Lesson 2 - Create Features

00:08

With our part completely setup, we're now ready to start programming our features.

00:14

As you may recall from the last lesson, creating features when we would like to utilize 5-axis simultaneous control, isn't actually any different from creating our features with a 2.5D or a 3D feature.

00:28

The 5-axis simultaneous control is added after the fact when we are revising our features.

00:34

So, what we want to do here is simply create a Z level rough and a Z level finishing operation.

00:41

Let's start with the Z level rough by box selecting our entire model, creating a new surface milling feature, choosing the single operation of a Z level rough strategy.

00:54

We’ll accept all defaults.

00:56

Select "Finish", "OK".

00:58

And now we'll create our Z level finishing strategy.

01:02

Now for the Z level finish, let's just take a look at one of these recessed pockets.

01:08

We can then take the information we learned from that one and program the two remaining pockets.

01:14

So I'll take an isometric view.

01:17

And now I simply want to select all of the surfaces that make up this recessed pocket.

01:28

Once I have all those surfaces selected, open up the new feature wizard, surface milling.

01:34

Choose a single operation and this time, a Z level finish.

01:41

Continue to step through the wizard until you reach the Edges page.

01:46

Here, indicate that we would only like to cut selected surfaces.

01:50

With that selected, we can move to the wizard and as you may recall, FeatureCAM is automatically going to grab that half inch ball end mill for us for this finishing operation.

02:01

Let's change that.

02:02

I'll select "Next", tell FeatureCAM I want to search for another tool, and simply select the quarter inch ball end mill that is already in the Basic tool crib for us.

02:13

With that selected, "Finish", "OK", and we're done creating our features.

02:19

Again, when we're wanting to utilize 5-axis simultaneous in FeatureCAM Ultimate, all of the 5-axis control is added to the feature after the fact.

02:30

When creating our features, we can simply just use FeatureCAM’s basic 2.5D and 3D features and create them as if we were working on a 3-axis mill.

02:40

Now with our features selected, we're ready to move on to the simulation and revision stage of our workflow.