Manual
Table Of Contents
- Controls of the 3500i
- Manual Information
- Introduction
- Machining Fundamentals
- Manual Data Input
- Tool Management
- 4.1 Tool Table
- 4.2 Tool Data
- Program Management
- Conversational Editing
- Programming: Canned Cycles, sub-programs
- 7.1 Explaining Basic Cycles
- Round/Chamfer
- Rapid
- Line
- Arc
- Dwell:
- Plane Selection
- Reference Point Return:
- Fixture Offset (Work Coordinate System Select):
- Unit (Inch/MM)
- Dimension (Abs/Inc)
- Absolute Zero Set
- Block Form
- Temporary Path Tolerance
- System Data
- FeedRate
- FeedRate (4th-Axis)
- Spindle RPM
- M - Functions
- Tool Definition and Activation
- Repeat Blocks
- 7.2 Canned Cycles
- 7.3 Probing Cycles
- 7.4 Sub-programs
- 7.1 Explaining Basic Cycles
- Drawing Programs
- Running a Program on the Machine
- CAM: Programming
- 10.1 CAM Programming
- CAM Mode
- Recommended CAM Programming Sequence
- CAM Mode Mouse Operations
- CAM Mode Screen
- Activating CAM Mode
- Creating a New Program
- Tool Path Data Input
- Quick Coordinate Entry
- Job Setup: Basic tab
- Job Setup: Advanced tab
- Comment Tab
- Block Form: Basic tab
- Comment Tab
- Drilling Cycle:
- Drilling dialogue:
- Mill Cycle
- Pocket Cycle
- Pocket Finish Cycles
- Engraving Cycle
- Program Directive
- Modifying Toolbar
- Viewing Tools
- CAM Mode buttons
- CAM Setup
- Geometry
- DXF Import Feature
- Modifying Tools
- Shapes
- Tool Table
- Tool Paths
- CAM Example 1
- CAM Example 2
- 10.1 CAM Programming
- G-Code Edit, Help, & Advanced Features
- 11.1 G-Code Program Editing
- 11.2 G-Code and M-Code Definitions
- 11.3 Edit Help
- 11.4 Advanced Programming
- SPEED
- M - Functions
- Order of Execution
- Programming Non-modal Exact Stop:
- In-Position Mode (Exact Stop Check):
- Contouring Mode (Cutting Mode) :
- Setting Stroke Limit:
- Return from Reference Point:
- Move Reference from Machine Datum:
- Modifiers
- Block Separators
- Tool Offset Modification
- Expressions and Functions
- System Variables
- User Variables
- Variable Programming (Parametric Programming)
- Probe Move (G31)
- Conditional Statements
- Short Form Addressing
- Logical and Comparative Terms
- File Inclusion
- 11.5 Four Axis Programming
- Software Update
- Off-Line Software

ACU-RITE 3500i 279
10.1 CAM Programming
Recommended CAM Programming Sequence
CAM Setup
Review the CAM Setup data to verify the default settings work for
your program requirements (see page 313). If you are not an
experienced user the default settings should be adequate.
Experienced users can fine tune the CAM Setup to their program
requirements. CAM Setup contains the powerful Tool Table feature.
Tool Table data can be used to calculate feeds and speeds needed in
your program. Feeds and speeds can be entered manually and
automatic calculations overridden.
Geometry Data
Gather the information needed to create the geometry required to
generate the tool paths for your program. Information can be in the
form of paper drawings which you will use to create geometry entities
in CAM or a DXF file which can be used to import geometry data into
CAM.
Job Setup
Use the Job Setup feature to set parameters specific to the current job
(see page 291). Define a block-form to aid in viewing the generated
tool paths in CAM's solid model viewer or line graphics.
CNC Program
CAM automatically generates CNC programs. The program can be
further verified using the Draw feature before cutting the part. The
program generated is based on cycles. This allows the NC program to
be easily edited before execution. Examples are changing the depth of
a pocket or the feed rate for an engraving cycle.