whats_new_in_featurecam_2014_r3.pdf

What’s New

Feature-based CAM software for mills, multi-tasking lathes and wire EDMs

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FeatureCAM 2014 R3

What's New

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FeatureCAM Version: 2014 R3 Date: 03 April 2014 11:17

FeatureCAM 2014 R3 What's New Contents • i

Contents What's New in FeatureCAM 2014 R3 1

Milling improvements .......................................................................................... 1 Support for right-angled heads ................................................................... 2 Better transformation of surface milling features ........................................ 3 Standard thread improvements .................................................................. 4 Thread Milled Hole feature type ................................................................. 5 Manually define plunge points for Z level rough features ........................... 6 Chamfer cutter compensation default ......................................................... 7 Specify default drill diameters for Reamed Holes ....................................... 8

Turning improvements ........................................................................................ 9 Separate approach and withdraw lengths for finish operations .................. 9 Irrelevant canned cycle parameters hidden .............................................. 10

Wire EDM improvements .................................................................................. 11 Generate single program with program stop between each setup ........... 11

User Interface improvements ............................................................................ 12 Replace curves when pasting features ..................................................... 12 Tool preview improvement ....................................................................... 13 Pick radius from cylindrical solids ............................................................. 14 Quick access to Stock settings from the Operation List ........................... 15

Import improvements ........................................................................................ 15 Positioning solids in 5 axis parts ............................................................... 15 Importing work planes .............................................................................. 15

XBUILD improvements ..................................................................................... 16 Faster machining times when using polar coordinate interpolation .......... 17 Post variable names ................................................................................. 17 Restrict machine movements greater than 360 degrees .......................... 19 Detect Euler angle changes ..................................................................... 20 Detect if alternative 5 axis position is enabled .......................................... 20

Add-in improvements ........................................................................................ 21 Setup Sheet add-in tags ........................................................................... 21

What's New in FeatureCAM 2014 R2 22

Vortex machining .............................................................................................. 23 Creating a 3D Vortex toolpath (3D HSM) ................................................. 24 3D Vortex example (3D HSM) .................................................................. 25 Creating a 2.5D Vortex toolpath (REC) .................................................... 30 2.5D Vortex example (REC) ..................................................................... 30

User Interface and work-flow improvements ..................................................... 32 Feature Properties dialog icons ................................................................ 33 Operation List cursor changes .................................................................. 33

ii • Contents FeatureCAM 2014 R3 What's New

Turret numbering ...................................................................................... 34 Renaming items in the Part View ............................................................. 35 UCS Translate pick locations ................................................................... 35 Tool Manager ........................................................................................... 36 Expanded dialog bar edit boxes ............................................................... 37 Delcam Exchange installation .................................................................. 37 Remove stock model operations .............................................................. 37

2.5D Milling improvements ................................................................................ 38 NT toolpaths for multiple diameters .......................................................... 38 Thread Milling ID/OD depth % .................................................................. 39 Bottom finish allowance for Counterbore features .................................... 40 Separate cutter compensation .................................................................. 41 Finish cutter comp and Partline program independence .......................... 42

3D Milling improvements ................................................................................... 42 Offset Direction ......................................................................................... 42 Radial Plunge Roughing ........................................................................... 44

Turning improvements ...................................................................................... 45 Transfer operation changes ...................................................................... 45

Wire EDM improvements .................................................................................. 45 Project curves ........................................................................................... 45

Machine design improvements ......................................................................... 47 Add Tool Location dialog improvements .................................................. 47 Send Machine Design files ....................................................................... 48

Import improvements ........................................................................................ 49 SolidWorks 2014 files ............................................................................... 49 Dowel holes .............................................................................................. 49 SolidEdge ST5 and ST6 files .................................................................... 49

XBUILD improvements ..................................................................................... 50 Improved Error message .......................................................................... 50

Add-in Improvements ........................................................................................ 51 Setup Sheet Cutter Compensation ........................................................... 51


User interface improvements ............................................................................ 52 Feature names ......................................................................................... 53 Layers in Part View .................................................................................. 53 New Pick Curve buttons ........................................................................... 55 New Part Documentation fields ................................................................ 56 Setup at opposite end of cylinder ............................................................. 57 Send crash logs ........................................................................................ 58 Shaded Grey default style ........................................................................ 59 More attractive tool display window .......................................................... 59 Licensed components activated by default ............................................... 60 License expiry warning ............................................................................. 60

Import improvements ........................................................................................ 61 OpenDesign AutoCAD ............................................................................. 61 Spatial R23 SP1 Interop integrated .......................................................... 61 Spatial 3D R23 SP2 Interop integrated .................................................... 61 Import Using Exchange logged ................................................................ 61

FeatureCAM 2014 R3 What's New Contents • iii

Entry-level solid wireframe import ............................................................ 61 2.5D Milling improvements ................................................................................ 62

Automatic clamp avoidance ...................................................................... 62 Chamfer before Finish .............................................................................. 65 Solid toolholder ......................................................................................... 66 OLF engraving fonts ................................................................................. 66

Solid improvements (SOLID) ............................................................................ 67 Offset faces .............................................................................................. 67

Turn improvements (TURN) .............................................................................. 68 Automatic corner rounding ....................................................................... 68 Steady rest and tailstock support ............................................................. 70

Machine simulation improvements (MSIM) ....................................................... 73 Show edges .............................................................................................. 73 Play simulation once ................................................................................ 75

Machine design improvements (MSIM) ............................................................. 75 Replace solid ............................................................................................ 75 Easier relationship definitions ................................................................... 76 Simplified milling machine interface ......................................................... 77 Improved user interface ............................................................................ 77

Probing improvements ...................................................................................... 78 Edit default values .................................................................................... 78 Decision-making features ......................................................................... 79 Turn/mill probing simulation improved ...................................................... 82

XBUILD improvements ..................................................................................... 83 New reserved words ................................................................................. 83 Z index clearance optional ........................................................................ 83 Force segment start option moved ........................................................... 84


User interface improvements ............................................................................ 85 Balloon help .............................................................................................. 86

Tooling improvements....................................................................................... 87 2.5D: Rounding Mills — Set touch-off point at tip ..................................... 87 New probing tool group ............................................................................ 89 Never select tool ....................................................................................... 90

2.5D Milling improvements ................................................................................ 91 NT toolpaths for finishing .......................................................................... 91

3D improvements .............................................................................................. 92 Import surfaces (3D LITE) ........................................................................ 92 Finish axial allowance (3D LITE) .............................................................. 92 Leave axial allowance (3D MX) ................................................................ 93 3D spiral out ............................................................................................. 93

Other important improvements ......................................................................... 94 Part library: 64-bit format .......................................................................... 94 Vertical mill/turn (TURNMILL, MTT, 5AP)................................................. 95

Import improvements ........................................................................................ 96 Parasolid kernel upgrade to 24.1 .............................................................. 96 SolidWorks: Manage associativity ............................................................ 96

Turn/mill and 4th-axis improvements ................................................................ 98

iv • Contents FeatureCAM 2014 R3 What's New

Turn/mill & 4th-axis: Change index axis ................................................... 98


User interface improvements ............................................................................ 99 Improved background gradient ............................................................... 100 Tool Manager improvements .................................................................. 102 Tool Properties dialog improvements ..................................................... 103 Color improvements ............................................................................... 105 Plunge tab .............................................................................................. 106 Helical Options ....................................................................................... 107 Show/hide all in Setup ............................................................................ 108 Simulation start point buttons ................................................................. 108 File send ................................................................................................. 109 Custom setup sheets .............................................................................. 110

Network database improvements ................................................................... 112 SQL Server Express now available ........................................................ 112

Simulation improvements ................................................................................ 114 Better 3D simulation performance .......................................................... 114 Round stock display improved ................................................................ 115

2.5D improvements ......................................................................................... 116 Automatically avoid fixtures and clamps ................................................. 116 4-axis wrapping: Easier programming of barrel cams ............................ 118

3D improvements ............................................................................................ 118 All 3-axis finishing operations can use a stock model ............................ 118 Advanced stock model settings .............................................................. 119

Turn improvements ......................................................................................... 122 Side liftoff angle ...................................................................................... 122 Arc lead-in/out for Turn/Bore feature ...................................................... 123 XBUILD: New transfer reserved word .................................................... 125

Turn/Mill improvements ................................................................................... 126 OD location for features from curves reinstated ..................................... 126

Import improvements ...................................................................................... 126 Export improvements ...................................................................................... 126 XBUILD improvements ................................................................................... 127


General improvements.................................................................................... 129 New selection method ............................................................................ 131 Easier feed and speed unit conversion .................................................. 133 Use STL as a clamp for 3D simulation ................................................... 134 Snap to STL ........................................................................................... 135 Lengthen Sim Speed slider .................................................................... 135 Probing: New options for Probing UDF .................................................. 136 XBUILD: New reserved words ................................................................ 136

FeatureMILL 2.5D improvements ................................................................... 139 Drill/Mill: Continuous spiral for rough endmill .......................................... 139 Global Toolpath edits and transforms ..................................................... 141 Zigzag toolpath for Face ......................................................................... 141

FeatureCAM 2014 R3 What's New Contents • v

FeatureMILL 3D improvements ...................................................................... 143 Stock model operation ............................................................................ 143 New mid-level 3D product ...................................................................... 144 Override default start points (3D MX) ..................................................... 145 Bottom up for Z-level finish (3D MX) ...................................................... 148 Z-level rough area filter (3D HSM) .......................................................... 150 Step cutting (3D HSM)............................................................................ 153 Cusp control for Steep and Shallow strategy (3D HSM) ......................... 157

5-axis improvements ....................................................................................... 158 Positive/negative position (5AP) ............................................................. 159 Override default start points (5AS) ......................................................... 161 5-axis options for more strategies (5AS) ................................................ 163 Smoothing distance (5AS) ...................................................................... 163 Tool axis stabilization (5AS) ................................................................... 166 Improved tool axis options (5AS) ............................................................ 171

FeatureTURN improvements .......................................................................... 172 Integrated part handling (TURN) ............................................................ 172 Control feed rate on approach moves (TURN) ....................................... 175 Canned cycle support for semi-finish (TURN) ........................................ 178 STL curve of revolution recognition (TURN) ........................................... 178

FeatureTURNMILL improvements .................................................................. 180 B-axis rotary (TURNMILL) ...................................................................... 180 Use Y axis with Points List pattern (TURNMILL) .................................... 182 Import wizard (TURNMILL) ..................................................................... 183 AFR for SolidWorks Holes (TURNMILL)................................................. 183

Index 185

FeatureCAM 2014 R3 What's New What's New in FeatureCAM 2014 R3 • 1

FeatureCAM 2014 R3 offers all of the original features of FeatureCAM 2014 R2, but with numerous improvements. The most significant improvements are detailed in the topics that follow.

FeatureCAM has three major enhancement releases per year (R1, R2, and R3) issued once every four months. This section describes what's new for FeatureCAM 2014 R3 and covers four months of development. To see a year's worth of development, please also see the What's New topics for the previous two releases.

What's New in FeatureCAM 2014 R2 (see page 22)


Milling improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 includes these Milling improvements:

Support for right-angled heads (see page 2).

Better transformation of surface milling features (see page 3).

You can use the standard thread sizes more easily (see page 4).

There is a new Thread Milled Hole feature type (see page 5).

You can manually define plunge points for Z level rough features (see page 5).

You can use cutter compensation by default for chamfer operations (see page 7).

You can specify default drill diameters for Reamed Holes (see page 8).

What's New in FeatureCAM 2014 R3

2 • What's New in FeatureCAM 2014 R3 FeatureCAM 2014 R3 What's New

Support for right-angled heads You can use right-angled machine tool heads for 2.5D Milling and Turn/Mill parts:

This enables you to create difficult features, such as internal pockets, and enables you to create multiple features without repositioning the part.

Selecting a tool holder for right-angled heads

You must use a solid to describe the tool holder shape for right-angled heads.

To specify a tool holder for right-angled heads:

1 In the Tool Holder Properties dialog, select Use solid to describe holder shape.

2 Select the solid from the list.

3 Select Angled Head.

4 Select whether the Azimuth angle is Variable or Fixed.

Using the right-angled head tool There is a new page of the Setup wizard.


Select the option on the Right Angled Head page of the Setup wizard:

When selected, the Right Angled Head tab is displayed in the Feature Properties dialog for features which can use a right-angled head:

Use right angle head — Select to use a right-angled head tool.

Feature location is on ID — Select if the feature is on the inside diameter of the part.

Holder orientation in spindle — Enter the holder orientation in the spindle in degrees.

Better transformation of surface milling features You can now transform surface milling features which are created from solid faces.


Standard thread improvements You can use the standard thread sizes more easily in the New Feature wizard and Feature Properties dialog:

To use a standard thread size, select Standard Thread and select a thread size from the list. You cannot edit the standard dimensions when Standard Thread is selected.

You can click the blue dimensions labels to pick the values from the graphics window.


Thread Milled Hole feature type There is a new Thread Milled Hole feature type, which you can use to easily create Thread Milled Hole features and recognize them with Automatic Feature Recognition.

Previously, you would have to create separate Hole and Thread features to create a Thread Milled Hole.

On the Dimensions page of the New Feature wizard, select Thread Milled Hole from the type list to display the Thread Milled Hole parameters:

You can add a thread to an existing Hole feature by changing the Type on the Dimensions tab of the Hole Feature Properties dialog.

In the Hole Feature Properties dialog, you can use the Strategy tab to edit the Hole settings, and the Thread Mill tab to edit the Thread settings.


Manually define plunge points for Z level rough features You can manually define plunge points for Z level rough features.

To define the plunge point:

1 On the Leads tab of the Surface Milling Properties dialog, select Plunge to Pre-drill location, and enter a Drill diameter:

2 Select the Plunge point(s) parameter on the Milling tab:


3 Enter the coordinates of a point, or click Pick location and select a point in the graphics window.

Alternatively, enter the name of a curve in the New Value field to place the plunge point at a point on the curve.

4 Click Set to accept the selected point.

Chamfer cutter compensation default You can use cutter compensation by default for chamfer operations.

Select Chamfer cutter comp. on the Milling tab of the Machining Attributes dialog:

When selected, Cutter comp. is enabled by default for chamfer operations on new features, and any existing features which use the default setting.


Specify default drill diameters for Reamed Holes For Reamed Hole features, you can specify the default tool diameter for all drill and bore operations in the feature.

Previously, these were calculated as a percentage of the Ream tool diameter.

There is a new Drill diameter parameter on the Ream tab of the Ream Tool Properties dialog:

If Calculated is deselected, you can enter a default Drill diameter value, which is used for the drill and bore operations in the feature.

If Calculated is selected, the Drill diameter value is calculated from the Drill % of ream/bore attribute on the Tool Selection tab of the Machining Attributes dialog.


Turning improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 includes these Turning improvements:

You can specify separate approach and withdraw lengths for finish operations (see page 9).

Irrelevant parameters are hidden in the Feature Properties dialog when using Canned cycle (see page 10).

Separate approach and withdraw lengths for finish operations

You can control the approach and withdraw lengths separately for Turning finish operations.

Previously, you could only do this for rough operations.

For example, this is useful for internal Bore features where you need to ensure the tool does not withdraw too far and gouge the part.

There are new options on the Leads tab of the Turning Feature Properties dialog:

When Use clearance as finish withdraw length is selected, the Clearance value is used as the approach and withdraw length for finishing moves. When deselected, you can enter a separate Withdraw length.


You can set the default values for these parameters on the Turn/Bore tab of the Machining Attributes dialog:

Irrelevant canned cycle parameters hidden Irrelevant canned cycle parameters are hidden in the Turning Feature Properties dialog when they do not affect the toolpaths:

When Use canned cycle and TNR are selected on the Strategy tab, the Canned cycle Z clearance option is hidden on the Turning tab.

The Lead distance and Canned cycle X clearance parameters are used instead.

When Face is selected in the Strategy tab, the Canned cycle X clearance option is hidden on the Turning tab.

The Lead distance and Canned cycle Z clearance parameters are used instead.


Wire EDM improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 includes this Wire EDM improvement:

You can output multiple Setups as a single Program with a Program stop between Setups (see page 11).

Generate single program with program stop between each setup

For Wire EDM parts, you can output multiple Setups as a single NC program, instead of a separate program for each Setup.

On the Indexing tab of the Stock Properties dialog, select Generate single program with stop between each setup:

Program stops are added to the Operation List, allowing you to reposition the part between Setups, for example:


User Interface improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 includes these User Interface improvements:

You can replace curves when pasting features (see page 12).

The tool preview is oriented correctly for the selected machine type (see page 13).

You can pick radius values from cylindrical solids (see page 14).

You can quickly access the Stock settings from the Operations List (see page 15).

Replace curves when pasting features When pasting a feature, you can replace the feature's boundary curve with a curve in the document.

This enables you to quickly create custom features, without having to manually change the boundary curve for each feature.

In the Paste Special dialog, select Paste the clipboard contents into the current setup... and click Next:


In the Select New Profile Curve(s) dialog, select any curves you want to use to create the feature and click Next:

Use the Paste Special - Reference and Paste Special - Location dialogs to position the feature in the document.

If you select multiple curves in the Select New Profile Curve(s) dialog, a single feature is created for all curves, the same as if you select multiple curves when creating a feature using the New Feature wizard.

Tool preview improvement The tool previews now display the tool in the correct orientation for the selected machine type.

For example, when Slant bed lathe is selected on the Machine tab of the Viewing Options dialog:


3D simulation:

Tool preview:

Pick radius from cylindrical solids In the New Feature wizard and the Feature Properties dialog, you can click on a blue radius label and pick the value from a cylindrical solid in the graphics window.

For example, the Bottom Radius parameter on the Dimensions page of the New Feature wizard:


Quick access to Stock settings from the Operation List You can quickly access the Stock settings from the Operation List. Right-click in the Operation List and select Stock from the context menu to display the Stock tab of the Feature Properties dialog for the operation.

This applies to Surface Milling features only.

Import improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 includes these Import improvements:

You can position solids in 5-axis parts more easily (see page 15).

You can choose whether to import or ignore work planes (see page 15).

Positioning solids in 5 axis parts You can position solids in 5 axis parts more easily when importing.

On the Select Index Center of Rotation page of the Import wizard, you can enter the X, Y and Z coordinates of the center of rotation for 5 axis parts:

Previously, you could only enter the Y and Z coordinates.

Importing work planes You can choose whether to import or ignore work planes when importing solids into FeatureCAM.


Deselect Import work planes on the Solid Import tab of the Import/Export Options dialog to ignore planar surfaces when importing solids:

XBUILD improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 includes these XBUILD improvements:

Faster machining times when using polar interpolation (see page 17).

You can rename post variables (see page 17).

You can restrict machine movements greater than 360 degrees (see page 19).

There are new reserved words which determine whether the Euler angles have changed (see page 20).

There is a new reserved word which determines whether alternative 5 axis position is enabled (see page 20).


Faster machining times when using polar coordinate interpolation

You can achieve faster machining times when using polar coordinate interpolation by canceling polar coordinate interpolation for rapid moves between cuts.

You can use the following XBUILD reserved words to cancel polar coordinate interpolation: Reserved word Definition <POLAR-X> The transformed X coordinate for polar

coordinate interpolation. This gives you flexibility to turn polar coordinate interpolation on and off when needed.

<POLAR-Y> The transformed Y coordinate for polar coordinate interpolation. This gives you flexibility to turn polar coordinate interpolation on and off when needed.

Post variable names You can rename post variables to make them easier to understand.

By default, post variables are numbered sequentially:

In the XBUILD dialog, select CNC-Info > Post Variable Names from the menu to display the Post Variable Names dialog.


You can enter a User-visible Name for each variable:

The new variable name is displayed in the following places:

In the Post Variables list in FeatureCAM:

In any Formats which contain the variable, for example:


Restrict machine movements greater than 360 degrees For milling machines, you can specify whether the machine allows angles greater than 360 degrees.

Select Restrict angles to be between -360 and 360 on the General Information dialog:

When selected, moves which have rotations greater than 360 degrees are split into smaller pieces.


Detect Euler angle changes There are new reserved words which determine whether the Euler angles have changed. Reserved word Definition <EULER-CHANGED> TRUE on any move where EULER-1,

EULER-2, or EULER-3 has changed. This includes the Linear, Rapid, Canned Move, and Segment Start formats. In addition, <EULER-CHANGED> is TRUE for the Program Start and Tool Change formats if 4- or 5-axis indexing is enabled.

<ABS-SHIFT-CHANGED>

TRUE on any move where ABS-SHIFTX, ABS-SHIFTY, or ABS-SHIFTZ has changed. This includes the Linear, Rapid, Canned Move, and Segment Start formats. In addition, <ABS-SHIFT-CHANGED> is always TRUE for the Program Start and Tool Change formats.

Detect if alternative 5 axis position is enabled There is a new reserved word which determines whether alternative 5 axis position is enabled: Reserved word Definition <IS-ALT-POS> TRUE if alternate 5-axis position is

selected.


Add-in improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 includes this add-in improvement:

There are new tags in the Setup Sheet add-in for finding the operation depth and minimum Z coordinate (see page 21).

Setup Sheet add-in tags There are new tags in the Setup Sheet add-in:

{operation.depth} — Operation depth.

{.max_depth} — Minimum Z coordinate.

For example, you can use {tool.max_depth}.


Vortex machining Vortex machining is an area clearance strategy that rapidly removes material from a 3D part while controlling tool load. Vortex is best suited to solid carbide tools and is frequently used in combination with step cutting.

It is an offset-style toolpath and has these main features:

The engagement angle never exceeds, by more than 15%, that produced by a straight line cut with a given stepover. This eliminates excessive tool load and all full-width cuts. This enables you to increase feed rates. For other area clearance toolpaths, the cutting values are based on the tool manufacturer's slot cutting parameters to ensure the tool can sustain full cutting engagement. As the tool approaches the maximum engagement angle for optimum machining, the toolpath changes to a trochoidal path to avoid tool overload.

The machine tool almost always runs at the specified feed rate. With other area clearance toolpaths, the machine tool automatically slows down as it approaches a corner and the engagement angle increases. Vortex modifies the toolpath so the tool engagement angle is never exceeded and the machine tool achieves the specified feed rate. The only time the machine tool doesn't run at the specified feed rate is when the model geometry (a slot or corner) is smaller than the smallest radius that the machine can run at full speed.

Vortex machining cuts with the side of the tool so it is designed for solid carbide tools, but you may be able to use other tools.


Because FeatureCAM controls the tool engagement, you can increase the depth of cut, which minimizes machining time.

Vortex machining is frequently used in combination with Step cutting to minimize terracing while maximizing the removal rate.

Vortex toolpaths are automatically checked for safety. FeatureCAM checks for:

plunges into stock.

excess tool engagement.

excess depth of cut.

small arc movements.

To maximize the benefits of Vortex machining:

Configure the Vortex parameters to suit each machine tool.

Use Step Cutting (see page 25) to minimize terracing caused by the increased depth of cut.

With optimum settings, Vortex machining greatly reduces machining times.

Creating a 3D Vortex toolpath (3D HSM) To create a 3D Z-level roughing Vortex toolpath, select Vortex on the Strategy tab of the Surface Milling Properties dialog:

You must have the 3D HSM module to use Vortex for 3D Z-level roughing.

The following attributes are available for Vortex toolpaths in the Feature Properties dialog:

F/S tab:

Feed — Enter the speed the tool cuts into the material. Vortex toolpaths are machined at this cutting feed rate almost all of the time.


Milling tab:

Vortex min point spacing — Enter the minimum point spacing at which the machine tool can move at the specified feed rate. If the machine tool has too many points to process, it cannot sustain the specified feed rate.

Vortex min radius — Enter the minimum radius of the internal trochoids. Vortex toolpaths use trochoidal moves to maintain a constant feed rate. Higher feed rates require a larger minimum radius. If you do not override this value, a default value is used, which is suitable for a typical machine tool at the feed rate specified for the operation.

Vortex Z lift distance — Enter a Z distance to lift the tool during trochoidal moves to avoid contact between the tool and the surface.

3D Vortex example (3D HSM) This example shows you how to combine Vortex machining with step cutting to rapidly remove material.

Because Vortex machining cuts with the side of the tool, it is designed for solid carbide tools, but there may be other types of tools suitable for Vortex. These tools work best when taking deep cuts with a relatively small stepover.


To machine effectively when taking large depths of cut, you must ensure the tool engagement angle never exceeds the specified value. This eliminates excessive tool load and all full-width cuts. FeatureCAM achieves this by introducing trochoidal moves to prevent the tool from exceeding the maximum tool engagement value.


Using a 3D model:

Creating a Vortex toolpath without step cutting.


This removes vast quantities of material quickly, but leaves large terraces of unmachined stock on the part.

You can minimize the size of these terraces using the Step cutting options.


This adds extra machining slices up the part. Looking at a detail of the side view:

Original Vortex pass

Step cutting passes

It also machines more of the excess stock.


Creating a 2.5D Vortex toolpath (REC) To create a 2.5D Vortex toolpath, select Vortex from the Stepover list on the Strategy tab of the Feature Properties dialog:

You must have the FeatureRECOGNITION module to use Vortex for 2.5D roughing.

The 3D HSM and 3D MX modules include FeatureRECOGNITION, 3D LITE does not.

You can use Vortex to machine most 2.5D feature types.

You can use Vortex to machine a Side feature only if the curve is closed. If the curve is open and you select a Stepover of Vortex, NT Spiral is used instead.

2.5D Vortex example (REC) This example shows how Vortex machines pockets, channels, and narrow corners.

For more information on the general principles of Vortex machining, see the 3D Vortex and step cutting example (see page 25).


Using a 2.5D model:

Create a Vortex toolpath:


For pockets, the tool spirals down into the pocket before using trochoidal paths over the full-width cuts.

On completion of the initial full-width cut, the trochoids are placed in the corners where the maximum tool engagement angle would otherwise be exceeded.

User Interface and work-flow improvements

FeatureCAM 2014 R2 includes these User Interface and work-flow improvements:

There are icons in the Feature Properties dialog (see page 33).


The cursor changes in the Operation List to show when additional actions are available (see page 33).

You can change the Post number of a Turret, and the new number is displayed throughout FeatureCAM (see page 34).

You can quickly rename items in the Part View (see page 35).

You can pick values from the graphics window in the UCS Translate dialog (see page 35).

The Tool Manager remembers the previously selected Tool Group (see page 36).

The edit boxes in the dialog bar are wider (see page 37).

Delcam Exchange is installed during the standard FeatureCAM installation (see page 37).

You can remove operations from a stock model (see page 37).

Feature Properties dialog icons In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, the feature level tabs have icons in the Feature Properties dialog:

Operation List cursor changes In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, when you move the cursor over an item in the Op List tab of the Results window, the cursor changes shape if additional actions are available.

If the cursor changes to , you can double-click the item to display its associated dialog.

For example, if you move the cursor over a tool name in the Operation List, the cursor changes:


Double-click the tool name to display the Tools tab of the Feature Properties dialog for the operation.

Turret numbering If you change the post number of a turret in FeatureCAM 2014 R2, the new value is displayed throughout FeatureCAM so you can easily identify turrets.

Enter a P Number in the Turret Information dialog:

The new post number is displayed in the turret's name in the following places:

In the Part View panel:

On the NC Code tab of the Results window:


On the Turrets tab of the Results window:

Renaming items in the Part View In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can rename items more easily in the Part View panel by clicking on a selected item:

To quickly rename an item:

1 Select an item in the Part View panel:

2 Click on the selected item's name to make it editable:

3 Enter a new name for the item.

4 To accept the changes press the Enter key or click in the FeatureCAM window.

To cancel the changes press the Esc key.

Double-clicking an item in the Part View panel displays the item's dialog, and does not rename the item.

UCS Translate pick locations In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, in the UCS Translate dialog, you can pick the X, Y, and Z coordinates individually from the graphics window.


The X, Y, and Z labels are blue:

Click a blue label to minimize the dialog, then select a point in the graphics window.

The coordinate of the point is given to the selected item.

For example, this is useful if you want to align a UCS with the center of a cylindrical face, with the depth along the cylinder (Z) defined using a different face.

Tool Manager In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, the Tool Manager dialog remembers the previously selected Tool Group.

If you select a Tool Group in the Tool Manager dialog, then close the dialog:

The next time you display the Tool Manager dialog, the previously selected Tool Group is still selected:


This applies only if you display the Tool Manager dialog by selecting Manufacturing > Tool Manager from the menu. If you display the Tool Manager dialog by clicking Tool manager on the Tools tab of the Feature Properties dialog, the feature's default Tool Group is selected.

Expanded dialog bar edit boxes In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, the edit boxes in the dialog bar are wider:

This enables you to display more decimal places.

Delcam Exchange installation In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, Delcam Exchange is installed during the standard FeatureCAM installation.

Remove stock model operations In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can remove operations from a stock model.

There is a new button in the Stock Model Properties dialog:

Select an operation in the Stock model operation list and click to remove it from the stock model. The operation is added to the Available operations list.


2.5D Milling improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R2 includes these 2.5D Milling improvements:

You can apply an NT stepover type to multiple passes of a feature (see page 38).

You can change the default ratio of Pitch to Thread Height for Thread Milling features (see page 39).

You can machine the bottom of a Counterbore Hole feature on the finish pass, and leave a Bottom finish allowance after the roughing pass (see page 40).

You can enable cutter compensation separately for a feature's operations (see page 41).

You can select Partline program and Finish cutter comp. independently (see page 42).

NT toolpaths for multiple diameters In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can apply an NT stepover type to all roughing and finishing passes of a feature.

Select an NT Stepover on the feature-level Strategy tab of the Feature Properties dialog to apply it to all roughing or finishing passes of the feature:


Previously, selecting an NT toolpath type would apply it to the first pass only.

The Stock Model Settings dialog is available for the remachining passes on the Milling tab.

Thread Milling ID/OD depth % In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can change the default ratio of Pitch to Thread Height for Thread Milling features.

There are new options on the Thread Mill tab of the Machining Attributes dialog, OD Depth % and ID Depth %:

The default value for OD Depth % and ID Depth % is 68.

On the Dimensions tab of the Thread Milling Properties dialog:


The Thread Height is calculated as a percentage of the Pitch , based on the OD Depth % or ID Depth % (depending on the Type selected).

For example, if you enter an OD Depth % of 68, select a Type of OD, and enter a Pitch of 0.1, the Thread Height is updated to 68% of 0.1 = 0.068.

This also applies when creating a Thread Milling feature using the New Feature wizard.

Bottom finish allowance for Counterbore features In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can machine the bottom of a Counterbore Hole feature on the finish pass, and leave a Bottom finish allowance after the roughing pass.

In the Drill/Mill Options dialog, if Rough with Endmill, Finish with Endmill is selected, you can select Finish Bottom:

When selected, the bottom of the Counterbore feature is machined on the finish pass, and the Bottom finish allowance option is available on the Milling tab of the Hole Feature Properties dialog:


Separate cutter compensation In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can enable cutter compensation separately for a feature's operations.

Selecting Finish cutter comp. or Rough Cutter comp. on the Strategy tab of the Feature Properties dialog applies cutter compensation to the finish or rough pass only:

To enable cutter compensation for an operation, such as a chamfer, select Cutter comp. on the operation's Milling tab:


Finish cutter comp and Partline program independence In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can select Partline program and Finish cutter comp. independently on the Strategy tab of the Feature Properties dialog.

This enables you to use partline program when cutter compensation is used for an operation in a feature, such as a chamfer, but not for the finishing operation.

If cutter compensation is not enabled for any of the operations in a feature, selecting Partline program does not affect the NC Code.

3D Milling improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R2 includes these 3D Milling improvements:

You can specify the Offset Direction of a 3D offset toolpath (see page 42).

You can perform radial plunge milling (see page 44).

Offset Direction In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can select whether a toolpath cuts from the inside out or from the outside in.

There are new Offset Direction options on the operation-level Strategy tab of the Surface Milling Properties dialog for Offset toolpaths:


Select an Offset Direction from the following:

Automatic — The tool cuts from the outside to the inside of the stock in a continuous radial movement. This is the default option.

During cutting: Cutting complete:

In to out — The tool plunges into the stock and cuts outwards.


Out to in — The tool cuts from the outside to the inside of the stock. The tool outlines the surfaces and cuts large sections last.



Radial Plunge Roughing In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can create a radial plunge milling toolpath using the radialPlungeMill add-in.

To create a radial plunge milling toolpath: 1 Load the radialPlungeMill.bas add-in.

2 Create a surface milling feature using the surfaces you want to machine.

3 In the Part View panel, deselect the surface milling feature to exclude it.

4 In the New Feature wizard, select User in the From Feature section and click Next.

5 Select RadialPlungeRough 1.0 in the Registered features list and click Next.

6 Select Srf mill feature, enter the name of the surface milling feature in the New Value field and click Set.

7 Follow the steps in the rest of wizard to modify the location and tool selection.

8 Click Finish to close the dialog.

New radial plunge milling features are given the name udf_radial_plunge_rough and numbered sequentially.


Turning improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R2 includes this turning improvement:

Turning transfer operations are improved (see page 45).

Transfer operation changes The Turning Sub-spindle features are being deprecated, and will be removed in a future release. For transfer operations use Part Handling features.

In the New Feature wizard, the recommended Part Handling option is displayed at the top of the list:

Wire EDM improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R2 includes this Wire EDM improvement:

You can project curves to different Z levels when creating Wire EDM features (see page 45).

Project curves In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can project feature curves to different Z levels when using FeatureRECOGNITION to recognize a 4-Axis Wire feature from a solid.


This enables you to easily specify whether the feed and speed information is calculated from the feature height or the stock height.

There are new options on the Dimensions tab of the Wire Feature Properties dialog and the Dimensions page of the New Feature wizard for Wire EDM features:

Thickness — Enter the thickness of the feature, or click the blue label and select two points in the graphics window. The thickness is the depth below the feature curve.

Project curves — Select this option to specify the upper and lower Z levels of the feature:

When deselected, feed and speed information is calculated based on the Thickness value.

When selected, feed and speed information is calculated based on the difference between the Upper Z and Lower Z values, and the Thickness is ignored.

Upper Z — Enter the Z level of the top of the feature, or click the blue label and select a point in the graphics window.

Lower Z — Enter the Z level of the bottom of the feature, or click the blue label and select a point in the graphics window.

To calculate feed and speed information based on the stock thickness, select the upper and lower stock boundaries as the Upper Z and the Lower Z values.


Machine design improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R2 includes these Machine Design improvements:

You can specify the locations of linear gang tools (see page 47).

You can send Machine Design files (.md) when sending other files (see page 48).

Add Tool Location dialog improvements In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, there are additional options in the Add Tool Location dialog to make machine design for gang tooling easier (where the tool block holds tools in a linear pattern).

On the Add Tool Location tab, you can select the Type:

Select from:

Head — Add a single head tool.

Turret — Add multiple tools rotated about the LCS of the selected solid.

Gang — Add tools in a linear pattern.


Selecting a Type of Gang on the Add Tool Location tab enables you to enter the Tool Spacing and select the Direction on the For turning turrets tab:

Send Machine Design files In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, there is an option in the Send Part Files dialog to send Machine design files (.md):

This enables you to send the machine design files when sending other files.

This is useful when reporting issues, especially for 5-axis and turn-mill parts.

Machine design files (.md) is selected by default.


Import improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R2 includes these Import improvements:

You can import SolidWorks 2014 files (see page 49).

SolidWorks Hole Recognition recognizes dowel holes in SolidWorks models, and machines them using a reamed hole operation (see page 49).

You can import SolidEdge ST5 and ST6 files (see page 49).

SolidWorks 2014 files In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can import SolidWorks 2014 files.

This is dependant on the version of the swdocumentmgr.dll file, not the FeatureCAM version.

Dowel holes In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, SolidWorks Hole Recognition recognizes dowel holes in SolidWorks models, and machines them using a reamed hole operation.

To recognize a dowel hole:

1 On the SolidWorks Hole Recognition page of the Import wizard, select Use SolidWorks to extract information about the hole types and dimensions.

2 Click Finish to close the Import wizard.

Automatic Feature Recognition does not use a Ream operation for dowel holes imported from SolidWorks models.

SolidEdge ST5 and ST6 files In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, you can import SolidEdge ST5 and ST6 files.


XBUILD improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R2 includes this XBUILD improvement:

The CNC error message displays the line of code which causes the error (see page 50).

Improved Error message In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, the CNC error message displays the line of code which causes the error, so you can find and fix the problem more easily.

For example, if you enter the following code in the Program Start Format of a CNC file: PROGRAM-START<EOB> [: xyz abcd zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz + fabs(32.134564 ]

The following error message is displayed when you test the CNC file:


Add-in Improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R2 includes this Add-in improvement:

In the Setup Sheet add-in, you can display whether cutter compensation is enabled for each operation (see page 51).

Setup Sheet Cutter Compensation In FeatureCAM 2014 R2, in the Setup Sheet add-in, you can display whether cutter compensation is enabled for each operation.

Add the variable tag {operation.cutter_comp} to the Setup Sheet template to display whether cutter compensation is enabled for each operation:

Click Help in the Setup Sheet Options dialog to display the Setup Sheet Help.






User interface improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R1 includes these user interface improvements:

There is more flexibility with naming features (see page 53).

You can now view and edit Layers (see page 53) in the Part View.

There are additional Part Documentation (see page 56) fields.

You can now send crash and performance logs (see page 58) by email.

You can change the location of a Setup aligned with a revolved surface to the opposite end (see page 57).

The more modern Shaded Grey (see page 59) user interface style is now the default.

The tool display window (see page 59) is now more attractive thanks to anti-aliasing.



Licensed product components are activated by default (see page 60).

There are new license expiry warnings (see page 60).

Feature names In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, you can use numbers at the start of feature names and include other characters such as spaces and %, for example 10mm hole pattern or pocket1 - 10% overload.

You must ensure that your post supports the characters that you want to use.

Characters you can use: , comma

. period

" double quote mark

/ slash

- hyphen

ALT+ code characters, such as Ø, ¼, ½, and so on.

Layers in Part View In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, you can see Layers in the Part View:

You can quickly show or hide layers using the check boxes.

System layer — You cannot edit a System layer, but you can show or hide it.


User layer — Add your own layers to organize your work. To add a new layer, right-click on the Layers item and select New Layer from the context menu.

Current layer — New items are added to the current layer. Double-click on a user layer to make it the current layer. You cannot hide the current layer.

Layers context menus Right-click on the Layers item in the Part View to display a context menu:

New Layer — Select this option to create a new user layer.

Show All Layers — Select this option to show the contents of all layers in the Graphics area.

Hide All Layers — Select this option to hide the contents of all layers in the Graphics area.

Layers — Select this option to open the Layers dialog.

Right-click on a layer name in the Part View to display a different context menu:

Show Layer — Select this option to show the contents of the layer in the Graphics area.

Hide Layer — Select this option to hide the contents of the layer in the Graphics area.

Set as Current Layer — Select this option to set the layer as the current layer. New items are added to the current layer.

Rename — Select this option to rename the layer.

Delete — Select this option to delete the layer.


Select Contents — Select this option to select the contents of the layer. This is useful, for example, if you want to move them to another layer.

The Set as Current Layer, Rename, and Delete options are unavailable for system layers.

New Pick Curve buttons In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, there are several new Pick Curve buttons. This makes it quicker to set curves for the attributes. Previously you had to remember or copy-and-paste the curve name.

For milling, there are new Pick Curve buttons for the Plunge points and Start point options on the Plunge tab:


For turning, there are new Pick Curve buttons for the Start point and End point attributes on the Turning tab:

New Part Documentation fields In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, there are three new fields in the Part Documentation dialog:

There are now dedicated fields for Company, Part/Drawing No., and Revision. You can use the Note 1, Note 2, and Comments fields for other information not covered by these fields.


If you use the custom setup sheet add-in, these values are copied to the Setup Sheet Options dialog.

Setup at opposite end of cylinder In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, you can change the location of a Setup aligned with a revolved surface to the opposite end:


Send crash logs There is a new option in the Send Part Files dialog:

Select the Crash and performance logs option to create a separate .zip file of your system's crash and performance logs.

Size confirmation If you are sending .zip files, a Size Confirmation warning dialog is displayed: The average email server limits attachments to 10 MB. The total size of the attachment(s) is: N (where N is the size of your attachment(s)) Would you like to continue sending?

Click Send to attach the files to an email.

Click Don't Send to keep the files on your desktop.

Click Cancel to discard the files.


Shaded Grey default style In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, Shaded Grey is the default user interface style. You can change the style back to the previous style, Classic, or the alternative style, Glass, in the Customize Toolbars dialog.

More attractive tool display window The display of tools and holders in the Tool Manager and Tool Properties dialog is now more attractive thanks to the use of anti-aliasing in the tool display window.

If your graphics card or driver cannot support the anti-aliasing well, you can disable anti-aliasing in the tool window. There is a new Anti-alias tool window option in the Shading Options dialog. It is enabled by default.


Licensed components activated by default In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, the components that you have licensed are activated automatically. The new Activate all available product components option is selected by default:

If you want to evaluate components that you have not licensed, select the Manually select product components option and select the components individually.

License expiry warning Warning messages are now displayed when your license is nearing expiry so that you have time to make arrangements to renew the license.


Import improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R1 includes these import improvements:

OpenDesign AutoCAD (see page 61) upgraded.

Spatial R23 SP1 Interop (see page 61) integrated.

Spatial 3D R23 SP2 Interop (see page 61) integrated.

Import Using Exchange errors are logged (see page 61).

Support for entry-level solid wireframe import (see page 61).

OpenDesign AutoCAD Upgraded to the latest OpenDesign AutoCAD import library, version 3.09.0 (supporting DWG v2013). Includes multi-threaded loading.

Spatial R23 SP1 Interop integrated Spatial R23 SP1 Interop is now integrated.

The Pro/E Reader component supports import of the User Defined Attribute (UDA) and the Name Attribute from Creo 1.0.

The Parasolid Direct Reader component supports v25 Parasolid.

Analytical faces from the NX Reader are no longer split. Only non-analytical faces are split at their seam.

Spatial 3D R23 SP2 Interop integrated Spatial 3D R23 SP2 Interop is now integrated.

The CATIA V5 Reader/Writer component supports the import/export of CATIA V5 R23 parts and assemblies (Windows platforms only).

The NX Direct Reader component supports version NX 8.5 for only BREP and Assembly.

Import Using Exchange logged Information from the Import Using Exchange feature is now stored in FeatureCAM's log file.

Entry-level solid wireframe import In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, users of the basic 2.5D module can import solid models as wireframe using File > Import Using Exchange.


2.5D Milling improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R1 includes these 2.5D milling improvements:

You can automatically avoid clamps (see page 62).

You can do a Chamfer operation before a Finish operation (see page 65).

You can use a solid as a milling tool holder (see page 66).

Engraving fonts from onelinefonts.com (see page 66) are supported.

Automatic clamp avoidance In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, you can automatically avoid solids that are set as clamps when using 2.5D NT-style toolpaths and 3D toolpaths.

You must use NT-style toolpaths for both the Rough and Finish operations to use this option for a 2.5D part.

There is a new Clamp avoidance button on the Milling tab in Machining Attributes:

Click the Clamp avoidance button to open the Clamp Avoidance dialog:


Automatic clamp avoidance — Select this option to automatically avoid solids that are marked as a clamp. To mark a solid as a clamp, right-click its name in the Part View and select Use Solids as Clamp in the context menu.

This option applies to 2.5D NT-style toolpaths and 3D toolpaths.You must use NT-style toolpaths for both the Rough and Finish operations to use this option for a 2.5D part.

Allowance — Enter the minimum distance that you want to leave around clamps.

Axial allowance — To set separate axial and radial allowances, select this option and enter the minimum axial (XY) distance that you want to leave around clamps. If you enable Axial allowance, the Allowance value is applied to the radial (Z) distance only.

Example: This example bracket part is held in place by four clamps:

With Automatic clamp avoidance disabled, there is a collision with the clamps in the bright pink areas:


Here is the back clamp in more detail, the front of the clamp has been machined away:

With Automatic clamp avoidance enabled, the clamps are avoided:

You can see the upstands of material, which have been left around the clamps:


Chamfer before Finish In FeatureCAM 2014 R3, there is a new Chamfer before finish option on the Misc tab:

Enable this option to do the Chamfer operation before the Finish operation.

To enable Chamfer before finish:

1 Select Chamfer before finish in the list of attributes.

2 Select True from the New Value menu.

3 Click the Set button to save the new value.

The order of operations is updated in the feature Properties dialog and in the Op List.


Solid toolholder In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, you can use a solid to represent the tool holder for milling tools. This is useful for creating custom holders, where the holder cannot be described using a revolved curve.

There is a new option in the Tool Holder Properties dialog:

Select Use solid to describe holder shape and select the solid from the list.

OLF engraving fonts In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, engraving fonts from our partner onelinefonts.com are supported. FeatureCAM ships with an incomplete test font to show that OLF fonts are recognized. You can purchase more fonts from http://onelinefonts.com.


Solid improvements (SOLID) FeatureCAM 2014 R1 includes these solid improvements:

You can now offset individual faces of a solid (see page 67).

Offset faces In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, you can offset individual faces of a solid. There is a new Offset Faces solid constructor.

To offset a face or faces of a solid:

1 Open the Offset Faces dialog in one of these ways:

In the Solid Wizard, select Shape Modifiers, then Offset Faces,

and click Next.

On the Solid toolbar, click the Offset Faces button in the Modify solid menu.

From the menu, select Construct > Solid > Modifiers > Offset Faces.

2 Optionally enter a Name for the solid, or leave the default name.

3 Enter the Offset distance. A negative distance offsets the faces into the solid, a positive distance offsets the surfaces outwards.

4 Select the name of the face you want to offset from the menu and click the Add item button or click the Pick surfaces button and select the surface in the Graphics window.

5 Optionally click the Preview button to see the results of the current settings in the Graphics window.

6 Click OK (or Finish if you're using the wizard).


Turn improvements (TURN) FeatureCAM 2014 R1 includes these turn improvements:

You can now do automatic corner rounding (see page 68).

There is now support for steady rest and tailstock (see page 70).

Automatic corner rounding Programming turned parts is quicker and easier in FeatureCAM 2014 R1. You can automatically deburr internal or external sharp edges of a Turn or Bore feature, without having to edit the geometry, using the new Fillet Radius setting.

Enter a value to enable automatic filleting:

If you enter a Fillet Radius value and click Apply, the Graphics window is updated, so you can preview the fillet.

For example, no Fillet Radius:


With a Fillet Radius value applied:

If you want to apply the fillet to internal instead of external corners, select the Other Side option:

Automatic corner rounding works equally well for a Bore feature.

For example, no Fillet Radius:

With a Fillet Radius applied:

If you want to apply the fillet to external instead of internal corners, select the Other Side option:


Steady rest and tailstock support FeatureCAM 2014 R1 supports the programming and simulation of steady rests and tailstock. Collisions with steady rests and tailstock are detected.

This example part is 1.5 m long:

Looking at a machine simulation, you can see that there is a long length of the part sticking out of the jaws:

You can use a steady rest to support the part as you machine each feature. To use a steady rest, you create a Part Handling feature with a type of Part support on and a Support type of Steadyrest. In the example, the steady rest is turned on before the features at the end of the part are created.

You can move the steady rest by creating an additional Part support on feature.

In the example, the steady rest is moved further down the part to support the Turn operation:


An additional Part support on feature is created to move the steady rest back to the original position, to cut the other Turn feature and the Groove features:

You can use a tailstock in a similar way. You create a Part Handling feature with a type of Part support on and a Support type of Tailstock.

In the example, the tailstock is used to support the end of the part while the steady rest is supporting the middle:

To send the steady rest or tailstock home, you create a Part Handling feature with a type of Part support off.

To enable a steady rest: 1 In the turning New Feature wizard, select the Part Handling

feature and click Next. 2 Select Part Support On and enter a value for the Grab distance.

This is the distance in Z where you want to use the steady rest.

3 Click Next. 4 For the Support type, select Steadyrest. 5 If your machine has multiple turrets, select the correct Transfer

turret. 6 If your steady rest is fitted to a turret, click the Turret control

button and set the correct Index position.

7 Click Finish.

A part_support_on feature is added to the Part View. You may need to drag the feature to a different position in the Part View and set a Base priority for the feature to set the correct order of features.


To disable a steady rest: 1 In the turning New Feature wizard, select the Part Handling

feature and click Next. 2 Select Part Support Off and enter a value for the Grab distance.


3 Click Next. 4 For the Support type, select Steadyrest. 5 If your machine has multiple turrets, select the correct Transfer

turret. 6 If your steady rest is fitted to a turret, click the Turret control

button and set the correct Location and Index position.

7 Click Finish.

A part_support_off feature is added to the Part View. You may need to drag the feature to a different position in the Part View and set a Base priority for the feature to set the correct order of features.

To enable a tailstock: 1 In the turning New Feature wizard, select the Part Handling

feature and click Next. 2 Select Part Support On and enter a value for the Grab distance.


3 Click Next. 4 For the Support type, select Tailstock.

5 If your machine has multiple turrets, select the correct Transfer turret.

6 If your tailstock is fitted to a turret, click the Turret control button and set the correct Index position.

7 Click Finish.

A part_support_on feature is added to the Part View. You may need to drag the feature to a different position in the Part View and set a Base priority for the feature to set the correct order of features.

To disable a tailstock: 1 In the turning New Feature wizard, select the Part Handling

feature and click Next. 2 Select Part Support Off and enter a value for the Grab distance.


3 Click Next.


4 For the Support type, select Tailstock.

5 If your machine has multiple turrets, select the correct Transfer turret.

6 If your tailstock is fitted to a turret, click the Turret control button and set the correct Location and Index position.

7 Click Finish.

A part_support_off feature is added to the Part View. You may need to drag the feature to a different position in the Part View and set a Base priority for the feature to set the correct order of features.

Machine simulation improvements (MSIM)

FeatureCAM 2014 R1 includes these machine simulation improvements:

You can now show edges (see page 73) during machine simulation.

Jaws, steady rest, and tailstock (see page 70) are now supported for turning machine simulation.

For machines with two spindles, you can play the simulation once only (see page 75).

Show edges In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, there is a new Show edges option for machine simulation:


Select this option to use an outline for the edges of the machine. You can see the machine edges more clearly using this option.

This example shows the default behavior with Show edges deselected:

This is the same example with Show edges selected:


Play simulation once In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, there is a new Only Play Sim Once option in Simulation Options:

For some machines with two spindles, the simulation plays through the simulation twice. If you want to see the part simulated only once, select this option.

Machine design improvements (MSIM) FeatureCAM 2014 R1 includes these machine simulation improvements:

You can now replace a solid (see page 75) and keep the attributes of the original.

It is now easier to define parent/child relationships (see page 76).

Is is now simpler to create milling machines (see page 77).

You get feedback when a UCS is not set (see page 77).

Replace solid There is a new Replace Solid dialog for machine design in FeatureCAM 2014 R1. To open it, select Machine Design > Replace Solid from the menu.


Use the Replace Solid dialog to replace solid1 with solid2, and keep the machine design attributes from solid1, such as parent/child relationships, movement, and so on.

Easier relationship definitions In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, there are two new arrow buttons in the Parent/Child Relationships dialog:

As you work up or down through the machine hierarchy, you can save time by moving the previously selected solid from the parent to the child selection or the child to the parent selection using the arrow buttons.


Simplified milling machine interface Machine design now shows only the options relevant to a milling machine, by default in the user interface. The options relevant to turning machines are unavailable in the menu, until you select the new Enable Millturn UI menu option:

Improved user interface In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, you get feedback when you have not yet set a UCS, for example:


Probing improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R1 includes these improvements to the Probing add-in:

You can now edit default values (see page 78).

There are three new decision-making features (see page 79).

Turn/mill probing simulation (see page 82) has been improved.

Edit default values In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, default measurement attributes have been added to the Probing Settings dialog:

You can edit the default values of any of these attributes. Click the Reset Defaults button to return to the original values.


Decision-making features It is easier to program probing in FeatureCAM 2014 R1, using decision-making features.

There are three decision-making features:

Test Abort/Continue — Based on the results of your

measurement, this feature type aborts the current milling process or continues as normal.

Test Abort/Continue/Remachine — Based on the results of your measurement, this feature type aborts the current milling process, continues as normal, or remachines the feature.

Test Jump Label — Places an N block number label in the NC code that the program can use, for example a start label, or a place in the code to jump to.

Decision-making example This example part has many features.


After milling a Face feature, the first Bore feature is milled, then the second Bore feature , followed by the rest of the features. To avoid unnecessary machining time, you can probe Bore after it is cut and make a decision whether to continue, remachine it, or abort the program, depending on the results of the probe.

1 Create a Test Jump Label feature to start the process.

The NC code for this Test Jump Label feature reads: (Test Jump Label PROBEOPER TEST_JUMP_LABEL1) (Start Bore) #101=0 N11

2 You want the decision-making process to start after the Face feature, so set the Base priority for the Test Jump Label to 2, and drag the feature to the correct place in the Part View.

3 Create a Measure Boss/Bore feature to probe Bore1 after it has been milled.

4 Create a Test Abort/Continue/Remachine feature to control what happens after the probing. For this example the following values are set:

Nominal Value 27.000

Tolerance Value 0.050

Continue Label 12

Remachine Label 11 (the value that was set for the starting Test Jump Label)

Size Error 13

5 Set the Base priority to 5 because you want this to be the 5th feature (after the Face feature, starting Test Jump Label, Bore1 feature, and Measure Boss/Bore feature).


The NC code for this Test Abort/Continue/Remachine feature reads: ( Test Abort/Continue/Remachine PROBEOPER TEST_ABORT_CONTINUE_REMACHINE1 ) (Remachining check conditional) (Begin decision sequence) #102=27 (nominal value) #104=[#102-#510] (signed difference of actual from nominal) #103=0.05 (tolerance value) (Decision 1) IF [ABS[#104]LT#103] GOTO 12 (within tolerance case) (Decision 2) IF [#104LT0]GOTO 13 (Decision 1 and 2 skipped) [#101=#101+1] IF [#101EQ1] GOTO 11 (run toolpath again) DPRNT[Error: Second Required Remachining] GOTO 99999 (Decision 2 result) N13 DPRNT[Error: Too Big] GOTO 99999 (Decision 1 result) N12 N835 M5 M9 N840 G91 Z0 N845 M01


6 Create an Abort label at the end of the NC code:

7 Set its Base priority to a large number, such as 100.

The NC code for this Test Jump Label feature reads: ( Test Jump Label PROBEOPER TEST_JUMP_LABEL3 ) (Abort) #101=0 N99999

Turn/mill probing simulation improved The accuracy of turn/mill probing simulation has been improved by handling rotary indexing moves.


XBUILD improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R1 includes these XBUILD improvements:

There is a new <INDEX-AXIS> (see page 83) reserved word.

There is a new Don't output retract to Z index clearance moves (see page 83) option for use with the Smith Bits APT post.

You can now set the Force segment start for each operation (see page 84) option in XBUILD.

New reserved words <INDEX-AXIS> Returns the index axis (X, Y, or Z) for 4th-axis

indexed parts, otherwise returns None.

Z index clearance optional There is a new Don't output retract to Z index clearance moves option in XBUILD. If you are using the Smith Bits APT post, you must select this option. This enables the correct APT code to be output for hole canned cycles that are not aligned with the Z-axis in RTCP (Rotational Tool Center Point).


Force segment start option moved In FeatureCAM 2014 R1, you can set the Force segment start for each operation option in XBUILD in the General Information dialog.

The previous and default behavior is to set this option in the Post Options dialog in FeatureCAM:

If you select ON or OFF in XBUILD, the status is displayed in the Post Options dialog.




User interface improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 includes these user interface improvements:

Additional help information is available to you in the form of pop-up Balloon help (see page 86).



Balloon help Starting with the Plunge tab attributes, balloon help will be rolled out across FeatureCAM attributes, making it easier and quicker for you to understand how a particular attribute works.

To display balloon help, hover your mouse pointer over the attribute image on the Plunge tab. A balloon help window is displayed containing further information, for example:

If you want to disable balloon help, you can deselect Help > Balloon Help from the menu.


Tooling improvements FeatureCAM 2013 R3 includes these tooling improvements:

The Never select this tool (see page 90) option is available for more milling tool types.

You can now set the touch-off point for Rounding Mill (see page 87) tools at the tip of the tool.

There is a new Probing (see page 89) tool group.

2.5D: Rounding Mills — Set touch-off point at tip In FeatureCAM 2013 R3, you can set the touch-off point to be the tip of the tool instead of the shoulder.

There are two new options in the Rounding Mill Tool Properties dialog:

Tip-To-Shoulder Length — Enter the length between the shoulder and the tip of the tool. This length is the same as the arc Radius by default, but you can increase it.

Touch off at the shoulder — Rounding Mill tools touch off at the shoulder by default. Deselect this option to move the touch-off point to the tip of the tool.


This example shows the default behavior with Touch off at the shoulder selected. The toolpath is at the top of the Round feature.

This example shows Touch off at the shoulder deselected. The tool touches off at the tip. The toolpath is at the bottom of the Round feature.

This example shows Touch off at the shoulder deselected and a Tip-To-Shoulder Length that is double the Radius value. The tool touches off at the tip. The toolpath is below the bottom of the Round feature.

When Touch off at the shoulder is selected, the Exposed length value does not include the tip.When it is deselected, the Exposed length value includes the tip length.


New probing tool group There is a new Probe tool group in FeatureCAM 2013 R3:

The Probe Tool Properties dialog works in a similar way to the other tool groups:

Name — Enter a name that identifies the tool. The name must be unique among all the tools in the crib.

Measure — This indicates the units that are used for reporting the tool’s dimensions. Select Inches for inch units or deselect it for millimeters.


Ball Diameter Stem Diameter Overall Length Shank Length Lower Shank Diameter Upper Shank Diameter Taper Length

Taper Shank — Deselect this option to have a shank with a constant diameter and enter the Shank Diameter instead of Lower Shank Diameter and Upper Shank Diameter.

Never select tool In FeatureCAM 2013 R3, the Never select this tool option, that was previously available only for End Mill tools, has been added to other tool types, such as Twist Drill:

If you select Never select this tool, FeatureCAM does not select the tool automatically, but you can choose the tool manually.


2.5D Milling improvements FeatureCAM 2013 R3 includes these 2.5D milling improvements:

New technology (see page 91) (NT) toolpaths are available for finish operations.

NT toolpaths for finishing In FeatureCAM 2013 R3, NT toolpaths are available for the Finish pass.

There is a new NT toolpaths option on the Strategy tab for the Finish pass. The Finish bottom and Wall pass options have moved.

Select NT toolpaths and Finish bottom to enable the Stepover menu, where you can select one of the NT toolpaths:


When using NT toolpaths for the Finish pass, the HSM attributes are available on the Milling tab, and work in a similar way to the Rough pass HSM attributes:

3D improvements FeatureCAM 2013 R3 includes these 3D milling improvements:

Import surfaces (see page 92) (3D LITE)

New Finish axial allowance (see page 92) attribute (3D LITE)

New Leave axial allowance (see page 93) attribute (3D MX)

3D spiral outwards (see page 93) (3D HSM)

Import surfaces (3D LITE) You can now import 3D surfaces from .dxf, .dwg, and .iges files if you have the 3D LITE product.

Finish axial allowance (3D LITE) In FeatureCAM 2013 R3, you can set separate axial and radial finish allowance values for the Z-level rough strategy. There is a new Finish axial allowance attribute.


Finish axial allowance — Enter the amount of axial (XY) material to leave on a feature after the Rough pass. If you enter a value for Finish axial allowance, the value for Finish allowance is applied to radial (Z) material. If you leave Finish axial allowance blank, the value for Finish allowance is applied to axial and radial material. You can enter a positive or negative value.

Leave axial allowance (3D MX) In FeatureCAM 2013 R3, you can set separate axial and radial leave allowance values for the Z-level finish strategy. There is a new Leave axial allowance attribute.

Leave axial allowance — Enter the amount of axial (XY) material to leave on a feature after the Finish pass. If you enter a value for Leave axial allowance, the value for Leave allowance is applied to radial (Z) material. If you leave Leave axial allowance blank, the value for Leave allowance is applied to axial and radial material. You can enter a positive or negative value.

3D spiral out In FeatureCAM 2013 R3, you can make the 3D spiral strategy move outwards. Select the new In to out option on the Strategy tab:

The Continuous spiral and Smoothing options have been moved to this tab.


Other important improvements FeatureCAM 2013 R3 includes these other important improvements:

The Part Library (see page 94) is available in 64-bit format.

There is a new Vertical mill/turn (see page 95) document type.

Part library: 64-bit format In FeatureCAM 2013 R3, you can create and export a 64-bit format part library.

The bit-ness of the current library is displayed in the Part Library dialog:

When you create or export a part library, the Part Library Format dialog is displayed, where you specify a 64-bit or 32-bit part library.

A 32-bit version of FeatureCAM cannot read a 64-bit part library, but a 64-bit part library is faster and recommended.


Vertical mill/turn (TURNMILL, MTT, 5AP) FeatureCAM 2013 R3 supports vertical mill/turn machines such as Okuma VTM-120YB, Mori Seiki SuperMILLER 400, Mori Seiki NMV5000 DBC, Mazak Integrex e-800V II (side spindle), Matsuura CUBLEX-25, and DMG FD Series.

There is a new Vertical Mill/Turn document type:

When you open a new Vertical Mill/Turn document, two Setups are created by default:

Setup1 is a turning Setup Setup2 is a milling Setup

The new Vertical Mill/Turn option in Stock Properties is automatically selected for a Vertical Mill/Turn document, and the Fixture Location button is available for the milling part of the document:

There is a new VerticalMillTurnAddin.bas add-in available. Load and run the add-in to access these two buttons:

The PostMillTurnSetups button combines the two Setups into a single NC code file.

The SimTurnMillingSetups button combines the two Setups into one simulation for 3D or machine simulation.


Import improvements FeatureCAM 2013 R3 includes these import improvements:

You can now manage associativity (see page 96) for SolidWorks files.

The Parasolid kernel has been upgraded (see page 96) to version 24.1.

Parasolid kernel upgrade to 24.1 This is a major upgrade of the Parasolid kernel for FeatureCAM, which fixes a number of bugs.

As a result of the upgrade, there is a new option in FeatureCAM.

In certain cases, the Parasolid kernel does not compute a Stock curve correctly. If you have problems trying to compute a Stock curve from a Parasolid file, try selecting the Use new stock curve finder option on the Misc. tab of Machining Attributes.

This option is deselected by default because the alternative method is slower.

SolidWorks: Manage associativity In FeatureCAM 2013 R3, it is easier to manage the associativity with SolidWorks files. You can now change the .sldprt file name with which a FeatureCAM file is associated.


Right-click the name of the solid in the Part View and select Solid Source File from the context menu:

The Solid Source File dialog is displayed:

If the solid source .sldprt file is renamed or moved, you can set the new name and/or location here to keep the associativity. Click the Browse button to find the source file.

If associativity is kept, FeatureCAM displays a warning when the source file is updated, to ask if you also want to update the .fm file.


Turn/mill and 4th-axis improvements FeatureCAM 2013 R3 includes these Turn/mill improvements:

You can now change the index axis (see page 98) for turn/mill and 4th-axis parts.

Turn/mill & 4th-axis: Change index axis In FeatureCAM 2013 R3, you can change the index axis for turn/mill and 4-axis positioning parts. You no longer need to use the STOCK index axis.

There is a new Index axis UCS option on the Indexing tab of the Stock Properties dialog:

If you create a new UCS, it is available for you to select in the Index axis UCS menu.




User interface improvements FeatureCAM 2013 R2 has a more modern and attractive user interface:

The background (see page 100) is improved and matches your choice of interface style.

The Tool Manager (see page 102) and Tool Properties (see page 103) dialogs have many improvements.

There have been various color improvements (see page 105).

Other user interface improvements include:

A new Plunge (see page 106) tab grouping all attributes relating to plunging.

The machining attributes relating to helical ramping are now in a new dedicated Helical Ramp Options (see page 107) dialog.

You can now easily show or hide all features (see page 108) in a Setup.



There are new buttons available relating to simulation starting points (see page 108).

You can now zip multiple files (see page 109) relating to the current document, ready to email.

Improved background gradient The default background gradient has been improved:

If you change the Style of the interface in the Customize Toolbars dialog, FeatureCAM asks you if you want to change the background color scheme to one that matches:


Shaded Grey:

Glass:


Tool Manager improvements The Tool Manager preview window background now matches the background (see page 100) of the graphics area:

When you select a tool, the preview image is now much more detailed. It shows the holder and the shank:

If you move your mouse pointer over the image, the tool is automatically centered:

To turn off this setting, right-click on the image and deselect Automatic Center Tool from the context menu.

You can also display a representation of the flutes on end mill tools. To do this, right-click in the preview window and select Show Flutes on End Mills in the context menu. The display represents the number of flutes and the handedness of the tool, for example:


2 flutes, right-handed


4 flutes, left-handed

Tool Properties dialog improvements The Tool Properties dialog has been improved in FeatureCAM 2013 R2.

The tool preview window, now on the left of the dialog, is much larger and separate from the tabs so that it is always visible:

The tool holder is now shown in the preview window, by default. To hide the tool holder, right-click in the preview window and deselect Show Tool Holder in the context menu.

The tool shank is also now shown.

The tool, holder, and shank have a dark outline to make them clearer.

You can automatically center the tool in the preview window by moving your mouse pointer over the image:


To turn off this setting, right-click on the image and deselect Automatic Center Tool from the context menu.

You can also display a representation of the flutes on end mill tools. To do this, right-click in the preview window and select Show Flutes on End Mills in the context menu. The display represents the number of flutes and the handedness of the tool, for example: 2 flutes, right-handed


4 flutes, left-handed


Color improvements In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, there are new color controls throughout, to make the software more appealing.

The default Feature and Sub Spindle Operations colors have been improved and you can now change the default Tool colors:

There is a new Reset All button in the Default Colors dialog to enable you to reset the default color of all items at the same time.

Any Custom colors that you define are saved in the settings file and are available next time you use FeatureCAM.


Plunge tab In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, the attributes relating to plunging are conveniently located together on a new Plunge tab:

Click the Minimum Ramp button to open the new Minimum Ramp Distances dialog:


When using Helical ramping, click the Helical Options button to open the Helical Ramp Options dialog:

Helical Options The machining attributes relating to helical ramping are now in a new dedicated Helical Ramp Options dialog:

To open this dialog, select Helical ramping and click the Helical Options button on the Lead/Ramp tab:


Show/hide all in Setup In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, you can easily show or hide all features in a Setup. There are two new options in the context menu for a Setup in the Part View: Show All in Setup Hide All in Setup

Simulation start point buttons In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, there are two new buttons available:

Set sim results as starting point

Clear starting point To add these buttons to a toolbar:

1 Select View > Toolbars from the menu.

The Customize Toolbars dialog is displayed.

2 On the Commands tab, select Simulation in the Categories list.

The new buttons are available:

3 Drag the icon you want onto the toolbar you want to add it to.


File send You can zip multiple files relating to the current document, ready to email. Select File > Send to open the Send Part Files dialog.

Select the files you want to send from: Part document — The current .fm file.

Milling post — The current Milling .cnc file.

Turning post — The current Turning .cnc file.

Wire EDM post — The current Wire EDM .cnc file.

User interface settings — The .ini file containing your user interface preferences.

Crash and performance logs — Select this option to create a separate .zip file of your system's crash and performance logs.

Select how you want to send the files:

As individual files — The individual files are attached to a new email.

As a zip file — The files are zipped and the .zip file is attached to a new email.

Save to desktop — The files are zipped and the .zip file is saved to your desktop.

Size confirmation If you are sending .zip files, a Size Confirmation warning dialog is displayed: The average email server limits attachments to 10 MB.


The total size of the attachement(s) is: N (where N is the size of your attachment(s)) Would you like to continue sending?

Click Send to attach the files to an email.

Click Don't Send to keep the files on your desktop.

Click Cancel to discard the files.

Custom setup sheets You can create custom setup sheets for milling, turning, and turn/mill parts using a new add-in.

The add-in extracts information from the Part Documentation dialog and enables you to take images for each Setup.

You can use setup sheets to give information to the machine operator about the manufacturing, tooling, and toolpaths of a part.

To load and run the add-in:

1 Select Options > Add-Ins from the menu.

The Macro Add-ins dialog is displayed.

2 Click the Browse button and browse to the SetupSheet.dll file. If you installed FeatureCAM in the default location, the file is at C:\Program Files\Delcam\FeatureCAM\Addins\SetupSheet\SetupSheet.dll.

3 In the Macro Add-ins dialog, in the Add-In Files list, ensure that the check box to the left of the SetupSheet.dll file address is selected.

4 Click OK.

The Utilities toolbar is displayed, containing the SetupSheet button.

5 Click the SetupSheet button to run the add-in.


The Setup Sheet Options dialog is displayed:

The Title, Author, Note 1, Note 2, and Comments values are copied from the Documentation tab of the Part Documentation dialog and you can edit them there.

Use this dialog to capture an image for each Setup in the current document, and an image to represent the whole document. To capture an image for a Setup, select the Setup name in the Setups list and click the Capture Setup Image button to capture the current contents of the Graphics window.

First run a simulation only for the Setup you want to capture by deselecting other Setups in the Part View; then adjust the view to show a good orientation of the Setup, and open the Setup Sheet Options dialog to capture the image in the Graphics window.

You must use a template to create the setup sheets. Click the Browse Template button to find and set the template. There is a template, SetupSheetTemplate.html, in the Addins\SetupSheet folder.

To create the setup sheets, click the Create Setup Sheets button. The part is simulated to generate toolpaths and the setup sheet is displayed in your web browser. You can save the HTML file from the browser.

To open the setup sheet in the FeatureCAM Browser, select File > Open from the menu and browse to the setup sheet HTML file.


Network database improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 includes this network database improvement:

You can now use Microsoft SQL Server Express (see page 112) for your network database.

SQL Server Express now available In FeatureCAM 2014 R3 you can use SQL Server for your network database. This gives better performance and reliability for your network database. There is a new option in the Tool and Material Setup dialog:

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express is a free edition of SQL Server that you may use to host your Delcam tools and materials database used by FeatureCAM. It is available in 32-bit and 64-bit editions and in these languages: Chinese

(simplified) Chinese

(traditional) English French German Italian

Japanese Korean Portuguese

(Brazil) Russian Spanish


When using Microsoft SQL Express to host your FeatureCAM tools and materials you need a server computer to host the SQL Server software and the tools/materials database. This server computer should be a different computer from the client workstations where users are running FeatureCAM.

The database server can host multiple databases. So your server can contain several different FeatureCAM tools and materials databases, each from different versions of FeatureCAM, different departments in your organization, or for whatever other reasons you require. Generally this isn't necessary, but it is possible if you need to do this.

Installation 1 Pick a computer at your facility that you wish to host the

FeatureCAM tools and materials database. We'll call this the database server. The database server must meet these criteria:

It must be running Microsoft Windows.

It must be connected to your network.

It must be able to run Microsoft SQL Server Express 2012.

You can see system requirements at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143506.aspx (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143506.aspx)

2 Find out the hostname of the database server.

3 Download either the Express (Database Only) or Express with Tools from http://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/pd/SQLEXPCTAV2/enus/default.aspx (http://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/pd/SQLEXPCTAV2/enus/default.aspx). If your database server is a 32-bit Windows, then you'll need to download the 32-bit version of SQL Server Express. If 64-bit, then download the 64-bit version instead.

The bitness of your download must match the bitness of the database server computer, and has nothing to do with the bitness of your client workstations. You may download the language of your choice.

4 Install Microsoft SQL Server Express on your database server.

5 From any client workstation using FeatureCAM 2014 R3, find INITDB in the Start menu and run it.

6 In the Tool and Material Setup dialog, select On a SQL Server and enter the hostname of the database server computer as the Server Name.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143506.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/pd/SQLEXPCTAV2/enus/default.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/pd/SQLEXPCTAV2/enus/default.aspx


7 After entering the Server Name, you can select an existing database on the database server in the Database Name menu, or create a new one.

8 The first time you run of INITDB you can do one of the following:

Initialize a new database with all the default tools.

Import tools from another database elsewhere on your network

Upgrade an existing database to the latest version of FeatureCAM and load it with all of the default tooling.

Subsequent client installations default to this choice.

Simulation improvements FeatureCAM 2013 R2 includes these simulation improvements:

3D simulation (see page 114) is faster.

Round stock (see page 115) is displayed more accurately.

Better 3D simulation performance 3D simulation performance has been improved in FeatureCAM 2013 R2.

The results of the changes made are very dependent on the simulation, and also depend to some extent on the graphics card being used. However, as a general rule for simple simulations being rendered after every cut, the overall speed (including cutting as well as rendering) has been improved by 10% to 15%. For very large tools, performance was often poor because the entire tool, often consisting of thousands of facets, was being simulated, when only a small portion of it affected the stock. The changes in this version mean that 3D simulation will often recognize these situations and only carry out simulation with the part of the tool that is close to the stock. This can give big performance improvements in some situations, and often gives improved quality for multi-axis simulations.


Round stock display improved In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, you can make the simulation of round stock (used by turning and indexing parts) more accurate.

There is a new Round Stock tab in Simulation Options which includes the new Roundness tolerance attribute.

Roundness tolerance — Reduce the tolerance to make round stock appear rounder and less faceted. Higher Roundness tolerance:

Lower Roundness tolerance:


2.5D improvements FeatureCAM 2013 R2 includes these 2.5D improvements:

You can automatically avoid fixtures and clamps (see page 116).

With 4-axis wrapping, it is easier to program barrel cams (see page 118).

Automatically avoid fixtures and clamps In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, you can automatically clip or trim 2.5D NT roughing toolpaths against fixtures and clamps.

These features are supported:

Boss

Pocket

Side

Face features created with feature recognition (if the plane of the face intersects the clamp solids)

When you select an NT roughing toolpath as the Stepover type on the Strategy tab for one of these features, a new Check surfaces button is available on the Dimensions tab:


Click the Check surfaces button to open the Select Check Surfaces dialog:

Use this dialog to select surfaces that you want to use to limit machining.

Check surfaces are surfaces that denote areas that you do not want to machine. Select surfaces that are more horizontal than vertical. A check surface acts as a boundary up to which milling occurs.

If you select a vertical check surface the milling may resume on the other side of it if the surface to be milled extends beyond the check surface.

1 Select the surface(s) in the list box or click Pick and select a surface with the mouse. To pick additional surfaces, click Pick again before selecting each additional surface.

2 Click OK to return to the Feature Properties dialog.

3 Click OK and Apply to apply your surface selection to the feature and return to the Feature Properties dialog.

If you are using check surfaces to avoid clamps, you can do this automatically using the Clamp avoidance dialog. Optionally enter the minimum distance that you want to leave around the check surface(s), using the new Check allowance attribute on the Milling tab for the rough operation:


4-axis wrapping: Easier programming of barrel cams In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, it is easier to program barrel cam features. This particular feature uses 4-axis milling and takes a centerline of the cam slot, along with the diameter of the follower, and produces a toolpath with a tool of a given diameter that may be smaller than the follower. When wrapped around the X axis, small Y moves are used in conjunction with adjustments to A in order to get the walls of the slot to be correct.

3D improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 has these 3D improvements:

All 3-axis finishing operations (see page 118) can now use a stock model.

There are now advanced stock model settings (see page 119).

All 3-axis finishing operations can use a stock model In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, you can use a stock model with all 3-axis finishing operations: Parallel

finish Z-level

finish Isoline

finish 2D spiral 3D spiral Radial Flowline

Between 2 curves

Horizontal + vertical

Corner remachining

Pencil Swarf Steep and

shallow


The Stock Model option is now available on the Stock tab for these operations:

Stock models are not yet available for 4-axis and 5-axis operations.

Use the new Stock Model Options (see page 119) button to access advanced stock model engagement options.

Advanced stock model settings In FeatureCAM 2013 R2 there is a new Stock Model Settings dialog to control roughing and finishing operations that use a stock model.

Access the Stock Model Settings dialog by clicking the new Stock Model Options button on the Stock tab, for 3D strategies:


And the Milling tab for 2.5D NT toolpath operations:

The Stock Model Settings dialog contains several attributes for roughing and finishing:

Stock model rest roughing These attributes apply to the rough operation.

Expand area by — Enter a value to expand rest areas by the specified distance (measured along the surface). A negative value reduces the size of rest areas.

Detect material thicker than — Enter a threshold value. FeatureCAM ignores rest material that is thinner than the specified threshold.

Minimum gap length — Enter the gap length, which controls fragmentation by replacing gaps shorter than this distance with a toolpath segment. A large value reduces fragmentation, but increases the length of the toolpath that isn't actually cutting material. A small value produces shorter toolpaths but increases the number of toolpath lifts.


A Minimum gap length of 0:

A Minimum gap length of the default value:

Stock model engagement for finishing These attributes apply to the finish operation. They reduce tool wear, improve surface finish, and stop the tool engaging with the material excessively.

Machine stock only — Select this option to limit the toolpaths to areas where a minimum amount of stock is being removed from the stock model.


Minimum length removed — Enter a threshold value. FeatureCAM ignores toolpath portions that are shorter than this.

Use depth of cut — Select this option to limit the depth of cut to the value you enter.


Turn improvements FeatureCAM 2013 R2 includes these turn improvements:

You can control the liftoff angle with a new attribute (see page 122).

You can use an arc to lead in and out (see page 123) for the finish pass of a Turn or Bore feature.

There is a new reserved word (see page 125) in XBUILD for a Transfer feature.

Side liftoff angle In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, there is a new Side liftoff angle attribute for turned Groove features, on the Turning tab:

You can also set its default value for the current document on the Grooving tab of Machining Attributes:

This attribute enables you to lift the tool off the part after each plunge cut, at the angle you specify.

You must also set the Side liftoff dist.attribute.


Example This part has a Groove feature, shown in pink:

The default behavior is for the tool to lift off the part at 90 , shown in the following image by , after each plunge cut. This results in tool contact with the uncut material, at , when the tool is retracting at a rapid feed rate along the X axis:

You can avoid this by using the Side liftoff dist. attribute, to move the tool back along the Z axis , before lifting off.

Side liftoff dist and Side liftoff angle are ignored for the retract move at the end of the first plunge. The liftoff move is performed at the plunge feed rate. If the groove is a round-bottomed groove, then liftoff is not used, even when specified.

Arc lead-in/out for Turn/Bore feature In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, you can use an arc to lead in and out for the finish pass of a Turn or Bore feature. This enables you to finish large parts in sections.


There is a new Leads tab for the finish operation of Turn and Bore features, with the new Arc in and Arc out options:

The linear lead options that were previously on the Turning tab are now here.

This example uses Linear in and Linear out:

This example uses Arc in and Arc out:

When using Arc in and Arc out with TNR Comp enabled, small linear moves are added to the toolpath before the arc in and after the arc out. Compensation is turned on during the linear segments:


XBUILD: New transfer reserved word There is a new reserved word in XBUILD:

<Z-XFER-COORD> is the Z coordinate of the Transfer feature in setup coordinates. This takes into account previous bar pulls.

For a Cutoff feature with transfer, there is no concept of feature location (because the only location is the cutoff location). In this case the <Z-XFER-COORD> is assumed to be the location of the work piece coordinate system, plus any previous bar pulls.


Turn/Mill improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 includes this turn/mill improvement:

The OD location (see page 126) for features from curves has been reinstated.

OD location for features from curves reinstated In FeatureCAM 2013 R2, the OD option has been reinstated on the Location tab for turn/mill features from curves.

This capability was removed from the software long ago, but has been missed. Specifically the ability to make a pattern of features has been restored, where the object of the pattern is located in the XY plane as opposed to in-place, because many users preferred this original approach.

Import improvements Spatial's InterOp R23 is integrated:

Pro/E Reader adds support for Creo 2.

UG NX Reader now supports Unigraphics NX 8.0 version files

CATIA V5-6 R2013 (R22)

Export improvements FeatureCAM 2014 R3 has support for export to CAMplete TruePath.


XBUILD improvements There are two new ways to manipulate strings in XBUILD:

Operator Function Example Result InStr([start,]string1,string2[,compare])

Returns the position of the first occurrence of string2 within string1.

String indexes are 0-based. The return value indicating "string not found" is -1.

[instr ("abcdef", "def")]

Returns 3.0

InStrRev (string1,string2[,start[,compare]])

Returns the position of the first occurrence of string2 within string1. The search begins from the end of the string, but the position returned counts from the beginning of the string.

String indexes are 0-based. The return value indicating "string not found" is -1.

[instrrev("defabcdef","def")]

Returns 6.0

You can use these new operators, for example, to extract parts of tool names.



FeatureCAM has three major enhancement releases per year (R1, R2, and R3) issued once every four months.

General improvements These are the most significant general improvements in FeatureCAM 2013 R1:

There is a new selection method. Drag Select (see page 131) enables you to select multiple adjacent entities by dragging the mouse pointer across them.

It is now easier to convert feed and speed (see page 133) values.

You can now snap to STL models (see page 135) and also use them as clamps (see page 134).

Controlling simulation speed is now easier because you can lengthen the simulation speed slider (see page 135) on the Simulation toolbar.

You can do global edits and transforms (see page 141) on a Toolpath feature.

FeatureCAM now supports the import of Spatial's 3D InterOp R22 SP2, NX 8 files.

There are new options for the Probing add-in (see page 136).

There are new reserved words (see page 136) in XBUILD.



New selection method There is a new Drag Select option in FeatureCAM 2013 R1. This method enables you to select multiple adjacent entities by dragging the mouse pointer across them.

To enter Drag Select mode, click the Drag Select button in the Select Menu in the Standard toolbar.

Drag Select example This example part contains different colored faces and geometry:

The existing selection methods do not work well for this part.

For example, if you use the Select by Color/Type dialog, you can select either the green lines or the gray lines, but not both at the same time:


If you use a box selection over the lines in a front view, you can't select only the lines without selecting some of the surfaces too:

Using the new Drag Select option, you can drag the mouse pointer over the lines to the left of the stock to select them all:

Drag Select can save time when selecting adjacent surfaces. With the standard Select mode, to select adjacent surfaces, you must use a box-select or Ctrl+click each surface. With Drag Select, just move the mouse pointer over adjacent surfaces. You can hold down the Ctrl key with Drag Select to add non-adjacent surfaces to the selection, or after you have released the mouse button, for example to change the view of the part.


Easier feed and speed unit conversion In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, when you override the feed or speed value, then change units, FeatureCAM converts the value you entered to the new units. This works for milling and turning parts.

Previously, when you entered an override value, and changed units, FeatureCAM returned to the default value for the new units.

Example 1 Create a Slot feature and view the F/S tab in the Slot Properties

dialog:

The recommended speed is entered by default.

2 Enter a different Speed value. The override box is checked automatically.

3 Change the Speed units:

FeatureCAM remembers the override value entered and converts it to the new units. Previously, FeatureCAM returned to the recommended value when you switched units.

The Feed value works in a similar way.


Use STL as a clamp for 3D simulation In FeatureCAM 2014 R3, you can use STL files as a clamps for 3D simulation.

To use STL files as clamps:

1 Select the STLs that you want to use in one of these ways:

Select the face of an STL (or multiple-select the faces of more than one STL) in the Graphics window. If the STLs are not already shaded, click the Shade button to shade them first.

Select the names of the STLs in the Part View.

2 Right-click on the selection.

3 Select Use STLs As Clamp from the context menu.

To see if an STL is used as a clamp or not, right-click it and look at the context menu. If there is a check mark next to the Use STLs As Clamp menu item, then that STL is currently used as a clamp:

If there is no check mark, the STL is not currently used as a clamp.

To unset a solid as a clamp, click the Use STLs As Clamp menu item with the check mark. The check mark is removed and the solid is no longer a clamp.


Snap to STL In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can snap to points on an STL model using Snap to Object and Snap to End Point:

Lengthen Sim Speed slider In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can increase the length of the simulation speed slider on the Simulation toolbar, to make it easier to control the speed.

To do this:

1 Ensure the Simulation toolbar is displayed.

2 Select View > Toolbars from the menu. The Customize Toolbars dialog is displayed, but you don't need to do anything in the dialog.

3 Click on the Sim Speed slider in the Simulation toolbar and it displays a border.

4 Hover over the border at the right of the button and the mouse

pointer changes to a double arrow icon.

5 Drag the right border out as far as you want.

6 Click OK to save your changes and close the Customize Toolbars dialog.


Probing: New options for Probing UDF In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, there are new options that you can set easily when you start the Probing Add-in.

After starting the Probing Add-in, the Probing Settings dialog is displayed:

Show Overtravel — Select this option to show a representation of the overtravel in the preview in the graphics window and during simulation.

Default Tool Name — By default, the add-in looks for a lollipop tool, but you can override that here. Enter a tool name.

XBUILD: New reserved words 5-Axis:

<TOUCHOFF-UCS-X> This is the position in X of the touch-off UCS in

relation to the Stock Axis. <TOUCHOFF-UCS-Y> This is the position in Y of the touch-off UCS in

relation to the Stock Axis.


<TOUCHOFF-UCS-Z> This is the position in Z of the touch-off UCS in relation to the Stock Axis.

<UCS-XAXIS-X> The X coordinate of the X axis vector of the current UCS.

<UCS-XAXIS-Y> The Y coordinate of the X axis vector of the current UCS.

<UCS-XAXIS-Z> The Z coordinate of the X axis vector of the current UCS.

<UCS-YAXIS-X> The X coordinate of the Y axis vector of the current UCS.

<UCS-YAXIS-Y> The Y coordinate of the Y axis vector of the current UCS.

<UCS-YAXIS-Z> The Z coordinate of the Y axis vector of the current UCS.

<UCS-ZAXIS-X> The X coordinate of the Z axis vector of the current UCS.

<UCS-ZAXIS-Y> The Y coordinate of the Z axis vector of the current UCS.

<UCS-ZAXIS-Z> The Z coordinate of the Z axis vector of the current UCS.

Turn Part Handling feature:

<FEED-DIST> This is the Feed distance value from a Part

Handling feature in FeatureCAM. <GRAB-DIST> This is the Grab distance value from a Part

Handling feature in FeatureCAM. <SUB-FEED> This is the Subspindle feed rate value from a Part

Handling feature in FeatureCAM. <PULL-DIST> This is the Pull distance value from a Part

Handling feature in FeatureCAM. <CUTOFF-TRT> This indicates which turret has the cutoff

operation. The values are empty (no cutoff), main upper, main lower, sub upper, sub lower.

<ALREADY-SUP> TRUE if Already Supported is enabled for a Part Handling feature in FeatureCAM.

<LEAVE-SUP> TRUE if Leave Supported is enabled for a Part Handling feature in FeatureCAM.


<TURRET1-LOC> This indicates the Location of turret 1 while the sub-spindle is moving, taken from the Transfer Turret Control dialog in FeatureCAM. The values are None, Home, Escape, or Cutoff Location.




<PART-CATCH> TRUE if the Part Catcher option is enabled for a Part Handling feature in FeatureCAM.

<PUSH-PRESS> TRUE if Push/Press is enabled for a Part Handling feature in FeatureCAM.

<OPEN-DWELL> This is the dwell time after opening the spindle, taken from the Open dwell attribute value for a Part Handling feature in FeatureCAM.

<CLOSE-DWELL> This is the dwell time after closing the spindle, taken from the Close dwell attribute value for a Part Handling feature in FeatureCAM.

<GRAB-TYPE> Returns the Spindle Action value from a Part Handling feature in FeatureCAM.

<MAIN-ANGLE> This is the Main Angle value from a Part Handling feature in FeatureCAM.

<SUB-ANGLE> This is the Sub Angle value from a Part Handling feature in FeatureCAM.

<P-PULL-DIST> This is the distance that the part was previously pulled out of the main spindle, before the current operation.


FeatureMILL 2.5D improvements These are the most significant 2.5D improvements in FeatureCAM 2013 R1:

You can now use continuous spiral toolpaths with drill/mill (see page 139) rough endmill operations.

You can edit multiple segments (see page 141) in Toolpath features and transform them.

You can now select the Stepover type (see page 141) (including Zigzag), for a Face feature created with Interactive Feature Recognition.

Drill/Mill: Continuous spiral for rough endmill In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, there is a new Use continuous spiral option in the Drill/Mill Options dialog in Machining Attributes:


And at feature-level, accessed from the Strategy tab:

You must select one of the Rough with Endmill... options to access the new option.

The option uses the NT Continuous Spiral toolpath technology to eliminate nearly all stepovers. Use continuous spiral deselected

Use continuous spiral selected

You can use Helical ramping with Use continuous spiral, for example:

Traditional spiral toolpaths can produce spikes in tool load, another advantage of NT continuous spiral is that the tool load increases gradually.


Global Toolpath edits and transforms In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can edit multiple segments of a Toolpath feature on the Toolpaths tab.

To do this, CTRL+select or SHIFT+select the segments you want to edit and right-click the selection to view the context menu. You can set the coolant and feed rates for the selected segments.

You can also transform a Toolpath feature in the same way as other features. Select Edit > Transform from the menu or click the Transform button on the Standard toolbar.

Zigzag toolpath for Face You can now use a Zigzag toolpath for a Face feature.

To do this, you must create a Face feature using Extract with FeatureRECOGNITION.

On the Strategy tab, you can select the Stepover type for the Rough pass:

Example This part has a boss on the top face:

You can avoid the boss by creating the Face feature using Interactive Feature Recognition.


The default toolpath type is Spiral:

This is the same example with NT Zigzag selected as the rough Stepover type:


FeatureMILL 3D improvements These are the most significant 3D improvements in FeatureCAM 2013 R1:

There is a new mid-level 3D product: 3D MX (see page 144) and the top level 3D product becomes 3D HSM.

You can select a specific operation when using a stock model for 3D roughing.

There is a new Bottom up (see page 148) attribute for Z-level finishing (requires 3D MX).

You can override the default start points (see page 145) for certain strategies using a curve (requires 3D MX).

The new Area Removal options enable you to remove small toolpath segments when using Z-level roughing and finishing (see page 150) and to prevent tool damage to non-center cutting tools (requires 3D HSM).

Cusp control (see page 157) is now available for the Steep and Shallow strategy (requires 3D HSM).

There is a new Step cutting (see page 153) option that reduces terracing for Z-level roughing toolpaths (requires 3D HSM).

Stock model operation In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can select a specific operation when using a stock model for 3D roughing.


New mid-level 3D product There is a new mid-level 3D product available in FeatureCAM 2013 R1: 3D MX.

The top level, traditional 3D product is now called 3D HSM and includes all 3D functionality and Feature Recognition.

The new 3D MX product offers you a 3D product midway between 3D Lite and 3D HSM. With 3D MX, you can machine multiple surfaces, and it includes Feature Recognition. You can also use the Z-level finish strategy.

The main differences between the three 3D products are:

3D Lite 3D MX 3D HSM Single surface Z-level rough Parallel rough Parallel finish Isoline 2D spiral

Everything in 3D Lite, plus: Multiple surfaces Feature Recognition Z-level finish Radial Flowline Four-axis Horizontal +

vertical Between curves Swarf

Everything in 3D MX, plus: Plunge roughing Pencil Remachine Steep and shallow 3D spiral

You need 3D MX or 3D HSM to use 5-axis Simultaneous.


Override default start points (3D MX) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can override the default start point(s) for these 3D finishing strategy toolpaths, using a curve:

Z-level finish (3D MX)

Between 2 curves (3D MX)

3-axis swarf (3D MX)

3D spiral (3D HSM)

The start point is moved to the projected intersection of the curve and the toolpath.

You can use a curve with multiple segments to set multiple start points for a toolpath, and FeatureCAM uses alternating segments to set the start points.

There is a new Start point(s) option on the Milling tab, where you enter the name of the curve:

This attribute applies only to closed toolpaths.

Multiple start points example This example aerospace part has several open and closed areas:


This centerline simulation of a Z-level finish toolpath for this part, shows the locations of the default start points:

To move the default start points, first create curves that intersect the toolpath where you want the new start points to be.

In the example, the curves are shown in red:

You must use a single curve per toolpath. You can use the Join constructor to create one curve from multiple curves. To open the Join Curve dialog, select Construct > Curve > From Curve > Join from the menu.


Select the curves and click the Add button to add the curves to the list in the Join Curves dialog, for example:

Select the Show Preview option to preview the joined curves, for example:

If the curves are not listed in the correct order, select the curve you want to move in the list and use the Move item up and Move item down buttons.

You can also reverse a curve's direction using the Reverse selected curve button.

Enter a Curve name for the joined curve.

Copy the Curve name to the clipboard so that you can paste it into the Start point(s) option.

On the Milling tab for the finishing strategy, select the Start point(s) attribute, enter the name of the curve you created and click the Set button to save it.


Another centerline simulation shows that the start points have moved to the intersections of the joined curve with the toolpath, and the toolpath is more symmetrical:

Bottom up for Z-level finish (3D MX) There is a new option for Z-level finishing in FeatureCAM 2013 R1.

On the Milling tab of the Surface Milling Properties dialog, select the new Bottom up option to machine the Surface feature from the bottom upwards.

Deselect the option to machine the feature from the top downwards.

For example, you can use Bottom up to cut this glider mold part:

After a Z-level rough and a 2.5D finish, a Z-level finish strategy is used, with Scallop height to control the shape of the toolpath.


This is a 3D simulation with Bottom up deselected:

This is the previous and default behavior.

The Ball End Mill tool (shown in yellow) starts at the top in the middle cutting outwards and so is cutting with the center of the tool:

This is the result with Bottom up selected:

The tool starts at the bottom outside of the slope and mills upwards and inwards towards the center so that the side of the tool is used, which has a better cutting surface.


Z-level rough area filter (3D HSM) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can remove small toolpath segments when using the Z-level roughing and finishing strategies, to prevent tool damage when using non-center cutting tools.

There is a new Area Removal section on the Strategy tab of the Surface Milling Properties dialog:

Remove unsafe areas — This removes small toolpath segments to prevent tool damage when using non-center cutting tools. When machining into small pockets, removing small segments stops the central, non-cutting underside of the tool from hitting non-machinable material. Unsafe segment removal filters out the machining of confined areas with small movement of the cutting tool.

Remove area less than — This removes segments that are smaller than the entered percentage of the tool's diameter, unless they surround a Boss feature.

Closed areas only — Select this option to remove segments, in enclosed areas, that are smaller than the Threshold value.


Z-level rough area removal example This headlamp mold has a couple of cavities that work their way down into very small pockets:

This is a cutaway view of a 3D simulation with Remove unsafe areas deselected:


The bottom of the pockets are barely bigger than the tool diameter, and the tool hardly moves in these areas. The non-center cutting region of the tool can't cut the material at the very bottom of the pockets.

This is the simulation with Remove unsafe areas selected and Remove area less than set to 80 % of the tool diameter:

The two smaller pocket regions are removed from the toolpath. This protects the tool and prevents damage.


Z-level finish area removal example This cavity part has a small pocket (shown in red):

After using a Z-level rough on the part, this is a cutaway front view of a 3D simulation of a Z-level semi-finish with Remove unsafe areas deselected:


The bottom of the pocket is barely bigger than the tool diameter, and the tool hardly moves in this areas. The non-center cutting region of the tool can't cut the material at the very bottom of the pocket.

This is the simulation with Remove unsafe areas selected and Remove area less than set to 80 % of the tool diameter:

The small pocket region is removed from the toolpath. This protects the tool and prevents damage.


Step cutting (3D HSM) You can now reduce terracing when creating Z-level roughing toolpaths with large stepdowns, using the new Step Cutting option. There is a new Remachining button on the Strategy tab:

Click the Remachining button to open the Z-Level Rough Remachining Options dialog.

Select Step cutting to enable step cutting.

This option machines the terraces that would otherwise remain in a Z-level rough toolpath, with the same tool in the same toolpath. The terraces are machined from bottom to top. FeatureCAM increases the feed rate of the intermediate slices as the depth of cut gets progressively smaller, which enables a constant volume removal rate.


A Z-level rough toolpath with no remachining:

The same toolpath with step cutting:


The main slices extend over the whole part, but the step-cutting slices extend only as far as they are needed to remove terracing.

The first pass is a main slice.

The next pass is the lowest step-cutting slice.

The next pass is the next to lowest step cutting slice and so on up the part (shown by ) until the previous main slice is reached.

The next main slice.

The main slices are cut from top to bottom as normal. The intermediate slices are cut from bottom to top. This is possible because the depth of cut is always less than the depth of cut (or Stepdown) for the main slice. This is the most efficient way of cutting the part as it reduces the number of passes and increases the depth of cut of each pass.

The attributes available to control step cutting are:

Step up — Enter the distance between intermediate cutting levels.

Stepdown of the main slice.

Stepup of the intermediate slice.

The main slice clears the majority of the material. The intermediate slices remove the terraces remaining after the main slice.



Expand area by — Enter the distance by which to expand the rest areas, measured along the surface. Use with the Detect material thicker than value to reduce the areas to be machined to the details (for examples, corners), and then to offset these areas slightly to ensure that all the detail (for example, on the corners) is machined.

— model

— thickness

— true rest material (outlined in pink)

— actual rest material detected (blue hatched area)

— amount you need to expand the area by to include all the rest material

— undetected material (black area)

— tool

— reference tool

Use the Expand area by option to increase the rest area (the blue hatched area) and eliminate the undetected area (the black area).

Increase feed on intermediate steps — Select to increase the Feed rate of the intermediate slices. Because the stepdown of the intermediate slices is less than that of the main slice, you can increase the feed rate of the intermediate slices while maintaining the tool load. Each intermediate slice can have an increasing feed rate as the depth of cut gets progressively smaller.

Maximum feed increase (%) — This is the maximum allowable cutting feed rate for the intermediate slices as a percentage of the normal feed rate. This value must be larger than 100%. A value of 300 means the cutting feed rate of the intermediate slices can be up to three times faster than for the main slices.


Cusp control for Steep and Shallow strategy (3D HSM) You can now control the Z-level (steep) portion of the Steep and Shallow strategy with the Scallop stepover option. Enable Scallop stepover to access the Min. Z increment and Scallop height attributes.

With Scallop stepover enabled, spacing of the toolpaths is calculated along the surfaces to give a uniform surface finish. These are surfaces cut without using Scallop stepover:

This image shows the same surfaces cut with Scallop stepover:

Scallop height — This is the absolute scallop height between passes for isoline milling, projection milling finishing passes, and Z-level finishing. This distance is measured along the surface and represents the maximum cusp height between neighboring passes as shown here.


Stepover

Scallop height

Min Z increment — Enable Scallop stepover to access this attribute. The Scallop height attribute specifies the the maximum cusp height between neighboring passes. However, if the calculated value is smaller than the Min. Z increment, it is set to Min. Z increment.

5-axis improvements These are the most significant 5-axis improvements in FeatureCAM 2013 R1.

5-axis positioning (5AP):

You can now specify a positive or negative orientation (see page 159) for 5-axis positioning.

5-axis simultaneous (5AS):

You can override the default start points (see page 161) for 5-axis toolpaths.

Tool axis options (see page 163) have been added to Pencil, Corner Remachine, and Between two curves strategies.

A new Smoothing distance (see page 163) option eliminates sudden tool changes.

You can now smooth the Elevation and Azimuth axes independently with tool axis stabilization (see page 166).

Existing tool axis options (see page 171) have been improved and you have more control when using Lead and Lean.


Positive/negative position (5AP) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can specify positive or negative orientation for 5-axis positioning.

There is a new option in the Five-Axis dialog in XBUILD:

You can set Positive or Negative as the Preferred orientation of the primary rotary axis.

In FeatureCAM, there is now a 5-axis position menu. As well as Standard and Alternate (previous behavior), you can now select Use Post Preference, to use the orientation that you set in XBUILD.

This menu is available in the Machining Attributes dialog:


The Setup dialog:

And the Feature Properties dialog:


Override default start points (5AS) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can override the default start point(s) for 5-axis trim and 5-axis swarf toolpaths, using a curve.

The start point is moved to the projected intersection of the curve and the toolpath. You can use a curve with multiple segments to set multiple start points for a toolpath, and FeatureCAM uses alternating segments to set the start points.

There is a new Start point(s) option on the Milling tab, where you enter the name of the curve:

5-axis start points example This example uses a 5-axis swarf and two 5-axis trim strategies.

Viewing a centerline simulation from the top, you can see that the default start point for the 5-axis swarf operation is at the lower right of the part.


The default start point for the upper trim operation is at the lower left:

And the default start point for the lower trim operation is at the lower right:

To override the default start points, you must create a curve that intersect the toolpaths where you want the new start points to be. In this example, the curve is shown in blue:

On the Milling tab for each strategy, select the Start point(s) attribute, enter the name of the curve you created and click the Set button to save it.

A centerline simulation of all three operations shows that the start points are now aligned along the curve:


5-axis options for more strategies (5AS) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, there are tool axis options for Pencil, Corner Remachine, and Between two curves strategies.

The 5-Axis tab is now available for these strategies:

Previously, this tab was available only for Z-level finish, Parallel finish, 3D Spiral, Swarf, Isoline, Flowline, Horizontal + Vertical, and 5-axis trim strategies.

Smoothing distance (5AS) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, there is a new Smoothing distance attribute:


Smoothing distance eliminates sudden tool axis changes.

Smoothing distance example This example part has a vertical surface, shown in red, with two tabs at the top:

This is the surface in more detail:

Using an Isoline strategy, with Tool axis smoothing enabled and a Tilt axis of Lean then lead with no Smoothing distance value, the tool has sudden changes in direction. For example, it machines the area below the first tab in a tilt position:


Then returns to a vertical position between the tabs:

Then returns to the tilt position to machine the area below the second tab:

With a Smoothing distance value entered that is long enough to cover the area between the two tabs, the tool stays tilted when machining between the tabs:


Tool axis stabilization (5AS) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1 you can smooth the Elevation and Azimuth axes independently. Stepped stabilization smoothing locks the rotary axis movement by maintaining a fixed tool axis as much as possible within an angular range. This toolpath results in a series of 3+2-axis segments with 5-axis transitions between them. The transitions can be done on the surface or with a lift.

There is a new Axis Smoothing tab:

You must select the Tool axis smoothing option on the 5-Axis tab and click the Apply button to display the Axis Smoothing tab.

Elevation — Select how to smooth the elevation angle of the tool axis. An elevation of 90 aligns the tool with the Z axis, and an elevation of 0 means the tool is in the XY plane.

None — Select this option to have no smoothing. The tool axis orientation moves as and when it needs to move.

Smoothed — Select this option to enable the tool axis angle to change smoothly over the Smoothing distance. The change in angle will not be more than the Maximum angular correction unless the angle of the unsmoothed toolpath varies by more than the Maximum angular correction in less than Smoothing distance. In such regions, the angle may change by more than the Maximum angular correction to give a smooth result.


Stepped on surface — Select this option to enable the tool axis angle to change by up to the Maximum angular correction to form steps of constant value. To avoid sharp tool axis movements, a smooth transition between steps is made starting at the Smoothing distance away from the possible ends of adjacent steps. The tool always remains in contact with the surface.

Stepped with links — Similar to Stepped on surface, select this option to enable the tool axis angle to change by up to Maximum angular correction to form steps of constant value. In this case, the toolpath segments are subdivided at the end of each step, and link moves are inserted so the tool axis changes when the tool is not in contact with the model. This means that tool axis angle of each toolpath segment is constant.

Original toolpath, no smoothing

Smoothed toolpath

Maximum angular correction limits

Azimuth or elevation

Toolpath distance

Maximum angular correction — Enter the maximum angle the smoothed axis may deviate from the initial in the elevation direction. The maximum angular correction angle is only exceeded if the unsmoothed toolpath moves by more than this value in less than the Smoothing distance. In such regions, the angle may change by more than the Maximum angular correction to give a smooth results.

Azimuth — Select how to smooth the azimuth angle of the tool axis. Azimuth is the angle between the X axis and the projection of the tool in the XY plane.

None — Select this option to have no smoothing. The tool axis orientation moves as and when it needs to move.


Smoothed — Select this option to enable the tool axis angle to change smoothly over the Smoothing distance. The change in angle will not be more than the Maximum angular correction unless the angle of the unsmoothed toolpath varies by more than the Maximum angular correction in less than Smoothing distance. In such regions, the angle may change by more than the Maximum angular correction to give a smooth result.

Stepped on surface — Select this option to enable the tool axis angle to change by up to the Maximum angular correction to form steps of constant value. To avoid sharp tool axis movements, a smooth transition between steps is made starting at the Smoothing distance away from the possible ends of adjacent steps. The tool always remains in contact with the surface.

Stepped with links — Similar to Stepped on surface, select this option to enable the tool axis angle to change by up to Maximum angular correction to form steps of constant value. In this case, the toolpath segments are subdivided at the end of each step, and link moves are inserted so the tool axis changes when the tool is not in contact with the model. This means that tool axis angle of each toolpath segment is constant.


Smoothed toolpath



Toolpath distance


Maximum angular correction — Enter the maximum angle the smoothed axis may deviate from the initial in the azimuth direction. The maximum angular correction angle is only exceeded if the unsmoothed toolpath moves by more than this value in less than the Smoothing distance. In such regions, the angle may change by more than the Maximum angular correction to give a smooth results.

Smoothing distance — Enter the distance over which to smooth the tool axis movement. With sudden changes in direction in a toolpath (such as a right-angled corner), rapid changes of orientation of the tool axis leaves dwell marks. To prevent this, the Smoothing distance blends the change in orientation to produce a much improved surface finish.


Smoothed toolpath



Toolpath distance

Override smoothing UCS — Select this option to use a different UCS to the UCS used to generate the toolpath to define elevation and azimuth for smoothing.

UCS — Select the UCS to use when smoothing.


Stepped on surface example This car door part uses a trimming toolpath around the edge:

With no smoothing, the rotary table has a rocking motion and sudden direction changes can leave witness marks.

In some areas of the model, it is impossible to avoid the rotation, such as when the tool makes its way around the corners and the wheel arch. However, it is areas such as on this long edge of the door, where the machine table is rocking backwards and forwards, that you can avoid this using the Stepped on surface options:

With Stepped on surface enabled for both Elevation and Azimuth, with a Max. angular correction of 80, the table does not rotate while cutting this area:


Stepped with links example This example part uses the Pencil strategy to cut the bottom fillet:

Enabling Stepped with links for both Elevation and Azimuth reduces the tool movement.

A centerline simulation shows the links that FeatureCAM inserts links so that it can change direction while not in contact with the surface:

Improved tool axis options (5AS) The tool axis options on the 5-Axis tab have been improved:

For Use Lead and Lean, you can now select where the lead and lean angle is measured from.


Contact normal — Select this option to lead and lean from the surface normal at the contact point.

Vertical — Select this option to lead and lean from the Setup's Z direction.

Travel dir — Select this option to lead and lean from the perpendicular to the direction of movement

Legacy — Select this option to use the lead and lean style used in FeatureCAM 2012 R3.

For Other, the From point, To point, From line, To line, From curve, and To curve options are now more accurate.

The old options are still available as From point (old-style), To point (old-style), From line (old-style), From curve (old-style), and To curve (old-style).

FeatureTURN improvements These are the most significant Turn improvements in FeatureCAM 2013 R1:

Part transfers are now fully integrated into FeatureCAM with a new Part Handling (see page 172) feature.

You can control the feed rate (see page 175) on approach moves.

You can now recognize a turned profile (see page 178) from an .stl file.

Canned cycles (see page 178) are now supported for a semi-finish pass.

Integrated part handling (TURN) Part transfers are fully integrated into FeatureCAM 2013 R1. These transfer types are available: Slug transfer Reverse slug transfer Bar pull

Part support on Part support off

Post and simulation are supported.


There is a new Part Handling feature in the turn New Feature wizard:

Select Part Handling and click Next to open the New Feature - Dimensions page:


Select the type of Part Handling feature you want and enter the dimensions. Click Next to open the New Feature - Strategies page:

Set the attributes for the Part Handling feature, for example:

Part catcher — Select this option if you want to instigate the part catcher.

Already Supported — Select this option to indicate that the part is already supported.

Sub Angle — Enter the angle that you want the sub-spindle to rotate to before it moves to collect the part.

Click Finish to save the Part Handling feature.

In the same way as for other features, the Part Handling feature name is displayed in the Part View and on the Op List tab, and you can edit the feature in the Part Handling Properties dialog:


There is also a new Transfer format type in the XBUILD menu:

Control feed rate on approach moves (TURN) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can set a start curve as a feed move for these operations: Turn Bore Groove Thread

Face Drill Cutoff

There is a new Feed from start point or curve option on the Feed/Speed tab at feature level:

Feed from start point or curve — Select this option to use a feed move from the Start point or the end of the Start curve set on the Turning tab, to the beginning of the toolpath:

Rapid on curve — Select this option if you are using a Start curve and want to use a rapid move along it.

Selecting Feed from start point or curve and Rapid on curve, is the equivalent of selecting the Feed from start


option on the Turning tab in previous versions of FeatureCAM.

Feed on curve — Select this option if you are using a Start curve and want to use a feed move along it. Enter the feed rate value(s). You can set the feed move as a single value, or use a comma separator to enter multiple values, for example 200, 100, 50. If you enter multiple values, the feeds are applied to the curve segments in reverse order. So with these values, the last segment has a feed rate of 50, the second last has a feed rate of 100 and any remaining segments have a feed rate of 200. If you do not enter any feed rate values, FeatureCAM uses the default feed rate.

You can also set the default value for this option in Machining Attributes, on the Misc. tab:

Start curve as feed move example This example turned part has a Turn, Hole, and Groove feature:

A 3D simulation with 3/4 view shows that the tool has to pass through a narrow channel to access the Groove feature:


To control the movement of the tool through that narrow channel, you can create curves and set them as Start point and End point on the Turning tab.

A Centerline simulation of just the Groove feature, shows the approach move in green, which is a rapid move:

On the Feed/Speed tab, select Feed from start point or curve and Feed on curve. Enter the feed value(s) and click Apply.

The Centerline simulation now shows the approach move in purple, a feed move:


Canned cycle support for semi-finish (TURN) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can use a finishing canned cycle with a semi-finish pass. The Semi-finish pass option is now available when the Use canned cycle option is selected, on the Strategy tab:

STL curve of revolution recognition (TURN) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can recognize a turned profile from an .stl file using the Polygonal method:

The Polygonal method uses the simulation engine to triangulate the file and create a profile curve, based on the Tolerances set.

This example balustrade part is an imported .stl file.

With surface shading turned off, you can see the triangles that make up the .stl file:

To create the turned profile, select Construct > Curve > From Surface > Revolved Surface Boundary from the menu.


1 In the Revolved Surface Boundary dialog, select Polygonal method.

2 Optionally click the Tolerances button to change the default Triangle tolerance and Arcline approx. tolerance values.

3 Click the Preview button to see the boundary highlighted in dark blue in the Graphics window:

FeatureCAM has found the correct profile height of the revolved square ends of the balustrade.

4 Click OK to create the curve.

You can use this curve to create a Turn feature.


FeatureTURNMILL improvements These are the most significant Turn/Mill improvements in FeatureCAM 2013 R1:

You can now set the tool used on a rotary Surface Milling feature to a fixed B angle (see page 180).

FeatureCAM now recognizes Hole features (see page 183) from imported SolidWorks parts.

The Import wizard is now available when importing turn/mill solids.

You can now use the Y axis with a Points List pattern (see page 182).

B-axis rotary (TURNMILL) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, there is a new method in B-axis turn/mill that enables the tool used on a rotary Surface Milling feature to be set at a fixed B angle.

To use this method you need the 3D, Turn/Mill and Advanced Turn/Mill components. You do not need the 5-axis Simultaneous component.

Set the B Angle on the Tool Axis tab:


Turn/Mill B-axis rotary example This example cast part has a 3D Surface feature, shown in red:

The shaft on the front of the part makes it difficult to machine with the default angle.

Using a 4-axis rotary strategy with the default angle, the head of the machine collides with the chuck, at the point marked with a pink arrow:

Using a fixed B-angle tool axis of 45 degrees, the tool tilts over and avoids any collisions:


Use Y axis with Points List pattern (TURNMILL) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, there is a new Cut feature using Y Axis coordinates option when cutting a point list pattern on the Z face of a turn/mill part:

Previously, you could only rotate around the C axis, for example:

Now you can make use of your turn/mill machine's ability to use the Y-axis.

Select Cut feature using Y Axis coordinates and optionally enter a C Angle.


Import wizard (TURNMILL) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, the Import wizard is available when importing turn/mill solids. In previous versions of FeatureCAM, the only alignment option was to pick a surface of revolution. Now there are many more options, similar to the import wizard for milling parts.

The Import Results dialog now displays when you import a solid and you have the option to use the import wizard to align the part.

AFR for SolidWorks Holes (TURNMILL) In FeatureCAM 2013 R1, you can recognize Turn/Mill Hole features from an imported SolidWorks part. FeatureCAM recognizes both holes on the face and around the index axis in one setup. It also recognizes patterns.

FeatureCAM 2014 R3 What's New Index • 185

.

.max_depth • 21

.md • 48

.sldprt • 96

.stl files • 134, 135, 178

< <ABS-SHIFT-CHANGED> • 20 <EULER-CHANGED> • 20 <INDEX-AXIS> • 83 <IS-ALT-POS> • 20 <Z-XFER-COORD> • 125

2 2.5D improvements • 116 2.5D Milling improvements • 38 2.5D Vortex example (REC) • 30

3 3D Milling improvements • 42 3D MX • 144 3D products • 144 3D simulation performance • 114 3D spiral out • 93 3D Vortex example (3D HSM) • 25

5 5-axis position (5AP) • 159 5-Axis tab (5AS) • 163

6 64-bit part library • 94

A Abs shift changed • 20 Add Tool Location dialog improvements

• 47 Add-in improvements • 21 Add-in Improvements • 51 Aligning a UCS • 35 Alternate 5-axis position • 20 Angled head • 2 Approach length • 9 Arc in • 123 Arc leads • 123 Arc out • 123 Arc-in angle • 123 Arc-out angle • 123 Area removal (3D HSM) • 150 Associativity • 96 Automatic Center Tool • 102 Automatic clamp avoidance • 62 Automatic corner rounding (TURN) • 68 Avoid clamps • 116 Avoid fixtures • 116 Axis smoothing (5AS) • 166 Azimuth (5AS) • 166

B Background gradient • 100 Balloon help • 86

Index

186 • Index FeatureCAM 2014 R3 What's New

Bar pull (TURN) • 172 Barrel cams • 118 Better transformation of surface milling

features • 3 Bottom finish allowance for Counterbore

features • 40 Bottom up • 148

C Canned cycle - irrelevant parameters

hidden • 10 CATIA V5-6 R2013 (R22) • 126 Center of rotation • 15 Chamfer before Finish • 65 Chamfer Cutter Compensation • 41 Chamfer cutter compensation default • 7 Check allowance (25D) • 116 Check surfaces (25D) • 116 Clamp avoidance • 62 Clamps • 116 Clearance • 9 Closed areas only (3D HSM) • 150 CNC file • 50 Combine Setups into single output • 11 Contact normal (5AS) • 171 Continuous spiral (Drill/Mill) • 139 Convert units (feed, speed) • 133 Copying features • 12 Counterbore Hole • 40 Crash logs • 58 Creating a 2.5D Vortex toolpath (REC) •

30 Creating a 3D Vortex toolpath (3D HSM)

• 24 Creo 2 • 126 Cursor • 33 Cusp control (3D HSM) • 157 Custom colors • 105 Custom Thread • 4 Cutter Compensation • 41, 42, 51 Cutter compensation for chamfer

operations • 7 Cylinder radius • 14

D Decision-making features (Probing) • 79 Default chamfer cutter compensation • 7

Default drill diameters • 8 Delcam Exchange installation • 37 Detect Euler angle changes • 20 Detect if alternative 5 axis position is

enabled • 20 Detect material thicker than • 119 DMG FD Series • 95 Dowel holes • 49 Drag select • 131 Drill diameters • 8

E Elevation (5AS) • 166 Engraving fonts • 66 Error message • 50 Euler angle • 20 Euler-changed • 20 Evaluation Options dialog • 60 Expand area by • 119 Expanded dialog bar edit boxes • 37

F Face • 10 Faster machining times when using

polar coordinate interpolation • 17 Feature color • 105 Feature names • 53 Feature Properties dialog icons • 33 Feature Properties dialog improvements

• 33 Feed distance (TURN) • 172 Feed from start point or curve (TURN) •

175 Feed on curve (TURN) • 175 File send • 109 Fillet radius (TURN) • 68 Finish axial allowance (3D LITE) • 92 Finish bottom • 40, 91 Finish cutter comp and Partline program

independence • 42 Finish NT toolpaths • 91 First step • 106 Fixtures • 116 Flutes • 103 Fonts • 66 For turning turrets tab • 47


Force segment start for each operation • 84

G Gang tools • 47 Generate single program with program

stop between each setup • 11 Glass style • 100 Grab distance (TURN) • 172 Graphics area • 100

H Hand • 103 Handedness • 103 Head tool • 47 Helical options • 106, 107 Helical ramping • 106, 107 Hide all in Setup • 108 Hide features • 108 Hole Feature Properties dialog • 40 Hole Recognition • 49 Hole with thread • 5

I Icons • 33 ID Thread • 39 Ignoring planar surfaces • 15 Ignoring work planes • 15 Import improvements • 15, 49 Import Using Exchange • 61 Importing Planar sufaces • 15 Importing SolidEdge files • 49 Importing work planes • 15 Improved Error message • 50 In to out • 42 In to out, 3D spiral (3D HSM) • 93 Index axis UCS • 98 Index center of rotation • 15 InStr • 127 InStrRev • 127 InterOp R23 • 126 Irrelevant canned cycle parameters

hidden • 10 Is alt position • 20

L Layers • 53 Lead distance • 10 Leave axial allowance (3D MX) • 93 Left-hand tool • 103 Limit machine to 360 degree moves • 19 Linear approximation • 106, 107

M Machine Design files • 48 Machine design improvements • 47 Machine stock only • 119 Main angle (TURN) • 172 Manually define plunge points for Z level

rough features • 5 Matsuura CUBLEX-25 • 95 Maximum angular correction (5AS) • 166 Maximum ramp angle • 106 Maximum ramp distance • 106 Mazak Integrex e-800V II • 95 Milling improvements • 1 Min. Z increment (3D HSM) • 157 Minimum gap distance • 119 Minimum length removed • 119 Minimum ramp • 106 Minimum ramp distance • 106 Minimum Z coordinate • 21 Minimum Z ramp distance • 106 Mori Seiki NMV5000 • 95 Mori Seiki SuperMILLER 400 • 95 Moving features • 3 Multiple roughing diameters • 38 Multiple start points • 145

N Naming features • 53 NC Code • 34, 42 Network database improvements • 112 Never select this tool • 90 New Feature wizard (wire) • 45 NT toolpaths for finishing • 91 NT toolpaths for multiple roughing

diameters • 38


O OD location (TURNMILL) • 126 OD Thread • 39 Offset Direction • 42 Offset faces (SOLID) • 67 Okuma VTM-120YB • 95 OLF engraving fonts • 66 onelinefonts.com • 66 Only play sim once • 75 OpenDesign AutoCAD • 61 operation depth • 21 Operation List • 15 Operation List cursor changes • 33 operation.depth • 21 Out to in • 42 Output multiple Setups • 11 Override (feed, speed) • 133 Override smoothing UCS • 166 Override start points • 145, 161

P P Number • 34 Parasolid kernel 24.1 • 96 Parent/Child Relationships dialog

(MSIM) • 76 Part catcher (TURN) • 172 Part Documentation dialog • 56 Part handling (TURN) • 172 Part library • 12, 94 Part library format • 94 Part support (TURN) • 172 Part View • 34, 35 Partline Program • 42 Paste special • 12 Pasting features • 12 Performance logs • 58 Pick curve buttons • 55 Pick radius from cylindrical solids • 14 Pitch • 39 Planar surfaces • 15 Play simulation once • 75 Plunge clearance • 106 Plunge feed override • 106 Plunge milling • 44 Plunge points • 5, 106 Plunge tab • 106 Plunge to pre-drill points • 5 Polygonal method • 178

Positioning solids in 5 axis parts • 15 Positive/negative position (5AP) • 159 Post Number • 34 Post processor • 136 Post Processor • 50 Post processor improvements • 16 Post Variable names • 17 PostCutoff (TURN) • 172 PreCutoff (TURN) • 172 Pre-drill points • 5 Preferred orientation (5AP) • 159 Probe tool group • 89 Probe tool properties • 89 Probing Settings dialog • 78 Probing tools • 89 Product components • 60 Program Start • 50 Project curves • 45

Q Quick access to Stock settings from the

Operation List • 15

R Radial Plunge Roughing • 44 Radius • 14 Ramp angle • 106 Ramp distance • 106 Rapid on curve (TURN) • 175 Reamed Hole • 49 Reamed Holes • 8 Remachining • 38 Remove area less than (3D HSM) • 150 Remove stock model operations • 37 Remove unsafe areas (3D HSM) • 150 Renaming items in the Part View • 35 Renaming Post variables • 17 Replace curves when pasting features •

12 Replace solid (MSIM) • 75 Reserved words • 20, 136 Reset all colors • 105 Restrict angles to be between -360 and

360 • 19 Restrict machine movements greater

than 360 degrees • 19


Restrict machine to 360 degree moves • 19

Retract point • 106 Retract to Z index clearance • 83 Reverse slug transfer (TURN) • 172 Revolved surface boundary • 178 Right-angled head • 2 Right-hand tool • 103 Rotations over 360 degrees • 19 Round stock • 115 Rounding mill improvements • 87 Roundness tolerance • 115

S Scallop height (3D HSM) • 157 Select Index Center of Rotation • 15 Select radius • 14 Semi-finish pass (TURN) • 178 Send Machine Design files • 48 Send part files • 109 Send Part Files dialog • 48 Separate approach and withdraw

lengths for finish operations • 9 Separate Cutter Compensation • 41 Setup Sheet add-in improvements • 21 Setup Sheet Cutter Compensation • 51 Shaded grey style • 100 Show all in Setup • 108 Show edges (simulation) • 73 Show features • 108 Show Flutes on End Mills • 103 Show tool holder • 103 Side feature • 25 Side liftoff angle (TURN) • 122 Sim. speed slider • 135 Simulation improvements • 114 Simulation performance • 114 Simulation speed slider • 135 Simulation start point buttons • 108 Single NC program • 11 Slug transfer (TURN) • 172 Smith Bits APT post • 83 Smoothed (5AS) • 166 Smoothing distance (5AS) • 163 Snap to STL • 135 Solid source file • 96 Solid tool holder • 66 SolidEdge ST5 and ST6 files • 49 SolidWorks • 49

SolidWorks 2014 files • 49 SolidWorks associativity • 96 SolidWorks Hole Recognition • 49 Spatial Interop • 61 Specify default drill diameters for

Reamed Holes • 8 Splitting rotations into smaller pieces •

19 SQL Server Express • 112 ST5 files • 49 ST6 files • 49 Standard Thread improvements • 4 Start curve • 145, 161 Start point • 106 Start point(s) (3D MX) • 161 Steady rest (TURN) • 70 Step Cutting • 25 Stepped on surface (5AS) • 166 Stepped with links (5AS) • 166 STL as clamp • 134 STL curve of revolution (TURN) • 178 STL files • 134, 135, 178 Stock curve finder • 96 Stock model operation • 143 Stock model options • 119 Stock Model options • 38 Stock Model Properties dialog • 37 Stock model rest roughing • 119 Stock model settings • 119 Stock options • 15 Stop NC program • 11 Strategy tab • 42 Style (user interface) • 59 Sub angle • 172 Sub spindle operations color • 105 Support for right-angled heads • 2 Supported (TURN) • 172 Surface Milling Properties dialog • 42

T tags for Setup Sheet • 21 Tailstock (TURN) • 70 Test Abort/Continue (Probing) • 79 Test Abort/Continue/Remachine

(Probing) • 79 Test Jump Label (Probing) • 79 Thread Milled Hole feature type • 5 Thread Milling ID/OD depth % • 39 Tip-to-shoulder length • 87


TNR • 10 Tool axis smoothing (5AS) • 166 Tool display window • 59 Tool Group • 36 Tool Manager • 36 Tool Manager background • 102 Tool Manager improvements • 102 Tool orientation • 13 Tool preview improvement • 13 Tool shank • 103 tool.max_depth • 21 Toolpath edit • 141 Touch-off at the shoulder • 87 Touch-off point, rounding mill • 87 Transfer operation changes • 45 Transfers (TURN) • 172 Transform (Toolpath feature) • 141 Transforming features • 3 Translate dialog • 35 Translating a UCS • 35 Translating features • 3 Tree View • 33 Turn improvements • 122 Turning improvements • 9 Turret Information dialog • 34 Turret numbering • 34 Turret tools • 47 Turrets tab • 34

U UCS Translate pick locations • 35 Unigraphics NX 8.0 • 126 Unit conversion (feed, speed) • 133 Use axial depth of cut • 119 Use canned cycle • 10 Use canned cycle (TURN) • 178 Use clearance as finish withdraw length

• 9 Use continuous spiral • 139 Use depth of cut • 119 Use new stock curve finder • 96 Use solid to describe holder shape • 66 Use STL as clamp • 134 User Interface and work-flow

improvements • 32 User interface improvements • 99 User Interface improvements • 12

V Vertical mill/turn • 95 VerticalMillTurnAddin.bas • 95 Viewing Options • 13 Vortex and step cutting example (3D

HSM) • 25 Vortex example (3D HSM) • 25 Vortex example, 2.5D (REC) • 30 Vortex machining • 23 Vortex machining of 2.5D features

(REC) • 30 Vortex overview • 23 Vortex toolpath • 23

W Wire EDM improvements • 11, 45 Wire Feature Properties dialog • 45 Wireframe import • 61 Withdraw clearance • 9 Withdraw length • 9 Work planes • 15

X XBUILD • 136 XBUILD improvements • 16, 50

Z Z ramp clearance • 106 Zip part files • 109

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