s.1 s.3 s.5 s.2 s.4 s.6

Options tools

Outputs tools

File control tool

Machine control tool

Options tools - Units     Used to switch the units of measurement between Metric (mm) and Imperial (inch).

Options tools - Offsets     Displays the 'Work Piece Offsets', used for configuring global offset values.

Options tools - Tooling     Displays the 'Machine Tooling' window, showing the various tools available for use with a CNC file.

Options tools - Tool library     Displays the' Tool Library' window, listing all tools that can be added to the 'Machine Tooling' Window.

Options tools - Block Skip     When active any CNC files beginning with a / mark are ignored.

Options tools - Continuous     Runs the CNC file from start to finish (Continuous or line by line Single Step)

Output tools - 2D Simulation:     Displays the '2D Simulation' window. Outputs the CNC file on a 2D plan view of the work piece billet.

Output tools - 3D Simulation:     Displays the '3D Simulation' window. Outputs the CNC file on a 3D billet.

Output tools:     Outputs the CNC file as a Denford Compiled File (.XNC).

Output tools:     Outputs the CNC file as a Denford Post Processor File (.GNC).

Output tools:     Stop the running of a CNC file.

Output tools:     Rewind the cursor in the 'Editor' window back to the beginning of the first line of code of the CNC file.

Machine Control:     Switches on a virtual reality CNC machine, displaying the 'Machine Mode' and 'Virtual Reality' windows.

Machine Control Step 2:     Opens communications between any attached real CNC machine, displaying the 'Machine Mode' window.

Machine Control Step 3:     The 'Editor' window lists the CNC code (created in Delcam's MiniCAM software). This code drives the CNC file in the X, Y and Z direction to create the design of the camera. Denford VR CNC milling software The following pages describe how to create the camera design and drive the Denford MicroMill 2000 using the VR CNC milling software.

Machine Control: Step 4:     Command: From the pull down menu select: File - open Select the Denford fnc file created in the previous instruction. Notice how the file is represented by lines of code generated from the graphical image of the toolpaths created in MiniCAM.

Machine Control Step 5:     Command: From the options toolbar at the base of the screen select: Tool Library to access a list of default tools. Click on the Tooling icon to open the Machine Tooling window. Drag the slider until the 3mm Ball Nose tool is shown. Click and drag the tool over to the No. 1 tool post in the Machine Tooling icon.

Machine Control Step 6:     Command: From the Outputs toolbar at the right side of the screen select: 2D Simulation Command: From the File Control toolbar at the base of the screen select: The play button to run the 2D file.

Machine Control Step 7:     Command: From the Outputs toolbar at the right side of the screen select: 3D Simulation Command: From the File Control toolbar at the base of the screen select: The play button to run the 3D file.

Machine Control Step 8:     Information: The Denford VR CNC milling software reads the code from the Editor window and creates a 3D simulation of the camera design.

Machine Control Step 9:     Command: From the Machine control toolbar at the right side of the screen select: Machine The programme is now connected to the real machine and will drive the CNC miller. Select the Home tab and click on X Axis then the Y axis then the Z axis to reposition the machine to a 0,0,0 position.

Machine Control Step 10:     Command: From the Machine Mode window on screen select: Jog. Using the arrow keys on the keyboard move (jog) the CNC machine bed until the tip of the tool is at the front left hand corner of the billet. The Page Up/Down keys control the vertical movement.

Machine Control Step 11:     Information: When the CNC tool is at the front left hand corner of the billet Page Down until the tip of the tool is 2 or 3mm above the billet. Place a strip of paper between the tip of the tool and the billet. Click on the Jog icon in the Machine Mode window and change it to incremental movement of 0.1mm

Machine Control Step 12:     Information: Use the strip of paper as a gauge to achieve a tight frictional resistance between the tip of the tool and the top of the billet. The current position of the tool tip represents the place where the machining co-ordinates will begin cutting material.

Machine Control Step 13:     Command: From the Options toolbar at the base of the screen select: Offsets The Offsets icon opens the Work Piece Offsets window. Create a new Machine Offset by right clicking on the offset title (shown as blue in the snapshot) and select Add Offset.

Machine Control Step 14:     Right click on the new offset you have just created by using the Add Offset command and select Make Current.

Machine Control Step 15:     Information: By creating a New Offset position the programme will interpret the front left hand corner of the billet as its new Datum Position. The Datum Position is the position that the program interprets as 0 in the X axis and 0 in the Y axis and 0 in the Z axis. The CNC machine will begin cutting from this position.

Machine Control Step 16:     There are three datum graphic buttons positioned to the right of the X, Y and Z offset windows.

Machine Control Step 17:     Click on the icon next to X to reveal the Set Offset window. Select the icon that represents the centre of the tool. Click on OK.

Machine Control Step 18:     Click on the icon next to y to reveal the Set Offset window. Select the icon that represents the centre of the tool. Click on OK.

Machine Control Step 19:     Select the Z Offset icon from the Machine Mode window. A tool Z offset value for the length of the 3mm ball nosed cutter is automatically entered.

Machine Control Step 20:     Command: From the Machine Mode window select: Auto - Turbo From the file control toolbar select Stop, Rewind and Play to position the programme at the start of the first line of the code.

Machine Control Step 21:     Check that the correct tool is loaded in the CNC machine and select OK to run the programme.

CNC file in operation:     The following two snapshots show the CNC file in operation. The Feed and Spindle speeds were set in the MiniCAM software when we made the material choice of MDF. These values can be manually overridden.

CNC file in operation: