Workflow
Here is a typical workflow using semi-automated costing:
1 Set automation level and cost part: set the process setup option Machining Automation Level to Semi-Automated, and Cost your part.
2 Examine principal setup axes: examine the setup axes activated by aPriori (rotate the part to assess how axes are oriented with respect to the various GCDs). Consider whether you should override aPriori’s choice of principal setup axes—see Principal Setup Axes.
3 Examine features to review: examine the Heat Map for the Features to Review category. The GCDs shown in warmer colors are the more important ones—larger or more complex surfaces, potentially contoured surfaces, or deep holes or side walls.
4 Take action to achieve full costing: Go through each GCD listed under Features to Review, in order of importance, and take action to effect an operation assignment for the GC; and then cost the part again. Do this until there are no more GCDs classified under Features to Review, and all GCDs cost successfully. See Achieving Full Costing for the sub-steps of this step.
5 Examine contoured surfaces: examine the Heat Map for Contouring Area Removal Rate. GCDs assigned to contouring are shown in the Viewer. For problem GCDs, such as those whose removal rate is too slow (those with a warm color, such as red or orange), consider whether to modify setup options, such as those for feed, speed, or tool diameter, or effect an assignment of side milling or facing, and then re-cost if you made changes. See Contouring Area Removal Rate in Working with the Heat Map.
6 Examine area removal rates for other GCDs: examine the Heat Map for General Area Removal Rate, Cycle Time, and other metrics. For GCDs whose removal rate is too slow, consider whether to modify setup options, such as those for feed, speed, or tool diameter, or effect a different operation assignment, and then re-cost if you made changes. See Working with the Heat Map.
A typical workflow for fully automated costing is similar; but with fully automated costing you examine features assigned to General Mill Finishing instead of Features to Review. You can still use the diagnostic information to help you effect alternative operation assignments where appropriate, but this is not required in order to achieve full costing, as it is with semi-automated costing.