANY POINT ON THE FLOOR POCKET NR1. Click CURSORon the conversation bar. Move the cursor near the END of the curve shown above left and click

when the POSITION SNAP snaps to the END position. Youll be prompted with SELECT THE

BOUNDARY CURVES FOR POCKET NR 2. Click CHAIN on the conversation bar. Move the

cursor near the position shown above to highlight the boundary of the second pocket then click

to select the geometry.

Youll be prompted with SELECT ANY POINT ON THE FLOOR POCKET NR 2. Click

CURSOR on the conversation bar. Move the cursor near the END of the curve shown above

left and click when the POSITION SNAP snaps to the END position. Set up the various

pocketing options as shown above right. (for more information on pocketing refer to the

KEYCREATOR NC REFERENCE MATERIAL). Click NEXT to continue.


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For nested pockets many of the Z parameters are set up during the geometry selection

process. You will need, however, to be sure that Z-CLEAR is set to 20 mm above the part. Set

up the STEP-DOWN and STOCK ALLOWANCE as shown, then, click CREAT PATH. Enter a

tool path description, then, choose CREATE. The tool path should look similar to the tool path

shown above.

STEP 5 Select the geometry and generate the tool path for drilled holes

Youve had a chance to review POCKETING and PROFILING. The final 2 Axis function to

investigate is drilling. There are four holes in the part that can be used to demonstrate the

drilling process. Choose TOOLS>NC>2D>DRILL from the pull down menus. In the DRILL

TOOLPATH SETUP dialog box, review the parameters, then click OK.


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Lets drill the four holes using two operations. You can center drill the hole locations, then,

through drill the holes to size. KEYCREATOR allows you to utilize several canned cycles for

drilling. The SPOT DRILL cycle will work well for both drilling operations. Remember that you

defined a center drill and a 13mm diameter drill at the start of the tutorial. Youll use those tools

to define the drilling tool path. Lets start with the center drilling operation. Choose SELECT

NEW TOOL, then pick the center drill from the TOOL LIST and click OK. This will activate the

center drill. In the CANNED CYCLE list, choose SPOT DRILL (G81). In the HOLE DEFINITION

area set the NOMINAL DEPTH to 5 mm. Click APPLY THIS CANNED CYCLE to add the

center drilling operation to the LIST OF CANNED CYCLES TO BE APPLIED TO EACH HOLE.

Repeat the process for the through drilling operation. Choose SELECT NEW TOOL. Pick the

13 mm drill from the TOOL LIST. Click OK. Choose the SPOT DRILL (G81) canned cycle. Set

the NOMINAL DEPTH value to 30 mm, then, click APPLY THIS CANNED CYCLE. You will

now see two SPOT DRILL operations in the LIST OF CANNED CYCLES TO APPLY TO

EACH HOLE. Click NEXT to continue.


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Next, youll need to define the hole positions. In the FILTERING OPTIONS FOR HOLESELECTION choose NO-ZPLANE FILTERING. The actual hole positions can be defined using

positions or by selecting the circle geometry that defines the hole. For this example, use the

cursor to select the center of the holes. Click CURSOR PICK. On the conversation bar youll

be prompted to INDICATE NEXT HOLE LOCATION. Move the cursor near each hole until

CURSOR SNAP snaps to the CTR, then click to select the hole. Once youve selected all of

the hole CTRs click DONE. Youll be prompted with RETRACT TO WHAT PLANE BETWEEN

THIS GROUP OF HOLES? Click RAPID.

Name the tool path, then, click CREATE PATH to generate the tool path. The final step

requires processing of the tool path, which includes visual verification and post processing

(generating NC code from a tool path) for a specific NC controller.


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STEP 6 Post process the tool paths

To start post processing the tool path choose TOOLS>NC>PATH>POST from the pull downmenus. On the conversation bar youll be prompted to SELECT THE TOOLPATHS. Use the

cursor to highlight and select the tool paths in the order that you created them. Click ACCEPT.

Next, youll need to select a post processor that was written for your specific NC controller.

There are several post processors in the KEYCREATOR post processor library, however, if

you dont see the machine that you are looking for a post processor can be written by

KUBOTEK USA tech support for any NC controller. Choose SELECT POST in the POST

PROCESS TOOLPATHS dialog box to access the post processor library. Choose a post

processor from the list and click OPEN.

Once youve selected a post processor, youll need to name the file and directory that the NC

file will be written to. Click on NC OUTPUT FILE in the POST PROCESS TOOLPATHS dialog

box. Browse for the desired directory, name the file and click SAVE. Next, click OK in the

POST PROCESS TOOLPATHS dialog box.


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On the conversation bar, youll be prompted to INDICATE PART ZERO. This is the positionthat you will indicate on your actual part or stock as part zero. In practice it may be a good idea

to include geometry in your file that will define the actual reference position for the piece of

stock or part that youll be machining. This geometry could be a point, wireframe block or any

other geometry that will help to define the actual cutting environment. By including this

geometry, the selection of part zero will be simplified. For this tutorial you can select the MID

point of the edge shown above. To do that, choose CURSOR on the conversation bar, move

the cursor over the edge, then, click when the CURSOR SNAP snaps to the MID position.

In the NC FILE PROGRAM LIST dialog box you can view and print a record of the NC program

that youve just created. Click VIEW NC FILE to view the file in a text editor

(note pad). Click DONE to complete the process.

This completes the basic tutorial for generating a 2 axis tool path with KEYCREATOR. For

more information refer to the KEYCREATOR NC reference MATERIAL, the KEYCREATOR

NC 3 AXIS TUTORIAL, or contact your local KEYCREATOR Support Center.

key creator nc 2axis tutorial

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