CAM Knowledgebase Conventions

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CAM Knowledgebase Conventions

CAM Knowledgebase Conventions

Here is a brief description of each section in this CAM Knowledgebase and examples of a few of the conventions that are used.

CAM Knowledgebase Overview

ZW3D CAM Knowledgebase
Section	Title	Description
01.	Basics	ZW3D CAM basics including concepts, the CAM interface and an introduction to the CAM level.
02.	Menus	A review of the CAM menus, Tooltabs and Toolbars.
03.	Setting Up for CAM	A review of the CAM Setup including CAM Components, Features, Setup, Frames, Clearances, Machines and Tools.
04.	Generating Toolpaths	CAM managers for tool path generation. Including the Operations Manager where tool paths are developed. Also included are the Macro Manager and the Application Tactics Manager where hole tactic, Mill2 tactic, Mill3 tactic are created.
05.	Processing Toolpaths	CAM Output Manager where you can organize, verify and output your tool paths.
06.	Appendix	CAM tools, tips & techniques.

Menu Selections

Menu selection sequences are shown in the following format:

Help > Quick Tips...

Keywords and Icons

Many key words and phrases are shown in bold type for emphasis. They may be the key words on a form or button. Many are also phrases or form names that contain hypertext . Command and document icons are used at section headings to convey at a glance different types of information. The icons used are shown below.

	Command icon - These are used in the ZW3D interface. They are shown along side the command name and/or description.
	Required Inputs - These indicate inputs that are required for the command to function. The input forms themselves are not shown.
	Optional Inputs - These indicate inputs that are optional and extend the scope of the current command. The input forms themselves are not shown.
	Forms and Dialogues - These indicate that the following documentation relates to ZW3D forms and dialogues. The images of the forms and dialogues may not be present in all cases.
	General information - These distinguish general information about ZW3D from command specific information.
	Right-click to access function - These indicate that the function that follows can only be accessed using the right mouse button over geometry or manager tree entity.
	Invoked by - This indicates a menu sequence that can invoke a command. In ZW3D there are usually multiple ways to invoke commands. The Pull Down Menu method is usually the one indicated.
	Notes - These indicate that a list of command or topic specific notes are to follow.
	Caution - These indicate caution. The command or procedure that follows may cause objects or files to be damaged or deleted if not performed correctly. You should understand the procedure and proceed carefully.
	Tips & Techniques - These indicate an operating tip or technique. It will be followed by valuable information that will help you take full advantage of ZW3D CAD/CAM. See CAM Tips & Techniques for a complete list.

Operational Sequences

Operational sequences are numbered:

Example:

Select the edges to chamfer.
Select the face on the first side of the edge. This face will receive the first setback distance. You may only select a face that borders the selected edge.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 until all of the edges you want to chamfer are selected and their faces are specified and then middle-click to continue.
Specify the first setback distance.
Specify the second setback distance (or angle if the Angle option is selected - see below).
Middle-click to execute the command.

If there is only one operational step, it is preceded by a bullet.

Example:

Press the Control Keys (Ctrl+K) to toggle the coordinate readout on/off.

Notes

Some topics have notes listed at the bottom of the page in a Notes section. These are not highlighted.

Example:

Notes

Third party post-processors are started from ZW3D via a script called runpost.
The steps involved in adding a post-processor to runpost:
Add your post-processor in file "PostProcessors" in the directory "cam_config".
Select an extension name and make an entry in file "OutputExtNames" in the directory "output_def".
Modify script "runpost" to include your post-processor.

The arguments accepted by runpost are:

$1 = input source NC program from ZW3D (*.cl)
$2 = requested post-processor
$3 = requested configuration for post-processing
$4 = filename for outputting post-processed program.

Tips & Techniques

Tips & Techniques are provided throughout the documentation. They provide useful information and guidance that can help you take full advantage of ZW3D and its advanced features. An example is shown below. See Tips & Techniques for a complete list and links.

Example:

Frame is a valid filter for automatically ordering tool paths for output. If the operations are sorted using the frame filter, those operations which share a common table orientation, or head attachment will be output consecutively.

Forms and Dialogues

Documentation for the contents of forms and dialogues is presented in the following format. Many forms are not shown graphically. The icon shown below is used to alert you that a form or dialogue is being documented.

The title of the form or section within a dialogue will appear to the right of the icon. Option titles or form content will appear below the icon followed by a description.

Example:

Form Name

Name
For a new machine definition, enter a name for the machine. To select from a list of machines currently defined in the active CAM plan, pick the Name button and select a machine. Its name and parameters will populate the form.
Class
Pick the Class button and select a machine class. The following classes are supported: 2-axis M.C., 3-axis M.C., gantry mill, spar mill, drill or router. You can enter your own classification name and filter by that class if desired. See Apply Filter below.

In this Article:

CAM Knowledgebase Conventions

CAM Knowledgebase Overview

Menu Selections

Help > Quick Tips...

Keywords and Icons

Operational Sequences

Notes

Notes

Tips & Techniques

Forms and Dialogues

Form Name