MILL Module > Creating Machining Operations

Feature machining in VisualCAM can save a considerable amount of time when programming similar or repetitive parts. However, there are limitations and key concepts you should understand. These are listed below:

Important: Feature Machining can ONLY be performed on poly-surface models (i.e., solid models). If your part model is not a solid, you must "stitch/join" all surfaces into a poly-surface prior to performing any Feature Detection or Feature Machining operations.

Important Key Concepts:

1.A Machining Feature in VisualCAM:

a.is an object created from the Features tab of the Machining Objects Browser.

b.is derived from geometry extracted from the 3D solid model.

c.can contain multiple instances (i.e., similar holes).

2.One or more machining operations can be derived from a single Machining Feature.

3.When machining operations are created from a Machining Feature, they are added to the Machining Job in the Machining Browser. They can also be automatically generated using (AFM).

4.A machining operation derived from a Machining Feature can be saved to a Knowledge Base.

5.A machining operation can be created from a Knowledge Base of matching Machining Features. See (AFM) for more information.

Important: The part geometry, the Machining Feature and all machining operations derived from it are associated within VisualCAM.

Important Considerations:

1.The Machining Feature that you have selected to create machining operations from, is the control geometry for those operations (i.e., the operations are derived from that Machining Feature).

2.Also, you cannot change the Machining Feature by editing the operation. You can only edit the operation's parameters such as Tool, Cutting Parameters, etc.

Important: If you delete a Machining Feature from the Features tab of the Machining Objects Browser, any machining operations in the Machining Job that are derived from it are flagged for deletion but are not deleted automatically.

Important: Since Machining Features are derived from the part geometry, the two are associated within VisualCAM. If the part is transformed in any way, all Machining Feature derived from it will be removed from the Features tab of the Machining Objects Browser and any machining operations in the Machining Job that are derived from those Features are flagged for deletion but are not deleted automatically.