T-Cutter Slot Operation

Siemens PLM Software

Simple programming for linear grooves using a T-cutter tool NX CAM 9: How to use the new T-cutter Slot operation

Answers for industry.

About NX CAM NXTM CAM software has helped many of the world’s learning manufacturers and job shops produce better parts faster. You can also achieve similar benefits by making use of the unique advantages NX CAM offers. This is one of many hands-on demonstrations designed to introduce you to the powerful capabilities in NX CAM 9. In order to run this demonstration, you will need access to NX CAM 9. Visit the NX Manufacturing Forum to learn more, ask questions, and share comments about NX CAM.

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Hands-on Demonstration: Simple programming for linear grooves using a Tcutter tool This enhancement provides a new operation designed to cut a single linear groove with a t-cutter. Level Sequencing and Depth per Cut allow you to control how material is removed from the in-process feature volume. The tracking point changes automatically with the change in cut level direction during level sequencing.

Do you have a question? Post your questions or comments at the bottom of this Tech Tip article in the NX Manufacturing Forum.

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Prerequisites: 1. You will need access to NX CAM 9 in order to run this demonstration. 2. If you haven’t done so already, download and unzip slot part.7z. You will find the .7z file attached directly to this Tech Tip article in the NX Manufacturing Forum.

Demo: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Open slot.prt in NX. Click Create Operation. Select mill_planar in the Type list. Select Groove Milling.

. 5. Specify the following: Program: Tool: Geometry: Method:

NC_PROGRAM T_CUTTER_D80 WORKPIECE METHOD

6. Click OK.

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Machine the first groove 7. Click Specify Groove Geometry.

8. Select Face in the Type Filter.

9. Select the face indicated below to define the wall of the groove.

You may select any face or combination of faces (floors, walls, ceilings) within a single groove. The operation supports only a single feature. If you select faces within more than one groove, only the first groove will be processed. 10. Click OK.

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11. Click Generate.

12. Click Verify. 13. Click the 2D Dynamic tab. 14. Slow down the Animation Speed and click Play.

15. Click OK to complete the Tool Path Visualization.

In Process Workpiece: None vs. Use 3D 16. Click Specify Groove Geometry. 17. Select None from the In Process Workpiece list. The in-process feature volume shortens (at the left end) because it now ignores the blank.

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18. Select Use 3D from the In Process Workpiece list. The in-process feature volume extends to the end of the blank.

19. Click OK in the Groove Geometry dialog box.

Cut level sequencing and cut depth Level Sequencing and Depth per Cut allow you to control how material is removed from the in-process feature volume. 20. Change the view orientation to Back and zoom up on the end of the groove.

The cut levels are numbered in sequence. 21. In the Tool section of the dialog box, select T_CUTTER_D40 from the Tool list. This t-cutter has a thinner flute length and requires more cut levels to machine the groove. 22. Click Cut Levels.

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Level Sequencing provides options that are new and unique to Groove Milling operations.

23. Select each one of the Level Sequencing options and observe how the displayed cut level sequence reorders. 24. Select Center Alternate, Ceiling first. 25. Click OK. 26. Select Passes from the Stepover list and type 3 in the Number of Passes box.

27. Click Generate. The tracking point changes automatically with the change in cut level direction during level sequencing. In this example, levels 1,3,5,7 and 9 use the SYS_OD_BOTTOM tracking point. Levels 2,4,6 and 8 use the SYS_OD_TOP tracking point. 28. Rotate the view as shown below and click Verify. 29. Click the 2D Dynamic tab.

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30. Slow down the Animation Speed and click Play.

31. Click OK to complete the Tool Path Visualization. 32. Click OK to complete the operation.

Machine the second slot 33. Click Create Operation. 34. Specify the following: Program: Tool: Geometry: Method:

NC_PROGRAM T_CUTTER_D80 WORKPIECE METHOD

35. Click OK. 36. Click Specify Groove Geometry. 37. Select Machining Feature in the Type Filter.

38. Select the rectangular slot indicated below.

39. Click OK. 9

Because the Use 3D is selected in the In Process Workpiece list, the in-process feature volume extends beyond the groove to the end of the blank.

40. Click Generate. 41. If an Operation Generate dialog appears, click OK. 42. Click Verify. 43. Click the 2D Dynamic tab. 44. Click Play.

45. Click OK to complete the Tool Path Visualization. 46. Click OK to complete the operation. 47. Close the part without saving.

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About Siemens PLM Software Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division, is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with seven million licensed seats and more than 71,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Siemens PLM Software works collaboratively with companies to deliver open solutions that help them turn more ideas into successful products. For more information on Siemens PLM Software products and services, visit www.siemens.com/plm.

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