Does it get annoying to repeatedly define features of imported 3D models? Does rest milling cost you unnecessary extra programming time? Do containment definitions drive you crazy?

If so, then consider ZW3D, which gives CAM engineers like yourself rapid and efficient programming through the application of auto feature recognition, batch calculations, rapid rest roughing and rest finishing, and flexible containment. Let me take you through a real case study to show you how ZW3D excels in each of these areas.

1.Automatic Feature Recognition

ZW3D’s Quick Mill module allows you to create tool paths directly from the whole part and stock. There is no need to define it manually, and so when you program Quick Mill, you do not need to select the machining area.

Here is the actual part I will use in this article: see figure 1. I’ll load it into ZW3D, and then select a roughing operation from the Quick Mill module. I’ve picked Rough Smooth Flow, and then directly selected the part and the stock as the machining feature.

2012-11-7 15:54

(figure 1 Automatic feature recognition)

Immediately, the definition of the machining feature is finished. Next, I need to define the tool and its parameters, following which I can calculate the results.

2.Rapid Rest Roughing and Rest Finishing

Thanks to the reference operation and reference tool, I don’t need to find the areas that cannot be cut by the big tool in the previous operation; through just one quick operation, the system detects the areas that need further cutting.

I’ll select another roughing operation; this time, it’ll be Offset 2D to get the rest roughing tool path.

First, I select the Offset 2D Operation from the Quick Mill module, and then under this operation I choose the Ref Op item from the tree. I select the previous rough as the reference operation, as shown by figure 2.

2012-11-7 15:56

(figure 2 Adding the reference operation)

Second, I set up the parameters, select a suitable tool (here I am using the 16mm flat end mill), and then I use the batch calculation function to perform the calculations.

The result is the rest roughing tool path, as shown in figure 3.

2012-11-7 15:58

(figure 3 Tool path of rest roughing)

To know more about how QuickMill enhances CNC programming efficiency, please click:

http://www.zwsoft.com/Service_Support/ser_zw3d/Tricks/776.html