CAM Assist has no dedicated nesting, tombstone or tab feature, but you can set up each of these jobs so it programs them. This article covers several parts in one stock, parts on a tombstone, and parts held by tabs that you snap out afterwards.
Before you start
- Set up the part, stock, setups and workholding in your CAM package. CAM Assist reads them when it starts. See Set up your setups for CAM Assist.
- Every setup you run together must use the same part model and carry on from the previous setup's stock. See CAM Assist says my setups have different parts or stock.
Program several parts in one stock (nesting)
CAM Assist can't program several parts nested in one stock. Program one part, then copy it.
- Set up a single part in a stock sized for one part.
- Run CAM Assist and send the program to your CAM package.
- Use your CAM package's pattern or transform tools to copy the operations to the other part positions.
This keeps the CAM Assist run small and fast. How you copy operations depends on your CAM package.
Program parts on a tombstone
- Model the tombstone, the parts and their clamps in your CAM package, and set up each setup.
- In the Setups stage, set each setup's Mode to 3+1 and choose the axis the tombstone rotates around. See Set the rotation axis for 3+1 machining.
- Check the workholding. Selecting the vises or clamps nearest the part is usually enough for CAM Assist to keep tools clear. Add the tombstone itself, or any other body a tool could reach, as workholding or avoidance geometry. See Select avoidance geometry and workholding.
- Make sure your machine in My Shop > Machines has the real Rotational axis limits for its rotary axis. See Machine details CAM Assist needs.
- Click Run CAM Assist.
Program parts held by tabs (snap-out parts)
CAM Assist programs the model it's given, so it needs to know where the tabs are.
| Method | How | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Model the tabs on the part (recommended) | Add the tabs to the part model where they join the part to the frame. | You remove the tabs after machining, as usual. |
| Model the tabs as avoidance geometry | Model bodies where the tabs should stay and select them as Avoidance geometry on the setup card. | CAM Assist can still drill through avoidance geometry, so a hole that crosses a tab may be drilled. Check the hole operations. |
Modeling the tabs on the part gives the most accurate result, because CAM Assist machines around them like any other feature.