Devices

Any CNC-machine can be divided into several simple movable elements called Devices. These devices consist of mechanisms that control movement by various means such as gear trains, transistor switches, belt or chain drivers, linkages, cam and follower systems, brakes and clutches, and with structural components such as frame members and fasteners. The Device is defined in the same way as any other mechanical element of the machine.

SolidCAM enables you to define the following devices:

Turret used for tool holding Table used for Part fixing Tail Stock used for long part support (parallel to rotary axes) Steady Rest used forlong parts support (hugs the part) Bar Feeder used for raw material holding Part Catcher used for part collecting Custom Device used for other devices that were not predefined

Turret and Table are included in the machine by default. These two machining elements are required in order to define one submachine consisting of a cutting tool on the Turret and a workpiece on the Table. The tool path is defined according to the relative movements between these elements.

Adding a New Device

To add a new device, do one of the following

1. Right-click the Devices header in the tree and choose the device name from the menu.

2. Drag a Device from the Devices pane and drop it in the Machine tree.