RhinoCAM_GettingStartedGuide.pdf

RhinoCAM - Getting Started Guide

1997 -2012, MecSoft Corporation 1

MecSoft Corporation www.mecsoft.com

http://www.mecsoft.com/



Contents

Welcome to RhinoCAM Getting Started Guide ................................ .............................. 14

About this Guide ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 14

Where to go for more help ................................ ................................ ..................... 14

Tutorial 1: Machining a Gas ket ................................ ................................ ................... 15

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 16

Strategy to Machine the Gasket ................................ ................................ ........... 16

Main Programming Steps ................................ ................................ .................... 16

Preparing the part for Machinin g ................................ ................................ ............. 16

Loading the Part Model ................................ ................................ ....................... 16

Loading RhinoCAM Machining Operations Browser ................................ ............... 17

Machining Operations Browser ................................ ................................ ................ 20

Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 20

Select Post Processor ................................ ................................ .......................... 21

Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 23

Create Stock Geometry ................................ ................................ ....................... 26

Align Part and Stock ................................ ................................ ........................... 28

Specify Material ................................ ................................ ................................ . 30

Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 31

Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 33

Create Machining Operations ................................ ................................ .................. 36

2 Axis Profiling ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 36

Select Machining Features/Regions ................................ ................................ ....... 36

Select Cutting Tool ................................ ................................ ............................. 40

Set Feeds and Speeds ................................ ................................ ........................ 41

Clearance Geometry ................................ ................................ ........................... 42

Specify Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ....................... 43

Cut Levels ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 43

Entry/Exit ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 45

Simulate Toolpath ................................ ................................ .............................. 47

Creating a 2 Axis Profile for the Outer Region ................................ ....................... 49

Repor ts ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 52

Shop Docs ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 53

Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 54



Tutorial 2: Machining a Slotted Gear ................................ ................................ ........... 56

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 57

Strategy to Machine the Slotted Gear ................................ ................................ ... 57


Preparing the part for Machining ................................ ................................ ............. 57




Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 59


Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 61

Create Stock Geometry ................................ ................................ ....................... 64

Align Part and Stock ................................ ................................ ........................... 66

Specify Material ................................ ................................ ................................ . 66

Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 68

Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 70

Create Regions for Machining ................................ ................................ .................. 72

Create Machining Operations ................................ ................................ .................. 77

2 Axis Profiling ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 77


Selecting the Tool ................................ ................................ .............................. 80

Set Feeds and Speeds ................................ ................................ ........................ 81

Clearance Geometry ................................ ................................ ........................... 82

Specify Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ....................... 83

Cut Levels ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 84

Entry/Exit ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 85


Creating Engraving Operation ................................ ................................ ................. 89


Select Tool, Feeds & Speeds and Clearance ................................ ........................... 90

Specify Engraving Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ........ 90


Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 94

Tutorial 3: Machining a Shaft Base ................................ ................................ ............. 96



Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 97

Strategy to Machine the Shaft Base ................................ ................................ ...... 97


Preparing the part for Machinin g ................................ ................................ ............. 98




Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 99


Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 101

Create Stock Geometry ................................ ................................ ..................... 104

Align Part and Stock ................................ ................................ ......................... 106

Specify Material ................................ ................................ ............................... 107

Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ . 109

Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 111

Create Machining Operations ................................ ................................ ................ 114

2 Axis Facing ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 114

Select Machining Features/Regions ................................ ................................ ..... 115

Selecting the Tool ................................ ................................ ............................ 117

Set Feeds and Speeds ................................ ................................ ...................... 118

Clearance Geometry ................................ ................................ ......................... 119

Specify Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ..................... 120

Cut Levels ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 121

Simulate toolpath ................................ ................................ ............................. 122

Creating Facing Operation #2 ................................ ................................ ............... 123

Copying and Pasting a Machining Operation ................................ ......................... 123

Editing Mac hining Operation ................................ ................................ .............. 124

Specify Avoid Region ................................ ................................ ........................ 124

Change Cut Parameters and Cut Levels ................................ ............................... 126


2 Axis Pocketing ................................ ................................ .............................. 129



Cut Levels ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 132



Entry/Exit ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 134


Hole Pocketing Operation ................................ ................................ ..................... 136

Create Predefined Machining Regions ................................ ................................ .. 136


Specify Cut Paramet ers ................................ ................................ ..................... 141


Create Hole Pocketing Operation for the through holes ................................ ............ 144

Editing Machining Operation ................................ ................................ .............. 145


Create Engraving Operation ................................ ................................ .................. 148

Create Machining Region ................................ ................................ ................... 148

Select Engraving Operation ................................ ................................ ............... 150



Create Profiling Operation ................................ ................................ .................... 153

Select Machining Features ................................ ................................ ................. 153

Specify Parameters ................................ ................................ .......................... 153


Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 156

Tutorial 4: V -Carving ................................ ................................ .............................. 157

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 158

Strategy to Machine the part ................................ ................................ ............. 158

Main Programming Steps ................................ ................................ .................. 158

Loading the Part Model ................................ ................................ ..................... 159

Loading RhinoCAM Machining Operations Browser ................................ ............. 159

Machining Operations Browser ................................ ................................ .............. 159

Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ . 160

Select Post Processor ................................ ................................ ........................ 160

Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 162




Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ . 169



Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 171


V-Carving ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 173





Specifying Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ................ 176


Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 179

Saving Operation to a Knowledgebase ................................ ................................ 179

Tutorial 5: Embossing ................................ ................................ ............................. 180

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 181




Loading RhinoCAM Machining Op erations Browser ................................ ............. 182


Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ . 182


Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 184




Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ . 191

Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 193


V-Carve Roughing ................................ ................................ ............................... 195


Specify Parameters ................................ ................................ .......................... 196


V-Carving Operation ................................ ................................ ............................ 200

Load Knowledge base ................................ ................................ .......................... 201

Edit V -Carving Operation ................................ ................................ ................... 202




Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 205

Tutorial 6: Chamfering ................................ ................................ ............................ 206

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 207




Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 208

Create Machining Operation ................................ ................................ .................. 210

Chamfering ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 211



Specifying Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ................ 214

Reorder a Machining Operation ................................ ................................ .......... 215


Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 216

Tutorial 7: 3 Axis Milling ................................ ................................ .......................... 217

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 218

Strategy to Machine the mold ................................ ................................ ............ 218


Preparing the part for Machining ................................ ................................ ........... 218




Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ . 220


Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 221




Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ . 229

Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 231


3 Axis Horizontal Roughing ................................ ................................ ................... 235



Select Tool ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 236





3 axis Parallel Finishing ................................ ................................ ........................ 242



3 axis Horizontal Finishing ................................ ................................ .................... 245




Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 249

Saving Operation to a Knowledgebase ................................ ................................ 249

Tutorial 8: Profiling with Bridges/Tabs ................................ ................................ ....... 250

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 251





Machi ning Operations Browser ................................ ................................ .............. 253

Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ . 253


Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 254


Ali gn Part and Stock ................................ ................................ ......................... 259


Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ . 262

Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 264

Create Predefined Machining Regions ................................ ................................ ..... 266

Editing Bridge Points ................................ ................................ ........................ 268


2 Axis Profiling ................................ ................................ ................................ 270




Specify Cut Paramet ers ................................ ................................ ..................... 272


Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 274

Tutorial 9: Hole Making ................................ ................................ ........................... 275

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 276





Machi ning Operations Browser ................................ ................................ .............. 277

Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ . 277


Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 279




Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ . 286

Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 287


Drilling ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 289

Select Hole Features ................................ ................................ ......................... 290

Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ................................ 293


................................ ................................ ......... 296

Edit Machining Operation ................................ ................................ .................. 296


Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 299

Tutorial 10: Re -Machining a 3D Mold ................................ ................................ ........ 300

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 301

Strategy to Machine the mold ................................ ................................ ............ 301


Preparing the part for Machinin g ................................ ................................ ........... 301






Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ . 303


Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 304




Load Knowledge base ................................ ................................ ....................... 312

Editing Machining Operations ................................ ................................ ............. 316


Create Pencil Tracing operation ................................ ................................ ............. 318

Specify Cut Parameter s ................................ ................................ ..................... 319

Advanced Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ .................... 321


Create Valley Re -Machining Operation ................................ ................................ ... 323

Specify Cut Contr ol & Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ . 324


Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 327

Tutorial 11: Machining a Ring ................................ ................................ .................. 328

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 329

Strategy to M achine the ring ................................ ................................ ............. 329




Loading RhinoCAM Machining Op erations Browser ................................ ............. 330


Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ . 331


Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 332




Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ . 340

Set Rotary Center ................................ ................................ ............................... 342



Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 343

Creat e Machining Operations ................................ ................................ ................ 345

3 Axis Horizontal Roughing ................................ ................................ ................... 345

Select Tool ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 346





Rotate table Operation ................................ ................................ ......................... 352

Create Roughing operation after table rotation ................................ ........................ 353


Create Rotate table operation #2 ................................ ................................ .......... 355

4 axis Parallel Finishing ................................ ................................ ........................ 357

Specify Parameters ................................ ................................ .......................... 35 8

Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ................................ 359


Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 362

Tutorial 12: Engraving on a Cylinder ................................ ................................ ......... 363

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 364

Strategy to engrave text on a cylinder ................................ ................................ 364





Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ . 365


Define Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 367




Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ . 375


Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 378




4 Axis Engraving ................................ ................................ ................................ . 380


Select Tool ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 382



Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 386

Tutorial 13: Pocketing and Drilling on a Ring ................................ ............................. 387

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 388

Strategy to machine the part ................................ ................................ ............. 388





Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ . 390


Def ine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 391




Set Work Zero ................................ ................................ ................................ . 399


Create Tools ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 402


4 Axis Drilling ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 405

Select Tool ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 407

Set Clearance ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 409

Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ................................ 409

Sorting ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 411


4 Axis Pocketing ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 413


Select Tool ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 415

Set Clearance ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 416

Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ................................ 417



Cut Levels ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 418


Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 421

Tutorial 15: 5 Axis Surface based mac hining ................................ .............................. 422

Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 423





Machine Setup ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 424




5 Axis Surface Normal Machining ................................ ................................ .......... 427

Machining Features ................................ ................................ .......................... 428

Select Tool ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 430

Specify Clearance ................................ ................................ ............................. 431


Entry/Exit ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 433

Gouge Check ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 434


5 Axis Swarf Machining ................................ ................................ ........................ 437

Machining Features ................................ ................................ .......................... 438

Select Tool ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 442

Cut Parameters ................................ ................................ ................................ 443

Entry/Exit ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 444

Gouge Check ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 445


Post Processing ................................ ................................ ................................ 447



Welcome to RhinoCAM Getting Started Guide

Welcome to RhinoCAM and thank you for choosing one of most powerful and easy to use

complete CAD/CAM packages on the market today.

RhinoCAM is a unique CAM product plug - in that runs inside of Rhinoceros . Plug - ins can be

considered as independent applications that can be loaded and unloaded on demand from

the host program, which in th is case is Rhinoceros . This fully integrated RhinoCAM plug - in

seamlessly integrates Rhinoceros

simulation/verification, in one package that is both easy and fun to use.

You can work with the native Rhinoceros design data as well as use any of the data types

that can be imported into Rhinoceros such as solids, surfaces and meshes. Then you can

use RhinoCAM with its wide selection of tools and toolpath strategies to create machining

operations and asso ciated toolpaths. These toolpaths can then be simulated and verified,

and finally post -processed to the controller of your choice.

About this Guide

Welcome to the RhinoCAM getting started guide. This file contains various tutorials to help

you get started with learning RhinoCAM . Each tutorial lesson has two associated Rhinoceros

files that you can find located in the Tutorials folder under the installation folder of

RhinoCAM . The first file is a completed file that contains all of the completed toolpaths a nd

machining operations and represents the file that you should end up with after working

through the tutorial. The other file is a starter file that contains only the geometry. Use the

completed file as a reference. Copy the starter file and use this file to begin each tutorial.

Good luck and have fun!

Where to go for more help

Apart from the on - line help system you can download tutorials and projects from MecSoft

Corporation's web site at www.mecsoft.com . This will hel p you get started with using

RhinoCAM .

If you need additional help, or if you have any questions regarding RhinoCAM , you may

contact us via e -mail at [email protected]

MecSoft offers Online training as well as pe rsonalized full day training sessions. Please look

up our website or email us at [email protected] for further details

Please do continue to visit our home page to learn about the latest updates to RhinoCAM

and any ot her help material.
http://www.mecsoft.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]



Tutorial 1: Machining a Gasket



Introduction

This tutorial will illustrate machining of a simple prismatic part such as this gasket using 2 -

1/2 milling operations. Even though we have created a 3 -D representation of the gasket, it

will be seen later on that we can machine this using just 2 -D curves.

The reason we are able to do this is because of the prismatic nature of this model.

The stepped instructions are accompanied by explanatory and introductory text. Reading

thi s text will help you understand the tutorial methodology and provide information about

additional options available.

name so that the original file will be preser ved.

Strategy to Machine the Gasket

We will machine the Gasket by using a 2 - axis machining operation called Profiling.

The part will be machined out of a 10 x 6 x inch poplar wood sheet using a inch

Flat End Mill.

The wooden sheet will be held to the machine table or the spoil sheet on the table

using double -sided tape.

Main Programming Steps

In creating programs for each setup, the following steps will be followed:

Create the Stock geometry

Set the Machine zero point with respect to the machine coord inates

Create / Select the tool used for machining

Set the feeds and speeds

Set the clearance plane for the non -cutting transfer moves of the cutter

Select the machining regions for containing the cutter to specific areas to cut

Select the machining operat ions and set the parameters

Generate the toolpath

Simulate the toolpath.

You may have to repeat either all or part of these steps for subsequent operations.

Preparing the part for Machining

The steps below shows loading and preparing the part for programmi ng.

Loading the Part Model

create parts within Rhinoceros , but it is more typical to import geometry created in another

CAD system.

To load a part:

1. Select File / Open from the Menu, or click the Open icon from the Standard bar.



2. From the Open dialog box, select the Gasket. 3dm file from the Tutorials folder.

The imported part appears as shown below

Loading RhinoCAM Machining Operations Browser

1. If RhinoCAM Machinin g Operations browser does not appear in Rhinoceros , select

RhinoCAM from the menu bar and click Machining Operations Browser. This is

also called MOps browser.

The MOps browser is now open and by default appears to the left of the viewport layout in

Rhin oceros .



2. Click RhinoCAM from the menu bar and select Machining Objects Browser . This is

also called MObs browser.

The MObs browser now appears next to MOps browser in Rhinoceros and is automatically

docked to the application by default.



You can drag th e MObs browser on top of the MOps browser as shown below.

To drag the MObs browser, click on the title bar of the MObs browser and drag it over the

MOps browser.

Machining Objects browser (MObs) now appears under the Machining Operations browser

(MOps)



Machining Operations Browser

This tab allows you to define Machine Setup, Stock and create Machining Operations.

Machine Setup

1. Click Program tab under MOps browser and select Machine located under Machine

Setup group.



2. Under Machine Type , set Number of Axes to 3 Axis

3. Click OK . The machine type now appears under Machining Job in the browser area.

Select Post Processor

4. Select Post under Program tab to specify post processor options.



5. Set the current post processor based on your machine contro ller from available list of

posts . We will select Haas as the post processor for this exercise. Set the posted file

extension type to .nc



Note: By default post processor files are located under

C: \ Program Files \ Rhinoceros 4.0 \ Plug - ins \ RhinoCAM 2012 \ Posts

The program to send the posted output is set to notepad. This would preview the posted

code in a notepad.

Define Setup

This allows you to orient the Machine Coordinate System to have the part aligned in the

same way as it would be fixtured on the machine tool for cutting.

6. Double click on Setup 1 located under MOps browser.



Note: If Setup 1 does not exist, click Setup or Set CSYS Setup under the Program tab to

create one.

Standard configuration Expert, Professional and Premium configurations

The Machine Coordinate System (MCS) is displayed as a triad with Blue line

representing the Z -axis, Red representing X -axis and Green Representing the Y -axis.

MCS WCS

7. Set Align to World Coordinate System and click OK .



Machine Coordinate system is now in the same orientation as world coordinate

system.



Create Stock Geometry

In this step you will define the raw stock from which the designed part needs to be

machined.

8. Select Create Stock Model from Program tab.

9. Click Box Stock from the drop dow n list.

This brings up the Box Stock parameters.

10. Set the Length (L) = 10.0 , Width (W) = 6.00 and Height (H) = 0.125. Leave the other parameters as default and Click OK .



The stock geometry is now created, and a semi - transparent stock box is displayed on

top of the part geometry.

If the stock geometry is not visible, Click Stock Visibility located at the bottom of the

Program tab.



Machining Job is now updated with the Machine Type, Post Processor and Stock information

in the MOps browser.

Align P art and Stock

Once the stock model is created, user can move the stock geometry relative to the part

geometry and use the stock box to specify the machine zero (home position).

11. Select Align Part and Stock Models under Program tab.

12. Set Z alignment to Top and XY alignment to Center. (This would align the stock to

the top of the part in Z and center in XY)



The stock is now aligned to the center of part geometry in XY and top in Z.



Specify Material

We will now set the material type for Stock geometry .

13. Select Define Stock Material under Program tab.

14. Set Material to Wood from the material drop down list and click OK .

The material texture is now applied to Stock geometry and displayed over the stock

model.



If the texture is not visible on stock ge ometry, Click Material Texture Visibility

located at the bottom of the Program tab.

Set Work Zero

This is used to define the workpiece origin. Work Zero translates the MCS origin from the

Setup to the desired location. This can be set to any location on the part or stock geometry.

15. Select Work Zero from Program tab located under Machining Operations group.



16. Select Set to Stock Box , the Zero Face to Highest Z , and Zero Position to South

West corner. This sets the machine home to the top of the stock mater ial and the

southwest corner of the stock geometry.

The work zero is now translated to the Southwest corner and top of stock material.



Work Zero now appears under MOps browser.

Create Tools

To machine t he above part we will now create a inch (0

17. Select Tools tab under RhinoCAM Machining Objects browser (MObs) and click

Create/Edit Tools .

18. Select the Tool Type to Flat Mill .



19. Set tool Name as Fla tMill -0.5, Tool Diameter = 0.5. Under the Properties tab set

Material to HSS and Tool Number = 1.

20. Switch to Feeds and Speeds tab and click Load from File .



21. Set Stock Material to Wood and Tool Material to HSS. Click OK and the computed

cut feedrate and spindle speed is now applied to the feeds and speeds tab.



The computed feeds and speeds are transferred to the Feeds and Speeds tab.

22. Click Save as New Tool to save the tool. The tool is now created and listed under

Tools in Library. Click OK to close the dialog.

Note: You can edit the tool properties and click Save Edits to Tool to save the changes. You

can create additional tools by assigning a different name and specify the tool parameters.

The created tool is now listed under Tools tab in Machining Objects browser.

Note: To save Tools to library, Click Save Tool library under T ools tab in Machining

Objects Browser and specify folder location and file name in the Save as dialog box. Saving

Tool library as RhinoCAM Knowledge base file (*.vkb) saves feeds and speeds with tool properties.

Create Machining Operations

In this process, we will create 2 Axis Profiling operation.

2 Axis Profiling

1. Select 2Axis and choose Profiling from Program tab under Machining Operations

group.

This brings up the 2 Axis Profiling operation dialog. We will go over the steps for

creating the prof ile operations for the inner features of the Gasket.

Select Machining Features/Regions



2. Click Select Drive /Containment Regions under Machining Features/ Regions tab.

The Profiling operation dialog is now minimized and allows selection of machining

fea tures.

We will now select the surface edges of the 3 inside hole features.



3. Select the surface edge by clicking near the edge of each hole.

4. Repeat this step for the other 2 hole features.

5. Press enter or right mouse button click to end selection.

The 2 Axis Profiling operation dialog comes back up displaying the selected Drive

regions. The selected regions are also highlighted on the part.



You can click on the Region list and corresponding surface edge curve is highlighted

on the part.



Sel ect Cutting Tool

6. Switch to Tool tab under 2 Axis Profiling operation .

7. Select Flat Mill -0.5 under Tools.

displayed to the right of the Tools window.



Set Feeds and Speeds

8. Click Feeds & Speeds tab

9. Select Load f rom Tool . RhinoCAM will now get the feeds and speeds parameters

that was set when the tool was defined.



Clearance Geometry

10. Switch to Clearance tab.

11. Set the Clearance Plane Definition to Automatic and Cut Transfer Method to

Clearance Plane .

RhinoCAM will determine a safe Z height for the Entry & Exit when set to automatic.

Setting Cut Transfer to Clearance Plane would apply the automatic Z clearance

between transfers when the tool moves from a machini ng region to another.

When this dialog box is active, the clearance plane is shown on the model.



Specify Cut Parameters

12. Switch to Cut Parameters tab

13. Set the Stock = 0 and under cut start Side check Use Outside/Inside for Closed

Curves and select Insi de . Alternatively you can also use Determine using 3D

model .

Cut Levels



14. Select the Cut Levels tab and set Location of Cut Geometry as At Top , specify the

Total Cut Depth = 0.125. The cut depth is always set as an absolute value. Set

Rough Depth = 0.125 a nd Rough Depth/Cut = 0.125.



Entry/Exit

15. Switch to Entry/Exit tab and set Entry and Exit Motions to None.

16. Click Generate . The 2 Axis Profile toolpath is now generated and the operation is

listed under the RhinoCAM -MOps browser.

Note: Toolpath disp lay can be turned on/off by selecting Toolpath Visibility under the

MOps browser.



Simulate Toolpath

The generated toolpath can now be simulated under the Simulate tab.

17. Switch to Simulate tab in RhinoCAM -MOps browser

18. Select 2 Axis Profiling and cl ick Play .

The cut material simulation is shown below.

Note: You can adjust the simulation speed by selecting Simulation Preferences that is

located under the Simulate tab.



To view simulation with texture mapping, toggle, Material Texture Visibility ON .

To exit the Simulation mode, Pause simulation first and then click Stop .



Creating a 2 Axis Profile for the Outer Region

1. Switch to Program tab

2. Select the 2 Axis Profiling operation under Setup 1,

3. Right mouse button click and left click on Copy .

4. Right mouse button click on 2 Axis Profiling and left click on Paste .



This creates a copy of the profile operation.



5. Double click to edit the operation you just copied

6. Click Remove All under Machining Features/Region.

7. Click Select Drive/Contain ment Regions

8. Select the Surface edge on outer edge of the gasket

9. Right mouse button click or press enter on your keyboard to end selection.

10. Switch to Cut Parameters tab and change the Cut Start Side from Inside to

Outside under Use Outside/Inside for Clo sed Curves.

11. Leaving all other parameters with the same settings from the previous operation,

click Generate .

12. The 2 Profiling toolpath is now regenerated with the changes .



13. Switch to Simulate tab, select the 2 nd 2 Axis Profiling operation under Se tup and

click Play to run cut material simulation.

Reports

1. Switch to Program tab

2. Select Setup 1 , right mouse button click and left click on Information .

This provides the estimated machining time for operations created under Setup 1.

Note: You can als o go over to Machining Job and right click and select information

determine the estimated machining time for all Setups.



Shop Docs

3. Shop documentation can be generated selecting Machining Job or Setup under the

Program tab. Right mouse button click and select Shop Documentation .

User can select from one of the 2 templates and generate shop documentation. This is

saved as an html file and can be printed and handed over to the operator in preparation for

the part to be machined on the CNC.



Post Process ing

1. Select Setup 1 under Program tab, right mouse button click and select Post .

This would post all operations created under Setup 1.

The posted file name is set based on the rules specified under Set Post Options. By default,

when posting a Setup, Part file name + Setup name is used as the file name.

2. Click Post .



The posted file is no w saved under the specified folder and can be viewed in a notepad.

The post by default is set to Haas as specified under the Post processor setup. You can

change the po st processor by selecting a different one from the drop down menu in the list. The posted g code by default will be saved to the folder where the part file is located.

End of Tutorial 1!



Tutorial 2: Machining a Slotted Gear



Introduction

Thi s tutorial will introduce the usage of 2 axis profiling and Engraving Machining

operations in RhinoCAM . We will be using the Gear. 3dm part file.

It should be noted that, even though the part file contains a 3 -D geometry representing the

part, we could m achine this entirely by using just 2 -D curves due to the prismatic nature of

this model.

The stepped instructions are accompanied by explanatory and introductory text. Reading

this text will help you understand the tutorial methodology and provide informat ion about

additional options available.

name so that the original file will be preserved.

Strategy to Machine the Slotted Gear

We will machine the gear completely using 2 axis -machining operations.

We will use the Profiling operation to cut the outer shape of the gear and the

Engraving operation to cut the slots. The engraving option is preferred in situations

where the cutter can be driven to create a slot that c onforms to the shape of the tool

trajectory. This is because of the computational efficiency as well as the accuracy of

this method.

The part itself will be machined out of a 3 inch x 3 inch x inch poplar wood sheet.

The wooden sheet will be held to the machine table or the spoil sheet on the table

using double -sided tape.

The part will be machined using a single inch flat end mill.

Main Programming Steps

In creating programs for each setup, the following steps will be followed:

Create the Stock geometr y

Set the Machine zero point with respect to the machine coordinates

Create / Select the tool used for machining

Set the feeds and speeds

Set the clearance plane for the non -cutting transfer moves of the cutter

Select the machining regions for containing t he cutter to specific areas to cut

Select the machining operations and set the parameters

Generate the toolpath

Simulate the toolpath.

You may have to repeat either all or part of these steps for subsequent operations.

Preparing the part for Machining

The steps below shows loading and preparing the part for programming.



Loading the Part Model

create parts within Rhinoceros , but it is more typical to import geometry created in another

CAD system.

To load a part:

1. Select File / Open from the Menu, or click the Open icon from the Standard bar.

2. From the Open dialog box, select the Gear .3dm file from the Tutorials folder.

The impor ted part appears as shown below



Loading Rh inoCAM Machining Operations Browser

3. If RhinoCAM Machining Operations browser does not appear in Rhinoceros , select

RhinoCAM from the menu bar and click Machining Operations Browser. This is

also called MOps browser.

4. Click RhinoCAM from the menu bar and s elect Machining Objects Browser . This is

also called MObs browser.

Step by step instructions on loading MOps and MObs browser can be found under

Tutorial 1 - Loading RhinoCAM Machining Operations Browser

Machinin g Operations Browser

This tab allows you to define Machine Setup, Stock and create Machining Operations.

Machine Setup

1. Click Program tab under MOps browser and select Machine located under Machine

Setup group.

2. Under Machine Type , s et Number of Axes to 3 Axis

3. Click OK . The machine type now appears under Machining Job in the browser area.



Select Post Processor

4. Select Post under Program tab to specify post processor options.

5. Set the current post processor based on your machine controller from ava ilable list of

posts. We will select Haas as the post processor for this exercise. Set the posted file

extension type to .nc



Note: By default post processor files are located under

C: \ Program Files \ Rhinoceros 4.0 \ Plug - ins \ RhinoCAM 2012 \ Posts

The program to send the posted output is set to notepad. This would preview the posted

code in a notepad.

Define Setup

This allows you to orient the Machine Coordinate System to have the part aligned in the

same way as it would be fixtured on the machine tool for cut ting.

6. Double click on Setup 1 located under MOps browser.



Note: If Setup 1 does not exist, click Setup or Set CSYS Setup under the Program tab to

create one.

Standard configuration Expert, Professional and Premium configurations

The Machine Co ordinate System (MCS) is displayed as a triad with Blue line

representing the Z -axis, Red representing X -axis and Green Representing the Y -axis.

The WCS is displayed the same way as MCS with XYZ coordinates labeled on top of

it.

MCS WCS

7. Set Align to World Coordinate System and click OK .



Machine Coordinate system is now in the same orientation as world coordinate

system.



Create Stock Geometry

In this step you will define the raw stock from which the designed part needs to be

machined.

8. Select Crea te Stock Model from Program tab.

9. Click Part Box Stock from the drop down list.

This brings up the Part Box Stock parameters. The system calculates the bounding box

of the part model as the XYZ extents of geometry of the part model. The user can then

define offsets in any of the three coordinate directions to apply to the computed

bounding box. The system will expand the bounding box by the offset amount in each of

the coordinate directions. When the user clicks on the OK button, a stock model based

on the user definition will be created and displayed.

10. Set Offsets for X, Y and Z =0. Make sure to uncheck Ignore Wireframe Geometry

in Bounds Computation and click OK .

Note: Selecting Ignore Wireframe Geometry in Bounds Computation ignores all 2D

and 3D curv e geometries present in the part from stock bounding box computation.



The stock geometry is now created, and a semi - transparent stock box is displayed on

top of the part geometry.

If the stock geometry is not visible, Click Stock Visibility located at the bottom of the

Program tab.



Machining Job is now updated with the Machine Type, Post Processor and Stock

information in the MOps browser.

Align Part and Stock

Once the stock model is created, user can move the stock geometry relative to the part

geom etry and use the stock box to specify the machine zero (home position). This step is

not necessary for this particular exercise as the part and stock models have the exact same

Specify Material

We will now set the ma terial type for Stock geometry.

11. Select Define Stock Material under Program tab.

12. Set Material to Wood from the material drop down list and click OK .



The material texture is now applied to Stock geometry and displayed over the stock

model.

If the tex ture is not visible on stock geometry, Click Material Texture Visibility

located at the bottom of the Program tab.



Set Work Zero

This is used to define the workpiece origin. Work Zero translates the MCS origin from the

Setup to the desired location. This c an be set to any location on the part or stock geometry.

13. Select Work Zero from Program tab located under Machining Operations group.

14. Select Set to Stock Box , the Zero Face to Highest Z, and Zero Position to North

West corner. This sets the machine home to the top of the stock material and the

north west corner of the stock geometry.



The work zero is now translated to the North west corner and top of stock material.



Work Zero now appears under MOps browser.

Create Tools

To machine t he above part w e will now create a inch (0. 2

15. Select Tool s tab under RhinoCAM Machining Objects browser (MObs) and click

Create/Edit Tools .

16. Select the Tool Type to Flat Mill .



17. Set tool Name as Fla tMill -0. 25, Tool Diameter = 0. 25, Flute Length = 1 .0,

Shoulder Length = 1.5 and Tool Length = 2.0 . Under the Properties tab set

Material to HSS and Tool Number = 1.

18. Switch to Feeds & Speeds tab and use the following values for spindle speed,

feedrates and feedrate reduction factors.



19. Click Save as Ne w Tool to save the tool. The tool is now created and listed under

Tools in Library. Click OK to close the dialog.

Note: You can edit the tool properties and click Save Edits to Tool to save the changes.

You can create additional tools by assigning a differ ent name and specify the tool

parameters.

The created tool is now listed under Tools tab in Machining Objects browser.

Note: To save Tools to library, Click Save Tool library under Tools tab in Machining

Objects Browser and specify folder location and fi le name in the Save as dialog box. Saving

Tool library as RhinoCAM Knowledge base file (*.vkb) saves feeds and speeds with tool properties.

Create Regions for Machining

In the steps below we will extract regions from the 3D model and create curves for

engr aving.



1. Turn off Stock model visibility under RhinoCAM MOps browser.

2. Select Layer Manager from the standard bar

3. Set Layer 01 as active layer by placing a check box next to Layer 01.

A new layer is selected just to have the curves created on a differe nt layer from the

model layer. This would make it easier to view the curves as the new layer has a

different color from the default layer which contains the surface geometry.

4. From Curve menu Rhino Toolbar menu select Curve from Objects and Duplicate

Fa ce Border.

The command bar will now prompt the user to select surfaces or faces for duplicate

border .

5. Select the top face (surface) of the part geometry. A selection list may be displayed

if you click near an edge. Browsing through the selection list wi ll highlight the surface

that corresponds to the selection.



The curves from the top flat area are now extracted from the model and appear on

Layer 01.

6. Switch to the Top view port or maximize the top view port.

7. From the Curve menu bar, select Circl e -> Center, Radius .

8. Center of Circle: 1.5,1.5 and press enter

9. Specify Radius = 1.0 (or Diameter = 2.0 ) and press enter.

, 1.5 .



We will now create lines, which can be selected for engraving the slots on the gear.

10. Select Osnap from status bar and turn on Quad and Center snap . T urn off the

other snaps.

11. From the Curve menu select Line -> Single Line .

12. Start of Line: S nap to the Quad point of the circle and left click.

13. End of Line: Snap to cen ter of arc



A line is now created at the center of the slot. We will now array the line across other

slots on the gear.

14. Select the line and go to Transform -> Array - > Polar

15. Use the following parameters

a. Center of polar array: 1.5, 1.5

b. Number of ite ms: 6

c. Angle to fill or first reference point: 360



The lines created as shown below.

Save your work by selecting File ->Save from the menu bar.

Create Machining Operations

In this process, we will create 2 Axis Profiling operation.

2 Axis Profi ling

1. Select Work Zero under Setup 1 and now s elect 2Axis and choose Profiling from

Program tab under Machining Operations group.

This brings up the 2 Axis Profiling operation dialog. We will go over the steps for

creating the profile operation.



Select Machining Features/Regions

1. Click Select Drive /Containment Regions under Machining Features/ Regions tab.

The Profiling operation dialog is now minimized and allows selection of machining

features.

2. Select the inner circle first by using the left mous e click and then the outer circle.



3. Press enter or right mouse button click to end selection.

The selected regions are now displayed under Machining Regions.



Selecting the Tool

4. Switch to Tool tab under 2 Axis Profiling operation.



5. Select FlatMill -0.25 under Tools. The 0. 2

tool and the To

Documents

RhinoCAM_GettingStartedGuide.pdf