This collection of instructional videos delves into the creation of
3D NC programs for the different 3D machining strategies on offer in
Prospector.
3D Machining Strategies
3D Z-Planar Machining With Clearing
Z-Planar With Clear is typically used as a rough machining strategy. The program machines by levels. At each level, the
perimeter of the part is machined then the interior of the level is cleared of stock. In this video you'll learn how
to use the different clearing styles, ramp from one level to the next as well as other discrete options to create the perfect program.
Job/Project: 200 - Z-Planar With Clear / Z-Planar With Clear
3D Z-Planar No Clear
Z-Planar No Clear is a typically used for semi-finish and finish machining. These programs machine by Z-level cutting only
the surfaces inside the window(s) you create. This is a very useful strategy for getting to stock left over in corners of
the job where previous cutters could get into. It's also useful for finish machining a boss or pocket where the walls are
near vertical.
Job/Project: 200 - Z-Planar No Clear / Basic Z-Planar No Clear
3D Radial Machining
Radial machining creates a cutter path using 2 curves. The
path runs in the direction of the primary curve machining perpendicular
to the curves you have chosen.
Job/Project: 200 - Radial / My First Radial
Job/Project: 200 - Radial / Circle
3D Lace and Box Machining
Lace and box machining produces parallel cuts at a specified angle. Lace is a zig-zag cut whereas box cuts in a one-way
fashion. This video shows you how to create either style and useful options for both.
Job/Project: 200 - Box And Lace / Box And Lace
3D Flow Curve Machining
Flow curve machining generates a cutter path that follows curve(s) you indicate as guides. You'll see how to use
the options to walk the cutter into the stock following the curve and/or down in Z.
Job/Project: 200 - Flow / Flow
3D Contour and Spiral Machining
Contour machining is similar to flow curve machining where the curves are derived from offsetting
the shape of the window. Think of this as on-surface clearing. The offset distance for each curve to be machined
can be specified as an on-surface distance or a simple 2D offset. Spiral machining creates an on-surface
cutter path in a precise spiral based on the shape of the window. Both strategies offer the option to machine from
the outside-in or inside-out and direction (CW or CCW).
Job/Project: 200 - Contour Machine And Spiral / Contour Machine
Job/Project: 200 - Contour Machine And Spiral / Spiral
3D Rib and Scribe Machining
Rib machining is useful for machining narrow channels in the part data. Rib programs use a Z-Planar cuts guided by the shape of a
designated rib curve to remove the bulk of the stock in the channel. After the Z-Planar cuts, one or more finish passes trace the rib curve to
provide the proper finish. Scribe is a machining strategy to
intentionally machine into the part surface to engrave a design.
In both strategies, the curves to be used for machining are typically
developed by your CAD design system and included as part of the design
data to facilitate machining. Unlike flow machining, these cutter paths cut the curves not the surfaces! Make sure your
designer has properly developed the curves such that they were projected onto the surface(s).
Job/Project: 200 - Rib And Scribe / Rib And Scribe
3D Pencil Trace Machining
Pencil tracing is a machining strategy that is very useful for removing built-up concentrations of stock in fillet
areas left behind by larger tools. Eliminating these heavy stock areas is a good idea prior to finish machining with
a lace of box cut. You'll learn how Prospector automatically finds drive curves for pencil tracing such that a bi-tangency
condition exists between the tool and part data. For unusually large
concentrations of stock, you can walk the cutter
into the stock by taking multiple passes stepping down in Z for each pass.
Job/Project: 200 - Pencil Trace / Pencil
Center Cut Plunge Roughing
Plunge roughing is an alternative form of roughing that maximizes material removal rates by plunging directly into
the stock in the Z-axis again and again in an overlapping pattern (see the video here). The center cut form of plunge roughing uses a
center-cutting end mill with through-the-tool coolant. In the video you'll see how to program this cutter path to remove the material
in layers to facilitate chip evacuation and maintain a rigid tool setup. Following the plunge roughing programs, you'll see
how to program a special
Z-Planar No Clear program that is needed to machine the left over cusps of stock from the plunge roughing operation.
