2 X Milling

In this video, we will learn how to create a 2X milling tool path, including how to insert the
operation, define the feature, set parameters, verify the tool path, output the NC code and
operation list.

Now let's begin.

This is the product with a few slots and holes. Its material is Aluminium. We will use 2X
milling operations to machine it.
First thing is to create a new CAM plan. Right click on a blank area of the work window. Pick
CAM Plan, then select the default template, click OK to create it.
This is the CAM environment.
First, create a stock. Pick setup ribbon, click stock command.
Default stock is created, here we can adjust the stock size. Set the length to 360, 5mm for
each side.
Set the width to 150, also 5mm for each side.
Then set the depth to 30, only 5mm for the +Z direction.
Check the stock. Click Ok to finish the definition.
In the Popup window, click Ok, and hide the stock.

Next, create the machining operations.

Insert the first operation--the Zigzag operation.
Then click the create button to define the machining feature.
Select the profile, place the cursor on the outer edge and press Shift, then left click the
highlight curves. All edges will be selected. This is chain select.
In the profile Feature dialog, make sure the type is “contain”, then click Ok.
Next, define the tool. Name it D20. Set the radius to 0 and cutter diameter to 20mm. Click
Ok.
Then click yes to calculate the tool path.
This is the generated tool path. If this is not your desired path, you can modify the
parameters.
In the cam Manager, double click on the parameter. And select Limiting.
The set tool location type is past boundary. Overhang value 10. Now we click calculate again.
This tool path is much better.
Double click this icon to hide the tool path.

Next create the second operation – the spiral cut operation.

Define the machining feature using the profile method.
Select these two slots
Make sure the type is contain, then click ok to finish the feature definition.
Now select D20 from the tool list.

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 Don’t directly calculate the tool path, for first, we need to modify the cutting parameter.
In the primary tab, set the stepover to 35%, stepdown to 5mm. On the limiting tab, define
the top and bottom boundary.
In the path setting tab, set the cutting order to region first. Then calculate.
This is the Spiral cut tool path.
In the link and lead tab, set the link type as Blank Plane. Calculate again.
Here you can see the difference between the two parameters.

Next we will machine the four slots, still using the spiral cut operation.
Hide the tool path, and right click on Spiral cut1 to select Duplicate.
Now, we get the spiral cut2 operation.
Right click on the feature and select remove all. Then right click again, choose add.
Click create and select profile type; pick the four small slots.
Also keep the type as contain, and click OK.
Now let's define the Cutting Tool. Right click on the tool, and select manage. In the tool
manager; input D 10 as the tool name. Set the radius to 0, and cutter diameter to 10mm.
Close the dialog, and click yes to use the tool D10.
Double click on the parameter to make any modifications. In the limiting tab, reset the top
and bottom boundary; in the path setting, define the side finish type as none; in Link and
lead type, also set the type to none; and then calculate the tool path.
Double click on the spiral cut2 to hide the tool path.

Next we will create the tool path for all holes. Zw3D provides an auto-hole tactic.
In CAM manager, right click on the tactic, and select insert hole tactic.
Right click on the feature and select Add.
Choose the part, click Ok to finish.
After that, right click on hole tactic 1, and select create or calculate the tool path. Then all
tool paths are created.
Double click on the operation and hide all tool paths.

Next, we will use the ramp operation to machine the middle two slots.
In 2X milling Ribbon, click ramp operation. Then click create to define the new feature.
Select profile and click OK. Then select the two outer edges.
In the feature dialog, make sure the type is “contain”, and click OK.
In the tool list select D10 as the cutting tool.
Then pick no-button to modify the parameters.
In the path setting, set the profile side to left.
On Limiting tab, set the top and bottom boundary.
After parameters definition, click Calculate to generate the tool path.

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 This is the ramp cutting tool path.
Double click on the rampcut1 and hide the tool path.

Next, create a profile cut operation.

Click profile operation, then define the machining feature, choosing profile1 from the
feature dialog.
In the tool list, select D 10 as the cutting tool.
And click no, don't calculate the tool path.
Then define the parameter, set the boundary.
On the path setting tab, set the profile side to right, and calculate the tool path.

After creating the operations, let’s verify the tool path.

Right click on profile cut1, and select verify.
Then click play forward. Here, we can see how the tool move along the path.
Also, here, we can specify the tool start point.
Aside from the tool path verify, we can use the solid verify function. Right click on the
operation and select solid verify.

In the solid verify session, click run simulation. Then we can observe the cutting process.
Click stop, and then select the option at the bottom. Selecting Analysis and Visual, we can
check the rest material during the cutting process.
Click close, and click on the solid verify session.
Double click on the profile cut and hide the tool path.

Next, double click on the machine in CAM manager.

Input 2X milling as the machine name.
And in the post configure, select Fanuc basic. Keep the rest in default. And click OK.
Then right clicking on the operation, we can choose create output for all.
We can see that all operations are listed under P0001.
Also, we can right click on the output, and select “insert NC” option.
So right clicking on P0001 1, choose the add operation. Press CTRL and Select Zigzagcut1
and spiralcut1. Click Ok.
Right click on P0001 1 and choose rename, rename it to P0002.
Then Right click on P0002, and select setting.
We can change the part ID, the Programmer as well as the output folder.
Click NC code at the bottom, then the NC code file will be created.

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 Next let's output an operation list. Click operation list at the bottom.
It includes much information on operations, such as feed and speed, tool, machining time.
Also the default template can be customized.
Close the operation list and output setting.

This has been the complete workflow of 2 axis milling.