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Edgecam Milling
Intelligent Machining From Native CAD Data
EDGECAM’s 3D capability offers a complete solution for generating high quality, gouge protected toolpaths that meet the demands of manufacturers tasked with the programming and machining of complex parts and free form shapes.
EDGECAM offers not only best in class prismatic machining capabilities, you also have powerful 3D solid and surface machining strategies.
Features at a glance:
- One single machining environment
- Full machine tool and toolpath simulation
- Full collision checking
- Full boundary control – tool contact, inside, outside etc
- Efficient link moves for High Speed Machining
- In process stock, reducing air cutting
Waveform Roughing Industries involved in the manufacturing of 3D forms such as Aerospace, Prototyping,
Mould Tools and General Engineering will all benefit from Edgecam's 3D machining
cycles. Edgecam offers not only best in class prismatic machining capabilities, you also
have powerful 3D solid and surface machining strategies, all in one solution.
With an extensive suite of advanced 3D cycles that are ideally suited for rapidly
generating toolpaths for all surface and solids machining needs, Edgecam's advanced
machining cycles bring optimised toolpath control, reduced cycle times and an overall
higher level of machining efficiency.
Unlike many CAM systems, Edgecam is 'CAD neutral', so whatever CAD system you
use, interoperability between CAD and CAM is seamless, with no data translation. This
means that you machine exactly what the designer intended, and toolpaths remain
associative to the master model.
Edgecam can directly load
- Autodesk Inventor®, Solid Edge®, SolidWorks®, Pro/ENGINEER®, Pro/DESKTOP®
- Unigraphics files up to and including NX5, and CATIA V5.
- Edgecam also accepts files in the following independent formats: IGES, DXF, VDA, Parasolid®, STEP AP203 and AP214 files and ACIS.
Extensive range of 3D cycles 3D machining technology is embedded in all Edgecam's
milling cycles and applies 2D or 3D toolpaths based upon the cycle being used and the
interrogation of the geometry to be machined.
Roughing Edgecam applies the most efficient approach move for each region of the
model utilising waveform cycle and trochoidal cutter paths to avoid full width cuts,
automatically adjusting the toolpath for efficient and safe machining, improving cutting
conditions and allowing higher machining speeds to be maintained.
Waveform Roughing Waveform cycle is superior to the traditional roughing cycle
where machinable geometry is offset inward or outward by % step over. Traditional tool
paths have to run slower feeds and speeds due to the variable widths of cut condition
when encountering corners and material entry.
Wave form toolpath has been developed to remove tool load spikes and maintain and
even chip thickness and generating a fluid tool path throughout the machinable
elements using a flowing motion. Consistent tool loads generated from the waveform
tool path offers the user the opportunity to rethink speeds, feeds, and depths of cut. The
Waveform tool path increases tool life and is also kinder to the machine tool.
Rest Machining This intelligent cycle can automatically remove areas of residual
material left behind by the tool size and depths of cut. Intermediate slices may be used
to reduce the size of the step left by the roughing cycle. Only the step region is
machined for intermediate slices.
Rest roughing allows the use of large tools to clear away the bulk of the material for the
main roughing then select a smaller tool to remove residual material, thus optimising
cycle times.
Parallel Lace This command is sometimes referred to as scanning. A series of parallel
toolpaths are applied to the model to produce a finish part or used with depths of cut to
produce a roughing cycle.
Profiling Profiling commands are essential not only for 2.5D machining, but also for 3D
freeform machining. You use this cycle to finish surfaces in a series of XY profiles down
the Z axis on surfaces and solids. Using cusp height control, this will adjust the depths
of cut to maintain a constant surface finish. Steep and shallow areas can also be
controlled allow the shallow areas to be finished using alternate techniques.
3D profiling can be applied to follow profiles in XY, and Z moves, reducing air cut time by
following the components 3D form. Lead in and lead out moves are calculated to avoid
any gouging of the component or stock.
Projection When machining 3D forms, specific tool path patterns may be required such
as circular, radial, or spiral on a boss, possibly following flow curves.
Controlling these paths is made easy by creating 2D tool paths then projecting the
patterns onto the part surface. This technique is very useful for engraving logo's and
text.
Finishing Along with projection methods, Constant Cusp machining can be employed
to produce an even surface finish on large areas of a mould tool or component. The
toolpath constantly adjusts to follow to part surface shape resulting in a uniform cusp.
The use of Rest Finishing and Pencil Milling cycles allow the user to machine the
internal corners and radii of the model, ensuring the finished component is fully
machined with little or no hand dressing.
Many complex parts are not all freeform shapes where full XYZ movements of the
machine tool are required, but have many flat areas where a standard end mills would
be produce a faster toolpath and superior finish. Edgecam's Flat Land command will
automatically seek out and machine these Flat regions.
When combined our 3D Machining cycles with our 5-axis module, the capability of
converting 3 axis tool paths to 5 axis toolpaths provides the ability to get better reach
and cutting conditions.
Simulator for 3D The Machine Simulator offers full simulation of the machine tool and
machining process, as well as detecting collisions between machine, holders, tooling,
helping you to :
- Avoid expensive collisions
- Optimise the cutting process
- Avoid costly prove-outs
- Reduce cycle time
- 'View Comparison' identifying areas of un-cut material