In this TopSolid Getting Started video tutorial series, you will be introduced step by step to the basics of how to create tool path for a basic 2d mill part.
This will include:
- A review of the basic TopSolid settings used to create this tutorial
- Importation of the tutorial project
- Step by step videos to machine the part through completion
- How to use Verify
- Post processing
- Creation of setup sheets
The goal of this tutorial is to help new users of TopSolid get up and running with our solution quickly and efficiently.
This tutorial does not fully explain each option that is used. Instead it shows you the basics so that you can begin to fully explore what TopSolid’Cam can do for you.
In order to use this tutorial, you will need to download the tutorial assets. Below are a couple of links that you can use. You can download just the project file with the Parasolid file. Or you can download the project file, with the Parasolid file and a copy of all of the videos that go with the tutorial. The second option is quite the large download. But with this download, you don’t need to have web access to watch the videos. The choice is yours.
After you have downloaded the project, please proceed to watching the videos. Again, if you downloaded the project with the videos, you can watch them from inside of TopSolid. Otherwise, the videos for this tutorial are as follows.
TopSolid Cam 2d Mill Basic-Before you Start
In this video, you will see how to modify some of the settings within TopSolid. It is important to check your settings so that they match the settings used in this tutorial. If you don’t, TopSolid may react differently from what you see in the video. These differences will only be things like default values, unit of measure and such. However, for the best experience possible with this tutorial, we recommend you to modify your settings to match ours.
Step 1
In step 1 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you start by importing the package that contains the sample information (if you haven’t done so already). From there you will then convert the sample Parasolid file to be a TopSolid Part file. Next you will use the Heal command to check and simplify the part so that it is clean and ready to use. Finally you will send the part file into a TopSolid Cam document.
Step 2
In step 2 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to re-organize a file in your project. Then you will begin to create your first tool path in TopSolid Cam. To do this, you will be shown how to create a Facing tool path using the End Milling command. During this process you will also learn how to create an end mill, set basic feeds and speeds and even learn how to use basic tool path simulation.
Step 3
In step 3of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to use the right-mouse button menu to apply the End Milling command. You will also learn how easy it is to reuse the settings of the previous tool paths via standard windows drag-n-drop methodology. Finally you will learn how easy it is to change from one machining strategy to another. In this case you will change from open pocketing to facing without having to delete tool path or start over.
Step 4
In step 4 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to use standard windows drag-n-drop to create new tool path on an entirely different feature even. On top of that, you will also learn how to edit a tool path to add additional geometries to machine to that operation.
Step 5
In step 5 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to use standard windows drag-n-drop to create new tool path on an entirely different feature again. This time it will be to create a pocketing tool path. Next you learn how modify the plunge method of the tool to activate helical plunging. Finally you will add the geometry of the other pocket to the same operation.
Step 6
In step 6 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to use create an open pocketing tool path via the right-click selection methodology. You will also learn how to set feeds and speeds using surface foot and chip per tooth calculation methods. Finally, you will add the other three similar geometries to the operation.
Step 7
In step 7 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to finish all of the planer faces using the End Milling command. In this sample, you will define the feeds & speeds, modify tool path settings such as step over, stock to leave and learn to use the Z path stock fitting command. You will also modify the cut strategy from spiral to successive contouring, and then back to spiral. This shows you how every modification you make is updated dynamically in front of you. This dynamic update gives you the confidence that you are modifying the settings correctly. Finally, you will be introduced to rapid optimization as well.
Step 8
In step 8 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to use side milling to rough the outer profile of the part. You will also learn how to create a complete tool definition that includes holder information. Finally you will learn about some of the key settings of side milling like Z Path Stock Fitting and how that one function, can save you a lot of machining time.
Step 9
In step 9 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to use side milling to machine the rest of the profiles on this part. To do this, you will start by side milling the top most detail. Then you will use drag-n-drop to copy that tool path to all of the other profiles that need to be machined. Finally you will edit a tool path to add additional geometry to that specific operation.
Step 10
In step 10 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to create a special tool path for machining a slot. With slot machining, you are center-line machining a slot. Here you will create an end mill that specifically fits the slot and then you will learn the specific settings that control the slotting tool path.
Step 11
In step 11 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to create a tip drilling operation. This will include learning how to create a tip drill tool definition as well as setting the speeds and feeds for the operations. You will also be shown some of the basic settings of the tipping operation such as how to leave a small chamfer on the hole you are tip drilling. Finally you will be shown how to optimize all of the rapid movements of the operation so that you save machining time.
Step 12
In step 12 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to create a drilling cycle. In this cycle you will learn how to activate a pecking cycle as well. You will also be shown how to create a twist drill tool definition. From there you will define the feeds and speeds and then learn how to do a basic simulation of the tool path.
Step 13
In step 13 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to use the tool path verification engine within TopSolid. Verify is used to do a simulation on material removal. Verify can tell you if your tool path is gouge free or not. This video will introduce you to some of the basic tools within verify including how to activate verify and exit verify. You’ll even learn how to verify specific operations.
Step 14
In step 14 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to create your final G code file using the ISO process command. If you are a trial user, you will not be able to try this step.
Step 15
In step 15 of the basic 2d cam tutorial for TopSolid 7, you will learn how to create a setup sheet using a standard setup sheet template that ships with TopSolid. Setup sheets can be created or customized to meet your specific needs. To learn how to customize a setup sheet, please refer to the built in Cam tutorial found in the Help pull down menu in the tutorial section of TopSolid or contact your local re-seller to schedule training on this topic.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed the basic 2d milling tutorial for TopSolid 7. I very much hope that you found this tutorial to be useful and educational. More tutorials are coming soon so be sure to check back to the TopSolid’Blog often! Again, I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Feel free to share it with anyone you like.
Happy programming!