This collection of instructional videos delves into the creation of 2D NC programs for the different 2D machining strategies on offer in Prospector.
2D Machining Strategies
2D Pocketing
2D pocketing is a machining strategy that removes all the material from a pocket. Z-level clearing passes are created to remove
the material from each level. Learn how to identify pockets, pockets with sub-pockets and pockets with islands for machining and set
the characteristics of each pocket. Learn about the different clearing styles and how to effectively use them.
Job/Project: 200 - Pocketing / 2D Project
Job/Project: 200 - Pocketing / 3D Project
2D Chamfer Milling
Chamfer milling is a 2D machining strategy to produce chamfers on the part. Learn how to use a 3D solid model to find and cut chamfers
as well as machining from 3D wireframe data.
Job/Project: 200 - Chamfer / Plate2D
Job/Project: 200 - Chamfer / Plate3D
2D Profiling
Profiling is a machining strategy that follows a curve you designate machining to the left or right or exactly on the curve. This video covers
profiling of pockets and bosses as well as open features such as slots. You'll learn about the different types of cuts that can be created for
open and close curves. You'll also see how you can walk the cutter into heavy concentrations of stock using the multiple passes feature.
Job/Project: 200 / 200 - Profiling
Face Milling
Facemilling is a machining strategy typically used before any other machining of the part to make the part surface perfectly level. One
or more passes can be specified to step the cutter down in Z with optional last pass step down and feed rate to provide a perfect finish.
Job/Project: 200 - Face Milling / Face Milling
Scribe Machining
Scribe machining is both a 2D and 3D strategy. Scribe is useful for
a 2D application such as engraving by precisely following curves you
designate to mill a design into the part. The video from the 3D machining series covers both rib machining
and scribe. Although rib machining is not available as a 2D strategy, scribe machining is and works the same in 2D
as it does in 3D.
Job/Project: 200 - Rib And Scribe / Rib And Scribe
Helical Drilling
Helical drilling uses a bull cutter to machine large holes in the part by following a helical path. This is useful for
larger holes where you either do not have a large enough drill or your machine tool does not have sufficient horsepower
to push a large drill. It can also be used to create a blind hole with a flat bottom. You'll see how multiple passes
are created as needed to machine larger holes and how to cut
features that have drafted walls.
