What's New in CAMWorks 2014

Transcription

1 Contents (Click a link below or use the bookmarks) What s New in CAMWorks 2014 SP 0.1 CAMWorks Virtual Machine New APIs What s New in CAMWorks 2014 SP 0.0 General Mill Turn CAMWorks Licensing Geometric Americas Inc. makes no warranties, either expressed or implied with respect to this document. Geometric reserves the right to revise and improve products as it sees fit, and to revise the specifications and information contained herein without prior notice. Due to continuing product development, specifications and capabilities described in this document are subject to change without notice. Copyright 2013 Geometric Americas Inc. All Rights Reserved. October, 2013

2 What s New in CAMWorks 2014 SP 0.1 Updated Resolved CPR s document The Resolved CPR (CAMWorks Problem Report) document has been updated to report the software errors that have been resolved in the current Service Pack (SP 0.1). To view the document, select: Start>>All Programs>>CAMWorks2014>>Resolved CPR s. New CAMWorks Virtual Machine for G-code Machine Simulation To provide an application to virtually simulate the NC-codes in actual machining environment. This will help the user to check for possible collisions with machine components and to verify potential issues in the NC program. CAMWorks Virtual Machine is a Machine Simulation application which is available as part of the CAMWorks suite of licensed modules. The CAMWorks Virtual Machine application is available in Standard, Premium and Professional editions. Users need to purchase a separate license from their respective CAMWorks Value Added Resellers for CAMWorks Virtual Machine application to function. Capabilities of CAMWorks Virtual Machine include: Multi-tasking and Mill Turn Support - Full support for complex multitasking and mill-turn machines including 4 axis dual turret, dual spindle lathes as well as multi axis mill-turn machines with milling heads, lower turrets and sub-spindles is available. Synchronized Simultaneous Machining - Use CAMWorks Sync Manager to synchronize your operations and then simulate them directly from the G-code. Interactive G-code Editor - Provides the user with the ability to edit the G-code and replay the simulation to ensure the error has been corrected and a quality part will be machined. Complete Machine Monitoring - Machine components, fixture components, tools, tool holders, stock, and the finished part can all be monitored for interference and the system can stop automatically or report any collision or interference. Error Message Window and Reporting - Makes it easier to find and correct errors in the G-code program. The simple link between message window and G-code editor helps user to identify the part of the G-code which would have caused the interference. Full Canned Cycle Support - Milling and turning canned cycles are fully supported and simulated directly from the actual G-code used for CNC machining. Custom Machines Custom machines for any of the CAMWorks modules (except Wire EDM) can be developed as per requirements. 2

3 Updated APIs New CAMWorks APIs added for CAMWorks GetLicenseDetails: This API will fetch license details like CPD No., expiry Date, License borrowing status, License type (node-locked/ floating/ dongle licensing). 2. GetLastModifiedHistory: This API will fetch info of last modified history of mill or turn part in.csv and.txt files. 3. GetController2: This API will get name and status of check/uncheck APT type of controller file selected for machine. 4. SetController2: This API will set the user specified controller and check/uncheck status of is APT type to the machine. 5. DeleteOperationByName: This API will delete an operation by name from Operation tree. 6. GenerateAccessSetupSheet: This API will generate setup sheet in Access format. 7. SetComment: This API will set user-specified string as comment in the CAMWorks Configuration Manager. 8. GetComment: This API will fetch the comment from the CAMWorks Configuration Manager. 9. DefineTurnWorkpieceAsBarStock2: This API will define the Turn Workpiece as bar stock with user specified values. 10. SetMillSetUpOrigin: This API will set setup the Origin in Origin tab of Mill Part Setup using user-specified values in the API. 11. SetMillSetUpAxis: This API will set setup Axis in axis tab of mill part setup from user specified values in API. 12. GetFixtureCount: This API is related to VeriCut. It will return the number of Fixtures supported for Operation Setup. 13. GetTechDBId: This API will give TechDB ID of the Tool Station used for the operation. 14. GetCategory: This API will fetch the information whether the operation was generated using the Generate Operation Plan command or interactively inserted in the Operation tree. 15. SetOverrideFeatureExtents: This API will set the check\uncheck status of Override Feature Extents option for the Turn Operation. 16. GetOverrideFeatureExtents: This API will fetch the check\uncheck status of Override Feature Extents option for the Turn operation. 17. SetOverrideFeatureExtentsTypes: This API will set the Override Feature Extents option to operation with user-specified information like Start and End turn extent type, flag option to set/unset apply Start and End extent to feature. 18. GetOverrideFeatureExtentsTypes: This API will fetch the Override Feature Extents information like Start and End turn extent type and check /uncheck status of Start & End extent reverse for the Turn operation. 19. SetCannedCycleOutput: This API will set check/uncheck status of Canned Cycle Output option for the Turn operation. 20. GetCannedCycleOutput: This API will fetch the check/uncheck status of Canned Cycle output option for the Turn operation. 3

4 21. SetCannedCycleStartPoint: This API will set the canned cycle start point in conjunction with the canned cycle method provided in the API enum CWTurnCannedCycleMethod_e. 22. GetCannedCycleStartPoint: This API will fetch information on the canned cycle start points and selected canned cycle method. 23. ExternalCorner: This set of APIs will fetch or assign the External corner type provided with enum CWExternalCornerType_e for Finish Mill Operation. 24. InternalCorner: This set of APIs will fetch or assign the internal corner type provided with enum CWExternalCornerType_e for Finish Mill Operation. 25. GetCategory: This API will fetch info whether the feature was generated using the Extract Machinable Features (EMF) command or interactively inserted into the Feature tree. 26. IGetAllAttributes; GetTdbIdForAttribute: These APIs will return the Attributes list of Mill Features and the TechDB ID for a given attribute string for the Mill Features. 27. IGetAllAttributes2: This API will return the Attributes list for Multi Step Feature attributes. 28. SelectFaces: This API will select faces for Multi-surface feature. 29. CreateSTLOfWIPs2: This API will create STL format files of Work-inprocess (WIPs) models using given info like units, reference coordinate system with given quality types ("Coarse / Fine"). 30. SetSTLPathForRestMachining: This API will set STL file path of Rest Machining for 3 and 5 axis Mill operations. 31. GetAllConfigurations: This API will fetch all configurations list from Configuration Manager for part. 32. DeleteConfiguration: This API will delete the configuration from Configuration Manager for the part. 33. AddNewConfiguration: This API will add new configuration from Configuration Manager for the part. 34. AddCopyConfiguration: This API will create copy of given configuration and add it as new configuration to Configuration Manager list for the part. 35. GetActiveConfiguration: This API will fetch the active configuration from the Configuration Manager for the part. 4

5 What s New in CAMWorks 2014 SP 0.0 General Supported Platforms Supported Platforms for 32-bit Solid Modeler Operating System The 32-bit version of SolidWorks 2013, SolidWorks 2014 and CAMWorks Solids bit version of Windows 7 and Windows Vista. [*Home Editions are not supported] Supported Platforms for 64-bit Solid Modeler Operating System The 64-bit version of SolidWorks 2013, SolidWorks 2014 and CAMWorks Solids bit version of Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista. [*Home Editions are not supported] Improved Stock Manager now available in Property Manager UI The controls within the Stock Manager will now be available in the CAMWorks Property Manager User Interface. CAMWorks has three Stock Managers: Mill Stock Manager and EDM Stock Manager in part mode Turn Stock Manager and Mill/Turn Stock Manager in part mode Mill Stock Manager in Assembly Mode. In the previous versions of CAMWorks, the controls within the abovementioned Stock Managers were available in the form of a Manage stock dialog. From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, the controls with these Stock Managers will be available within the CAMWorks Property Manager User Interface. This change will facilitate easier navigation and concurrent view of the part model in the graphics area. Improved Change in location of the Edit Definition command on the context menu Uniformity in the location of the Edit Definition command in the RMB context menu The Edit Definition command is now the first command listed in the RMB context menu when you right-click on the Stock Manager, Machine item, operation, feature or Part setup. 5

6 Improved Change in name of the Example Machines The default example machines provided with CAMWorks have been renamed from Machine name to Machine[<Machine name>]. Examples: Mill-in renamed to Machine[Mill - inch]. Mill-in 4ax renamed to Machine[Mill 4 axis - inch]. Wire EDM Mode-inch renamed to Machine[Wire EDM - inch]. Mill-mm renamed to Machine[Mill - metric]. Improved Access to CAMWorks Tutorials Facilitates easier access to CAMWorks Tutorials while CAMWorks is running within the SolidWorks/ CAMWorks Solids application. The CAMWorks Tutorials can be accessed from the Start Menu of the Windows taskbar by selecting Start>>Programs>>CAMworks2014>>Manuals. From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, these CAMWorks Tutorials can also be accessed from the Help Menu of SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids. To access the CAMWorks Tutorials, click on the Help menu and select CAMWorks 2014>>CAMWorks Tutorials and then select the desired Tutorial file from the cascading menu. Improved Improved CAMWorks Tutorials Introduction of new tutorials and upgrading of existing tutorials with richer graphical illustrations and hyperlinked Table of Contents. The following Tutorials have been updated: 1. Multiaxis Tutorial 2. Wire-EDM Tutorial 3. Mill-Turn Tutorial 4. Sub Spindle and Sync Manager Tutorial The Mill & Turn Tutorial has been replaced with the following new Tutorials: 1. Mill Tutorial 2. Mill Assemblies Tutorial 3. Turn Tutorial 4. Technology Database Tutorial The Installation & Quick-Start Guide has been replaced with Installation & License-Activation Guide. 6

7 Improved Provision to view Tool vectors for toolpaths during Step Through Option to view tool vectors for toolpaths when Step Through Toolpath command is executed. Previously, the button Show tool vectors was available only in the Edit Toolpath dialog box. From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, this button is also available in the Step Through Toolpath dialog box. Enabling this button allows the user to view tool vectors in the Graphics area. Improved Change in name of all Insert commands and dialogs from Insert to New All the Insert commands in CAMWorks create a new entity. In order to avoid confusion (whether an Insert command inserts an already available entity), all these commands have been renamed with Insert being replaced with New. Dialog titles too, have been accordingly changed. Renaming in Insert Commands related to Features: Insert Group renamed to Create Group Insert 2.5 Axis Feature renamed to New 2.5 Axis Feature Insert Part Perimeter Feature renamed to New Part Perimeter Feature Insert Multi Surface Feature renamed to New Multi Surface Feature Insert Wrapped Feature renamed to New Wrapped Feature Insert Turn Feature renamed to New Turn Feature Insert Profile Feature renamed to New Profile Feature Insert 2.5 Axis EDM Feature renamed to New 2.5 Axis EDM Feature Insert 4 Axis EDM Feature renamed to New 4 Axis EDM Feature Insert Perimeter EDM Feature renamed to New Perimeter EDM Feature Renaming in Insert Commands related to Setup: Insert Mill Part Setup renamed to New Mill Part Setup Insert Turn Setup renamed to New Turn Setup Insert Part Setup renamed to New Part Setup Renaming of Insert Commands related to Operations: Insert Contain Area renamed to New Contain Area Insert Avoid Area renamed to New Avoid Area Insert Hole Machining Operations renamed to New Hole Machining Operations Insert 2.5 Axis Mill Operations renamed to New 2.5 Axis Mill Operations Insert 3 Axis Mill Operations renamed to New 3 Axis Mill Operations Insert Multi Axis Mill Operations renamed to New Multi Axis Mill Operations Insert Post Operation renamed to New Post Operation Insert Turning Operations renamed to New Turning Operations Insert Turn Groove Operations renamed New Turn Groove Operations Insert Turn Bore Operations renamed to New Turn Bore Operations Insert Sub Spindle Operation renamed to New Sub Spindle Operation Insert record renamed to New Record Insert Wire EDM Operations renamed to New Wire EDM Operations 7

8 New Use Work-in-process model for Simulation Use work in process model when the simulation is invoked on an operation or a setup node. In previous versions of CAMWorks, when simulation is invoked on an Operation or on a setup node then it always use the original stock rather than using the WIP model. From CAMWorks 2014, if <SHIFT> is pressed while invoking the Simulation command on an Operation or on a setup node then the user will be shown a dialog to use WIP model as a stock. 8

9 Mill New API Macro to create a multi surface feature from the faces having a particular color An example macro that shows how multi surface feature can be created from the user-identified faces. In the example macro, the colors used in the part are listed along with the number of faces having identical colors. User can create a Multi Surface feature by selecting the checkboxes. This will ensure that the multi surface feature is created from the faces having the selected colors. New Similar UI for all Pages under Tool tab of Mill Operations and for Turn Single Point Operations As Turn Single Point Operations make use of Mill Tools and Holders, the UI for viewing and editing the Tool and Holder parameters will now be similar to those of the Mill Operations. The User Interface of the Holder, Tool Crib, Station and Specific Tool Type pages under Tool tab of the Operations Parameters dialog box for Turn Single Point Operations will now be similar to those for Mill Operations. On the Tool and Holder Pages under Tool tab of the Operation Parameters dialog box, when the Preview option is checked, the display will be updated when the parameters are modified. When the Preview option is not checked, the display shows the dimensions. The above functionalities are available for the following Turn Single Point Operations: Center Drill Drill Tap 9

10 Turn Improved Change in name of the Example Turn Machines The default names of the Turn and Mill-Turn machines are confusing. It has been changed as per the industry name. Turn-in Turn Single Turret - inch Turn in 4ax (2 + 2) Turn Twin Turret - inch Mill/Turn in Mill-Turn Single Turret - inch Mill/Turn-in 4ax (2+2) Mill-Turn Twin Turret - inch Turn mm Turn Single Turret - metric Turn mm 4ax (2 + 2) Turn Twin Turret - metric Mill/Turn mm Mill-Turn Single Turret - metric Mill/Turn-mm 4ax (2+2) Mill-Turn Twin Turret - metric New View and Compute the Canned Cycle Start Position Provide the ability to compute the canned cycle start point based on the stock and to override the automatically computed turn canned cycle start position. In the previous versions of CAMWorks, the Canned cycle start position was computed during post processing as a bounding box based on the feature geometry, the feature extents to the stock, and the X and Z clearance values. The Canned cycle start position could not be graphically identified nor could it be edited at the operation level. User could verify it only in the posted code and in case it was incorrect, user had to manually change it in the code. From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, the Canned cycle start position can be verified and edited at the Operation level itself without the need to verify it in the posted code. The following functions make this possible: The Canned cycle start position can be graphically identified when the Operations Parameters dialog for the Roughing operation is open. Alternative methods to define/edit the start point of the canned cycle using Feature Extents or From WIP. Method to manually define/edit the start position of the canned cycle. Improved Better associativity of the turn features defined from Sketches Associate turn feature segments with the sketch segments so that turn feature gets rebuilt properly. Previously, the turn feature would fail to rebuild if any of the segment start or end did not match with the new profile. For the features defined from the sketch, this will not be the case and the features will get rebuilt successfully. 10

11 New Create Turn Feature from Model Faces Simplify entity selection for defining turn feature by providing a new functionality to define turn feature from model faces. In previous versions of CAMWorks, to interactively create a turn feature, user had to pick entities from a closed sketch or part profile. This method can prove to be tedious while picking segment entities for complex turn parts. From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, a new functionality that enables turn features to be interactively defined using model faces has been provided. This method of interactively defining a turn feature can be implemented only when the Part Profile method is set to Plane Section. Creating a turn feature from model faces is more intuitive and provides a more robust Turn Feature rebuild. Improved Application of SolidWorks Filters to simplify Turn Feature Creation Simplify the process of interactively creating a Turn feature by eliminating the accidental selection of unintended entities. In previous versions of CAMWorks, while interactively defining turn feature by picking turn segments, users would occasionally end up picking model faces, edges, silhouette profiles, or sketch entities instead of the intended turn segment entity. From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, SolidWorks filters will be applied while interactively defining turn features. In the Part Profile method is Plane Section, the SolidWorks filter Filter Faces ensures that only turn model faces are selected. In the Part Profile method is Revolved Section, the SolidWorks filter Filter Vertices ensures that only turn segment entities are selected. For turn features defined from open or closed sketches, the SolidWorks filter Filter Vertices ensures that only turn segment entities are selected. Improved Simplified Interactive Turn Feature Creation Simplify the process of interactively creating a Turn feature Button to delete all selected entities in the Insert Turn Feature and Edit Turn Feature dialogs. This facilitates the deletion of all the entities in the Selected Entities list of the Insert Turn Feature and Edit Turn Feature dialogs. 11

12 New Provision to override Turn Feature Extents at Operation Level Enables changing the Turn Feature Extents at the Turn Operation level in addition to the existing functionality of defining Feature extents at the Feature level. Defining the Turn Feature extents will be available on the Feature Options tab of the Operation Parameters dialog for the following Turn operations: - Face Rough - Face Finish - Turn Rough - Turn Finish - Bore Rough - Bore Finish - Rough Groove - Finish Groove Advantages: - If a feature is machined using more than one operation, then if required, different Feature Extents definition can be assigned to the different operations. This eliminates the need to create multiple instances of the same feature with different Feature Extents definition. - If the toolpath generated for an operation is not as desired due to the feature extents definition, then this definition can be changed at the Operation level itself and verified. This eliminates the need to edit it at the Feature level, return to the operation and regenerate toolpaths. New Generate Threading operations using Groove Inserts Enables machining of threading operations using Groove inserts In previous versions of CAMWorks, only thread and user-defined inserts could be used to machine threads. From CAMWorks 2014, groove inserts, too, can be used to machine threads. Using Groove inserts facilitates machining of square threads. Improved Auto Setting for Turn Cored Stock Simplify the setting for defining a Turn Cored Stock In previous versions of CAMWorks, to change the value of the core diameter of the stock, the user had to set the strategy to Cored. Then only the core diameter value could be modified. With this new version of CAMWorks, the control for Core Diameter will always be active. When a value greater than 0 is assigned as Core diameter, the Strategy will automatically be set to Cored when the user shifts focus out of the Core Diameter control. 12

13 New Improvements to the Sub spindle operation Few of the sub spindle commands were missing and were not organized properly. Newly modified UI will have the following: 1. Spindle Axis Control (formerly Spindle on/off/lock) will have following options: - Engage Milling Mode - Disengage Milling Mode - Lock - Unlock 2. Spindle Clamp/ Unclamp has been renamed to Fixture Clamp/Unclamp 3. Spindle speed will have an option to turn off the spindle. 4. Synchronize Spindles will have following options: - Speed synchronization for Turning - Phase synchronization for Turning - Turn off synchronization for Turning - Mill C-Axis synchronization - Turn off Mill C-axis synchronization New Support of Mill Holders for Turn Single Point Operations For Turn Single Point Operations (Centre Drill, Drill and Tap), Mill Holders can now be assigned to the Mill tools used for the operations. Turn Single Point Operations make use of Mill Tools. In previous versions of CAMWorks, Mill Holders could not be paired with the Mill Tools used for machining the Single Point operations in Turn. From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, Mill Holders can be paired with the Mill Tools used for Single Point operations in Turn. For these operations, The Tool Crib Page in the Operation Parameters dialog box will display Mill Holders which have been defined in the TechDB Holder library. These Holders can then be paired with the selected tool. The newly introduced Holder Page under Tool Tab of the Operation Parameters dialog displays the parameter values for the selected Holder. These parameters can be edited as per requirements. The Tool Holder will now be visible in the Graphics area during: Toolpath Verification and Preview (when Tool tab of Operation Parameters dialog is active) Step Through Toolpath Simulation 13

14 New Preview Window in Create Tool/Holder utility Provides a preview of the user-defined turn tool or holder in the Create Tool/Holder utility. In previous versions of CAMWorks, for Mill and Turn, when a user-defined tool or holder was created, there was no way of knowing whether the tool/holder would get created and how its appearance and orientation would be. From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, a Preview window is provided in the Create Tool/Holder utility. This Preview window gives the user an idea of the tool or holder shape before saving it as a tool or holder file. 14

15 CAMWorks Licensing New Saving files with CAMWorks data when the license is lost in the middle of a session Once a file is opened in CAMWorks, the CAMWorks data present in this file will be saved in the same mode (Commercial/ Educational, etc.) in which it was originally opened. Previously, if the CAMWorks license was lost during the middle of a CAMWorks session, then the part or assembly file currently open would get saved in Demonstration mode. CAMWorks data in files saved in Demonstration mode could not be restored in Commercial, Educational or other modes. With the new functionality, if the CAMWorks license is lost or expires during the middle of a CAMWorks session, the file will still be saved in the same mode as that in which it was originally opened. However, any subsequent files opened will be saved in Demonstration mode unless a new license is activated. New Functionality to configure CAMWorks License from within CAMWorks Provision to request and configure FlexLM software license from within CAMWorks. Provision to update Hardware Dongle license from within CAMWorks when a.cod file is received. - A command for launching the CAMWorks License Manager utility from within the CAMWorks application is now provided. - If a valid license is not detected by CAMWorks when the application is launched, then a Warning Message is displayed. This message states the exact cause for non-detection of the valid CAMWorks license and provides intuitive options to activate the license or continue in Demonstration mode. Advantages: Eliminates the need to separately launch the CAMWorks License Manager utility to configure/update/view the CAMWorks License. Improved Number of concurrent users on a floating license The maximum number of concurrent users allowed on the floating license network will be equal to the total number of CAMWorks licenses purchased. Unlimited computers can be setup as clients on a floating license network. However, the maximum permissible number of concurrent users is equal to the number of floating licenses purchased. If different CAMWorks licensed modules are being used by different clients, then the clients can access the modules on a first-come, first-serve basis till the number of concurrent users equal the number of licenses purchased. Beyond this point, all available licenses will be in use and additional concurrent users won t be able to access any modules. 15

16 New Restrictions on saving Commercial mode files in Educational or Demo versions CAMWorks data saved in Commercial mode cannot be saved in Demonstration or Educational mode. Previously, if a Commercial mode file was opened in Demonstration or Educational mode, then the part or assembly file would get saved in Demonstration or Educational mode. CAMWorks data in files saved in Demonstration or Educational mode could not be restored in Commercial, Educational or other modes. With the new functionality, CAMWorks will not allow conversion of Commercial mode file into any other modes. 16