Simulating the Tool Path

You can simulate partially or completely the tool path of a manufacturing program or machining operation using Play in the Compass. You can use the experience player to control tool path simulation and the tool path line to simulate a section of the tool path and check collisions and kinematic issues.

  • Only activated machining operations or manufacturing programs can be simulated. To reactivate a machining operation or manufacturing program, right-click it and select Activate.
  • The tool path line is not displayed for mill-turn machines with more than one manufacturing program.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin:
  • Create several machining operations in a manufacturing program and compute their tool paths.
  • Select Me > Preferences > App Preferences > Simulation > Machining > NC Machining Apps Common Services and configure the tool path options in the General, Material Removal, and Simulation tabs.
  • To check collisions and kinematic issues of the tool path, select the Activate collision checking and Activate Kinematics Checking check boxes in the part operation dialog box.

Simulate a Complete Tool Path

You can simulate a complete tool path and use options to customize the tool path.

  1. In the Activities Process Tree, select a machining operation or a manufacturing program and click Play in the Compass.
    The experience player and the tool path line appear. The computed tool path appears on the product.
  2. From the experience player, click Play Forward .
    The tool path is simulated.

  3. To customize the tool path:
    1. Next to the tool path line, select a simulation option such as Each Position of Tool .
    2. Double-click Play in the Compass to simulate the tool path.
    The tool path appears with the simulation option taken into account.

  4. Optional: To display information on the tool path:
    1. Next to the tool path line, click Machine Information .
    2. In the Controller State Display During Simulation panel, select the Tool Path Information check box.
    The Tool Path Information panel appears with information on the tool path. The panel includes the following: Time, Feedrate, Spindle, X, Y, Z, I, J, and K.
    Note: X, Y, Z, and I, J, K coordinate values appear in two separate lines and every expander in the panel is collapsed to reduce the size of the panel. If there is only one expander in the panel, then it is in the expanded state. The expand/collapse states of the expanders within this panel are remembered across multiple simulations and the previous state is restored when you start a new simulation.

Tip: To simulate the tool path of another machining operation or manufacturing program, click the operation or program in the Activities Process Tree and click Play Forward .

Simulate a Section of the Tool Path

Once the complete tool path is simulated, you can simulate a section of the tool path using the tool path line.

  1. On the tool path line, define a start point by moving the arrow to the required point.
  2. Define an end point by moving the arrow to the required point.
  3. From the experience player, click Play Forward.

The tool path section you defined is simulated.

Simulate Material Removal

You can simulate material removal when simulating a tool path.

Before you begin: In the Activities Process Tree:
  • Click Select to Enable Material Removal During Simulation . Alternatively, select the Enable Material Removal check box in the NC Simulation tab of the Simulation Options dialog box.
  • For mill-turn machines, activate the machine kinematic by clicking Activate/Deactivate Machine Kinematic .
  1. In the Activities Process Tree, select a machining operation or a manufacturing program and click Play in the Compass.
  2. From the experience player, click Play Forward .
    The tool path is simulated with material removal.