Creating a Multi-Axis Tube Machining Operation Inside and Outside the Cavity

You can machine parts presenting an obvious central axis with Multi-Axis Tube Machining (machining first the inside of the cavity, then the outside).

See Also
Multi-Axis Tube Machining
  1. From the Surface Machining section of the action bar, click Multi-Axis Tube Machining.
    A Multi-Axis Tube Machining entity is added to the manufacturing program. The dialog box opens at the Geometry tab .
  2. Still in the Geometry tab:
    1. Click the red area representing the part to machine.
      The dialog box disappears.
    2. Select the part. Double-click anywhere in the work area to validate the selection and revert to the dialog box.
      The red area has turned green.
  3. Go to the Machining Strategy tab .
    1. Set the Guiding strategy to Helical.
    2. In the Machining tab, set Driving tool points to Tool tip, Side to machine to Inside and Zone to Cavity.
  4. Go to the Tool Axis tab:
    1. Set Tool axis mode to Thru a point.
    2. Change From to To.
    3. Select a point as the Axis Point.
    • The part is shown in blue.
    • The axis point in shown as the red dot.


  5. In the sensitive icon:
    1. Right-click the axis and select As guiding axis in the context menu.
      The icon turns to.

    2. Click the red dot and select a point as the center of the cavity to machine.
    3. Click the arrow representing the tool axis and set the tool axis to (0,0,-1).
      The tool axis A (black arrow) specifies where the cavity is located. The Machining direction M (orange arrow) specifies that the machining is performed from bottom to top.

  6. Go to the Tools tab :
    1. Select a Lollipop tool.
    2. Define its diameter.
  7. Click Display or Simulate to check the validity of the machining operation.
    • The tool path is computed.
    • A progress indicator is displayed.
    • You can cancel the tool path computation at any moment before 100% completion.


  8. Click OK in the Display or Simulate dialog box, and again in the main dialog box to create the machining operation.
    Multi-Axis Tube Machining.1 is created in the process table.
  9. Copy Multi-Axis Tube Machining.1 and edit it:
    1. Change its name to Multi-Axis Tube Machining.2.
    2. Set Side to machine to Outside.
    3. Change To to From.
    4. Select a line as the guiding curve and reverse the tool axis.

    Note: The center of the cavity is one of the end points of the guiding curve. If you define a relimiting point, this point will become the center of the cavity.

  10. Click Display or Simulate to check the validity of the machining operation.
    • The tool path is computed.
    • A progress indicator is displayed.
    • You can cancel the tool path computation at any moment before 100% completion.


  11. Click OK in the Display or Simulate dialog box, and again in the main dialog box to create the machining operation.
    Multi-Axis Tube Machining.2 is created in the process table.