Lesson 2: CAM & Toolpath Strategy
Duration of Days: 5
Lesson Objective
SWBAT:
Assign specific tool types (end mills, drills) to different part features.
Configure "Lead-ins," "Lead-outs," and "Tabs" to safely secure a part during the machining process.
What factors determine the "Step-over" and "Step-down" of a cutting tool?
How do we prevent the tool from crashing into the work-holding (vices or clamps)?
CAM, Toolpath, Pocketing, Contouring, Adaptive Clearing, Feed Rate, Spindle Speed, End Mill, Step-over, Clearance Plane.
CT-CTE.MFG.G.45 (Develop a toolpath for a CNC machine); CT-CTE.MFG.C.14 (Calculate speeds and feeds).
DOK Level: 3 (Strategic Thinking)
Students learn Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM). The purpose is to define how a cutting tool will move to remove material from a raw block to create the part designed in Lesson 4.1.
Misconception: "The software automatically knows how to cut the part."
Correction: The engineer must tell the software the material type, tool diameter, and specific path, or the machine may break the tool or part.
Support: Provide a "Standard Tool Library" so students don't have to define tool geometry from scratch.
Extension: Optimize the toolpath to reduce "Air Cutting" and minimize total machining time.
The Simulated Cut: Successful completion of a CAM simulation showing zero collisions and a finished part geometry that matches the CAD model