Repositioning an In-Process Workpiece in a Manufacturing File
How to Reposition an In-Process Workpiece in a Manufacturing File
This blog is designed to assist CAM programmers in repositioning an In-Process Workpiece (IPW) using Assembly Constraints and Dynamic Positioning in a manufacturing part file, offering more flexibility during machine operation setup. For example, a component may require a manufacturing process outside the machining process during production. This method allows the programmer to reposition the In-Process Workpiece in any part file quickly.
The following steps will help you create a part file (.prt) and assign the correct Reference Sets to an In–Process Workpiece.
Setting Up the In-Process Workpiece
See the example below to create an In-Process Workpiece from the desired machining operations. Verify the selected operations and create the In-Process Workpiece. In this case, Adaptive Milling and Planar mill have been used.
*NOTE:
You may also like to refer to the How to Setup IPW in NX CAM article from Swoosh’s Tutorials and Blogs page.
- From the Operation Navigator, highlight the NC program or the desired operations. Use the right-hand mouse button and select Tool Path, and then Verify.
- In the Tool Path Visualization dialog box, highlight the 3D Dynamic Tab.
- Press Play.
- When the program is complete, press Create.
- The In-Process Workpiece will be visible in the view.
Once complete, the In-Process Workpiece has been animated. We can now create a part file that contains the In-Process Workpiece.
Creating a Wave Geometry Linker
- In Modeling, highlight the Assemblies tab, press the WAVE Geometry Linker icon, and the dialog box will appear.
- Select Body in the drop-down menu.
- Select the Part to create the Linked Body.
- Press OK.
- The Linked Body is highlighted in Magenta.
*NOTE:
You may also like to refer to the Wave Geometry Linker article discussing more on this process from the Swoosh Tutorials and Blogs page.
How to Create a Part File Containing a Linked Body and In-Process Workpiece
- In the Assemblies tab, press the New Component icon, and the dialog box will appear.
- Expand the Settings
- Pick the Linked Body and the In-Process Workpiece (Facet Body) 2 and 3.
- Note the MODEL name; this will appear in the Assembly Navigator.
- Press OK.
- Check the Part File has been created by making MODEL1 the Work Part.
- Highlight MODEL1 in the Assembly Navigator.
- Right-hand mouse button press Make Work Part, note the vice has greyed out.
- Save the Part file and close.
Assigning a Reference Set to the In-Process Workpiece
Next, assign the correct Reference set to the In-Process Workpiece.
- Open the part file MODEL1.
- In the Assemblies tab, press the Reference Set.
- Highlight the Model (“MODEL”) in the reference set table.
- Select the In-Process Workpiece using the left-hand mouse button; if necessary, use shift and the left-hand mouse button to deselect.
- Save the Part file and close.
Using the In-Process Workpiece to Reposition a Manufacturing File
We can now use the In-Process Workpiece in any manufacturing file and reposition using Assembly Constraints and Dynamic Positioning.
- In Manufacturing, add the In-Process Workpiece to the desired manufacturing file.
- Browse for the In-Process Workpiece Part file.
- In the Assemblies tab, press the Add Component.
- Pick the Component Anchor and Assembly Location.
- Press OK.
- Pick the Placement method Move or Constrain.
Repositioning – Option 1
Using Reference Sets, make sure the Linked Body is visible for repositioning.
- In the manufacturing Geometry tab, select Move Component.
- Select the Motion type, in this case, Dynamic Positioning.
- Highlight Specify Orientation.
- Click and drag the part in any direction using the Dynamic.
- Press OK.
Repositioning – Option 2
Another option for repositioning is Assembly Constraints.
- In the manufacturing Geometry tab, select Assembly Constraints.
- Select the Constraint from the constraint window. In this case, Distance has been picked.
- Select a face on the Linked Body and specify a face on any other object in the Assembly Navigator.
- Use any Constraint type to achieve the position you require from the constraint window.
In Summary: Repositioning an In-Process Workpiece in a Manufacturing File
To summarize, this is an alternative method of repositioning an In-Process Workpiece when the standard method is not desirable. This approach allows the programmer to move from one machining process to the next, quickly repositioning the In-Process Workpiece in any part file.
NX CAM Resources
To learn more about product features like this blog tutorial explained, visit the Tutorials and Blogs page, see the latest Upcoming Webinars, watch videos on the Swoosh YouTube channel, or Sign Up for the Swoosh Newsletter to see the latest and greatest updates.
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Hi, I’m Carina and I’m a Digital Marketing Coordinator here at Swoosh Technologies & Solutions! With years of experience within the marketing world, my strongest skills fall within creative copy/design, data analytics, and customer relationship management. Ever since I joined the tech side of marketing, I have thoroughly enjoyed helping people find solutions to their trickiest problems.
Post by Carina McGlasson
Hi, I'm Carina and I'm a Digital Marketing Coordinator here at Swoosh Technologies & Solutions! With years of experience within the marketing world, my strongest skills fall within creative copy/design, data analytics, and customer relationship management. Ever since I joined the tech side of marketing, I have thoroughly enjoyed helping people find solutions to their trickiest problems.
