NX CAM: Creating 3D Tool Assembly
This Documentation explains how to create 3D Tool Assembly and Parametric Tools.
Uwe Edlinger Andreas Rybarz Version:
V3.1
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Contents 1
Overview: ...................................................................................................................................5 1.1
Introduction ........................................................................................................................5
2
Customization and Setup: ............................................................................................................5
3
Milling and Drilling Tools..............................................................................................................6 3.1
Creating Milling and Drilling Tools inside NX CAM with parameter input .................................6
3.2
Creating 3D-milling/drilling tools with Tool Tip und Tool Mount Junction inside NX CAM .........8
3.2.1 3.3
4
Optional tool assembly modification............................................................................ 12 Creating 3D milling/drilling tools with NX CAD and NX CAM separately ................................. 16
3.3.1
Creating 3D milling/drilling tools with Tool Tip and Mount Junction............................... 16
3.3.2
Create Corresponding Tool inside NX CAM ................................................................... 21
Turning Tools ............................................................................................................................ 23 4.1
Creating 3D Solid Turning Tools with Tool Tip und Mount Junction ....................................... 23
4.2
Creating Tool Kinematics using Machine Tool Builder........................................................... 25
4.3
Creating Corresponding Turning Tools inside NX CAM.......................................................... 28
4.4
Export NX CAM Tool into Tool Library by using automatic and manual mechanism ................ 31
4.5
Export to Tool Library......................................................................................................... 32
5
Reorganize Tool component Part ............................................................................................... 33
6
Definition of 3D Tool Display for NX CAM Simulation ................................................................... 33
7
Import NX CAM Tool from Tool Library ....................................................................................... 36
8
Contacts: .................................................................................................................................. 37
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Introduction how to use this document: Below is the explanation for the format of this document and what different Font style, size and color are for:
All Main Headings are to be set as “Heading 1”, as seen and set for this text. All Sub Headings to Main Heading are to be set as “Heading 2”, as seen and set for this text. Any action to be performed like “Button Click” on software or “Instruction for any Selection” on the software are provided in quotes and written in the format as seen for this text. (Arial, Size 12 & Italic) Any Special instruction, any Observation or Comments needed to be brought to notice of person using this document, are written in the format as seen for this text (Arial, Black, Size 12 & Bold) All other General message and text is formatted as seen for this text (Arial, Black & Size12)
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1 Overview: 1.1 Introduction o This documentation describes how to create 3D tool assemblies and also how to create rotation-symmetric parametric Tools o Tool assemblies and parametric tools can used for NX CAM simulation. o The prefered way for simulation are rotation-symmetric parametric tools as described in this document . The other method is 3D Solid tool assemblies for rotation-symmetric tools. o In addition we also support the “old” way of creating 3D tools. The “old” way is however not the preferred way. Before NX7.5 there was another method available to define tools. Because there was no definition possible for cutting and non-cutting there are several rules behind the scene to find out which portion of the solid is cutting which is non-cutting. This document will not take care of this process and will describe the way available in NX 8.0 (NX 7.5) and later!
2 Customization and Setup:
This Documentation requires minimum Version of NX 8.0 (and any QRM)
The Documentation maybe also fits to NX 7.5 but some features are maybe not yet available!
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3 Milling and Drilling Tools 3.1 Creating Milling and Drilling Tools inside NX CAM with parameter input
Create new Milling Tool by using standard NX CAM Template Dialog Use Tool Parameter which describe the complete Tool with Holder At first step the parameters of the tool must be defined - Diameter, flute length, total length …. and so on
Specify tool holder parameters This parameters must be specified as near as the original rotation geometry of the used tool holder.
Note! Collision check during Toolpath calculation in NX is based on parameter of Tool Dialog
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parametric 5
2
3
original 4
1
Specify tool holder parameter
Tool Tip Junctions are automatically specified o Tool Mount Junctions contains total tool length and tool holder length (see picture) o Summation: Tool length + 1 + 2 +3 + 4 = ZMount
4
1
Tool length 120
Z MOUNT 220
2
3
Export to library (explained later, header. 5)
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Note! Z Mount is only required for tools that do not have a tool part file, which requires the software to create display geometry from the tool parameters. Z Mount is evaluated when the tool is graphically mounted to the tool carrier of a machine. If no Z Mount Value is defined it automatically use the end of the last component (Holder or if no Holder is defined the end of the Tool)
3.2 Creating 3D-milling/drilling tools with Tool Tip und Tool Mount Junction inside NX CAM
Create or download 3D Solid models which contain the required tool shape.
Create 3D tool assembly
The name of the assembly part is important and should be unique for this tool assembly! You cannot have another tool assembly with the same name inside your tool library (explained later)
It is needed having at least 2 solid bodies inside your part. One solid representing the cutting portion of the tool and a second or third … representing the non-cutting portion of the tool.
Other solid bodies inside your actual part are not pertinent but are allowed.
If you plan to use this tool later inside managed environment (Siemens Resource Manager), please create your tool by the following rules:
No solid bodies inside assembly-parent file First component representing the cutting tool. Component part files need to have two solid bodies. One solid body representing cutting portion (cutting) Second solid body representing tool shaft (non cutting) Second component representing tool holder. Any additional components to represent tool extensions etc.
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Best practice Tool Assembly structure (minimum for Milling Tools)
Create new milling tool by using standard NX CAM template dialog. Use tool parameter which correspondent to your 3D solid tool!
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Note! Collision check during toolpath calculation is based on parameter of tool dialog not based on 3D tool assembly! Some NX CAM operation support collision check on tool holder as well. In this case you need to define a tool holder which correspondent to 3D tool holder from assembly tool! -
3D tool holder of 3D Solid tool assembly (or all non-cutting elements) is not used inside NX CAM toolpath calculation! 3D Tool assembly is only used during Simulation! At both simulation methods 3D tool holder can used for collision control Example of Tool Holder Parameter which are aligned to 3D Tool Holder
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Following settings must be defined before exporting tools into tool library Display Junctions Information by activating “Export Tool Part File” Specify “Mounting junction” and “Tool Tip Junction” Very important: Junction X-Axis must be aligned to tool rotation axis
Select Cutting Portion of Tool
Very important: The tool span of a milling tool will be created while the X-axis of the mounting and the X-axis of the tool tip will be parallel. At turning tools and non X-axis parallel tools (angle head) the tool will not spin.
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Export tool library “B_DMG_T_CW_08”
Close this actual NX CAM xxx.prt file. o
There is no need to save the file, because the complete assembly is saved and copied to following location:
UGII_CAM_LIBRARY_TOOL_GRAPHICS_PATH (default location is …MACH\resource\library\tool\graphics) o
Simultaneous following activities automatically are done. i. new entry in tool library including links ii. new folder of tool assembly at the correct place iii. new NX Files within tool parts iv. creating revolved bodies for milling tools v. correct Machine tool information (Junctions) vi. spinning information in Machine Tool Builder
3.2.1 Optional tool assembly modification
In case of a possible modification of a tool which was created as described in chapter 3.2 you can directly open the previous save Tool Assembly.
The NX CAM Tool Assembly files located at UGII_CAM_LIBRARY_TOOL_GRAPHICS_PATH
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3D Tools Assembly with all components is located inside sub folder with the name of Tool Assembly.
To change cutting and non-cutting portion of the tool as well as any Tool mount and Tool Tip junction you can open Machine Tool Builder.
Details about Kinematic chain of 3D Tool Assembly can be found inside section 3.3
Note: NX 7.5 does not allow directly change to Machine Tool Builder because of the CAM Setup automatically created by Step 2.3. Message you will get:
If you have a need to do some changes inside 3D Tool Assembly you need to delete CAM Setup first!
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Start Manufacturing Application: Start All Application Manufacturing
Delete Manufacturing Setup: Tools Operation Navigator Delete Setup a. This is important, because the machine tool builder within Mount Junctions and Tool Tip Junctions doesn´t show up if NX CAM application “Manufacturing” is initialized.
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“Cancel” this selection
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Now you are ready to do some changes inside Tool Kinematic like mentioned before.
3.3 Creating 3D milling/drilling tools with NX CAD and NX CAM separately 3.3.1 Creating 3D milling/drilling tools with Tool Tip and Mount Junction
Create or Download 3D Solid models which contain the required tool shape.
Create 3D tool assembly
The name of the part is important and should be unique for this tool assembly! You cannot have another tool assembly with the same name inside your tool library (explained later)
It is needed having at least 2 solids bodies inside your part. One solid representing the cutting portion of the tool and a second representing the noncutting portion of the tool.
Other solid bodies inside your actual part are not pertinent but are allowed.
The orientation of X/Y plane from ACS (Absolut Coordinate System) must be aligned to the base components (junctions). Also this needs to be on Z=0 position. The orientation of the 3D components to the Z/Y plane is to be recommended but not essential.
Because of this, it is best practice to create a Tool Assembly!
If you plan to use this tool later inside managed environment (Siemens Resource Manager), please create your tool by the following rules:
No solid bodies inside assembly-parent file First component representing the cutting tool. Component part files need to have two solid bodies.
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One solid body representing cutting portion (cutting) Second solid body representing tool shaft (non cutting) Second component representing tool holder. Any additional components to represent tool extensions etc.
Best practice Tool Assembly structure (minimum for Milling Tools)
Create Tool kinematics using Machine Tool Builder Application.
Start Machine Tool Builder Application: Start All Application Machine Tool Builder!
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Find new machine Tool Navigator!
Use right mouse to create new Tool Base Component
Hit O.K. to create the structure first!
Assign cutting and non-cutting portion to the corresponding objects. Double click on CUTTING will open the dialog to select cutting solid.
Double click on NON_CUTTING will open dialog to select non cutting solid and component.
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Please note selection filter for solid and components to select the right solids out of assembly components or the component itself!
Double click on Tool Base object will allow defining tool tip and tool mount junction. Please create the following two junctions and classify like inside the picture!
It is very important to have the correct position and orientation of coordinate systems defined. Inside NX CAM X-Axis direction is mounted into machine spindle! Tool Axis is X-Axis inside tool assembly! Z Position has to be 0! Tool has to align to X-Y Plane (Z=0) of both junction Like mentioned before this should also match to ACS orientation! Tool Mount Junction is X=0 Y=0 Z=0 of ACS Tool Tip Junction is Z=0 of ACS (which is also Z=0 of Tool Mount Junction) This is best practice!
Automatic spinning function will create the spinning geometry. Spinning geometry will used for NX CAM simulation only (if spindle is turned on)!
Right mouse on CUTTING or NON_CUTTING object allows to create the spinning objects.
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Non Spinning
Spinning
Optional you can define a unique Name for this Tool Kinematic! Function Key “F2” will allow changing the name.
Save your part file and Components inside UGII_CAM_LIBRARY_TOOL_GRAPHICS_PATH
Default location is ….\MACH\resource\library\tool\graphics
It is also possible to save Tool Assembly and tool component parts at different location. If you plan for this, it is needed to define two locations inside UGII_CAM_LIBRARY_TOOL_GRAPHICS_PATH. Example: set UGII_CAM_LIBRARY_TOOL_GRAPHICS_PATH=D:\SPLM\tool\Assembly\ ;D:\SPLM\tool\Component\
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3.3.2 Create Corresponding Tool inside NX CAM
Open a part with initialized NX CAM environment! Create new milling tool by using standard NX CAM template dialog. Use tool parameter which correspondent to your 3D solid tool!
Note! Collision check during toolpath calculation is based on parameter of tool dialog not based on 3D tool assembly! Some NX CAM operation support collision check on tool holder as well. In this case you need to define a tool holder which correspondent to 3D tool holder of the assembly tool! -
3D tool holder of 3D Solid tool assembly (or all non-cutting elements) is not used inside NX CAM toolpath calculation!
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3D Tool assembly is only used during simulation!
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At both simulation methods 3D tool holder can be used for collision control.
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` Example of tool holder parameter which are aligned to 3D tool holder
Export NX CAM Tools into Tool Library.
Important Note! Relation between library tool and 3D tool assembly is by “Library Reference” Name and Tool Assembly Part Name (xxx.prt)!
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Library Reference Name and Name of 3D Solid Tool Assembly part has to match!
4 Turning Tools 4.1 Creating 3D Solid Turning Tools with Tool Tip und Mount Junction There is no major difference creating Turning Tools compared to Milling Tools.
Create or Download 3D Solid Models which contain the required Tool shape.
Create 3D tool assembly
The Name of the Part is important and should unique for this Tool
You also can use the automatic way to assign the 3D Tool Kinematic with Tool Mount and Tool Tip to the Library than you can skip section 4.2!
It is needed having at least 2 solids bodies inside your part. One Solid representing the cutting portion of the tool and a second representing the noncutting portion of the tool.
Please Notice! For History reason, NX CAM Turning allows 2D Cutting Shapes and 2D Holder Shapes on specific Layer! Layer 2 is reserved for Cutting Elements; Layer 3 is reserved for 2D Holder Elements. We recommend do not have any Geometry on Layer 2 and Layer 3! In generally this is only for 2D Elements but for safety it is good practice do not have any Elements on one of these two layers. For sure if you like to use this Functionality there is no way around, but most common Turning Tools can be created by using the standard insert shapes! IF you like to use user defined shapes for inserts please see NX CAM turning Documentation for more details! 3D Tool Assemblies
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Very important is the Orientation of ACS (Absolut Coordinate System)
3D Solid Tool should aligned to ACS X/Y Plane on Z=0
Because of this, it is best practice to create a Tool Assembly! If you plan to use this tool later inside managed environment (Siemens Resource Manager), please create your tool by the following rules:
No solid body inside assembly-parent file First component representing the cutting tool. Component part files need to have two solid bodies. One solid body representing cutting portion (cutting) Second solid body representing tool shaft (non cutting) Second component representing tool holder. Any additional components to represent tool extensions etc.
Name of Tool Assembly
Holder
Tool Best practice Tool Assembly structure
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4.2 Creating Tool Kinematics using Machine Tool Builder
Start Machine Tool Builder Application: Start All Application Machine Tool Builder!
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Find new Machine Tool Navigator!
Use right mouse to create new Tool Base Component
Hit O.K. to create the structure first!
Assign cutting and non-cutting portion to the corresponding objects.
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Double click on CUTTING will open the dialog to select cutting solid.
Double click on NON_CUTTING will open Dialog to select non cutting solid and component.
Please Note selection Filter for Solid and Components to select the right solids out of Assembly Components or the Component itself!
Double click on Tool Base object will allow defining Tool Tip and Tool Mount Junction. Please create the following two junctions and classify like inside the picture!
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Please Note the exact location of Tool Tip Junction! It has to match to NX CAM Turning tracking point P1-P8! It has on Z=0 Position (even if the imported 3D Model do not have Z=0 Position) In the case 3D Model (insert tip) is not on Z=0 please manually move Tool Tip Junction to Z=0
Spinning make no sense for Turning Tools! So don’t create spinning objects!
Optional you can define a unique Name for this Tool Kinematic! Function Key “F2” will allow changing the name.
Save your part file and Components inside UGII_CAM_LIBRARY_TOOL_GRAPHICS_PATH
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Default location is ….\MACH\resource\library\tool\graphics
It is also possible to save Tool Assembly and Tool Component parts at different location. If you plan for this, it is needed to define two locations inside UGII_CAM_LIBRARY_TOOL_GRAPHICS_PATH Example: set UGII_CAM_LIBRARY_TOOL_GRAPHICS_PATH=D:\SPLM\tool\Assembly\ ;D:\SPLM\tool\Component\
4.3 Creating Corresponding Turning Tools inside NX CAM
Open a part with initialized NX CAM environment! Create new Turning Tool by using standard NX CAM Template Dialog. Use Tool Parameter which correspondent to your 3D Solid Tool! Please take care of insert Orientation (OA = Orientation Angle). Values must match the Values defined inside 3D Tool Assembly.
In this case Orientation Angle = 5° next example
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In this case orientation Angle = 332.5°
Also please note and check the correct the Tool Holder Angle! Holder Angle = 0°
Best Practice is to only have X/Y Position change for Tool Tip and Tool mount Junction! Do not create different Orientation (Rotation)
In that case, please only “move” Junction and do not reorient Junction! We also recommend to always create the Tool Mount junction at Holder Angle = 0! This reduce confusion be defining all other Parameters! 3D Tool Assemblies
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Create Tracking Point for Tool Insert. Define the correct P Number (P4 inside the picture above) You also can define X/Y Offset values! This values will also calculated automatically during storing the tool inside Library. So, there is no need to specify right now! But if you like to have specific (maybe rounded values) you can define here as well.
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Note! Collision check during Toolpath calculation is based on parameter of tool dialog not based on 3D tool assembly! Some NX CAM operation support collision check on tool holder as well. In this case you need to define a tool holder which correspondent to 3D tool holder from assembly tool!
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3D tool holder of 3D Solid tool assembly (or all non-cutting elements) is not used inside NX CAM toolpath calculation!
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3D Tool assembly is only used during simulation!
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At both simulation methods 3D tool holder can used for collision control.
4.4 Export NX CAM Tool into Tool Library by using automatic and manual mechanism
If you already have created your 3D Tool with Kinematic and Tool mount and Tool Tip Junction (4.1) you directly can export the Tool Based on Parameter defined before jump to 5.1) Following settings must be define before exporting tools into tool library (if not using section 4) Display Junctions Information by activating “Export Tool Part File” Specify “Mounting junction” and “Tool Tip Junction”
In the case 3D Model (insert tip) is not on Z=0 please manually move Tool Tip Junction to Z=0
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Take care for Turning Tools you need to define „R1“ which is in center of Radius! Correct Position of Tool Tip will be calculated automatically based on insert Radius and Tracing Point definition!
After specify Tool Mount and Tool Tip NX CAM will ask to set X/Y Offset Values Based on distance of both Junctions.
Select Cutting Portion of Tool
4.5 Export to Tool Library
Export the tool into Tool Library while using standard dialog inside tool creating Dialog. (Take care if you have already created your Tool Kinematic, please do not Toggle “Export Tool Part File” on) If you create your Tool Kinematics manually like explained inside section 4.2, please take care on Library Reference Name and Tool Assembly Part File Name! Both have to be the same! Export Tool Part File will take care of this automatically! NX CAM will ask for Turning Tool Class (if different are possible) and also which Holding System should be used (depending which are defined inside your Environment)
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5 Reorganize Tool component Part Note: By using the automated process to create 3D Solid Tool all components will be saved inside a folder named by name of Library tool. Following Example is a Library Tool called “Turning-Test”
Like mention you can see beside the top component “Turning-Test.prt” the folder include all component as well Best practice is to remove the component from this folder which is used by other Tools as well. Move this component to main graphics folder to be shared! Specific component only needed for this Library Tool!
6 Definition of 3D Tool Display for NX CAM Simulation
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Note: Users maybe find it not very helpful to fully display all Design Elements of your 3D Tool. For example 2D Sketches, 3D Construction Lines, Planes and any other Objects which are not needed to display during Tool Simulation.
Tool Display with all Elements
Tool Display with Simulation relevant Elements
To get rid of this Elements during Simulation of 3D Tools there are several standard Ways which can be used. Following is a description of 2 most common ways. Define Objects to display on most common Layer (below 10 do not use Layer 2 and Layer 3!). Define Elements not to Display on non-common Layer (mostly above 250)!
Layer 1
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Layer 251
Note: Depending of displayed Layer inside Your NX Session it could be possible if the Tool is not showing up because it is on non-visible Layer!
Use Assembly Reference Set to collect all elements needed to Display during Simulation.
The recommendation is to create inside each component a reference set. For example “SOLIDTOOL”. If you do this for all of your components will allow to always activating this reference set. Remember, component like “Holder” can be used inside other Tool Assemblies as well! Make each component as “Make Work Part” “right Mouse at component” Make Work Part
Define Reference Set “Format” “Reference Sets …” “Add New Reference Set” Name = SOLIDTOOL Select Solid (take care selection filter) Return
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Select Top Assembly and make this as work part! Restart with next component.
7 Import NX CAM Tool from Tool Library
Open the part where you like to load the tool created before! Retrieve tool from library
The Tool will be loaded inside NX CAM. Selecting the Tool Object inside Operation-Navigator-Machine-Tool should display 3D tool not only insert!
In the case the system do not display 3D assembly tool, please check the name of tool library reference and tool assembly part name.
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Also check location of 3D tool assembly (.prt file). It has to be in Tool Grafik Path like explaind before! Like mentioned before, the relation is only by Name! NX will also show a complete different part for 3D solid tool if the name is the same!
8 Contacts: For any Queries: Contact:
Email: Phone:
Uwe Edlinger Part Manufacturing Solution, MBG. (
[email protected]) Andreas Rybarz Part Manufacturing Solution, MBG. + 49 175 220 5787
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