About Machining Patterns

Machining patterns and machining operations comply with a data hierarchy. The pattern data can be edited and shared.

Related Topics
2.5 to 5-Axis Drilling Operations
Creating Machining Patterns Automatically
Creating a Machining Pattern on Machinable Features

Pattern Data Hierarchy

A machining pattern comprises two sets of data:


  • Pattern geometry: hole positions/axes, top element
  • Pattern usage or technology data: ordering mode, jump distance, local entry/exit distances, local depth, and activate/deactivate status.

Pattern geometry is visible in the authoring window and can be handled separately through its dedicated editor.

The share of information between pattern geometry/technology data and machining operation is available in all pattern list views:

  • Manufacturing View (Sort by Patterns)
  • Manufacturing View (Sort by Machining Features)

The presentation is similar in all views but properties associated to the elements differ. In the Manufacturing View (Sort by Patterns or Sort by Machining Features): data edit/share functionalities are available at each hierarchy level.

The general presentation is as follows:



In the example above, the three machining operations share the same geometry but control it through their own technology data (for example, specific jump distances).

This is the way to overload technology data on the same position/axis data: this data cannot be moved to the operation data structure.

Pattern Data Edition

Pattern geometry and/or technology data is accessible depending on whether it is shared by other pattern technology data and/or operations.

All pattern data is accessible through the operation, when the data is not shared.

The pattern editor can be accessed as follows.

  • By double-clicking a pattern geometry entity in Manufacturing View: edition at geometry level. If the pattern geometry is shared, all modifications can be propagated. Pattern technology data is not shown.


  • By double-clicking a machining pattern entity in Manufacturing View: edition at technology data level. If the pattern technology data is shared, all modifications can be propagated. If the underlying geometry is not shared, it can be modified here.



    If the geometry is shared, only Jump Distance and Pattern Ordering mode can be modified in the Machining Pattern dialog box. However, modifications can be done on the pattern geometry entity.

  • When inserting a new pattern: geometry and technology data is always accessible.

Existing machining patterns can be used during geometry edition to add all their positions to the current pattern geometry.

Pattern Data Share

The commands and various cases of pattern data share and duplication are described.

Pattern Selection in Machining Operation

The reference of the whole Machining Pattern through the list in the Machining Operation dialog box implies its complete share. If another operation already references a Machining Pattern, all the pattern technology data and geometry is shared.

Copy/Paste of Patterns and Operations

Copy/Paste of a Machining Pattern or a Machining Operation in the manufacturing view not only duplicates the data of the current copied entity but also all the child entities.

Example:

  • Manufacturing View: Copy/Paste Machining Pattern.1




    • Pattern Geometry.1 duplicated
    • Machining Pattern.1 duplicated
    • Original hierarchy kept
    • No pattern data share.

  • Manufacturing View: Copy/Paste Drilling.1 Operation




    • Pattern Geometry.1 duplicated
    • Machining Pattern.1 duplicated
    • Operation Drilling.1 duplicated
    • Original hierarchy kept
    • No pattern data share.

Copy From Current command

A Copy From Current command is available in the machining operation dialog boxes, from the patterns dropdown list

The other way to invoke copy/paste operation is right-click in PPR view, for example.

Example: Machining Operation Editor: Copy from current (current = Machining Pattern.1)


  • Pattern Geometry.1 duplicated
  • Machining Pattern.1duplicated
  • Original hierarchy kept
  • No pattern data share.

    Allows modifying pattern data of current operation without impacting other operations.

New from Current command

New from current command for patterns and operations is available in:

  1. The Manufacturing View (Sort by Patterns or Sort by Machining Features), to duplicate the data of the current entity and manage the share of its child/father entities, in local copy mode. This command can be accessed at Pattern Geometry level and at Machining Pattern level.




    • At Pattern Geometry level: copies it and creates a new father pattern definition

      Example: Manufacturing View: New from current (current = Pattern Geometry.1)


      • Pattern Geometry.1 is duplicated
      • New pattern technology data created with default values (no isolated pattern geometry in model)
      • No pattern data share.

    • At Machining Pattern level: copies it and shares the same child pattern geometry.

      Example: Manufacturing View: New from current (current = Machining Pattern.1)


      • Pattern Geometry.1 is shared
      • Machining Pattern.1 duplicated.

  2. The machining operation dialog boxes, from the patterns dropdown list

    Example: Manufacturing View: New from current (current = Machining Pattern.1)


    • Pattern Geometry.1 is shared
    • Machining Pattern.1 duplicated.