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2 Copyright Copyright 2011 Planit Software Ltd. All rights reserved. Any copyright or other intellectual property right of whatever nature which subsists or may subsist in the presentation and/or content of the programs (including without limitation its look, feel, visual or other non-literal elements) remains the property of Planit Software Ltd or its licensor(s) absolutely. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or translated into any language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the express written permission of Planit Software Ltd. Unauthorised reproduction or distribution of these programs or any part thereof is unlawful and may result in civil or criminal penalties. Edgecam and the Edgecam Logo are trademarks of Planit Software Ltd. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All product names mentioned in this publication, and not listed above, are acknowledged as the trademarks of the respective manufacturers and producers of such products. Planit Software Ltd makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of satisfactory quality or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, Planit Software Ltd reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes in the contents hereof without obligation to notify any person of such changes or revisions. The information contained within this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of the vendor. The software described in this document is furnished under a licence agreement and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Page 2 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

3 Contents Getting Started Copyright...2 Conventions Used in This Guide...6 Supported Operating Systems...7 System Requirements for Edgecam and Part Modeler...8 Minimum Specifications...8 License Restrictions...9 Example Part Files...9 Trainee Notes What is Edgecam? The CAD/CAM life-cycle The Edgecam Program Group Edgecam Part Modeler Edgecam What s New Edgecam Tutorials Code Generator Code Wizard Editor Utilities Comms Setup Sample Lathe Sample Mill Sample Wire Job Manager Technology Assistant Toolkit Assistant Toolstore Administrator Toolstore Job Reports Getting Started Opening Edgecam for the First Time Understanding the Edgecam Screen Layout Selecting Menu Options Entering Data Entering Data Directly Using Checkboxes Using Radio Buttons Drop Down Menus Browse to a File Configuring Your Environment Selecting the Environment Specifying Workspace Preferences Setting System Defaults Exercise 1 Creating User Defined System Defaults Setting CPL Marker Size File Locations Exercise 2 Selecting System Defaults Changing the Screen Background Colour Understanding Edgecam Toolbars Standard Toolbar Design Toolbar Edit Toolbar Display Toolbar Input Toolbar Dimensions Toolbar V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 3 of 83

4 Solids toolbar Main Toolbar Operations Toolbars Mill Tools Toolbar Mill Cycles Toolbar Turn Tools Toolbar Turn Toolbar Spindles Toolbar Tool Graphics Toolbar Rotary Design Toolbar Rotary Toolbar Surface Toolbar Wire Design Toolbar Wire Toolbar Probing Toolbar Five Axis Simultaneous Milling Toolbar Manipulating Toolbars Toolbar Groupings The Line Command Group The Chain Command Group Add/Remove Buttons Reset Toolbar Window Toolbars Detachable Windows Feedback Window The Context Menu in the Feedback Window Profiles Status Bar Exercise 3 Creating Your Own Profile Customise Commands Edgecam Mouse Control Mouse Key Usage Exercise 4 Mouse Key Functions How to Create and Position Entities Positioning Entities Assigning Entity Attributes Understanding Co-ordinates Exercise 5 Positioning Entities Using the Cursor Exercise 6 Positioning a Component Using Co-ordinates Manipulating Your View Selecting a View Orientation Splitting the Graphics Area Changing View Ports Exercise 7 - View Control Using Intellisnap Using Intellisnap to defining co-ordinates Using Intellisnap to analyse geometry Tab Key Exercise 8 - Using Intellisnap Layer Control Creating Layers Active Layer Exercise 9 - Working With Layers Selecting Multiple Entities Window Drag Selection Exercise 10 Windowing Entities Selecting Entities Using the Nchain & Normal Command Exercise 11 - Chaining Entities Keyboard Selection & Entity Types Page 4 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

5 Exercise 12 - Deleting Entities Measuring Distances and Verifying Entities Solid Machinist Supported CAD Formats Solid CAD Systems and Edgecam Licenses CAD Integration Understanding Solid Models Solid Body Entities Edge Face Loop Vertex Solid Installation Notes for Solid Machinist Solid Machinist Prerequisites (CAD) Autodesk Inventor Support for SolidWorks 2010 and above Edgecam CAD Links Advantages for Using CAD Links In-line Activation Command Reloading Pro/ENGINEER Files (Creo Parametric) Launch Button Associative Reloading of Solid Part Files Reporting Design Changes Best Practices for CAD Designs Leaving Edgecam Getting Further Help Index Document Revision Control V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 5 of 83

6 Conventions Used in This Guide To enable you to use the information in this guide effectively, you need to understand the used in the guide to represent different types of information. Buttons on the screen are represented as the button text in square brackets. For example: Click on [OK]. Keys on the keyboard are represented as bold lettering in between <> characters. For example: Press <Enter> Menu options are represented as a path with the main menu in Bold UPPER case with sub menus Capitalised and separated with a vertical bar For example: Select FILE Open Field names are represented as Bold text. And the value to be entered will be represented by Bold Text. For example: Enter the value 50 in the Offset field. Or When prompted for the X, Y or Z values type X100Y50Z0 <Enter> Denotes a Left Mouse Button Click Denotes a Right Mouse Button Click This is a note. It contains useful or additional information. + This is a reference. It directs you to another part of the user guide. This is a thought box. It is generally used in exercises and contains a question for you to consider. This is a warning, it contains information that you must not ignore. This is a tip. It is generally used in exercises and offers further advice. 1. This is the first line of a number list item 2. This is the second item of the numbered instructions, which you must 3. Follow in sequence. This is a list of items, in which The order is not important. Page 6 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

7 Supported Operating Systems We recommend you install the latest service packs for the supported operating systems. Microsoft Windows XP Professional (SP3 required) Microsoft Windows Vista Business*/ Enterprise*/ Ultimate* Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate *Installations on Windows Vista require SP1 we recommend you install the latest service pack. When installing on Windows Vista or Windows 7: We recommend that you update to the latest security key drivers (if a security key is fitted). You may experience problems with the driver supplied by your graphics card manufacturer - check for the latest driver updates on the web site for your card. Notes Edgecam will install and run on 64-bit versions of these operating systems, where applicable (note however that Edgecam is a 32-bit application). Edgecam and Part Modeler will install and run on the 'home' editions of these operating systems. However this is not recommended and we cannot guarantee to fix any Edgecam or Part Modeler issues specifically related to these operating systems. The Sentinel RMS license server runs as a system service on Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003, Server 2008 and Windows 7. Sentinel RMS network licenses can be installed on virtual servers provided that they are locked to a Safenet Computer ID USB key. Standalone (single seat) Sentinel RMS licenses cannot be locked against the new keys for use on a virtual server. It is not recommended to have multiple Edgecam versions installed on the same computer when the user has limited rights or UAC is ON as this may potentially cause problems with Simulator. (Simulator self-registers when being run, requiring administrator rights. This should not be necessary once Edgecam has been installed on a PC as the installer also registers Simulator. This means a user with limited rights can run Simulator without the need for self-registration. However, on a multiuser environment with multiple Edgecam versions, this may cause problems. For example, if Edgecam 2010 R2 is installed as last software, the 2010 R2 Simulator will be registered. If a limited user then tries to run version 2010 R1 and Simulator on that machine, Simulator will attempt to be self-register. With UAC ON, this would require an administrator to enter the password before Simulator can be run.) The Edgecam installer will install the following items if they are not already present on your system:.net Framework version 2.NET Framework version 4 Microsoft SQL Server Express 2005 SP4 (for Edgecam ToolStore) Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Setup Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Setup Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Setup Microsoft XML 6.0 V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 7 of 83

8 System Requirements for Edgecam and Part Modeler Minimum Specifications 32 or 64-bit Intel Pentium 4 processor (2 GHz or faster), Intel Xeon, Intel Core, AMD Athlon 64, AMD Opteron, AMD Phemnom or later, in single, dual or quad core versions. 1 GB RAM for Windows XP, 2 GB for Windows Vista/Windows 7 and 4GB for 64-bit operating systems. To make the most of background processing and multi-threading, we recommend a 64-bit operating system and 2GB RAM for each processor as a minimum. 10 GB free disk space for the Edgecam installation Graphics card - OpenGL compliant - Minimum 128 MB memory for wireframe systems - Minimum 256 MB memory for solid model systems - 32 Bit Colour Depth 17" Colour monitor (1280 x 1024 screen resolution) Mouse including wheel (Intellimouse) SpaceMouse/SpaceBall (optional) Network card Internet Explorer 6 or above Internet connection for license activation/updates USB port for the Edgecam security key (unless using keyless licensing) Page 8 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

9 License Restrictions Getting Started You may discover that you are unable to work with some of the exercises due to license restrictions. In order to remove any license restrictions, you can set Edgecam to run in Homework Mode. To activate Homework Mode, Right click over the CLS in the windows task bar notification area, and select the option from the menu. Homework Mode enables the user of a licensed system to run Edgecam with access to all functionality except for NC code generation. Homework mode emulates the educational Homework license. Useful when training for example, to evaluate higher levels of license than currently in use. Homework Mode is only available on licensed Edgecam installations Homework Mode allows you to experience all available licenses in Edgecam. This feature will allow you to save files. The file extension is not a standard.ppf extension but is an.epf. You will not be able to re-load an.epf file into a licensed version of Edgecam. You cannot generate CNC data from an.epf File. If you require a Homework license to run on any unlicensed PC contact your salesman or support. Example Part Files There are a number of sample part files mentioned within this training guide. This data can be accessed either from a Training CD or specified folder. If from a CD the path will be D:\ Getting Started Parts Used Some files may not be opened away from the classroom due to licensing restrictions. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 9 of 83

10 Trainee Notes Page 10 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

11 What is Edgecam? Edgecam is a CAD/CAM system that enables you to design and plan the manufacture of components. Edgecam allows you to: Create Design models and/or import 3 rd party format files. Select the machine and tools required to produce the component. Simulate the production process. Generate the CNC code required to operate the selected machine. Communicate with machine tool controllers. Manage a tooling database. Getting Started The CAD/CAM life-cycle This is the typical Edgecam process cycle. It demonstrates the sequential chain of events that must occur in order to produce CNC code from Edgecam. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 11 of 83

12 The Edgecam Program Group Edgecam consists of various applications that interact with each other. This is the Edgecam program group. (Start >All Programs> Edgecam (Version)). All applications are separated into their respective folders. Root Folder Edgecam Part Modeler Edgecam s 3D solid modelling module that is used to create and design parts along with stock and fixturing to take into Edgecam. Edgecam The main Edgecam module that is used to design and manufacture components. What s New A help file, that amongst other things, contains a list of new or improved functionality released in this particular version of Edgecam. Help Folder It is recommend that you always read the What s New help files after you have updated Edgecam to a later version so you are aware of any changes. A folder containing various links to aid the installation, licensing and the using of Edgecam. Edgecam Tutorials A shortcut to the on-line tutorials that contain step by step instructions on how to use Edgecam. Page 12 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

13 Programs Folder Getting Started Code Generator This option is used to compile custom post processors. It is license dependant and requires you to have written a suitable source file fit for compilation. Code Wizard This option will allow you to create and modify your own post processors using supplied templates shipped with Edgecam. The Code Wizard comes with all systems. Editor Opens the Edgecam Editor to allow you to view and edit text files. Utilities An option that allows you to configure system settings such as language and license settings. Comms Folder Comms Setup A utility to configure RS 232 communications to machine tool controllers. Sample Lathe Launches an example RS232 communications link for a typical lathe. Sample Mill Launches an example RS232 communications link for a typical milling machine. Sample Wire Launches an example RS232 communications link for a typical Wire EDM machine. Toolstore Folder Job Manager Launches the Toolstore module that enables you to create and manage tool kits for jobs in Edgecam. Technology Assistant A module of the Toolstore that allows you to define and assign cutting data to tools. Toolkit Assistant A module of the Toolstore that allows you to assign tools to specific Edgecam jobs. Toolstore Administrator You are able to Select, modify, or delete SQL Toolstore databases used for Toolstore, Material Technology & Toolkit Assistant. Toolstore Opens Toolstore database. Used to store all tool of any type used within Edgecam. Job Reports Launches the web browser and displays HTML reports for Jobs created in the Job Manager. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 13 of 83

14 Getting Started To start Edgecam you can do one of the following: Double Left Click on the Edgecam icon on your desktop: Select the Edgecam icon from the Windows Start menu. You see the Edgecam main screen, which automatically opens in design mode. You are now ready to start work in Edgecam. The standard Edgecam Group name is Edgecam (version). Other group names are only required if more than one version is installed is on the same PC. Page 14 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

15 Opening Edgecam for the First Time Upon opening Edgecam on the first occasion a Windows dialogue will appear. Getting Started This Window will appear after every new installation of Edgecam, an update in the software or if Factory Settings has been selected from Utilities in the Edgecam program group. It is strongly recommended to register online to get the full benefit of support. This includes help with machining parts after a course has been attended or to booking your next course online. On this occasion Left Click, [I do not wish to register]. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 15 of 83

16 Understanding the Edgecam Screen Layout The Edgecam main screen is your main workspace, in which you design and plan the manufacture of components. The Edgecam main screen consists of the following main features: Menu Bar Title Bar Toolbars Dockable Windows Graphics Area CPL (Datum) Marker Status Bar View Selection Menu The above example shows a typical screen layout. Your screen may not contain all these features when you first enter Edgecam. This can be done by re-configuring your workspace. Page 16 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

17 Selecting Menu Options When using Edgecam, you select the tasks you want to perform by selecting options from a menu. The menu bar contains the titles of a number of menus that provide a general description of the options contained within each menu. For example, the Geometry menu contains geometry creation tasks and the Operations menu contains machining operations. The menus available on the menu bar depend on the mode in which you are working and the software licences. The menu bar displays design-related menus in design mode and machiningrelated menus in manufacture mode. Click on a menu name to display a list of menu options. Some menu options contain a further list of sub-options. This is indicated by an arrow to the right of the menu option, like this: Menu Option Sub-options Left Click on a menu option to select it. Many of the commands you select via the menu bar are also available as buttons on a toolbar. The commands that are displayed in the Toolbars and Menus are dependent on the Edgecam licenses that you have purchased. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 17 of 83

18 Entering Data Once you have selected a menu option, or Left Clicked on a toolbar button, Edgecam typically displays a dialog. This is an example of a dialog: A dialog is a data entry window that allows you to enter details relating to the selected command. When a dialog appears on the screen, it takes priority over everything else. You must exit a dialog before you can work anywhere else on the screen, by clicking on one of the following buttons: [OK], to confirm the details you have entered and continue the command [Cancel], to abandon the details you have entered and cancel the command. Edgecam dialogs contain one or more tabs, as shown in the example above, that contain a group of related fields. You can access a tab, and the details contained in the tab, by clicking on the tab name you require. Within each tab, you can enter data: directly using checkboxes using radio buttons drop down menus browse to a specific system file or file location Page 18 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

19 Entering Data Directly You enter data directly within a dialog by clicking in the required field, then typing the information into the field. You can also press the [Tab] button on the keyboard to move the cursor between fields. Using Checkboxes You use checkboxes to select and deselect options in Edgecam. A ticked checkbox indicates that an item is selected. An empty checkbox indicates that an item is not selected. You can select more than one checkbox. For example, you can select the toolbars to display and how to display them by checking the necessary checkboxes: Using Radio Buttons You use radio buttons to make a selection from a list of options. You can select only one option. For example, in the instance below you can specify to work in either the XY or ZX environment, and in either inches or millimetres. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 19 of 83

20 Drop Down Menus An alternative to radio buttons would be a drop down menu as shown below: Browse to a File In some instances you may also need to use the Browse option to select a file. In this instance it is the location for a folder for a Solid in which to insert. Using the [Browse ] option will launch a standard window such as the option below. Locate and select the file you require then hit the [Open] or <ENTER> button to return to the Edgecam menu. Page 20 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

21 Configuring Your Environment You can change the features of your workspace in the following ways: Selecting the work mode. Mouse wheel sensitivity. Getting Started Autosave. Setting system defaults. Selecting workspace preferences. Changing the screen background colour. Splitting the graphics area. The manner in which IGES and DXF files are loaded. The above can be permanently saved to a default file. Selecting the Environment When you first enter Edgecam you are automatically in design mode. To access Manufacture mode, you can. Click on the Switch to Manufacture Mode button on the Standard toolbar. (Top right hand corner). Select OPTIONS Manufacture. You can select the environment in which to work using the XY / ZX toggle on the Status bar, or loading a specific defaults file. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 21 of 83

22 Specifying Workspace Preferences To specify various workspace preferences, from the drop down menu, select OPTIONS Preferences. You will see the General tab of the Preferences dialog. You can also select the environment in which to work by selecting either the XY or ZX radio button in the Environment section. Page 22 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

23 The key options on the General Tab that you may wish to configure are Part Units, Environment, Autosave (number of Edgecam commands between automatic saves).on the Interface tab, Mouse Wheel Sensitivity (any +ve value). System: to specify the tolerance at which objects exist and are saved in Edgecam. Display: to specify the tolerance at which Edgecam draws objects on the screen. Autosave : Specifies the number of commands after which an automatic save (Autosave) occurs. Zero disables the Autosave functionality. To load the automatically saved part, select the Open Autosave (File menu) command. Mouse Wheel Sensitivity: Adjust the mouse wheel sensitivity by entering a value which will act as the zoom factor applied on each 'click' of the wheel. When the value used in the Mouse Wheel Sensitivity is smaller than 1, Edgecam s zoom command will change its direction. Import: Edgecam supports two alternative IGES and DXF/DWG export systems. Select your preferred option. Setting System Defaults You can set system defaults to define the unit of measurement, system and display tolerances and port setup that are loaded when you open parts in Edgecam. Edgecam provides two sets of defaults - one for imperial measurements, the other for metric. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 23 of 83

24 Exercise 1 Creating User Defined System Defaults The following exercise will demonstrate how to manipulate Edgecam in such a way that the system recognises a user s own individual preference settings. In this instance the user wishes to work in Mill (XY) mode and use metric units. 1. Select the OPTIONS Preferences command. 2. Set the following parameters. General Tab Part Units: Millimetres Environment: XY Autosave: 5 Display:.01 Tool Libraries Tab Display Toolchange: Checked Page 24 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

25 Selection Tab Show Help On Tooltip: Checked Entity Tooltips: Checked Getting Started Intellisnap: All Checked Show Tool On Cursor: Checked Free Picks Only: Checked Interface Tab Mouse Wheel Sensitivity:.9 3. Dismiss the dialog box by selecting [OK]. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 25 of 83

26 Setting CPL Marker Size 4. Position the cursor over the View Caption (Bottom left-hand corner of the Graphics Area). Left or Right click the mouse and from the context menu, select Properties. The Configure View dialogue box will appear. 5. Activate the Axes check-box. Select [OK] to dismiss the dialog box. The CPL marker will now extend the axis image. The Default file will also remember the View Port configuration. 6. In order to allow Edgecam to remember the above settings, we will now create a Default file. Select the OPTIONS New Defaults. Type in a name for the.dft file. Your name_mill_mm for example. Select [OK]. 7. Edgecam has now saved your personalised preference settings. A Default file will not only save Preferences settings but will also remember the position of the screen and the number of active View Ports. Ensure you are satisfied with the View Ports BEFORE creating a default file. Page 26 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

27 File Locations Getting Started Default locations can be set within Edgecam through the File Locations command. This can be found either in OPTIONS File locations or from the Utilities area of Edgecam within the Edgecam program group. Locations that can be changed here are such places as the Network location, if the user wants to store shared files across the network, such as Post processors, PCI s. Toolstore files etc. Strategy manager file locations can also be set here. These default locations allow Edgecam to run without the requirement of the user being a local administrator. Locations that are greyed out can only be changed within the system registry. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 27 of 83

28 Exercise 2 Selecting System Defaults In reference to the previous exercise, you will now be shown how to select your Default file. Remember that many more users could be using Edgecam. Therefore, in order to guarantee that the system operates in a preferred manner, a user would set Edgecam to use their own Defaults. A typical default location would be C:\Users\Edgecam\Documents\Planit\ \Edgecam\cam\Support. 1. Select the OPTIONS Select Defaults command. 2. From the drop down list select your file created in the last exercise. You will observe that there are other Default files in this list. These files represent other Edgecam Users settings or the system defaults. 3. New Part Defaults will be Selected File. This will update all defaults when you load a part. Select the No change option to load the selected default file, but not to change the defaults loaded automatically with the part. 4. Click on the [OK] button to accept the changes. 5. To guarantee that your settings are being used, you should not only notice that the XY Metric environment is being used, but also that the CPL maker is extended. When loading a 3rd party format file such as an IGES or Solid file, the units of the model will be determined by the units of the active defaults file. Page 28 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

29 Changing the Screen Background Colour You can change the colour of the screen background in Edgecam by selecting the OPTIONS Colours command. You will see the Colour Configuration dialog. Click on the [Define...] button to the right of the Background field to select a different colour. We will change Rapids & Normals, High Feed and Leads once in Manufacturing. You can also change the colour Edgecam uses to Intellisnap with, by setting Highlight and Flyover colours. Ensure that the Background, Flyover and Highlight colours are dissimilar to each other. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 29 of 83

30 Understanding Edgecam Toolbars Many of the commands you select using menus are also available as buttons on a toolbar. Not all menu commands are represented by a toolbar button. The commands available on many of the toolbars depend on the mode in which you are working. For example, the main toolbar displays commands relevant only to Manufacturing mode. One method of selecting toolbars is to click on the View menu and select from the list. This section provides an overview of some the toolbars you will use most often within Edgecam. Standard Toolbar The Standard toolbar provides general commands such as opening, saving, printing designs and switching between the design and manufacture modes. Design Toolbar The functions on the Design toolbar allow you to create Wireframe designs Edit Toolbar The functions on the Edit toolbar allow you to manipulate the design. Display Toolbar The functions on the Display toolbar allow you to alter the view of the component part. Input Toolbar The Input Options toolbar provides you with advanced facilities for selecting entities and specifying co-ordinates. Page 30 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

31 Dimensions Toolbar The Dimensions Toolbar allows you to Dimension entities. Solids toolbar The Solids toolbar enables you to create Features and geometry from a solid model Solids Toolbar is only available under the Solid Machinist licence and, when a solid part file is loaded. Main Toolbar The Main toolbar provides the basic commands you require in Manufacturing Mode. Operations Toolbars The Operations toolbar enables you to specify machining operation commands. The commands available depend on whether you are working in the milling or turning environment. You can access the Operations toolbar only in the Manufacture mode. Mill Tools Toolbar The Mill Tools Toolbar gives you the ability to select Milling tools or define a Tool in either the Mill or Turn environments. You can access the Mill Tools Toolbar only when in manufacturing mode. Mill Cycles Toolbar The Mill Cycles toolbar enables you to specify machining commands. The commands available depend on whether you are working in the milling or turning environment. You can access the Mill Cycles toolbar when in manufacturing mode and when there is a tool selected. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 31 of 83

32 Turn Tools Toolbar The Turn Tools Toolbar gives you the ability to select Turning tools or define a Tool in the Turn environment. You can access the Turn Tools Toolbar only when in manufacturing mode. Turn Toolbar The Turn Toolbar enables you to specify Turn Cycles whilst in the Turn environment. These can be for 2 axis and/or 4 axis lathes dependant on the post processor selected You can access the Turn Toolbar when in manufacturing mode and when there is a tool selected. The Toolbars below you will become more aware of in later courses, dependant on your level of license. Spindles Toolbar The Spindles Toolbar gives you the ability to select and move Sub-Spindles in the Turn environment. You can access the Spindles Toolbar when in Manufacturing mode and when you have a post processor with a Sub-spindle selected. License dependant Tool Graphics Toolbar The Tool Graphics Toolbar gives you the ability to create custom tool, shank and holder graphics for collision checking within simulator. Rotary Design Toolbar The Rotary Toolbar gives you the ability to create Rotary designs on an unwrapped envelope and warp these designs back around a cylinder. You can machine rotary designs only when you have a post processor with a 4 th Axis. Page 32 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

33 Rotary Toolbar The Rotary Toolbar gives you the ability to select between Rotary and Planar mode when working with a rotary axis, along with Move Angular & lathe index. You can access the Rotary Toolbar when in Manufacture mode and when you have a post processor with a 4 th Axis or BAxis. Surface Toolbar The Surface Toolbar allows you to create surface designs You can only create surfaces in the mill environment with the relevant license. Wire Design Toolbar The Wire Design Toolbar allows you to create Wire EDM designs. You can only machine Wire EDM designs with the relevant license. Wire Toolbar The Wire Toolbar allows you to machine Wire EDM designs. You can only machine Wire EDM designs with the relevant license. Probing Toolbar The Probing Toolbar allows you to use Edgecam Probing cycles. You can only use the Edgecam Probing toolbar whilst in Manufacture mode and with the relevant license Five Axis Simultaneous Milling Toolbar The Five Axis Simultaneous Toolbar allows you to use Edgecam Five Axis Operations. You can only use the Edgecam Five Axis toolbar whilst in Manufacture mode and with the relevant license V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 33 of 83

34 Manipulating Toolbars To move a toolbar, position the cursor over the far left hand side of the toolbar (dotted edge), click here and hold then Drag & Drop the toolbar into the desired position. left Observe how the cursor changes appearance. Toolbar Groupings You will observe that on some of the icons, Edgecam displays a dark triangle symbol. This condition indicates that the icon in question contains several more commands that are common to one another. The Line Command Group The Chain Command Group Edgecam will set the symbol of the icon to that of the last used function. Page 34 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

35 Add/Remove Buttons Digitising on the far right hand side of a toolbar will give you access to the Add or Remove Buttons command. When you Left click on this you can modify the toolbar to display more or less icons. To move icons around in the interface hold down the [Alt] Key and drag the button to the desired position. If you drop the icon in the graphics area it will disappear. Reset Toolbar Selecting Reset Toolbar will remove any customisation from the Toolbar. The icons will be positioned in their Factory set positions. Edgecam will warn the user if Reset Option has been used. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 35 of 83

36 Window Toolbars Edgecam offers a number of specialist toolbars know as Windows (the name is derived from Microsoft s Windows pane) These toolbars are dedicated to display individual information throughout the system. Detachable Windows The window tabs can be dragged off and dropped where required. In other words instead of shutting down the Window one can temporarily suspend the Window by placing it on the side of the screen (very much like Maximize\Minimise in normal Windows applications) This feature will give the user the ability to obtain more screen/port space. In order to temporarily hide the Window Edgecam offers a Pin icon, found on the top right hand side of the Window. In order to wake up the Windows the user would then hover over each tab in turn Clicking over the Pin icon with a combination of <CTRL> key and Left click will automatically hide all Windows, placing them to the side of the screen. Page 36 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

37 Feedback Window The feedback window in Edgecam is used to display information for various Verify commands. The window is also used for the on-screen display of the Strategy Manager Log file and feedback such as Solid Model Tolerance and the results of Feature Find. The Context Menu in the Feedback Window The context menu ( Right click) in the Feedback Window offers the following commands: Copy: Highlight the required text to copy Clear: Clears all text from the Window Profiles Similar to Default files (.dft), Edgecam allows the user to create and save their own individual toolbar and screen position settings. These are known as Profiles and like Default files are located in the Edgecam \support folder. Profiles carry the.config extension. Five standard Profiles are shipped. These are Generic Profile, Mill Profile, Turn Profile, Mill/Turn Profile and Wire Profile. The default is set at installation. To select a configuration Left click VIEW Profiles, a configuration type then a config file from that category Status Bar Status Bar refers to the command prompt which is displayed on the bottom left hand side of the Edgecam screen. A command prompt will only appear when a transaction is being created (i.e. Create a Line, Rapid Move etc.) otherwise Ready will be visible. Command Prompts can be de-activated by switching off Status Bar, found under the View menu. Refer to the on-line help for instructions on how to create new toolbars V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 37 of 83

38 Exercise 3 Creating Your Own Profile This exercise demonstrates how to manipulate the appearance of Edgecam s interface by manipulating toolbars. Furthermore, having customised the toolbars, you will be instructed how to save these alterations by creating a Profile. Ensure that you have completed the previous exercise before attempting this one. 1. Edgecam and select a Mill/Metric environment. 2. Select VIEW Toolbars Profiles Generic Profile default.config. Default.config is a factory set Profile which is found in Edgecam installations. 3. As indicated below, move the two vertically docked toolbars so as they occupy the space next to the Solids toolbar. Page 38 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

39 4. Remove the Zoom Extents icon from the View Toolbar. Hold down the <Alt> key, Left click then drag & drop the icon into the view port. 5. Save the current screen layout by creating a new Profile Right click over a Toolbar area and select [Customise...] from the Toolbars menu. 6. Select the Configurations tab and select [Create...]. 7. Enter your first name into the New Configuration dialog box and select [OK]. 8. Select [Close] to dismiss the Customise Dialogue box. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 39 of 83

40 9. You will discover that Edgecam has created your own Profile. The Profile can be activated from the Toolbar menu. + Refer to the on-line help for further instructions on how to select and save toolbar configurations. Page 40 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

41 Customise Edgecam allows the user to thoroughly alter and customise the interface to one s own individual needs. Due to this functionality it is true to say that there is no Standard interface to Edgecam. Herewith examples of what can be achieved by using the customise function. Browser Fly Outs and detachable windows XP style Toolbars XP style dialogs Icons in the menu Powerful toolbar & menu customisation Toolbar & menu command groupings Possibility to display text on icons PDI & PCI customisation support Improved keyboard accelerator functions Configurations are portable across systems Separate Profiles for design and manufacture. This means it remembers where you were before you switched. Stored together in the one Profile file. Invalid icons are shown as greyed and are not removed from the interface Commands The Commands area allows the user to add & remove functions from either the toolbars or the menus. With customise selected any command can be removed from the menu by simply dragging it into the graphics area. To add a command to a menu or toolbar select a command from one of the command categories and position it where required. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 41 of 83

42 Edgecam Mouse Control The mouse controls in Edgecam are detailed below: Depending on which mode you are in or at what point in a command you are up to, the mouse control may differ. It is easier to manipulate designs if you have a mouse with a wheel. Page 42 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

43 Mouse Key Usage You will discover that both the Left and Right mouse keys have multi-functions. Certain transactions require a single mouse key click, whereas others, require a double mouse key click. Not only do the mouse keys play an important role with design and manufacturing transactions, but both the keys and the wheel are used to manipulate the view. Exercise 4 Mouse Key Functions 1. Place the cursor over any Edgecam toolbar. Right click. You will observe a drop-down menu which enables the user to alter the Toolbar. 2. Position the cursor anywhere within the View Port. Right click. You will observe another drop-down menu. This is called the Short-cut Menu (containing a History List). 3. Activate Intellisnap with a Left click. 4. In both cases, the transaction was Right click. However, due to the position of the cursor, Edgecam produced two different results. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 43 of 83

44 How to Create and Position Entities Whilst working inside Edgecam you will come across many different types of Entities, an entity is perceived as any item created within either the Design or Manufacture mode. Examples are: Points Lines Circles and arcs Curves Surfaces Solids Continuous entities Toolpaths + Refer to the Edgecam Design User Guide for further information on the different types of entity. Positioning Entities Whether you are creating, moving or deleting an entity, it is essential that you understand how to correctly manipulate the command. Examples of such commands are: Create a line/arc and locate it correctly on the screen Move (linear feed/rapid) a milling cutter Locate the datum position on a component Identify an item for deletion All such cases require a select/position command. The three most commonly used commands are: Free Digitise: places an entity in no specific position Entity Digitise: accurately select a specific position Co-ordinate Input: specifically position an entity using X,Y & Z co-ordinates Page 44 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

45 Assigning Entity Attributes You can use different colours, layers and styles to help you to distinguish between different entities within a complex design. You use the following fields on the Standard toolbar to assign colours, layers and line styles to entities: Colour Select a colour from the drop-down list. Layer Style Select a layer from the list in the Window or from the drop-down list. Alternatively, enter a new layer name into the Window. Select a line style from the drop-down list. Understanding Co-ordinates You can use Cartesian, Polar or Angular co-ordinates in Edgecam. It is assumed throughout this guide that you will use Cartesian co-ordinates. Remember you will either be working in XY environment (milling) or, ZX environment (turning) You can check which co-ordinate mode you are working in by viewing the bottom right hand corner of the Edgecam screen. You can enter co-ordinates by: Clicking on the Co-Ordinate Input button Pressing X, Y or Z on the keyboard. on the Input Toolbar. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 45 of 83

46 Exercise 5 Positioning Entities Using the Cursor. 1. Start a new session of Edgecam. Ensure that Intellisnap is switched on. + Refer to the previous exercise on switching on Intellisnap. Observe the bottom right hand corner of your screen, ensure that Free Digitise is active. Left click to select it. 2. Select GEOMETRY Line. 3. Observe the dialog box. You can now describe the character of the line. Set the following parameters: Horizontal: Checked Length: 100mm 4. Dismiss the dialog box by selecting [OK], Follow the prompt at the top of the window or from the bottom left hand corner of the screen Point through which line will pass. Page 46 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

47 5. Place the cursor anywhere on the screen and Left click. You are now executing a Free Digitise. Create several more random lines. 6. Place the cursor over the CPL maker (datum marker found in the centre of the screen, this is position X0Y0) Left click this. You are now executing an Entity Digitise. 7. Complete this command by Right clicking or clicking the 8. Select GEOMETRY Arc. 9. Observe the dialog box and set the following parameters. Centre Point: Checked Diameter: Dismiss the dialog box by selecting [OK]. Observe the prompt from top of the window or the bottom left hand corner of the screen, Centre Point for Arc. 11. Place the cursor anywhere on the screen and Left click. You are now executing Free Digitise. Create several more random Arcs. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 47 of 83

48 12. Place the cursor over the start, middle or end of an existing line. Observe the Entity Tool tip. 13. Whilst the Entity Tool tip is present, digitise the line either at the mid-point or an end point. You are now digitising using Intellisnap. 14. Complete this command by Right clicking or clicking the 15. Click on the Delete icon.follow the prompt. Digitise entity to delete. 16. Place your cursor over any line or arc and Left click. You are now executing an Entity Digitise. 17. Left clicking on Free or Entity in the bottom right hand corner of your graphics area will toggle between the two types. Whichever is highlighted Red is the active type. 18. Select either a line or arc to create once more. Follow the prompt. Point through which line will pass or Centre Point for Arc. + Left click on Entity at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. 19. You are now unable to select a point in space and can only select a line or Arc entity. 20. Complete this command by Right clicking. Edgecam will always prompt you to perform the appropriate steps within the selected command. Always observe Picking Banner, the status bar at the bottom of the screen or Help on Tool tip, if activated. Page 48 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

49 Exercise 6 Positioning a Component Using Co-ordinates The object of the next exercise is to accurately load a component onto a simple fixture. Two Edgecam part files are used, one to represent the fixture and the other the component. This exercise will introduce you to using co-ordinates. 1. Open the part file 6 - Fixture.ppf. 2. Select FILE Insert Part. 3. Using the [Browse...] command select the part file called 6a - The Component.ppf. 4. Activate the Origin check-box. 5. Dismiss the dialogue by select [OK]. 6. Observe the command prompt, Digitise location at which to insert part. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 49 of 83

50 7. Select the Co-ordinate Input icon and type the following values X50Y40Z-10. As an alternative to using icon for summoning co-ordinates, strike the <X> key on your keyboard and type in the values X50Y40Z Complete the procedure by Right clicking or by pressing the [Enter] key. 9. Close the part without saving. Page 50 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

51 Manipulating Your View You can view your component on the screen in different ways by: Getting Started Zooming into and out of a design Rotating the view Panning the view Selecting a view orientation Using a 3D motion controller There are a set of dedicated icons which are used to manipulate the view. However, you will discover that it is far more efficient to use the mouse functions. To zoom in and out, roll the mouse wheel forwards to and backwards. Double click the mouse wheel to Zoom Extents. To rotate the view, hold down the Right mouse button and move the mouse accordingly. Edgecam rotates the view of the design in the direction of the mouse movement. You pan the view of the component by holding down the mouse wheel and moving the mouse. Edgecam, by default, will always zoom and rotate around the centre of the solid. Selecting a View Orientation The blue view status bar at the bottom left-hand corner of the graphics area shows the view orientation currently on display. To select a view orientation, click on the blue view status bar, and then select a new view orientation from the menu that is displayed: V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 51 of 83

52 Splitting the Graphics Area You can split the Edgecam graphics area horizontally and vertically, to create more than one window in which to view a component. This is particularly useful if, for example, you want to display two or more different view orientations at the same time, or to zoom in on a specific part while keeping the original view on display. You have several options available to you for splitting the graphics area: Right click in the graphics area and select the Horizontal Split or Vertical Split option from the shortcut menu that is displayed. Selecting from the symbols found in the bottom right corner of the graphics port. Edgecam splits the graphic area into two windows: Horizontal split Vertical split Edgecam automatically sets the size of the view port, you will discover that the split will be equal in proportion. You can alter the size of the port by placing the cursor on the split line, observe the cursor alters its appearance to a double headed arrow. Hold down the Left Mouse button and move the mouse. Page 52 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

53 Changing View Ports Edgecam allows you to alter the direction of the view port by selecting on the dialog box found on the bottom right hand side of the View Port. Turning and Milling ports use a different naming convention. You may alter the view ports and split the graphics area in to any combination. Depending on the option you choose, the screen might look like this. To close a window, Right click anywhere in the appropriate window, then select the Close Window option from the shortcut menu that is displayed: Alternatively, one may select the X symbol found on the bottom right hand side of the port. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 53 of 83

54 Exercise 7 - View Control This exercise will allow you to practice manipulation of components in the screen area. 1. Open the file 7 - Long Part.ppf. 2. Practice panning, zooming and rotating. The component is clearly a turned part observe the name of the view ports are uniquely different to that of a milling environment. 3. Try the advanced zoom and rotate options. This will allow you to specify the point around which the part will move. Use the suggested points on the model as digitise points. 4. Place you cursor over the part, hold down the <CTRL> key and Right click. Observe the part will jump to the current cursor position. Page 54 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

55 Using Intellisnap Getting Started Using Intellisnap to defining co-ordinates The Intellisnap feature allows you to define a position within the graphics area by selecting an existing entity. For example, you can define the start point for a new entity or machining command as the end point of an existing line. You can select the: Ends of entities Mid-points of entities Centre points of circles and arcs. To use Intellisnap, simply move the cursor near the end, mid or centre point of an existing entity. Edgecam highlights the selected entity in the Intellisnap flyover colour, displays a square, cross or circle in the flyover colour at the selected point, and displays information about the selected point in a tool tip, like this: End of Entity Mid-Point of Entity Centre Point of Circle Left click while the flyover square, cross or circle is displayed to define the position. Change the colour of the Intellisnap flyover using the Colour Configuration dialogue. Using Intellisnap to analyse geometry Intellisnap can be used as a design aid, and also as a means of interrogating entities that are in a part file. Activate Intellisnap by Right clicking anywhere in the view port and selecting Intellisnap from the drop down menu. With Intellisnap activated, when the cursor is placed over an entity it will highlight and return information to the screen in a tool tip type box. By pressing the <V> key whilst the information is being displayed this will extend the dialog box to show more data relating to the entity The larger information box will stay active until the <V> key is pressed again. Tab Key When there are many entities near the cursor, the <Tab> key sign appears on the cursor to inform you of this situation. The information box will then carry a numerical reference to the number of entities present at the cursor location. Use the tab key to scroll through these entities. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 55 of 83

56 Exercise 8 - Using Intellisnap The exercise is designed to familiarise you with Intellisnap. 1. Open the file 8 - Intellisnap.ppf. 2. Ensure that you have got Intellisnap activated. 3. Pass your cursor over the model and notice the tool tip feedback 4. When there is a tool tip showing, press the <V> key on the keyboard to expand the information window: 5. When there is more than one entity in the immediate region of the cursor, the <TAB> key symbol will appear. Press the <TAB> key to scroll through the entities. 6. Close the part without saving. Page 56 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

57 Layer Control Layers allow you to segregate entities onto different layers so they can be made visible or invisible. This helps you manage your designs and toolpaths more effectively. The Layer Window is a quick and effective way of managing the layer control and tasks such as creating, showing and editing layers are all straight forward. Creating Layers To create a new layer, perform a Right click anywhere in the Layers Window. This will display a menu where you can say New. This will present the following dialog box where a name can be entered. The Show check box allows you to say whether the layer should be visible or not. A new layer will appear in the Window when [OK] is selected. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 57 of 83

58 Active Layer Within any part file there can only be one active layer. This is the layer that appears in the Window with a red coloured background on the layer icon. To change the active layer, Double left click over the layer icon that you wish to be active. The red marker will then appear on the chosen layer. An alternate method of making a layer active would be to highlight a layer by Left clicking it, then Right clicking so the drop down menu appears. From this menu select the option Make Active. Page 58 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

59 Exercise 9 - Working With Layers This exercise will familiarise you with layer control and the Layers Window. 1. Open the file 9 - Layers.ppf. Getting Started 2. Ensure the Layers Window is active. Observe the layers that are present and the entities that are displayed on the screen. 3. Double left click the Yes word on one of the layers and observe what happens to the relevant entities on the screen, they should be made invisible. They are not deleted, they are hidden. 4. Highlight the Arcs layer and Right click. Select the Show Only option from the menu. 5. Only the 3 arcs should now be shown on the screen 6. Right click anywhere in the Layers Window and select the Show All option. This will make all layers visible and display all the entities on the screen. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 59 of 83

60 7. Select the EDIT Transform Translate command. Observe the dialogue box. Fill in the parameters as shown. Ensure that you type a new name into the Layer field. Edgecam will automatically create this layer as it completes the transaction. Copy Checkbox: Checked Layer: Translate Values in X, Y & Z 0 8. Dismiss the dialog box by selecting [OK]. Observe the command prompt, 9. Right Click to Finish. Digitise the Arc and Rectangle entities. Left Click to pick the Arcs and Double Left click to Chain the Rectangles. 10. Observe the Layers Window. Notice how a new layer called Translate has been created. 11. Place the cursor over this layer, Right click and select Show Only from the drop down menu. 12. Edgecam will now only display the entities on this layer. You have learnt not only how to create a layer but also how to copy entities. 13. Close Edgecam without saving the part 14. The method of selecting the entities in the last exercise was quite slow consider alternative methods of quickly selecting entities. Page 60 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

61 Selecting Multiple Entities In a previous chapters of this training Guide, you have been advised on how to select singular entities (Entity Digitise) and also how to chain wireframe profiles. You will find it necessary to be able to quickly and efficiently select numerous entities in one transaction, this chapter deals with this matter. You can select multiple entities by:- Left clicking on each entity Left clicking and dragging a window, to encompass the entities you want to select. Using the Nchain & Normal chain command. Using the keyboard shortcut <CTRL>< A>. Window Drag Selection By holding down the Left mouse button and dragging a window around the entities is a quick way of selecting entitles. The direction in which you create the window does have an effect on what entities are selected. Dragging the window from the top left hand corner to a bottom to a bottom right hand position will select entities that are only fully enclosed in the window Dragging the window in the reverse direction, from bottom Right hand corner to the top Left hand corner will select any entities that are either fully enclosed or are touched by the window. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 61 of 83

62 Exercise 10 Windowing Entities 1. Open the part file called 10 - Windowing.ppf. 2. Click on the view in the bottom left hand corner of your screen and select Top. 3. Perform a Zoom Extents by Double clicking the scroll Wheel. 4. Click on the Delete button and observe the command prompt. Digitise entity to delete. 5. Place your cursor over the position marked X, Holding down the Left hand mouse button, diagonally slide the cursor towards the Y position. Let go of the mouse button. 6. Observe the window being created and the amount of highlighted (selected) entities. Page 62 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

63 7. Complete the transaction Right clicking. The entities will be removed. 8. Recover the entities by using the Undo command Getting Started 9. Repeat the above transaction, except this time form the window in the OPPOSITE direction, from Right to left. 10. Notice the difference in the amount of entities selected. 11. Complete the transaction by clicking the Right click. 12. Close the part without saving. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 63 of 83

64 Selecting Entities Using the Nchain & Normal Command The Chain command is a very efficient method of quickly selecting a number of entities. The command is launched by Double left clicking. The Nchain command, found on the Input toolbar, allows you to select any number of contiguous, i.e. touching, entities. For example, you would use the Nchain command to select the top profile (from A to B) of this turning component: You use the Nchain command as part of another command, for example to select a profile to machine or a collection of entities to delete. The Nchain button is disabled until you select another command for which the Nchain command is appropriate. Page 64 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

65 Exercise 11 - Chaining Entities This is a brief exercise that demonstrates how to edit a line of entities using the Chain command. You will further learn how to change the characteristic of the entities. 1. Open the file 11 - Chaining.ppf. 2. Select EDIT Entity Data Apply To All command. Alternatively, Left click the icon on the Edit toolbar. 3. Place your cursor over the section of the profile which represents the turned component (solid font drawing) and Double left click. 4. Observe how the whole profile is selected but not the section of the drawing representing the chuck jaw (dashed font drawing). 5. Complete the transaction by Right clicking. 6. Observe the dialogue box. Alter the Layer, Name and the Colour. 7. You will notice that Edgecam has changed the colour of the profile plus, a new layer has been created which exclusively contains the Turn profile entities. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 65 of 83

66 8. Select the Apply to All command once more. Before selecting an entity, on the Input toolbar Left click Nchain on the Input Toolbar. 9. Zoom in on the front chamfer and digitise somewhere between the midpoint of the line and the bottom right hand side of the line. 10. Zoom out and now digitise between the midpoint and the top left hand end of the upper chamfer. Right Click. This will now chain only between these 2 selected points. Digitising a different part of the first line entity will chain the profile in the opposite direction. 11. Alter the colour once more. 12. Close Edgecam without saving the part. Double Left click on an entity. This is a quick method of altering the characteristic of an individual entity. Page 66 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

67 Keyboard Selection & Entity Types In the previous exercise you have learnt how to select multiple entities. We shall now use the Entity Types option to filter the entities you wish to select, whilst making a multiple selection. Whilst making a selection of entities we can filter out entity types that we don t want to select. We do this by checking or un-checking options within Entity Types. This command is found on the Input Toolbar Entity types that are inappropriate to the command will be greyed out. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 67 of 83

68 Exercise 12 - Deleting Entities The following exercise will show you how to use the Entity Types command and further demonstrates the use of the window command in conjunction with the Entity Types filter. The object of the exercise is to remove all traces of text, including drawing dimensions. 1. Open the file 12 - Entity Types.ppf. 2. Select the Delete command. Page 68 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

69 3. You are prompted Digitise entity to delete. As you wish to only delete dimensions entities activate the Entity Types filter and un-check all boxes except Dimensions. 4. Select [OK]. 5. As an alternative to the window function you can hold down the keys <CTRL> & <A> on your keyboard. Edgecam will highlight only the Dimensions and only these will be removed. Right Click to Finish. 6. Complete the command by Right clicking. 7. Close the part without saving. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 69 of 83

70 Measuring Distances and Verifying Entities You can measure the distance between any two points or verify an entity by: Clicking the Measure Distance button on the Standard toolbar. Click on the Verify Entities button on the Standard toolbar. Once you have reacted to the command prompts (selected first and second positions, or, digitised any entity) the information is displayed in the Feedback Window: Page 70 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

71 Solid Machinist Edgecam Solid Machinist provides the user the ability to load and machine Solid components designed in various parametric CAD packages, without the need for file translation. The Edgecam Solid Machinist license allows the direct loading of native CAD files. This eliminates any possible translation errors that occur when using file translators. Another benefit of using the native solid CAD file is that it has the ability to remain associative to the master model allowing the machining strategies to update when any modifications are made to the solid design. Supported CAD Formats The Solid Machinist module is licensed in various ways depending upon the user requirements. The table below details the licensing configurations and the associated file extensions: Product License Description File Formats & Extensions Code ENSM0-G Solid Machinist for Granite Pro/Engineer (.prt) Pro/Desktop (.des) Creo Parametric ENSM0-I Solid Machinist for Inventor Autodesk Inventor (.ipt,iam) ENSM0-C Solid Machinist for CATIA CATIA V5 (.catpart,.catproduct) V5 ENSM0-A Solid Machinist for ACIS ACIS (.sat, sab) Spaceclaim (.scdoc) ENSM0-S Solid Machinist for Parasolid Edgecam Part Modeler (.pmod) SolidWorks (.sldprt) SolidEdge (.par) Step (.stp) KOMPAS-3D (.a3d,.m3d) Native Parasolid formats (.x_t,.x_b,.xmt_txt,.xmt_bin) UGS NX (.prt) ENSM0-M Solid Machinist Max Combination of ENSM0-I & ENSM0-S V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 71 of 83

72 Solid CAD Systems and Edgecam Licenses The table lists the file formats from the Solid CAD systems and the licences required to load them into Edgecam. Solid CAD system File types supported Licence required Autodesk Inventor *.ipt, *.iam Solid Machinist for Inventor or Solid CAD/CAM or Solid Machinist Max CATIA V5 *.CATpart, *.CATproduct Solid Machinist for CATIA V5 Edgecam Part Modeler *..pmod Solid Machinist for Parasolid or Solid CAD/CAM or Solid Machinist Max SolidWorks *.prt, *.sldprt, *.sldasm Solid Machinist for Parasolid or Solid CAD/CAM or Solid Machinist Max Solid Edge *.par Solid Machinist for Parasolid or Solid CAD/CAM or Solid Machinist Max Pro/DESKTOP, Pro/ENGINEER up to and including Wildfire 5 Creo Parametric *.prt, *.des, *.pdt, *.g, *.asm Solid Machinist for Granite UGS NX *.prt Solid Machinist for Parasolid or Solid CAD/CAM or Solid Machinist Max STEP *.stp Solid Machinist for Parasolid or Solid CAD/CAM or Solid Machinist Max or Edgecam Part Modeler SpaceClaim *.scdoc Solid Machinist for ACIS or Solid CAD/CAM or Solid Machinist Max or Solid Machinist for CATIA V5 KOMPAS-3D *.a3d, *.m3d Solid Machinist for Parasolid or Solid CAD/CAM or Solid Machinist Max Native ACIS files *.sat, *.sab Solid Machinist for ACIS or Solid CAD/CAM Native Parasolid files *.xmb, *.xmt, *.x_t, *.x_b Solid Machinist for Parasolid or Solid CAD/CAM or Solid Machinist Max IGES files loaded as Parasolid bodies *.igs Solid Machinist for Parasolid and Part Modeler or Solid CAD/CAM Page 72 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

73 CAD Integration This diagram below shows how the various solid CAD packages integrate with Edgecam. Only solid files that are loaded using the Solid Machinist license will have the associative link to the CAD model. Surface files such as IGES are not loaded through the solid machinist interface, and therefore are not associative to the master model. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 73 of 83

74 Understanding Solid Models Solid Body Entities When a solid part is loaded into Edgecam, it does not contain any wire frame or surface entities. Solid bodies contain a different set of entity types that are only relevant to solid part files. Using Intellisnap to interrogate the component is a useful method to gain an appreciation of the entities that are contained within the Solid Model. To activate Intellisnap, Right click the mouse and Left click Intellisnap from the menu. Edge A single line that forms the edge on a solid part. Face A face on the solid part. Page 74 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

75 Loop A series of edges that form a continuous closed loop around a solid face. Vertex An intersection point where edges meet. Solid This is the entire solid body itself. Use the <V> key & <Tab> key to help you interrogate the solid body. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 75 of 83

76 Installation Notes for Solid Machinist Solid Machinist Prerequisites (CAD) Autodesk Inventor To load an Autodesk Inventor file into Edgecam, one of the following products must be installed on the same PC. Autodesk Inventor, or Inventor View. A free utility that can be installed from the Autodesk Inventor DVD. Or from the Autodesk website. If neither product is installed, you see an error message on attempting to load an Autodesk Inventor file into Edgecam. Support for SolidWorks 2010 and above Note: To load SolidWorks 2010 files and above it is necessary to have the latest version of SolidWorks Document Manager installed. If you have SolidWorks 2012 installed on your PC you will automatically have the latest SolidWorks Document Manager installed. If you are loading SolidWorks 2012 files but do not have SolidWorks installed, you will need to install SolidWorks Explorer 2012 (free download - see below), which will update the SolidWorks Document Manager. You can download SolidWorks Explorer 2012 from (This will work for 32 and 64-bit versions.) Solid Machinist users who have purchased either the Granite or Parasolid license do NOT need to install any additional programs to their Edgecam PC s. Page 76 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

77 Edgecam CAD Links Edgecam CAD Links can be installed by your CAD designer onto his/her computer. When he saves the part for you he automatically saves two files - one is the standard CAD part file the other provides extra information to help you machine it faster! Advantages for Using CAD Links If your designer installs CAD Links you will save: Threads, Construction Planes, Coordinate Planes and Sketch Planes. With all this extra information you will be able to glean more information from the Solid CAD file and machine the part with all the information given by the CAD designer. In-line Activation Command Solid Works, Solid Edge and Inventor, all have in-line activation icons. That is to say that within each of these products, you will find an icon that launches Edgecam directly from the product and, at the same time, loads the part file. The detection of Solid CAD systems and the installation of the links to Edgecam are achieved by running a separate utility which can be located on the Edgecam Install CD. When this utility is executed, the installation routine will automatically detect the presence of CAD software and advise the user accordingly. You do not have to run this routine for Edgecam Part Modeler. However to find CAD Link information, such as threads, this option must be checked in Feature Finder. You do not have to install Edgecam on CAD PC s to run the CAD Links executable. The CAD Links program can be installed on CAD PC s and run independently from Edgecam. It is not subject to any licensing and can be installed on as many PC s as you like. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 77 of 83

78 Reloading Pro/ENGINEER Files (Creo Parametric) It is possible for a Pro/ENGINEER file to have additional version number extensions (i.e. model.prt.1, model.prt.2, model.prt.3 etc). When reloading files into Edgecam all files with the same base name and extension are checked and the latest write time (if later than the write time of the original file) is used for the reload prompt and subsequent reload. Launch Button The Edgecam utility will install the link icon within the CAD software. Launching Edgecam in this method not only offers an efficient method of accessing the system, but enables the user to manipulate data already stored in the CAD file. Below is a table explaining the various CAD features transferred into Edgecam. When Edgecam is launched from the CAD package, the link will save the native CAD file AND another reference file containing additional information such as thread data and coordinate systems. This file (an *.xml file) will be referenced when the solid file is loaded into Edgecam, so it MUST reside in the same file location as the solid file. Cad Table - Parts Page 78 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

79 Associative Reloading of Solid Part Files One of the main benefits of using Edgecam Solid Machinist is that the model file remains associative to the CAM instructions. If design changes take place AFTER the component has been manufactured, the machining sequences can be easily updated to reflect the changes. This method of CAD/CAM integration is achieved using parametric data stored in the solid CAD file. The characteristics of the component and its features are held in a series of unique identifiers for every entity in a body (face, loop, edge and vertex). These unique identifiers are normally referred to as Solid Keys. When a feature is identified, Edgecam holds a cross-reference to the relevant solid key. When a body is reloaded, Edgecam will first try and match the current features to the incoming CAD model. If a match is found, the feature and any associated CAM instructions are automatically updated. New features will be generated for any additional pockets, bosses or holes on the reloaded body. Reporting Design Changes Edgecam will detect if a solid part has been modified by the designer. When an alteration is found, Edgecam will acknowledge this fact by displaying the following information message: The Designer may make an alteration but re-save the file under a different name. This would be the case if a twin component is required that possesses subtle design changes. In this instance, Edgecam will not automatically inform the user. The user must manually re-load the revised solid part. Best Practices for CAD Designs It is important to fully understand and realise that the method employed to modify the solid design can affect the way features are updated in Edgecam. For example, if a pocket in a body is moved, stretched or edited this will generally result in an updated feature because the cross-reference is maintained. However, if a pocket is deleted and a new pocket placed in the same area, the crossreference maybe lost, as the pocket will not contain the same unique identification as the initial pocket, although the Solid Machinist engine may decide that the new feature is a Best Match to the original design and apply the machining instructions to the new feature. It is advisable wherever possible to parametrically modify solid CAD files as this ensures greater integration with CAM instructions. Advise your designers that you are using the solid models for manufacturing, and that the resulting CAM data is linked to the master model. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 79 of 83

80 Trainee Notes Page 80 of 83 Rev 9.0 Planit Software Ltd

81 Leaving Edgecam Once you have finished working with Edgecam, you must exit the system and return to the Windows desktop. To exit the system: Complete and save your work. Edgecam warns you that you have not saved your work if you try to leave Edgecam without saving. Click on the Yes button to save any changes before leaving Edgecam, or click on the No button to exit without saving the changes. Select the Exit option from the File menu. You return to the Windows desktop. Getting Further Help This training guide is designed to help you become familiar with Edgecam, introducing you to the concepts and skills you need to design and machine different types of component. You can refer to the following sources of information for further help on any aspect of Edgecam that is not covered in this training guide: Edgecam Design User Guide An Edgecam Manufacturing User Guide Edgecam on-line help. V2012 R1 Rev 9.0 Page 81 of 83