Clamping definitions and workflow


Guideline 4.0 is a set of funtionalities created to help in designing clamping using FCS System.

To activate Guideline, press the icon on the vertical toolbar or, as alternative, the in the upper left corner of the graphical window.

Activating Guideline, clamping functionalities become available and the sw enters in clamping design environment.

This environment is completely integrated in Bly 3D Viewer: Guideline functionalities are available if a Guideline license is accessible by the working installation and the activation is seamless.

That means the possibility of opening clampings previously defined and saved in .bly files using a Bly 3D license, with all viewing functionalities available.

To modify them, however, a Guideline license is always needed.

The same icon can be used to deactivate Guideline (and release the license).


FCS System, by its nature, requires to accomplish two main tasks:

  • PLACEMENT SEATS DESIGN: the first step is to define where to drill the (normally) additional holes to accomodate the FCS components on to the job. The holes have specific dimensions and tolerances that must be respected to accomodate the clamping components. To decide where to drill those holes is typically a task in the design process: adding seats in a job has an impact in terms of interference analysis, customer acceptance, 3D models update etc. which have to be considered or, in other words, "designed";




  • MACHINE SET-UP DEFINITION: once the seats are defined and the 3D model(s) updated, it is possible to use them as clamping point and define the machine set-up(s). That is normally a machining task, since the fianl position on the table must take in account machining parameters, travels, available tables etc. The set-up(s) defined in Guideline can then be used as input for CAMpath design. Also, with the same set of FCS' seats, more than one set-up can be defined.



As a consequence, the typical workflow in Guideline reflects that philosophy: the first step is the definition of the seats, the second step is the definition of machine set-up(s). The present manual will guide the user through it, with the goal of helping him understanding the general operativity before the detailed description of each command.

However, the sequence is not absolutely rigid and there are exceptions that apply (i.e. imported 3D model can have the seats modeled already): this manual will guide you through those exceptions too, highlighting the most typical situations and how to tackle them effectively.

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