Exercise 8 - Workgroups

In this exercise you will create 2 layers of geometry for the same part file using Workgroups. Using Workgroups can help keep your geometry organized when you are working on a part file with multiple machining operations. Both the CAD tools and the Geometry Expert will be utilized in creating the geometry for this exercise.

Create a new file named WORKGROUPS. Set the machine type to 3 axis vertical mill and the units to mm. Enter the values below for the stock size.

Select the Geometry icon from the Top Level Palette.

The Geometry Palette will appear.

Select the Shapes icon.

The Shapes Palette will appear.

Select the Box icon.

Enter the values below and click on Do It.

You will now add a midpoint to the top horizontal line. This will be used for the center point of an arc that you will add to this profile.

Select the point icon from the Geometry Palette.

The Points Palette will appear.

Select the Midpoint icon.

Select the line as shown and click on the Single Point icon to create a midpoint on that line.

Your screen should look like the following image.

Select the Circle icon from the Geometry Palette.

The Circle Palette will appear.

Select the Point & Center point icon.

Select the midpoint you created as the CP.

Select the corner point as shown as the P. Click on the Single Circle icon.

Your screen should look like the following image.

You will now connect/trim the arc to the rectangle profile. Hold down the control key and select the 2 blue corner points as shown.

Select the connect/disconnect icon to disconnect the connector points from the profile.

Your screen should look like the following image.

You will now connect the arc to the profile. Select the circle and the yellow vertical line on the left as shown.

Select the Connect icon.

A blue connector point will be placed at the intersection of the line and the circle. Your screen should look like the following image.

Hold down the control key and select the circle and the other vertical yellow line as shown.

Select the Connect icon.

Your screen should look like this.

Note: If your arc is reversed from the image above, select it and choose Modify-Reverse Arc from the Main Menu.

This completes the profile on the first workgroup. You will create a second workgroup that will contain geometry for 4 holes.

Single-click on the Workgroups icon from the Top Level Palette.

The Workgroup dialog box will appear.

Select New Workgroup to create a new workgroup.

The new workgroup is highlighted and now the active layer. The geometry you created should no longer be on the screen. Change the name of the new layer to HOLES. Double-click on the second workgroup. In the Comment box type in HOLES.

Click on the X to close this dialog box and return to the Workgroup dialog box.

Next, you will change the name of the first workgroup. Double-click on the first workgroup. Type in CENTER_POCKET in the Comment box.

Click on the X to close this dialog box and return to the Workgroup dialog box. Select the HOLES workgroup to make it active and close the Workgroup dialog box.

You will create 4 holes for this workgroup using the Geometry Expert.

Select the Geometry Expert icon from the Geometry Palette

Enter the following rows into the Geometry Expert spreadsheet.

Feature Type Ref. Radius CP X CP Y

Clockwise Arc C1 5 10 10

Clockwise Arc C2 5 10 90

Clockwise Arc C3 5 90 90

Clockwise Arc C4 5 90 10

The Geometry Expert should look like this.

Hit enter. Your screen should look like this.

To view the first layer of geometry you created, select the Workgroup icon from the Top Level Palette.

Select the CENTER_POCKET workgroup and close the dialog box.

You should now see the first layer of geometry you created.

You can also view different workgroups at the same time. Select the Workgroups icon from the Top Level Palette.

The Workgroups dialog box will appear.

Hold the shift key and double click on the eyes next to the names of the workgroups to open them.

This completes the exercise. Save the file. Choose File-Save from the Main Menu.