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FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND BUILD ENVIRONMENT

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND MATERIAL ENGINEERING

KKKP 3214 CAD/CAM

LAB REPORT

T8- Autodesk Inventor and T9- MasterCam V8

( Tiltle : Key Chain - Scout Logo )

Name : CHAN KIEN HO

Matric No. : A125070

Department : JKMB/3

Group : 2P

Experiment Date : 18 August 2010

Due Date : 4 October 2010

Demostrator : En Yusri Bin Marzuki

Lecturer : Prof. Dr. Che Hassan

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Students will be exploded to the utilization of CAD/CAM software during the

laboratory training. The CAD software used is the Inventor Professional Version 2008,

while the CAM software is MasterCAM V8 (Version 8). A series of training will be

given for each main and basic function of these software.

Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is a

3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used

in the design, visualization and simulation of products.

Mastercam’s comprehensive set of predefined toolpaths—including contour, drill,

pocketing, face, peel mill, engraving, surface high speed, advanced multiaxis, and

many more—enable machinists to cut parts efficiently and accurately. Mastercam

users can create and cut parts using one of many supplied machine and control

definitions, or they can use Mastercam’s advanced tools to create their own

customized definitions.

2.0 THEORY

Students will be learning the basic usage and general function of Inventor Professional

2008 in order to design a solid object from 2D sketching to 3D modeling. Next, the

solid model.ipt file is then projected onto the 2D detail drawing via the

Autodesk/AutoCAD drawings file, “.dwg” format. Convertion of the “.ipt” file

(Inventor part file) into other standardized formats such as STEP, IGES, and SAT is

introduced as a neutral interchange for other system of CAD/CAM software in future.

Secondly, the solid model drawn from the Inventor is imported as SAT format

into MasterCAM for tool paths generation, machining process simulation and

verification. Finally, the numerical control codes generated from MasterCAM is

posted as .nc file which can be inserted into CNC machines as machining program

codes.

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3.0 OBJECTIVES

( I ) To learn the basic usage and functions in order to design solid modeling

by using Inventor Professional 2008 software.

( II ) To learn to use MasterCAM software in order to plot machining tool paths,

doing machining simulation and verification, and post NC codes generated.

4.0 EQUIPMENTS AND TOOLS

( I ) Personal Computer

( II ) Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008 software

( III ) MasterCamV8 software

5.0 PROCEDURE

( I ) CAD – Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008

( Design and draw a solid object )

( II ) CAM - MasterCamV8 software

( Machining the designed solid object )

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5.1 CAD – Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008

1. Open New part file namely “standard(mm).ipt in metric unit

( File > New > Metric > Standard(mm).ipt > OK )

2. Construct a scout logo shape in 2D sketch by using the commands such as line,

center point circle, two point rectangular three point arc and general dimension.

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3. By clicking the “Return” button after finish sketching, then press F6 to see

isometrcic view. Extrude the shape by 2mm.

4. Set a work plane as shown in the figure , use the mirror command to form

another side of the of the half-shaped logo.

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5. Sketch and extrude the shape that has been drawn by 1mm.

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6. Sketch and locate the “star” by using the command : polygon, center point circle,

line and general dimension. Extrude the shape that has been drawn by 1mm.

Afterwhich, use mirror command to construct another similar shape at the left

side with the aid of working plane.

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7. Sketch at circle and extrude it by 5mm to cut away the selected part to form a

hole. The hole is to put a chain to make this scout logo plate as a keychain.

8. Finally, the product ( keychain ) is being constructed.

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9. Save the file as type “ .ipt ” . ( File > Save As )

10. Meanwhile, Save another file as type “ .SAT ” , so that it can be opened at

MasterCam X ( File > Save Copy As )

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11. Open another new drawing file : ANSI(mm).idw

12. Projecting the solid model into 2D orthogonal drawings by clicking the base view,

then select and open the saved file.

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13. Select the appropriate scale ( 4:1 ) and key-in the label name ( Front View ).

Click on the light bulb to display them on screen. Select the orientation ( bottom )

14. Click “Projected View” then select the front view and drag it on top left corner,

top right corner and bottom right corner to form Top View, Isometric View and

Side View.

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15. Right Click the any of the view then select “Retrieve Dimension” or manually

construct the dimension using the Drawing Annotation Panel.

16. The Dimension is displayed as shown in figure

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17. Modify the block title and detail by clicking the “iProperties”

( File > iProperties )

18. Finally the drawing view is completed as shown. Save the file as “ .idw.”

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5.2 CAM – Mastercam V8

1. Impoet the saved file type “ .SAT ” into the MasterCam X4.

2. Convert it into “ .MC8” by saving a new copy so that it can be opened in

MasterCam V8

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3. Open saved file type “.MC8” in MasterCam V8. ( Main Menu > File > Get )

4. Click the icon “Screen-Surf Disp-shading ”( an earth ) and select shading active

to view the drawing in solid. Set the current configuration file as metric unit.

( Main Menu >Screen > Configur )

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5. Set up the stock to be machined by creating a bounding box.

( Main Menu > Toolpaths >Job Setup > Bounding box > Window > Done )

6. Create a contour tool paths around part. Use chain to select outer border.

( Main Menu > Toolpaths > Contour > Chain > End here > Done )

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6.1 Tool parameter

( Tool Type = Flat endmill, Tool diameter = 2mm, Spindle speed =1500,

Coolant = flood )

6.2 Contour Parameters

( Depth = -4.0 )

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7. Run Surface Rough Parallel on the part

( Main Menu > Toolpath >Surface > Rough (surf/solid =A) > Parallel > Boss >

Window > Done )

7.1 Tool Parameter

( Tool Type = Flat endmill, Tool diameter = 2mm, Spindle speed =1000,

Coolant = flood )

7.2 Surface Parameter

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7.3 Rough Parallel Parameter

( Plunge control = allow multiple plunges along cut, Max stepover = 1.0 )

7.4 Rough Parallel Parameter > Cut Depth

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7.5 Rough Parallel Parameter > Gap Settings

( Motion = follow surface )

7.6 Rough Parallel Parameter > Edge Settings

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8. Run Surface Finish Parallel on the part

( Main Menu > Toolpath >Surface > Finish > Parallel )

8.1 Tool Parameter

( Tool Type = Flat endmill, Tool diameter = 1mm, Spindle speed =1000,

Coolant = flood )

8.2 Surface Parameter

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8.3 Finish Surface Parameter

( Cutting Method = Zigzag , Max Stepover = 0.1 )

8.4 Finish Surface Parameter > Gap Settings

( Motion = Smooth )

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9. Drill a hole on the part.

( Main Menu > Toolpath > drill > entities > chian > end here > done > done )

9.1 Tool Parameter

( Tool Type = Drill, Tool diameter = 2mm, Spindle speed =1000, Coolant = Off )

9.2 Simple Drill – No Peck

( Depth = -4.0 )

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10. After finish all the setup , simulate and verify the generated toolpath.

( Main Menu > Toolpaths > Operation > Select all > Regen path > Verify )

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11. Summary of the step taken for machining in Mastercam

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12. Create G-code. Post and saving the NC file.

( Main Menu > Toolpaths > Operation > Post )

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6.0 DISCUSSION

Inventor is a powerful and user friendly CAD software, especially in drawing 3D

solid modelling. Whereas MasterCAM is good in creating tool paths and NC codes

for maiching purpose.

SAT files are ASCII text files that may be viewed with a simple text editor. A

SAT file contains carriage returns, white space and other formatting that makes it

readable to the human eye. A SAT file has a .sat file extension. ACIS saves modeling

information to external files which have an open format allowing external applications,

even those not based on ACIS, access to the ACIS geometric model. The basic

information needed to understand the ACIS file format ( focusing on the reading, or

restore, operation), includes the structure of the save file format, how data is

encapsulated, the types of data written, and subtypes and references.

Theoretically, the tool paths generated in MasterCAM and be perfect and nice in

verification. However, this can be differ in the reality where machining process still

can be influenced by other factors such as vibration, materials’ properties, machines’

system to synchronous with the codes posted, and etc.

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7.0 CONCLUSION

From this lab project, the objectives have been achieved as we have learnt to use the

Autodesk Inventor Professional and MasterCamV8 softwares. This lab project is

meaningful and definitely assist student in completing the other design task in future.

Hence, as a manufacturing engineer, mastering of technologies and software in

CAD/CAM field is a must in future.The future of manufacturing field will completely

depend on CAD/CAM due to its versatility and increasing competition in this field.

8.0 REFERENCE

( I ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACIS

( II ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodesk

( III ) http://cd.cadlearning.com/pd_inventor_2008.cfm