Defining tool orientation

00:02

In this video, you’ll: define tool orientation for multi-axis positioning.

00:09

Open the file Defining Tool Orientation.f3d in the Manufacture workspace.

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From the Browser, under Setups, select Setup1.

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Notice that the stock and the model are the exact same size.

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This aids in reviewing tool orientation without first needing to rough the model.

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The tool orientation defines the cutting plane on a part.

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By default, the Z axis of the work coordinate system (WCS) that is defined in a setup sets the orientation of the tool.

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From the Toolbar, expand the 2D drop-down and select Bore.

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This opens the Bore dialog.

00:58

Under Tool, click the Tool selection prompt to open the tool library.

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From the list of tools within the document, select tool 1 – 3/8" Bullnose Endmill.

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Next, under Cutting data, select Aluminum – Roughing.

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Then, click Select.

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Back in the Bore dialog, open the Geometry tab.

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From here, enable Tool Orientation to override the tool orientation set by the WCS.

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Then, expand the Tool Orientation drop-down and choose Select Z axis/plane & X axis.

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Now, in the canvas, pick a face or edge to set the axis perpendicular to your selection.

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In this case, select the interior cylindrical face of the bore.

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Notice that the work coordinate system direction updates.

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However, the direction is incorrect.

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To mitigate this, either click the Z Axis arrowhead, or, in the dialog, under Tool Orientation, enable Flip Z Axis.

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With the orientation set, in the dialog, under Geometry, click the Circular Face Selection prompt.

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Then, in the canvas, select the bore again.

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Back in the dialog, open the Heights tab.

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Here, you can manually adjust the retract height by entering a value for the Retract Height Offset.

02:43

Alternatively, in the canvas, you can set your retract heights dynamically using the manipulators,

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or by selecting geometry.

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Once you have made your adjustments, back in the dialog, click OK.

02:60

The boring operation previews in the canvas.

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Review the orientation to ensure its accuracy.

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Other toolpaths have more advanced tool orientation functionality.

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Expand the 3D drop-down and select Steep and Shallow.

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This opens the Steep and Shallow dialog.

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Under Tool, click the Tool selection prompt to open the tool library.

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From the list of tools within the document, select Tool 3, a 1/4" Ball Endmill.

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Under Cutting data, choose Aluminum – Finishing, and then click Select.

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Now, open the Geometry tab.

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Again, enable Tool Orientation, and then expand the Tool Orientation drop-down.

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Notice that there are more options here than in the Boring operation Tool Orientation drop-down.

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Select Surface normal & X axis.

04:10

Surface normal options help set the tool orientation on parts where there is limited geometry to reference.

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In the canvas, you can pick any face on any part of the model and keep the point normal or perpendicular to the selected surface.

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Select an interior sloping corner of the part.

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The work coordinate system updates.

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Use the controllers to modify the turn and tilt of the work coordinate system.

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In the dialog, click Cancel for now.

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Now, start the Steep and Shallow command again.

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Select the ¼"Ball Endmill tool and then, from the Geometry tab, enable Tool Orientation.

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Then, next to Align to View, click the icon to enable it.

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Like Surface Normal, Align to View helps orient tools on parts with limited geometry.

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With Align to View enabled, the Z-axis is now locked on to the camera view.

05:25

In the dialog, input value fields display, which you can use to further modify the turn and tilt of the orientation.