Why and How to Generate Milling Operations in NX CAM?
Milling Operation is a part of NX CAM and is used for manufacturing planning, which will program any job due to their comprehensive and integrated NC programming capabilities in a single system. This enables the use of consistent 3D models, data and processes to seamlessly connect planning and shop floor operations with a digital thread.
Now, “How to Exploit Generated Mill Operations in NX CAM“?
The main objective would be to create a NC Program File which can be used in manufacturing. Following along in our demo video to learn more. We’ve also included detailed steps on performing these actions while in NX for you try.
Generate the Milling Operation:
Step 1
Let’s begin with the Cavity Mill dialog.
Step 2
Next, go to the bottom section Actions in the Cavity Mill dialog and select the Generate button as shown in the image.
Notice that the tool cutting path is generated.
Step 3
Next go back to the Cavity Mill dialog and go to Actions section and select the Verify button. Notice the Tool Path Visualization dialog appears, as well as the tool and holder appears in the view window poised above the tool cutting path, as shown in the image.
Step 4
Go to the Tool Path Visualization dialog and go to the Replay tab and under Display Options in the Tool section drop down menu select Tool, then go to Motion Display section and select Current Level in the Tool Path drop down menu, as shown in the image. This allows you to see one level of cutting or many levels at once as the tool cuts through the blank geometry.
Notice that first top tool cutting path is shown along with the tool and holder. The path is the thin light blue pattern line.
Step 5
Next go back to the Tool Path Visualization dialog and in the Replay tab go down to Pause at Each Level and select the box to place a check in it. Then go down to Animation Speed and move the slide to 8 on the scale. You can adjust the speed to what you want but 7 to 8 moves at a decent speed to see the tool move. Then select the Play button, as shown in the image. Then watch the tool follow the cutting path in the view window.
You can use the play, fast forward, rewind buttons to cycle through each level of tool cutting at any speed you choose.
Step 6
You can also view the tool cutting through a 3D solid model blank. Go to 3D Dynamic tab and go to the Tool section drop down menu select Tool, then go to Tool Path drop down menu and select Current Level. Then go down to Animation Speed and move the slide to 5 on the scale, as shown in the image. Then watch the tool follow the cutting path in the view window.
Again, you can use the play, fast forward, rewind buttons to cycle through each level of tool cutting at any speed you choose.
When finished select OK to back to the Cavity Mill dialog.
Step 7
In the Cavity Mill dialog go down to Actions and select the List button icon, as shown in the image. The list will generate the tool cutting path information, as shown in the information below.
In the top border bar buttons allow you save, print, cut, paste the information as you please. When finished select the small “X” at the top right hand corner to close out the screen.
When finished, go to the Cavity Mill dialog and select OK.
Step 8
Next, to see the tool you created go to the border bar and select Program Order icon and in the Operation Navigator go to 1234 and select the plus sign (+) to expand the folder and notice the tool, CAVITY_MILL select on it and it will show the tool cutting path, as shown in the image.
This Tech Tip is an excerpt from the i GET IT course titled ‘NX CAM Quick Start to Basic Manufacturing‘. For more tech tips and in-depth eLearning courses for NX CAM and other popular engineering design tools and topics, please visit https://www.myigetit.com to explore more. There are affordable subscription plans to get started on your upskilling journey! If you should have any questions, please reach out to iproducts@tatatechnologies.com for help.