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This course covers the basic concepts of SolidCAM 2. Once you have developed a goodfoundation in basic skills, you can refer to the online help for information on the less frequentlyused options.

Course designThis course is designed around a task-based approach to training. With the guided exercises youwill learn the commands and options necessary to complete a machining task. The theoreticalexplanations are embedded into these exercises to give an overview of the SolidCAM 2. Using this training bookThis training book is intended to be used both in a classroom environment under the guidance ofan experienced instructor and as self-study material. It contains a number of laboratory exercisesto enable you to apply and practice the material covered by the guided exercises.

The laboratoryexercises do not contain step-by-step instructions. About the CDThe CD supplied together with this book contains copies of various files that are used throughoutthis course. The Exercises folder contains the files that are required for guided and laboratoryexercises. The Built Parts folder inside the Exercises contains the final manufacturing projects foreach exercise. Copy the complete Exercises folder on your computer.

The SolidWorks files usedfor the exercises were prepared with SolidWorks If you are running on a different version of Windows, you may noticedifferences in the appearance of the menus and windows.

These differences do not affect theperformance of the software. Conventions used in this bookThis book uses the following typographic conventions:Bold Sans Serif For example, click theChange to opposite button.

The mouse icon and numbered sans serif bold textindicate the beginning of the exercise action. ExplanationThis style combined with the lamp icon is used forthe SolidCAM functionality explanations embeddedinto the guided exercises.

The lamp icon is also usedto emphasize notes. This includes themodel name, the coordinate system position, tool options, CNC-controller, etc. This geometry is associated with the native SolidWorks model. Technology, Toolparameters and Strategies are defined in the Operation. In short, Operation means howyou want to machine. You have to define a number of Coordinate Systems that describethe positioning of the part on the CNC-machine. Optionally, you can define the Stock model and Target model to be used for the restmaterial calculation.

The Stock model describes the initial state of the workpiece thathas to be machined. The Target model describes the one that has to be reached afterthe machining. After every operation, SolidCAM calculates how much material wasactually removed from the CAM-Part and how much material remains unmachined restmaterial. The rest material information enables SolidCAM to automatically optimizethe tool path and avoid the air cutting.

Operations definition SolidCAM enables you to define a number of milling operations. During an operationdefinition you have to select the Geometry, choose the tool from the Part Tool Table or define a new one , define a machining strategy and a number of technologicalparameters.

At this stage, you have to define the CAM-Part name and location. Choosing a CNC-controller is a necessary step. The controllertype influences the Coordinate System definition and the Geometry definition. SolidCAM enables you to define the stock model that describesthe initial state of the workpiece to be machined. SolidCAM enables you to define the model of the part in itsfinal state after the machining.

Load the SolidWorks modelLoad the Exercise1. This model contains a number of features forming the solid body of the cover. You canenter the path or use the Browse button to define the location. You can give any name to identify yourmachining project. By default, SolidCAM uses the name of the designmodel.

The name is, by default,the name of the active SolidWorks document. In this case, the chosen SolidWorks document is loaded into SolidWorks. When the date of the original SolidWorks model is laterthan the date of the CAM-Part creation, this means thatthe SolidWorks original model has been updated. The CAM-Part is defined, and its structure is created. The Milling Part Data dialog box is displayed.

Click the arrow in the CNC-Machine area to display the list of post-processors installed onyour system. It corresponds with the built-in controllerfunctions. You can define the Coordinate System origin position and axes orientationby selecting model faces, vertices, edges, or SolidWorks CoordinateSystems.

The geometry for the machining can also be defined directlyon the solid model. If you need to machine the partfrom different sides, use several Machine Coordinate Systems withthe Z-axis oriented normally to the machined sides. In this exercise, it is enough todefine one Machine CoordinateSystem with the Z-axis orientedupwards. Such coordinate system enablesyou to machine the part with asingle clamping.

DefineThis method enables you to define theCoordinate System by selecting points. Youhave to define the origin and the direction ofthe X- and Y-axes. The CoordSysorigin will lie in the origin of the SolidWorks Coordinate System, and theZ-axis will be directed normally to the chosen view of the model. By 3 Points Associative This option enables you to define the Coordinate System by selectingany 3 points.

Select the model faceWith the Select Face method chosen,click on the model face as shown. The CoordSys origin is automaticallydefined in the corner of the model box. The Z-axis of the CoordSys is normal tothe selected face. Model box SolidCAM calculates the box surrounding the model.

The upper planeof the model box is parallel to the XY-plane of the defined CoordSys. The CoordSys is located in the corner of the model box. Confirm by clicking theThe CoordSys Data dialog box is displayed. The Coordinate System is defined. The default value is 1. If you use another number,the GCode file contains the G-function that prompts the machine to usethe specified number stored in the machine controller of your machine.

The Position field defines the sequential number of the CoordSys. Foreach Machine Coordinate System, several Position values are defined fordifferent positionings; each such Position value is related to the MachineCoordSys.

The Plane box defines the default work plane for the operationsu tng this CoordSys, as it ts output to the CCode program. Shift is the distance from the Machine Coordinate System to the locationof the Position in the coordinate system and the orientation of theMachine Coordinate System. The Front and Rear tabs contain sets of facial machining levels describingthe planes parallel to the XY-plane and located along the Z-axis. The Front tab displays levels for milling from the positive Z-direction.

The Rear tab displays levels for milling from the negative Z-direction. The negative Z-direction can be used in case of milling of the part fromthe back side with the same Coordinate System in the main spindle or incase of using the back spindle.

The Radial tab contains a set of machining levels describing the virtualcylinders situated around the Z-axis. This level is related to the CoordSys position andyou have to check if it is not over the limit switch of the machine. It is highly recommended to send the tool to the reference point orto a point related to the reference point.

The Create planar surface at Part Lower level option enables you togenerate a transparent planar surface at the minimal Z-level of the partso that its lower level plane is visible. This planar surface provides youthe possibility to select points that do not lie on the model entities. This dialog boxdisplays the Machine CoordSys.

Confirm the CoordSys Manager dialog box with thebutton. The Milling Part Data dialog box is displayed again. Define the Stock modelFor each Milling project, you can define the Stock model, which is the workpiece that isplaced on the machine before you start machining the CAM-Part. The Model dialog box is displayed. This dialog box enables youto choose the mode of the Stock model definition.

When you choose this mode, theSTL file section becomes available. By clicking the Browse button,you can choose the STL file for the stock definition. Choose the Box mode from the Defined by list. The appearing dialog box enables youto select a solid body for the surrounding box calculation. Optionally, offsets from the model can be defined. Click on the solid body.

One of its faces is highlighted. SolidCAM automatically generates the surrounding box. By default, when you create a new CAM-Part, stock and targetmodels are defined automatically.

If you have not changed thedefault settings, the solid body is highlighted, and the targetmodel is already chosen in the Type section.

Click on the solid body to clear the selection. Notice that theSolid 1 icon is also removed from the Type section. Click onthe solid body once again. The face is selected, the Solid 1 iconappears in the Type section, and the target model is defined. The defined CAM-Part is saved. At this stage, the definition of the CAM-Part is finished. There are two components in thisassembly:DesignModel. This enables you to create auxiliary geometries i.

You can also insert someadditional components into the assembly file such as stock model, CNCmachinetable, clamping and other tooling elements. By rightclickingit, you can display the menu to manage your CAM-Parts. Double-click this subheader to review your machine configurationand parameters. CAM-Part Definitionheader. Double-click this subheader to display the CoordSys Managerdialog box that enables you to manage your Coordinate Systems.

Double-click this subheader to load the Part Settings dialog box thatenables you to edit the settings defined for the current CAM-Part. By right-clicking it, you candisplay the menu to define and manage your fixtures. The CAM-Part is closed. SolidCAM offers you the following types of 2. A workpiece is usually manufactured usingseveral machining steps and technologies.

For each of these steps you can define a separateoperation. An operation can be very complex, but it always uses one tool, one major geometryand executes one machining type, e. Profile Milling or Drilling. You can edit any single machiningoperation, change the operation sequence and generate the GCode, combining and splitting theoperation list of your CAM-Part.

The Machining Geometry has to be defined for each operation. Chain geometries are defined by selecting thefollowing entities: edges of models, 2D curves, 3D curves, circles, lines and splines. Each chain is composed of one or more entities and defines an open or closed contour.

Profile OperationYou can mill on or along a contour. The profile geometry canbe open or closed. In profile milling you can optionally usetool radius compensation to the right or to the left side of thegeometry.

Pocket OperationIn pocket milling, you have to remove material from the interior ofa closed geometry. You can define anunlimited number of islands within a single pocket.

Slot OperationThis operation generates a tool path along the centerline to theright or to the left of one or more profiles. Two types of slots canbe defined: the Slot with constant depth operation machines theslot in several steps until the final depth is reached.

In Slot withvariable depth, the depth profile is also defined by a 2D section. The slot can be pre-machined using rough and semi-finish cycles. The finish cut produces a tool path according to the specifiedscallop height on the floor of the slot. With available parametersfor the right and left extension and the side step, you can milla slot wider than the tool diameter.

T-Slot OperationThis operation enables you to machine slots in vertical walls witha slot mill tool. Drilling OperationThis operation enables you to perform drills and other canneddrill cycles. SolidCAM supports the canned drill cycles providedby your particular CNC-machine such as threading, peck, ream,boring, etc.

Inthis operation drilling on different levels can be carried out. The drilling levels are automatically recognized but may beedited by the user. Pocket RecognitionThis Operation recognizes automatically pocket features atthe target model and creates the necessary machining. Contour 3D OperationThis operation enables you to utilize the power of the 3D Engravingtechnology for the 3D contour machining.

Thread Milling OperationThis operation enables you to generate a helical tool path forthe machining of internal and external threads with threadmills.

You have to define several 2. In the process of definition of operations, you have to definethe machining geometry, the tool and several technologicalparameters.

The CAM-Part is loaded. The Face Milling Operation dialog box is displayed. In this operation, the upper face is machined. The FaceMilling Geometry dialog box is displayed. Therectangle chain is displayed in the Chain List section. Face Milling geometry The Define button and the related box enable you either todefine a new faces geometry with the Select Faces dialog box or choosean already defined geometry from the list. When the model faces areselected, SolidCAM generates a number of chains surrounding theselected faces.

These chains are displayed in the Chain List section. The Define button and the related box enable you eitherto define a new profile geometry with the Geometry Edit dialog box orchoose an already defined geometry from the list. The defined chains aredisplayed in the Chain List section. In the Type section, use the default Model option for the Face Milling geometrydefinition. Click the Define button. The 3D Geometry dialog box is displayed. You can select an object by clicking on it. When anobject is selected, its icon is displayed in the list inthe bottom of the dialog box.

To unselect the object,click on it again or right-click its icon in the list ofselected elements and choose Unselect from themenu. To remove selection from all objects in thelist, click Unselect all. Click on the solid model to select it. Themodel is highlighted, and its icon appearsin the list. Confirm the 3D Geometrydialog box by clicking the button. The Face Milling Geometry dialog box isdisplayed again. The rectangle is generated surroundingthe target model at the XY-plane. Confirm the Face Milling Geometrydialog box by clicking the button.

The geometry is defined for the operation. Start the tool definitionby clicking the Select button. Currently, the Part Tool Table is empty. Define a new tool suitable for face milling. Click the Add Milling Tool button to start the tool definition. The new pane containing available tools is displayed. This dialog box enables you to add a new tool to the tool library choosing from thetools available for the current operation. Face millThis tool type is used for machining of large flat surfaces.

A tool of thistype is defined with the parameters shown in the image. Click the Select button to confirm the tool parameters and choose the tool for theoperation.

Click the Facedepth button in the Milling levels area. This button enables you to define the OperationLower level directly on the solid model. The depth is calculated automatically as thedifference between the Z-values of the Operation Upper and Lower levels. The Pick Lower level dialog box isdisplayed. Select the model face as shown. The lower level value 0 is determined and displayed in the Pick Lower level dialog box.

Confirm this dialog box with the button. The Face depth value is displayed in the Millinglevels area. The pink background of the edit boxmeans that the parameter is associative to themodel. Associativity enables the selected level tobe synchronized with the solid model changes; SolidCAM automatically updates the CAM datawhen the model is modified.

Define the technological parametersSwitch to the Technology page of the Face Milling Operation dialog box. In theTechnology section, choose the One Pass option.

The direction and locationof the pass are calculated automaticallyaccording to the face geometry, inorder to generate an optimal toolmovement with the tool covering thewhole geometry.

Selecting the One pass optionautomatically opens the One passtab that enables you to define themachining parameters. The Extension section enables you to define the tool path extensionover the face edges. The Face Milling operation data is saved, and the tool path is calculated. TheSimulation control panel is displayed. Switch to the SolidVerify page and startthe simulation with thebutton. The solid stock model defined in Exercise 1 is used in the SolidVerifysimulation mode.

During the machining simulation process, SolidCAM subtracts the tool movements using solid Boolean operations from thesolid model of the stock. The remaining machined stock is a solid modelthat can be dynamically zoomed or rotated. It can also be compared to thetarget model in order to show the rest material. During the simulation, you can rotate , move , or zoom themodel. Use these options to see the machining area in details.

The Single step mode can be used to simulate the next tool movement byclicking the button or by using the space bar on your keyboard. Close the simulation with the button.

The Face Milling Operation dialog box isdisplayed. Close this dialog box with the Exit button. The Profile Operation dialog box isdisplayed. In this operation, the external profile ismachined.

Define the GeometryThe first step of definition of each operation is the Geometry selection. At this stage,you have to define the Geometry for the Profile operation using the solid modelgeometry. Click in the Geometry page of the Profile Operation dialog box.

This dialog box enables you to add and editgeometry chains. When this dialog box is displayed, you can select solid model entitiesfor the Geometry definition. Chain Selection OptionsYou can define the geometry by selecting edges,sketch segments and points on the contour. The following options are available:CurveThis option enables you to create a chain ofexisting curves and edges by selecting themone after the other.

Associativity: SolidCAM keeps the associativity to any edge or sketchentity. Any change made to the model or sketch automatically updatesthe selected geometry.

LoopThis option enables you to select a loop by picking one of the modeledges. Loop 2Loop Pick an edge shared by two model faces. Two faces towhich this edge belongs are determined, and their loopsare highlighted. The first determined loop is consideredto be the primary and is highlighted with yellow color. The second loop is considered to be the secondary andis highlighted with blue color.

Choose one of the loops. Click on any other edgeforming the face. You are prompted to accept the chainthat is now highlighted with yellow color. Accept thechain with the Yes button. A closed geometry chain isdefined on this loop, and the secondary loop is rejected.

Point to pointThis option enables you to connect specified points; the points areconnected by a straight line. Associativity: SolidCAM does not keep the associativity to any selectedpoint.

Any change made to the model or sketch does not update theselected geometry. You cannot select a point that is not located on aSolidWorks entity if you need to select such a point, adda planar surface under the model and select the pointson that surface. Whenever the model is changed and synchronized,the geometry is updated with the model. Any change made to the model or sketch does notupdate the selected geometry. Automatic selection options SolidCAM automatically determines the chainentities and close the chain contour.

The Autoselect mode offers the following options:Auto-toThe chain is selected by specifying the start curve,the direction of the chain and the element up towhich the chain is created.

SolidCAM enablesyou to choose any model edge, vertex or sketchentity to determine the chain end. The chain selection is terminated when the selectedend item is reached. End entityStart entitySelected chain If the chosen end item cannot be reached by the chain flow, the chaindefinition is terminated when the start chain segment is reached.

Thechain is automatically closed. End entityStart entitySelected chainThe confirmation message is displayed. The Auto-to option is useful if you do not want to definea closed chain, but an open chain up to a certain element.

Auto-general SolidCAM highlights all the entities that are connected to the last chainentity. You have to select the entity along which you want the chain tocontinue. You are prompted to identify thenext chain element when two entities on the same Z-level are connectedto the chain.

Auto-Delta ZWhen you select this option, you are required to enter a positive andnegative Z-deviation into the Delta-Z dialog box. Only entities in thisrange are identified as the next possible entity of the chain. In this exercise, the geometry must be defined as shown. The red arrow indicates the direction of the geometry. In SolidCAM operations, thedirection of the chain geometryis used for the tool pathcalculation.

The profile is machined in two equal Z-steps. In the Offsets section, set the Wall offset and the Flooroffset to 0. These allowances are removed during thefinish machining. Select the Clear offset check box. Set the Offset value to 5and the Step over value to 2.

Clear OffsetThis option generates several concentric profiles with a constant depththat start from the defined clear offset distance from the profile andfinish up to the geometry of the profile, thus clearing the area aroundthe profile.

The Offset defines the distance from the geometry at which themilling starts. The Clear offset value should be equal to or larger thanthe Wall offset value. The tool starts milling the profile at the distancedefined by the Clear offset and finishes at the distance defined by theWall offset; the overlap of the adjacent tool paths is defined by the Stepover parameter.

The Step over parameter defines the overlap of adjacenttool paths. It determines the offset between two successive concentricprofiles. Define the Lead in and Lead outSwitch to the Link page. In the Lead in section,choose the Tangent option. With this option, thetool approaches the material tangentially to thegeometry in the start point. Set the Length valueto The Profile operation data is saved and the tool path is calculated. SimulateClick the Simulate button in the ProfileOperation dialog box.

The SolidVerify simulation mode enables you to measure distancesdirectly on solid bodies in the SolidVerify window. This feature enableschecking the linear dimensions of the part during simulation.

Click the Measure button on the toolbar. The MeasureDistance dialog box is displayed. Click on the top face of the cover and then on thehorizontal face machined in the current operation. The coordinates of the pocket points and the resultdistance are displayed in the Measure Distance dialog box.

In this case, the Delta Zparameter displays the depth of the machined face relativeto the cover top face 5. Close the simulation with theOperation dialog box is displayed. Add a Profile operationAt this stage, you have to define a Profileoperation in order to machine the lowerprofile of the cover. Define the GeometryClick the button in the Geometry page. Click on the workpiece edge as shown to define the first entity of the chain. In the Chain section, choose the Auto-constant Z option.

The closed chain isautomatically selected. Confirm it with the Yes button. Confirm the geometry with thebutton. Click the Select button in the Tool page. Choose thepreviously defined Tool 2 and click the Select button. Define the Profile depthYou have to define a new Upper level for the operation taking into account the alreadymachined faces. Switch to the Levels page and click the Upper level button in theMilling levels area.

Define the Upper level by clicking on the model face as shown. Confirm the definition of the Upper level with theIn the same manner as explained in the previoussteps, define the Profile depth by clicking onthe model vertex as shown.

In the Modifysection, set the Tool side to Right. Click the Geometry button to check the tool positionrelative to the geometry.

Now you have to define the parameters of profile roughing and finishing. Set the Step down value to2. In the Offsets section, set the Wall offset value to 0.

Thisallowance is removed during the finish machining. Select the Finish check box and set the Step down value to5. The 0. In the Lead insection, choose the Arc option. The toolapproaches the material tangentially tothe geometry at the start point. Set theRadius value to In the Lead out section, select the Sameas Lead in check box.

The Profile operation data is saved, and the tool path is calculated. SimulateClick the Simulate button in the Profile Operationdialog box. The Simulation control panel isdisplayed. Switch to the SolidVerify page and start thesimulation with the button. TheProfile Operation dialog box is displayed. Close theProfile Operation dialog box with the Exit button.

Add a Profile operationAt this stage, you have to define a new Profileoperation to machine four hole pads. Define the GeometryIn the Geometry page, click the button. TheGeometry Edit dialog box is displayed. Click on the model edge as shown. Click on the next model edges as shown below tocomplete the chain. In the Chain List section, click thebutton to confirm the chain selection.

In the same manner, define the geometry for the rest of the pads. Make sure that all theselected chains have the same direction. Confirm the geometry definition by clicking thebutton. Define the ToolDefine a new tool for the operation. Define the Milling levelsIn this operation, the machining starts atthe Z-level of the already machined faces. The upper level has to be defined. Define the Upper level by clicking on thealready machined model face as shown. In the same manner as explained earlier,define the Profile depth by clicking on thepad face as shown.

Define the technological parametersSelect the Rough check box. Set the Step down value to 3. The profile is machined in one Z-step. Set the Offset value to 5and the Step over value to 4. Select the Finish check box and set the Step down value to3. Set theRadius value to 2. In the Lead out section,select the Same as Lead in check box. Close the Profile Operation dialog box with the Exit button. At the next stagesyou have to machine the internal faces.

Define a New Coordinate SystemThe machining of the internal model facesrequires another positioning. The part has to berotated and clamped in a vice as shown. The CoordSys Managerdialog box is displayed. Right-click the MAC 1 item in the list and choosethe Add option from the menu. The CoordSys dialog boxis displayed. In the Mac CoordSys Number field, set the value to 2. Changing of the Mac CoordSys number means that a newclamping is used. Make sure that the default SelectFace mode is chosen.

In this case,the Z-axis of the Coordinate System is normal to the selectedface. Rotate the model and click on its bottom face as shown below. Make sure that the Corner of model box option is chosen. In this case, the box surrounding the model is calculated. The upper plane of the model box is parallel to the XY-plane of thedefined CoordSys. Now you have to move the origin of the Coordinate System from the automaticallydefined position to the corner of the workpiece.

Select the Pick origin check box in the Pick sectionof the CoordSys dialog box. Click on the corner of the workpiece stockmodel as shown to choose it for the origin. Theorigin is moved to the new location. The CoordSys Data dialog box isdisplayed. Confirm the dialog box with the OKbutton. The CoordSys Manager dialog box isdisplayed. Using them you can programoperations for different positions clamping. The Machine Coordinate System 2 isused for the machining of the back face and the internal faces.

Click thebutton to confirm the CoordSys Manager dialog box. Click the button to start the geometry definition. The Face Milling Geometry dialogbox is displayed. The model is highlighted, and its icon appearsin the list. Confirm the 3D Geometry dialog box by clicking the button. The FaceMilling Geometry dialog box is displayed again. The rectangle is generated surroundingthe Target model at the XY-plane.

Define the 3 mm offset to extend themachined surface over the stock edges. In the Modify section, set the Offset valueto 3. Click the button to confirm the Face Milling Geometry dialog box. The geometryis defined for the operation. Choose thepreviously defined tool and click the Select button.

Define the Upper level by clicking on the workpiececorner as shown. Define the Face depth directly on the solid model byclicking on its bottom face as shown below.

Set the Step down to 2. Define the technological parametersSwitch to the Technology page of the Face MillingOperation dialog box. In the Technology section, choosethe Hatch option and click the Hatch tab. In the Hatch angle section, switch to the Automatic optimal angle option. This offset is being leftunmachined during the rough face machining and is removed during the face finishing. Define the Lead in and Lead outSwitch to the Link page of the Face Milling Operation dialog box to define the way thetool approaches the material and retreats away.

This option enables the tool to approach thematerial on a line tangent to the profile. In theLength field, set the length of the tangent to 5. In the Lead out section, select the Same as Leadin check box. Confirm this message with the Yes button. The operation data is saved, and the toolpath is calculated. SimulateSimulate the operation in the SolidVerifymode.

The bottom face machining is finished. Now you have to perform the pocket machining. Pocket machining overviewThe pocket is machined in several technological steps:The rough machining of the upperpart of the pocket. The machiningis performed until the Z-level ofthe pads is reached.

The rough machining of the pocketwith islands pads. The machiningis performed from the upper faceof the pads till the pocket floor. At this stage, two operations areused to perform the machiningwith two tools of big and smalldiameter. The finish machining of the outsidewall of the pocket. The finish machining of the islandwalls. The finish machining of the islandtop face. The finish machining of the pocketfloor.

Add a Pocket operationAdd a new Pocket operation to perform the rough machining of the upper part of thepocket down to the pads height. Define the Pocket depthDefine the Pocket Depth directly on thesolid model.

Use the top face of the padsfor the definition. The Stepdown parameter enables you to definethe distance between each two successiveZ-levels. Set the Step down value to 2. The pocketis machined in two Z-levels. Define the technological parametersSwitch to the Technology page of the Pocket Operation dialog box.

Make sure that thedefault Contour option is chosen in the Technology section. In the Offsets section, set the Wall offset and the Flooroffset values to 0.

These offsets remain unmachinedduring roughing and are removed with the further finishing. In theRamping section, choose the Helical option.

Click the Data button. Set the Radius of the descent helix to 3 and confirm the dialog boxwith the button With a circular motion tangent to the last entity of the pocket contour,the tool retreats from the profile. The radius of the arc must be specified.

The Pocket operation data is saved andthe tool path is calculated. SimulatePerform the simulation of the Pocketoperation in the SolidVerify mode. During the simulation, notice the helicallead in movement. Add a new Pocket operationAdd a new Pocket operation to machine the bottom part of the pocket including twoislands pads for the circuit board installing. In the same manner as explained in the Step 18 of this exercise, define the geometryby clicking on the pocket bottom face as shown below.

SolidCAM automatically determines the edges of the selected face and defines chainson them. The first chain is the external boundary of the pocket. All closed chains insidethe first chain of each pocket are automatically treated as pocket islands. Overlappingchains are milled as separate pockets, not as islands. To select multiple pockets withislands, continue adding chains to the geometry. Define the Milling levelsThe machining in this operation startsat the Z-level of the top faces of thepads and ends on the bottom face of thepocket.

Define the Upper level by selecting thetop face of the pads as shown. Define the Lower level by selecting thebottom face of the pocket. Define the technological parametersMake sure that the default Contour option is chosen in the Technology section.

In the Offsets section of the Technology page, set theWall offset, Island offset and Floor offset values to 0. These offsets remain unmachined during roughing and areremoved in the next finishing operations. Wall offset — the roughing offset remaining on the wall of the pocket. Floor offset — the roughing offset remaining on the floor of the pocket. Click the Databutton. Set the Radius of the descent helixto 3 and confirm the dialog box with the OK button.

Define the Lead outIn the Lead out section, choose the Arc option. Set the Radius value to 2. The Pocket operation data is saved, and the toolpath is calculated. SimulatePerform the Pocket operation simulationin the SolidVerify mode. In order to complete the machining, you have toperform an additional Pocket operation with a tool of a smaller diameter in the areasthat were not machined in the current Pocket operation.

Add a new Pocket operationAdd a new Pocket operation. SolidCAM enables you to use the existing operations astemplates for new ones. In this case, the last created Pocket operation is used to definea new Pocket operation from the template. All the parameters of the chosen operation are copied to the current one. Change the ToolDefine a new tool for the operation. The Part Tool Table dialog box is displayed. Since this tool is used in severaloperations, its parameters cannotbe edited.

Click to define a new tool. Choose the End mill tool fromthe Tool type dialog box. A new Tool 4 is added with thedefault parameters. Choose thetool holder. In the Holder page, select the Use holdercheck box and click the Local tab.

Choosethe BT40 ER32x60 collet chuck from thelist. During the machining, when a large tool is used, the tool leaves materialin areas that it cannot enter. Unmachined areaMachined areaGeometryThe Rest material option enables you to remove the material from theseareas without defining a new geometry. The new Rest tab appears and opens the pageautomatically. Notice that the Separate areas option ischosen by default in the Milling type box. When this option is chosen, SolidCAM performs the machining only in areas thatwere not machined with the previous tool.

Define the diameter of the end mill that was used in the previous operation. Click thePrevious tool diameter button. In the Previous wall offset field, set the value of 0. This offset was defined in theprevious Pocket operation. Define the Ramping strategyIn the Ramping section of the Link page, choose the Helicalstrategy to define how the tool enters into the material.

Click theData button. Set theZ-entry helix Radius to 3. With the defined parameters, the tool machines all the areasthat were not machined by the previous tool. The machining area is extended by 1mm to overlap the previously machined area. The Pocket operation data is saved, and the tool path is calculated. SimulatePlay the simulation of the Pocketoperation in the SolidVerify mode. Notice that the machining is performedonly in the areas that were not machinedin the previous operation.

At this stage, the rough machining of the pocket is completed, and you have to programthe finishing operations. Add a Profile operationA Profile operation is used for the finish machining ofthe pocket walls. Define the GeometryIn the Geometry page, click the button to view thegeometries defined for the current Coordinate System.

You can click entries in thelist to display the corresponding geometries on the model. Choose the Contour3 geometry from the list. Confirm the Browse Geometries dialog box by clicking thebutton.

Define the Profile depthDefine the Profile depth by clicking on the bottom face of the pocket. Define the technological parametersIn the Modify section, choose the Right option from theTool side area. In this operation, use the Equal step down option to keepan equal distance between all Z-levels.

Equal Step downThis option enables you toperform all cuts at an equalZ-level distance one from theother. SolidCAM automaticallycalculates the actual step downto keep an equal distancebetween all passes. When the Equal step downcheck box is selected, Stepdown is replaced by Max. This value is taken intoaccount during the calculationof the actual step down so thatit is not exceeded.

Actual Step downMax. Step downSelect the Equal step down check box. Select the Finish check box and set the Max. Step down value to 3. In the Depth type area, choose the Helical option. With the Helical option, the tool performs spiral movements aroundthe geometry with continuous lowering along the Z-axis.

For eachturn around the geometry, the tool moves downward along the Z-axisaccording to the step down value. When the Profile depth is reachedby the spiral movements, SolidCAM performs the last cut with theconstant-Z movement at the Profile depth.

Step Down The tool approaches thematerial with the movement normal to the pocketcontour and retreats in the same way. SimulatePlay the simulation in the SolidVerify mode. Add a Profile operationAdd a new Profile operation to machine the walls of the islands. Select the edge of the island as shown below. Such direction enables you to performthe climb milling of the profile. The chain is automaticallycompleted.

Confirm it by clicking the Yes button. The first chain is defined. Select the edge of the other island as shown below. Make sure that the chain direction is clockwise.

The chain is automaticallycompleted and the confirmation message is displayed. Confirm it by clicking the Yesbutton. The first selected entity in the geometry chain defines the approachlocation for the whole chain.

In this case, the internal edges of the padsare chosen in order to prevent the collision between the tool and pocketwall during the lead in movement. Confirm the Geometry definition with thebutton.

Define the Milling levelsDefine the operation Upper level directly on the solid model by clicking on the top faceof the pad as shown below. Define the Profile depth by clicking on the bottom face of the pocket. Define the technological parametersIn the Technology page, make sure the Finish check box is selected and set the Stepdown value to 4. In the Depth Type area, set the Helical option. In the Leadout section, select the Same as Lead in check box.

Simulate Click the Simulate button in the Profile Operation dialog box. The SolidVerify simulation mode enables you to measure distances directly on solid bodies in the SolidVerify window. This feature enables checking the linear dimensions of the part during simulation.

Click the Measure button on the toolbar. The Measure Distance dialog box is displayed. Click on the top face of the cover and then on the horizontal face machined in the current operation. In this case, the Delta Z parameter displays the depth of the machined face relative to the cover top face 5.

Close the Profile Operation dialog box with the Exit button. Add a Profile operation At this stage, you have to define a Profile operation in order to machine the lower profile of the cover. Define the Geometry Click the button in the Geometry page.

Click on the workpiece edge as shown to define the first entity of the chain. In the Chain section, choose the Auto-constant Z option. The closed chain is automatically selected. Confirm it by clicking Yes.

Confirm the geometry with. Click the Select button in the Tool page. Choose the previously defined Tool 2 and click the Select button. Define the Profile depth You have to define a new Upper level for the operation taking into account the already machined faces. Switch to the Levels page and click the Upper level button in the Milling levels area.

Define the Upper level by clicking on the model face as shown. Confirm the definition of the Upper level with. In the same manner as explained in the previous steps, define the Profile depth by clicking on the model vertex as shown. Now you have to define the parameters of profile roughing and finishing. Set the Step down value to 2. In the Offsets section, set the Wall offset value to 0. This allowance is removed during the finish machining. Select the Finish check box and set the Step down value to 5.

In the Lead in section, choose the Arc option. The tool approaches the material tangentially to the geometry at the start point. Set the Radius value to In the Lead out section, select the Same as Lead in check box. Add a Profile operation At this stage, you have to define a new Profile operation to machine four hole pads. Define the Geometry In the Geometry page, click the button.

Click on the model edge as shown. Click on the next model edges as shown below to complete the chain. In the Chain List section, click to confirm the chain selection. In the same manner, define the geometry for the rest of the pads. Make sure that all the selected chains have the same direction.

Define the Tool Define a new tool for the operation. Define the Milling levels In this operation, the machining starts at the Z-level of the already machined faces.

The upper level has to be defined. Define the Upper level by clicking on the already machined model face as shown. In the same manner as explained earlier, define the Profile depth by clicking on the pad face as shown. Define the technological parameters Select the Rough check box. The profile is machined in one Z-step.

Set the Offset value to 5 and the Step over value to 4. Select the Finish check box and set the Step down value to 3. Set the Radius value to 2. At this point, the machining of the external cover faces is finished. At the next stages you have to machine the internal faces. Define a New Coordinate System The machining of the internal model faces requires another positioning.

The part has to be rotated and clamped in a vice as shown. The CoordSys Manager dialog box is displayed. Right-click the MAC 1 item in the list and choose the Add option from the menu.

The CoordSys dialog box is displayed. In the Mac CoordSys Number field, set the value to 2. Changing of the Mac CoordSys number means that a new clamping is used. Make sure that the default Select Face mode is chosen. In this case, the Z-axis of the Coordinate System is normal to the selected face. Rotate the model and click on its bottom face as shown below. Make sure that the Corner of model box option is chosen.

In this case, the box surrounding the model is calculated. Now you have to move the origin of the Coordinate System from the automatically defined position to the corner of the workpiece.

Select the Pick origin check box in the Pick section of the CoordSys dialog box. Click on the corner of the workpiece stock model as shown to choose it for the origin. The origin is moved to the new location. Confirm the dialog box with the OK button. Using them you can program operations for different positions clamping. The Machine Coordinate System 2 is used for the machining of the back face and the internal faces.

Click to confirm the CoordSys Manager dialog box. Define the Geometry Since this operation is performed with the second Coordinate System position, choose the Machine Coordinate System 2.

Click the button to start the geometry definition. The rectangle is generated surrounding the Target model at the XY-plane. Define the 3 mm offset to extend the machined surface over the stock edges. Click to confirm the Face Milling Geometry dialog box. Choose the previously defined tool and click the Select button. Define the Upper level by clicking on the workpiece corner as shown. Define the Face depth directly on the solid model by clicking on its bottom face as shown below.

Set the Step down to 2. In the Technology section, choose the Hatch option and click the Hatch tab. This offset is being left unmachined during the rough face machining and is removed during the face finishing. Define the Lead in and Lead out Switch to the Link page of the Face Milling Operation dialog box to define the way the tool approaches the material and retreats away.

Confirm this message with the Yes button. The operation data is saved, and the tool path is calculated. Simulate Simulate the operation in the SolidVerify mode. The bottom face machining is finished. Now you have to perform the pocket machining. Pocket machining overview The pocket is machined in several technological steps: The rough machining of the upper part of the pocket. The machining is performed until the Z-level of the pads is reached. The rough machining of the pocket with islands pads.

The machining is performed from the upper face of the pads till the pocket floor. At this stage, two operations are used to perform the machining with two tools of big and small diameter. The finish machining of the outside wall of the pocket. The finish machining of the island top face. The finish machining of the pocket floor. Add a Pocket operation Add a new Pocket operation to perform the rough machining of the upper part of the pocket down to the pads height.

Define the Pocket depth Define the Pocket Depth directly on the solid model. Use the top face of the pads for the definition. The Step down parameter enables you to define the distance between each two successive Z-levels. The pocket is machined in two Z-levels. In the Ramping section, choose the Helical option. Click the Data button. Set the Radius of the descent helix to 3 and confirm the dialog box with.

With a circular motion tangent to the last entity of the pocket contour, the tool retreats from the profile. The radius of the arc must be specified. Radius Simulate Perform the simulation of the Pocket operation in the SolidVerify mode.

During the simulation, notice the helical lead in movement. Add a new Pocket operation Add a new Pocket operation to machine the bottom part of the pocket including two islands pads for the circuit board installing. In the same manner as explained in the Step 18 of this exercise, define the geometry by clicking on the pocket bottom face as shown below. SolidCAM automatically determines the edges of the selected face and defines chains on them. The first chain is the external boundary of the pocket.

All closed chains inside the first chain of each pocket are automatically treated as pocket islands. Overlapping chains are milled as separate pockets, not as islands. To select multiple pockets with islands, continue adding chains to the geometry. Define the Milling levels The machining in this operation starts at the Z-level of the top faces of the pads and ends on the bottom face of the pocket. Define the Upper level by selecting the top face of the pads as shown.

Define the Lower level by selecting the bottom face of the pocket. Define the technological parameters Make sure that the default Contour option is chosen in the Technology section.

In the Offsets section of the Technology page, set the Wall offset, Island offset and Floor offset values to 0. These offsets remain unmachined during roughing and are removed in the next finishing operations. Wall offset — the roughing offset remaining on the wall of the pocket.

Floor offset — the roughing offset remaining on the floor of the pocket. Set the Radius of the descent helix to 3 and confirm the dialog box with the OK button. Define the Lead out In the Lead out section, choose the Arc option. The Pocket operation data is saved, and the tool path is calculated. Simulate Perform the Pocket operation simulation in the SolidVerify mode. In order to complete the machining, you have to perform an additional Pocket operation with a tool of a smaller diameter in the areas that were not machined in the current Pocket operation.

Add a new Pocket operation Add a new Pocket operation. SolidCAM enables you to use the existing operations as templates for new ones. In this case, the last created Pocket operation is used to define a new Pocket operation from the template. All the parameters of the chosen operation are copied to the current one. Change the Tool Define a new tool for the operation. The Part Tool Table. Since this tool is used in several operations, its parameters cannot be edited.

Click to define a new tool. Choose the End mill tool from the Tool type dialog box. A new Tool 4 is added with the default parameters. In the Holder page, click the Local tab. Choose the BT40 ER32x60 collet chuck from the list. During the machining, when a large tool is used, the tool leaves material in areas that it cannot enter. Unmachined area Machined area Geometry The Rest material option enables you to remove the material from these areas without defining a new geometry.

The new Rest tab appears and opens the page automatically. Notice that the Separate areas option is chosen by default in the Milling type box. When this option is chosen, SolidCAM performs the machining only in areas that were not machined with the previous tool. Define the diameter of the end mill that was used in the previous operation.

Click the Previous tool diameter button. In the Previous wall offset field, set the value of 0. This offset was defined in the previous Pocket operation. Define the Ramping strategy In the Ramping section of the Link page, choose the Helical strategy to define how the tool enters into the material.

Set the Z-entry helix Radius to 3. With the defined parameters, the tool machines all the areas that were not machined by the previous tool. The machining area is extended by 1 mm to overlap the previously machined area. Simulate Play the simulation of the Pocket operation in the SolidVerify mode. Notice that the machining is performed only in the areas that were not machined in the previous operation. At this stage, the rough machining of the pocket is completed, and you have to program the finishing operations.

Add a Profile operation A Profile operation is used for the finish machining of the pocket walls. Define the Geometry In the Geometry page, click the Browse button to view the geometries defined for the current Coordinate System. You can click entries in the list to display the corresponding geometries on the model. Choose the Contour3 geometry from the list. Confirm the Browse Geometries dialog box by clicking. Define the Profile depth Define the Profile depth by clicking on the bottom face of the pocket.

Define the technological parameters In the Modify section, choose the Right option from the Tool side area. In this operation, use the Equal step down option to keep an equal distance between all Z-levels. Equal Step down Max. This option enables you to Step down perform all cuts at an equal Z-level distance one from the other.

SolidCAM automatically calculates the actual step down to keep an equal distance between all passes. When the Equal step down check box is selected, Step down is replaced by Max. Step down. This value is taken into account during the calculation of the actual step down so that Actual Step down it is not exceeded. Select the Equal step down check box.

Select the Finish check box and set the Max. Step down value to 3. With the Helical option, the tool performs spiral movements around the geometry with continuous lowering along the Z-axis. For each turn around the geometry, the tool moves downward along the Z-axis according to the step down value.

When the Profile depth is reached by the spiral movements, SolidCAM performs the last cut with the constant-Z movement at the Profile depth.

The tool approaches the material with the movement normal to the pocket contour and retreats in the same way. Simulate Play the simulation in the SolidVerify mode. Add a Profile operation Add a new Profile operation to machine the walls of the islands. Define the Geometry Choose the Machine Coordinate System 2 for the operation and click the button in the Geometry page.

Select the edge of the island as shown below. Make sure that the chain direction is clockwise. Such direction enables you to perform the climb milling of the profile. The chain is automatically completed. The first chain is defined. The chain is automatically completed and the confirmation message is displayed. Confirm it by clicking the Yes button. The first selected entity in the geometry chain defines the approach location for the whole chain. In this case, the internal edges of the pads are chosen in order to prevent the collision between the tool and pocket wall during the lead in movement.

Confirm the Geometry definition with. Define the Milling levels Define the operation Upper level directly on the solid model by clicking on the top face of the pad as shown below. Define the technological parameters In the Technology page, make sure the Finish check box is selected and set the Step down value to 4. In the Depth Type area, set the Helical option. The tool approaches the material with an arc movement tangential to the geometry and retreats in the same way.

Define the geometry In the Geometry page, choose the Coordinate System 2 MAC 2 and click to define the geometry for this milling operation. In the Face Milling Geometry dialog box, choose the Faces option in the Type section and then click the Define button. The Select Faces dialog box is displayed. Click on the surface of the tow pads and confirm your selection by clicking.

In order to machine the two faces separately, click the Separate button in the Chain List section. Milling levels Define the operation Upper level directly on the solid model by clicking on the top face of the pad. Define the Face depth value by clicking on the same face. Define the technological parameters In the Technology page, choose the One Pass strategy from the list.

The operation data is saved, and tool path is calculated. At the next stage you have to machine the pocket floor. Add a Pocket operation Define a new Pocket operation to perform the finish machining of the pocket floor. Define the geometry Use the already defined geometry contour4. Define the Milling levels Define the operation Upper level directly on the bottom face of the pocket.

Define the Pocket depth value by clicking on the same face to perform the machining in a single Z-level. Define the technological parameters Make sure that the default Contour strategy is chosen in the Technology page. In the Offsets section, set the Wall offset and Island offset values to 0.

Such offset prevents the contact between the tool and the already finally machined wall and island surfaces during the floor machining. Define the Lead out Choose the Arc option from the Lead out list. Add a Slot operation Add a new Slot operation to machine the slot on the bottom face of the cover model. The Slot Operation dialog box is displayed. Define the Geometry Choose the Machine Coordinate System 2 for the operation and define the geometry for the slot as shown. Make sure that the chain direction is clockwise to perform the climb milling.

Define the technological parameters In the Tool side area, choose the Right option to machine the slot at the right side of the selected geometry.

In the Slot levels area, click the Depth button to define the slot depth directly on the solid model. The Slot depth 1. Set the Step down value to 0. The Slot operation data is saved and the tool path is calculated. At the final stage of the cover part, you have to perform several operations to machine the holes located on the bottom face and pads. Define a Drilling operation Define a new Drilling operation for the center drilling of the holes located on the bottom face of the cover.

Define the Geometry In the Geometry page, choose the Machine Coordinate System 2 for the operation and click the button to start the definition of drill positions. The Drill Geometry Selection dialog box is displayed. Choose the Multi-positions option in the Select centers by section.

Click on the bottom model face as shown below. All the circular edges located on the selected face are collected, and the drill positions are determined. Confirm the geometry selection with. Define the Tool In the Tool page, click the Select button. In the drilling operations of this exercise, the tools imported from an external tool library are used. This library is located in the Exercises folder you have copied to your hard drive.

In the Part Tool Table, click the Import Tool s button and choose Import to import the tool from the previously defined tool library. Set it in the Library list. Click the Import All Tolls button located in the left bottom part of the dialog box. The tools are imported into the Part Tool Table. Click OK to exit from the tool library. Confirm the tool definition by clicking the Select button. Define the Drilling depth In the Milling levels area, set the Drill depth to 0.

To perform center drilling, use the Depth type option. In the Depth type section, choose the Diameter value option and set the value to 5. The center drilling operation is performed until the specified diameter is reached at the upper level the top face of the model. The upper diameter of the center drilling cone is greater than the drilled hole diameter; this means that the 0. Simulate Play the simulation of the center drilling in the SolidVerify mode. Choose the same Drill geometry used in the previous operation.

Define the Drilling depth In the Levels page, define the Upper level by clicking on the model upper face. Define the Drill depth by clicking on the model face as shown. Set the Delta depth value to To perform through drilling, use the Depth type option. In the Depth type section, choose the Full diameter option. For this example, the geometry is defined as an open pocket with island.

The Geometry, Tool and Levels are defined and the Offsets are specified; the iMachining Technology Wizard automatically produces the optimal Cutting conditions. The roughing operation is then copied and the iFinish Technology type is used to define the finishing.

The following videos demonstrate how different types of geometries are defined in iMachining. Closed pocket geometries in iMachining This video focuses on several examples of closed pocket geometries and the tool path techniques that iMachining uses when cutting those geometries.

Open pocket geometries in iMachining This video focuses on a few examples of open pocket geometries and the tool path techniques that iMachining uses when cutting those geometries.

Semi-open pocket geometries in iMachining This video focuses on several examples of semi-open pocket geometries and the tool path techniques that iMachining uses when cutting those geometries.

For this operation, the machining geometry is defined as an open pocket with island. Mark the outer chain 1-Chain as open to enable the tool to approach from the outside. This parameter Angle affects the Cutting conditions and Step down values generated by the iMachining Technology Wizard. Click the Upper level button and pick on the top face of the Stock model to define at what Z-level to start the machining.

In addition to the picked depths, define a Delta depth to perform machining deeper than the part bottom edge. Set the value to Switch to the Technology Wizard page of the iMachining Operation dialog box. This Wizard automatically calculates the Cutting conditions for the iMachining technology, taking into account the tool data and Milling levels defined for the operation.

Step down When the Automatic option is chosen, the Step down is calculated by the Wizard in accordance with the Pocket depth defined for the operation. When the User-defined option is chosen, the Step down can be defined by specifying a value or by setting the number of steps required to achieve the Pocket depth.

Rows are created for each Step down value that is not the same. Output cutting data This section displays two sets of data related to the current Cutting condition the Spindle speed and Feed rate of the tool, the Step over range, the material cutting speed, Chip Thickness CT , and the Cutting Angle range.

Machining level The Machining level slider enables you to select from calculated sets of Cutting conditions. Moving the slider up in machining levels provide a convenient and intuitive way to control the Material Removal Rate MRR. Increasing the position of the slider increases MRR and machining aggressiveness. For this operation, use the Cutting conditions generated by the Wizard based on the default position of the Machining level slider 3. Run the operation simulation using the default Host CAD mode to view the wireframe tool path.

The simulated tool path is performed as follows: the entire contour is machined with a morphing spiral. Define the finish machining of the outside contour. When the copied operation automatically opens, choose iFinish for the Technology type. The copied Geometry, Tool and Levels definitions are used for finishing. The default Cutting conditions generated by the Wizard are also used. Run the operation simulation using the default Host CAD mode.

The finishing tool path is performed in a single cutting pass. Define the machining of the center pocket In this step, the machining of the center pocket is defined. For this example, the geometry is defined as a closed pocket. Add a new iMachining 2D operation. Use the default iRough Technology type to define the rough machining of the center pocket feature. Select the lower contour of the pocket for the Geometry definition.

Pick the top face of the Stock model for the Upper level definition and the lower face of the pocket for the Pocket depth definition. Specify the roughing offsets. The default Cutting conditions generated by the Technology Wizard are used. The Link page displays the Ramping angle at which the Helical Entry into the pocket will be performed. This value is automatically calculated based on the aggressiveness of the Machining level slider.

An override check box is provided in the instance you want to manually enter a preferred value. Simulate the operation using the default Host CAD mode. The tool performs the Helical Entry into the pocket followed by a morphing spiral to the outer walls.

Define the finish machining of the center pocket. Specify the finishing offsets. The pocket corners are cleared first and then a final pass is taken along the walls. Define the machining of the pocket ledge In this step, the machining of the pocket ledge is defined. For this example, the geometry is defined as a semi-open pocket. Use the default iRough Technology type to define the rough machining of the pocket ledge feature.

Select the lower contour of the pocket ledge and then mark the front edge as open using Mark open edges. Pick the top face of the Stock model for the Upper level definition and the lower face of the pocket ledge for the Pocket depth definition.

The tool approaches from the open edge and then performs the roughing tool path, first removing material from the middle of the ledge and then clearing its corners.

After the corners are cleared, the tool finishes the walls of the pocket ledge in a single cutting pass. Verify the tool path and generate GCode In this step, the iMachining tool path is verified. A GCode file is also generated and the iMachining technology is shown managing the Feed rates with each cutting move. To verify the iMachining tool path for all operations at once, right-click the Operations header in the SolidCAM Manager and choose the Simulate command.

This exercise is based on another SolidCAM Professor video series that uses the iMachining technology to define the machining of the part shown above.

 
 

 

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After every operation, SolidCAM calculates how much material was actually removed from the CAM-Part and how much material remains unmachined rest material. Define the Drill depth. A value greater than the drill tool diameter is automaticallydecreased solidcam 2017 tutorial pdf free the drill tool diameter. Set solivcam Offset value to 5and the Step over 201 to 4. Jovan Vukman. Add a Profile operation At this stage, you have to define a Profile operation in order to machine the upper profile of the cover.

 
 

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Define the Lead in and Lead out Switch to the Link page of the Face Milling Operation dialog box to define the way the tool approaches the material and retreats away.