Difference between revisions of "CNC Machined Parts"

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Protocase Designer now includes a <b>Machined Shapes</b> category under templates. <br>
 
Protocase Designer now includes a <b>Machined Shapes</b> category under templates. <br>
  
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To begin, select the <b>Machined Cube</b> template, you can expect more shapes & templates to come in the future! <br>
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To begin, select the <b>Machined Cube</b> template as your starting point.<br>
 
[[File:machined_shapes.png|800px]]
 
[[File:machined_shapes.png|800px]]
  
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In the 3D view, you need to first select the face which you want to create a sketch on. You can do so by clicking on <b>New Sketch</b> and selecting the face. <br>
 
In the 3D view, you need to first select the face which you want to create a sketch on. You can do so by clicking on <b>New Sketch</b> and selecting the face. <br>
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<b>Note:</b> You can have multiple sketches on the same face.
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[[File:create_sketch_example.png|600px]]
 
[[File:create_sketch_example.png|600px]]
  
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[[File:drawing_2D_shapes.gif | 1200px]]
 
[[File:drawing_2D_shapes.gif | 1200px]]
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Back in the 3D view, your newly created sketch will be visible indicated by the red outlines on the face.
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[[File:3d_sketch_view.png | 1200px]]
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== Edit Existing Sketches ==
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Once you have a sketch drawn, if you want to modify something afterwards there are two ways to go about it.
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<b>Note: Editing any sketch that has an operation already applied to it, will update the operation automatically!</b>
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1. Machining Tree:
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* On the left side of the editor is the machining tree, which shows a list of your operations & sketches. Find the sketch you want to modify and right click it, then choose <b>Edit Sketch</b>
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[[File:edit_sketch_tree.png]]
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2. Sketch Selection Dialog
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* When selecting "New Sketch" on a face that already has a sketch present, you'll be prompted with a dialog and the options to continue creating a new sketch on this face, or to choose one of the existing sketches to edit. If you proceed with "Edit Existing" then it will just display that sketch in the 2D editor as mentioned above.
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[[File:sketch_selection_dialog.png | 800px ]]
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=Applying Operations=
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An Operation is a step in the CAD model that modifies the geometry of the part. Each operation is based on a 2D sketch. Think of operations as building blocks stacked one after the other to shape your final part.
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Usage: Common operations include extrusion, cut, fillet, and hole. For example, “Extrude this sketch” or “Pocket this area.” Each operation modifies the part and appears in the feature history or timeline.
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To apply an operation to a sketch, right click on the sketch from within the machining tree, and hover the <b>Operations</b> menu, and click your desired operation.
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<b>Note: if an operation is disabled, it means your sketch is not compatible with the operation. For instance, the Hole operation is disabled if your sketch does not contain any circle paths.</b>
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[[File:apply_operations.png]]
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==== Wireframe View ====
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While applying an operation, you will see a transparent red "preview" shape that the operation generates within the model. It's often useful to view your model in <b>Wireframe</b> mode during this, as it gives you a better representation of how the operations shape will change your geometry. This can be done by going to the <b>View</b> tab in the editor, and clicking <b>Wireframe</b>.
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[[File:apply_operation_preview.gif | 1000px]]
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In Protocase Designer we have the following operations:
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=== Cut Operation ===
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* The Cut Operation is used to create pockets, they can be either <b>blind-pockets</b> (fixed depth, doesn't cut all the way through) or <b>through-pockets</b> (cuts straight through to the other side)
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* You can enter the <b>Cut Amount</b>, which controls how deep the pocket will go, or choose <b>Cut-Through</b> which will automatically cut straight through to the other side of the part.
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=== Extrude Operation ===
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* Extrude Operation takes a 2D sketch and pushes or pulls it into 3D space to add or remove material. You can extrude a shape outward to create solid material, or inward to remove material.
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* You can choose the extrusion amount as well as flipping the direction inward and choosing to make a cut.
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=== Hole Operation ===
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The Hole Operation is used to create different hole features, such as:
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* <b>Countersink</b>
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** A Countersink is a conical-shaped recess at the top of a hole, designed for flat-head screws to sit flush with or slightly below the surface.
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* <b>Counterbore</b>
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** A Counterbore is a flat-bottomed, larger-diameter section at the top of a drilled hole, designed to recess the head of a socket-head or hex bolt so it sits flush or below the surface.
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* <b>Tapped Hole</b>
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** A Tapped Hole is a drilled hole that also has threads cut inside it, allowing a screw or bolt to be fastened directly into the part without needing a nut.
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* <b>Drilled Hole</b>
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** A Drilled Hole is the most basic type of hole—made using a drill bit that cuts straight down into the material. The sides of the hole are cylindrical, and the bottom may be either flat or slightly pointed, depending on the tool used.
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=== Fillet Operation ===
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* A Fillet is a smooth, rounded transition between two surfaces or edges, usually applied to corners. Instead of leaving a sharp corner where two faces meet, a fillet adds a gentle curve.
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==== Edge Selection ====
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* To select an edge to apply a fillet, left click on it. To select multiple edges, hold <b>SHIFT</b> and left click them.
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* To clear your selections, hold shift and left click in an empty area in the editor.
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==== Applying Fillets ====
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* To apply a fillet to a corner or edge in your design, do the following:
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# Select one or more edges
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# Click <b>Machining Tools</b> tab in the 3D editor toolbar.
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# Click the <b>FILLET</b> button.
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# Enter your desired corner radius value and click <b>OK</b>
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[[File:fillet_example.gif | 1000px]]

Latest revision as of 14:15, 23 June 2025

Now you can design fully finished machined parts and have them in hand in as little as 2-3 days, directly within Protocase Designer!
https://www.protocase.com/products/cnc-machining/

Getting Your Design Started

Protocase Designer now includes a Machined Shapes category under templates.

To begin, select the Machined Cube template as your starting point.
Machined shapes.png

You can customize the finish, material, and dimensions of your part, as well as add Chemical Film Conversion Coating for Aluminum, and Passivation for Stainless Steel. Click on the Extras tab and check the box labelled Chemical Conversion Coating or Passivation.
Chem film cnc cube.png

Once you've selected your desired material, finish and dimensions - click the "Start Designing" button to view your part in 3D and begin making some edits!

Creating Your First Sketch

A Sketch is the starting point of most designs. Think of it like drawing a 2D shape on paper. In CAD software, a sketch is created on a flat surface (like the face of a part or a base plane) and consists of lines, circles, arcs, and other geometric shapes. These 2D outlines are the foundation for creating 3D features like holes, pockets, or solid bodies.

Example: You might sketch a circle to define the base of a cylinder, or a rectangle to later cut a pocket into a part.

In the 3D view, you need to first select the face which you want to create a sketch on. You can do so by clicking on New Sketch and selecting the face.

Note: You can have multiple sketches on the same face.

Create sketch example.png

Drawing 2D Shapes

After selecting your face to draw your sketch on, it will open up the 2D sketch editor. For a more detailed look at this window, see Face Editor Overview

The following are the different shapes you can draw in your sketch:

  • Circle
  • Ellipse
  • Rectangle
  • Line
  • Arc
  • Custom Path

Sketch draw types.png

To begin drawing shapes, select your desired shape from the DRAW menu above, hold left click and drag your mouse to start drawing the path. Release your mouse button to finish the shape.

Once you're happy with your sketch, click Save

Drawing 2D shapes.gif

Back in the 3D view, your newly created sketch will be visible indicated by the red outlines on the face.

3d sketch view.png

Edit Existing Sketches

Once you have a sketch drawn, if you want to modify something afterwards there are two ways to go about it.

Note: Editing any sketch that has an operation already applied to it, will update the operation automatically!

1. Machining Tree:

  • On the left side of the editor is the machining tree, which shows a list of your operations & sketches. Find the sketch you want to modify and right click it, then choose Edit Sketch

Edit sketch tree.png

2. Sketch Selection Dialog

  • When selecting "New Sketch" on a face that already has a sketch present, you'll be prompted with a dialog and the options to continue creating a new sketch on this face, or to choose one of the existing sketches to edit. If you proceed with "Edit Existing" then it will just display that sketch in the 2D editor as mentioned above.

Sketch selection dialog.png

Applying Operations

An Operation is a step in the CAD model that modifies the geometry of the part. Each operation is based on a 2D sketch. Think of operations as building blocks stacked one after the other to shape your final part.

Usage: Common operations include extrusion, cut, fillet, and hole. For example, “Extrude this sketch” or “Pocket this area.” Each operation modifies the part and appears in the feature history or timeline.

To apply an operation to a sketch, right click on the sketch from within the machining tree, and hover the Operations menu, and click your desired operation. Note: if an operation is disabled, it means your sketch is not compatible with the operation. For instance, the Hole operation is disabled if your sketch does not contain any circle paths.

Apply operations.png

Wireframe View

While applying an operation, you will see a transparent red "preview" shape that the operation generates within the model. It's often useful to view your model in Wireframe mode during this, as it gives you a better representation of how the operations shape will change your geometry. This can be done by going to the View tab in the editor, and clicking Wireframe.

Apply operation preview.gif

In Protocase Designer we have the following operations:

Cut Operation

  • The Cut Operation is used to create pockets, they can be either blind-pockets (fixed depth, doesn't cut all the way through) or through-pockets (cuts straight through to the other side)
  • You can enter the Cut Amount, which controls how deep the pocket will go, or choose Cut-Through which will automatically cut straight through to the other side of the part.

Extrude Operation

  • Extrude Operation takes a 2D sketch and pushes or pulls it into 3D space to add or remove material. You can extrude a shape outward to create solid material, or inward to remove material.
  • You can choose the extrusion amount as well as flipping the direction inward and choosing to make a cut.

Hole Operation

The Hole Operation is used to create different hole features, such as:

  • Countersink
    • A Countersink is a conical-shaped recess at the top of a hole, designed for flat-head screws to sit flush with or slightly below the surface.
  • Counterbore
    • A Counterbore is a flat-bottomed, larger-diameter section at the top of a drilled hole, designed to recess the head of a socket-head or hex bolt so it sits flush or below the surface.
  • Tapped Hole
    • A Tapped Hole is a drilled hole that also has threads cut inside it, allowing a screw or bolt to be fastened directly into the part without needing a nut.
  • Drilled Hole
    • A Drilled Hole is the most basic type of hole—made using a drill bit that cuts straight down into the material. The sides of the hole are cylindrical, and the bottom may be either flat or slightly pointed, depending on the tool used.

Fillet Operation

  • A Fillet is a smooth, rounded transition between two surfaces or edges, usually applied to corners. Instead of leaving a sharp corner where two faces meet, a fillet adds a gentle curve.

Edge Selection

  • To select an edge to apply a fillet, left click on it. To select multiple edges, hold SHIFT and left click them.
  • To clear your selections, hold shift and left click in an empty area in the editor.

Applying Fillets

  • To apply a fillet to a corner or edge in your design, do the following:
  1. Select one or more edges
  2. Click Machining Tools tab in the 3D editor toolbar.
  3. Click the FILLET button.
  4. Enter your desired corner radius value and click OK

Fillet example.gif

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