Follow these step-by-step instructions for using the CloudNC Soft Jaw Designer
Note - the example images on this page show the Soft Jaw Designer in Mastercam, however the steps are the same across all packages. Check out the videos here for specific CAM package examples.
1
With a part open in your CAM package, select the Soft Jaw Designer icon.
ℹ️ If you have not already logged into the CloudNC service, you will be asked to log in via a browser window.
2
Within the Soft Jaw Designer panel, select the Part to define the soft jaws:
A. Select the Part button, then
B. Select the part in the CAM package workspace area.
ℹ️ To re-select an item, use the Clear selection button.
3 (Optional)
Within the Soft Jaw Designer panel, select the Jaw stock bodies to modify:
ℹ️ The Soft Jaw Designer can be used to modify existing geometry, or to create soft jaw stock bodies. Skip this step to have the Soft Jaw Designer create the jaw stock bodies.
A. Select the Jaw stock button, then
B, C. Select the jaw stock bodies in the CAM package workspace area.
4
Within the Soft Jaw Designer panel, select the Jaw Orientation values:
A. Select the Spindle direction button
B. Select the face on the part (or other geometry) that will define the orthogonal direction for the spindle.
C. Select the Jaw opening direction button
D. Select a face on the part (or other geometry) that will define the normal-to opening direction.
5
Within the Soft Jaw Designer panel, define the Jaw Geometry values:
A. Enter/edit values in the Jaw Geometry fields:
Length - size of the jaw stock along the X-axis.
Width - size of the jaw stock along the Y-axis.
Height - size of the jaw stock along the Z-axis.
Gap - distance between the two jaw stocks.
ℹ️ When using the Soft Jaw Designer to create jaw stock geometry, enter the values that most appropriately reflect the workpiece configuration.
ℹ️ When using selected jaw stock geometry, the Jaw Geometry values will automatically reflected the selected geometry.
6
Within the Soft Jaw Designer panel, define the Jaw Position values:
A. Enter/edit Jaw Position values:
X - in the XY plane along the X-axis, the displacement of the center of the jaw stock from the center of the selected body.
Y - in the XY plane along the Y-axis, the displacement of the center of the jaw stock from the center of the selected body.
Z - amount of height of the body plunged into the soft jaws, as calculated for the bottom of the selected body.
7
Within the Soft Jaw Designer panel, define the Cut-out Geometry values:
A. Enter/edit the Cut-out Geometry values:
Corner Relief Drill Size - Corner relief drills holes in corners for part fit. Ensure the specified size is suitable for the tool library that will be used to machine the soft jaws; amend if required.
All-around Clearance - ensure the clearance between the internal edge of the jaws and the part is suitable; amend if required.
Interlock Prevention - considers the complexity of the part’s shape and how the part will be secured by the jaws as they close and when they are closed.
ℹ️ A complex shaped part may require Interlock Prevention to be checked.
B. Multilevel - check the checkbox if the part needs a multilevel soft jaw design.
If ‘Multilevel’ is checked (optional):
C. Click the Select Z levels button then,
D,E. Select geometry on the part to define the Z-levels for multilevel geometry.
Hit Esc on the keyboard to complete geometry selection.
The Select button captions changes to reflect the number of Z-levels selected.
ℹ️ Z-levels do not need to be selected. If Z-levels are not indicated then the Soft Jaw Designer will attempt to automatically select them. Results may vary.
8
Click run to crate the Soft Jaws.
ℹ️ If the Soft Jaws aren’t immediately visible, check that the level ‘Soft Jaws’ is set to visible
Soft Jaw results may vary. For instance, additional features may be needed prior to machining the jaw stocks. Occasionally, the cut-out process will require re-running the Soft Jaw Designer, using the produced jaw stocks again, and adding the cut-outs.
Next Steps
Once the soft jaws have been created, try machining them with CAM Assist!