How to Modify CAM Operation Templates

If you ever find yourself constantly changing the same setting within your CAM operation, then modifying the CAM operation template is a quick and easy solution to save clicks and keystrokes. The changes outlined below are my personal preference and may not apply to your programming process.

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You will need the ability to change the write permissions on files within C:/Program Files. I recommend making a copy of the folder in case you would like to revert to the default setting.

Within File Explorer, navigate to the template_part folder within your NX installation.

C:\Program File\Siemens\NX1953\MACH\resource\template_part

Modifying CAM Operation Templates — This will work in any NX version of NX. In this example, NX 1953 is installed.

English or Metric

In template_part, there are two folders that contain operation templates: English and Metric folder. The folders contain the operation templates for the corresponding units of measurements. If you typically program in English, you will only need to change the files located in that folder. You will need to change both files if you program in both English and Metric. In this example we will be editing the English operation templates.

Navigate to the English folder -> Open hole_making.prt.

Creating and Modifying CAM Operation Templates

The files names will look familiar. The names correspond with the name of the operation type within Create Operation.

Setting an Operation Type and Subtype

Like the Operation Type, the Operation Subtype name correspond to the operation saved in the template file.

Feeds & Speeds in Your CAM Operation Template

Note: The following changes may not apply to you. These are examples of what I typically find myself changing.

Open the existing TAPPING operation.
- By default, the feed rate is set to ipm. Taps are typically programmed in ipr. Rather than continuously changing this setting every time you create a tapping operation, we will change it here in the operation template.
  - Feeds & Speeds -> Feed Rates -> Cut -> ipr
  - OK to save changes made within the operation. There is no need to generate.

Customizing Cutter Compensation Settings

Open the existing HOLE_MILLING operation.
- By default, Cutter Compensation is set to None. This is true for all operations that have the Cutter Compensation available. When migrating to a new version of NX, I will change Cutcom Location to All Passes to ensure every operation cutter compensation can be applied.
  - Tool Axis & CutCom -> Cutter Compensation -> Cutcom Location -> All Passes
  - OK -> Save file.

The layout of the operation dialog can also be changed within the operation templates. By default, Cutter Compensation in NX 1953 is missing from the dialog. Let’s add it back in.
- Window File Explorer -> Open mill_planar.prt
- Open the existing PPLANAR_MILL operation. Open Customize Dialog.
  - Options -> Other -> Customize Dialog
  - Set Dialog Item Type to Customizable Items -> Locate Cutcom Parameters in the list.
    - You can also search for Cutcom Parameters
  - Highlight Cutcom Parameters -> Add to Dialog -> OK.
The Cutter Compensation was placed at the top of Operation. Let’s move this into its own explorer group,
- Open Customize Dialog again.
  - Options -> Other -> Customize Dialog
  - Switch the Dialog Item Type to Explorer Node
  - Label -> Enter Tool Axis & CutCom as the name -> Add to Dialog
  - Highlight Cutcom Parameters. Then, click the down arrow to move it into the Tool Axis & CutCom Explorer Node.
Highlight Explorer Node: Tool Axis & CutCom and click the down arrow until you are in the position shown.
- When moving Explorer Node: Tool Axis & CutCom, it will cycle through existing Explorer Nodes and continue moving until you are in the correct position.