Feature Based Machining: How to use Feature Teaching and Operation Teaching

[AaronFrankel]

Overview

Learn how to easily define new features and new processes for use in NX CAM’s feature based machining, defining your own best practices for greater productivity.

Details

• Teach NX what your features look like.
• Teach NX what your processes should be.

Interested in maximizing your CNC programming productivity with programming automation?

If you're interested in taking complete advantage of the efficiencies that come with automation by fully standardizing your machining processes, you may want to watch this next Tech Tip Webinar, The NX CAM Machining Knowledge Editor (Duration: 34 minutes).

Do you have a question?

Click 'Comments' below to ask it. (You must be signed in to use this feature.)

[DerekHart]

This question was asked during the live webcast:
Q: Could the rules also used for electrode programming?

A: Yes. Pretty much any machining application can use these rules, so long as a topological template can define the feature. Electrodes would certainly apply, at least for some of their features.

[DerekHart]

This question was asked during the live webcast:
Q: Can we group identical features?

A: We group identical features automatically. Remember in the last example, the features on the front part were identical, so they were grouped together in the same feature group. The other features had different machining processes, so were in different groups.

[DerekHart]

This question was asked during the live webcast:
Q: Can a feature be roughed and finished before tool moves to next feature? Not grouped?

A: That is possible with a setting in the Create Feature Process command. You can ask for features to be grouped or not, and can assign the operations to different program groups and folders to impact the sequencing in that way. But we dont need the MKE to do that.

[DerekHart]

This question was asked during the live webcast:
Q: Who should I contact for the JT converter?

A: Contact your sales manager. They will give you the info and can provide a demo license, as appropriate.

[DerekHart]

This question was asked during the live webcast:
Q: One slide showed that we need the FBM_author license. Are there any other FBM licenses needed?

There are 2 licenses in use:

1. The user needs the Feature Based Automation (holemaking) license in order to apply the operations to the features in the feature navigator. This license is included in all of the current CAM products that include either 2 axis milling or turning.
2. The feature and process administrator(s) that will teach features and teach processes and make edits in the Machining Knowledge Editor (MKE) will need the Feature Based Machining Author (fbm_author) license. This is available as an add-on product:

NX30435 – NX Feature Based Machining Author Add-on
It is also included in:
NX13430 – NX Mach 3 Total Machining

[DerekHart]

This question was asked during the live webcast:
Q: How do we limit the usage of the FBM Author license to our feature administrator?

If needs be, you can limit the use of a license to a particular person, in this case the feature administrator, by using an OPT file (INCLUDE command) with your license manager. Talk to your FlexLM administrator to establish an OPT file if you need one.

[DerekHart]

This question was asked during the live webcast:
Q: I opened the Machining Knowledge Editor now, and it says no valid MKE license, machining knowledge cannot be saved. But then it opens....?

A: That is the way it is supposed to work. In this way anyone can open the MKE and see what is contained there, but cannot use it to make an edits or changes.

[Igor]

How can be changed the view mode on NX9 for teach mode and edit MKE databases .XML files? I can use both tools, but they tell that are configured on read mode and nothing is going to be saved. Thanks. I want to change to admin mode for saving features and toolpaths. Thanks.

[Lshark]

NX 10 Lathe Teach programming. How can I turn off the spindle restart when I profile. I have already turned on the spindle and made several linear moves before the profile comes into play.

[MarkRief]

 These responses are for comments related to this Tech Tip article. 

For general questions, please use the NX CAM Manufacturing Discussion Forum