CAM Software Reduces Five-Axis Cycle Times

DP Technology’s Esprit 2015 CAM software offers improvements for intelligent machining, strategic machining, CAD-CAM data exchange and cloud-enabled CAM. The software is designed to increase productivity for machine tool applications by generating more efficient tool paths, saving time and boosting CNC programming productivity.

Intelligent machining features in Esprit 2015 include five-axis cycles designed to reduce cycle time and make it possible to machine blades complete in one setup. The five-axis “blade roughing” tool motion is morphed across the blade from any sized stock shape to uniformly offset stock allowance so it can be immediately followed by a finishing cycle. This feature is especially useful for aerospace, energy, medical and automotive applications, the developer says. Intelligent machining improvements also include a “port roughing” five-axis cycle for removing material in an area where the tool must enter through a restricted opening.

The software’s strategic machining capabilities have been expanded with redesigned stock automation capabilities for multitasking machines with mill, turn and drill capabilities. The function maintains awareness of the stock removed by previous operations to generate cutting passes only in areas where stock remains, reducing air cutting and cycle time in facing, contouring and pocketing. Additional improvements include added support for slot mill tools in the “port milling” and “composite” cycles, and for barrel-shaped cutters in the “five-axis blade” and “composite” cycles.

Esprit 2015 offers new data exchange features to simplify moving information from CAD to CAM. Three new geometry types are available through Esprit FX data exchange from Dassault Systemes CATIA, Parametric Technology Pro/Engineer and Siemens NX/UG. The additional information obtained from these geometry types can be manipulated to cover complex areas for roughing operations or extend surfaces to get a better finish on edges. Automated feature recognition has been improved with enhanced “auto chain” support. The software release also includes the Esprit MachiningCloud Connection, enabling users to access up-to-date tooling data.