This collection of instructional videos is an introduction to Prospector that covers the essentials that you will need to understand
before proceeding to more advanced videos. View these videos in
sequence (Lesson 1, Lesson 2, ...) as each builds on what was learned in
the previous video(s). Study these carefully and make sure you
understand these fundamentals before progressing to more advanced
topics.
Prospector Essentials - Lessons 1 - 6
Lesson 1 - Creating a Prospector Project
A Prospector project encapsulates all aspects of machining a particular part. We'll learn how to import the design data, put it into
machine position, setup the coordinate system so that we're all set to start NC programming. You'll learn that a project greatly simplifies
the entire programming process because you don't need to save files, create files or try to remember where different files are on disk.
IGES file used in the video is installed on your local disk: C:\Prospector Install\Prospector U\Prospector Training\100\Lessons 1-6\Seatback.igs
In addition to exploring the menus and toolbars, we'll learn about the program tree control that organizes NC programs. You'll also learn about cursor strokes - the biggest time-saving
feature ever! In addition to the Windows-standard shortcut keys, we'll learn about key stroke commands unique to Prospector that you'll
use all the time.
Job/Project: 100 - Lessons / Lesson 2 - User Interface
We'll make our first 3D program. Let's take a walk through the New 3D Program Wizard. You'll be
surprised at just how simple it is to develop a 3D program.
Best of all, the Prospector PowerSource technology works along side you to suggest best practices.
Job/Project: 100 - Lessons / Lesson 3 - Creating a Program
Lesson 4: Working with Programs
Now that we've got a program built and in the program tree, let's make sure it is what we want. We'll show you how to take a closer look to make
sure it will cut the part as intended.
Job/Project: 100 - Lessons / Lesson 4 - Working With Programs
Lesson 5: The Remaining Stock Model
A key feature of Prospector is the remaining stock model. Think of it as a high-tech radar that finds areas of the job that still contain
stock that must be removed. You'll learn how to find the stock, how much stock is left in any area and then attack those areas with a tool
and machining strategy that is most appropriate for the situation.
Lesson 6: Sending a Finished Program to a CNC Machine Tool
We've got programs created in Prospector. How do we get them to the CNC? We'll learn about post processors. What are they? What do they do?
How do I install one? Finally, how to perform post processing to take a program and convert it to the G-code your machine tool requires.
More About Projects - Project-Based vs. File-Based User Interface
Organizing your data is a key to effective deployment of Prospector. In this lesson, you'll learn more about
projects and the 2 different options available: Project-Based and File-Based.
Learn how to create a project from a 2D detailed drawing. Using the 2D geometry, we'll do a profile program
and drill some holes. Next we'll use a 3D solid model to create a project then create 2D programs.
PowerSource Tooling is the application program that manages all the tools in your PowerSource database. Learn
how the tooling database is organized
and how to customize the database by changing parameters, adding tools and deleting tools.
PowerSource Insight is the application program for editing your PowerSource database. With Insight you can change
how parameters for programs are established. You'll see how the database is organized and how adjust settings for
different program parameters at the different stages of machining. This is an introductory video that is essential
to understand before moving on to more advanced concepts related to PowerSource technology
About Setups - Orienting the Part Data on the Machine
When you import the design data for machining, it will be in whatever position the designer created it in. Before
you can machine, you will likely need to reorient the data so it will be in the same position as it will be on
the machine. Depending on the job, you may need to create multiple setups to machine different sides of the part.
This video will show you how to create Prospector setups to put the part into the proper machine position.
Job/Project: 100 - Multiple Setups / Slide
Electrode Machining
This video will explain how to create a project and setup that is undersized. Undersized means that we need to cut
below the surfaces of the part data. This is typically done when machining electrodes. Undersizing allows for the
spark gap, or overburn, that is inevitably involved in the EDM process. Undersize is a characteristic of every setup.
This allows you to create setups that may have the same orientation but different undersize values to machine different
features of an electrode to separately (flat areas vs. walls).
Many features and functions in Prospector require one or more entities to be selected. For example, before you can trim a cutter path,
you need to indicate which cutter path to trim by selecting it. This video will explain selection and show you all the possible
options for making a selection.
Job/Project: 100 - Selecting / Select
Creating Profile Geometry
Prior to creating a program, you may need to add geometry to your part data.
For example, flow and radial machining need you to specify one or more
curves to direct the cutter path. For 2D programming, you may need
to add geometry to a 2D draft to represent the actual stock that needs
to be machined away as a pocketing program. In this video, you'll learn about all the different methods for creating profiles in Prospector. This is a longer video
so get a refill on your drink before you begin because there's a lot to learn.
Projects used in this video:
Job/Project: Creating Geometry / 2D Project
Job/Project: Creating Geometry / 3D Project
Creating Windows to Contain a 3D Cutter Path
A window (Prospector jargon) is a closed boundary that indicates where a 3D program can machine. The program can not escape and cut anywhere outside
of this boundary. In this video, Kevin will show in detail the different methods on the 1st page of the new 3D program wizard that you can use to create windows
to contain your 3D cutter paths. You'll see
how it's possible to create windows with inner boundaries to indicate "no cut zones"
inside a window. You'll also learn how to reuse a windows for a previous program, offset
a window, convert a window to a profile and back again. Prerequisites for this video are the videos
Selecting Profiles and Cutter Paths and Creating Profile Geometry.
Job/Project: 100 - Windows / Windows
More About the Program Tree Control - Cut/Copy/Paste & Updating Programs
Just like any Windows application, Cut, Copy and Paste is supported to reuse previously created programs
in the current session or even in another session of Prospector. You will also see how it's possible to
make changes to programs individually with the program update feature or make mass changes to multiple
programs with the program properties features. Projects used in this video:
Job/Project: 100 - More About Programs / Project1
Job/Project: 100 - More About Programs / Project2
Measurement Tools
The measurement tools allows you to measure point-to-point distances, angles and radii. You'll see how simple
it is to get the information you need directly from your part data. A cool feature of the measurement tools is
how this information gets propagated to other dialogs to make it easy to choose the right value(s) for program
parameters which you'll see in the next video -
Using Drop-Down Lists
Drop-down lists for various program parameters are very handy instead of typing in values. In this video,
you'll see how the drop-down lists are developed and how you can 'seed' them with values by using
the Measurement Tools in Prospector.
Display Settings
Don't like the color scheme for Prospector? Change it! In this video you'll learn about all the different
display settings that you can manipulate to setup Prospector exactly the way you want it. Settings are remembered
so when you start a new session, your settings will be restored to the way you like things.
