FeatureMILL 2.

5D Beginning FeatureCAM

Beginning FeatureCAM
Introduction
This module will provide the user with an understanding of the asi! user interfa!e and
different sto!" t#pes. At the end of the module the user will e ale to generate a program for
a simple part.
User Interface
The user Interfa!e is the entire viewing area of FeatureCAM and is designed to e intuitive$
eas# to use and provides the man# fun!tions to assist #ou in !reating programs a!!uratel# and
in the fastest possile time.
Menu Bar Lo!ated at the top. Li"e man#
other %indows ased software$
FeatureCAM in!ludes a series of drop down
menus. These menus are uni&ue to
FeatureCAM and provide one or more
fun!tions used to fa!ilitate the !onstru!ting$
manufa!turing$ viewing and editing of #our
part program.

FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'(( 1
)art *iew
Menus
+teps
Tool Bars
,esults
-raphi!s %indow
-eometr# Bar
+tatus Bar
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

Tool Bars Lo!ated in *iew and
Toolars. Tool Bars are usuall#
lo!ated at the top ut ma# e do!"ed
in other lo!ations. Can !onsist of one
or more uttons and are used to !reate
o.e!ts in the -raphi!s %indow$ su!h
as the -eometr# !onstru!tors for
drawing the shape of #our part.
Steps Lo!ated on the left side.
A s#stemati! se&uen!e to guide$
espe!iall# the eginner$ as to the
order of whi!h needs to e
!ompleted first$ se!ond$ et!.
Part View Lo!ated ehind the
+teps. This area gives a listing
and provides a!!ess to the
properties of the sto!"$ setups$
features$ turrets$ !urves$ /surfa!es
and solids when availale0.
Browser Lo!ated on left side 1Toolo23 elow +teps.
4our !omputer must e !onne!ted to the internet and the
Browser provides a dire!t lin" to the internet. Learn aout
the Browser # parti!ipating in the various se!tions with
downloadale e2amples on the opening page then Cli!" on
the lin"s and e2plore the !ontents.
Results Lo!ated on the right
side. It !ontains the 5peration
list. %hereas the )art *iew
!ontains all of the features$ the
5peration List !ontains all of the
hits. It also provides the details
of ea!h operation$ in!luding a
tool list. The 6C !ode is also
here. All of the information
residing in this area ma# e
printed.
Graphics Window Lo!ated in
the !enter. This is where most of
the a!tivit# is ta"es pla!e. These
a!tivities in!lude7 !reating sto!"$
importing drawings$ solid and
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FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

surfa!e models$ !onstru!ting
geometr#$ !haining with !urves$
!reating features$ and simulating
the tool path in 8D or !enter line
of the tool.
Geometry Bar Lo!ated near the
ottom. This area is !onstantl#
used and is where the dimension
o2es are used to lo!ate the
geometr# on #our sto!" material
in the -raphi!s %indow.
Status Bar Lo!ated at the ver#
ottom of FeatureCAM. It
displa#s the plane #ou are
wor"ing in /94:9;<4;0$ the
unit of measure /in!h<metri!0$ the
la#er #ou are wor"ing in$ the
a!tive setup$ post pro!essor$ the
tool !ri$ and how man# C)=
!ores are eing utili>ed.
o The asi! interfa!e has three different se!tions. 5n the
left is the +teps toolar.
o The steps toolar is an outline for the flow of the
program. The steps are numered se&uentiall# in the
order the# should e e2e!uted and !an e a guide for
!reating #our part.
o For e2ample suppose #ou have a 2D drawing on #our
des" and would li"e to !reate a solid model and a CAM
program for it. To do this we would follow the steps
se&uentiall#7
(. +pe!if# t#pe of sto!" and sto!" dimensions$
2. Draw -eometr#
8. Create Curves from -eometr#
?. Create +urfa!es /ignored sin!e !reating a solid model0
5. Create +olid from Curves.
@. 5r A. to !reate Features
B. To view toolpaths and
C. To generate 6C Code

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FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

o 4ou !an a!!ess a ma.orit# of FeatureCAMDs fun!tions through these uttons. A
summar# of ea!h steps fun!tion follows.
Note %e re!ommend that if #ou are .ust starting out with the program or demonstrating it to
others that #ou use the steps toolo2 instead of toolar uttons in other areas of the interfa!e
to "eep the interfa!e simple.
Step 1 ! Stoc"# The +to!" %i>ard steps #ou through entering the shape and dimensions of
the sto!"$ the sto!" material$ part program >ero and the !oordinate s#stem for modeling.
Step 2 $ Geometry# )oints$ ar!s$ lines and other shapes are used to des!rie the overall
shape of parts. Man# different geometr# tools are availale. -eometr# !an also e imported
from CAD s#stems.
Step 3 $ %ur&es# +hapes that involve more than a single line or ar! are des!ried as !urves
Step ' $ Sur(aces$ opens the surfa!e wi>ard
Step ) $ Solids$ opens the solid wi>ard
Step * $ +,R /Automati! Feature ,e!ognition0
Step- $ ,eatures# Features are !ommon shop terms li"e pocket, or thread. The# are !reated
from !urves and dimensions. These o.e!ts des!rie #our part in 8D and are used to generate
toolpaths.
Step . $ Toolpaths# Toolpaths are generated from !olle!tions of features. 4ou !an simulate
them in FeatureCAM using toolpath !enter lines$ 2D shaded or 8D solid shaded simulations.
Step / $ N% %ode# Ma!hine<spe!ifi! -<!odes are generated from the toolpaths. Translators
are provided for man# different 6C !ontrols and in!lude a program for !reating new
translators.
%ustomi0e Manu(acturin1# FeatureCAM automates the entire part programming pro!essE
#ou !an !ustomi>e all of the s#stem settings in!luding feedFspeed tales /+to!" )roperties0$
tooling dataases /Tool Manager0 or feature settings /Ma!hining Configurations in another
Module0
Note In +teps$ some steps ma# not e displa#ed depending on
whi!h options #ou have pur!hased or have turned on.
o Aove the +teps Toolar is the )art *iew Tool Bo2. This
!ontains the names of the o.e!ts that are !reated on the
s!reen. 5.e!ts that !an e !ontained in this area are sto!"$
setups$ !urves$ surfa!es$ solids and stl.
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FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

o Cli!"ing on the o.e!ts in the part view enale different fun!tions. Left<!li!" sele!ts
the o.e!t in the graphi!s window. ,ight<!li!" reveals menu of options availale for
the o.e!t. Cli!"ing on a 1G3 to e2pand the view will reveal o.e!ts that are
suordinate.
5n the right is the Manufa!turing
,esults %indow. The
automati!all# generated
do!umentation and part
programs are shown in this window.
Your First part exercise
From the New Part Document Wizard
select Milling, then select Inches as
unit of measure then press the
Finish button.
Notice the different t#pes of do!uments
availale. The different t#pes of do!uments
availaleE depends on the modules that #ou own
and are li!ensed for.
In the stock dimensions dialogue
Enter 4 for the Width, 4 for the
!ength and " for the #hickness then
press the Finish then OK.

FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'(( )
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

.
From the steps $iew on the left
hand side of the screen click the
Features button.
%elect &ole and press Next.
In the New Feature Dimensions
window Enter the hole dimension as
'.( in Diameter, ".' in Depth, then
check the #hrough checkbo) and
press Next.
For the * location Enter +, the ,
location enter + and the - location
enter '. Press Finish then OK.
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FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

From the steps $iew on the left
hand side of the screen Clic the
Features button.
!elect .ectangular Pocket. Next.
/n the Dimensions tab Enter ".#$ for the %idth, ".#$ for the &eight and
#.'$ for the (epth then press Next
.

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FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

/n the !ocation #ab Enter #.'$ for the ) location, #.'$ for the Y location
then press Finish and OK.
*ight+clic in the 0raphics window then press iso,etric.
From the steps menu Clic on the -oolpaths. %imulation bar flies out,
unless alread1 out.
2sing the %imulation 3ar4 *ead the purpose of and Execute each button.
o Show centerline7 A line drawn of the !enter of the tip of the tool is displa#ed.
o 22 simulation7 A two<dimensional simulation showing the regions !ut # ea!h
operation is displa#ed. The view is !hanged to the top view automati!all#.
o 32 solid simulation7 A 8D solid simulation is displa#ed where the tool is animated
through all of its moves.
o Rapid %ut simulation7 In this mode a 8D simulation is performed ut the tool is not
animated. 5nl# the final result is displa#ed. For most parts$ the simulation ta"es onl#
a few se!onds to !omplete. 6ote this t#pe of simulation is onl# availale in
FeatureMILL8D.
o Machine Simulation A 8D solid simulation is displa#ed where the tool is animated
through all of its moves along with the ma!hine tool
o 34ect removes the +imulation toolar from the s!reen and erases the simulation from
the graphi!s window.
o Stop !an!els a simulation.
o Play starts the sele!ted simulation /Centerline$ 2D$ 8D or ,apid Cut0$ or restarts a
paused simulation.
o Pause pauses the simulation. The )la# utton transforms into the pla# utton after it
is pressed. If the )ause utton is pressed during a simulation$ it pauses the graphi!s.
o Sin1le step moves the simulation ahead one tool move. The "e#oard a!!elerator for
this utton is ALT+F3.
. FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'((
H.e!t
Centerline
2D
8D
8D
,apid
Ma!h +im
+top
)la#
To Hnd
+ingle
6e2t
Clear
,egion
of
Interest
Load
+peed Centerline 2D
H.e!t
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

o Ne5t operation !ontinues to simulate until the ne2t operation. This utton is a!tuall# a
fl#<out menu. B# !li!"ing on the triangle to the right of the utton the following
additional options are revealed
7
o Ne5t rapid simulates until the ne2t rapid tool move.
o Ne5t tool !hange simulates until the ne2t tool !hange.
o Ne5t 6 le&el will simulate the ne2t ; of a ; level toolpath. For other toolpaths it will
pla# the entire ne2t operation
o %lear erases an# !enterline toolpaths on the s!reen.
o Re1ion o( interest limits the portion of the part that is simulated.
o Show tool load indi!ates whether or not to displa# a graph of the tool load when the
ne2t 8D +imulation is performed.
o To ad.ust the speed of a !enterline$ 2D or 8D simulation$ use the slider on the right<
hand side of the !ontrols. +lide to the right to speed up$ and move to the left to slow
the simulation down. The slider of the simulation toolar also affe!ts the displa# for
,apid Cut simulation. If the slider is all the wa# to the right$ onl# the final simulation
result is displa#ed. )osition the slider ar further to the left to see slower ,apid
results.
5lick the sho. centerline from the simulation toolbar.
6d7ust the simulation slider button to the minimal setting b1 /eft+clicing
and (ragging then click the 0la1.
A !enterline displa# of the toolpath
is shown where the line displa#ed
represents the !enter of the ottom
of the tools movement. -reen
lines represent rapid movement
where la!" lines show feed
moves. Press the 34ect.

FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'(( /
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

Clic +D %imulation and Pla1.
In con7unction with +D, 5lick on
Options and !i,ulation from the
menu bar. 5heck show holder
displa1ed on the 0eneral #ab and on
the 8D9+D %haded #ab 5heck the
Pause on gouge and %how pause on
gouge dialog. 5lick OK.
This will not onl# show the holder for the milling
tool$ ut reveal an# tool stri"ing the sto!" in rapid
traverse$ or if the holder tou!hes an# part of the
sto!". These gouges will show as pin" in !olor$ the
simulation will stop$ and a pop up will appear
telling of a possile gouge.

In the :anufacturing results window on the right hand side of the screen
Clic on the /p. !ist tab at the bottom of .esult Window.
5p List shows ea!h operation listed in
the order the# are to e ma!hined$
feature name$ tool used$ Feed and
+peed data. )roperties ma# e
a!!essed here also /doule !li!" on
ea!h operation0.
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FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

Clic on the Details tab.
4ou will see an operation summar# showing the )art name$ +etup name$ Date$ +to!"
Dimensions and +to!" Material followed # the summar# of ea!h operation. This shows the
feature name$ operation name$ FF+$ Tool used$ power$ stepover and depth of !ut. The Tool
List utton at top provides a list$ in detail$ all tools eing used and where the# are pla!ed on
the tool !hanger.
Clic on the N5 code tab.

6C !ode is generated during simulation
and the output is in a!!ordan!e with the
post pro!essor for the ma!hine that is
going to e used to run #our part. The
)art )rogram numer on the 5 line and
the -5?$ line 65' are automati!all#
entered in the !ode.
5lick on File then !a2e NC. Clic the
radio button sa2e to other director1,
then -1pe in 3C45$. #his will sa$e the N5
code to the 5 dri$e. In the selection
window Unchec all check bo)es and
onl1 check N5 Program. #hen 0ress
OK. #he check bo)es will create a te)t
document that can be printed.
6ow that the 6C !ode is saved it !an e downloaded
to the ma!hine and the part with the simple po!"et
and hole !an e ma!hined.
Close this document and !a2e it if 1ou
want to keep it.

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FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

!toc -1pes
Inside of FeatureCAM milling do!ument there are several different sto!" t#pes. The sto!"
!an e defined as a lo!"$ round$ sto!" !urve or user defined.
!toc Exercise
Open a New :illing Document in
inch. Finish.
The sto!" wi>ard dialogue will appear. B#
default lo!" will e sele!ted. 4ou !an enter
the re!tangular dimensions of the sto!" here.
5lick on the *ound radio button.
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FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

The ID$ 5D and length of the round sto!" ma# defined. Additionall# the a2is of the sto!"
ma# e defined as needed for ? a2is..
Clic on the N;%ided .adio button.
%hen this utton is pressed the sto!" !an e
defined along a spe!ifi! a2is with a multiple
numer of sides su!h as he2.
<nter the stock dimensions as
shown to the right and press Next.
A Ie2agonal outline of the sto!" will appear in the displa#
window. The A2is ma# also e sele!ted li"e the round sto!".
0ress Next.
5n this page of the sto!" wi>ard #ou !an
sele!t the Material$ =nit Iorsepower$
Iardness and Iardness =nits. 4ou !an
also a!!ess the e2isting Feed and +peed
tales for the material or !reate a new
Material

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FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

From the pull;down menu select 6luminum then press Next.
The multi<a2is positioning options appear.
Press No to :ulti;a)is positioning and press Finish. Do not press OK at
this time.
*ight Clic in the 0raphics window, off the part, and !elect an isometric
$iew. #he stock is he) shape and Feature56: simulates that shape in +D
simulation and also uses it as the stock boundar1 when determining where
1' FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'((
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

cuts start. *ight Clic in the 0raphics window and select a #op $iew. Clic
OK.
The Fourth wa# to !reate a +to!" shape is #
drawing the shape using geometr# and then
!haining a !urve$ it is !alled a +to!" Curve.
8%reatin1 shapes usin1 1eometry and cur&es will
9e co&ered in a later module and you may wait
until you (inish with them and then return to
this step and create the Stoc" %ur&e althou1h
the (ollowin1 steps are easy:#
Note The +to!" Curve must lie in the 94 )lane.
In the Top *iew$ this is the 94 )lane when the
=C+ /)art )rogram '0 is in this position /Lower
Left0
Clic on !toc in the %teps on the left
side of Feature56:. !elect 3lock and enter in the Width as =.', !ength
=.', and #hickness =.'. 5lick Finish and OK. 5enter the stock b1 holding
C-*/ and / ke1s simultaneousl1.
(ra. b1 Clicing on 6eo,etr1 from the %teps and from the 0eometr1
5onstructors use !ine95onnected !ines and (ra. freehand a shape
similar to the one abo$e. 3e sure the geometr1 is connected.
Clic on 5ur$es from %teps and
Clic on 5losed 5ur$e >red
check?.
5hain a closed cur$e on the
0eometr1 b1 Clicing once on an1
line then Clic on the Create button
at the bottom of the screen.

FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'(( 1)
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

The !urve /lue0 will !lose all the wa# around the !losed -eometr#. The Curve must e
!losed and in the 94 )lane.
o 94 )lane is Top *iew.
o 9; )lane is Front *iew.
o 4; )lane is Left *iew.
This Curve now e!omes the 6H% shape of the +to!" and is used for +to!" Boundar# and
8D simulation sto!" solid.
Clic on %tock in the %teps and then Finish.
/n the Dimension #ab, of the %tock Properties dialog, Clic on the %tock
5ur$e button and from this list Chec the bo) in front of the cur$e 7ust
created. OK and Appl1, then OK. #he %tock now changes its shape.
User interface exercise
In this e2er!ise #ou will e!ome more familiar with the FeatureCAM user interfa!e.
1* FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'((
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

From the 3eginning Feature56: Data folder, or the Feature56: 8.(D
Data folder. (ou7le Clic on the file Caliper.f,.
Clic on the Part @iew on the left hand side of the screen.
5serve all the different o.e!ts the part
!ontains under the part view. At the top level
of the part view is the part name. In the level
dire!tl# elow the part name #ou have sto!"$
setup($ setup2$ !urves$ surfa!es$ and solids.
(ou7le+clic on
stock in the part $iew
for the %tock
Properties showing
!ength, Width
#hickness and an
offset in - for facing
stock. OK.
From the Part @iew menu
(ou7le+clic on top.
The setups dialogue is displa#ed. From
here an e2isting setup ma# e modified or a
new setup ma# e !reated.
5lick on Edit
5serve that the !urrent setup lo!ation is
highlighted in ,ed in the graphi!s window. The setup lo!ation is on the upper left hand
!orner of the sto!". The setup$ fi2ture name and part name !an e edited from this window.

FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'(( 1-
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

<nter Fixture I( of '8 then press
Next.
The part program >ero window is displa#ed. In this window we have the ailit# to !hange the
setup lo!ation or the part program >ero. This is where fi2ture ID 5? is and where the ma!hine
tool fi2ture offset 5? >ero is.
!elect the 6lign to %tock Face
and press Next.
1. FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'((
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

A page appears that will enale #ou to !hange the setup lo!ation. Currentl# the setup is
lo!ated in the upper left hand !orner.
5hange the setup to the upper right4
0ress the &and ne)t to U*.
4ou should see in red in the upper left hand !orner
the previous lo!ation of the setup$ and highlighted
in lue is the new lo!ation of the setup.
Clic Finish.
%elect to Aeep Features
in the same location.
OK and Close.
In Part @iew Clic the 9
Plus %ign ne)t to top to e)pand and re$eal all of the Features for %etup".

FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'(( 1/
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

6oti!e how the features in setup( have een displa#ed$ in the order the# were !reated.
(ou7le+clic on fc" from the part $iew or .ight 5lick on feature for
Properties.
The feature properties
from setup( are
displa#ed. From here
the fa!e properties
ma# e !hanged. All
the feature properties
ma# e a!!essed
from the part view #
simpl# doule
!li!"ing on them.
5lick OK.
Cut$ Cop# and )aste are %indows fun!tions that are availale in FeatureCAM. There are two
+etups on this )art and +etup2 needs to e fa!ed off. 4ou alread# have a fa!e feature in
+etup( so #ou will !op# it from +etup( and paste it in +etup2.
In the Part @iew, *ight Clic on the Face feature in %etup" and Clic
5op1.
Clic on %etup8 to select which %etup 1ou wish to place it in. *ight Clic
on the same Face feature 1ou copied from and Clic Paste. #his adds the
Face feature to %etup8.
6ow oth sides have a Fa!e feature # simpl# !op#ing and pasting. 4ou !an even !op# from
one Do!ument and )aste into another Do!ument.
In Part @iew Clic %etup" then *ight Clic in 0raphics Window and Clic
Isometric @iew.
In %teps !elect #oolpaths and the %imulation toolbar flies out. >unless it is
alread1 $isible? It ma1 be dragged to se$eral docking areas of 1our
choosing.
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FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

/n the %imulation 3ar, Clic +D simulation and Clic Pla1. >%etup"?
Do NO- cancel +D %imulation. Now in Part @iew Clic on %etup8 then
*ight Clic in 0raphics Window and Clic Isometric @iew and .un the +D
%imulation again. >%etup8?
+etup( +etup2
o %hen #ou run the +imulation$ the 6C -<Code that will go to the ma!hine is
generated.
o The )ost )ro!essor is what determines what the !ode !ontains and it must !orrespond
to the ma!hine !ontrol that it will e loaded into.
o There are man# )ost )ro!essors that !ome with FeatureCAM and the !orre!t )ost
must e sele!ted efore running the simulation to otain the proper !ode. )ost
pro!essors for Milling are lo!ated in C7J)rogram FilesJFeatureCAMJ
)ostsJMill.
Clic on :anufacturing then Post
Process to open the Post /ptions
window.

FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'(( 21
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

Clic on 3rowse and
enter the pre$ious path
gi$en to search for and
!elect 1our Post.
Open and OK.
!i,ulate either +D or
5enterline %imulation
again.
From .esults Clic the N5 5ode
tab.
#his is what will be sent to the
machine control. It is a te)t file and
ma1 be edited but the goal is not to
edit the 5ode but to correct the
Post so as to eliminate an1 editing.
There might e a slight dela# to re!eive the 6C Code
in the results window. This is e!ause the 6C is
generated on!e the 6C Code ta is pressed.
From the file menu click on !a2e NC.
22 FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'((
FeatureMILL 2.5D Beginning FeatureCAM

%a$e the code to the 5BC dri$e b1 choosing D%a$e to other director1. 5heck
N5 Program onl1 in the selection window then press OK.
o If additional o2es are !he!"ed a te2t file will e generated for ea!h that ma# e
printed and sent to the shop to fa!ilitate setup. Che!" them onl# as needed e!ause a
file is saved on #our !omputer ever# time #ou save 6C if #ou have o2es !he!"ed
even if #ou do not need them.
o 6ow #ou !an ta"e the Caliper.t2t 6C !ode file from the C7J drive and transfer it to the
ma!hine to !ut setup( for the part. The Caliper.t2t 6C file !ontains - !ode for setup(
onl#.
In the +to!" )roperties and the Inde2ing ta$ if #ou !he!" the o2 1-enerate +ingle )rogram
with program stop etween setups3 then the 6C Code will in!lude oth setups with a stop
etween setups. This is so #ou !an run +etup( then the ma!hine will stop to flip the part then
#ou push the ma!hine
start utton again to run
+etup2.
To open the +to!"
)roperties window$
dou9le clic" on sto!"( in
the part view window on
the left side of
FeatureCAM.
#he Part is
5omplete.

FeatureMILL 2.5D 2'(( 23