Solid Machinist

EdgeCAM Solid Machinist

Requires EdgeCAM Solid Machinist licence

EdgeCAM Solid Machinist provides the ability to directly load and machine solid files without the need fortranslation. Solid Machinist supports both prismatic and surface milling including multi-plane.

Also see Solid CAD Integration .

You will be able to create machinable features from the model for use within EdgeCAM cycles andoperations. Two methods of feature identification are available:

The Feature Finder command will automatically find prismatic features on the solid model withrespect to the current CPL.

Identification tools allow you to manually identify machinable features with respect to the current CPL.

Associativity with the model is retained, and a Reload command is available from the Solids menu ortoolbar which allows you to reload an updated model into EdgeCAM. EdgeCAM will automaticallyregenerate the features to reflect the changes in the design model.

Additional geometry can be created around the solid model for manufacturing purposes by using standardEdgeCAM design tools.

See Also

Solids Toolbar and Menu

Loading Solid Models

Features in Solid Machinist

Creating Geometry from Solid Entities

Creating a CPL

Machining Solid Features

Associative Reloading of Solid Models

The Feature Browser

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The Feature Browser



EdgeCAM Solid Machinist provides the ability to directly load and machine solid models without the needfor translation. Solid Machinist supports both prismatic and surface milling including multi-plane.

You can machine the solid directly, or you can create 'features' from the solid, and machine these.



See Also

Solid CAD Systems and EdgeCAM Licenses




Creating a CPL


The Features Window

Launching EdgeCAM from CAD

As an alternative to loading saved solid files into EdgeCAM, you can transfer solids directly from the CADpackage.

This method potentially transfers more information into EdgeCAM, such as hole threading and CPL data(this information is not accessible from the saved solids files, and is transferred via a saved XML file).

You use the 'launch EdgeCAM' option, that can be installed into these CAD systems installed on your PC:

· EdgeCAM Part Modeler* · SolidWorks

· Autodesk Inventor · Solid Edge

You can install the CAD links from the EdgeCAM Installation CD, for example.

*In EdgeCAM Part Modeler the option is standard; no installation is needed.

For an up to date list of supported CAD system versions, see the What's New help.

The launch option starts EdgeCAM and loads the work open in the CAD system into EdgeCAM.

Using the launch option without EdgeCAM installed

You might want to distribute solid files for later use in EdgeCAM from a machine that does not itself haveEdgeCAM installed.

In this case you can still install and use the launch EdgeCAM option as follows:

Save the work in the CAD package.1.

Use the launch EdgeCAM option in the package.2.

Now distribute the saved solid file, along with the additional XML file that is created with additionaldata for EdgeCAM use. (This has the same name as the solid file, with '.XML' appended).

If these two files are copied into the same folder, EdgeCAM will read the extra information from theXML file when you open the solid file.

3.

Note that this does not apply to the EdgeCAM Part Modeler CAD package, which does not save an XMLfile.

Installing the launch option

You can install the launch option using the EdgeCAM installation CD (when installing EdgeCAM orsubsequently), or by downloading the installer from www.edgecam.com. (The Web site may be more up todate and support additional systems over the CD.) You are individually prompted for installing into the CADsystems found on your PC.

You do not need to do this for EdgeCAM Part Modeler, as the link is in place on installation.

Refreshing

You can refresh EdgeCAM with changes to the work done within the CAD system. To do this re-use the'launch EdgeCAM' option with EdgeCAM still open. This updates the intermediate XML file, and the FeatureFinder automatically updates any dependent found features within EdgeCAM.

(Note that this is better than saving the solid file from the CAD system, and waiting for the automaticEdgeCAM prompt to re-load. This is because this method does not re-read the XML file).

See also

Transfer of CAD System Data to EdgeCAM


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Importing Autodesk Inventor Thread Data


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Transfer of CAD System Data to EdgeCAM

Over a CAD link there are options for importing:

Coordinate System Planes - SolidWorks and Solid Edge only.

Work Planes - see below.

Sketch Planes - EdgeCAM generates CPLs normal to these sketch planes.

Note that this data is transferred via an XML file created in the same folder as the CAD model (except fromEdgeCAM Part Modeler).

The options are in Options menu Preferences dialog Solids tab. For more details click the dialog'sHelp button, or click here.

CPLs from Work Planes

EdgeCAM CPLs from Work Planes are not associative to the CAD model, so if a work plane changes inthe CAD system a new EdgeCAM CPL is generated; the original CPL is not modified.

Where possible, EdgeCAM will use the same identification names as the CAD system. However these aretruncated to 20 characters so we recommend you use names shorter than this.

If a CPL name already exists a new name is generated with a .1, .2 etc suffix.

EdgeCAM CPL names are optionally prefixed with 'WP_' or 'SP_'. This groups the CPLs in the listing foreasy identification.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Importing Autodesk Inventor Thread Data

The 'launch EdgeCAM option' within Autodesk Inventor loads threading information into EdgeCAM, but onlyif:

The thread has been defined using the Inventor Hole Wizard.

(Note that the (threads) 'Diameter' setting must be 'Tap Drill', otherwise the hole feature will be drilledto the wrong size.)

The Thread Information option has been checked on the Feature Finder dialog.

Note that:

When loading Autodesk Inventor assemblies, threading data is only loaded from holes in parts withinthe assembly. It is not loaded from holes in the assembly itself.

No attempt is made to map the values from the CAD source to the EdgeCAM threads database. Thisputs the emphasis on the CAD systems thread data being complete and correct.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Importing SolidWorks Thread Data

The 'launch EdgeCAM option' within SolidWorks loads threading information into EdgeCAM, but only if:

The thread has been defined using the SolidWorks Hole Wizard.

The Thread Information option has been checked on the Feature Finder dialog.

Thread data is taken from the Tap tab of the Hole Definition (Hole Wizard) and cosmetic thread data isignored.


Notes on using the Hole Wizard in 2001 Plus and 2003

When defining the Tap Hole information in SolidWorks the Property Add Cosmetic Thread must be set toAdd Cosmetic Thread with/without thread callout. Setting it to No Cosmetic thread will result in the solidbody generating a hole to the major diameter of the thread. When found as a feature in EdgeCAM it will beseen as a counter bored hole which can easily be machined as such.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

No cosmetic thread Add cosmetic thread


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Loading Solids Files

You open solids files in the same way as any other type of file.

Most popular solids file types are supported. For the latest versions supported see the What's New help. Forthe licenses required see Solid CAD Systems and EdgeCAM Licenses.

Pro/DESKTOP files (*.des) are listed under the Pro/ENGINEER file type.

Note:

As an alternative to opening a saved file, you can open a solid from some CAD packages directly; seeLaunching EdgeCAM from CAD for details.

SolidWorks assemblies can only be opened directly from SolidWorks.

The solid model will be loaded into EdgeCAM using the current layer, colour and font for the solid. Whenloading parasolid files (*.x_t, *.x_b) colour properties for hole features will also be passed to EdgeCAM. Ifpreferred, these can be suppressed using the Face Colour - Ignore Model Values option on the Solids tabof the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. In addition, EdgeCAM allows you to colour the faces of a solidmodel by their geometry type. To enable this functionality, check the Face Colour - Render by GeometryType option on the Solids tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. See Specifying Colour Preferencesfor Solid Models.

The load operation will automatically scale the solid to the current EdgeCAM units.

See Also

Solid Machinist Error Messages

Colour Preferences for Solid Models


Inserting a Solid Model


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Solid CAD Systems and EdgeCAM Licenses

The table lists the file formats from the Solid CAD systems and the licenses required to load them intoEdgeCAM.

Solid CAD system File typessupported

License required

Autodesk Inventor *.ipt, *.iam Solid Machinist for Inventor orSolid CAD/CAM orSolid Machinist Max

CATIA V5 *.CATpart, *.CATproduct Solid Machinist for CATIA V5

EdgeCAM Part Modeler *..pmod Solid Machinist for Parasolid orSolid CAD/CAM orSolid Machinist Max

SolidWorks *.prt, *.sldprt, *.sldasm Solid Machinist for Parasolid orSolid CAD/CAM orSolid Machinist Max

Solid Edge *.par Solid Machinist for Parasolid orSolid CAD/CAM orSolid Machinist Max

Pro/Desktop Pro/ENGINEERWildfire, Wildfire 2

*.prt, *.des, *.pdt, *.g, *.asm Solid Machinist for Granite

Native ACIS files *.sat, *.sab Solid Machinist for ACIS orSolid CAD/CAM

Native Parasolid files *.xmb, *.xmt, *.x_t, *.x_b Solid Machinist for Parasolid orSolid CAD/CAM or SolidMachinist Max

IGES files loaded as Parasolidbodies

*.igs Solid Machinist for Parasolidand Part Modeler or SolidCAD/CAM


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Notes on Loading Autodesk Inventor files

Required Software

To load an Autodesk Inventor file into EdgeCAM, one of the following products must be installed on thesame PC:

Autodesk Inventor, or

Design Tracking - a free utility that can be installed from the Design Tracking folder of the EdgeCAMCD.

If neither product is installed, the following message will be issued when you attempt to load an AutodeskInventor file into EdgeCAM:

Deleting temporary files EdgeCAM creates temporary copies of .ipt files in the cam\temp directory called iptsaved0.ipt andiptload0.ipt. EdgeCAM should automatically delete these files when loading a new part. If temporary .ipt filesexist the wrong Inventor file can be saved in the EdgeCAM part file (*.ppf). If this occurs you should deletethe temporary files.

Reloading Inventor files

When reloading Autodesk Inventor parts up to, but not including, Inventor 4 features tend to be updated ona best match basis even when the solid model has not been modified. We recommend updating the parts toa later version of Inventor to overcome this problem.

Also see: Launching EdgeCAM from CADNotes on Loading Autodesk Inventor Assemblies


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Notes on Autodesk Inventor Assemblies

Inventor 9 SP1 and above only

Inventor Assemblies use Project files to define the component locations. Ensure the Inventor or InventorView has the correct Project selected before loading the assembly; otherwise some or all components maynot be loaded.

When moving or copying an assembly from its original location toanother PC drive, CD-ROM or Network location the InventorPack and Go utility must be used so that the Project paths arecorrectly updated. To use the Pack and Go feature right mouseclick on the assembly file (*.iam) and select Pack and Go. Pleaseread the Help available with this utility for further information.

You can:

Use File Open to open a saved Inventor Assembly (*.iam) file into EdgeCAM.

Or use the 'launch EdgeCAM' option within Autodesk Inventor, with the assembly open. Using the'launch EdgeCAM' option can transfer more information, such as threading data, work planes, sketchplanes and co-ordinate system planes.

Please note:

This information on loading thread data.

If the assembly is modified and saved, then EdgeCAM knows to reload the assembly.

If a component part is reloaded into the assembly, then EdgeCAM knows to reload the new assemblyonce it has been saved.

If a component part is modified,then EdgeCAM will NOT know to reload it until the assembly has beenupdated and saved.

If parts are transformed in the (Inventor) assembly, EdgeCAM knows to reload the updated assemblyitself.

The assembly can be transformed in EdgeCAM.

Separate parts cannot be moved individually in EdgeCAM.

Associativity in EdgeCAM is OK if parts are transformed in the (EdgeCAM) assembly.

Associativity in EdgeCAM is OK if an individual part is changed inside or outside of the assembly.

Associativity in EdgeCAM is NOT OK if parts are removed or added to the assembly.

See also:

Notes on Loading Autodesk Inventor files.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Notes on Loading Granite Models

Accuracy of Granite models

See Solid CAD Systems and EdgeCAM Licenses for a summary of the Granite CAD systems and file types.

To ensure that Granite models are machined to the required accuracy in EdgeCAM you should ensurethat the model is created in the CAD system to at least the desired machining tolerance.

You can check this when you load or transform the solid, as the internal tolerance is displayed in theFeedback Window. (Unless this is disabled; to enable it use Options menu Preferences Solids tab,and click the unchecked Model Tolerance Notification checkbox.)

You can also find out the internal tolerance by using Verify menu Entity and selecting (digitising) thesolid.

If you create a cycle based on solid geometry with a tolerance tighter than the internal tolerance of the solid,you see a Feedback Window message; for example:

CAD kernel data may be out of tolerance

Solid model internal tolerance: 0.018720896

is looser than required tolerance: 0.01

The cycle will still generate successfully however.

Loading of PDT files

We do not recommend using PDT files if you have the DES or PRT file available (or a means tocreate them).

PDT files are designed as an internal transfer mechanism between PTC products; exporting them intothird party products is not recommended.

PDT files have a hard coded internal tolerance that is far tighter than the default tolerance of eitherPRT or DES files used to create them.

If you experience problems when performing a Feature Find command on a PDT file, adjusting thesystem tolerance in EdgeCAM may resolve the problem.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Notes on Loading SolidWorks Assemblies

SolidWorks 2003 and above only

To load a SolidWorks assembly into EdgeCAM.

In SolidWorks, first save. Then with the assembly still open use the launch EdgeCAM button.

For EdgeCAM use, workplane and other data is now written out to a separate .XML file. This iscreated with the same name as the assembly (but with a '.XML' extension), in the same folder.

EdgeCAM now starts and searches for the assembly structure file. If this is missing or out of date, youare prompted to repeat the launch from SolidWorks.

The assembly is then loaded as one BREP, which is associative to the assembly filename. (TheBREP may contain multiple solid bodies.) The data in the .xml file is also loaded.

Individual bodies may be machined and searched for features, but all the bodies will betransformed or deleted together.

Note that even if your CAD machine does not have EdgeCAM installed you can still install and use thelaunch EdgeCAM facility. You just need to make sure that the saved solid file and XML file are distributedtogether, and kept in the same folder. Open the solid file into EdgeCAM from the new folder and the XMLdata will also be read.

Assemblies and layers

When loading solid assemblies you can specify whether all parts are placed on the same layer or each partis placed on an individual layer using the Separate Layers option on the Solids tab of the Preferences(Options menu) command. The default setting for this option is OFF.

When checked, each part is placed on a separate layer where the layer name is the name of the assemblyfile followed by the part number, i.e. filename - 001, filename - 002 etc.

If the option is unchecked, all parts will be placed onto the current layer.

Summary of functionality

If a changed part is reloaded into the assembly, then EdgeCAM knows to reload the new assembly

If parts are transformed in the (SolidWorks) assembly, EdgeCAM knows to reload the updatedassembly.

The assembly can be transformed in EdgeCAM.

Separate parts cannot be moved individually in EdgeCAM.

Associativity in EdgeCAM is OK if parts are transformed in the (EdgeCAM) assembly.

Associativity in EdgeCAM is OK if an individual part is changed inside or outside of the assembly.

Associativity in EdgeCAM is not OK if parts are removed or added to the assembly.

To maintain associativity, you will need to re-launch EdgeCAM from SolidWorks using the EdgeCAMlaunch button and with the EdgeCAM session open, this will update the data in the file containing theassembly structure.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Notes on Loading Pro/ENGINEER Assemblies

Once loaded or inserted, the assembly file is not associative, that is if parts are added to or removed fromthe assembly the EdgeCAM .ppf file will not be updated. Any changes made at assembly level inPro/ENGINEER will not be detected unless they affect the parts. Changes at part level will be detected andEdgeCAM will prompt for a re-load (if the Change Notification option on the Preferences dialog is switchedon).

Assembly cuts are only supported if they intersect at part level.

Empty parts (for bill of material purposes etc.) and surface only parts are excluded, and the assembly filewill continue to load any valid files until the end of the assembly file is reached. An error message will bedisplayed "Some files did not produce solid models:", followed by file path and part name.

Assemblies generated by Pro/Engineer manufacturing modules (i.e. Mold) are not supported.

Assemblies and layers

When loading solid assemblies you can specify whether all parts are placed on the same layer or each partis placed on an individual layer using the Separate Layers option on the Solids tab of the Preferences(Options menu) command. The default setting for this option is OFF.

When checked, each part is placed on a separate layer where the layer names are those of the individualparts loaded. When loading assemblies that contain multiples of the same solid part, all instances of thesolid are placed on a common layer.

If the option is unchecked, all parts will be placed onto the current layer.

Summary of functionality

EdgeCAM cannot detect if an assembly has changed as it references individual parts not the wholeassembly.

Separate parts of an assembly can be transformed in EdgeCAM individually or in groups.

Associativity in EdgeCAM is not OK if parts are transformed in the assembly.

Associativity in EdgeCAM is OK if an individual part is changed outside of the assembly.

Associativity in EdgeCAM is not OK if parts are removed or added to the assembly.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Notes on loaded non-assembly multiple-body files

Here are some notes relating to multiple-body assembly files loaded into EdgeCAM (these do not apply toassembly files which have there own topics):

When feature finding, individual solids can be selected. Each body:

may have its own colour, font and layer.

may be machined separately.

may be digitised as stock or fixture separately.

Deleting one body in the EdgeCAM deletes all the other bodies from the same file. Deleting bodies mayhave undesirable effects if digitised stock or fixtures are specified.

If you add a body to the model and update EdgeCAM, the new body in EdgeCAM will have the same colourand layer as the first body.

When merging two or more bodies by Boolean union, the target part (the part that is to have others mergedto it) will retain its features, the features of any tool part (part that is to be merged) will be automaticallyorphaned and deleted (even if the Delete Orphaned Features preference has not been checked). Any newfeatures created by the union on the target part will be displayed as “New” in the Features Window.

Bodies may be all on same layer, or on separate individual layers, depending on the setting of the'Separate Layers' Preferences option (Solids tab). If on separate layers, these are given the name of thesolid file followed by the body number. If on one layer, this will be the active layer at the time of the load.

When using the transform commands (Rotate, Scale, Translate):

Pick a solid in a multiple body solid and all the solid bodies will be transformed.

Pick a stock feature and the solid bodies and stock will be transformed.

Pick a fixture and the solid bodies and fixture will be transformed.

Pick all (ctrl+'A') and all the solid bodies, stocks and fixtures will be transformed.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Inserting a Solid Model


A solid model may be added or inserted to an existing worksession using the File Insert, Solid (File Menu)command. This allows you to scale, rotate and translate the model.

The inserted model uses the current colour and font for the solid model but you can override the model'scolour and substitute a colour of your own choice.

The model will be inserted on the current layer for the solid model unless a different layer is specified.

Multiple models may be inserted each with different transformations if required.

Inserting an EdgeCAM part file that contains a solid model

You can also insert an EdgeCAM part file (*.ppf) that contains a solid model as a part or component. Thisallows you to scale, rotate and translate the model. Multiple models may be inserted each with differenttransformations if required.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Saving Parts

If an EdgeCAM worksession contains a solid model, the Save command will write the model to theEdgeCAM part file (*.ppf). You can then reload this part file in a subsequent worksession. If a part filecontaining a solid model is loaded and the Solid Machinist licence is not available, the solid portion of themodel will be ignored and will not be loaded or displayed.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Specifying Colour Preferences for Solid Models

Colour Attributes for Hole Features

You might use coloured features in your CAD model to represent desired machining processes on thefeatures. When exporting parasolid files (*.x_t, *.x_b) colour attributes for hole features will be passed fromthe CAD system to EdgeCAM. The Automatic Feature Finder will detect these colours and group holefeatures according to their colour , as well as their geometry.

The following example would therefore generate two feature groups, one counter bored and one not, butboth groups would have the same colour attribute.

Strategy Manager decisions can be based on the colour attribute of the feature(s).

As the colour attributes for hole features will be passed from the CAD system to EdgeCAM, the colour of thesolid cannot be modified in EdgeCAM, and stock/fixtures do not show the user defined colours whenrendered. If preferred, the colour attributes can be suppressed using the Ignore Model Values option onthe Solids tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog.

Please note that Autodesk Inventor 4 and above and Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire pass the model colour(body colour of the entire solid, not just the hole feature) through to EdgeCAM. This can be suppressed bychecking the Ignore Model Values option.

Colouring Solid Model Faces by Geometry Type

The rendered view of a solid can be displayed with the faces coloured by geometry type as follows:

Type Colour

Plane white (white)

Cylinder yellow (yellow)

Cone aqua (green-blue)

Sphere fuchsia (purple)

Torus lime (green)

Other* red (red)

*Includes NURBS, imported geometry, and any surface type not explicitly handled in a different way.

This can be used as a diagnostic tool to obtain information about the different face types in a solid. Checkthe Render by Geometry Type option on the Solids tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog toenable this functionality.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Transforming Solids

You can rotate, scale or translate solids using Transform Solid in the Solids toolbar ormenu. Note that this is a combined menu and command button offering Translate, Rotateand Scale commands.

The dialog for the selected command will now be displayed.

Note on transforming solids with features

Solids can be transformed and copied after a feature find command has been performed. Any features onthe original model will also be transformed.

A feature can only be transformed such that it does not move out of its defining CPL. For mill features thisallows any translation plus rotation about the Z axis of the feature CPL. Turn features cannot be rotated outof the ZX plane.

Thread information will be preserved after transformation, unless the threaded hole features are modified, inwhich case the thread information will be removed on a reload.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser


Use Reload Solid (Solids menu or Solids toolbar) to replace the currently loaded solidmodel with the updated file from disk.

When you select this command, a browse dialog will be displayed with the name of the file(s) alreadyentered unless it cannot be found. The updated solid file will be reloaded into EdgeCAM and any changesdisplayed. This will allow you to modify the model in an external application and then reload it intoEdgeCAM.

When reloading a model, you will be asked whether you want to save the original model. Saving the modelat this stage will save it as is, prior to any re-load changes. As it is not possible to use the Undo commandafter a re-load, the saved part may be used as a back-up if required.

If you click No, the model will be updated without saving the original data and Feature Find will then findthe features of the reloaded model.

Change notification

A message is displayed when a newer file of the same name in the same directory (or subdirectory) as theoriginal file is detected and EdgeCAM prompts for a reload. If you say no to the reload prompt, furthernotification will only be issued when a still newer file is found. If the original file cannot be found checkingthat solid will be disabled for the rest of the EdgeCAM session.

The Features Window displays the status of all features since the last reload. In addition, features that havechanged will be highlighted (displayed in bold) in the window after the re-load. See Features WindowStatus.

Note on Reloading Pro/Engineer Files.

Specifying Preferences for the Reloading of Solid Models

Notes on Reloading SolidWorks Files

Solid Keys and Associativity

The solid model has a unique identifier for every entity in a body (face, loop, edge and vertex). When afeature is identified EdgeCAM holds a cross-reference to the solid keys. When a body is reloadedEdgeCAM will first try and match the current features to the keys in the new model. In addition, you can usethe Geometric Match option on the Solids tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog to enablematching by geometry. Geometric attributes are used to match vertices, faces and edges during the re-loadand if the geometric shape of the feature found by the matching process is considered to be the same asthe original feature it is deemed to be unchanged (and given the same ID in the new model).

When the Feature Find command or any manual feature identification command is re-run after reloading asolid:

Features will be updated on a best match basis if any of the topological information (faces, edgesetc.) is retained or geometrically matched in the modified solid. This includes any common cylindricalface in a group of hole features, for example.

Autodesk Inventor parts up to, but not including, Inventor 4 tend to best match features on re-load even when the solid model has not been modified. We recommend updating the parts to alater version of Inventor to overcome this problem.

Otherwise,

Old features will be ‘updated’ by new features of the same type in the order in which they were found,and will be classified as Changed features. This works in the majority of cases where the topologicalinformation has been lost by the changes to the solid. Features updated in this way will be displayedwith a dashed font.www.cadfamily.com EMail:[email protected]

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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Features that cannot be re-created by matching their identities or matching their geometry will beorphaned and will be displayed in dotted font.

Manual features other than face features behave like automatic features on a reload, their status isupdated and they are added to the report message. Because face features are defined as references tofaces of the current model, they cannot be retained if orphaned.

Important note on associativity when working with CAD links

When launching EdgeCAM from the CAD system, information contained within the CAD file is written out toa separate .xml file of the same name (i.e. part.ipt.xml) that is stored in the same folder as the CAD model.This way, detailed information (such as work plane or thread definitions) which is not stored in the solidmodel is available during the CAM process. EdgeCAM interrogates the .xml file when the model is openedand during the feature finding process.

To maintain associativity, you will need to re-launch EdgeCAM from the CAD system with the EdgeCAMsession open, this will update the threading data in the .xml file. The Feature Finder command will thendetect the threading data changes and update the information in the EdgeCAM Hole Feature accordingly.

When a CAD model that has previously been passed to EdgeCAM is updated in the CAD system and thenaccessed again within EdgeCAM, without being launched from CAD system, the Feature Finder will updateall the features except the thread and CPL details as these are held in the .xml file that has not beenupdated.

Special PCI Variable – $SolidFilename

This variable name is used to reload a solid in a PCI. Useful for updating Solids or loading a different modelof the same family.

Example - %calc=$SolidFilename=c:\data\part1234.x_t NoteIt is important to understand that the method used to modify the solid body can affect the way features areupdated in EdgeCAM. For example, if a pocket in the body is moved, stretched, edited this will generallyresult in an updated feature because the key cross-reference is maintained. However, if a pocket is deletedand a new pocket is placed in the same area the key cross-reference is lost and the pocket will appear as anew, or in the case of geometric matching, best matched or changed feature..

After reloading the model, the features of the model in EdgeCAM are updated.Any existing operations using the updated features will need to be regenerated. (This may happenautomatically - if Options menu Preferences Solids tab Regenerate Current Sequence ischecked).Any cycles used on the model may require editing/regenerating as they are not associated with anychanges.

Please note that EdgeCAM geometry created by copying loops, edges, vertices or turned faces from thesolid will not reflect any change to the solid and will remain in its original form.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Feature-Based Instruction Validity Checking

You can check a feature to make sure that any cycles and operations based on the feature are still valid.

(Note that this also happens automatically - for more details (and on validation in general) see SequenceValidation.)

Make sure you are in Manufacture mode.1.

Click the Instructions menu and click the Feature Check command.

Alternatively click the command's button in the Edit toolbar:

2.

Pick the features you want to check by digitising them in the Graphics area, or clicking them in theFeatures window. Alternatively just finish the command to check all the features.

You see feedback on the checking in the Feedback window, and any invalid sequences are marked inthe Sequence window.

3.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Selecting Solid Entities

You can select faces, edges, loops, vertices or the entire solid when creating features for machining or forverification purposes.

When filtering allows for an ambiguous selection (e.g. an edge and a line created from the edge) the cursorshape will change when the mouse is moved over the entities. In this case, you can use the tab key todetermine which entity will be selected. The currently selectable entity type is indicated in the tooltip that isdisplayed beside the cursor. If the cursor is moved over an entity when Intellisnap is active, the selectableentity is also highlighted in the 'flyover' colour.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser


Features are named entities, or groups of entities, that you can select for machining. A feature mightrepresent a pocket or boss for example.

Features are derived from key areas in the solid, such as edges and faces, so they correspond to theseareas. The correspondence is 'associative', so if the model is edited the Features automatically adaptthemselves.

Features are associated with the CPL in which they were derived. When deriving a pocket feature forexample, for the bottom of the pocket you can select a planar area whose plane is parallel to the CPL. Thepocket would have a depth, measured in an axis normal to the CPL.

You can work with features (delete them or edit them to change their colour, for example), in the FeaturesWindow. You can view the properties of features in the Properties Window.

Machining features

There are various ways of categorising features; for example some are pocket features and some are bossfeatures. Also, pocket and boss features are further categorised according to their geometry; whether theyare '2D', 'Contour' or '3D' (see Feature Types for more details).

However you always machine features in basically the same way. In cycles you set the 'Model Type' optionin the dialog to 'Solid'. You then go on to digitise the feature, when selecting the cycle's geometry. To usean operation you can right-click on the option in the Features window and select from the shortcut menu.

Identifying features

You can create features by:

automatically deriving them using the Feature Finder command,

or you can create them manually by specifying the key areas from which to derive the feature, usingthe Mill Feature command.

When you manually create a feature, it will be displayed in the colour and on the layer displayed on theStandard toolbar. If required, you can change these properties.

When using the Feature Finder, you can specify a default colour and/or layer for features on the Displaytab of the dialog.

Pocket, Hole and Boss features can be displayed as a translucent solid or wire frame; use the ToggleFeatures command to switch.

Exploding Features

You can use the Edit, Explode (Edit menu) command to break up features into simpler componententities. The original feature is destroyed.

For example, a complex pocket may be found very quickly by the Feature Finder but may not provide theexact geometry needed for machining. It is possible to explode the features into continuous loops which youmay then recombine (with other geometry and even a wall profile) to provide the required solution.

Displaying Features

To display features (in translucent form) click Toggle Features in the Display toolbar to activate it.Click Toggle Features again to de-activate it and switch off the feature display

See Also

Feature Types

Creating Turn Features

Features Window


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The Feature Browser

Feature Types

This topic refers to features created in EdgeCAM Version 9 and later. Features created in earlier versionsare 'superseded'. For notes on how these features differ, see About Superseded Features.

A feature can be one of the following types:

Feature Type Notes

Pocket or Boss Pockets and bosses fall into sub-categories according to how complex theirgeometry is; '2D', 'Contour' and '3D'.

This relates to how you identify pockets and bosses; see IdentifyingFeatures in Solid Machinist for details.

Pocket If 'closed', a pocket has a planar area at the bottom, which is parallel to thefeature's CPL. The walls need not be vertical.

A pocket has top edges that are in a plane, and this plane is parallel to theplane of the CPL. This may mean the top edge of the feature protrudesabove any point in the solid.

A pocket has properties for level, depth and whether it is through or blind.

A pocket has a 'Nesting status' property; see Feature Finder for details.

You can work on pockets using a number of cycles and operations. Forexample the Roughing and Profiling cycles.

Boss A boss has a planar area at the top, which is parallel to the feature's CPL.The walls need not be vertical.

A boss has properties for level and depth.

You can work on bosses using a number of cycles and operations. Forexample the Roughing and Profiling cycles.

Profile A profile is a feature that can be machined using the Profiling cycle. Aprofile has a record of which side the material is on; you can only machinealong this side. You can edit the profile to switch the material to the otherside.

Hole A hole feature has properties for level, depth and diameter, and whether itis a through or a blind hole.

You can group all holes with identical properties.

The Automatic Feature Finder groups hole features according to theircolour , as well as their geometry. Also see Specifying Colour Preferencesfor Solid Models.

Also see Countersink and Tip Angle in Hole Features

Also see Defining Thread Parameters in Hole Features.

Face A face feature is a flat surface derived from a flat face of the solid.

You can machine a face feature using the Parallel Lace cycle, for example.

Please note that the Hole Identifier only recognises straight holes, whereas the Feature Finder will also setattributes for a counterbore (depth and diameter).

Additional modifiers are available for a countersink (depth and angle), and for tapping (depth and pitch).These values have to be entered manually as they are not specified in the model.


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The Feature Browser

In addition, you can specify a Maximum Diameter above which holes will be treated as pockets (this optionis only available in the Feature Finder).

See AlsoCreating Turn Features


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The Feature Browser

Feature Height Properties

For 'automatic' features (as found using the Feature Finder command), these pocket and boss examplesillustrate how the feature height type properties are derived. For example the elevation of the lowest point ofthe features is read off the Z scale to become the 'Bottom' property.

Depth (Bottom - Top)

Level and Top

Reference Plane

Bottom

Z = 0

Boss Pocket

Note:

The boss feature is identified as a boss because, from its outer boundary working inwards, it starts torise in elevation. The point from which is starts to rise is the 'reference plane'. Similarly the pocket is apocket because it starts to fall from the reference plane.

You can see the CPL marker, which is always positioned at Z = 0 in world coordinates (also X = 0 andY = 0).

Level and Top are one and the same thing.

Depth is a negative number.

For manually identified features, you can accept default depths, or digitize vertices to specify depth.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Face Features

When you are using a surface cycle and you are prompted to specify a surface, you can digitise (select) asolid. This will set the cycle to machine every face of the solid. If you only want to machine one face of thesolid you can turn it into a 'face feature'. Face features have their own separate identity; they appear in theFeatures Window, for example.

You create a face feature from a face using the Face Feature command or its icon . The face featureis not limited to one face of the solid, you can group several faces together into one face feature. A face canbe a member of different face features. Face features are associative to the model.

The normals of the faces will point forward so that the system will not prompt for Side Selection when aSurface operation or cycle is used.

When a cycle or operation prompts you to specify a surface, you can digitise/select any combination of:

EdgeCAM surfaces,

surface groups (containing just EdgeCAM surfaces),

face features,

an entire solid body.

The cycle will only process the surfaces you have grouped together, this will prevent full gouge protectionof the solid body.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Notification of Model Change

When working with an EdgeCAM part containing an embedded solid model, the system continuouslychecks the date-time stamp of the solid model. When a difference is found a dialog is displayed asking ifyou wish to reload the model.

If the original design file is still open it is not possible to reload the model and a warning will be displayed.


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The Feature Browser

Editing Features

You can modify feature information by:

Using the Entity Data (Edit menu) command, or

Right-clicking on the feature in the Features Window and selecting the Edit command from theshortcut menu, or

Double clicking on the feature in the Features Window.

You can also use the Properties Window (certain properties only; Depth for example is not editable).

EdgeCAM allows you to override attribute values such as depth, level, colour, name etc. However, if youreload the model the modifiers level, depth and diameter will be reset to the values of the reloaded solid.Any other properties are retained.

When altering the level of a feature, the Preserve Depth option allows you to maintain the absolute depth.Otherwise the feature depth (which is relative to the level) will move with the level by default.

Setting comment attributes for use in Strategy Manager

In Strategy Manager, you may need to determine if a hole feature needs to be finish reamed or bored or ifthe feature is a special feature requiring its own unique machining process. The Comment field on the editdialog for hole and pocket/boss features allows you to set a comment attribute (of up to 255 characters).This text string allows you to label the feature and can then be checked in Strategy Manager to ensure thatthe appropriate machining process is applied.


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The Feature Browser

Identifying Features in Solid Machinist

You can identify features in a solid, with respect to the current CPL:

Automatically, using the Feature Finder command.

You can identify any type of feature including features of 2D, Contour and 3D geometry, using thiscommand.

Manually, using the Mill Feature command, for example.

When manually identifying features, you cannot identify 3D or Contour pockets and bosses.


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The Feature Browser

Manual Feature Identification

You can manually derive features using the Mill Feature and Face Feature commands.

In the 'Mill Feature' dialog you choose one of several strategies. (You can also by-pass the dialog usingother commands; instead of choosing the 'Bottom_Face' strategy in the dialog, you could use the 'MillFeature from Bottom Face' command directly).

The table below shows the feature types you can derive, using each of the strategies:

BlindPocket

ThroughPocket

Boss Profile Hole(no counterbore orcountersink)

Wall_Face Ö ÖÖ

Ö (cylinder)

Bottom_Face ÖNA

Profile_LoopÖ

ÖÖ

Ö

Profile_EdgesÖ Ö

Ö

Note:

When using Profile_Edges, digitising a complete closed loop can result in a pocket or boss. Whenusing Profile_Loop, pockets or bosses may result.

When digitising loops or combinations of edges, the feature will have a height set to the highest pointon the loop or edges.

See Also

Digitise Vertex for Depth in Profile Features

Countersink and Tip Angle in Hole Features


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Contouring Attributes for Pocket/Boss Features

The Feature Finder command will detect constant radius fillets at the base and top of pockets/bosses andstore the radius value as an attribute in the pocket and boss features. To be detected, fillets must be of aconstant radius and at a fixed Z height.

The Lower and Upper Radius properties from the pocket/boss feature will be passed automatically to theappropriate parameter field on the Pocket or Profile operation dialog when the feature is selected formachining. These values will remain associative to the model following a reload.

Note on pocket/boss nesting

When working with a part that contains a boss inside a pocket, with different fillet radii on each, the largestbottom radius and smallest top radius are applied to all fillets in the pocket feature, leaving material behindin both cases.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Defining Thread Parameters in Hole Features

Automatically Setting Thread Parameters

When working with Autodesk Inventor or SolidWorks you can import threading data from the CAD systeminto the EdgeCAM Hole feature dialog. Thread details are only passed to EdgeCAM when:

the thread has been defined using the Hole Wizard in the CAD system,

the EdgeCAM session is started via the launch option in the CAD system, and

the Thread Information option has been checked on the Feature Finder dialog.

When EdgeCAM is launched from the CAD system the thread data is written out to an .xml file of the samename. The .xml file will be stored in the same folder as the CAD model. When feature finding, EdgeCAMinterrogates the thread data held within the .xml file to populate the thread parameters of the EdgeCAMHole Feature dialog. When maching, the Feature properties are used to populate the appropriate fields inthe Hole Operation dialogs.

To maintain associativity, you will need to re-launch EdgeCAM from the CAD system with the EdgeCAMsession open, this will update the threading data in the .xml file. The Feature Finder command will thendetect the threading data changes and update the information in the EdgeCAM Hole Feature accordingly.


A threaded hole feature needs to have the following parameters set to be considered fully defined:Thread Units, Tap Diameter, Drill Size, Pitch/TPI, and Depth. If the hole is threaded and any of theseparameter fields are blank a question mark "? " is displayed after the feature name in the Features Window.

Threaded hole features are listed as either "Blind tapped hole" or "Through tapped hole" in the FeaturesWindow. This allows you to see if a hole feature has threading information without opening the feature foredit.

When importing thread data from the CAD system the Standard and Nominal Size parameters will be setto None. The relevant information will be taken through from the CAD system.

Manually Setting Thread Parameters


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The Feature Browser

The automatic import of threading data is only available when the EdgeCAM session is started via thelaunch option in Autodesk Inventor or SolidWorks. For all other systems the solid does not store tappinginformation and you have to add this to the Hole Feature manually.

The EdgeCAM threads database can be accessed by checking the Tapped option and setting theStandard parameter to one of the standard thread formats and selecting a nominal size. This is particularlyuseful when manually adding thread data to Hole Features.

When machining, the Hole Feature properties are used to populate the appropriate fields the HoleOperation dialogs.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Countersink and Tip Angle in Hole Features

Countersink in Hole Feature

The Hole feature (generated either by Feature Finder or by the Hole Identifier command) recognisescountersinks if the following conditions are met:

the countersink shares a common edge with the cylindrical face defining the hole

it lies above the cylinder defining the hole in the CPL

is a conical face

has its axis aligned with the CPL normal

has an included angle greater than 0 and smaller than 180 degrees

Tip Angle in Hole Feature

The hole feature generation (either by Feature Finder or by the Hole Identifier command) records tip angleinformation based on the model. A tip will be recognised if there is a face which:

shares a common edge with the cylindrical face defining the hole

lies below the cylinder defining the hole in the CPL

and either

is a conical face

has its axis aligned with the CPL normal

has an included angle greater than 0 and smaller than 180 degrees

or

is a planar face

is parallel to the CPL

The included angle of the conical face will be used to define the tip angle. For a planar face the tip angle willbe 180 degrees. If there is no face below the hole or the face does not meet the criteria above then the tipangle will be defined as ‘Unknown’ and the behaviour will be as for current hole features (118.0 degreesassumed) for compatibility.

The hole operation will then use the feature and tool tip angles to calculate the correct full or diameter depthfor the cycles.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Depth in Manually Derived Features

When you are manually deriving a feature and you digitise an edge, loop or face, then the depth of thefeature is set between the highest and lowest points on all the faces that neighbour this, as in this examplebased on profiles from edges .

However you can change these; at the next step you are prompted to 'Digitise one or more vertices tospecify depth range (or return)'.

EdgeCAM guesses what point you are altering:

If you digitise near the highest point, you alter the highest point.

If you digitise near the lowest point, you alter the lowest point.

If you make two digitises, the depth is set between them.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Creating Turn Features

Two methods of creating turn features are available:

The Envelopes option of the Feature Finder command will automatically generate a turn envelope thatconsiders the maximum envelope of the revolved profile.

The Turn Feature command allow you to manually identify machinable features.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Automatically Creating Turn Profiles

The turn profile will be created by using the Feature Finder (Solids menu) command.

When Envelopes is checked the command will generate a turn profile that considers the maximumenvelope of the revolved profile. For example, if the profile is generated on the plane through the ‘flats’ of ahexagon, the turn envelope will extend to include the dimension ‘across corners’.

The Feature Find dialog offers the following parameters:

Tolerance - Specify a tolerance to be used for faceting the faces of the solid which are not revolved aboutthe turning axis. You can adjust the tolerance value to speed up processing of the solid.

Automatically Name Features - Check this box to automatically assign a name (1, 2, 3 etc.) to the feature.This will appear as a prefix to the feature description in the Features Window. If unchecked, only the featuredescription will be displayed in the Features Window.

Envelopes - Check this option to generate a turn envelope that considers the maximum envelope of therevolved profile.

Lower Turret - If selected, a lower turret feature will be created for any turned envelope feature found. Thiswill be identical except that the profile will be rotated 180 degrees around the main axis (Z, which is X as faras the CPL is concerned). These features will be on the same layer and use the same colour as the otherturn features.

Finding holes in the turning environment

Please note that only holes aligned with the Turn CPL will be found, so radial holes will be ignored. Youneed to switch the CPL to Axial to find axial holes. Please note that there is no support for machining holesoff x0. See Feature Finder.

See Also

Turn Profile Feature TypesAligning the Body for Turning


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Turn Profile Feature Types

When the Envelopes option is checked the command will generate a number of features that representprofiles. The profiles are created around the Z axis defined by the current CPL. Up to four feature types arecreated: External Turn, Internal Turn, Face Turn, and Back Turn.

The feature will consist of elements in the profile that can be seen when viewed in the appropriate direction.The arrows in the following diagram indicate the direction in which the model is being viewed. Occasionally,due to tolerances within the model, additional elements may be appended to the ends of the profiles.

This model

will produce an External Turn feature

an Internal Turn feature

a Face Turn feature

and a Back Turn Feature


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser


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Aligning the Body for Turning

The profile creation relies on the model being correctly aligned along the Z axis of the current CPL. Themodel can be oriented to the Z axis of the Turn CPL by using the Align Body for Turning command

(Solids menu) .

When the command is selected you will be prompted to ‘digitise a face to define the axis of rotation (orreturn)’. Please note that this must be a turned face (cylinder, cone, torus, body of revolution or sphere). Ifan incorrect surface is digitised an error message will be displayed ‘Selected surface has no axis of rotation’and you will need to digitise another surface. Once the model is correctly aligned, press Return.

The turned body now needs to be translated along the Z axis until the face axis lies in the XY plane (i.e. Z0).You will be prompted to ‘select a face to define the origin plane (or return)’. Press Return to finish theselection.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Manually Identifying Turn Features

In some instances, the Feature Finder command will not find the all of the machinable features. In suchcases a manual turn feature tool is required.

In the turning environment, the Turn Feature (Solids menu) command or the icon allows you select‘turnable’ faces in the Turn CPL and create a turn feature from those that are connected. It is possible toselect the complete model and generate a single turn feature from the connecting turnable faces. Theresultant turn features are associative to the solid.

Unlike the automatic Feature Finder which finds the maximum turned envelope, the Turn Feature commandwill find the profile edges. The command consistently works in the same direction. The solid material willalways be on the left side of the profile in the direction the tool is travelling.

When non-turnable faces are selected, the following error message “Some Face(s) did not form simpleconnected geometry and have been ignored” is displayed.

Note

The Turn Feature command will only work on cylindrical faces that have their centre on the Z axis of theTurn CPL. You can find out whether a face is cylindrical by using the Entity (Verify menu) command.

If some of your faces are not cylindrical the Feature Finder (Solids menu) command should be used. Thismay take longer to process as the face is swept to find the outer profile.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Feature Finder

Use the Feature Finder command (Solids menu) to automatically find features (pockets,holes, bosses and turn profiles) on the solid body.

Note that to be found, pocket and boss features must have a top face or base that is planar, and whoseplane is parallel to the CPL ('top face' applies to bosses, 'base' applies to pockets).

The command is only available when a solid model is loaded.

You opt whether or not to find features in the geometry classifications: '2D', 'Contour' and '3D'. If you onlyfind the type of features you are going to machine, you reduce the time spent finding the features, andreduce the clutter caused by unnecessary features.

There is a 'Nesting' option in the Feature Finder dialog that you can set to:

Single - Pockets features found with this setting have a 'Nesting status' property of 'Single', andcan not have bosses within them (even if the region of the solid model they are originallyderived from does).

Nested - Pockets found with this setting have a 'Nesting status' property of 'Nested', and can havebosses within them. Use this setting if you will be roughing out pockets with bosses, toprevent the boss being machined away.

Both - There are two coincident versions of every pocket feature; a Single and a Nested version.

You can also feature find on a body in the current CPL by right-clicking the solid in the Features Windowand selecting the Feature Find option from the context menu.

You use the Feature Finder dialog that opens; click the Help button in the dialog for more details.

By default, features are placed on a layer associated to the feature type and given a default colour. You canuse the Display tab to specify a colour and layer for the found features.

See Also

Creating Turn Profiles

Feature Find Report

The Features Window


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Feature Capping

The Feature Caps option on the Feature Finder (Solids menu) dialog allows you to cover pocket or holefeatures in solid models with STL caps that can be used to exclude the hole or pocket feature from anysurface machining cycle. To do this, the cap must be included in the cycle.

If the Feature Caps option is checked when using the Feature Finder command on a solid with FindPockets and/or Find Holes checked all pocket and/or hole features will be capped.

The following rules apply:

If Group Similar Holes is checked, then the caps will also be grouped.

The caps are generated from the parent feature and are associative with the solid. Caps have theirown definable layer, colour and name.

Caps are represented as EdgeCAM STL entities and capped features are treated as STL models forsurface machining instructions. If you explode a capped feature, the cap will be kept as a separateSTL entity. Please note that exploding caps will break associativity.

When the features are displayed rendered, the cap will be displayed rendered, otherwise it will bedisplayed as points around the cap boundary.

Capping complex non-planar shapes (e.g. a hole breaking through a fillet) may produce caps thatare not smooth.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Feature Find Report

When Feature Find has finished a dialog is displayed that reports the number of features found:

If desired, it is possible to turn off the feature find report by unchecking the Feature Find Summaryoption on the Solids tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog and just view the status of features inthe Features Window.

Feature Find Report on Updated Features

When the Feature Finder command or any manual feature identification command is re-run afterreloading a solid:

Features will be updated on a best match basis if any of the topological information (faces, edgesetc.) is retained or geometrically matched in the modified solid. This includes any common cylindricalface in a group of hole features, for example.

Otherwise,

Old features will be 'updated' by new features of the same type in the order in which they were found,and will be classified as Changed features.. This works in the majority of cases where the topologicalinformation has been lost by the changes to the solid. Features updated in this way will be displayedwith a dashed font.

Features that cannot be re-created by matching their identities or matching their geometry will beorphaned and will be displayed in dotted font.

The report dialog is displayed and reports the changes. User Identified features are also updated, but arenot reported:

Features Window Status

The Features Window displays the status of all features since the last re-load. The first time Feature Findor any manual feature identification command is run the features are listed without any change status.

Following a re-load the status of each feature will be displayed as either

New – Features that were not found on the original model.

Changed – Features that have changed, for instance a pocket position has moved or the depth of a holehas changed.

Best match –Features that have been updated using a best match process. These should be checked towww.cadfamily.com EMail:[email protected] document is for study only,if tort to your rights,please inform us,we will delete

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The Feature Browser

make sure they are what you expect.

Orphaned – Features that no longer exist on the reloaded model. These can be deleted automatically bychecking the Delete Orphaned Features option on the Solids tab of the Preferences (Options menu)command. Manual features other than face features behave like automatic features on a re-load andorphaned features are retained unless Delete Orphaned Features has been checked. Because facefeatures are defined as references to faces of the current model, they cannot be retained if orphaned.

When merging two or more bodies by Boolean union, the target part (the part that is to have othersmerged to it) will retain its features, the features of any tool part (part that is to be merged) will beautomatically orphaned and deleted (even if the Delete Orphaned Features preference has not beenchecked). Any new features created by the union on the target part will be displayed as “New” in theFeatures Window.

Unchanged features will be listed by their name only, without any status prefix.

In addition, features that have changed will be highlighted (displayed in bold) in the window after the re-load.

Note that any operations or cycles that used the features must be regenerated in manufacture. Operationsthat were applied to orphaned features need to be deleted or edited to select a new feature.

See Associative Reloading of Solid Models for further information on updating features.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser


The Geometry command (Solids menu) command allows you to create EdgeCAM geometry fromsolid entities.

In the Geometry dialog you choose to create thelines, arc, curves, continuous and points from edges,loops, vertices and turned faces respectively.

You can either digitise single entities or select an entire solid by holding down the Ctrl key and pressing the'A' key.

Note that there are other commands, such as Geometry from Loops (Solids toolbar) which by-pass thedialog and take you straight to digitizing the entities.

Once created these EdgeCAM entities will not be associative, so if the model is modified and reloaded theentities will not be regenerated, although new EdgeCAM entities can be created from the modified model.

The colour and layer for the resulting EdgeCAM geometry is taken from the colour/layer control on the mainEdgeCAM toolbar.

When the 2D Snap button is active the EdgeCAM geometry will be generated planar at the current Z level.

Notes on using the Turned Face option

This command is primarily for use within the turn environment. (For an associative solution use the TurnFeature command).

You will be prompted to select a number of turnable faces aligned with the z-axis of the current CPL. Allgeometry will be created as 2D entities in the CPL’s ZX plane as follows:

aligned cylinders and cones will generate lines,

aligned tori and spheres will create arcs,

planes parallel to the CPL will produce lines,

aligned Parasolid surfaces of revolution will produce the drive curve,

all other surfaces (including those not aligned with the z-axis) will be ignored.

If non-turnable faces are selected the following error message “Some Face(s) did not form simpleconnected geometry and have been ignored” is displayed.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Creating a CPL from a Solid Face

The command CPL (Solids menu) or the icon allows you to create a CPL from a Solid Face. Thisrequires the selection of a face, plus an origin (optional). You can select the origin from any points on themodel (including typed in co-ordinates and vertices). This CPL can then be used as a reference formachining purposes.

This function provides a method of CPL creation for Multi-plane applications. The full functionality for CPLcreation is available through the normal Create CPL command, although this will first require you to createthe EdgeCAM geometry.

CPL creation from cylinders/cones

The Face Axis option (Plane modifier) allows you to select conical and cylindrical faces from a solid forCPL creation, typically useful in the multiplane milling environment when creating a CPL which is normal toa hole.

The orientation is taken from the cylinder, the Z-axis of the CPL will point away from the middle of thecylinder. If the datum position for the CPL is above the center of the cylinder the CPL's Z axis will point upand if the datum is below the center of the cylinder the Z axis will point down.

You will be prompted to pick the cylindrical face to define the CPL orientation.

You can intellisnap the origin at either end of the cylindrical face along the centreline of the cylinder. (Thisselection mode is optional and can be controlled by checking the appropriate box on the Selection tab ofthe Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default setting for this option is ON.)


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The Feature Browser

The Features Window Shortuct Menu

Right-click in the Features Window to call up a shortcut menu.

The available commands depends on the type(s) of features and environment selected.

You can select multiple entries in the window and choose the appropriate action from the shortcut menu. Ifmultiple entries are selected, the Edit command moves through them one by one calling up the relevantdialog for you to edit.Please note that the ‘Edit’ function is not supported in the Turning environment. After a re-load, modified features will be displayed highlighted in the Features Window. After reviewing ahighlighted feature, you can accept the feature by using the Accept option in the shortcut menu.

The Apply Strategy command is used to apply a machining strategy that has been previously defined inthe Strategy Manager application to the selected feature(s). For further information please refer to theStrategy Manager help.

When you select a solid in the window, the Feature Find command can be used to feature find on the bodyin the current CPL

The Expand and Collapse options can be used to streamline the tree view and simplify selection andmanipulation of solids and features. For further details, see The Features Window.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

About Strategy Manager

EdgeCAM Strategy Manager is a product introducing rules based machining to the Solid Machinistuser. You can start it from the Solids menu or toolbar.

Strategy Manager combines logic and flow chart methodology to capture working practices and define amachining strategy, which can then be applied to EdgeCAM hole cycles and operations in the firstdevelopment phase in version 7.00.

EdgeCAM Strategy Manager is a separate licensed application. Please contact your EdgeCAM reseller forfurther information on Strategy Manager.


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Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Solid Machinist Error Messages

The following table contains a list of error messages that are generated when a solid fails to load or re-loadin EdgeCAM Solid Machinist. Load error types refer to File Open, Insert Solid, Insert Part and InsertComponent commands.

For Autodesk Inventor users the kernel version is the version of Inventor, VoloView or Design Trackinginstalled, for all other CAD kernels the version supported will be listed in the “What’s new” file in EdgeCAM.

Error type Message(s) displayed Reason

Re-load Cannot load (CAD Kernel, i.e. Parasolid)mode. Ensure file contains a valid solidof a suitable version. Cannot open thespecified file.

A Reload Solid command has failed toload the new file.Possible causes: Corrupt file, file of laterversion than kernel used by EdgeCAM, filecontains no solid model or the file is lockedby another application.

Load Cannot open the specified file. The file cannot be accessed by theEdgeCAM application (i.e. deleted, hiddenor security is too tight).

Load Pre 4.70.0 Solid Machinist part notsupported.Please contact Pathtrace Support.

Parts created with very early versions ofSolid Machinist can no longer be read,please contact Support.

Load Correct Solid Machinist licence required.Cannot load (CAD Kernel) model

Loading a solid file or .ppf file containing asolid fails because the user does not havethe correct Solid Machinist licence.

Load Ensure file contains a valid solid of asuitable version.Cannot load (CAD Kernel) model

Loading a .ppf with a solid fails todetermine which CAD kernel to use. Mostlikely caused by corrupt .ppf file.

Load Ensure correct version of (CAD Kernel)application installed on computer.Cannot load (CAD Kernel) model

The version of Inventor, VoloView orDesign Tracking is an older version thanthe solid being loaded, or neither Inventoror VoloView are installed.

Load Cannot load (CAD Kernel, i.e. Parasolid)model.Ensure file contains a valid solid of asuitable version

Possible causes: Corrupt file, file of laterversion than kernel used by EdgeCAM, filecontains no solid model or the file is lockedby another application.

Load Ensure file contains a valid solid of asuitable version.

Possible causes: Corrupt file, file of laterversion than kernel used by EdgeCAM, filecontains no solid model or the file is lockedby another application.


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See Also





Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Load Solid file contains possible non-manifoldgeometry.

This warning can occur for two reasons.1) A face is detected that has no facets.Check the model for any gaps betweenfaces.2) An edge which has other than two facesattached to it. This is generally causedwhen part of a body has a zero thickness.Some modelers can create zero thicknessparts (sheet material) which will cause thiswarning. Zero thickness solids can still bemachined.

We have noted that the error tends tooccur on models that have been importedinto the sending CAD system rather thancreated by the CAD system, for exampleIGES files that have been knitted into asolid.

Error messages when identifying features

The Feature Finder command will automatically find prismatic features on the solid model withrespect to the current CPL. If a surface body is selected for the automatic feature find command, thefollowing error message “Cannot feature find - Body is not solid” is displayed.

If non-turnable faces are selected when manually identifying turn features, the following errormessage “Some face(s) did not form simple connected geometry and have been ignored” isdisplayed. The Turn Feature command will only work on cylindrical faces that have their centre onthe Z axis of the Turn CPL. You can find out whether a face is cylindrical by using the Entity (Verifymenu) command. If some of your faces are not cylindrical the Feature Finder (Solids menu) commandshould be used. This may take longer to process as the face is swept to find the outer profile.

Error messages when machining solid models

If you receive the warning message “Solid Machinist internal model evaluation error” when trying tomachine a solid model the problem is internal to the solid model and cannot be altered in EdgeCAMbut needs to be reported to the CAD system vendor.

If you receive the warning message "Possibly corrupt solid - faceting incomplete at requestedtolerance" we recommend you look at the original CAD system and try to repair the model. In somecases, modifying the tolerance may help to generate a toolpath. Please note that the message mayappear in the feedback window after loading or regenerating the vectors on the solid, or as an errormessage when machining or when exporting as STL.


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See Also





Creating a CPL



The Feature Browser

Copyright

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

Pathtrace Engineering Systems and its registered resellers or sub-resellers shall have no liability orresponsibility to the licensee or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damagecaused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this product, including but not limited to anyinterruption of service, loss of business or anticipatory profits or consequent damages resulting from the useor 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 ofParametric 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 Lightworks 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 representa commitment on the part of the vendor. The software described in this document is furnished under alicence 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


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Solid Machinist