Special Offer
SmartCAM V18.5: Workplane Improvements

Many improvements to how workplanes are defined and used are found in all SmartCAM V18.5 applications.

 

Inclined faces milled at repeated C index positions
Inclined faces milled at repeated C index positions.

 

Define Workplane Improvements - V18.5

The Define Workplane user interface has been improved to make it easier to define workplanes, and now includes several new features.

Define Copy From Workplane - V18.5

A new "Copy from Workplane" field is available when using the "3 points" or "Rotation" methods. This field allows the corresponding input fields to be defaulted based on a specified workplane. This feature makes it very easy to define related planes without the need to enter data in all the fields. For example a new plane that is rotated from an existing plane only requires a single rotation angle to be specified.

Copy Rotate 90° about X-Y-Z - V18.5

New X-Y-Z buttons replace the Z-axis Postitive/Negative option and allow the temporary coordinate system to be rotated around any of its axes in 90 degree increments. This feature allows the coordinate system to first be placed and oriented using whichever method or input is most convenient, and once displayed in the initial position, flipped or rotated as needed.

Back-calculation Between Methods - V18.5

Switching the workplane definition method from "3 Points" to the "Rotation" method (or vice versa), or when the "From World" or angle "Order" settings are changed, the coordinate and angle values are recomputed, provided there is sufficient information to do so. This feature ensures the temporary axes continue to display while maintaining the models current orientation. For example the orientation can be defined using the "3 Points" method and then translated to a new origin location using the "Rotate" method without affecting the orientation.

Workplane Automatic Naming - V18.5

Workplane names are now automatically defaulted to USER planes similar to AUTO planes eliminating the need to specify a plane name for cases where it is unimportant to the usage of the plane.

Origin and Angle Defaulting - V18.5

The Origin Point and Angle input fields default to zero when the Define Workplane dialog is opened or the Reset button is chosen, saving time by eliminating the need to enter values which for many cases would most likely be zero.

Match Toolplane Name - V18.5

When this option is enabled, the toolplane name is forced to be the same as the workplane name.

Redesigned Define Workplane function includes ability to copy existing workplane and rotate in 90 degree increments. Planes are now auto-named, and fields are defaulted and back-calculated
Redesigned Define Workplane function includes ability to copy existing workplane and rotate in 90 degree increments. Planes are now auto-named, and fields are defaulted and back-calculated.

Workplane Pop-up Menu - V18.5

The A right-mouse button pop-up menu has been added to the Workplanes list view. Right-clicking in the Workplanes list will display a menu that will allow you to define a new workplane, edit an existing workplane, delete the selected workplane, rename the selected workplane, set the reserve status, or display plane data.

In Advanced Turning the menu also includes an option to associate/disassociated the selected workplane with the sub-spindle. Double-clicking on a non-reserved workplane will open the Define Plane dialog, allowing you to edit that workplane's properties.

 

Workplane List View Markers - V18.5

The Reserved, Wrapped, Unwrapped, and Subspindle designation characters, found in the Workplane List View, can be changed. The single character markers, which show certain status information about the workplane, can be modified by editing your SmartCAMcnc.INI file.

Right-mouse button pop-up menu provides direct access to workplane commands, and workplane list markers are now configurable
Right-mouse button pop-up menu provides direct access to workplane commands, and workplane list markers are now configurable.