Selective Machining with the Part Name Filter Functionality

The case may arise where a machining token needs to be assigned to one Hardware item sub-assembly and never applied to another. For example, when a token is to be ignored for a door front but applied to a drawer front. 

Machine Tokens, using a Name Filter formula, can be added to the Hardware Material in the Material Interface of the Project or Library Spec Groups, and those Machine Tokens are automatically added to the Machine Tokens tab of the H! book in the Workbook Designer Interface.

The Name Filter is composed as follows:

<Token Name><*><Exclusive Part for Token to be Applied to>

-OR-

<Token Name><*><-><Part Name to be Ignored by Token>

Example Tutorial:

This example uses Locks, so before beginning, ensure the locks are turned on and check which primary lock is being used. Open the Global File Interface  > select the Hardware tab > select Lock Selections & Settings > select Lock Selection.

Fig. 01 – Globals Interface – Lock Selection

From the Spec Group Setup Interface, select Open Material File  > select the Hardware tab > open the Locks folder. The lock types in question are the Locks assigned in the Globals file (Figure 01). In this example, Lock National Cam locks are being used. 

Right-click on the lock and select Hardware Machine Tokens…

Fig. 02 – Hardware Machine Tokens…

Select the existing machining to add the Name Filter to (in this example, Route a Circle). 

Enter the following in the name parameter (ROUTEDHOLE) using the formula box at the top of the window:

=IF(G!Machine_For_Locks="Rout Lock Hole","ROUTEDHOLE[Lock Machining]*"&"-"&G!Slab_Door_Name,0)

The Name Filter above is inserted into a formula that states:

If Machining For Locks requires the lock hole be routed, use the Routed Hole Token; else, use no machining. See the article Formulas for more information on composing formulas.

Name Filters do not have to be inserted into formulas and are still functional on their own.  

Fig. 03 – Apply Formula to Machine Token

This expression should evaluate to: 

ROUTEDHOLE[LOCK MACHINING]*-DOOR

Name filters with a minus (-) tell Microvellum to ignore machining for the indicated parts. Filters without a minus mean ONLY machine the indicated parts.

One advantage of this method is it avoids N! or S! references. The more workbook external references in place, the more performance (library speed) can be negatively impacted.

When a product with a drawer and door front is drawn, the machine token for the lock is only applied to the drawer front.

Fig. 04 – Machine Token Applied to Drawer Front and Ignoring Door Front

While the machining is removed, and thus the G-Code is correct, the drawing may need to be edited to remove the lock drawing. 

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