CNC Training - Fidget Spinner

This part was designed to teach student staff key lessons and concepts applied in the CNC lab.

Completing this will give you basic knowledge in the following topics:

• Mastercam
  
  • Facing, drilling, contouring tool paths
  • Dynamic tool paths
  • 3D surfacing
  • setting tool path parameters
• Setting speeds and feeds
• Machining strategy
• Chamfering
• Making and using soft jaws
• Work offsets and indicating parts

Steps you'll follow:

1. Look at the FidgetSpinner.SLDPT file
2. Write out a operations list or machining plan (include tooling)
3. Review machining plan with Jeff Elsner or Sam Beffa
4. Model soft jaws and create assembly with part
5. Create your Mastercam program
6. Compare to examples
7. Make your part

Getting Started

First, get familiar with the SolidWorks part file which can be found in the folder here.

Note: Only open the FidgetSpinner.SLDPT file at this point! We want you to complete the rest yourself.

After looking at the part, write out what tools you'd expect to be used and the order of operations you'll use to machine the part features. Start poking around in Mastercam to think about what tool paths you may want to use. Once you've come up with a plan, review it with Jeff or Sam. This review will be the best time to learn something new! 

Topics that should come up are:

• Dynamic tool paths
• Fixturing with soft jaws
• Tool selection
• Machining strategies we commonly use

Starting to Program

After your review session, create a SolidWorks assembly of your part in the soft jaws. This assembly will be what you import into Mastercam as your geometry. After creating your assembly, feel free to open the example assembly and compare the models.

Now, you can import this assembly into Mastercam by dragging and dropping it into the center graphics window. Mastercam will automatically place the different parts of the assembly on different levels. 

Use the Mastercam user guide to help you program your part.