EdgeCAM concepts.pdf

8/9/2019 EdgeCAM concepts.pdf

1/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

1

EdgeCAM User Guide


2/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Selecting the Environment

EdgeCAM operates within an environment which is selectable according to the type of part being designed

or manufactured. Selection of an environment determines which construction planes, view port layouts and

commands are available. (These terms are explained later in this section.)

An environment provides you with orientations and views of the component that match particular tool types.

You can design a component in either environment and change environments at will. This has no effect on

the component other than to change the views of the component that the system presents to you.

There are two environments to choose from:

XY Environment

This provides view ports and construction planes for constructing a part with respect to the usual X, Y, Z

Cartesian co-ordinate system. This is the default environment when entering EdgeCAM. Typically, the XY

environment is used for generating Milling, Wire and CMM components.

ZX Environment

This environment provides view ports and construction planes that simulate the orientation of a turned part

in a machine tool during manufacture. In the case of a lathe for example, it is usual to work in the ZX plane

where the Z axis is horizontal.

If a turned component is drawn in the XY plane, you can flip the component into the ZX plane using the

Transform, Transpose (Edit menu)command.

You can switch between environments when designing a part by selecting one of the XY Environmentor

ZX Environmentcommands from the Optionsmenu. These environments are mutually exclusive and the

active command is shown with a tick againt it.

You can also select an XYor ZXEnvironment from within thePreferences (Options menu)command.

2

EdgeCAM User Guide


3/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Regenerating (toolpaths)

Toolpaths may need to be regenerated to bring them up to date with changes to instructions, such as a

change to a tool diameter.

If a regeneration is necessary, this should take place before generating CNC code, for the code to be

correct.

Regeneration can be done manually, or you can opt for automatic regeneration.

Automatic Regeneration

Auto-Regenerate is enabled by default and is recommended as it reduces the risk of producing incorrect

CNC code. Only opt for manual regeneration if automatic regeneration produces too much of a delay

(disable Auto-Regenerate - see below).

Instructions are always regenerated when you edit the instruction. If Auto-Regenerate is enabled, then all

the subsequent instructions in the sequence are also updated. (This is because some instructions are

dependant on others, a Rest-Rough cycle is dependent on a Roughing cycle, for example.)

(You can also opt for automatic regeneration on reloading the open solid model, by checking Options menu

Preferences Solids tab Regenerate Current Sequence.)

Manual Regeneration

For manual regeneration, in the Sequence window right-click on the sequence name, then in the shortcut

menu that opens click the checked Auto-Regenerate option. This unchecks and disables it. Note that Auto-

Regenerate is now disabled for all sequences, but only for the duration of the EdgeCAM session; it is

enabled on re-starting.

With Auto-Regenerate disabled you need to regenerate manually. There is a Regenerate option in the

shortcut menu for an individual instruction, and for the sequence (regenerates all the instructions in the

sequence at once).

Note that you can also avoid the automatic regeneration after an edit by using Instructionsmenu Edit

and checking Disable Automatic Regenerationin the Editing Instructions dialog (after this dialog you then

move on to editing the instruction).

See also

Using Batch Mode for Operations

3

EdgeCAM User Guide


4/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Co-ordinate Types in EdgeCAM

EdgeCAM can accept co-ordinate data using a variety of co-ordinate types:

Cartesian

Polar

Angular

You can select the type of co-ordinates to be used in the Co-ordinate Input dialog box which is activated by

the button (see Specifying Explicit Co-ordinates).

4

EdgeCAM User Guide


5/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

About Cartesian Co-ordinates

This is the usual system of rectangular X, Y, Z axes and co-ordinates. The point where the three axes meet

is called the Origin and has co-ordinates X=0, Y=0, Z=0.

The example shows a point at co-ordinates X=x, Y=y, Z=z:

By convention, if the X, Y axes lie in the plane of the screen, the Z axis points up out of the screen.

5

EdgeCAM User Guide


6/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

About Polar Co-ordinates

The Polar Co-ordinate system defines a position on a plane using:

A radius centred at an origin.

An angle from the X axis.

The diagram shows a point positioned by radius r and angle

.

See Also

Specifying Explicit Co-ordinates

Specifying Polar Co-ordinates

6

EdgeCAM User Guide


7/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

About Angular Co-ordinates

Angular co-ordinates are defined by specifying:

The distance along a chosen rotary axis

The distance along one other axis

An absolute angle of rotation around the rotary axis.

The rotary axes A, B, C correspond to X, Y and Z respectively, with the positive direction of rotation being

clockwise:

The example below shows a point positioned by distance a along the A axis, distance b along the B axisand an angle with respect to the A axis:

7

EdgeCAM User Guide


8/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Entity Types

In EdgeCAM terms, a part is the sum of all the entities which produce that part.

EdgeCAM provides several entity types that you can use when designing and manufacturing components:

Point Entities

Line Entities

Circle and Arc Entities

Curve Entities

Surface Entities

Continuous Entities

Group Entities

Detailing Entities

Toolpath Entities

8

EdgeCAM User Guide


9/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Point Entities

A point is the simplest geometric entity.

A point is defined in 3D space. Whichever co-ordinate system is used to set up the point, it is always stored

as three real numbers in Cartesian co-ordinates.

Methods of point definition include:

Absolute co-ordinate position

Arc centre

Screen position

Existing point

Middle point of an existing entity known as a mid-point

End point of an existing entity

Intersection of any two entities

A distance modification from any of the above point definitions

See Also

Creating Points

9

EdgeCAM User Guide


10/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Line Entities

A line has two end points and can be constructed by any of these methods:

Between two point definitions

Between a point and an arc tangency point

Between two arc tangency points

Through a point and parallel to another line

Through a point and perpendicular to another line

See Also

Creating Lines

10

EdgeCAM User Guide


11/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Circle and Arc Entities

A circle is a non-linear geometric entity, every point of which is equally distant from a fixed central point.

An arc is a segment of a circle. Arc construction is similar to circle construction, except that the end points

of the arc also must be defined.

Methods of circle definition include:

A point definition as the centre and specifying a radius

A point definition as the centre and a point on the circle

Three points which the circle passes through

A circle tangent to three lines

Tangency to two entities and specifying the radius

11

EdgeCAM User Guide


12/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Curve Entities

A curve is a non-linear entity, described by an exact mathematical definition. Curves include Splines, B-

Splines, Bezier curves and Conic sections.

12

EdgeCAM User Guide


13/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Surface Entities

A surface is defined in EdgeCAM using a two-axis parametric co-ordinate system, and can be created from

control points, entities or other surfaces.

Also seeAbout Surfaces in EdgeCAM.

13

EdgeCAM User Guide


14/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Continuous Entities

These are a set of colinear line or arc entities grouped together (for example, from a profile) for ease of

manipulation.

SeeConverting to a Continuous Entity for a full explanation.

14

EdgeCAM User Guide


15/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Group Entities

These are a set of EdgeCAM entities (for example, lines and arcs) that have been collected into a group for

ease of manipulation.

SeeCreating Group Entitiesfor a full explanation.

15

EdgeCAM User Guide


16/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Detailing Entities

These are entities created using EdgeCAM Detailing commands. As they are purely for dimensioning and

annotating purposes, they do not form part of the 3D part model and exist only on the 'Drawing Plane'.

16

EdgeCAM User Guide


17/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Toolpath Entities

A toolpath is created from within one of the EdgeCAM machining modules, and represents the track of a

nominated part of a machine tool. Each toolpath may be made up of many toolpath entities, which may be

either line or arc segments.

17

EdgeCAM User Guide


18/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Entity Dependency

It is important to understand that one entity can be dependent on another. Certain operations cause entities

to be flagged as having dependants (other entities dependent on them for their existence). Entities with

one or more dependants cannot be deleted or modified in a way that would invalidate the dependent entity.

Entity dependency occurs with surfaces, continuous entities and groups. For example, a Coons Patch

surface is created from four other boundary lines. These lines cannot be deleted or altered without first

deleting the Coons patch. It is possible to alter their colour, layer, style or name, as this would not invalidatethe dependent surface.

EdgeCAM entities which are dependent on other entities are:

Coons Patches

Tabulated cylinders

Flowed surfaces

Ruled surfaces

Fillet surfaces

Surfaces of revolution

Surface curves

Offset surfaces

Crosshatching

Groups

Continuous entities

Trimmed surfaces.

To find out whether an entity has a dependant, use the Entity (Verify menu)command. Amongst otherdetails, the system reports one of the following: Dependency SET or Dependency CLEAR.

It is possible that the dependency flag for some entities is not cleared when the dependants are deleted.

When you reload the part, these entities cannot therefore be altered or deleted. To overcome this situation,

insert the part into EdgeCAM using the File menu command InsertPart. Only entities that still have

dependants will have the dependency flag set.

18

EdgeCAM User Guide


19/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Entity Attributes

Each entity can have a colour, style, name and layer attribute. These attributes are reported if you verify the

entity using the Entity (Verify menu)command.

See Also

Colour

Style

Name

Layers

Curve and Surface Attributes

19

EdgeCAM User Guide


20/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Entity Colour

UseColoursin the Standardtoolbar to set the colour for new entities (lines, arcs and so

on).

Colours can be used to highlight different entity types, parts of the drawing or functional

differences.

You can change the colour of existing entities; you can use for example:

Edit menu > Entity Data Match (copies the colour, style and so on from one entity

to another).

Edit menu > Entity Data Individual (opens the properties dialog for the entity you

then select).

By opening the properties dialog directly from the entity.

20

EdgeCAM User Guide


21/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Entity Style

UseStylein the Standardtoolbar to set the style for new entities (lines, arcs and so on).

You can change the style of existing entities; you can use for example:

Edit menu > Entity Data Match (copies the colour, style and so on from one entity to another).

Edit menu > Entity Data Individual (opens the properties dialog for the entity you then select).


Note that if a very fine display tolerance is used, the font for entities such as arcs and curves may not

appear to be correct. Use the Preferences (Options menu)command to increase the Display Tolerance.

21

EdgeCAM User Guide


22/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Name

When you create an entity you can give it a name up to eight characters long. This name is saved for future

reference (for example, when selecting entities for a machining cycle). However, if the entity is copied, only

the original entity retains the name.

22

EdgeCAM User Guide


23/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Entity Layers

Use the Layer control in the Standardtoolbar to set the layer for new entities (lines,

arcs and so on).

Layers can be thought of as transparent films on which is drawn their geometry. What you see is the

geometry of all the visible layers stacked one on top of another.

Layers can be used for separating different types of entities from each other for display purposes. For

example, toolpaths would normally be on different layers from the geometry of a part model. You may want

to develop your own system of layers for different entity types.

When you are working on a part, you can restrict the combination of displayed layers to prevent the screen

from becoming cluttered with superfluous information. See Layer Control.

You control layers using the Layers window; you can the display of layers on and off for example.

As layers are selected, they are added to a historical list containing the last five layers used. To select from

this drop-down historical list of layers, click on the down arrow beside the layer number.

You can change the layer of existing entities; you can use for example:

Edit menu > Entity Data Match (copies the layer, colour and so on from one entity to another).

Edit menu > Entity Data Individual (opens the properties dialog for the entity you then select).


23

EdgeCAM User Guide


24/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Curve and Surface Properties

These entities are based on mathematically correct descriptions, but you can control the accuracy of their

screen appearance. For example, a complex surface may take some time to draw, so you may want to

temporarily degrade the appearance of the surface in exchange for a faster redraw time.

For more information, see About CurvesandAbout Surfaces.

24

EdgeCAM User Guide


25/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Selecting and Deleting Entities

To select all valid entities

If you want to select all entities, simply hold down the Ctrl key and press the 'A' key. This will select all valid,

visible entities in the current view.

To delete entities

This functionality is only available in Design mode.

Instead of using the Delete Entity command, you can delete all visible entities in the current view by simply

pre-selecting them and then pressing the Delete key.

If no entities have been selected when you press the Delete key, the Delete Entity command will be enabled

and you will be prompted to Digitise entities to delete.

25

EdgeCAM User Guide


26/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Verifying Entities

Use the Entity (Verify menu)command to report detailed information on the selected entity:

For further information about the feedback window in EdgeCAM, see Feedback Window.

26

EdgeCAM User Guide


27/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Use of the Mouse Wheel

If you have an Intellimouse you can use the central wheel to zoom in or out of the active view or to pan the

view.

To zoom in and out

In the active view move the wheel forward to zoom in and backward to zoom out, at the centre of the

screen.

To zoom relative to the current cursor position, pick a point on the model and move the wheel while holding

down the Ctrl key. The cursor position will be moved to the centre of the screen and zooming will occur at

that point.

To zoom extents

Double-click the mouse wheel to display the complete model within the active view. (To disable this

functionality, create a new PCI Variable !checkMDoubleClick=0 and restart EdgeCAM in GLview).

To pan

Holding the wheel down allows you to pan the view by dragging the graphics across the screen.

See Also

Left and Right Mouse Buttons

27

EdgeCAM User Guide


28/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Use of the Mouse Buttons

Use of the right-hand mouse button

Pressing the right-hand button completes a command, or the current stage of a command.

Holding down the right-hand button presents a window options and recent command repeat menu.

Use of the left-hand mouse button

Use of the left-hand button when rotate, spin or pan are selected from the toolbar, actions those

commands.

For the use of the left-hand mouse button in connections with toolbars, see Moving Toolbar

At all other times pressing the LEFT button will make a screen digitise for ENTITY , FREE position or GRID

position as appropriate.

See Also

The Mouse Wheel

28

EdgeCAM User Guide


29/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

General Principles of Digitising

'Digitising' is simply clicking in the Graphics area to provide spatial input or to select geometry. When

drawing a line for example you digitise to provide the start and end points for the line.

Depending on what you are doing, a 'Free' or an 'Entity' digitise may be required. Sometimes you can

choose between them.

An Entity digitise requires you to click on an entity.

A Free digitise does not require you to click on an entity; you can click on a blank area.

If a grid is displayed then you can choose to digitise intersection points on that grid.

Making Free and Entity digitises

To switch digitise modes, click in the Status Bar:

Clicked

Or

Clicked

As an alternative way to switch modes, hold down the right-hand mouse button and in the shortcut

menu select Free or Entity.

Use Intellisnap to automatically switch between Free and Entity digitise, depending on the proximity of

suitable entities.

Hold down the Ctrlkey to force an Entity digitise. Hold down the Shiftkey to force a Free digitise.

Intellisnap Selection

The shape of the cursor indicates the type of digitise being made:

No active command Entity preselect only, window selection may be used

Free digitise

Entity digitise only Window selection may not always be available

Optional Free or Entity digitise. For example when drawing a line the cursor has the Free

shape when over a blank area, whilst over an entity it has the Entity shape to show that

the start or end point will snap to the existing entity.

29

EdgeCAM User Guide


30/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Intellisnap

This feature is only available in GLview

The Intellisnap feature provides an intuitive mechanism for entity selection, free and grid digitising. As the

cursor moves over the graphics area when the Intellisnap option is activated, entities will be highlighted in

the flyover colour as they come into picking range and revert back to their original colour as the cursor

leaves them. This can be defined by using the Colour (Options menu)command.

Intellisnap can be enabled/disabled at any time via the shortcut menu (hold down the right-hand mouse

button over the EdgeCAM graphics area).

When using Intellisnap,

the active mode will

automatically change.

(The default digitise mode

needs to be set to Free

Digitise).

If you wish to draw a line

from the end of an existing

line, move your cursor

onto the entity (1).

The line will display the

digitise points (start, end

and mid point), and as you

move onto the digitise

points the cursor will

automatically change to

entity digitise (2,3) and the

tooltip will display relevant

information.

If the cursor pauses on an entity a tooltip box appears with identification of that item. Pressing the v key at

this stage enlarges the tooltip to give further information on that entity. The highlit entity is the one that

would be selected if the left mouse button were pressed. Press "v" again to return to the standard tooltip.

Note: If you find the speed of entity selection has slowed down disabling the Entity Tooltip function on the

Selection tab of the Preferences dialog (Options menu)may help.

Only entities valid for the current purpose will be selectable.

Where more than one entity is selectable in a given position the symbol will be appended to the cursor

indicating that you may step through the appropriate entities by pressing the TAB key until you are

presented with the chosen one (see example) . Pressing the left-hand mouse button then selects that item.

Sometimes you may wish to free digitise near a snap point. To do this, you must disable Intellisnap (see

above).

For many purposes, both for geometry creation and in connection with machining cycles the required entity

is a point. Entities such as ends of lines, arcs etc. contain points which can be selected whenever a point

entity is required.

See Also

Selecting Multiple Entities

Controlling the Entity Selection Options

Pre-selection

30

EdgeCAM User Guide


31/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Taking Co-ordinates from a Grid Location31

EdgeCAM User Guide


32/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Selecting Multiple Entities

In many cases multiple entity selection is possible. Under these circumstances it is possible to select and

deselect entities until the desired combination is achieved and then to finalise with a completion signalled by

the right mouse button or Enter.

Changing Selection Mode

In normal operation the entity selection is in Toggle Mode i.e. the first digitise will select the entity, while the

second digitise will deselect the entity. However, you can override the Toggle Mode by using the Change

Selection Mode button on the Input toolbar.

When selected, a menu is

displayed offering three

options:

The cursor will display a + or -to indicate the currently active selection mode.

Window Selection

When large numbers of entities need to be selected, a window may be used. Simply hold the left-hand

mouse button down and drag the mouse across the screen.

Moving from left to right, the window will select all entities that are wholly within the window. A right to left

window will select all entities that are wholly within or cross the window.

Chaining

You may wish to select a group of entities that form a continuous profile. The process of selecting

contiguous entities is called chaining.

SeeSelecting Contiguous Entities by Chaining

FREE digitised positions can be deselected only by use of backspace before completion is signalled by the

right mouse button.

32

EdgeCAM User Guide


33/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Controlling the Entity Selection Options

The parameters in the Intellisnap section of the Selectiontab of the Preferences (Options menu)dialog

are used to control which points can be selected.

Selecting the endpoints of entities

As the cursor is placed on or near the ends of lines, arcs, or over a point, a square in the flyover colour will

appear. If the left-hand mouse button is selected when the square is displayed, an entity digitise will be

made at that point. This selection mode is optional and can be controlled by checking the appropriate box

on the Selection tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default setting for this option is ON.

If the left-hand mouse button is selected when the square is not displayed but the entity is highlit, a free

digitise will be made.

Selecting the midpoints of entities

As the cursor is placed on or near the midpoint of a line, a cross in the flyover colour will appear. If the left-

hand mouse button is selected when the cross is displayed an entity digitise will be made at that mid-point

(not available for continuii or spline curves). This selection mode is optional and can be controlled by

checking the appropriate box on the Selection tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default

setting for this option is ON.

Selecting the centre of an arc

As the cursor is placed on or near the centre of an arc, a circle in the flyover colour will appear. If the left-

hand mouse button is selected when the circle is displayed, an entity digitise will be made at that centre

point. This selection mode is optional and can be controlled by checking the appropriate box on the

Selection tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default setting for this option is ON.

In the case of concentric circles at different levels, the centre of the required one can be found by rotating

the view or by use of the tab and verify ('V' key) facilities within picking.

Selecting an arc quadrant

As the cursor is placed on or near a quadrant position (0, 90, 180, 360 degrees), a symbol is displayed in

the 'flyover' colour. If the left-hand mouse button is selected when the symbol is displayed an entity digitise

will be made at that position. This selection mode is optional and can be controlled by checking the

appropriate box on the Selection tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default setting for this

option is OFF.

Selecting a vertex

(This option is only available for solids) When a command is active and the cursor is placed on or near a

vertex on a solid, the vertex is displayed in the 'flyover' colour. If the left-hand mouse button is selected

when the vertex is displayed an entity digitise will be made at that position. This selection mode is optional

and can be controlled by checking the appropriate box on the Selection tab of the Preferences (Options

menu)dialog. The default setting for this option is OFF.

Selecting a cylinder

As the cursor is placed on or near the centre of a cylinder, a circle in the flyover colour will appear. If the

left-hand mouse button is selected when the circle is displayed, an entity digitise will be made at that point.

This option is used when working with solids for setting a datum by creating a CPL on the end of a cylinder.

This selection mode is optional and can be controlled by checking the appropriate box on the Selection tab

of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default setting for this option is ON.

33

EdgeCAM User Guide


34/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Pre-selection of Entities

When a command has not been enabled, entities can be pre-selected and will be used in a subsequently

called command. In this mode only entity digitising is enabled, and the snap points will not be displayed.

Note that pre-selection will work for some commands i.e. Delete Entity, but for others you will be prompted

to select the entities again.

Double-clicking on an entity will display the Edit dialog.

34

EdgeCAM User Guide


35/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Taking Co-ordinates from a Grid Location

A grid can be displayed using the Grid (View menu) command. When digitising, you can snap to a

grid point by moving the cursor near to the point, holding down the Shift + Ctrl keys together and pressing

the left mouse button.

You can only do a grid digitise when the cursor appears like this:

or

To configure the grid

Select the Grid Configure (View menu)command. On selecting the command, you can specify these

parameters:

Display Check this box to show the grid in the active view port. You can still snap to a grid point even if

the grid is not visible.

Digitise Origin Check to digitize a new origin point for the grid.

X Space Specify the horizontal space between grid points in part units.

Y Space Specify the vertical space between grid points in part units.

Width Specifies the total width of the displayed grid in part units.

Height Specifies the total height of the displayed grid in part units.

35

EdgeCAM User Guide


36/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

The Co-ordinate Input Dialog

Selecting the button displays the Co-ordinate Inputdialog box.

When Cartesian co-ordinates are selected and the XY environment is active, the Co-ordinate Input dialog

box is displayed as shown below:

Click on the More button to display these extra options:

When the ZX environment is active, the X, Y, Z boxes appear as:

Use the Co-ordinate System option buttons to select one of the three co-ordinate systems:

Cartesian co-ordinates

36

EdgeCAM User Guide


37/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Polar co-ordinates

Angular co-ordinates

Use the Axes options to select whether co-ordinates are specified with respect to CPL or World axes. The

selection is registered in the Command box as a P for CPL axes or a W for World axes. If P is entered on its

own then a default position of X0Y0Z0 will be used.

37

EdgeCAM User Guide


38/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Entering Cartesian Co-ordinates

To specify Cartesian co-ordinates

Type your required co-ordinates into the X, Y, Z boxes.1.

Ordinate values can be mathematical expressions using the + -* / operators. Brackets can be used

to establish the order of evaluation. If an ordinate value is not given, the previous value used in thecurrent command is used. If no previous value has been given, 0.0 is assumed.

If the 2D Snapoption has been selected, Z ordinate values are ignored and the level of the

currently selected CPL is used.

If a 2D CPL is current, Z ordinates cannot be entered.

Ordinate values are shown in the Command box as they are entered.

Choose how each ordinate is specified from these options.2.

Absolute Ordinates are specified with respect to the selected axis system.

Incremental Incremental ordinates are given with respect to the previous co-ordinate position. If

no previous position has been given, the increment is taken from the origin of the selected axis

system.

When an Incremental option button is selected, the labelling of the associated X, Y or Z box

appears as IX, IY, IZ respectively and IX, IY or IZ appears in the command box.

Screen Select Ordinates are specified by normal digitising methods. When this option is used, an

X, Y or Z is shown in the command box.

Any mixture of these methods can be used to specify a set of co-ordinates.

When the Co-ordinate Inputdialog box is closed, a prompt for the required ordinate is given in the

Status bar.

Select the OK or Continue buttons when you have completed your co-ordinate specification.3.

Specifying Cartesian Co-ordinates in Command Format

Experienced users can enter co-ordinates directly though the Commandbox. You can also display this box

by pressing one of the keys that corresponds to an axis or a command (for example, X, Y, Z, A, B, C, I, W,

R, P).

Absolute co-ordinates are specified in the form:

XnnYnnZnn

where nn is an ordinate value.

Each ordinate is optional and its name and value can be omitted. If an ordinate value is not given, the

previous value used in the current command is used. If no previous value has been given, then 0.0 is

assumed.

Incremental co-ordinates are specified in the form:

IXnnIYnnIZnn

where nn is an incremental ordinate value.

Each incremental ordinate is optional and its name and value can be omitted. Incremental ordinates are

given with respect to the previous co-ordinate position. If no previous position has been given, the

increment is taken from the origin of the selected axis system.

Specify screen selections by giving only X, Y or Z as required.

38

EdgeCAM User Guide


39/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

The methods used for specifying ordinate values can be mixed.39

EdgeCAM User Guide


40/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Entering Polar Co-ordinates

To specify polar co-ordinates

When Polar co-ordinates are selected the Co-ordinate Inputdialog box is displayed as shown below:

Type your required values into the Radiusand Angleboxes. Radius values are taken incrementally

from the last co-ordinate position. If no previous position has been given, the origin of the selected

axis system is used. Angles are always absolute values (degrees).

1.

Values can be mathematical expressions using the + -* / operators. Brackets can be used to

establish the order of evaluation.

Radiusand Anglevalues are shown in the Command box as they are entered.


Specifying Polar Co-ordinates in Command Format



R, P).

Polar co-ordinates are specified in the form:

RnnAmm

where nn is a radius value and mm is an angle (degrees).

Radius values are taken incrementally from the last co-ordinate position. If no previous position has been

given, the origin of the selected axis system is used. Angles are always absolute values (degrees).

40

EdgeCAM User Guide


41/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Entering Angular Co-ordinates

To specify angular co-ordinates

Angular co-ordinates are defined by specifying:

The distance along a chosen rotary axis

The distance along one other axis

An absolute angle of rotation around the rotary axis.

Enter co-ordinate data as follows:

Select the Rotary Axis.1.

Type your required distances along the A, B and C axes into the X, Y and Z boxes respectively. This

is done in the way described for Cartesian co-ordinates.

2.

Enter the absolute angle (degrees) into the Angle box.3.


Specifying Angular Co-ordinates in Command Format



R, P).

Angular co-ordinates are specified by entering a distance along a rotational axis, a distance along one other

axis and then an angle of rotation, for example

X50Y50A90should give a point at X50 Y0 Z50 because the point defined at X50Y50 is rotated by 90degrees about the X (A) axis.

41

EdgeCAM User Guide


42/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

2D Snap

The 2D snap command determines how co-ordinate

information is obtained for a command.

Activate the command to set all Z ordinates to the level of the current CPL, regardless of input method.

De-activate the command for full 3D operation with:

Entity digitises

Co-ordinates obtained by reference or by construction

Explicit co-ordinate input.

With free digitises, Z ordinates are always taken to be at the level of the current CPL.

Note: If either the CPL(Edit menu)or Create CPL(Geometry menu) command have been used to set the

current CPL to 2D, this command is not available.

42

EdgeCAM User Guide


43/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Selecting Contiguous Entities by Chaining

In GLview, a double digitise on an entity will automatically chain in 2D. To enable 3D chaining hold the

CTRL key down while digitising. To enable 3D chaining by default, check the 3D Chain by Default option

on the Selectiontab of the Preferences (Options menu)command.

The process of selecting contiguous entities is called chaining.

If you need to select a series of contiguous entities, use these commands:

Chain All

Chain

Toggle Branch

Toggle Deselect

2D Snap

43

EdgeCAM User Guide


44/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Normal Chaining

Select the first entity in the chain. The direction of the chain is from the end at which the entity is selected

towards the entity at its other end

Each entity in the chain is highlighted as it is found. Chaining continues until:

The start entity is encountered as would happen for a closed pocket

No new entity can be found as would happen for an open profile

An entity is found which is not coplanar with all previous entities and 3D chaining has not been

selected

The path of the chain could branch into one or more alternative paths.

This happens when one or more entities share a common end point with the entity which is currently at the

end of the chain. The path along which chaining continues can be controlled by using the Branch button

described below. If branching is not selected, EdgeCAM makes its own decision about which path to follow.

44

EdgeCAM User Guide


45/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Limited Chaining

TheLimited Chaining button starts a chain at a selected entity and terminates it at another entity:

Select the entity at the start of the chain (d1).1.

Select the entity at the end of the chain (d2).2.

The direction of chaining and the resolution of branches is as described for normal chaining.

45

EdgeCAM User Guide


46/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Branch the Chain

Choosing the Chain button provides control over which path the chain is to follow when it could

branch along one or more alternative paths.

A prompt is given in the Status bar requesting selection of the entity along which chaining is to continue.

If this button is not selected branching occurs as described under Normal chaining.

46

EdgeCAM User Guide


47/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Deselect Entities from a Chain

Choosing the Deselect Entities button allows entities to be deselected from a chain. All the methods

normally used for entity selection are available for this purpose.

Note that this option is not available in GLview.

47

EdgeCAM User Guide


48/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Specifying Co-ordinates by Reference

The command is used for specifying a co-ordinate location as an offset from a reference location.

Digitise the reference location (d1). Any of the toolbar buttons which are for specifying locations can

be used.

1.

Type into the Co-ordinate Inputdialog box the required offsets from the reference point.2.

The2D button must NOT have been selected if a Z offset is to take effect. Otherwise, the Z level of

the current CPL is used.

Example

In the following example, the circle has been inserted at the dimensions shown by:

Selecting the corner of the part as a reference point (d1)

Inserting the following values in the Co-ordinate Input dialog: X=-25 and Y=10.

48

EdgeCAM User Guide


49/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Selecting Two Entities

The Dig2 command is used for selecting two entities with one digitise.

Holding down the Ctrl key while selecting the left hand mouse button (d1) selects the nearest two entities

that are in range. The entity nearest to the digitised position is taken to be the first of the two entities

selected.

This is particularly useful with commands for:

Entity trimming

Filleting or chamfering

Creating a continuous entity.

Once this button has been selected it stays in effect until either it is deselected or the command is finished.

Example

The example shows entities being selected for the construction of a blend radius. Note that the digitise has

been placed nearer to the right hand line so that it is taken as the first entity: this presents the entities to the

command in the correct order.

49

EdgeCAM User Guide


50/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Controlling Entity Selection

By clicking Entity Typesin the Inputtoolbar you can restrict the effect of commands to the entities.

For example when trimming you can restrict the types of entities that are selectable to lines and arcs.

You use this dialog:

To select or deselect an entity type, click on its check box.

Entities which are valid for the command have their check boxes automatically set but they can be altered.

Entities which are inappropriate to the current command are greyed out.

All Click this button to check all check boxes.

None Click this button to clear all the check boxes.

50

EdgeCAM User Guide


51/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Construction Methods

Holding down the right-hand mouse

button while creating entities allows you to

select construction methods.

Construct Using Mid-Point

Specify co-ordinates by selecting an entity. The co-ordinates of the mid point of the line or arc are taken.

Construct Using Arc Centre

Specify co-ordinates by selecting an arc. The co-ordinates of the centre point of the arc are taken.

Construct Using the X Co-ordinate of an Entity

This button gives the co-ordinates of a location on an entity at a given X value:

Select the entity on which the intersection is to occur.1.

Digitise the location through which the imaginary vertical line is to pass.2.

Construct Using the Y C-ordinate of an Entity

This gives the co-ordinates of a location on an entity at a given Y value:

Select the entity on which the intersection is to occur.1.

Digitise the location through which the imaginary horizontal line is to pass.2.

Construct Using the Intersection of Two Entities

Select the two intersecting entities. Each entity can be a line or an arc. When the entities intersect more

than once, the co-ordinates of the intersection which is nearest to the digitise on the first entity are used.

Construct Using the Distance from the End of an Entity

Enter the distance value in the dialog box. For an arc entity, the value is taken to be an angle (in

degrees) from the digitised end of the entity. (Enter a positive value if the distance is to measured

along the entity and enter a negative value if measuring the distance past the end of the entity).

1.

Select the entity.2.

Digitise at the end from which the distance is to be measured.3.

Construct Using the Mid-point between Two Entities

Digitise the first entity (d1).1.

Digitise the second entity (d2).2.

51

EdgeCAM User Guide


52/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

In the example below, a point has been constructed at the mid point between the entity digitises on the ends

of the lines. 52

EdgeCAM User Guide


53/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Selecting Entities by Parameters

Specify the entities that you want to select by referring to their parameters. This is generally used when

creating PCIs.

53

EdgeCAM User Guide


54/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

About Construction Planes (CPLs)

The EdgeCAM database maintains part models with respect to a co-ordinate system known as the World

co-ordinate system.

The diagram below shows the orientation of a simple part within the World co-ordinate system.

To help you construct a model, the concept of the construction plane (or CPL) is used. A construction plane

defines a local co-ordinate system at any orientation to the World axes. As each CPL has its own x, y, z

axes, you only have to deal with local co-ordinates when creating entities. EdgeCAM translates CPL co-

ordinates into World co-ordinates for you.

See Also

Predefined CPLs

The Drawing CPL

Displaying Axis Systems

Creating New CPLs

Selecting CPLs

Editing CPLs

Verifying CPLs

Deleting CPLs

54

EdgeCAM User Guide


55/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Predefined CPLs

A set of predefined CPLs are provided for the XY and ZX environments.

Thisdiagram shows the relationship between the CPL axes for the XY environment and the World axes.

The name of each CPL is shown.

The next diagram shows the relationship of the standard CPLs to each view of the part. Note that:

The origin of each standard CPL coincides with the World origin

The top CPL is the only one where the CPL axes coincide exactly with the World axes.

If you need to add a feature, such as a slot, into the bottom of the part you can select the bottom CPL and

work in terms of the dimensions you have without worrying about how they map back to the World axes.

Command modifier values for co-ordinates or angles of rotation are always given with respect to the current

CPL.

Explicit co-

ordinate data can be given with respect to either the current CPL or the World co-

ordinatesystem. See Specify explicit co-ordinates in the section Entering co-ordinate data and selecting entities.

The following diagram shows the standard CPLs for the ZX environment using a swept profile.

55

EdgeCAM User Guide


56/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

The Drawing CPL

Classic EdgeCAM View Only

The Drawing CPL is different from all the other CPLs as it is purely two dimensional. It is like a conventional

drawing sheet on which views are assembled to provide the views which comprise an engineering drawing.

Its primary purpose is to contain elements of a drawing that are not part of the 3D model, such as the

dimensions, text and drawing symbols. By making the Drawing CPL current, it can also be used for making

two dimensional drawings.

56

EdgeCAM User Guide


57/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Displaying Axis Systems

The display of World and CPL axes can be controlled by Drawing, Configure (View menu)command.

World axes are displayed in white and CPL X, Y, Z axes are displayed in red, green and blue respectively.

57

EdgeCAM User Guide


58/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Creating New CPLs

You can define your own CPLs. A CPL definition requiresthree main parameters:

An origin

This defines where the origin of your CPL lies with respect to the World origin. Although the standard CPLs

have their origins coincident with the World origin, this need not be true for any CPLs that you define for

yourself.

An orientation

This defines the orientation of your CPL with respect to the World axes. Although the standard CPLs are

orthogonal to the World axes, this need not be true for any CPLs that you define for yourself.

A name

Names allow you to swap to another CPL and come back to your own CPL when required. Each CPL must

have a unique name.

As an example take the simple part illustrated in the diagrams for the XY environment and the following

modification for which a new CPL has been created to take advantage of the dimensioning scheme:

It is obviously easier to make the modifications to the part while working in the new CPL rather than in one

of the existing CPLs.

An unlimited number of CPLs can be created. When a CPL is created it becomes the current CPL and

remains active until another CPL is selected or created.

To create a new CPL

58

EdgeCAM User Guide


59/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Selecting CPLs

To select a CPL (Construction Plane)

Select the Select CPL (Geometry menu)command.1.

By default, the Namebox contains the name of the current CPL. The list of Names contains the

standard CPLs. As user defined CPLs are added to the part, the list is updated.

When changing from one CPL to another, the active Levelis reset to zero. Enter a new level for the

CPL, if required, by entering a value or digitising an entity from which to take the level information.

2.

This is the new distance from the CPLs original plane of definition at which entities are created.

This can be used to change the level of the current CPL if nothing is selected from the Name list

box. (The current level can also be changed from the Toolbar or only the display of levels. See

Selecting Visible Layers.)

If the ZX environment is current, set the Input Mode. The input mode determines whether X axis

dimensions refer to Radial or Diametral values. If the mode is set to Diametral and the explicit co-

ordinates X20Z20 are given, EdgeCAM takes the X value to be a diameter.

2.

Select the name of the CPL to be made current from the Name list box.3.

Click on OK.4.

59

EdgeCAM User Guide


60/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Editing CPLs

A CPL which has an associated machining sequence cannot be edited. Also, only the Work Plane

parameter of a standard CPL can be edited.

To edit a CPL

Select theCPL (Edit menu)command. The dialog box for the command is displayed.1.

Select the name of the CPL to be edited from the CPL list box. If a name is not selected, make an

entity digitise on the required CPL marker in response to the Digitise the required CPL marker

prompt.

2.

Specify values for the parameters to be changed.3.

All parameters are described under the section Creating a CPL.

60

EdgeCAM User Guide


61/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Verifying CPLs

Verifying a CPL produces a report on CPL parameters.

To verify a CPL

Select the CPL(Verifymenu)command. The dialog box for the command is displayed.1.

Select the name of the CPL to be verified from the Name list box. If a name is not selected make anentity digitise on the marker of the CPL to be deleted in response to the Digitise the required CPL

marker prompt.

2.

The example below shows a typical CPL report obtained in the Design mode.

The offsets are measured in terms of the current CPLs co-ordinates.

When a CPL is verified within the Manufacturing module and a machining sequence is active, additional

information is provided in the report. The diagram below gives a typical example:

The Primary and Secondary values are the rotations made from the primary and secondary axes of the

initial CPL specified. The last line of the report specifies whether the CPL is valid for the selected Code

Generator.

61

EdgeCAM User Guide


62/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Deleting CPLs

Only user-defined CPLs can be deleted.

If the currently active CPL is deleted, CPL TOP will become current.

A CPL with an associated machining sequence cannot be deleted.

To delete a CPL

Select the Delete CPL (Edit menu)command.1.

The dialog box for the command is displayed.

Select the name of the CPL to be deleted from the Name list box.2.

Click on OK to continue.3.

62

EdgeCAM User Guide


63/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Layer Control

Layers can be used for separating different types of entities from each other for display purposes. For

example, toolpaths would normally be on different layers from the geometry of a part model.

All layer control is via the Layers Window and the Layer drop down list in the Standard toolbar.

When EdgeCAM is started, the default layer is Geometry .The Layers Window displays the current set of available layers, listing their names and visibility status.

Please note that only layers that are visible can be drawn on.

To sort the layers in alphabetical order double click the Name label at the top of the list. Double-

clicking the Show label will sort the entries by visibility. Please note that a further double click will not

reverse the order, simply double click the other label again.

Double clicking the visibility column toggles the Yes/No status.

See Also

Activating a Layer

Creating a New LayerThe Shortcut Menu in the Layers Window

Notes on Using Layers

Layer Control and Tabbed Views

63

EdgeCAM User Guide


64/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Activating a Layer

There are different ways of activating a layer.

You can select the layer in the drop down list in the Standard EdgeCAM toolbar.

In the Layers Window, you can either activate the layer by double clicking it or by opening the shortcut

menu with a right-hand mouse click and selecting the option Make Active.

The active layer is marked in red in the Layers Window.

Geometric entities are always created on the ACTIVE layer.

Note: Active layers cannot be deleted.

64

EdgeCAM User Guide


65/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Creating a New Layer

There are two ways of creating a new layer:

Type in a new name in the Layer drop down list in the Standard EdgeCAM toolbar.

Use a right-hand mouse click to open the shortcut menu and select the option New.

Layers can be assigned names of up to 63 characters in length.

65

EdgeCAM User Guide


66/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

The Shortcut Menu in the Layers Window

Right-click on a layer entry to call up the shortcut menu.

Make Active Activates the selected layer.

New Creates a new layer. Layers can be assigned names of up to 63 characters in length.

Delete Deletes the selected layer(s). Please note that layers containing entities and the active layer

cannot be deleted.

Hide Makes the selected layer(s) invisible.

Show Makes the selected layer(s) visible.

Show Only Only the selected layer(s) will be shown.

Show All Makes all layers visible.

Properties Displays the Layer Properties dialog which allows you to change the name and visibility status

of the selected layer.

Select All Entities Selects all entities on the selected layer(s). (This option is onlyavailable in GLview)

Select to Hide Select an entity on the layer you wish to hide. After selecting the option from the context

menu you will be prompted to digitize entities on the layer to exclude.

Refresh Refreshes the display in the Layers Window.

Please note that you can use standard Windows controls when working with layers in the window, ie. you

can use the Ctrl or Shift key to pick several layers before selecting the appropriate option from the shortcut

menu.

Layer commands initiated while another layer command is being processed will be ignored.

66

EdgeCAM User Guide


67/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Notes on Using Layers

Loading Parts into EdgeCAM

Inserting Parts into EdgeCAM

Exporting DXF files

Creating Layers with Toolchange

Verifying Entities

Using PCIs which depend on numbered layers

67

EdgeCAM User Guide


68/68

EdgeCAM Concepts

Copyright

(C)1988-2005 Pathtrace Engineering Systems. All rights reserved.

Pathtrace Engineering Systems and its registered resellers or sub-resellers shall have no liability or

responsibility to the licensee or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage

caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this product, including but not limited to any

interruption of service, loss of business or anticipatory profits or consequent damages resulting from the use

or operation of this software.

Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

MemoHASP is a registered trademark of Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd.

NetSentinel is a trademark of Rainbow Technologies, Inc.

OpenGL(r) and Optimizer are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Inc.

Parasolid is a trademark of Unigraphics Solutions Inc.

Autodesk Inventor (tm) is a trademark of Autodesk Inc.

SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation.

Solid Edge is a registered trademark of EDS Inc.

PTC, Pro/DESKTOP, Pro/ENGINEER(r), GRANITE (tm) One, are trademarks or registered trademarks of

Parametric Technology Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and in other countries.

AutoCAD and DXF are registered trademarks of Autodesk Inc.

MicroStation is a trademark of Bentley Systems Inc., an affiliate of Intergraph Corporation.

IGDS is a trademark of Intergraph Corporation.

EdgeCAM Simulator and EdgeCAM Verify use technology developed by L ightworks Designs Ltd.

ACIS is a trademark of Spatial Technology, Inc., and was developed in co-operation with Three-Space, Ltd.,

Cambridge, England, and Applied Geometry Corporation, Seattle, Washington.

Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

The information contained within this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent

a commitment on the part of the vendor. The software described in this document is furnished under a

licence agreement and may only be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Pathtrace Engineering Systems

45 Boulton Road Reading Berkshire England RG2 0NH

Telephone +44 (0)118 975 6084 Facsimile +44 (0)118 975 6143

http://www.edgecam.com

68
http://www.edgecam.com/

Documents

EdgeCAM concepts.pdf