Since Milestone 1, after completing our preliminary work with the NX SNAP application programming interface, we have yielded a functional prototype.

Our prototype now has the basic core functionality necessary for capturing screenshots from inside the NX software and outputting images in the required TIFF format. This is achieved by taking screenshots with an on-demand button press, ‘Screenshot’, within the current interface.

The interface allows the user, a CAM operator, to then output the resulting images in the desired TIFF format to their chosen work directory via a second button, ‘Save As’. By working with the NX CAM tutorials, our group has gained basic proficiency setting up machining simulations in NX CAM.

However, it is not currently capable of automatically outputting a sequence of images or work off of automated event-triggers from tool path changes or tool changes. These features are goals moving forward.

Our project has two target audiences, a primary and secondary. Our plugin is designed with this user-consumer base in-mind. The functionality provided by our interface allows our primary audience, CAM operators to easily generate needed documentation from CAM data. This will allow them to reach CNC machinists, the secondary audience.