SmartCAM V18 Core Milling Improvements: Helical Milling Improvements
SmartCAM v18 introduces several new and frequently requested capabilities related to Helical Milling, and Thread Milling in particular
These new capabilities make it easier than ever to create helical milling toolpaths for a variety of part features and thread milling applications.
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Helix Element Offset
It is now possible to create helix elements with Left or Right offset properties. Offset property helices are offset during verification and code generation, provided the adjacent connected elements are either offset property elements which form tangent junctions with the helix when offset, or non-offset property line elements.
Verification of Helix Elements is now representative of what will occur on the machine tool when using cutter compensation.
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Helix Lead In/Out
It is now possible to use the Geo Edit – Lead In/Out commands to add leads to helix elements, saving time from manually creating line and arc moves.
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Counterbore feature milled with offset property helix using lead in/out.
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Improved Thread Milling Process
The Hole Making - Thread Mill process has been redesigned to offer greater flexibility and improved ease of use. Thread Mill now supports single or multi revolution toolpath, and a taper angle for pipe thread applications. Also, it now supports multiple side passes, a user specified lead extension, and left and right offset property.
The improved panel saves time by making it easier to define thread milling operations, and eliminating the need to manually define multi-rev, multi-pass, and pipe thread toolpaths.
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External tapered pipe thread milled with multiple revolution pass using a single point tool.
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External tapered pipe thread milled with rough and finish single-revolution passes using a multi-point point tool.
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Helical Interpolation of Spirals
The code generator machine file has been enhanced to support new code options for helical and spiral output, making it now possible to output changing radius helixes differently than constant radius.
Additionally, spirals can now be interpolated using a series of constant radius helical moves based on a specified chordal deviation tolerance.
This allows the user to better tailor the toolpath output to match the specific capabilities of the machine tool being used.
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Enhanced code generation allows Cylindrical and Conical helix output to be configured independently.
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