ArtCAM Pro Tutorials

John Lee SHU 2007

Creating a 3D manufacturing file from

ArtCAM Pro

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Points to note when designing a ArtCAM model for 3D manufacture:

•

Model depth should not generally exceed 20 - 30mm as this is the maximum that the standard
tooling on the CNC router / miller can accommodate

•

Very fine detail will increase machining time, and may not be achievable with standard tooling
available.

When you have completed your ArtCAM Pro model, it should be saved as an .art file in case you
need to work on it again in ArtCAM.

You will now need to convert your model to
a file format that the CNC machines will
understand - in this case a .stl (or
stereolithography) file

•

Open Create Triangle Mesh in the Relief
Operations menu

•

Click Create Triangles

(NB. The Triangulation Parameters can be
varied to produce a more detailed model, but
this also affects file size and machining times)

•

Scroll further down the window and click
Save Triangles to convert the 3D file to an
STL format. This should be saved to an
appropriate destination (eg. your
Homespace / USB flash stick etc)

You can now close down ArtCAM Pro and open
up either

•

Boxford Design Tools if you are
intending to manufacture your design on
either the Boxford 260 Miller or Boxford
HSR 500 Router. In this case you should
select Import 3D Geocam in the File
menu

•

3D Geocam if you are using another
brand of CNC machinery; eg. Unimatic,
Denford, Trend, Suregrave etc’

ArtCAM Pro Tutorials

John Lee SHU 2007

Creating a 3D manufacturing file from

ArtCAM Pro

2

When you are in 3D Geocam, the
Select Model screen appears, which
allows you to browse to select the
*.stl file you wish to manufacture

The model can be tumbled using the
LH mouse button

the view can be altered using the
icons on the top toolbar





Click Next when ready

Define Cut Plane allows you to
decide the direction and depth of the
machining operation.

This is a particularly useful function if
you are machining a full 3D object in
two halves – it is then possible to
machine to mid-plane from both
sides

Entering a zero value will machine to
the full depth of your model

In the Select Material screen you are asked to define the
material to be machined from the pull-down list. Default
materials are listed for all popular CNC manufacturers.

Select the material of your choice.

The software will automatically decide the appropriate speeds
and feeds for the selected material.

You should also select the billet size (size of machining blank)
at this point. This should be at least equal to your model size
plus 2 x the tool diameter in both X and Y directions.

ArtCAM Pro Tutorials

John Lee SHU 2007

Creating a 3D manufacturing file from

ArtCAM Pro

3

In the Model Resize screen, the default
setting is ‘fit to material’. This will stretch your
model to fit the billet size.

To change back to your original model size,
uncheck the ‘Fit to Material’ box and set the
Percent (%) box to 100%

The Model WorkShift screen allows you to
reposition the workpiece within the billet – if the ‘Fit
to Centre’ box is checked, the workpiece will
automatically be centred in the billet

In the Select Tooling screen, you need to
select your chosen tool for both roughing and
finishing operations. (NB. For most small scale
3D work this will be the 3mm ball end tool)

(The percentage Step over settings are set by
default at 90% for the roughing operation and
15% for the finishing cut.)

ArtCAM Pro Tutorials

John Lee SHU 2007

Creating a 3D manufacturing file from

ArtCAM Pro

4

The next screen defines the finishing
allowances – that is, the maximum amount of
material that is to be left on after the roughing
operation has been carried out – by default
this is set a 1.00mm for the roughing
operation

The Footprint Control screen is set by
default to rough over the entire surface
of the model

The Roughing screen allows you to
choose your machining strategy for the
roughing cycle.

ArtCAM Pro Tutorials

John Lee SHU 2007

Creating a 3D manufacturing file from

ArtCAM Pro

5

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The Finishing screen allows you to
choose your machining strategy for the
finishing cycle. (the options will be
covered in more detail in the teaching
sessions)

For best results, choose Combination
Milling with a Stroke Angle of 90
degrees.

In the Tool Paths , select Compute.
The toolpaths will then be generated
automatically

When this process is complete, click
Simulate to see an on screen simulation of
the machining cycles (as shown below).

ArtCAM Pro Tutorials

John Lee SHU 2007

Creating a 3D manufacturing file from

ArtCAM Pro

In the Post Process screen you
will save the machining file.

The software allows you to save in
a variety of formats, which match
the most commonly available
manufacturing systems in schools.

Select the appropriate format from
the pull-down menu.

For example if a Unimatic machine is to be used as the means of manufacturing, then Unimatic
should be chosen.

Click Save.

The resulting file should be saved to a floppy disc, zip disc or USB flash stick for transfer to the
computer attached to the CNC machine.

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