CAM Software Update Enhances Turning, Milling, Wire EDM

Vero Software’s Edgecam 2017 R2 introduces a new turning cycle that includes B-axis movements while machining on a turning center. According to the company, this feature provides greater accessibility when machining complex profiles, by dynamically positioning the insert. Besides this, the release includes some 20 new and enhanced functionalities covering turning, milling, simulation and wire EDM.

For Feature Finding, information transmitted by CadLink has been enhanced where “Limits and Fit” data is now passed to the Edgecam feature. This support covers CREO, SolidWorks and Inventor files. As well as showing the characteristic of the feature, this information also enables strategy manager authors to capture and use the data when creating machining routines.

The 2017 R2 release continues Edgecam’s evolution of updating cycle dialogs with pictures and context-sensitive help. Slot milling, project flow curves and project circular pattern cycles have all been updated. This feature enables regular users easily interpret infrequently used commands, but it also helps less familiar users quickly understand fundamental functionality, the company says.

The Inspection Module eases sophisticated probe path generation for both in-process and end-item part inspection. Responding to the growing need for offline inspection and probing, Edgecam caters to CAM programmers and uses CAD models. Easy-to-use commands enable the user to create a set of inspection features that are then converted into a tool path and simulated. This means the machine code macros are created via Edgecam’s postprocessor.

The Machine Simulator benefits from two enhancements. The ability to pick the target component while using View Comparison was introduced in the previous release, and has now been enhanced so that users can now opt for “All components,” which is especially useful when working with numerous parts on a multi-loaded fixture, the company says. Secondly, a quicker, more convenient way of rewinding the tool paths has been introduced when exiting Machine Simulator: rather than using the traditional menu option, users can now simply hold down the Shift key.

For wire EDM users, numerous enhancements have been made to the Machine Configurator. Support for multiple versions of EDM Expert is now available, and new technology settings have been added, enabling cycles to automatically switch to the appropriate EDM Expert technology page.