To set the depth select the blue hyperlink that says ‘depth’. 5″ this dimension isn’t as critical as others on this page because the width is going to take on our new tool shape. The next step in the “New Feature Wizard” is used to define our groove dimensions. Remember this point because we will use it to set our depth. We will use the selection box in this window to select a point on the solid model we want the feature to begin. In our example the curve was created at Z 0.0 and the feature is well below that. The next window asks about the feature in relation to the curve.
As you can see in the video the “New Feature Wizard” pre-selected ‘curve6’ because it was the last active curve used.
After turning this geometry into a curve we will use the “New Feature Wizard” to create a groove feature. I have also created geometry that is on the Z 0 plane and centered on the T slot. I have created a UCS that is centered on the slot and located at the mating face of the upper. This solid model leaves only the charging handle T slot left to be cut. Looking at the video I have set the stock to a solid model. To deactivate is we can select “Setup 1” or go back to the USC tab on the bottom command bar and select Setup 1. Remember we still have the “Stock” UCS active from when we created the curve. With the tool created it is time to use it in a feature. The info that effects the simulation the most is the exposed length and the cutter length. After this curve is chosen you can see the preview of the tool changes and resembles the custom form tool you are creating. This allows us to find the curve quickly. When I’m in a file with a lot of curves and I need to create a tool I will name the curve that defines the tool similar to the name of the tool. “Use curve to describe tool shape” after you check this box you’ll be able to select the curve that was just created to define this tool. After ‘End Radius’ there is a box that needs to be checked. ‘Name’, Unit of ‘Measure’, ‘Diameter’… etc. To do that I select “New Tool” and start filling in the blanks. I am going to create this new tool in that crib. In my case I have a tool crib already created that is called Upper_Crib. This will open the Tool Manager Dialog Box. With the part view menu open on the left, double click the Tool Manager shortcut. That curve needs to be drawn with the stock UCS active and drawn at X 0.0 Y0.0 in the front view.
To recap, in order to create a form tool we need to have a curve that defines the shape. The final action will be to right click in the scene and choose front view. The command bar at the bottom of the screen (reading from left to right) shows the active plane, then the measurement system used, the active layer, the next box is the “active UCS” when you select this box you’ll be able to choose “STOCK”. This is optional, I find it to be helpful most times and other times I find it bothers me! After I hide all and show the stock axis I activate the stock axis co-ordinate system using the command bar at the bottom of the screen. In the video I activate the stock axis layer to show the co-ordinate system for the stock axis. We need to activate the “STOCK Axis” and we need to draw in “FRONT VIEW”. When we are creating a tool we need to do at the least two things. This clears my screen and allows me to focus on the tool creation. The first thing I do when I create a tool is “hide all”. There is no need to start a new file to create this tool. This is generally the case when we need to create a tool, we are usually in the process of programming a part. Moving on to FeatureCAM you’ll see we’re in an active file.