CAM in Action

This video shows CAM being demonstrated via a tire mold and shoe sole mold machining application.

Z-level roughing and Z-level finishing are the traditional programming approaches that have been used successfully for years. In some applications, such as tire mold programming (see Figure 3), the toolpath projected on the geometry by Z-level have proven to be inefficient due to a non-constant floor condition resulting in multiple retracts. Shape offset roughing and finishing, named due to the toolpaths offset from a shaped surface rather than projected at Z-level, overcome this issue and allow for the inclusion of bull-nose tools and end mills. A programmer need only select the floor of the surface, and from this input, they may choose to rough, floor finish, or both wall and floor finish. Since the toolpath accounts for the shape of the surface bull-nose and end mills may be employed and the tool is constantly engaged in material thereby improving cutting conditions and minimizing retracts.