This collection of instructional videos covers more advanced
features in Prospector. By now you know the basics and how to
create any type of 2D or 3D program. This suite of lessons gets
into more advanced features and functions that allows you to fine-tune
program generation.
Using Patch Surfaces to Cover/Uncover Features
A patch surface is useful for covering a feature you are not interested in machining. For example, there may be some fine
detail in the part that will be created later using an EDM. Or perhaps there are holes for waterlines that you don't won't be
machining at this time. Learn how to cover these up to avoid machining them with patch surfaces.
Job/Project: 300 - Patch Surfaces / Patch
High Speed Machining Options
In this video you will learn techniques to minimize abrupt changes in direction for NC programs. By rounding off sharp corners with
a fillet or lead/link, you can prevent your machine tool from having to fully decelerate to a full stop in one or more axis and then
having to accelerate once again to cutting feed rate. Kevin will also demonstrate the constant depth of cut option to ensure a consistent
chip load as opposed to having the tool enter and exit heavier areas of stock. Finally we'll look at a method to insert extra points into
a cutter path for those controls that need additional data to look-ahead in order to properly adjust feed rates for maximum
precision.
Job/Project: 300 - High Speed Machining / Finishing
Job/Project: 300 - High Speed Machining / Z-Planar
Advanced Z-Planar - Variable and Adaptive Step Down and Machining By Pocket vs. By Level
Variable step down is an advanced option for Z-Planar programs that allows you to assign a smaller step down for discrete ranges of lower levels of the program.
Variable step down can help ameliorate effects of tool deflection as the tool descends to deeper areas. Adaptive step down is an option for Z-Planar No Clear
programs to automatically insert additional levels into the program where the part geometry flattens out. This helps ensure the program will not leave
behind cusps of stock that will need to be knocked down with yet another program. We'll also take a look at how it is possible to cut using the "by levels"
feature for Z-Planar programs. Transition by level is useful when you have multiple pockets adjacent to each other with a thin wall condition between them (e.g.
egg carton). To maintain the structural integrity of the walls, each level of every pocket area is machined completely before descending to the next level.
Cutter Path Editing - Point Select, Point Move, Point Delete and Trimming
Everyone wants the "perfect program". Sometimes you're just so close but need to make a few minor edits to get it just so. This video
will go over the features to allow you to move discrete points in the cutter path, delete points and trim out unwanted sections. If you need to make
changes to an existing program by changing one or more parameters or if you need to make mass changes to parameter(s) for multiple programs,
watch the video More About the Program Tree Control - Cut/Copy/Paste & Updating Programs.
Job/Project: 300 - Cutter Path Editing / Point Select and Trim
Profile Editing
In a similar fashion to cutter path editing, profiles in your part data or profiles you create can be edited. These techniques are very useful
in order to develop perfect curves to direct cutter paths for radial and flow machining. It's also
extremely useful for preparing geometry
for 2D machining from a draft of the part because the design department won't care if the lines representing a pocket or boss flow in the proper
direction or are joined together to form a nice boundary for machining.
Multiple cavity mold making is simplified by creating a multi-cavity project. During project creation, you'll learn how to
specify the arrangement of the symmetric features of the tool. Rectangular or circular arrays are possible as well as mirroring
for left-hand & right-hand molds or any combination of these transformations. When you program cutter paths you can concentrate on machining
one cavity and you'll see how Prospector automatically replicates the cutter path to machine all the others. Don't worry, cutting
convention will be maintained if a mirror transform is needed.
A setup specifies the orientation of the part data on the machine. A workspace specifies the orientation of the tool relative
to the setup. The default tool axis (workspace) is always aligned with the Z-axis of a setup. When you need to access an area of the part data
that has negative draft, you can choose to reorient the part on the machine (create
a new setup) or reorient the tool axis by tipping the head of the machine about the X and/or Y axis (a workspace). The basics of
creating and using a workspace will be presented in this video to show how to machine an otherwise inaccessible area of the part data
by tipping the head of the machine.
Job/Project: 300 - Workspace / Slide
Engineering Changes - Updating the Part Data and Adding Data
The only thing constant in life is change. In this video you'll learn how to deal with an engineering change to your original part
data. You'll see how it is possible to replace all your part data with an updated design and how that affects the programming you have
already done. You'll also see how it's possible to add data to your project. This is very useful in cases where you need to add precise CAD data
to facilitate machining. For example machining the exact spine of a rib requires the precision of a CAD system to develop the curve to follow.
You can add these curves after the project has been created and machining has begun without affecting previously created programs.
Job/Project: 300 - Updating The Model / Engineering Change
Post Processing - Options for Send to Control
The Send to Control feature invokes a post processor to format a program for a specific machine tool. In this video, we'll
take a look at options available in Prospector to fine-tune the output from the post processor. Options include high speed
machining to fit arcs to point-to-point output, filter out unnecessary points and convert rapid traverse motion to linear
interpolation at a high feed rate. You'll also see how it is possible to insert comments into the output file, ouput canned
cycles (G81-G89) and use automatic tool changers.
Job/Project: 300 - Send To Control / Send To Control
Program Inspect - Dealing with Imperfect Programs
Sometimes things don't turn out as planned. Prospector makes you aware of problems and possible problems with your NC programs.
In this video, you'll see how to use the Program/Inspect feature to find out what is wrong and figure out what your next
steps should be to resolve a problem or potential problem.
If part of your quality regimen requires your shop to document your processes, you can request Prospector to generate the necessary NC documentation when a job is finished.
These reports are customized to include the information required. No more worries about lost documents or documents that don’t actually reflect the steps that were taken to machine the job.
Or maybe you're "old school" and do programming off-line in Prospector and forward NC setup sheets with instructions for the machine operators on the shop floor. That's fine. You'll see in this
video how easy it is to prepare and produce these documents with all the information you need.
Job/Project: 300 - Printing / Printing
Advanced Setup Creation
In an introductory video, we looked at putting the part data into machine position. In those instances, it was a simple matter of flipping the
part data 90 or 180 degrees to get it into one of the standard view positions for machining. But what if the part data is at some oblique angle? That takes a little
more work. Actually it's really is easy. There's 3 icons that make it a cinch to orient the view correctly so you are looking down the tool axis at the top view
of the part.
There are 3 different ways to descend from one level to the next for Z-Planar With Clear and Pocketing. In this video we'll look
in-depth at the different methods. You'll learn how to approach the stock from off-the-block points and how to use a
helical pre-drilled
hole to get into tight cavity areas where ramping is not an option. You will also see how Prospector prevents a tool
from bottoming out when using a ramp to descend to a lower level.
