Hole Features Tab

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Hole Features Tab

The Control Geometry for Hole Making operations can derived from two methods: (1) from a Hole Feature or (2) from Hole Geometry.  When derived from a Hole Feature, the Hole Features tab is populated automatically with information from the actual Hole Feature selected from the Features tab of the Machining Objects Browser or from a Machining Knowledge Base with matching cross-section criteria.  

When derived from Hole Geometry, the Hole Features tab provides tools for selecting the geometry such as Drill Points, Flat Area regions or Predefined Regions.  Refer to the sections below for each method:  

 

tog_minusWhen Derived from Hole Geometry

The following applies when the control geometry for the current Hole Making operation is derived from  hole geometry such as Drill Points or a Flat Area regions.

 

Selecting Holes or Drill Points for Hole Making (2½ Axis Drilling, Tapping, Bore and Rev Bore)

Selecting Holes or Drill Points for Hole Making (2½ Axis Drilling, Tapping, Bore and Rev Bore)
Selecting a Flat area Feature for Hole Making (2½ Axis Drilling, Tapping, Bore and Rev Bore)

Selecting a Flat area Feature for Hole Making (2½ Axis Drilling, Tapping, Bore and Rev Bore)
Dialog Box: Hole Features tab (when Derived from Hole Geometry)

Dialog Box: Hole Features tab (when Derived from Hole Geometry)

The hole geometry selected will be listed on the left hand side of the dialog box. By default the holes are drilled in the order that the geometry appears in the Selected Hole(s) list. You can change the drilling order by using the Move Up and Move Down buttons to move an item up or down in the list.

Move Up

This button moves the selected item up (i.e., higher) in the list.  Items are machined in the order listed.

Move Down

This button moves the selected item down (i.e., lower) in the list.  Items are machined in the order listed.

Remove All

Pick this button to Remove All Regions from the list.  The geometry itself is not deleted from the part model.

Remove Active

Pick this button to Remove the selected Active region from the list.  You can select multiple Regions from the list using the Ctrl key and then pick this button to remove them all.  The geometry itself is not deleted from the part model.

Hole Features Selection

Use this option to drill at specific locations. You can select Drill Points, Circles or partial Circles (i.e., Arcs), Flat Areas (with holes), Cylindrical Surfaces or Pre-Defined Regions. Use one of the Select buttons listed below on this dialog.

Hole Features Selection buttons

Select Drill Points/Circles

Pick the Select button to select features from the part and assign them to the Selected Machining Feature(s) list for the current operation.

Select Holes on Flat Areas

Pick the Select Holes on Flat Areas button to select a flat face from the graphics screen and assign it to the Selected Hole(S) list for the current operation as Flat Area 1, Flat Area 2, etc.  All holes (i.e., circles) contained with the flat area feature are assigned to the current operation as group.

Select Pre-Defined

If you pick this button, the Select Pre-defined Machining Regions dialog will display, allowing you to select one or more Regions.  This operation dialog will then re-appear with your region selections listed. Pre-Defined Regions can be created using the options on the Regions tab of the Machining Objects Browser.

Select Cylindrical Surfaces

Pick the Select Cylindrical Surfaces button to select one or more cylinders instead of points or circles.  This is helpful when selecting points or circles is difficult.  A circle will be created from the cylinder and used as the control geometry.

hole-making-select-cylinders

PickCheck the Use Diameter Filter box to select holes within a specified diameter range.  You can enter Minimum Diameter and Maximum Diameter values.  If you select the Pick button, the diameter value of the selected feature will be entered into the field. Note: These filter settings are saved with the part file.  If your control geometry changes, you are warned to check your filter settings before proceeding.

Use this option to drill along a selected 2D or 3D curve and then complete the Hole Instances and Direction parameters listed below. Use one of the Select buttons listed below on this dialog.

Drill Holes Along Curve

Drill Holes Along Curve

Along Curve Selection Buttons

Hole Instances

Use these options to define the total number of holes to locate along the selected curve. The first hole will be located at the start point of the curve. You can either define the Number of Holes or the Distance Between the holes. It is highly recommended that you perform a cut material simulation to verify that the holes are located how you want them to be.

Direction

The first hole is always located at the start point of the curve. Select Natural to place the first hole at the start point. Select Reversed to place the first hole at the end point of the curve.
tog_minusWhen Derived from a Hole Feature

The following applies when the Control Geometry for the current Hole Making operation is derived from a Hole Feature.

2½ Axis Example (when Derived from a Hole Feature)

2½ Axis Example (when Derived from a Hole Feature)
Dialog Box: Hole Features tab (when Derived from a Hole Feature)

Dialog Box: Hole Features tab (when Derived from a Hole Feature)

The Hole Feature that "drives" this operation will be listed here.  You can use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to move a selected Hole Feature up/down in the list.  Refer to the Features tab of the Machining Objects Browser for information on setting up operations from Hole Features.

Move Up  

This button moves the selected item up (i.e., higher) in the list.  Items are machined in the order listed.

Move Down  

This button moves the selected item down (i.e., lower) in the list.  Items are machined in the order listed.

Remove All  

Pick this button to Remove All Regions from the list.  The geometry itself is not deleted from the part model.

Remove Active  

Pick this button to Remove the selected Active region from the list.  You can select multiple Regions from the list using the Ctrl key and then pick this button to remove them all.  The geometry itself is not deleted from the part model.

Select Drill Points/Circles  

This will minimize the dialog and prompt you to Select Features for the operation.  From your part model, select one or more features you want to machine.  (Note: Features will highlight on the part as you move the mouse cursor over them.)  After confirming your selection the dialog will re-appear with your features listed. Machining Features can be created using the options on the Features tab of the Machining Objects Browser.

A cross-section preview of the Hole Feature is displayed.

Top Z / Z Val:

This is the Z coordinate value for the top of the Hole Feature.  It is derived either from the Hole Feature selected from the Features tab of the Machining Objects Browser or from a Machining Knowledge Base with matching criteria.

Top Z / Dia:

This is the diameter of the top of the Hole Feature.  It is derived either from the Hole Feature selected from the Features tab of the Machining Objects Browser or from a Machining Knowledge Base with matching criteria.

Bottom Z / Z Val:

This is the Z coordinate value for the bottom of the Hole Feature.  It is derived either from the Hole Feature selected from the Features tab of the Machining Objects Browser or from a Machining Knowledge Base with matching criteria.

Bottom Z / Dia:

This is the diameter of the bottom of the Hole Feature.  It is derived either from the Hole Feature selected from the Features tab of the Machining Objects Browser or from a Machining Knowledge Base with matching criteria.

PickCheck the Use Diameter Filter box to select holes within a specified diameter range.  You can enter Minimum Diameter and Maximum Diameter values.  If you select the Pick button, the diameter value of the selected feature will be entered into the field. Note: These filter settings are saved with the part file.  If your control geometry changes, you are warned to check your filter settings before proceeding.