Solid model CAM software

Citation

(1998), "Solid model CAM software", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770baf.005

Solid model CAM software

Software solutions for aerospace

Solid model CAM software

EdgeCAM for Mechanical Desktop is the first in the EdgeCAM for Solids suite of CAM software developed by the Truline Technology Group company, Pathtrace Engineering Systems Limited of Reading, to provide direct machining of solid models. The innovative CAM software is tightly integrated with Mechanical Desktop, Autodesk's best-selling parametric feature-based solid and surface modelling solution for mechanical design on Windows-based PCs.

EdgeCAM for Mechanical Desktop uses an operational programming approach so the user benefits directly from the substantial automation of the process derived by this method. Keystrokes and mouse clicks are reportedly reduced by something like 20:1 and, because the software operates from within Mechanical Desktop, the user interface is familiar and easy to learn and use.

Solid models contain considerable amountsof manufacturing knowledge, such as features, material, and internal and external parameters of the part. This information is extracted directly by EdgeCAM for Mechanical Desktop and therefore it is able to automate programming and eliminate errors caused by the more traditional manual data input methods.

Pathtrace inform us that features of the solid model, such as holes, pockets and surfaces are automatically recognised which means manufacturing processes can be automatically applied. For example, all roughing and finishing using multiple tools for a feature, such as a pocket, hole or surface, can be performed with just one operation which significantly simplifies the process and reduces the time to generate an NC program.

Pathtrace EdgeCAM software and Mikron's machining centres demonstrate programming productivity

A single part file is used for all design and manufacturing data and any generated tool paths are saved with the model. When changes are made to the model, the tool paths can be automatically updated and, because geometry is not filtered though a translator and stripped of manufacturing knowledge, full data integrity is said to be assured.

Pathtrace's EdgeCAM for Mechanical Desktop also capitalises on the benefits of concurrent engineering by generating manufacturing processes in parallel with design development and ensuring manufacturing viability to be determined early in the design cycle. This is a major contributor in reducing product time to market.

EdgeCAM for Mechanical Desktop is a 32-bit Microsoft Windows NT and 95-based CAM system that supports up to 5-axis milling, 2, 4, C and Y-axis turning and 2 and 4-axis wire EDM.

Details from Pathtrace Engineering Systems Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 118 975 6084; Web site: www.pathtrace.com