What s New. This document contains a general overview of the new features within Alphacam 2015 R1

Transcription

1 What s New This document contains a general overview of the new features within Alphacam 2015 R1

2 Contents Contents... 2 Important Information... 3 Windows XP Support... 3 Alphacam License Expiry Date... 3 New User Interface... 4 Introduction... 4 The Information Wizard... 4 Project Manager... 7 Ribbon Toolbars in AlphaEdit... 7 Windows Integration... 8 Windows Explorer Preview Pane... 8 New Advanced 5 Axis Command... 9 Advanced 5 Axis Cycle... 9 User Configurable Holder Library... 9 User Configurable Holder Library... 9 Aggregate Tooling Support Aggregate Tooling Support Multi Drill Simulation Multi Drill Units New Simulator View Comparison CAD Translators Google Sketchup Autodesk 2015 DWG SOLIDWORKS Part Modeler Face to Face Loft Procedure - 'Vertex Matching Offset' option Constraints - ability to set the number of decimal places Coordinate Input - activate via keyboard keys Supported CAD File Versions API Expansion API Improvements Maintenance Report Highlights from the previous release Alphacam 2014 R Vero Software Limited 2 of 19

3 Important Information Windows XP Support Alphacam 2015 R1 will install on Windows XP but is not supported and we cannot guarantee to fix any issues found to be specific to the Windows XP operating system. This operating system reached its 'End of Support' milestone in April 2014 (ref: From the 2015 R2 release, Alphacam will not install on Windows XP. Alphacam License Expiry Date To run Alphacam 2015 R1, the expiry date in your license must be September 2014 or later. Vero Software Limited 3 of 19

4 New User Interface Introduction When Alphacam 2015 R1 starts for the first time you will see the Information Wizard that introduces you to the key features of the new User interface, including: Ribbon bars displaying icons and text labels The Quick Access Toolbar The Customise options Recent File List and File Preview Help page The Information Wizard When Alphacam 2015 R1 starts for the first time you will see the Information Wizard which introduces you to the main features of the new User Interface. Select the Next and Back buttons to navigate through the pages. Once you are familiar with the information in the Wizard you can uncheck the Show tips at startup checkbox to prevent it from appearing when you run Alphacam in the future. The ribbon bar enables you to quickly find the commands as they are arranged in logical groups, which are assembled together under tabs. Each tab relates to a type of activity, such as creating Geometry or Machining. Clear icons and text labels ensure that commands are easily recognisable and accessible. Vero Software Limited 4 of 19

5 The Quick Access Toolbar is displayed above the ribbon bars and includes the most commonly used commands such as Open and Save. You can customise this toolbar to include the commands that you use most often. You can customise the ribbon bar by moving commands, creating new groups and tabs, or removing commands that you don t usually need. At any time you can use the Reset button to restore the default layout. The recent file list now lists up to 15 files by default, showing the file name and location. A preview image of the part file is also displayed on this page and in Windows Explorer when a folder is set to either the Icons, Tiles or Content view. Vero Software Limited 5 of 19

6 The new 'Backstage' Help page displays information with links to the help file, Vero Customer Portal, and other useful external sites. The page also displays information about your Alphacam version and license information which will help when requested by our Support team. The Snap buttons are dynamically added to the prompt bar when appropriate for the command in use, for example when using geometry commands. To enable you to change the display from one view to another quickly, the View buttons have been added to the bottom right hand corner of the status bar. Vero Software Limited 6 of 19

7 Project Manager The Project Manager has been updated to give it a more contemporary look and feel with: Dotted lines and +/- buttons replaced by arrows. New icons representing the entity types in the Layer tree. The operations tree using coloured blocks for the main operation, and icons to represent the types of sub-operations. Ribbon Toolbars in AlphaEdit AlphaEdit has also been updated with a new ribbon interface. The ribbon enables users to quickly find the commands as they are arranged in logical groups, which are assembled together under tabs. Each tab relates to a type of activity, such as Format and Comms. Clear icons and text labels ensure that commands are easily recognisable and accessible. Vero Software Limited 7 of 19

8 Windows Integration Windows Explorer Preview Pane The Windows Explorer preview pane can now be used to preview drawing and text-based Alphacam files when using medium, large or Extra-Large icons. When the Windows Explorer preview pane is active the following file types/extensions can be viewed: Alphacam Drawings Alphacam Machines Tool Holders Post Processors NC Files (.anc and.nc) Nest Lists The text-based file formats can also be previewed in Microsoft Outlook. Vero Software Limited 8 of 19

9 New Advanced 5 Axis Command Advanced 5 Axis Cycle A new Advanced 5 Axis Machining module that includes a comprehensive set of machining strategies with advanced tool axis control and intelligent collision avoidance provides the ability to machine surfaces and solid models. Many different tool types including convex tipped and barrel shaped tools are supported. The new toolpaths can also be analysed against the machine tool constraints using the Alphacam 5 Axis Toolpath Optimiser. Advanced 5 Axis is a cost option for the Ultimate Milling and Ultimate Router licenses and the older Ultimate Machinist license. Please contact your Account Manager for further details. User Configurable Holder Library User Configurable Holder Library Alphacam 2015 R1 introduces the ability to create/define a library of tool holders that can be attached to any tool used in Simulation. The holders are not module specific so they can be used with Mill, Router or Stone tools. Holders can be defined using Geometry Extrusions and Rotations, STL or Solid models and once the reference points for tool top location and machine gauge line point are defined it can be viewed in the Simulator. Vero Software Limited 9 of 19

10 Aggregate Tooling Support Aggregate Tooling Support Aggregate Tool Holders are a welcome addition in Alphacam 2015 R1 and you can define them using geometry extrusions and rotations, STL and/or solid CAD models. Common applications of aggregates are horizontal routing and drilling. C Axis aggregates are also supported in Alphacam simulation. Multi Drill Simulation Multi Drill Units Multi Drill units can now be defined and used in Alphacam simulation. The properties of each tool in the Multi Drill unit are defined and once complete it is saved and can be called up from the new Project Manager tab. New Simulator View Comparison The View Comparison in the new Simulator (Send to Simulator command) enables the machined component to be compared against the original design model. To utilise this new feature, the original model(s) have to be selected using the new Select Parts for Simulator command. When the machining has been simulated, select the View Comparison option from the Toolbar. Vero Software Limited 10 of 19

11 CAD Translators Google Sketchup Models created in Google Sketchup can now be loaded into Alphacam as STL models. Google Sketchup models created in Google Sketchup up to and including version 2014 are supported. All Google SketchUp entities with the exception of text and dimensions are supported. Please refer to the Supported CAD File Versions tables for details on the Alphacam licenses that support it. Autodesk 2015 DWG The Autodesk DWG translator has been updated to support the loading of Autodesk 2015 DWG files. SOLIDWORKS 2015 Alphacam 2015 R1 supports the loading of part models from SOLIDWORKS Vero Software Limited 11 of 19

12 Part Modeler Face to Face Loft Procedure - 'Vertex Matching Offset' option When generating a loft between 2 solids you can now increment the connection to the next vertex to get the desired shape and avoid undesirable twists. Constraints - ability to set the number of decimal places It is now possible to set the number of decimal places for Constraints Coordinate Input - activate via keyboard keys When a valid command is active i.e. creating a line, it is now possible to type X, Y or Z on the keyboard to activate the Coordinate Input dialog. Vero Software Limited 12 of 19

13 Supported CAD File Versions Alphacam can import the following CAD file versions into the respective module levels E = Essential S = Standard A = Advanced U = Ultimate Translator and Version Lathe Mill Wire Router Stone Profiling DXF/DWG (AutoCAD 2015) E S A U E S A U S A E S A U E S A U A U IGES (not version specific) E S A U E S A U S A E S A U E S A U A U Rhino 5.0 S A U S A U S A S A U S A U A U STL (not version specific) S A U S A U SA S A U S A U A U Google Sketchup 2014 S A U S A U SA S A U S A U A U Postscript (Free Add-In) (not version specific) - S A U S A S A U S A U A U STEP AP214/AP203 (preferred Schemas) A U A U A A U A U U Part Modeler (current) A U A U A A U A U U VISI Version 20 A U A U A A U A U U Autodesk Inventor 2015 (current, IPT & IAM files) A U A U A A U A U U ACIS R23 (Kernel) A U A U A A U A U U Parasolid (Kernel) A U A U A A U A U U SOLIDWORKS 2015 (SLDPRT files only) A U A U A A U A U U Solid Edge ST5 (PAR & PSM files) A U A U A A U A U U Spaceclaim A U A U A A U A U U Extra Cost Catia V4 A U A U A A U A U U Catia V5 R22 A U A U A A U A U U Creo Parametrics 2.0 (formerly Pro/E Wildfire) A U A U A A U A U U NX9 (formerly Unigraphics NX) A U A U A A U A U U In order to import Autodesk Inventor files, Autodesk Inventor or Inventor View must also be installed. Inventor View can be downloaded from the Autodesk website. Vero Software Limited 13 of 19

14 API Expansion API Improvements The following improvements have been made to the API in 2015 R1: API - Graphical issues related to using SavePreviewImageEx in a loop. Bug fixed. Feature API The No Drillable Holes were found message will no longer be displayed when using the API. API Added Frame::RibbonBarInterface property to check if the Ribbon Bar interface is in use API support for the new Multi Drill functionality Vero Software Limited 14 of 19

15 Maintenance Report This is a list of bug fixes and enhancements implemented in Alphacam 2015 R1: ID Description Closing Notes D Machining - Parameter Lines - When creating the toolpath 'Check Fouling Non-Machined Surfaces' is greyed out D mouse - Zoom In is very slow. Not balanced with zoom out D Project - Standard Level - 3D project is not available via the Operations Manager but is available in the 3D drop down menu Ability to set open elements as boundary New addition for Overlap on Open Elements in the Machining Data Frame Add Ins - Fast Work Volume - It has comma as decimal separator with the relevant European Language settings Add-ins - Translate 'Surface Finder' API - Graphical issues related to using SavePreviewImageEx in a loop Button Bar - Missing buttons on customized toolbars Closed due the new Ribbon Interface Customize - Add "Make Local Axis Horizontal" on menu(3d) toolbar options Closed due the new Ribbon Interface Customize - Add Save As on menu toolbar options Closed due the new Ribbon Interface Define Tool - Simulation - Additional option to select tool holders from a menu / folder /library Drill/Tap Holes - Canned cycles - Addition of option to Maintain Geometry Order Edit Machining - Edit Z Point by Point- Cannot use F6 F7 Snaps on Arc Elements Edit Tool The possibility to apply Tool Holder Graphics to old tools Face Milling - Second depth uses coolant value assigned to tool rather than operation Face/Edge/Point details - Wrong Minimum Convex Radius information Feature API No Drillable Holes were found message displayed GUI - Request for toolbars to be displayed in alphabetical order. New user definable tool holders and library added F6 and F7 now function correctly Implemented as part of the new tool holder library support, now shows Convex and Concave Curvature Implemented Vero Software Limited 15 of 19

16 62619 Icons - Toolbars - Request for functions or at least commonly used key functions to be given icons so they can be accessible quickly through toolbars Closed due the new Ribbon Interface Input CAD - Google SketchUp Translator Implemented Input CAD - SLDPRT - SOLIDWORKS Part files do not import if Featureworks is active Input CAD - STEP - Improve the possibility of input it as solid (.step /.stp) Lathe - C-axis - A better way to position solids around Z-axis F8 now supported for C axis Alignment Lathe - C-axis - Improve the positioning of C-axis Lathe - Diameter Pocket Fails on multiple slots part Lathe - Input NC - When selecting tool for NC input the user is no longer prompted with "Select Tool for Tool Number T?" so does not know what tool to select Lathe - Original Simulator - Solid Simulation - Clamp Moves in wrong direction Lathe - Pocketing - un-machined area using circular tool insert Lathe - Solid Simulation - Graphical issues with this model, transparency of solid Lathe - Wrong start point. i.e. taken from previous op. Works as designed when the first op is not hidden Machine Configuration - Clear Machine - Cannot clear machines in Standard Milling Cycles Add-In - Quick Edit - Allow to update operation after quick editing without return previous values. Now clears the machine Nesting - Nesting engine failed Nesting - Rectangles with open geometries intersecting / touching corners will not nest Nesting - 'The following parts are invalid. If you continue they will not be nested.' Nesting - 'These parts are invalid.' Nesting - Toolbar button is not working on Essential New Simulator - The View Comparison function does not work. New Functionality added at 2015 R1. New command on 3D Ribbon next to Set Materials called 'Select Parts for Simulator' Pocketing - Use Z Contour Roughing - Auto Z - Waveform - Last pass does not respect the Z Stock Program Stop - Request for inclusion in API. This is in the API already Project Manager - Display problems when open for the first time with Auto Hide checked in a previous release Vero Software Limited 16 of 19

17 48066 Project Manager - Hide/uncheck the first sub operation causes operation be unchecked too Project Manager - Selecting multiple geometries with shift deselects the first item if scrolled Project Manager - The Workplanes page is not hiding correctly with the Auto Hide option Project Manager - User layer collapses when a geometry is modified Project Manager Page - Auto Hide - Crashing on Win Xp and Win 7 while solid simulation is running Project Manager Page - stop to collapse current operation after move-up/create a new operation Project Manager Page - Tree in Operations Tab Collapsing randomly on Resetting Operation Numbers Remove AutoTAS from DVD image. Implemented Reports - Scrap not being reported Reports - 'There are invalid characters in the text' when using Bar Code Set/Unset Open Elements - It doesn't work with Pocketing - Z contour roughing Set/Unset Open Elements - Pocketing - Inaccurate toolpath when an open element is the boundary Simulation - Edit Tool - Editing the tool holder does not do anything. using the downloaded Windows Barcode font Simulator - Solid simulation will not start Solid Model Extract - Automatic Extraction - Drillable holes - After deleting all layers apart from the Solid Model layer drillable holes are not recognised. as part of the tool holder project Stone - Cut With Disk - Some toolpaths roll over the edge of the surface Styles - 3D Machining - Z Contour Roughing - Boundaries not asked for when applied through styles Styles - 3D Machining - Z Contour Roughing / Finishing - Toolpaths created from Styles have bad result after updating due to Work Plane being ignored. Boundaries now supported for Roughing Styles Text - Copy and Paste - Wrong result Toolbar - Customize - Buttons vanish/disappear from customization list when they are disabled Closed due the new Ribbon Interface Toolbar - Customize - Some edit icons are missing Closed due the new Ribbon Interface Translation - GUI - Drillable Hole Extraction - Cancel button not translatable Translation - GUI - Nesting - Bridged Nesting Configuration - 'OK' and 'Cancel' buttons not translatable. Vero Software Limited 17 of 19

18 67170 Translation - GUI - Reports - Create Reports - Data Output Settings - Edit button is not translatable User Defined Code - Direct Input - 'D' marker disappears when the View is changed Z Contour Roughing - Pocketing - Boundaries do not respect tool directions and open geometries Z Contour Roughing - Waveform - Inaccurate / wrong toolpaths You can find the text at $90020,2 in AcamAddins.txt Fully supports hard/soft boundaries as well as Open Elements Vero Software Limited 18 of 19

19 Highlights from the previous release Alphacam 2014 R2 We received great customer feedback on the Alphacam 2014 R2 and here is a reminder of the main features. Feature Extraction - New Dialog Layout and general improvements 5 Axis Toolpath Optimiser Clamp and Fixture improvements User Interface - recently used files list now includes all CAD file types, Named Views button on the Views Toolbar, Improved images for Tooling and Turret options Nesting - Kit Nesting, Sheets and No Nest Zones, Nesting into Apertures, Bridged Nesting Turning - Improvements to the Lathe Roughing Cycle, Lathe Lead In/Lead Out Improvements, Additions to Quick Edit Lathe Simulation - Sub-Spindle shift value taken in to account in simulation 'Send to Simulator' and 'Send to Quick Result' improvements CAD to CAM Enhancements Alphacam Art - Aspire Version 4.5 Automated Parametric Manufacturing (APM) Enhancements BTL Translator - new functionality and processes CAD Translators - NX9 Support, Rhino Import Enhancements, DWG/DXF Import, Autodesk Inventor 2015 Part Modeler - New 2D-3D Model creation technique Licensing - User Specific Licensing option in Network Licensing API Improvements Vero Software Limited 19 of 19