SolidCAM HAAS Lathe Startup Guide

SOLIDCAM HAAS LATHE STARTUP GUIDE
This tutorial details the process of producing a CAM code for the HAAS Lathe using SolidCAM by walking through the process for an example part.

Example Lathe Part SolidCAM Tutorial

 * 1) Design or import a part in SolidWorks.
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE1.JPG
 * 1) Save post processor files on the C: drive if they are not already present.
 * 2) *Post processor files are located on the shared drive at: Z:\Engineering\SeniorDesign\- Group Folders\IEW\Machine Shop\SolidCAM Post Processor\Lathe HAAS
 * 3) *Copy Postprocessor files to the local c drive at: C:\Users\Public\Documents\SolidCAM\SolidCAM2016\Gpptool
 * 4) *Once completed, close both SolidCAM and SolidWorks and reopen to reinitialize.
 * 5) Open New Mill Turn part under the SolidCAM Part tab in SolidWorks
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE2.JPG
 * 1) Set up part (Suggested Settings)
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE3.JPG
 * 1) Fill in Part Data
 * 2) *Under CNC-Machine Select: gTurn_Haas_2xUofIdaho
 * 3) *Select: CoordSys
 * 4) *Define an origin: click Select Face, then select Revolute Face.
 * (The origin should be at the end of the part or a natural location to zero the tool. Z is in the direction of rotation)
 * 1) *Click Green Checkmark
 * (The remaining fields should auto fill)
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE4.JPG
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE5.JPG
 * 1) Create a Tool
 * 2) Double Click Tool List in design tree
 * 3) Select New Lathe Tool
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE6.JPG
 * 1) Select the tool you plan to use for the current operation.
 * 2) Change the geometry of the Tool Insert as shown below.
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE7.JPG
 * 1) Adjust the Shank Settings as shown below.
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE8.JPG
 * 1) Set Tool Parameters according to the material to be cut.
 * 2) *(In this case carbide cutting 0.5” brass is selected)
 * 3) *The HAAS lathe spindle's maximum speed is 1800 RPM.
 * 4) * This website provides a feed and turning speed calculator:
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE9.JPG
 * 1) Select the Mounting >> button in the upper right hand corner. In this menu use the Z+,Z-,X+,and X- buttons to orientate the tool such that it is positioned as it would be on the actual HAAS lathe's tool holder.
 * 2) *The tools location in space is irrelevant. Pay attention to the axis orientation of the part.
 * The X-Axis should point towards the operator when standing in front of the machine.
 * When the tool is properly oriented, save and exit the mounting dialog.
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE10.JPG
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE11.JPG
 * 1) Make a Turning Operation
 * 2) Under Turning select the Turning Operation.
 * 3) Select the solid features to turn then click New Geometry in the Geometry Tab.
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE12.JPG
 * 1) Select the Start and End faces then the green checkmark to select a Chain.
 * SOLIDCAMLATHE13.JPG
 * 1) *The Lathe will sweep the tool from the starting face to the ending face as is cuts the part.
 * 2) *Care should be take to ensure that the tool, both the insert and holder, will not interfere with the part as it is swept along the part.
 * 3) Select the tool we previously defined.
 * 4) In the Levels menu, set the safety distance.
 * 5) * 0.1” is acceptable.
 * 6) In the Technology menu, select the operation as desired.
 * 7) * Technology refers to the machining styles / technique used. For example, if we were milling technology could refer to cutting a pocket using a spiral pattern or a level drilling followed by finishing sweeps.
 * 8) Under the Link menu, set the Lead In – Lead Out and the Approach and Retract settings.
 * 9) *(Default settings are usually fine)
 * 10) * Lean In and Lead Out refer to the x axis tool approach and retraction method.
 * 11) * Approach and Retract refer to the z axis approach and retraction method of the tool.