Tag: 3-Axis Machining

Introduction: 3-Axis Programming and Environment Switching

Hello everyone, I’m Master Wang. Starting today, I’ll be systematically covering 3-axis programming, from basic 2D toolpaths to drilling, and then on to 3D machining. This is a complete programming workflow, and we’ll go step-by-step, from top to bottom, to create a full program and deeply understand what each command is used for.

If you want to review modeling first, you can check out my previous modeling courses. Those courses explain what commands like sketching and extruding do – these are fundamental, and you all need to know them.

Now we’re mainly focusing on programming. For programming, we usually go to the Manufacturing page. So, just click “Manufacturing” to enter.

Listen up, the prerequisite is that you must insert my programming template! I already have a template loaded. When we click to enter the manufacturing module, we don’t need to worry about the default options at the top; the third position is the default. For this, we can also default to the DB template. Just click OK. This is the first step, entering manufacturing.

The Importance of Programming Templates

At this point, our interface will display some items. The prerequisite is that you must have inserted this programming template. How do you insert it? Look for my “Master Wang Programming Template” link; there’s a video that details where to place the template and how to use it, and even how to create your own templates. That video is straightforward and easy to understand. If you’re unsure, watch it a couple of times.

In this course, we won’t go into detail about templates; we’ll focus on programming itself.

Manufacturing Interface Overview and View Switching

Looking at the manufacturing page, we have the top, left, bottom, and right sections. In fact, these are all small commands. Let’s look at the left side; aren’t these quite familiar? They are actually similar to what we covered in the modeling section.

Basically, sometimes we will switch back to modeling. Just click this position to switch. Click manufacturing again, and it switches back. Click modeling again.

Listen up, this is where mistakes often happen!

Look at the left side: when we’re in manufacturing, doesn’t it look quite similar? However, sometimes, the items in manufacturing are not present in modeling. Manufacturing commands, for example, like creating a geometric body or creating a tool, cannot exist in modeling. Similarly, in modeling, you have commands for creating blocks or cylinders, but these won’t be found in the manufacturing module.

So, when you can’t find a command, it’s worth switching to the modeling environment to look for it, especially the bottom panel. The bottom panel in modeling has many more options, but in manufacturing, there are fewer, only up to this point. Just these few.

Therefore, you all can examine it yourselves, especially this particular location, the command area. You can practice switching back and forth to familiarize yourselves with which commands are available where. Once you get used to it, you’ll be fine. Getting accustomed to these commands is key.

Of course, there are some commands in manufacturing that are not in modeling, and we’ll definitely discuss them. Since this is our first lesson today, we don’t need to go into too much detail. We just need to get a basic understanding of these few commands for now.

Key View: Operation Navigator

For the first step, when we’re in manufacturing, this area defaults to displaying the Part Navigator. We definitely don’t need the Part Navigator; we need to switch to the Operation Navigator. Because in manufacturing, what we generally use for programming is the Operation Navigator. You can switch it yourself: this is the Part Navigator, and this is the Operation Navigator. There are constraints and assemblies. So, in manufacturing, we basically always use the Operation Navigator.

The Secrets of the Process Sequence View

Alright, once you’ve opened it, do you see? It has this page.

Regarding the top section, I can’t go through everything one by one right now. We’ll introduce these functions gradually as we go through the programming steps in upcoming lessons. If I were to explain how each one works right now, I believe many of you might not fully grasp it. We need to introduce it bit by bit. However, when we’re just starting, in the early stages, it’s crucial to know how these few are used.

Also, you need to know how to create a Work Coordinate System (WCS). That’s the G54 WCS. For a machining center, whether we’re datum setting on one side or using four-sided datum setting, you definitely need to know this.

So, in our first lesson today, we’re mainly talking about these four, these few. This one, and this one, this one, this one – what are they generally used for?

Basic Programming Operations and Program Sequence

For some basic skills, like right-clicking, left-clicking, selecting, rotating, moving, and so on, you can refer to the initial lessons in the modeling section to get familiar with them. If you’re just starting and only want to learn 3-axis programming, then I recommend that you at least have some familiarity with UG. You should at least know how to rotate your model, or how to select linked components, or how to deselect components, or how to select just one specific location, like a single face. For these things, I suggest watching our modeling course, especially the first few lessons. You don’t need to watch every single part if you only want to program; it’s not necessary to master everything.

But at least you should be familiar with these basic operations. For example, if you click here, what happens? Or if you click here, what does it do? You must know these things. I won’t go into detail here. We will mainly focus on programming commands.

Understanding the Program Order View

First step, let’s take a quick look at this panel. When the Program Order View is highlighted, this area looks like this. I’ll drag it over a bit; it’s quite long. See? Very, very long.

This area has a Tool Path, which is actually a folder. You can click it, right-click, and select Insert Operation. This is a normal procedure for us: insert operation. For 3-axis, there are all these commands here. All the commands we need to cover in the future are all in here for programming. For 3-axis, we currently only have 3-axis, so it’s 3-axis. This is 5-axis; if you’re doing 5-axis, watch the 5-axis course. The 5-axis course is almost finished recording. You can just watch the 5-axis course. Of course, if you learn 5-axis, then all these small operations will definitely already be familiar to you. Because if you learn 5-axis, most of the basic 3-axis operations will be covered. So we’ll just look at 3-axis.

Alright, for example, I’ll just click this command, then OK. I’ll just click OK directly. Take a look. I won’t talk about other things for now.

To put it simply, this is a program we’ve created. But it’s not actually created yet. We can look at this position. Tool Path, it shows Tool. I haven’t selected a tool yet, but you see, the tool number, that means T0. I’ll briefly explain this; it will definitely be covered in more detail later. For now, we’ll just give a general overview of this command.

The tool number, which is T0, and then the time, meaning how long this program will take. Alright, let’s just — oh, I clicked the wrong small number. Let’s cancel it. We’ll go through it one by one. Typically, when inserting, we need to insert A. This refers to A-sequence, B-sequence, C-sequence, D-sequence, E-sequence. These tool paths.

Of course, there was also F, but I think I deleted it. I feel these five are sufficient, so I won’t use F. That is, A, B, C, D, E. These tool paths. When we click the small triangle, the small cross, next to A, it further divides into many: A01 all the way to A20. I don’t know if everyone is familiar with what this means.

When you’re programming in A01, let’s just, I’ll randomly select one. OK. Alright, this program is numbered A01. Then in A02, for example, we insert another operation and create another program, that would be A02. When we post-process, this program will be A01. When we need to run it, we’ll run A01 first, then A02. This is how the operations are arranged step-by-step, from A01 all the way to, say, A20. It’s about machining these programs sequentially. This is what we’ll be programming in the Program Order View.

These are just folders, just the names of the folders. You all should have some understanding of this. Alright, I won’t go into excessive detail. Let’s take another look, mainly focusing on this area.

First, insert an operation, select the DB sequence. For example, I’ll just quickly create a simple program, a very simple program. Click, select this face, select tool. This doesn’t matter; you don’t need to follow me exactly. We just need to understand what this means for now.

Alright, the program is now generated. We can click the play button to see. Okay, the program is complete. Look at this area: Tool Change, this is T10, indicating we are currently using tool number 10, right here. How exactly is this position found? I’ll drag it back a little further.

Okay, some of your setups might be different from mine. Right-click, then Columns.

Summary: Pitfall Guide

• Environment Switching is Fundamental: You must be proficient in switching between the modeling and manufacturing modules and understand the unique functions of each. If you can’t find a command, first check which module you are in.
• Operation Navigator is Key: In the UG NX manufacturing module, you must use the Operation Navigator for programming, not the Part Navigator. This is crucial for organizing and managing all machining operations.
• Understand the Logic of the Program Order View: Sequences like A01, A02, etc., represent the execution order of programs. Plan your operation sequence logically to ensure the machining process meets actual production requirements.
• Utilize Programming Templates Effectively: Using pre-set programming templates can significantly improve efficiency and standardization, reducing repetitive work. If you don’t have one, make sure to learn how to create or import one.
• Basic Operations are a Prerequisite: Don’t underestimate the basics. If you are not proficient with fundamental UG NX modeling operations (selection, rotation, movement, etc.), it will directly impact your programming efficiency and accuracy. Master these basic skills first.
• Pay Attention to Tool Numbers (T-numbers): In the Process Sequence View, each tool has a corresponding T-number. This is a critical reference for the machine tool to identify and automatically change tools, so you must understand its meaning.