UTF 8 PM 01 Introduction
UTF 8 PM 01 Introduction
1. Introduction
1. Introduction
Introduction.
PowerMILL is a stand-alone machining package, which can quickly create gouge free cutter paths on imported component data. PowerMILL supports Wireframe, Triangle, Surface, and Solid models created by other Delcam products or from neutral formats such as IGES. If the relevant PS-Exchange translators are purchased PowerMILL will directly import data created by the majority of non-Delcam packages.
PowerMILL Environment
Double click on the PowerMILL icon.
Graphics Area
Explorer area
The pull down menus are located across the top of PowerMILL. By placing the mouse over the menu and clicking with the left mouse key, this will bring up the sub menus. Further selection can be done by moving the cursor along a right arrow ( )
The Main toolbar is as shown on the following page. An icon has a specific function and by holding the cursor over it, an appropriate description (or ToolTips) is displayed.
Issue PMILL 6
1. Introduction
PowerMILL
On the right hand side of the screen is the Viewing toolbar. By selecting one of the icons a different view of the model and global transform is displayed in the central or graphics area. View along the X-axis View along the -Y axis View along the Z-axis View along the -X axis View along the Y-axis View along the-Z axis Isometric View 1 Isometric View 2 Isometric View 3 Isometric View 4 Resize to fit Zoom In Zoom Out Zoom to Box Last View Refresh Block
Plain Shade and access to other shading options Wireframe Shade options from left to right:Thickness - Machining Mode - Default Thickness - Default Machining Mode - Draft Angle Minimum Radius Multicolour - Plain
Issue PMILL 6
PowerMILL
1. Introduction
Mouse buttons
Each of the three mouse buttons perform a different dynamic operation in PowerMILL.
Select Tools -> Options, select the View tab and tick the option Spin View.
Issue PMILL 6
1. Introduction Example 1
For this first exercise you will be using a saved model.
PowerMILL
Click on the eg icon. Select the phone.dgk model and then click on Open.
The phone model is displayed as a wireframe viewed down the Zaxis. Only part of the model is visible, as it is too large to fit in the current view. To display the whole model the Resize to fit icon in the Viewing toolbar is selected.
Issue PMILL 6
PowerMILL
1. Introduction
You can now see the entire model quite clearly in an isometric wireframe view. To see it shaded you need to select the shaded wire option.
This displays the shading on top of the wire. To remove the wire view and show the model as shaded only, then click on the pressed in wire button.
By pressing the wire icon again, the wireframe is hidden showing the model only in shaded.
Click on the Shaded Model icon and then click on the wire view icon. Try the other Viewing icons and observe the results.
Issue PMILL 6
1. Introduction
PowerMILL
Sometimes it is useful to be able to see inside a model. In order to do this, the model can be made translucent.
Right Click over the Model and select Translucency from the menu
The model is displayed in translucent shaded mode allowing the user to see internal details
Issue PMILL 6
PowerMILL
1. Introduction
PowerMILL Panes
On the left hand side of the screen are the PowerMILL panes.
These are used extensively to help organise your machining. The standard format pane is denoted by the PowerMILL symbol and contains the explorer tree categorised into NC Programs,Toolpaths, Tools, Boundaries, Patterns, Feature Sets, Workplanes, etc.
The second pane is the HTML browser used for viewing HTML files or Help files and the third pane opens the PowerMILL Recycle Bin.
PowerMILL Help
PowerMILL comes complete with its own On-Line Help which is accessed via the help menu.
The latest New Features are loaded into the html pane providing a summary of all new functionality available in the current version of PowerMILL.
Issue PMILL 6
1. Introduction
PowerMILL
Select Help -> Contents to bring up the Help Contents form which contains a comprehensive range of help topics
Another extremely useful feature is the Context sensitive Help available on all forms.
Select the Feedrate icon from the top toolbar to bring up the Feedrate form below
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Issue PMILL 6