Simulating Machine Motion with Integrated Material Removal

This procedure describes how to create a video simulation with NC code.

  1. Select Tools > Options > Machining Simulation > Simulation tab.

    Under Integrated Material Removal area, select Enable material removal computation during machine simulation check box, and click OK.

  2. Click Machine Simulation .

    The Process Simulation toolbar appears.
    Updating the stock can impact performance. If you do not want the stock updated during the simulation, clear the Update Stock ON/OFF check box.  When Update Stock ON/OFF is checked, material removal updates occur during machine motion; that is, the stock part is constantly updated. When Update Stock ON/OFF is cleared, stock updates are not be shown during machine motion, but material removal computation is continued in the background. Toggling material removal updates back to ON updates the stock to its current state, and subsequent stock updates resume. You can only toggle the updates back to ON when the simulation has been halted, using Pause .

  3. Do you want to save the result of the simulation in a CATProduct?

    This result can be used as initial stock in another Part Operation or as stock in a roughing operation.
    • If NO, go to next step.
    • If YES, click Save Stock .
      The Save As dialog box appears.  Navigate to the correct directory, and save the .CATProduct file.
      Please note that this command combines CATIA graphic representation (cgr) and WPC information. This helps to avoid open stock problems when used in another setup thanks to precision of the WPC data.

  4. Do you want to associate the machined stock with the Machining Operation that was used to start the simulation?

    Choosing this option means that any subsequent single MO simulation uses this machined stock as its starting stock.
    • If NO, go to the next step.
    • If YES, click Associate Stock with Manufacturing Program .
      Click OK when the Manufacturing Information dialog box appears.

  5. Do you want to perform stock analysis?

    • If NO, go to the next step.
    • If YES, click Stock Analysis .
      See Analyzing Stock for information about using this command and its sub-commands.
The above described simulation, of machine motion with integrated material removal, is supported for Milling and Mill Turn machines.