ChabotCollege

Course Outline for Machine Tool Technology 81B - page 1

Fall 2010

ChabotCollegeFall 2010

Course Outline for Machine Tool Techology 81B

SURFCAM

Catalog Description:

81B – Surfcam3 units

(May be repeated 3 times)

The fundamentals of Surfcam CAD/CAM manufacturing software as it pertains to machine shop use and requirements. Instruction includes theory and laboratory practice on the use of the Surfcam software environment to create 2 1/2 and 3 axis, lathe, and wire edm tool paths. Instruction includes part drawing, dimensioning, importing electronic files (DXF, IGES, Sldprt, and Dwg), lathe and mill tool path construction, geometry and tool path transformations, tool path editing, and post processors. Strongly recommended: Machine Tool Technology 71A. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
[Typical contact hours: lecture 35, laboratory 52.5]

Prerequisite Skills:

None

Expected Outcome for Students:

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

  1. draw basic 2D geometry from engineering prints;
  2. create dimensions and notes for part features;
  3. create custom views and coordinate systems
  4. 3d wire frame and surface construction;
  5. import and export electronic files;
  6. create point to point drilling and tapping tool paths;
  7. create 2/12 milling contour tool paths;
  8. create 3 axis surface milling tool paths;
  9. create basic 2 axis lathe tool paths;
  10. create engraving tool paths;
  11. create basic two and four axis wire edm tool paths;
  12. edit existing tool paths;
  13. create tool paths from imported electronic files;
  14. generate geometry transformations;
  15. generate tool path transformations;
  16. modify Mpost post processors;
  17. verify mill and lathe tool paths with built in the verify functions;
  18. create tool paths following process plans;
  19. create machine tool G code programs from the created tool path operations.

Course Content (Lecture):

  1. Introduction to Surfcam
  2. 2D geometry
  3. Dimensions
  4. Layers
  5. 2 1/2 axis contouring
  6. Spot drilling, drilling and tapping
  7. Contouring
  8. Verification
  9. G code part programs
  10. Operations Manager
  11. Cut and paste tool paths
  12. Set up sections
  13. Geometry Transformations
  14. Pocketing and Engraving
  15. Pocketing options
  16. Pilot holes
  17. Pocket entry options
  18. Truemill
  19. Text machining
  20. C view machining
  21. View and Cview
  22. Creating new views
  23. Machining with custom views
  24. Tool path transformations
  25. Two axis lathe tool paths
  26. Electronic files
  27. Importing DXF , DWG, and IGES files
  28. Importing SolidWorks files
  29. Imported file geometry modification
  30. Exporting electronic files
  31. Machining Solid Models
  32. Tool paths from 3D solid models
  33. Tool paths from 2D and 3D wire frame files
  34. Creating wire frame surfaces
  35. Cross section surfaces
  36. Drive curve surfaces
  37. Offset surfaces
  38. Surfaces of revolution
  39. Extruded surfaces
  40. Trim planes
  41. Surface editing
  42. 3d surface machining
  43. Cut
  44. Plunge rough
  45. Auto rough
  46. 3d surface machining (continued)
  47. Z rough and Z finish
  48. Planer
  49. Steep / shallow
  50. Pencil cutting
  51. 3d surface machining (continued)
  52. Rest machining
  53. 3D offset
  54. Flat Surface
  55. 3d surface machining (continued)
  56. Projecting tool paths onto surfaces
  57. Three axis Truemill and SRM
  58. Post Processors
  59. MPost
  60. Spost
  61. Wire EDM two and four axis tool path operations

Course Content (Laboratory):

  1. Techniques:
  2. Create geometry from engineering part prints
  3. Create and move geometry on and between layers
  4. Create dimensions and notes
  5. Edit existing geometry and features
  6. Create customized views and operation processes
  7. Create and verify spot drilling and drilling operations
  8. Create and verify contour operations
  9. Use the tool path editor to make minor changes in tool path operations
  10. Generate G code part programs
  11. Create and verify pocketing operations with pilot holes and helical / ramp entries
  12. Create and verify engraving operations
  13. Create and verify Truemill 2D and 3D tool path operations
  14. Transform and copy geometry
  15. Create and verify tool paths using C view machining
  16. Create and verify tool path operations using solid models
  17. Generate G code programs from imported electronic files
  18. Export electronic files
  19. Make, save, and reuse common machining processes
  20. Create and verify lathe operations and generate G code
  21. Create common wire frame surfaces
  22. Create, edit, and verify 3D surfacing operations
  23. Project 2D tool paths on 3D surfaces
  24. Create and edit a simple Mpost post processor
  25. Create and verify two axis and four axis basic wire edm tool path

Methods of Presentation:

  1. Lecture, informal with student questions encouraged
  2. Powerpoint presentations, videos, instructor created movies, and overhead transparencies
  3. Demonstrations

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

  1. Typical Assignments
  2. Create the geometry and dimensions for the Bullet Plate milling project from the engineering drawing. Print out the geometry and the dimensions on separate sheets and turn them in.
  3. Create the geometry and dimensions for the Adapter Plate project from the engineering drawing. Write a process plan and get it approved by the instructor. Create the tool path operations outlined in your process plan. Verify the tool path operations, create a part program G code file. Print out the geometry, the dimensions, the Surfcam setup sheets, and the G code part program file and turn them in.
  4. Import the Mill2ax_3.sldprt solid model. Create dimensions on a dimension layer. Create a process plan to machine the part and have it approved by the instructor. Create the tool path operations outlined in your process plan. Verify the tool path operations, create a part program G code file. Print out the dimensions and the Surfcam setup sheets and turn them in. Do NOT print the G code part program!
  5. Using the provided wire frame geometry create the Tea Pot surfaces. Match the color of each surface to each of the provided wire frame entities. Trim the surfaces at each surface intersection. Duplicate and mirror the top half surfaces to create the bottom half of the Tea Pot on a separate layer. Print out a picture of the completed Tea Pot , with your name layer visible and turn it in.
  1. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  2. Assigned lab projects
  3. Written lab reports / drawings on each part project
  4. Quizzes
  5. Midterm examinations
  6. Final examination

Textbook(s) (Typical):

None

Special Student Materials:

  1. Sharp EL-531W scientific calculator
  2. USB drive – 1gb minimum
  3. Headphones – 1/8” stereo jack

Revised: 9/29/09;

Ashley Long/Mike Absher