s.1 s.3 s.5
s.2 s.4 s.6
     

 
   
 
 
  Importing a Sterio Lithography file into MiniCAM
    Open the DelCAM MiniCAM software

Command: From the command window select: Select file Browse to the directory where you saved the STL file in Pro/DESKTOP and select Open.
   
 
  Step 2:
    Command:
From the six point Cut Direction icon select: Top This option will ensure that the CNC machine will begin its cutting strategy from the top of the material billet.
 
 
 
  Step 3:
    Information:
The Resize Model function enables the user to redefine the size of the design produced in Pro/DESKTOP. The resize function is expressed as a percentage of the original model and allows the user to change the size without recreating the original design in Pro/DESKTOP.
   
 
  Step 4:
    Command:
From the Cut Plane Position select: CP 0.0 Apply This option sets the Cut Plane at the bottom of the design indicated by the red line. The Cut Plane is the depth the CNC machine tool will plunge to when it begins its cutting strategy.
 
 
 
  Step 5:
    Command:
From the Select Material field select: Click on the arrow to expand the field and choose MDF This option sets the spindle speed and feed rate to the optimum value for MDF and modelling foam.
   
 
  Step 6:
    Command: From the Setup Material field input: Set Material Thickness to 35mm (this value represents the thickness of the material billet placed on the CNC machine bed). Drag the slider to the Top position. The dark grey represents the material to be machined; the light grey represents the remaining material.
 
 
 
  Step 7:
    Command: Roughing Tool: The target design will be machined from modelling foam and the roughing tool function is not required.
   
 
  Step 8:
    Command: From the Finishing Tool field select: Edit Tool and change the tool type to Ball Nose and set the diameter to 3.0mm. Change the Stepover to 10%. (describes the forward movement of the cutting tool as a percentage of its diameter.) Everytime the tool moves from left to right it will move forward 0.3mm.
 
 
 
  Step 9:
    Command:
From the Machine Direction select: Raster in X. The raster option will drive the CNC machine in the X direction (from left to right) and in the Z direction (vertically up and down). Set the machine Z zero position to Top of Block.
   
 
  Step 10:
    Command:
From Calculate Toolpaths select: Calculate. The raster option will drive the CNC machine in the X direction (from left to right) and in the Z direction (vertically up and down). Set the machine Z zero position to Top of Block.
 
 
 
  Step 11:
    Information:
The snapshot shows the toolpaths illustrated in red. Delcam's MiniCAM programme generates code from the graphical images. The code is created simultaneously with the toolpaths and is the information that drives the CNC milling machine.
   
 
  Step 12:
    Command:
From Calculate Toolpaths select: Simulate. The simulate option creates a virtual reality representation of the design. The VR simulation is an accurate model of the quality of surface finish of the actual manufactured model.
 
 
 
  Step 13:
    Expand the Select Machine field by clicking on the arrow to reveal a list of CNC machines. Each CNC machine manufacturer has a unique file extension, select Denford (fnc) as the current CNC machine and file extension. Give the file a unique name and save it in a directory.
   
 
  Step 14:
    The toolpaths that were created by a graphical representation in MiniCAM have now been saved as a list of code that will drive the Denford Micromill 2000 CNC milling machine in the X,Y and Z direction. Open the Denford VR CNC milling software.