CAD/CAM

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© 2009 EZCAM Solutions Inc.

What’s new in EZCAM Version 17 Equidistant Surface Refinishing Strategy – A new Refinishing method has been added to the 3D Machining Wizard, which allows areas uncut by a preceding workstep, due to tool size or configuration, to be identified and re-machined using an equidistant toolpath. The Refin-ishing workstep uses the tool and parameters of a specified reference workstep to compute the uncut area boundaries, then applies an equidistant toolpath to them using the Refinish-ing workstep tool. This feature takes the guesswork out of complex surface refinishing, and eliminates many time consuming, error prone steps that would otherwise be required to manually create uncut area boundaries and apply re-machining strategies to them.

Standard finishing toolpath using equi-distant finishing option.

Equidistant surface refinishing toolpath uses the above displayed toolpath as reference and cleans up the corners with a smaller refinishing tool.

© 2009 EZCAM Solutions Inc.

New “Saved Stock” Simulation Stock Type – The Simulation / Optimization Setup dialog box includes a new Saved Stock option in the Stock Setup pick list. When selected, the pre-vious simulation model (as last saved by the “Save As Stock” command button) is used when simulating subsequent worksteps with 3D Preview or Rapid Cut. This feature saves time when developing a part program by allowing subsequent workstep toolpaths to be checked using the current in-process stock, thereby eliminating the need to re-process pre-vious workstep toolpaths in order to see the complete simulation model.

Save/Recall Simulation Model – In addition to the previous mentioned new options, the Simulation Setup dialog got another new option “Save Simulation”. If activated, the current 3D Preview / Rapid Cut simulation model is now automatically saved whenever the part file (.3dp for mill and .trn for turn) is saved. The model is saved in the same location as the part file and is assigned the same name using a .prj file extension. When the EZ-CAM part file is reopened, the corresponding simulation model is also opened, and can be instantly viewed using the Machining menu Recall Part command. This feature saves considerable time when revisiting previously created jobs, by eliminating the need to reprocess the toolpath in order to confirm the final as-cut part. However, automatically loading simulation models generated by complex 3D machining operations may take considerable time.

© 2009 EZCAM Solutions Inc.

Single File Save Option – A new Save All as One Part File option in the Setup dialog allows the complete EZ-CAM job to be saved in a single file (.3dp for mill and .trn for turn). When this option is enabled the geometry, curves, surfaces, and worksteps are all saved together. Existing geometry, surface, and part files may still be opened and merged with the current job, and geometry and surfaces can still be exported and shared with other jobs by using the Save As command. This new feature greatly simplifies job management by ensuring all related data is always captured in a single location.

Moving Worksteps in Spreadsheet – The workstep spreadsheet now allows a group of sequentially selected workstep rows to be moved up or down in the list using the up or down arrow keys on the keyboard. This feature makes it significantly easier to reorder and man-age the machining sequence.

2.5D Curve Machining Upper and Lower Fillet Options – The Contouring, Pocketing, and Zigzag cycles can now create toolpath to machine part features containing straight or draft walls with fillets at the top and/or bottom of the wall, using flat, bull nose, or ball end mills. A new Draft Options dialog box accessible from the Cycle Data tab consolidates the existing draft angle with the new top and bottom fillet parameters. These new options make it possible to create toolpath for common 3D part profile forms using simple 2D curve boundaries, and eliminate the need to use surface geometry and more advanced surfacing machining strategies.

© 2009 EZCAM Solutions Inc.

Contouring Closed Profile Overlap – The Contouring cycle includes a new Overlap pa-rameter on the Cycle Data tab, which defines an overlap distance to be applied to the ends of closed profile passes. The tool enters the cut at the start/end position then continues around the closed profile, cutting past the start/end position by the specified Overlap dis-tance, while following the profile. This feature helps to remove tooling marks on the part surface that might otherwise be present at the start/end position.

Redesigned Workstep List Box – The workstep list box has been redesigned to include several new features that provide better visual feedback, and make it easier to manage the machining operations.

• Configurable Height/Width – The Customize Buttons dialog includes new List Height and List Width parameters, which control the size of the listbox. The height can be increased from the default size by entering the number of additional rows to display. The width setting specifies the total number of columns to display, and like other toolbars, when docked also influences the panel width. This feature allows the user interface to be better configured to take advantage of wide screen monitors, and with the list width increased, allows longer and more descriptive workstep and entity names to be fully displayed.

© 2009 EZCAM Solutions Inc.

• New Icon symbolizing the cycle type now precedes each workstep in the list

• Deactivated worksteps are displayed in the list using a dimmed light gray color, and the active/inactive status can be toggled by right mouse button clicking on the workstep name

• Moving Work Steps - Selected workstep/s can be moved up or down in the list us-ing the left (move upward) and right (move downward) arrow keys on the keyboard.

• Unique Entity Colors in Selection List Box – The entity selection list box, dis-played for group commands such as Move and Delete, now displays each entity type using a unique color. Curves are displayed in blue, surfaces in cyan, worksteps in black, and user coordinate systems in red. This feature helps distinguish the various entities displayed in the list, and reduces the chance of picking a wrong, but similarly named entity when performing a group command.

Black = Dark Blue =

Cyan = Red =

Worksteps Curves Surfaces UCS Systems (User Coordinate Systems)

© 2009 EZCAM Solutions Inc.

Import XYZ Point Data – A new Import XYZ Data command in the Automation menu al-lows point data to be imported from ASCII files and converted directly into EZ-CAM curve and/or geometry elements. The points can be interpreted as a profile comprised of linear or spline links, and the resulting profile can be further optimized and fit with lines and arcs based on specified chordal and tangency tolerances. Additional options allow Z values to be automatically set to zero, and provide the ability to create just the curve, geometry ele-ments, or both. This command has a variety of useful applications from importing toolpath coordinates from existing NC programs to reverse engineering components using digitized data.

• The following rules apply to the ASCII file format:

• All coordinates for a given point need to be on single line

• Coordinates must have preceding axis characters (x or y or z, in either case)

• Axis sequence can be mixed (xyz or zxy, etc.)

• Characters are permitted between axis letter and value (X=34.56 Y=48.11 Z=0.0)

• Coordinates can be separated by characters (space, tab, etc.)

• Decimal character can be a period of comma.

Solidworks 2009 Compatibility – The EZ-CAM data translator has been updated to allow SLDPRT and SLDASM files saved from Solidworks 2009 to be imported into EZCAM.

© 2009 EZCAM Solutions Inc.

Repetitions & Fixture Offset Wizard – A new Multiple Fixtures wizard has been added to the Automation menu to allow the repeat and fixture offset parameters of all worksteps to be viewed in a scrolling list. The number of repetition Copies, Base Fixture Offset number, and Repeat Group by Tool sequencing parameters can all be specified and applied to all worksteps using a single command. The Multiple Fixture wizard ensures all repetitions are set consistently, and allows worksteps to be developed first for a single part, and then repe-titions applied later to the final program.