Summary
GibbsCAM 2024 revamps Intermediate Tooling fixtures with receptor and attachment relationships that support filtering and stacking. Fixtures can reposition a part or another fixture, and the resulting position and orientation appear in both the workspace and simulation.
Figure 1 Intermediate Tooling fixtures use receptor and attachment relationships
Source: What's New in GibbsCAM 2024, p. 21
Table of Contents
What Changed in GibbsCAM 2024
Important: Available fixtures, attachment points, axes, and part-setup controls depend on the active machine definition document and Intermediate Tooling data. Verify the approved configuration for the target machine.
Before You Begin
• Use the approved machine definition document, machine assembly, and Intermediate Tooling files for the target machine.
• Identify the active part station, utility nodes, stock, part origin, and machining coordinate systems.
• Confirm the fixtures physically installed on the machine and the fixture that holds each programmed part.
• Record the current part position, orientation, C-axis zero, and chuck width when applicable.
• Save a working copy and capture a baseline workspace and Machine Simulation result.
Important: A fixture or part-setup change can move the part, stock, coordinate systems, and toolpaths relative to the machine. Regenerate and verify affected operations before posting.
Procedure
Step 1 - Confirm the Machine and Fixture Locations
1. Open the part and confirm the active machine definition and part station.
2. Identify any utility nodes and compare the visible fixtures with the planned physical setup.
3. Stop if a required station, node, fixture, or axis is missing from the approved configuration.
Step 2 - Build the Fixture Stack
1. Select the receptor on the part station, utility node, or parent fixture.
2. Choose a compatible fixture attachment and add each fixture in physical stack order.
3. Include fixtures that remain installed for simulation and collision checking, even when they do not hold a programmed part.
Step 3 - Set Fixture Axes
1. Identify any manually parked or programmable axes in the fixture definition.
2. Set the approved position and confirm that the fixture, child fixtures, and part move together as expected.
3. For programmable fixturing, confirm support in the machine definition and post before production use.
Step 4 - Set the Part Position and Orientation
1. Set the part position and orientation relative to the part station origin using the approved setup dimensions.
2. For a mill, use only orientations supported by the active machine definition and workholding.
3. For a lathe, set C-axis zero when supported and verify the chuck-width value for a non-MTM setup.
Figure 2 Part setup controls are relative to the part station origin
Source: What's New in GibbsCAM 2024, p. 21
Step 5 - Regenerate and Validate
1. Regenerate operations affected by a changed fixture stack, fixture axis, part position, or orientation.
2. Verify the setup in the workspace and Machine Simulation, including installed fixtures and collision checks.
3. Review coordinate systems, offsets, rotary positions, and post-dependent motion before release.
Expected Result
• Fixtures are connected through compatible receptors and attachments in the correct physical order.
• Fixture axes move the intended fixture chain and part.
• Simulation-only fixtures appear in the machine model and participate in the required collision checks.
• The part position and orientation match the approved setup in the workspace and Machine Simulation.
• Regenerated operations and posted output reflect the validated setup.
Best Practices
• Build fixture stacks from the machine node outward and verify one connection at a time.
• Record parked-axis values and part-setup offsets in the setup documentation.
• Keep all fixtures that remain on the machine in the simulation model.
• Recheck coordinate systems and regenerate affected operations after every setup transformation.
• Use a validated machine definition and post for programmable fixture motion.
Troubleshooting
• Problem: The intended fixture is missing from the available list.
Cause
• The selected receptor is not compatible with the fixture attachment.
• The wrong machine definition, part station, utility node, or Intermediate Tooling data is active.
Resolution
Confirm the active configuration and selected node, then verify receptor and attachment compatibility. Use the correct approved fixture definition rather than forcing an unrelated component into the stack.
• Problem: A fixture attaches in the wrong position or orientation.
Cause
• The fixture is connected to the wrong receptor or node.
• The attachment transform or stack order does not match the physical workholding.
Resolution
Rebuild the chain from the machine node outward and verify each receptor, attachment, and stack position. Correct the fixture definition instead of compensating with an undocumented part offset.
• Problem: Changing a fixture axis does not move the expected components.
Cause
• The axis is not defined or enabled in the active fixture definition.
• The part or child fixture is not attached below the moving component.
Resolution
Confirm the fixture, axis, limits, and attachment hierarchy. Apply an approved value and verify the motion again. Confirm machine-definition and post support before using programmable motion.
• Problem: The workspace and Machine Simulation show different fixture or part positions.
Cause
• Simulation is using different machine or Intermediate Tooling data.
• Operations or the simulation state were not refreshed after the setup changed.
Resolution
Reload the approved configuration, regenerate affected operations, and restart simulation from a clean state. Compare the complete fixture stack and axis positions in both views.
• Problem: The part or lathe setup does not match the physical workholding.
Cause
• Part values were applied relative to the wrong assumed origin.
• The C-axis zero or chuck-width value is unsupported or does not match the installed setup.
Resolution
Confirm the part station origin and approved machine definition, then reapply the documented position, orientation, C-axis zero, and chuck width. Recheck stock, coordinate systems, clearances, simulation, and posted motion.
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Keywords
GibbsCAM 2024, part setup, Intermediate Tooling, fixture, receptor, attachment, fixture stack, part station, utility node, programmable fixture, parked axis, part orientation, C-axis zero, chuck width, MDD, Machine Simulation