First, those originating part programmes are live-linked, rather than inserted as a copy, so any edits to underlying operations can very quickly be propagated to your tombstone set-ups. There are a number of benefits to this approach.
EDGECAM SUPPORT HOW TO
The process uses a common datum to position parts the idea here is that you do all of the programming for each individual part, then have the system work out how to link multiple instances or different parts, in terms of consolidating common operations (by plane/datum or to minimise tool changes). Then you start to add in the parts you want to machine. To begin, you start with an ‘Insert Tombstone’ command and set up the usual machine options, clearances and so on. It’s an additional licence requirement, but if you’re carrying out this type of work, that’s probably to be expected. While Edgecam has supported tombstone in the past, where multiple parts are loaded onto specialised fixtures to enable rapid production, the workflow involved was complex, particularly if you were working across multiple different parts and at the same time trying to maintain a rationalised tooling library.įor 2019, the workflow has been overhauled to make the process both easier and more intelligent. Tombstone managerĪnother key focus for the latest set of releases is greater support for tombstone machining. Set-up is, as you would expect, pretty simple, as it’s focused on maintaining engagement angle, speeds and feeds. When combined with Waveform’s efficiencies, the end result is a set of operations that maximises material removal with less wear on your inserts and a more efficient operation. This is focused, for the time being at least, on button-style turning tooling, which allows you to cut both directions on the spindle axis. What’s new for the 2019 release is that the team has also integrated this capability into the turning environment. Waveform has expanded beyond Edgecam, in fact, and is now available in the majority of Hexagon’s milling systems, including Alphacam, Edgecam, Surfcam, VISI and WorkNC. There are a number of benefits to this approach, ranging from more efficient toolpaths to a decrease in cutter wear (and reduced cost as it focuses on cheaper carbide-style tooling), as well as less heat build-up and machine wear. In more open areas, it’s opened up, allowing a constant speed and feed to be maintained. In the context of Edgecam’s technology, rather than changing speeds and feeds, Waveform adjusts the toolpath to maintain the tool engagement angle (the portion of the cutter in contact with the stock) to within a workable, optimal range (between 20% and 30%) and thus ensures consistent material removal.Īs a result, in tight spots, such as the corners of pockets, width of cut is reduced. What varies between each vendor is how they deliver this capability. Introduced back in 2014, Waveform is Edgecam’s take on trochoidal roughing, whereby the CAM system attempts to maintain a constant load between cutter and stock. This is also a great way of GUI simplification for occasional users. If you’re looking at this as a means to clearly establish corporate standards and best practices for users, you begin with a single seat, make all of the customisations (a task that has to be performed ‘in product’), then export a theme to be used across the whole user group. Using the concept of masks, it’s possible to hard-code in options and variables within a command, and then ensure that only the options that the user needs to change are exposed. What’s interesting here is that rather than just being a case of configuration – the moving around of toolbars and icons, for example – users now have more granular control over how the system presents commands, options and operations. What’s changed, perhaps, is how the system goes about meeting that not-inconsiderable challenge, as well as the range of production techniques that it now supports.Īs ever, the Edgecam interface is up-todate with modern standards, but continues to offer the customisability that many users have come to expect and regularly use. Today’s system looks as fresh and modern as ever and its emphasis remains on making life easy for the machinist. Edgecam now supports the use of button style tool in lathes to great effect
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