Extended modules > Advanced Machining > Types of machined features > Stepped hole > Stepped Hole Parameters
  
Stepped Hole Parameters
When creating, copying, or modifying a stepped hole, the application displays the Stepped Hole dialog box. The stepped hole parameters are described in the table below.
When using the modifying commands, the existing parameter values are loaded from the model into the dialog box where they can be edited.
Dialog Field
(Keyword)
Type
Label
Description
Face
(SEL_FACE)
Specifies the face for the drilling operation. Clicking a face automatically derives values for Center Pnt and Axis (provided you have not deactivated automatic parameter acquisition). (See other comments about specifying the axis.)
Center-Pt
(CEN_PNT)
3D Position
Specifies the center point for the drilling operation. If the starting face is deleted later by other machining operations, the center point may be left hanging in space. If you click Face and click a point on a face, the center point is derived from this point (provided you have not deactivated automatic parameter acquisition). (See other comments about specifying the axis.)
Axis Dir
(AXIS)
3D Axis (Direction + Position + Up-Direction)
Specifies the axis for the machined hole. If the starting face is deleted later by other machining operations, the center point may be left hanging in space. If you click Face and click a point on a face, the axis is derived normal to this point (providing you have not deactivated automatic parameter acquisition (See other comments about specifying the axis.)
Op Type
(OP_TYPE)
Keyword
Currently there are 5 operation types
Keyword
Add After
(ADD_STEP_AFTER)
Add the next step to the step table after the step specified by the actual step number. This is the default because normally you define a stepped hole from the beginning.
Add Before
(ADD_STEP_BEFORE)
Add the next step to the step table before the step defined by the actual step number. This operation type is required to insert a step before steps that are already defined.
Modify Values
(MODIFY_STEP_DATA)
Modify the parameters of the step subsequently defined by the actual step number.
Modify Type
(MODIFY_STEP_TYPE)
The next return value from one of the subdialogs defining the parameters of a step will be used to replace the selected step.
Remove
(REMOVE_STEP)
Remove the step subsequently defined by the actual step number.
NumSteps
Integer
This is a (display only) variable which keeps track of the number of defined steps.
Act Step
(ACT_STEP)
Integer
Specifies the step to modify, remove, or use as a reference for adding steps. A value of zero specifies that no step is selected and the maximum allowed value is the number of steps (defined by Number of Steps). You can click Act Step to display the Stepped Hole Data table.
Select a line in the table to select a step.
Step Type
(STEP_TYPE)
Keyword
Currently there are 10 real step types.
Keyword
BlindH
(BLIND_HOLE_STEP)
A blind hole step with a conical tip. A surface quality can be associated with the side face of the hole.
FlatBlindH
(FLAT_BLIND_HOLE_STEP)
A flat blind hole step with a planar bottom face. A surface quality can be associated with the side and bottom face of the hole.
ThroughH
(THROUGH_HOLE_STEP)
A through hole step; a surface quality can be associated with the side face of the hole.
ThreadedThroughH
(THREADED_THROUGH_HOLE_STEP)
A through hole step with a thread for the full length.
PartThreadThroughH
(PARTIALLY_THREADED_THROUGH_HOLE_STEP)
A through hole step with a thread for a part of the length. The threaded part must be closer to the start point than the non-threaded part (the thread run out or thread clearance).
PartThreadBlindH
(PARTIALLY_THREADED_BLIND_HOLE_STEP)
A normal blind hole with a thread on a part of the side face. As the name implies, the thread run out or thread clearance must exist.
PartThreadFlatBlindH
(PARTIALLY_THREADED_FLAT_BLIND_HOLE_STEP)
A flat blind hole with a thread on a part of the side face. As the name implies, the thread run out or thread clearance must exist. The bottom face can have a surface quality definition.
PartTolerThroughH
(PARTIALLY_TOLERANCED_THROUGH_HOLE_STEP)
A through hole step with a surface quality specification and a diameter tolerance, which is only needed for a part of the length. The toleranced part must be closer to the start point than the non-toleranced part.
As the name implies, a non-toleranced part must exist, otherwise you would have used the normal through hole step.
PartTolerBlindH
(PARTIALLY_TOLERANCED_BLIND_HOLE_STEP)
A normal blind hole with a surface quality specification and a diameter tolerance, which is only needed for a part of the length.
As the name implies, a non-toleranced part must exist, otherwise you would have used the normal blind hole step.
PartTolerFlatBlindH
(PARTIALLY_TOLERANCED_FLAT_BLIND_HOLE_STEP)
A flat blind hole with a surface quality specification and a diameter tolerance, which is only needed for a part of the length. The bottom face can have a surface quality definition.
As the name implies, a non-toleranced part must exist, otherwise you would have used the normal flat blind hole step.
There are two types for every blind hole step type because the flat blind hole steps may have a surface quality specification associated with the planar bottom face.
Step_Table
(STEP_TABLE)
List
Contains the description of the steps. It displays defined
if a value exists. We do not recommend directly using this variable to define a complete stepped hole. The list used within this variable will not be kept compatible across revisions.
Feat Name
(NAME)
String
Specifies the name of the stepped hole feature. Use Rename in the Structure Browser to modify the name of a feature; you cannot use the modification operation types.
Flag DP
(FLAG_DP)
The docuplane which owns the flag text.
When you click Flag DP for the first time, the computed defaults are activated.
If you decide not to use the docuplane for the flag text but want to get a free flag text, simply clear Flag DP. You can reactivate your last value (within the same dialog box) later by clicking it again.
Dia DP
(DIA_DP)
The docuplane which owns the diameter-related dimensions.
If you click Dia DP for the first time, the computed defaults are activated.
If you decide not to use the docuplane for the dimensions but want to get free dimensions, simply clear Dia DP. You can reactivate your last value (within the same dialog box) later by clicking it again.
Depth DP
(DEPTH_DP)
The docuplane, which owns the depth-related dimensions.
If you click Depth DP for the first time, the computed defaults are activated.
If you decide not to use the docuplane for the dimensions but want to get free dimensions, simply clear Depth DP. You can reactivate your last value (within the same dialog box) later by clicking it again.
The remaining options in the dialog box do the following:
Dialog Field
(Keyword)
Description
Next
(NEXT)
Completes the current operation and prompts you for the next location (create, copy) or feature (modify) without closing the menu.
As soon as the application has enough data it provides a graphical feedback to outline the size of the feature being defined. This feedback is updated with every new parameter. Normally, feedback is displayed as soon as a face is selected and a diameter is specified.
Dynamic Modification Behavior
If a dynamic modify operation (such as the Offset command in Modify 3D) interferes with a machined hole feature, the status of feature is marked as invalid. This is indicated by the label turning red (see the following image). The feature is marked as invalid regardless of whether the feature is still usable or not.
Similar to the simple holes, the stepped hole has a verifier mechanism which tries to (re-)validate invalid features and similar restrictions apply.