Applying Local Modifications to a Multi-Axis Flank Contouring Operation

You can create, and then locally modify a Multi-Axis Flank Contouring operation. The operation is globally created in Tanto Fan mode. Then the first and last drives are locally modified to use a Tanto guiding strategy, different offsets, and a 4-axis constraint.

See Also
Multi-Axis Flank Contouring
  1. From the Surface Machining section of the action bar, click Multi-Axis Flank Contouring .

    A Multi-Axis Flank Contouring entity is added to the manufacturing program.

    The Multi-Axis Flank Contouring dialog box opens directly at the Geometry tab .

    The parts, drives and start/stop areas of the sensitive icon are colored red indicating that this geometry is required. All other geometry is optional.

  2. Still in the Geometry tab:
    • Select the part surface.
    • Select the drive surfaces (Drive 1 to Drive 5) either manually or using the Face Wizard.
    • Select the start and stop limiting elements.
    • Set a 1mm offset of the drive surfaces.

    The selected geometry is indicated on the part. In the picture below:

    • Drives are in light blue.
    • Stop and Start are in dark blue.



  3. Go to the Tools tab and select a tool.
  4. Go to the Strategy tab to specify the Tanto Fan tool axis guidance.

    The other Strategy parameters can be left at the default values. The default Feeds and Speeds, and NC macros options can also be used.

  5. Click Display or Simulate to check the validity of the machining operation.


  6. Right-click the drive surfaces area in the sensitive icon of the Geometry tab and select Local Modifications.
    The Local Drive Surfaces dialog box appears.
  7. Modify the first drive:
    1. Double-click line 1.
      The Local Drive Surface 1 dialog box appears.
    2. Add a 2mm offset.
    3. Change the tool axis guidance to Tanto.
    4. Click OK.
      The Local Drive Surfaces dialog box appears showing the local modifications.
      Note: Tanto tool axis guidance only exists as a local mode.
  8. Double-click line 5, which corresponds to the last drive, and modify it in the same way.
  9. Go to the Tools tab to select a tool.
  10. Click Display or Simulate to check the validity of the modifications.
    Tanto replaces Tanto Fan on first and last drives.

  11. Click the 4-axis constraint symbol (Optional 4X plane) in the Strategy tab and select an edge.

    Note: The 4-axis constraint can only be applied in Normal to part and Tanto tool axis guidance modes.

  12. In the Local Drive 1 and Local Drive 5 dialog boxes, select the Enable 4-axis check box.

    The Local Drive Surfaces dialog box is updated.

  13. Click Display or Simulate to check the validity of the machining operation.
    The 4-axis constraint is applied on the first and last drives.

  14. Double-click line 3. In the Local Drive Surface 3 dialog box that appears, modify the local slowdown rate to 90% and click OK.

    The Local Drive Surfaces dialog box is updated.

  15. Click Display or Simulate to check the validity of the modifications.

    Note: The local reduction can be combined with the Feedrate reduction in corners options in the Feeds and Speeds tab .

    The feedrate reduction is applied on the third drive.
  16. Click OK to create the machining operation.