FeatureCAM Whats New 2012 R3

FeatureCAM 2012 R3
What's New
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FeatureCAM Version: 2012 R3 Date: 13 April 2012 13:51
Contents
What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3
General: Only one user can edit FeatureCAM files at a time .............................. 1
General: Enter custom G-code into the NC program .......................................... 2
General: Soft errors ............................................................................................ 4
User interface: Set priority for multiple operations on the Op List ....................... 4
Paste special: Copy attributes from one feature to many.................................... 4
Stock: Shaded and translucent ........................................................................... 6
Import: New surface naming scheme groups surfaces ....................................... 7
Import: PTC Creo files supported ....................................................................... 7
Tool mapping: 8-digit Diameter & Length offset registers ................................... 7
Toolpath edit: Insert multiple lines of G-code ...................................................... 8
2.5D: Rough cutter comp. machining attribute .................................................... 8
2.5D: New technology (NT) toolpaths for Side features ...................................... 9
2.5D: Select Holes by depth or diameter .......................................................... 13
Viewing modes: Horizontal milling and vertical lathe ........................................ 14
MTT: Better user interface ................................................................................ 14
Tool database: FeatureCAM add-in to import TDM tools .................................. 15
API: Help........................................................................................................... 15
16
Network database: Shared machining configurations ....................................... 16

Import improvements ........................................................................................ 18
User interface: Copy and paste from PowerSHAPE ......................................... 18
2.5D: New technology (NT) toolpaths ............................................................... 18
Differences between NT and traditional toolpaths .................................... 23
Better Minimize tool retract with NT toolpaths .......................................... 24
2.5D: Separate lead-in and lead-out distances ................................................. 28
2.5D: Thread Mill tool hand ............................................................................... 29
2.5D: Face Mill tools for Chamfers .................................................................... 30
2.5D: Hole cycle G74 and G88 ......................................................................... 33
3D: Z-level finish: Flat surface support.............................................................. 33
3D: Save boundary curve ................................................................................. 34
5-axis: Turn/Mill B-axis alternative position ....................................................... 37
Simulation: Step backward ............................................................................... 37
Simulation: Faster 3D simulation ...................................................................... 37
Simulation: New keyboard shortcuts ................................................................. 38
Machine simulation: Better collision display ...................................................... 38
Turn/Mill: Cylindrical interpolation support ........................................................ 39
Turn/Mill: Separate fixture offset for each feature ............................................. 41
XBUILD: Use Delcam post processor files........................................................ 42
FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New
Contents i
Probing: UDF available ..................................................................................... 42

API: New functions ........................................................................................... 43
Other improvements ......................................................................................... 43
What's New in FeatureCAM 2012
44
User interface: More isometric views ................................................................ 44

User interface: Keyboard shortcuts ................................................................... 46
User interface: Part view multiple select ........................................................... 47
Tooling: Better Face Mill tools ........................................................................... 48
Tooling: Cutting data by tool ............................................................................. 49
Tool cutting data example ........................................................................ 51
Depth of cut precedence .......................................................................... 56
2.5D: Total stock for finish pass ........................................................................ 60
2.5D: Toolpath feature improvements ............................................................... 61
2.5D: Exact Z step ............................................................................................ 65
2.5D: Back Bore holes ...................................................................................... 67
Simulation: Part compare extended .................................................................. 68
3D: Z-level spiral roughing ................................................................................ 70
Turn: Solid model as tool holder ....................................................................... 71
Solid tool holder example ......................................................................... 72
Turn: Better tool holder graphics ....................................................................... 79
Turning leave allowance ................................................................................... 80
80
2.5D: Use stock models as rest material, eliminate air cutting .......................... 81
2.5D: Drilling: Counterbore before drill .............................................................. 84
Simulation: Performance improvement ............................................................. 85
User interface: improved warnings and errors .................................................. 85
3D: 4 axis: Co-angular moves removed ............................................................ 85
XBUILD: Tool name for Siemens controls ........................................................ 85
XBUILD: Material name .................................................................................... 85
XBUILD: 2.5D: Maximum depth ........................................................................ 86
XBUILD: Nominal and plunge feed ................................................................... 86
XBUILD: MTT: Turning mode for spindle .......................................................... 86
Wire: Leave Allowance negative value allowed ................................................ 86
87
2.5D: Min. rapid distance by operation ............................................................. 87

2.5D: Ramp from top......................................................................................... 88
2.5D: Tool size shown when picking Plunge point ............................................ 89
3D: New strategy: Steep and Shallow .............................................................. 90
3D: Non ball-end previous tool for remachining ................................................ 94
3D: Remove shallow slices selected by default ................................................ 94
3D: Lead in/out from pocket center ................................................................... 95
3D: Recent tools ............................................................................................... 95
3D: Optimize parallel pass ................................................................................ 96
Turn: Two tool offsets for Groove tools ............................................................. 96
ii Contents
Turn: Tool nose radius compensation for Bore feature ..................................... 98
What's New in FeatureCAM 2011
99
Summary of new features ................................................................................. 99

Performance improvements: 64-bit ................................................................. 101
Import: Delcam Exchange............................................................................... 103
User interface: New look user interface .......................................................... 103
User interface: General ................................................................................... 104
Display: Better support for dual monitors ........................................................ 104
2.5D: Fully automatic deburring/chamfering ................................................... 105
2.5D: Index around Z ...................................................................................... 108
2.5D: Specify feed rates in units per tooth ...................................................... 110
2.5D: Drilling: Bore milling support .................................................................. 111
2.5D: Default facing angle............................................................................... 112
3D: 3D Lite component ................................................................................... 113
3D: Stock model for Z-level roughing .............................................................. 114
3D: Better tool support for Chamfers .............................................................. 116
3D: Z-level finish undercuts using Side Mill tools ............................................ 117
3D: Toolpath smoothing for 3D spiral strategy ................................................ 119
3D: Performance improvement of part and check surface lists ....................... 120
MSIM: Easier machine simulation ................................................................... 120
Solid: Chamfer constructor ............................................................................. 121
5-axis positioning: Easier Hole creation .......................................................... 122
5-axis simultaneous: Automatic tool collision avoidance................................. 125
TURN: No drag finish ...................................................................................... 127
WIRE: Automatic Ordering Options ................................................................ 128
WIRE: Keep wire vertical ................................................................................ 129
WIRE: Use lead angle optional ....................................................................... 132
XBUILD: Machine table angles ....................................................................... 134
XBUILD: Euler angles ordering for Generic machine ...................................... 135
XBUILD: Machines with no plane spatial support, but support cycle 10 ......... 135
API: Major Sax Basic upgrade ........................................................................ 136
Index
143
Contents iii
What's New in
FeatureCAM 2012 R3
FeatureCAM 2012 R3 offers all of the original features of

FeatureCAM 2012 R2, but with numerous improvements. The most
significant improvements are detailed in the following topics.
General: Only one user can edit

FeatureCAM files at a time
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, a file is locked when a user opens it. If a
second user tries to open the file, a message is displayed:
The requested file is locked by [user]. Would you like to open a read
only copy?
Files that are read-only display [Read Only] in the title bar after the
name of the file.
If you open a read-only copy, you can't save any changes using
Save. (You can save a copy of the file using Save As.)
What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 1
General: Enter custom G-code into the

NC program
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can enter G-code directly into the NC
program, by using the new NC code text option for creating a
Toolpath feature:
Program stop code example

To enter program stop code directly into the NC program:
1 Click the Features
dialog opens.
2 What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3
step in the Steps panel. The New Feature
2 In the From Feature section, select Toolpath and click Next. The
New Feature - Curve or Operation page is displayed.
3 Select the NC code text option and enter M00 (or M01).
4 Click Next. The New Feature - Toolpath feature page is displayed.
This page has the same toolpath editing buttons as the Toolpaths
tab in the Toolpath Properties dialog.
5 Click Finish. The Toolpath feature is listed in the Part View and on
the Op List tab.
6 Simulate the Toolpath feature. In this example, there are no
toolpaths to see, but you must simulate the feature to produce
the NC code.
7 View the NC code on the NC Code tab.
If a Toolpath feature consists only of G-code, FeatureCAM
does not display the Tools or F/S tabs in the Toolpath
Properties dialog.
General: Soft errors

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 introduces soft errors. A soft error does not
prevent you from running a simulation and generating NC code, but
it does prevent you saving the NC code (the File > Save NC menu
option is unavailable).
Soft errors are suffixed SE, for example FS001SE is the soft error for
Feed and speed table not found.
User interface: Set priority for multiple

operations on the Op List
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can override the priority for multiple
operations in the Operation List. To do this, SHIFT+select or
CTRL+select multiple operations on the Op List tab, right-click and
select Override priority to... in the context menu:
Paste special: Copy attributes from one

feature to many
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can copy the attributes from one
feature to many features.
To do this:
1 Select the feature whose attributes you want to copy.
2 Select Edit > Copy from the menu.
3 Select Edit > Paste Special from the menu.
The Paste Special wizard is displayed.

4 In the Paste Special wizard, select Copy the machining attributes
from the feature on the clipboard to another feature.
5 Click Next. The Paste Special - Attributes page is displayed:
6 Select the types of attribute you want to copy from:
Feed/Speed overrides
Tool overrides
Machining Attributes
7 Select whether you want to Copy only the attributes that were set
on the feature or Copy all machining attributes in effect for the
feature.
8 Select the features you want to copy the attributes to.
9 Click Finish.
Stock: Shaded and translucent

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 can display stock as shaded and translucent.
To do this, select Shade stock by default in the Shading Options
dialog and enter a Stock Opacity of between 0 and 1.
This is an example part with Shade stock by default deselected:
And with Shade stock by default selected with a Stock Opacity of 0.3:
Import: New surface naming scheme

groups surfaces
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, imported surfaces are named according to
which solid they belong to. For example, the surfaces imported from
a solid named solid1 are named solid1_1, solid1_2, solid1_3, and so
on in the Part Tree; and the surfaces from a solid named solid2 are
named solid2_1, solid2_2, solid2_3, and so on.
This makes it easier to see which surfaces belong to which solid and
to select all the surfaces from just one solid. This is useful if you
want to stitch imported surfaces back into solids.
Import: PTC Creo files supported

In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can import PTC Creo files.
Tool mapping: 8-digit Diameter &

Length offset registers
FeatureCAM 2012 R3 supports more machine types because you
can enter 8 digits for the tool Length offset register and Diameter
offset register in the Tool Mapping dialog:
Toolpath edit: Insert multiple lines of

G-code
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can enter multiple lines of G-code.
Click the Add NC code text
button on the Toolpaths tab to open
the Add NC Code Text dialog:
Single lines of NC code have the

multiple lines of code have the
icon on the Toolpaths tab and

icon.
2.5D: Rough cutter comp. machining

attribute
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, there is a new Rough cutter comp option on
the Milling tab of Machining Attributes:
Select the Rough cutter comp option to enable cutter compensation

for the rough pass of all milled features in the current document by
default.
The Rough cutter comp option is not available until you
select the Cutter comp option.
You can disable it at feature-level on the Strategy tab:
2.5D: New technology (NT) toolpaths

for Side features
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, the NT toolpaths that were introduced in
FeatureCAM 2012 R2 for Pocket and Boss features, are also
available for Side features.
The three new roughing Stepover types are:
NT Spiral - can use stepovers larger than 50%
NT Zigzag - uses an angle that is calculated automatically to cut

the longest toolpaths
You can use NT Zigzag toolpaths only with features made
from closed curves. If they are not closed and you select
this option, FeatureCAM uses NT Spiral.
NT Continuous Spiral - eliminates nearly all stepovers
Set the default type in Machining Attributes on the Stepover tab:
Click the new Stepover Options button to open the new Rough
Stepover Options dialog:
A Stepover type of Zigzag is not available for Side features.
At feature level, set the Stepover type in the new menu on the
Strategy tab of the feature's Properties dialog:
You can override this at operation level on the Stepovers tab:
If you are using Individual rough levels, you can set the Cut type for
each individual rough pass.
NT Side example
This example shows a centerline simulation of a Side feature using
the traditional Spiral stepover type:
Using NT Spiral gives a similar result, but the toolpaths and

stepovers are smoother:
Using NT Continuous Spiral, the closed part of the toolpath at the

center of the feature (the teardrop shape) uses a continuous spiral
and the rest of the toolpath uses a non-continuous spiral:
NT Zigzag applies only to closed curves, so with this example, the

Side feature is made from a closed curve that goes around the edge
of the Stock:
If you select a Stepover Type of NT Zigzag for an open curve,

FeatureCAM uses NT Spiral.
2.5D: Select Holes by depth or diameter

In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can select all Holes in the part with the
same depth and/or diameter.
The Select by Color/Type dialog has two new options, Hole Depth and
Hole Diameter. Select Edit > Select by Color/Type to open the dialog.
Hole Depth To select all Holes of a particular depth, first select a

type of hole in the Entity Type menu, then enter the Hole Depth
Value, and a Tolerance for how close to the Value the depth must be.
Hole Diameter To select all Holes of a particular depth, first select

a type of hole in the Entity Type menu, then enter the Hole Diameter
Value and a Tolerance for how close to the Value the diameter must
be.
Select a Hole on your part before opening the dialog to
pre-populate the fields.
Viewing modes: Horizontal milling and

vertical lathe
In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, there is a new Machine tab in the Viewing
Options dialog:
Milling Select the type of milling machine from Vertical (the

default and previous behavior) and Horizontal, to improve viewing
during machine simulation.
Turning Select the type of turning machine from Slant bed lathe
(the default and previous behavior) and Vertical turret lathe, to
improve viewing during machine simulation.
MTT: Better user interface

In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, it is easier to access options that were
previously available only on the right-click context menu.
Click the new

button on the Turrets tab to access the options
Reset all opers to default turret and Remove all oper sync points:
Tool database: FeatureCAM add-in to

import TDM tools
A new FeatureCAM add-in is available that can be run independently
of the FeatureCAM MS-Access network database. It uses a
tab-delimited file to read the FeatureCAM-TDM (Tool Data
Management) tool mapping, and uses that to import tools from TDM
into the FeatureCAM network database. These are a few benefits:
The script works with any version of FeatureCAM, as long as the

map is correct for that version.
The FeatureCAM-TDM tool map and import script have been

separated, making the script tool-agnostic. Also you don't have
to deal with SQL and other technical details which can be
frustrating.
The script creates a log of all the import failures.
The script is a FeatureCAM add-in, making it easy to run and

automate if necessary.
API: Help
All new documentation for FeatureCAM's API is now available from
the FeatureCAM help file, making writing FeatureCAM addins easier
than ever before. Select Help > FeatureCAM API Help from the menu
to access it.
What's New in
FeatureCAM 2012 R2

FeatureCAM 2012, but with numerous improvements. The most
Network database: Shared machining

configurations
In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, you can share machining configurations
across a network.
There are now three types of configuration:
File (f) - Configurations for files that are currently open.
Personal (p) - Configurations that are independent of a particular
file and are stored only on your PC.
Workgroup (w) - Configurations that are independent of a
particular file and are stored on a network for sharing with
colleagues.
To create a Workgroup configuration, first enter a valid network

path in the File Options dialog on the Configurations tab:
In the Machining Configurations dialog, click New to open the New

Configuration dialog
You can now set a Configuration type of Workgroup:
After you click OK, the new configuration is shown in the list of
available configurations, with a group
icon and is followed by (w)
in menu items:
You can set the new Workgroup configuration as the Initial

configuration for new documents.
Import improvements
FeatureCAM 2012 R2 can read Pro/E Family Tables, which are
multiple configurations of a given part.
SolidEdge ST4 is now supported.
User interface: Copy and paste from

PowerSHAPE
You can now copy and paste solids and surfaces from PowerSHAPE
into FeatureCAM. Surfaces, curves, lines, and arcs are supported.
You can also copy and paste solids from FeatureCAM into
PowerSHAPE.
2.5D: New technology (NT) toolpaths

In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, there are three new roughing Stepover
types:
NT Spiral - can use stepovers larger than 50%
NT Zigzag - uses an angle that is calculated automatically to cut

the longest toolpaths
NT Continuous Spiral - eliminates nearly all stepovers
The NT (new technology) toolpaths support Pocket, Rectangular

Pocket, and Boss features.
Set the default type in Machining Attributes on the Stepover tab:
Click the new Stepover Options button to open the new Rough
Stepover Options dialog:
The NT toolpaths are available in the Stepover menu along with the
traditional Spiral and Zigzag toolpaths.
At feature level, set the Stepover type in the new menu on the
Strategy tab of the feature's Properties dialog:
You can override this at operation level on the Stepovers tab:
If you are using Individual rough levels, you can set the Cut type for
each individual rough pass.
NT Spiral example
This example part includes a Boss feature and a Pocket feature,
outlined in red:
This is a centerline simulation of the Boss feature using the

traditional Stepover type of Spiral:
This is the same feature cut using the new technology Stepover type
of NT Spiral:
This is a centerline simulation of

the left Pocket feature using the
traditional Stepover type of Spiral:
This is the right Pocket cut using

the new technology Stepover type
of NT Spiral:
There are three new attributes available on the roughing operation

Milling tab of the Feature Properties dialog:
HSM max tool overload % - instigates trochoidal machining. As the

tool gets towards overload, FeatureCAM automatically puts in a
trochoidal path to take away the overload..
HSM profile corner % - This allows the arc fitting of profile to avoid
sharp changes in direction in internal corners.
HSM smoothing allowance % - replaces the standard offset with a
smoother one that can achieve higher feed rates.
Sharp rounded corners replace sharp corners.
The stepover is changed from a fixed to a variable distance. The

percentage defines the maximum deviation from the specified
stepover. The maximum percentage is 40% of stepover. So, if
you have a 10 mm stepover the maximum deviation from the
original to the smoothed offset is 4 mm.
This replaces the standard offset with a smoother one that can
achieve higher feed rates.
Sharp rounded corners replace sharp corners.
The stepover is changed from a fixed to a variable distance. The

percentage defines the maximum deviation from the specified
stepover. The maximum percentage is 40% of stepover. So, if you
have a 10 mm stepover the maximum deviation from the original to
the smoothed offset is 4 mm.
Differences between NT and traditional toolpaths

Pre-drill differences
There are some differences with how the Pre-drill operation works
with the NT toolpaths compared to the traditional toolpaths.
You can use a Pre-drill operation with the NT Zigzag toolpath. It is

not available for the traditional Zigzag toolpath.
With the NT toolpaths, zigzag ramping is automatically disabled

when you use a Pre-drill operation. This is not supported for the
original Spiral toolpath and you must set the Max. ramp angle to 0
to disable zigzag ramping when using a Pre-drill operation.
The Pre-drill operation for the NT toolpaths includes the tops of

multi-height islands. This is not supported for the original
toolpaths.
The traditional Spiral toolpath supports manual plunge points for

the pre-drill locations using the Plunge point(s) attribute. The NT
toolpaths support only automatic locations.
Stepover differences
There are some differences in the attributes available for NT
toolpaths on the feature Stepover tab:
There are two Ramp type options for the NT toolpaths:
Smooth - similar to the traditional toolpath option S-type
Direct - similar to the traditional toolpath option Line.
You can specify separate Lead-in and Lead-out options for NT

toolpaths:
The NT toolpaths have a new attribute Approach from outside. This

option automatically adds a very small lead-in whenever the tool is
plunging off the stock. When you select this option, the lead-in
options are disabled. Deselect it to manually specify the lead-in as a
line, arc, and/or toolpath extension.
The Angle attribute for NT toolpaths supports only positive
angles. The direction relative to the toolpath is automatically
determined.
Other differences
On the Milling tab, NT toolpaths have a new attribute, Stepover rapid
distance that controls when to retract and plunge on Boss
stepovers. This is an absolute distance and replaces the Min. rapid
distance % attribute used by the traditional toolpaths.
Better Minimize tool retract with NT toolpaths

Using the Minimize tool retract options with the NT toolpaths gives
better results than with the traditional toolpaths.
Pocket feature
For a Pocket feature, the toolpath slot cuts following the offsets
instead of just a straight line. There are fewer plunges than with
traditional toolpaths.
Traditional toolpath example:
NT toolpath example:
Boss feature
For a Boss feature, the toolpath has a lot fewer retracts and plunges
at the edge of the Stock.
Traditional toolpath example:
NT toolpath example:
2.5D: Separate lead-in and lead-out

distances
In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, you can set lead-in and lead-out distances
separately:
2.5D: Thread Mill tool hand

FeatureCAM 2012 R2 supports either right-hand or left-hand thread
milling tools:
Select Right Hand or Left Hand for the Hand option.

The Feed Dir attribute on the Strategy tab has also been updated:
2.5D: Face Mill tools for Chamfers

In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, you can use a chamfered Face Mill tool to
cut a Chamfer feature. Face Mill tools are now available in the Tool
Group menu on the Tools tab:
The benefit of this is that you can use fewer tools to machine a part.
Example
This example part has a Face and Chamfer features on the top and
on the side:
By default, this part uses three tools:
a Face Mill to cut the top Face, then indexed around to cut the
side Face.
a Chamfer tool to cut the Chamfer around the top Face
a Chamfer tool to cut the Chamfer around the side Face
Instead of the default Face Mill, you can create a new Face Mill with
a Chamfer, for example:
Set this new tool as the override for the Face feature, and then use
it to cut the Chamfer features, by overriding the default tools in the
Op List.
After simulating the part again, you can see that the new Face Mill
tool cuts both the Face features and the Chamfers:
In this example, the chamfered Face Mill tool is too large to cut the
Chamfer on the side of the part:
FeatureCAM give a warning and you can change the tool for this
Chamfer back to the default tool.
Using a chamfered Face Mill tool, you can cut this particular part
with two tools instead of three:
a chamfered Face Mill to cut the top Face, the top Chamfer, then
indexed around to cut the side Face
a Chamfer tool to cut the Chamfer around the side Face
2.5D: Hole cycle G74 and G88

FeatureCAM now supports the hole cycles G74 (left-handed tapping)
and G88 (boring cycle).
Enter the G-codes in the NC Codes dialog in XBUILD:
If you do not enter a G-code for the Reverse Tap cycle,

computed canned moves are performed. If you do not enter a
G-code for the Bore (FDSJ) cycle, the Bore (FF) cycle is used.
The new Reverse Tap cycle is available on the Cycle tab of a Hole
feature for a Tap operation and the Bore (FDSJ) cycle is available for
a Bore operation.
3D: Z-level finish: Flat surface support

In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, you can now use flat surface support with
Z-level finishing. This option inserts a final profile pass exactly at
the base of a flat pocket. There is a new option, Flat srf support, in
the Surface Milling Properties dialog on the Milling tab:
This example shows previous behavior, with Flat srf support

disabled:
With Flat Srf support enabled, FeatureCAM adds a final profile pass,
:
3D: Save boundary curve

You can now save the boundary curve that has been calculated for
an operation to use in subsequent operations. To save the boundary
click the new Save Combined Boundary button on the Stock tab:
The boundary is saved as Curves, which are listed in the Part View.
To use some or all of these curves as the boundary of another
operation:
1 Select the Select curves for boundaries option on the Stock tab of
the second operation.
2 Click the Curve Options button to open the Boundary Curve
dialog.
3 Click the Boundaries button to open the Select Boundary Curves
dialog.
4 Select the box(es) next to the curve(s) you want to use.
Hold down the Shift key to select multiple consecutive
curves.
5 Click OK to save and close the Select Boundary Curves dialog.
6 Click OK to save and close the Boundary Curve dialog.
7 Simulate the second operation.
The simulation is quicker because FeatureCAM does not need to
calculate the boundary again.
Example
This example part uses a Z-level finish operation restricted to the
steep areas only, using the Vertical only option on the Slopes tab,
followed by a 3D spiral operation on the shallow areas.
1 Simulate the Z-level finish operation.
FeatureCAM takes a short time to calculate the boundary and
you see a Calculating boundary message on the progress bar.
When it is complete, the toolpath looks like this:
You can save this boundary to use in subsequent operations.

2 On the Stock tab for the Z-level operation, click the Save
Combined Boundary button.
3 Click Yes to save the boundary. The boundary curves are

displayed in dark blue:
For the next operation, we want to use a 3D spiral operation on

the shallow areas of the part.
4 On the Stock tab of the 3D spiral operation, select the Select
curves for boundaries option.
5 Click the Curve Options button to open the Boundary Curve
dialog.
6 In the Boundary Curve dialog, click the Boundaries button to open
the Select Boundary Curve dialog, which displays a list of the
curves you saved.
7 Select the boxes next to the curves you want to use for the
boundary. In this case we want to use all except the first curve,
which runs around the top of the stock.
8 Click OK to save and close the Select Boundary Curves dialog.
9 Click OK to save and close the Boundary Curve dialog.
10 Simulate the 3D spiral operation. FeatureCAM does not need to
calculate the boundary again and goes straight into calculating
the toolpath:
5-axis: Turn/Mill B-axis alternative

position
In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, the Use alternative 5-axis position attribute
is available on the Drilling and Milling tab for 2.5D milling operations
in Turn/Mill parts.
This means that you could cut 2.5D operations at, for example,
B=-10 instead of the default +10 if the B-head has more clearance
tilting up.
Simulation: Step backward

You can now step backward through a simulation. Select View >
Simulation > Step Backward from the menu to go back one step, or
use the keyboard shortcut Alt+Left.
This option is available only after you have used Step Forward
from this menu or the Single Step
Simulation toolbar.
button on the
Simulation: Faster 3D simulation

In FeatureCAM 2012 R2, 3D simulation and machine simulation is
faster thanks to the use of multiple cores when doing simulation.
Multiple cuts are performed simultaneously using multiple cores,
and you see the end result much sooner.
You can also save the results of a 3D simulation to use as a starting

point, to save calculation time during subsequent simulations.
Select View > Simulation > Use Results as Starting Point to use the
current simulation results. To clear the simulation results, select
View > Simulation > Clear Starting Point.
To use this feature, you must select Save result files during 3D
sim on the 2D/3D Shaded tab of the Simulation Options dialog.
Simulation: New keyboard shortcuts

There are two new keyboard shortcuts that you can use during
simulation:
Alt+Right - Press and hold the Alt key then click the right cursor
arrow key to step forward once.
Alt+Left - Press and hold the Alt key then click the left cursor arrow
key to step backward (see page 37) once.
Machine simulation: Better collision

display
FeatureCAM 2012 R3 has improved collision detection for machine
simulation.
Whenever a named part of the machine collides with another solid,

a flashing arrow is displayed and the display turns transparent, for
example:
You must enable Pause on gouge on the 2D/3D Shaded tab of

Simulation Options to see this feature.
The first collision point only is marked.
The display returns to normal when you continue the
simulation.
The arrow is not shown for tools colliding with stock.
Turn/Mill: Cylindrical interpolation

support
FeatureCAM 2012 R2 supports cylindrical interpolation in the NC
code for Turn/Mill and 4th-axis parts. This enables features that are
wrapped around one of the index axes to use a cylindrically
interpolated toolpath. The result is shorter NC code and better
interpretation of cutter compensation.
To use it, select the new option Machine tool and post support
cylindrical interpolation in the General Information dialog in XBUILD:
Cylindrical interpolation uses these new reserved words:

<CYL-INTERP> - logical, TRUE if cylindrical interpolation is used
<WRAP-RADIUS> - numeric, the wrapping radius
For example, this part has four Pockets wrapped around the Z axis:
A 3D simulation looks like this:
After selecting the Machine tool and post support cylindrical

interpolation option, the NC code uses G07 to turn on cylindrical
interpolation for the Pocket operations. This makes the NC code
shorter, and smaller in memory size.
Turn/Mill: Separate fixture offset for

each feature
There are new attributes in FeatureCAM 2012 R3, on the Misc tab of
the feature's Properties dialog, which let you use a separate fixture
offset for each B-axis turn/mill Hole (or other feature).
Subfixture ID - applies to B-axis turn/mill features and corresponds

to the <SUBFIXTURE> reserved word in XBUILD. This lets you use a
separate fixture offset for each Hole (or other feature). For
example, if the Fixture ID is 54 and you enter a Subfixture ID of 1, the
output is 54.1.
For patterns, enter a Subfixture ID start value and a Subfixture ID

increment value. For example, if the Fixture ID is 54 and you enter a
Subfixture ID start of 1 and a Subfixture ID increment of 1, the output
is 54.1, 54.2, 54.3, and so on.
XBUILD: Use Delcam post processor

files
You can now use *.pmopt and *.pmoptz files with XBUILD:
Some PMOPT capabilities are not supported by XBUILD. For

example, XBUILD supports much wider variety of NC output
for 2-axis milling than is currently unavailable in PMOPT. So if
you choose PMOPT you lose such control of your NC code.
PMOPT files do not support Turning and Wire EDM.
Probing: UDF available

In FeatureCAM 2012 R2 you can preview a UDF-based probing
capability that is available to purchase as a optional module. This
module supports a variety of touch-probing capabilities such as
setting of part location fixture offsets, setting of tool offsets,
probing-and-recut, and so on. The software is developed as an
add-in that works with a modified post processor, and is available
by request to the Post department.
API: New functions

This is a summary of the new API functions, for more information
please see the API help file.
FMToolpathPts.DeleteItem - Delete a toolpath point from list of
points.
FMToolpathPt.Dwell - Return and set the dwell time associated
with the toolpath point.
FMToolpathArc.Dwell - Return and set the dwell time associated
with the toolpath arc.
FMToolpathPts.AddtoolpathNCText - Create a toolpath NC text
segment.
FMToolpathNCText - A new class to represent the NC text segment.
FMFeatures.AddToolpathFromOperation - Create a toolpath
feature from an operation.
Application.SetGraphicsWinLowerColor - Set graphics window
lower background color.
Application.SetGraphicsWinUpperColor - Set graphics window
upper background color.
FMCurves.AddFunctionCurve - Create curve from function.
FMSurfaces.AddSurfaceCoons - Create a coons surface.
Other improvements
Network database - The network database is now more reliable.
2.5D: Performance improvement for large STL stock.
Turn/Mill - The Disable Macros option is now available on the

Turn/Mill tab in the Post Options dialog.
What's New in
FeatureCAM 2012
FeatureCAM 2012 offers all of the original features of FeatureCAM

2011 R3 (V17.8), but with numerous improvements. The most
User interface: More isometric views

There are now four isometric views available. As well as the existing
Isometric view, there are also Isometric 2, Isometric 3, and Isometric 4
views. Access the new views from the View > Principle Views menu:
44 What's New in FeatureCAM 2012
Or from the Principle View menu on the Standard toolbar:
The following example shows all four isometric views:

Isometric:
Isometric 2:
Isometric 3:
Isometric 4:
What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 45
User interface: Keyboard shortcuts

There is a new tab in the Customize Toolbars dialog, Keyboard
Shortcuts:
This tab lets you assign your own shortcut keys to the FeatureCAM
menu commands.
To set a new shortcut key:
1 Select a category from the Categories list.
2 Select a command from the Commands list.
If the command already has a shortcut, it is listed under Current
keys.
3 To assign a new key, select the Press new shortcut key field and
press the keys that you want to use as the shortcut.
Press the keys on the keyboard, for example, press and
hold down the Alt key and press the N key; do not type ALT
+ N.
A warning displays if the shortcut you entered is already
assigned to a command.
4 Click the Assign button to save the new shortcut.
If you click Assign after receiving a warning that the
shortcut is already assigned to a command, the shortcut is
removed from the existing command and assigned to the
new command.
Remove Click this button to remove the shortcut assigned to the

selected command.
Reset All Click this button to reset all shortcuts to the FeatureCAM
defaults.
Document Click this button to open a *.txt file, containing a list of
the current shortcuts, in your text editor. You can print or save this
file.
User interface: Part view multiple

select
You can now select multiple items in the Part View using Shift + click
to select consecutive items and Ctrl + click to select non-consecutive
items.
In the following example, we

want to select all of the Hole
features to add to a group:
To do this, select pattern1, hold

down the Shift key and click
pattern2, hold down the Ctrl key
and click pattern3, hole4, and
hole5:
Tooling: Better Face Mill tools

There is a new option to specify a 45 chamfer for Face Mill tools:
This new option allows more accurate simulation and machining.

Existing tools are classified as Round by default.
To set a 45 chamfer on a Face Mill tool:
1 Select Chamfer as the Corner type.
2 Enter an Effective Diameter greater than zero.
3 Enter a Tip Radius greater than or equal to zero.
4 Click the Apply button.
The tool preview image on the right of the dialog updates to
show the chamfer, for example:
Tooling: Cutting data by tool

You can associate cutting data with individual tools in the tool
database at two levels:
On the Overrides tab of the Tool Properties dialog. You can set
cutting data for the tool for all materials and operations.
On the Feed/Speeds tab of the Tool Properties dialog. You can set
cutting conditions by material, operation, and cut type. These
override any settings on the Overrides tab.
You can override these settings at feature operation level.
Tool overrides for all materials and operations

The new parameters on the Overrides tab of the Tool Properties
dialog are Depth of cut (Z-step increment), Stepover distance, and
Ramp angle.
Enter values to use with the current tool for all materials, except
those overriden on the Feed/Speed tab, for example:
Tool overrides by material, operation, and cut type

As well as the previously available Speed and Feed settings, you can
set Depth (of cut) and Stepover by Material, operation (Rough and
Finish) and type of cut (Profile, Slot, Face, and Plunge Mill).
To do this, select the Feed/Speed tab of the Tool Properties dialog

and click the Create new item
button:
The Tool Specific Feeds and Speeds dialog opens.

Select the Material name from the list and enter any Depth and
Stepover overrides by operation and type of cut, for example:
Click OK. The material is listed on the Feed/Speed tab:
These material-based settings take priority over any on the global

Overrides tab.
Tool cutting data example

This example part has a Side feature with a Depth of 15 mm:
We have the choice of three form tools to cut this Side feature:
A 90 insert with a cut depth of 10 mm:
A 45 insert with a cut depth of 6.5 mm:
A 10 insert with a cut depth of 2 mm:
Each of these tools has a different feed rate associated with it as

well as a different cut depth.
For the 90 insert tool with the depth of cut of 10 mm, we created a
material-based maximum Depth (of cut) override of 8 mm for the
Rough operation for ALUMINUM:
This is the centerline simulation of the 90 tool cutting the rough

operation of the Side feature, with two toolpath passes:
Viewing the simulation of the toolpath from the front, we can use
the Vertical Distance
button on the Geometry toolbar to check
that the 8 mm Depth override has been applied to the rough pass:
For the 45 insert with a cut depth of 6.5 mm, we created a

tool-specific maximum Depth (of cut) override of 3 mm and a
Stepover override of 15 mm on the Overrides tab:
These values are used unless you set any material-based overrides
on the Feed/Speed tab.
This is the centerline simulation of the 45 tool cutting the rough

operation of the Side feature:
Using the same method as before, we can check that the 3 mm

maximum Depth (of cut) override has been applied:
For the 10 insert with a cut depth of 2 mm, we created two

material-based overrides on the Feed/Speed tab:
For ALUMINUM, we set quite a high Feed rate, and a 1.5 mm

maximum cut Depth:
For TOOL_STEEL-MOLD_P20, we set a lower cut Depth of 1 mm, a

lower Feed rate and a lower spindle Speed:
Again, we can check that the 1.5 mm maximum Depth (of cut)
override has been applied to the ALUMINUM stock:
If we change the stock to TOOL_STEEL-MOLD_P20 and run the

simulation again, we see that the 1 mm maximum cut Depth
override has been applied:
Depth of cut precedence

The Rough depth of cut is normally calculated as the tool Diameter
multiplied by the Depth % attribute set on the Stepover tab of
Machining Attributes.
The default Finish behavior is a single pass around the profile of the
feature, up to the Cutter Length of the tool. This is to avoid leaving a
mark on the side wall of the feature.
You can override both the Rough and Finish depth of cut in several
places, from lowest to highest precedence:
Tool level: Depth attribute on the Overrides tab of the Tool

Properties dialog.
Tool level: Material-specific Depth attribute on the Feed/Speed tab

of the Tool Properties dialog.
Feature operation level: Rough/Finish pass Z increment on the

Milling tab of the Feature Properties dialog.
The final depth of cut depends on whether you have selected Equal
depth of cut on the Misc. tab of the Feature Properties dialog.
2.5D: Total stock for finish pass

In FeatureCAM 2012, you can set a Total stock attribute for finish
operations. Set it on the Milling tab for the finish operation:
Previously this attribute was available only for rough operations.
2.5D: Toolpath feature improvements

Quickly create a Toolpath feature from an operation in the Op List
In FeatureCAM 2012, you can create a Toolpath feature by
right-clicking on the operation in the Op List tab and selecting the
new option, Create toolpath feature from the context menu, for
example:
Add a Dwell value to a toolpath point

You can now add a dwell value to a toolpath point. To do this, open
the Toolpath Properties dialog, and select the Toolpaths tab for the
toolpath operation. Select the toolpath segment where you want to
add the dwell and click the Edit segment
button.
The new Dwell option is in the Edit Toolpath Segment dialog:
Enter the Dwell value in seconds.
The dwell amount is displayed on the Toolpaths tab, for example:
Add NC code text to a Toolpath feature

There is a new button on the Toolpaths tab,
Add NC code text:
This button opens the Add NC Code Text dialog:
The Add NC Code Text dialog lets you insert NC code before the
selected point and optionally add a comment.
For example, you could enter a M00 conditional stop at a particular
point in order to check the tool:
Click the Apply button, then the OK button, and the NC code and
comment are added to the Toolpaths tab to the row above the
selected row, for example:
And after simulation, you can see the code on the NC Code tab, for
example:
Your post must support dwell and EDF text to use these new
features.
Toolpath feature displayed as lines
When you create a Toolpath feature and select the Toolpaths tab,
you can now see the full lines of the toolpath, for example:
Previously, toolpath points only were displayed, for example:
Toolpath lines are displayed by default, but you can turn them on
and off in the context menu of the new Options
button. Select or
deselect Display lines:
Connection options after deleting toolpath segments

In FeatureCAM 2012, when you delete toolpath segments, there are
more options for connecting the remaining segments. The Delete
Toolpath Segment dialog opens after you click the Delete segment
button:
Select from:
Direct move between the 2 segments (previous behavior)
Retract to rapid plane, rapid move to next segment
Retract to specified Z value, rapid move to next segment, and enter

a Z value
Undo toolpath edits

You can now use the Undo
button on the Standard toolbar to
undo edits that you make to a Toolpath feature. For example, if you
delete some toolpath points, you can click the Undo button to
restore the points.
2.5D: Exact Z step

Currently FeatureCAM calculates the depth of cut like this:
1 Divides the feature depth, for example 10 mm, by the depth of
cut you set to get the number of steps.
2 Divides the depth by the number of steps to get the actual depth
of cut (the depth of cut for each step is equal).
For example:
If the feature depth is 10 mm and you set a depth of cut of 3 mm,
the number of steps is calculated as (10/3) + 1 = 4 steps. The
actual depth of cut is 10 / 4 = 2.5 mm. The steps are cut at 2.5
mm, 5 mm, 7.5 mm, and 10 mm.
There is a new option, Equal depth of cut, at feature level:
And at machine level:
The new option is selected by default, so that FeatureCAM keeps

previous behavior.
To set an exact depth of cut, deselect Equal depth of cut.
Using the same example, with Equal depth of cut deselected:
If the feature depth is 10mm and you set a depth of cut of 3mm,
the number of steps is calculated as (10/3) + 1 = 4 steps.
FeatureCAM uses the actual depth of cut you set (3 mm) for each
pass, then cuts any remainder depth. The steps are cut at 3 mm, 6
mm, 9 mm, and 10 mm.
These features support exact depth of cut:
Profile boss
Rectangular pocket
Profile pocket
Step bore
Profile side
Counter bore hole
Profile groove (Face groove
Plain hole with drill/mill
only)
roughing
Slot
Tapped hole with drill/mill
roughing
2.5D: Back Bore holes

In FeatureCAM 2012, you can create a back bore cycle (such as a
Fanuc G87). The Back Bore hole type lets you machine back bore
holes using a single Setup.
You must use a post processor that supports back bore holes.
Back Bore Hole is a new hole type available in the Feature wizard:
And on the Dimensions tab of the Feature Properties dialog:
You must enter the Diameter, Depth, Bore Depth, and Bore Diameter
dimensions for the Back Bore Hole.
When you create a Back Bore Hole, a backbore operation is created,

with a Back Bore cycle on the Cycle tab:
If your post processor supports it, you can select a Drill Cycle type
and enter Dwell, X Shift, and Y Shift values.
Simulation: Part compare extended

In FeatureCAM 2012, Part compare is available for many more part
types. You can now use Part Compare with these modules:
4-axis
5-axis positioning
5-axis simultaneous
Turning
Turn/mill
Wire
To do a part compare:
1 Right-click the solid part you want to use for the part compare
and select Use Solid As Part Compare Target from the context
menu.
2 Run a 3D or RapidCut simulation on the part.
You can not run a RapidCut simulation on turned, indexed,
or multiple-fixture parts.
3 Select View > Simulation > Show Part Compare from the menu.
4 Check if there are any areas of your part that are shown in blue,
these parts have not been cut or are undercut. Areas that have
been cut correctly are shown in green.
This example shows a 5-axis part after a 3D simulation:
By using part compare, you can see that a chamfer has been
missed when programming the part. This is the area shown in blue:
3D: Z-level spiral roughing

There is a new option on the Strategy tab for Z-level roughing,
Continuous Spiral:
The Continuous Spiral option lets the tool move in a continuous,

smooth motion, which reduces deceleration and acceleration, keeps
a more constant chip load, and increases the tool life.
This blow mold base example shows a single Z-level rough slice:
Using the Offset option:
Using the Continuous Spiral

option:
Turn: Solid model as tool holder

In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, you can set solid models as turning tool
holder geometry. This gives much more accurate simulation of
turning feature operations and colision checking, for example:
There is a new option, Solid, on the Holder Drawing tab for turn
tools.
To set a solid model as a tool holder:
1 Import the solid model that represents the tool holder.
2 Position the solid model (see page 72) so that the point zero is in
the correct place.
3 On the Holder Drawing tab in the Tool Properties dialog, select
Solid, and in the Set section, select the name of the solid holder
you imported and click the Set selected button.
4 The solid holder is displayed in the preview window on the tab

and you can see the insert position relative to the holder:
The solid model holder is used in simulation.
Solid tool holder example

Here is an example of a FeatureCAM turning tool holder:
To use a solid model of the tool holder that represents it more

accurately:
1 Import the solid model file of the tool holder. Click the Cancel
button when the Solid Wizard opens.
In this example, a *.x_t solid file of the tool holder was imported.
2 Optionally rename the solid in the Part View.

3 You must now make sure that the imported solid model tool
holder is positioned correctly. First, find the zero point (mounting
point) of the solid model holder. You can do this using the
following method:
a Select the two faces that point towards the zero point, for
example:
b Hide everything that is unselected.
c Using Line from two points, create two sketch lines along the
mounting edge of the faces, for example:
d Hide the two faces to show only the two sketch lines.
e Use the Trim/Extend tool to extend the lines until they

intersect:
Use the Clip tool to clip the ends of the lines beyond the
intersection:
You are left with a sketch of the exact zero point to use to
position the holder correctly.
4 You now need a reference point to move the holder to. You can
do this using the following method:
a Select the Holder Drawing tab in the current Tool Properties
dialog.
b Select Curve and click the Paste Example button:
You can now see the pasted curve and the solid holder in the
Graphics window:
Turn off shading of the solid to compare them more easily.

We need to move the zero point of the solid holder
that we
sketched earlier, to the zero point of the pasted holder curve
.
5 Use the Transform tool to do this:
a Select the solid holder.
b Select Edit > Transform from the menu.
The Transform dialog opens.
c Select Translate and Move and under Distance from 2 points,
click the From pick location button and select the zero point
you sketched earlier:
d Click the To pick location button and select the zero point of
the pasted holder curve:
e Click the Preview button to check the new location of the solid
holder. The preview is shown in blue:
Click OK to accept the new location.
6 Turn the solid holder shading back on and you can see the
position of the tool insert curve relative to the holder:
7 You can now delete the holder curves you pasted earlier.
8 If you look at the solid holder from the front, there is a recess
where the insert sits:
9 You must take this recess into account to achieve accurate

simulation. To do this:
a Using the Linear Distance tool, take a measurement of the

depth of the recess:
In this example, it is approximately 2mm.

b Select the solid holder.
c Select Edit > Transform from the menu to open the Transform
dialog.
d In the XYZ Distance section, enter 0 for X, -2 for Y, and 0 for Z
to move the holder down by 2mm in the Y direction.
e Click OK.
The solid holder is now in the correct position and ready to set
as the holder on the tool's Holder Drawing tab.
10 To set the solid as the holder for the tool:
a Select the Holder Drawing tab in the Tool Properties dialog.
b Select Solid, and in the Set section, select the name of the
solid holder you imported and click the Set selected button.
c The solid holder is displayed in the preview window on the tab

and you can see the insert position relative to the holder:
d Click OK to accept the solid holder.

The preview on the Tools tab updates too:
e Click OK to continue.
11 Hide the imported solid and show the part solid.
12 Run a 3D simulation. The solid model that you imported is now

used as the tool holder and the simulation is more accurate:
Turn: Better tool holder graphics

In FeatureCAM 2012 R3, the graphical representation of tool holders
is improved.
The material behind the insert on the tool holder is now shown, for
example:
In previous versions, this material was not shown, for example:
The new tool holder graphics increase the realism of simulations

with the default tooling.
Turning leave allowance

In FeatureCAM 2012, you can set X Leave Allowance and Z Leave
Allowance attributes for a Turn feature finish pass, on the Turning
tab of the Turn Properties dialog:
This means you can undercut or overcut a part without having to

remodel it. This is essential for situations such as fitting allowance.
X Leave Allowance is the amount of material to leave after the finish
pass, in the X direction, and Z Leave Allowance is the amount of
material to leave after the finish pass, in the Z direction.
The X Leave Allowance and Z Leave Allowance values can be positive
or negative, but both must have the same sign (both positive or
both negative).
What's New in
FeatureCAM 2011 R3

FeatureCAM 2011 R2, but with numerous improvements. The most
2.5D: Use stock models as rest

material, eliminate air cutting
In FeatureCAM 2011 R3 (V17.8), you can use stock models with
2.5D milling to represent rest material and eliminate air cutting.
You can create a stock model from the following 2.5D features'
rough or finish operations:
Pocket
Rectangular pocket
Boss
Side
Chamfer
Slot
Step Bore
The following features' rough or finish operations can use a stock

model:
Boss
Side
To create a new 2.5D stock model:

1 Right-click on Stock Models in the Part View and select Add Stock
Model from the context menu.
The Add Stock Model dialog is displayed.
2 Enter a Name for the stock model.

3 Optionally edit the default Step Size and Tolerance to control the
resolution of the stock model.
4 Under Create stock model from:
a Select Operation results.
b Select the operation from which to create the stock model, for
example:
5 Click the OK button to create the stock model.
The stock model is created and displayed under Stock Models in

the Part View.
The stock model you created is available for you to use for
subsequent Boss or Side operations in the Select Stock Curve
dialog, for example:
If you make a change to the operation from which a stock

model was created, you must right-click the stock model
name in the Part Tree and select Recompute from the context
menu.
2.5D: Drilling: Counterbore before drill

There is a new option in FeatureCAM 2011 R3 (V17.8), Counterbore
before drill. It is on the Drilling tab in the default Machining Attributes
dialog:
And, at feature level, on the Strategy tab in the Feature Properties

dialog for a counterbore Hole feature:
Simulation: Performance improvement

Both centerline and 3D simulation are now faster for surface milling
using the C axis with Z tools on a turn/mill part. Simulation now
takes less than a fifth as long as previously. A simulation that
previously took 100 seconds now takes 15 seconds.
User interface: improved warnings and

errors
You can now read warning or error messages by hovering over the
icon on the Op List tab of the Results window, for example:
3D: 4 axis: Co-angular moves removed

Better four-axis code is generated by removing co-angular moves
that make some machines behave badly.
XBUILD: Tool name for Siemens

controls
Users of Siemens controls can now refer to the next tool name
using <NEXT-TL-NAME> as well as the next tool number, using
<NEXT-TL-ID>.
XBUILD: Material name

The reserved word <MATERIAL> is now available for all products to
output the material name.
XBUILD: 2.5D: Maximum depth

The reserved word <DEPTH> now outputs the maximum depth
between operation depth and feature depth for the current
segment.
XBUILD: Nominal and plunge feed

These are new reserved words in XBUILD:
<NOM-FEED> is the nominal feed rate.
<NOM-PL-FEED> is the plunge feed rate.
These are useful for determining the feed rates at the start of an
operation, before the milling moves, so that instead of specifying
the feed rate values each time, the machine's registers can be used
instead.
XBUILD: MTT: Turning mode for

spindle
There is a new reserved word in XBUILD, <SP-MD-IS-TR>, which is
true if the spindle is in turning mode and false if the spindle is in
milling mode.
Wire: Leave Allowance negative value

allowed
You can now enter a negative value for the Leave allowance and
Cutoff leave allowance attibutes for 2-axis and 4-axis wire features.
A negative leave allowance acts as an overcut.
What's New in
FeatureCAM 2011 R2

FeatureCAM 2011, but with numerous improvements. The most
2.5D: Min. rapid distance by operation

Minimum rapid distance is now available at operation level.
2.5D: Ramp from top

You can now save machining time by reducing ramping-to-depth on
2.5D feature finishing. To do this, deselect the new option Ramp
from top available at feature level on the Strategy tab of the Feature
Properties dialog:
And on the Lead/Ramp tab of Machining Attributes:
The option is selected by default to keep previous behavior.

The following example shows a Side feature.
Ramp from top on:
Ramp from top off:
2.5D: Tool size shown when picking

Plunge point
In FeatureCAM 2011 R2 (V17.4), when picking a Plunge point, an
outline of the plunge tool is displayed with the cursor:
Previous versions showed only the point:
3D: New strategy: Steep and Shallow

There is a new 3D strategy in FeatureCAM 2011 R2 (V17.4): Steep
and Shallow.
The Steep and Shallow finishing strategy calculates a shallow

boundary, and then creates a Z-level toolpath in the steep areas of
the model and a Raster or Offset toolpath in the shallow areas.
- Shows the 3D Offset toolpath in the shallow areas

- Shows the Z-level toolpath in the steep areas.
The strategy has the following attributes:
Order - determines the order in which the steep and shallow

portions are machined.
Top first - machines from the top regions downwards. If you have
a boss, the shallow regions at the top of the boss are machined
before the steep regions down the sides.
Steep first - machines the steep sections before the flat. If you
have a boss, the steep regions are machined before the shallow
regions.
Options
Threshold angle - the surface slope, measured from the horizontal,
that determines the split between constant Z (steep) and shallow
machining.
Overlap distance - the size of the overlap area between steep and
shallow machining. This minimises marks on the model caused by a
sudden switch between steep and shallow machining.
Steep
Spiral - produces a spiral path between two consecutive closed
contours. This minimises the number of lifts of the tool and
maximises cutting time while maintaining more constant load
conditions and deflections on the tool.
Shallow
Select from:
Parallel
Optionally enter a Wall Clearance and Raster Angle.

3D Spiral
Smoothing - smooths offsets of toolpath segments over the model.

Selecting the Smoothing option converts this:
to this:
As a general rule, use raster on open-edged parts and 3D

offsets at the bottom of a pocket.
3D: Non ball-end previous tool for

remachining
You can now select non ball-end tools for remachining. There is a
new Remachining button on the Strategy tab of the Surface Milling
Properties dialog:
This opens a new dialog, containing the remachining options

previously on the Strategy tab. It also contains a new option,
Ball-end, which you deselect to access the non ball-end options.
3D: Remove shallow slices selected by

default
The Remove shallow slices option for the Z-level finish interleaved
strategy is now selected by default:
3D: Lead in/out from pocket center

There is a new lead in/out option, Try pocket center lead-in/out first:
This produces a tangential lead move that, in the case of a Lead In,
starts at the center of the pocket (a Lead Out finishes at the center).
The center is the center of the box that encloses the closed
segment. This option is particularly useful when profiling pocket
features which have been pre-drilled at the center, although it can
be used with any closed segment.
3D: Recent tools

Save time when searching for 3D tools. Select the new Recent tools
option to filter the tool list and show only recently used tools:
3D: Optimize parallel pass
There is a new option for parallel strategies. Optimize parallel pass If you create a parallel toolpath and select Add perpendicular
remachining pass, with a Steep slope angle greater than 0 , the
Optimize parallel pass option trims the parallel pass so it doesn't
machine the areas that the perpendicular pass machines.
Turn: Two tool offsets for Groove tools

You can now have a second offset register number for a Groove
finish. To enable it, select Use 2nd offset register on the Strategy tab
of the Groove Properties dialog:
Enable it by default by selecting the Use 2nd offset register option on

the Grooving tab of Machining Attributes for Turn:
The default second offset register number is the Tool number plus
the Increment for tool slot's 2nd offset register on the Misc. tab of
Machining Attributes for Turn. The default increment is 20.
For example, if the Tool number is 5, the offset register for the
program point side of the tool is 5. The offset register for the other
side of the tool is 25 (5 + 20).
The Tool Mapping dialog has a new field and a new column, 2nd
Length, for Groove tools:
Override the default values for the tool in the Tool Mapping dialog.
Turn: Tool nose radius compensation

for Bore feature
Tool nose radius compensation, TNR Comp, is now available for the
rough and semi-finish passes of a Bore feature:
What's New in
FeatureCAM 2011
FeatureCAM 2011 offers all of the original features of FeatureCAM

2010, but with numerous improvements. The most significant
improvements are detailed in the following topics.
Summary of new features

FeatureCAM 2011 offers all the original features of FeatureCAM
2010, but with numerous improvements. The most significant are:
General
FeatureCAM 2011 is now available in 64-bit version (see page

101) as well as 32-bit version.
You can import files into FeatureCAM 2011 using Delcam

Exchange (see page 103).
There are new look buttons and icons (see page 103) in the user
interface.
There is an approximate 10% performance saving (see page

104) on every function in the entire product.
You can now open parts with lots of geometry and features in
half the time.
There is better support for dual monitors (see page 104).
2.5D
FeatureCAM 2011 has fully automatic deburring/chamfering (see

page 105)
You can now index around the Z axis (see page 108).
You can now set feed rates as IPT (inches per tooth) or MMPT
(mm per tooth) (see page 110).
Bore mill support for drilling (see page 111)
You can now set a default facing angle (see page 112).
3D
There is now a 3D Lite (see page 113) component for when you
want basic 3D milling capabilities.
You can now create stock models for Z-level roughing (see page
114) operations.
There is better tool support for Chamfers (see page 116).
You can now cut Z-level finish undercuts using Side Mill tools
(see page 117).
The 3D Spiral strategy has a new Smoothing (see page 119)

option.
There is a performance improvement with part and check

surfaces lists (see page 120).
Machine simulation
FeatureCAM now remembers the parts of the machine (see page

120) that you have hidden previously.
Solid
There is a new Chamfer solid constructor (see page 121).
5-axis positioning
You can now create 5-axis holes (see page 122) more easily.
5-axis simultaneous
There are two new options (see page 125) for Tilt Axis for Gouge
Avoidance.
Turn
No-drag finish (see page 127) is now available.
Wire
There are new automatic ordering options (see page 128) for
wire.
You can tell FeatureCAM to keep the wire vertical (see page 129)
after Retract and Cutoff operations.
Use lead angle is now optional (see page 132).
XBUILD
You can now set the exact angles of machine tables (see page
134).
You can set the Euler Angles ordering for Generic machines (see
page 135).
New reserved word (see page 135) for machines that don't
support plane spatial, but do support cycle 10.
API
There has been a major Sax BASIC upgrade (see page 136).
Performance improvements: 64-bit

FeatureCAM 2011 is available in two versions:
FeatureCAM 2011 64-bit only runs on a 64-bit operating system

and has no limit on the amount of available memory it can use.
FeatureCAM 2011 32-bit runs on 32-bit and 64-bit operating

systems but has a limit on the amount of memory it can use.
If you are using the 64-bit version, the Help > About
FeatureCAM dialog shows x64 next to the Version number.
There is no special indication if you are using the 32-bit
version.
Benefits of the 64-bit version

The main advantage is that it allows you to handle much larger data
sets and provides faster calculation times. This happens as it:
Has no limit on the amount of available memory it can access.
Handles larger data files.
Avoids "out of memory" errors.
There is a performance improvement of 10 to 20% on average.
Requirements
The 64-bit version requires:
64-bit hardware.
64-bit version of either Windows Vista or Windows 7

Professional.
More memory on start-up and for toolpath calculation

(approximately 20% but it depends on usage). We recommend a
minimum of 8 GB memory.
FeatureCAM can't run on the 64-bit Windows XP platform as

there is a bug in XP which Microsoft won't fix.
FeatureCAM will continue to run on the 32-bit XP platform.
FeatureCAM 2011 64-bit is available without additional costs
to all existing users who are on a maintenance contract.
Using the 32-bit version
You can run the 32-bit version on a PC with a 64-bit operating
system but it will only use up to 4 GB of memory. If you have a
64-bit PC you will need a 64-bit operating system and appropriate
drivers for you hardware.
If you have a 32-bit PC then the only option is to run the 32-bit
version of FeatureCAM. This will use up to 2 GB of memory.
Compatability
The 64-bit version can read 32-bit files, but the 32-bit version can
not read 64-bit files.
There are separate installers for the 32-bit and 64-bit versions. You
can install both versions on the same 64-bit machine.
Other 64-bit important information
The 64-bit version of FeatureCAM 2011 uses the Sentinel RMS
network licensing. This licensing increases security across all
products and helps protect your investment more robustly. It also
provides Delcam with greater traceability of licensing and improves
our anti-piracy measures.
PAF and dongle customers will be able to install 32-bit and 64-bit
versions of FeatureCAM 2011 without any issues.
FeatureCAM 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit versions) and future
Delcam products aren't supported under FLEXlm.
Import: Delcam Exchange

In FeatureCAM 2011 you can import files using Delcam Exchange.
There is a new option on the File menu. Select File > Import Using
Exchange:
You must have Delcam Exchange installed to use this new

feature.
User interface: New look user interface

The User Interface has been updated with new modern icons and
images.
Many of the buttons and wizards have more attractive icons, for
example:
There are also two new user interface styles. As well as the Classic
style, you can now choose Shaded Grey or Glass on the Toolbars tab
of the Customize Toolbars dialog:
User interface: General

Performance improvements
There is an approximate 10% performance saving on every function
in the entire product, from milling to turning to wire, from basic
functions all the way to advanced, thanks to better memory
management.
Open parts faster
In FeatureCAM 2011, we have cut in half the time that it takes to
open a part file containing lots of geometry and features.
Display: Better support for dual

monitors
There is better support for dual monitors in FeatureCAM 2011. If
you are using two monitors, and detach the second one,
FeatureCAM dialogs move automatically to the first monitor.
2.5D: Fully automatic

deburring/chamfering
In FeatureCAM 2011, you can create deburring or chamfering
operations, even when the model does not contain these chamfers
or deburr regions.
For example, the following model contains various bosses, pockets,
and sides, and has lots of sharp edges:
There are no chamfers on the model itself or on the features:
Traditionally, you would need to extract the curves on each of the

surface edges to guide where the chamfers go or edit each one of
the features in turn to create the chamfers.
FeatureCAM now has automatic chamfer recognition.
When you select a Chamfer feature, the Extract with

FeatureRECOGNITION option is now available:
Click Next to open the New Feature - Feature Recognition Options

page:
Here you can enter the width of the chamfers and other options.
The chamfers are highlighted on the model, for example:
To accept the highlighted chamfers, click Select All, then Finish.

The chamfers are created and are shown in the Part View.
FeatureCAM deburrs the edges using 3D chamfers without gouging
neighboring edges, for example:
2.5D: Index around Z

In FeatureCAM 2011 you can index around the Z axis for 2.5D
machining, using for example a rotary table lying flat on a vertical
milling machine. This means that you can mill large parts that
exceed the travel of the machine in one direction, by milling them in
stages.
Index around Z example

This example shows a part being machined with no multi-axis
positioning. When drilling holes near the edges of the part, the
machine moves a lot in the X and Y directions:
And risks a collision at point
By selecting 4th Axis Positioning and Index around the STOCK Z Axis,
the holes can be cut by rotating around the Z axis:
2.5D: Specify feed rates in units per

tooth
In FeatureCAM 2011, you can set feed rates as IPT (inches per
tooth) or MMPT (mm per tooth):
2.5D: Drilling: Bore milling support

FeatureCAM now has easier to read and edit NC code for machines
that support hole/bore milling, such as Heidenhain Cycle 208,
Siemens POCKET4, Fagor G88, and Haas G12/13.
There is a new option in the Drill/Mill Options dialog, Use hole milling
canned cycle if available ( ):
The Use hole milling canned cycle if available ( ) option is

available only if Rough with Endmill to full diameter is selected.
The hole milling canned cycle is posted using the hole milling format
in XBUILD.
If the G code for a Hole Milling cycle is set in the NC Codes dialog in
XBUILD, for example:
That code displays in the brackets after the new option name, for
example:
2.5D: Default facing angle

In FeatureCAM 2011, you can set the default Zigzag angle for Face
features on the Facing tab of the Machining Attributes dialog:
3D: 3D Lite component

If you want to be able to do some basic 3D milling, but do not need
the full 3D component, there is now a 3D Lite component:
3D Lite lets you mill only one surface per feature, but you can
create multiple features.
The strategies available in 3D Lite are:
Z-level rough
Parallel rough
Parallel finish
Isoline
2D spiral
You can have multiple operations in each Surface feature.
3D: Stock model for Z-level roughing

In FeatureCAM 2011, you can create stock models inside the
product for Z-level roughing operations.
Previously you would have to:
1 Create a Z-level rough toolpath operation.
2 Simulate it.
3 Save it out to an STL file.
4 Load the saved STL file back into the active FeatureCAM
document.
There is a new option in the Part View called Stock Models. Select
Stock Models and click the arrow button to access the menu item
Add Stock Material:
When you click the Add Stock Model menu item, the new Add Stock
Model dialog opens. This contains an option for the new method of
creating a stock model from a Z-level roughing operation, Operation
results:
Enter a Name for the stock model, and the stock model shows under
Stock Models in the Part Tree, for example:
The stock model you created is available for you to use for
subsequent surface milling operations on the Stock tab of the
Surface Milling Properties dialog, for example:
3D: Better tool support for Chamfers

You can now use spot drills, chamfer mills, countersinks, and
tapered end mills when cutting 3D Chamfer features.
3D: Z-level finish undercuts using Side

Mill tools
You can now do undercuts with a Z-level finish. There is a new
option on the Strategy tab:
The Undercuts option is available only if the Interleave spiral

paths option is deselected.
When you select the Undercuts option on the Strategy tab, the
Machining Side tab displays in the dialog at the surface feature
level:
Side Mill tools are now available for Z-level finish operations:
3D: Toolpath smoothing for 3D spiral

strategy
In FeatureCAM 2011, there is a new Smoothing option for the 3D
spiral strategy, on the Strategy tab:
This option removes all sharp changes in direction. It works in a

similar way to the Toolpath corner % raceline smoothing attribute,
but smooths all toolpaths, not just corners.
The new Smoothing option gives a better surface finish and
machining times.
This example shows a 3D spiral finish without smoothing:
And with smoothing:
3D: Performance improvement of part

and check surface lists
In FeatureCAM 2011, there is a significant performance
improvement when editing large 3D milling parts. Selecting
machining surfaces and check surfaces is much faster than before,
taking about a tenth of the time to interact with the dialog.
MSIM: Easier machine simulation

Machine simulation is now easier because FeatureCAM remembers
the parts of the machine that you have hidden previously, when you
restart machine simulation.
Solid: Chamfer constructor

There is a new Chamfer solid constructor in FeatureCAM 2011.
To use the new constructor:
1 Open the Edge Chamfer dialog in one of these ways:
In the Solid Wizard, select Shape Modifiers, then Chamfer, and

click Next.
On the Solid toolbar, click the Chamfer

Modify solid menu.
From the menu, select Construct > Solid > Modifiers > Chamfer.
button in the
2 Optionally enter a Name for the solid, or leave the default name.
3 If you want to chamfer all the edges of a face, select it in the
Face list, or click the Pick surface
the Graphics window.
button and pick the face in
4 If you want to chamfer a single edge, select it in the Edge list, or

click the Pick curve
window.
button and pick the edge in the Graphics
5 Click the Add button to accept the face or edge.

The name of the edges and their fillet radii show in the
Edge/Radius box and the edge is shown as a red arrow in the
Graphics area.
5-axis positioning: Easier Hole creation

In FeatureCAM 2011 you can create 5-axis Hole features from
simple circles in space. You do not need to use solids, Feature
Recognition, or surfaces.
The following 5-axis part example was created with only geometry
and curves:
To create a 5-axis Hole feature on the drafted corner side area, you
just need a circle in the correct position, in this example parallel
with the drafted face:
This circle lies at a different vector orientation to the Z-axis Setup.

In previous versions of FeatureCAM you would have to create a new
Setup normal to the circle. In FeatureCAM 2011, you can create a
Hole feature that is normal to the selected circle.
To create a Hole feature from a circle:
1 Select the circle.
2 Click the Features step.
The New Feature wizard opens with Hole in the From Dimensions
section selected:
3 Click Next.
The New Feature - Dimensions page opens. FeatureCAM uses the
Diameter from the circle by default, for example:
4 Optionally change the Diameter, and any other options you need.
5 Click Finish.
The direction of the Hole is based on how the geometry was

created, and may be created in the wrong direction, for example:
6 If the Hole is created in the wrong direction, use the Reverse

direction
button on the Location tab of the Feature Properties
dialog to reverse it.
5-axis simultaneous: Automatic tool

collision avoidance
In FeatureCAM 2011, there are two new options on the 5-Axis tab
for Tilt Axis for Gouge Avoidance:
Lead then Lean - if a collision is detected, the tool tilts from the
original axis in the Lead direction until the collision is avoided. If the
collision can't be avoided by tilting the tool in the Lead direction, the
tool tilts in the Lean direction until the collision is avoided.
Lean then Lead - if a collision is detected, the tool tilts from the
original axis in the Lean direction until the collision is avoided. If the
collision can't be avoided by tilting the tool in the Lean direction, the
tool tilts in the Lead direction until the collision is avoided.
The following example model can be machined using 5-axis

simultaneous machining:
In FeatureCAM 2010 the options available for such a model were:

A Tilt Axis of Lean
- shows the toolpath isn't created in the corners
or a Fixed direction and a Tilt Axis of From curve.

- the curve used to generate the toolpath.
- an incomplete toolpath.
The only way to resolve this would be to create a curve in each

pocket and generate a separate toolpath for each pocket.
In FeatureCAM 2011, you can use one of the new options:
A Tilt Axis of Lead then lean:
This creates the desired result with one toolpath and there is no
need to create any additional geometry.
TURN: No drag finish

There is a new no-drag finish option in FeatureCAM 2011 for cutting
right-angle stair steps:
With a Conventional finish, the feed moves in the +X direction,

followed by the -Z direction, and so on, until it reaches the end of
the stair step, for example:
This can reduce the tool life and also result in chips being dragged
along the face of the part.
By selecting a No-Drag finish, FeatureCAM cuts the vertical faces

first, in the -X direction, then does the horizontal -Z areas, for
example:
WIRE: Automatic Ordering Options

In FeatureCAM 2011, Wire has its own Automatic Ordering Options
dialog:
This dialog contains options suitable for Wire EDM:
Do Cutoffs last - all retracts are done together, then cutoffs, then
contours
Minimize rapid distance - minimizes movement of the wire by

moving to the next closest feature after the one it is currently
cutting
You can access the Automatic Ordering Options dialog for wire from
the new Operations tab in Machining Attributes:
Click the Automatic Options button to open the Automatic Ordering

Options dialog.
If the Don't ask at tool path simulation option is deselected, the
Ordering dialog opens when you start simulation, as a reminder
about ordering.
Click the Wire EDM Ordering button to open the Automatic Ordering
Options dialog.
Don't show this dialog next time - select this option if you don't want
to see the Ordering dialog the next time you start simulation.
OK - click OK to save any changes, close the Ordering dialog, and
continue with simulation.
Cancel - click Cancel to close the Ordering dialog and stop
simulation.
You can also open the Automatic Ordering Options dialog by clicking
the Automatic ordering options button on the Op List tab:
WIRE: Keep wire vertical

There is a new option in FeatureCAM 2011 that lets you keep the
wire vertical after Retract moves for 4-axis features.
To use the new option for an individual feature, select the Keep wire
vertical at retract option on the Strategy page of the Feature
Properties dialog:
This option is available only for Retract and Cutoff operations

To set the option as a default for the whole part document, select it
on the Settings tab of the Machining Attributes dialog:
The following example shows the end of a Retract operation with

Keep wire vertical at retract selected:
This is the same example with Keep wire vertical at retract

deselected:
WIRE: Use lead angle optional

The default lead angle for circular Die features is now optional. If
you don't want to use it, deselect the new Use lead angle option on
the Start tab of the Machining Attributes dialog:
If you deselect Use lead angle, FeatureCAM uses the start point of a
curve as it was defined.
Use lead angle example
The following example model has been pre-machined and only the
circular areas are left to finish:
We created a Die feature from the four circles, using a Contour

strategy with a Direct lead style:
After doing a 3D simulation, you can see that there is unnecessary

cutting into the model on circles
,
, and
:
Because the Die feature is made up of four circles, if we change the

default Lead angle on the Start tab of the Machining Attributes dialog,
from 0 to 90 deg., this changes the lead angle for all four circles:
So now, circle
is fine, but there is unnecessary cutting for circles
,
, and
, so changing the lead angle does not help in this
situation.
To change the lead angle for each circle individually, we can
deselect the Use lead angle option on the Start tab of the Machining
Attributes dialog, and FeatureCAM uses the start points of the
curves as they were defined:
You can change the start points of new or existing curves

using the Set start point option in the Curve Start/Reverse
dialog:
XBUILD: Machine table angles

You can now enter the exact angles of machine tables in the
Five-Axis dialog in XBUILD:
The defaults are 44.44 and 55 deg.
XBUILD: Euler angles ordering for

Generic machine
In FeatureCAM 2011, you can set the Euler Angles ordering for
Generic machines in the Five-Axis dialog:
XBUILD: Machines with no plane

spatial support, but support cycle 10
Some machines (for example some 5-axis Heidenhain machines)
don't support plane spatial, but do support cycle 10. There is now
better support in XBUILD for these machines, by providing a third
angle so that cycle 10 can be used.
Cycle 10 allows for the rotation of the coordinate system about its
own Z axis so that the X axis lines up with the X axis in the part file.
There is a new reserved word, <ROT-Z>, for the Z rotation angle.
API: Major Sax Basic upgrade

There has been a major Sax Basic (now called WinWrap Basic)
upgrade from version 6 to version 10. More than 100 language
enhancements have been made, plus your macros will run
significantly faster.
Version 10.02 Enhancements
Language (all)
Added Project blocks.
Added Class and Module blocks (projects only).
Allow multiple Class and Module blocks in one file.
Allow identifiers to begin with '_'.
Added CallersSymbol function.
Added GetModuleInstance function.
'#EditingCert special comment. (Script editing protection.)
'#EncryptingCert special comment. (Script encryption.)
'#ViewingCert special comment. (Script viewing protection.)
Erase and ReDim can now operate on a property. A property

that implements Get, Let and/or Set for an array can be used
in an Erase or ReDim statement.
IDE
Project editing/debugging.
Multi-sheet mode allows more than nine sheets.
Sheet tabs are now names (or numbers) and can be resized
by a vertical split. (Windows CE always uses numbers.)
Moving a split past the lower threshold returns the split to

"dynamic" mode. A dynamic split moves according to the
window's size or contents.
Immediate, Stack, Watch and Loaded window tabs are now on

the left side of the debug area instead of the top.
Show parameter info for all overloaded methods.
Auto completion of generic type names improved.
Added line number bar.
Added change bar.
Added outlining bar.
Added File | New Project submenu.
Added File | Import... menu item.
Added Edit | Go To menu item.
Added View | Line Numbers menu item.
Added View | Outlining submenu.
Added Macro | Check Syntax menu item.
Added Sheet | Expand and Collapse menu items.
Added Sheet | Next and Previous menu items.
Removed Sheet | 1..9 menu items.
Ctrl-A is now the hotkey for Edit | Select All.
Ctrl-H is now the hotkey for Edit | Replace.
Language (all)
UNICODE (UTF-8 and UTF-16) script parsing.
UNICODE (UTF-8 and UTF-16) file I/O support
Unified help file for all languages
Faster parsing when using lots of language extensions
Language interop (old, WWB-COM and WWB.NET)
Delegate declaration and AddressOf operator.
MacroCheck and MacroCheckThis functions.
ModuleLoad and ModuleLoadThis functions.
StrConv UTF-8 and byte conversions
<< and >> shift operators
+=, -=, *=, /=, \=, ^=, <<=, >>= and &= assignments
Language (old)
No '#Language special comment for WinWrap Basic v9.0 (and

before) compatibility
Literal number type suffixes: D, F, H, R, I, L, UH, UI and UL
Language (WWB-COM)
'#Language "WWB-COM" special comment for enhanced VBA

compatibility
AndAlso, IsNot and OrElse operators
Decimal, SByte, UInteger, ULong and UHuge_ data types
CSByte, CUInt, CULong and CUHuge_ conversion functions
Literal number type suffixes: D, F, H, R, I, L, UH, UI and UL
Return instruction. IDE o UNICODE (UTF-8 and UTF-16) file

I/O support o String constant highlighting.
Auto completions for '#Uses and '#Language special

comments.
Automatic insertion of end statement for Do, Enum, For, If,

Select, Structure, Try, Type, Using, While and With.
Auto completion for referenced .NET assemblies
Reference .NET assemblies using the Edit|References dialog

(WWB.NET)
Language
A scalar String variable assignment of the form 's = s & ...'

now uses internal buffering to greatly improve string building
speed. In a long sequence of appends, code should run about
100x faster. This improvement does not apply to string arrays
or variants.
Constant string concatenation sub-expressions optimized in all

cases.
String function calculates very large string results more

quickly.
Integer constants are now treated as Long values. This

reduces overflows during constant calculation. Overflows can
still occur during assignment.
Event declaration and RaiseEvent instruction. This allows

WinWrap Basic classes to source events for other
WinWrap Basic code.
UNICODE (UTF-16) file I/O support.
IDE
Literal string highlighting.
Paren highlighting. When the caret is left of '(' both the '(' the
corresponding ')' are highlighted. When the caret is right of ')'
both the ')' and the corresponding '(' are highlighted.
Debug|Set Next Statement can now set to a statement in a

calling procedure. (First changes the stack position to the
caller's line and then selects the new next statement line.)
Hidden macros/modules are no longer shown in the stack

window.
UNICODE (UTF-16) file I/O support.
Language
Options 1 and 3 to ListBox dialog statement. These options

enable the ListBox's horizontal scroll bar.
Early Binding.
Faster Execution.
Better Thread Safety.
L = L + 1 -- 2.3x faster
O.Method -- 27x faster (in-process server)
L = O.Prop -- 28x faster (in-process server)
O.Prop = L -- 27x faster (in-process server)
L = O -- 32x faster (in-process server)
= L -- 12x faster (in-process server)
Begin Dialog UserDialog now allows any valid type name in

place of UserDialog.
Decode64, Encode64, Decrypt64 and Encrypt64 functions to

the language.
Out-of-process objects now use late-binding even when

early-binding is indicated. The decision is made at parse time.
This optimization speeds up out-of-process calls by almost a
factor of two over v7.2.23.
Marshaled out-of-process objects now use late-binding even

when early-binding is indicated. The decision is made at
run-time, rather than a parse time. This optimization speeds
up out-of-process calls by another factor of two over v7.2.24.
64 bit integer support: type Huge_ and conversion function

CHuge_.
Allows Property Get, Let and Set to all be defined.
IDE
IME in-place text entry.
Expanded proc drop down list to the right. The current name
is not bolded.
Object drop down list names are not bolded.
Language
New ShowPopupMenu instruction (WinWrap Basic

Language).
New, mouse capability to SendKeys instruction (WinWrap

Basic Language).
New, text alignment option to the Text User Dialog instruction

(WinWrap Basic Language).
New KeyName function. (WinWrap Basic Language).
New Debug.Clear instruction (WinWrap Basic Language).
Added Option Compare support to the language.
Added helpcontext, helpstring and helpfile type library support

for loaded modules. See Attribute in the Language Reference
on-line help.
Added vbMsgBoxSetForeground to MsgBox option list.
Added Join and Split functions to the language.
Added vbNewLine constant which is the same as vbCrLf.

(VBScript compatible.)
Added vbBlack, vbRed, vbGreen, vbYellow, vbBlue,

vbMagenta, vbCyan and vbWhite constants. (VBScript
compatible.)
IDE
New "hover evaluation" - show the value of a variable or

simple expression as mouse hovers.
New "auto completion" - popup lists showing the

methods/properties for the object.
New "parameter info" - show the parameter definitions for the

sub/function/property.
New "most recent used list" - maintain a list of the most

recently used files.
New "taskbar icon" - add a small icon near where the

Windows time is displayed. Has a popup menu to pause or
end execution.
Automatic endif to End If fixup.
Automatic End Sub/Function/Property after entering the

Sub/Function/Property prototype.
Identifiers defined in the code are automatically capitalized.
User defined types/variables/constants included in the auto

completion drop down list.
UDT's (Type and Enum) handled by Auto Completion and

Paramter Info.
Public symbols from '#Uses handled by Auto Completion and

Paramter Info (if the uses macro is loaded into another
sheet).
Public symbols, types and enums from HiddenCode handled

by Auto Completion and Parameter Info.
Object Browser shows type info for UDT's, classes and objects
defined in the sheets and HiddenCode.
Auto Completion and browsing supported for all loaded

modules.
Dragging a file onto the text editing area opens the file, if
FileTools is True.
The debug and watch windows now support auto completion,

parameter info and drag/drop.
Index
*
*.pmopt files 42
*.pmoptz files 42
5-axis position 37
5-axis simultaneous 125
6
64-bit version 101
<
<CYL-INTERP> 39
<ROT-Z> 135
<SUBFIXTURE> 41
<WRAP-RADIUS> 39
2
2D spiral finish 113
A
Add NC code text 61
Add Stock Model 114
Alternative 5-axis position 37
API 43, 136
Approach from outside 23
Automatic chamfering 105
Automatic deburring 105
Automatic Ordering Options (WIRE)
128
3
32-bit version 101
3D Chamfer feature 116
3D Lite 113
3D milling 113
3D Spiral 119
4
4-axis part compare 68
4th-axis positioning 108
5
5-axis holes 122
5-axis part compare 68
B
Back bore cycle 67
Back bore holes 67
Back bore operation 67
Backbore cycle 67
Backbore holes 67
Backbore operation 67
B-axis Turn/Mill 37
Bore (FDSJ) cycle 33
Bore mill support 111
Boundary curve 34
C
C angle 108
Index 143
Canned cycle 111

Chamfer feature 30, 116
Chamfer for face mill tools 48
Chamfer Mill tools 116
Chamfer solid constructor 121
Chamfering 105
Clear starting point 37
Collision avoidance 125
Combined boundary 34
Configurations 16
Connecting toolpath segments 61
Continuous Spiral 18
Continuous spiral (3D) 70
Conventional finish 127
Copy attributes 4
Countersink tools 116
Create Toolpath feature 61
Creo files 7
Custom G-code 2
Cut feature using Y-axis coordinates
108
Cut type 18
Cutoff operations (WIRE) 129
Cutter comp 8
Cutter length 56
Cutting data 49
Cylindrical interpolation 39
D
Deburring 105
Default facing angle 112
Delcam Exchange 103
Delete segment (Toolpath feature) 61
Delete Toolpath Segment dialog 61
Depth 49, 56
Depth % 56
Depth of cut 49
Depth of cut order of importance 56
Depth of cut precedence 56
Depth of cut priority 56
Depth override 49
Diameter of tool 56
Diameter offset register 7
Direct (ramp type) 23
Direct move between 2 segments 61
Display lines (Toolpath feature) 61
Do Cutoffs last (WIRE) 132
Drill/mill 111
Drilling 111
144 Index
Dual monitors 104

Dwell 61
E
Edge Chamfer 121
Edit segment 61
Edit Toolpath Segment dialog 61
Effective diameter 48
Equal depth of cut 56, 65
Euler Angles ordering 135
Exact Z step 65
Exclusive files 1
F
Face feature 112
Face mill tools 48
Face Mill tools 30
Facing angle 112
Fagor G88 111
Family Tables (Pro/E) 18
Feed 49
Feed Dir. (Thread Mill) 29
Feed rate 110
Feed units 110
Feed/Speed tab 49, 56
Feeds and speeds 49
File configurations 16
Finish depth of cut 56
Finish pass total stock 60
Finish pass Z increment 56
Flat surface support 33
G
G07 39
G74 (left-handed tapping cycle) 33
G88 (boring cycle) 33
G-code 2
Generic machines 135
Gouge avoidance 125
H
Haas G12/13 111
Handedness (Thread Mill tools) 29
Heidenhain Cycle 208 111
Holder Drawing tab (TURN) 71

Hole depth 13
Hole diameter 13
Hole milling 111
Hole selection 13
Holes, selecting 13
Horizontal milling 14
Hot keys 46
HSM max tool overload % 18
HSM profile corner % 18
HSM smoothing allowance % 18
I
Import 103
Import Using Exchange 103
Inches per tooth 110
Index around the stock Z axis 108
Index around Z 108
Indexing 108
Interleave spiral paths 117
IPT 110
Islands 23
Isoline finish 113
Isometric views 44
K
Keep wire vertical at retract 129
Keyboard shortcuts 38, 46
L
Lead distance in % 28
Lead distance out % 28
Lead then Lean 125
Lead-in options 23
Lead-out options 23
Lean then Lead 125
Leave allowance (TURN) 80
Length offset register 7
Locked files 1
M
M00 2
M01 2
Machine table angles 134
Machine travel 108

Machine viewing 14
Machining configurations 16
Machining Side tab 117
Macros 136
Material-based tool settings 49
Max. ramp angle 23
Max. tool overload % (HSM) 18
Millimeters per tooth 110
Milling tab 56
Min.rapid distance % 23
Minimize rapid distance (WIRE) 128
Minimize tool retract 24
Misc. tab 56
MMPT 110
Multi-axis positioning 108
Multi-height islands 23
Multiple select in Part View 47
N
NC code text 2
Negative leave allowance (TURN) 80
Negative Z 29
Network database 16
New technology toolpaths 18
No-drag finish 127
NT Continuous Spiral 9, 18
NT Spiral 9, 18
NT toolpaths 18
NT Zigzag 9, 18
O
Operation results 114
Operation-based tool settings 49
Order of importance for depth of cut 56
Override depth 49
Override depth of cut 49
Override priority 4
Override ramp angle 49
Override stepover 49
Override tool depth 49
Override tool ramp angle 49
Override tool stepover 49
Overrides tab 49, 56
Index 145
Parallel finish 113

Parallel rough 113
Part compare 68
Part compare target 68
Part tree 114
Part View multiple select 47
Paste special 4
Performance improvements 101, 104
Personal configurations 16
Plunge point(s) 23
PMOPT files 42
PMOPTZ files 42
Positive Z (Feed Dir.) 29
Post processor 134, 135
PowerSHAPE 18
Precedence of depth of cut 56
Pre-drill 23
Priority of depth of cut 56
Pro/E 18
Probing 42
Profile corner % (HSM) 18
Program stop code 2
PTC Creo files 7
Save combined boundary 34

Sax Basic 136
Select by Color/Type 13
Selecting Holes 13
Settings 16
Shade stock by default 6
Shape modifiers 121
Shared settings 16
Shortcut keys 46
Show part compare 68
Side features 9
Side Mill tools 117
Siemens POCKET4 111
Simulation 37, 38
Simulation improvements 68
Slant bed lathe turning 14
Smooth (ramp type) 23
Smoothing 119
Smoothing allowance % (HSM) 18
Solid model tool holder (TURN) 71
SolidEdge ST4 18
Solids 121
Speed 49
Spiral 18
Spiral roughing (3D) 70
Spot and Center Drills 116
Stair steps 127
Start tab (WIRE) 132
Starting point (Simulation) 37
Step backward 37
Stepover 18, 49
Stepover Options 18
Stepover override 49
Stepover rapid distance 23
Stepover tab (Machining Attributes) 18
Stepover type 18
Stepovers tab 56
Stepovers tab (Feature Properties) 18
Stock Models 114
Stock opacity 6
Stock tab 114
Strategy tab (Feature Properties) 18
Subfixture ID 41
Surface naming 7
R
Raceline 119
Ramp angle 49
Ramp type 23
Read-only files 1
Remove all oper sync points 14
Reset all opers to default turret 14
Retract 24
Retract operations (WIRE) 129
Retract to rapid plane, rapid move to
next segment 61
Retract to specified Z value, rapid move
to next segment 61
Reverse Direction button 122
Reverse tab cycle 33
Reverse-bore holes 67
Right-angle stair steps 127
Rotary table machine 108
Rough cutter comp 8
Rough depth of cut 56
Rough pass Z increment 56
Rough stepover options 18
T
Tapered tools 116
146 Index
TDM 15
Thread Mill hand 29
Tilt axis 125
Tilting angles 134
Tool attributes 49
Tool Data Management 15
Tool depth 49
Tool depth override 49
Tool diameter 56
Tool holder graphics (TURN) 79
Tool holder solid model (TURN) 71
Tool mapping 7
Tool overrides tab 49
Tool properties 49
Tool settings 49
Tool specific feeds and speeds 49
Toolpath feature 61
Toolpath options 61
Toolpaths tab 61
Tools for 3D Chamfer 116
Total stock 60
Total stock for finish pass 60
Turn 127
Turn part compare 68
Turn/Mill B-axis 37
Turn/mill part compare 68
Turning leave allowance 80
W
WinWrap Basic 136
Wire improvements 128, 129, 132
Wire part compare 68
Workgroup configurations 16
X
X leave allowance (TURN) 80
XBUILD 134, 135
Z
Z leave allowance (TURN) 80
Z-axis indexing 108
Zigzag 18
Zigzag angle 112
Z-level finish 117
Z-level finish (3D) 33
Z-level rough 113, 114
Z-level spiral rough (3D) 70
Z-step increment 49
U
Undercuts 117
Undo Toolpath edits 61
Units 110
Use alternative 5-axis position 37
Use hole milling canned cycle if
available 111
Use lead angle (WIRE) 132
Use results as starting point 37
Use solid as part compare target 68
User interface 44, 46, 47, 103, 104
V
Vertical milling 14
Vertical turret lathe turning 14
Vertical wire 129
Index 147

FeatureCAM Whats New 2012 R3

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FeatureCAM 2012 R3

Copyright 1995-2012 Delcam plc. All rights reserved.

FeatureCAM Version: 2012 R3 Date: 13 April 2012 13:51

What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R2

Network database: Shared machining configurations ....................................... 16

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

Probing: UDF available ..................................................................................... 42

What's New in FeatureCAM 2012

User interface: More isometric views ................................................................ 44

What's New in FeatureCAM 2011 R3

What's New in FeatureCAM 2011 R2

2.5D: Min. rapid distance by operation ............................................................. 87

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

Turn: Tool nose radius compensation for Bore feature ..................................... 98

What's New in FeatureCAM 2011

Summary of new features ................................................................................. 99

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 offers all of the original features of

General: Only one user can edit

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 1

General: Enter custom G-code into the

Program stop code example

2 What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3

step in the Steps panel. The New Feature

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 3

General: Soft errors

User interface: Set priority for multiple

Paste special: Copy attributes from one

4 What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

The Paste Special wizard is displayed.

5 Click Next. The Paste Special - Attributes page is displayed:

6 Select the types of attribute you want to copy from:

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 5

Stock: Shaded and translucent

This is an example part with Shade stock by default deselected:

6 What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

Import: New surface naming scheme

Import: PTC Creo files supported

Tool mapping: 8-digit Diameter &

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 7

Toolpath edit: Insert multiple lines of

Single lines of NC code have the

icon on the Toolpaths tab and

2.5D: Rough cutter comp. machining

8 What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

Select the Rough cutter comp option to enable cutter compensation

2.5D: New technology (NT) toolpaths

NT Spiral - can use stepovers larger than 50%

NT Zigzag - uses an angle that is calculated automatically to cut

NT Continuous Spiral - eliminates nearly all stepovers

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New

What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3 9

Set the default type in Machining Attributes on the Stepover tab:

A Stepover type of Zigzag is not available for Side features.

10 What's New in FeatureCAM 2012 R3

FeatureCAM 2012 R3 What's New