Planit Releases Edgecam 2011 R2

Planit Releases Edgecam 2011 R2

TUSCALOOSA, AL, May 24, 2011 - The milling, turning and tooling capabilities of the market-leading CAM system, Edgecam, all benefit from major developments in the latest release of the software.

In addition, the software’s Solid Machinist, Simulator and Part Modeler functions also gain substantial upgrades, with 30% faster loading times in storing solid models in the part file.

Project manager Paul Cross says: “Edgecam 2011 R2 includes something new for all users, from improvements to importing CAD data, through feature recognition, and into manufacture, where new cycles and options are available before full collision checking in Simulator.”

The following are just some of the many improvements in functionality and ease-of-use in Edgecam 2011 R2:

Milling

One of the most important new functions is linear axis limit checking, where Edgecam now reports when a cycle exceeds the limits of the machine tool and indicates axis and direction. This allows the user to take immediate corrective action, improving machine checking and reducing prove out time.

5-axis users can now convert a Profiling cycle to a 5-axis cycle by using the new 3 to 5-axis Cycle command, which is available with ballnose tools. This new function, which is an easy way of creating a 5-axis cycle, means shorter tools can be used to improve stability, and the shank and holder are protected from collisions.

Solid Machinist

Improvements have been made to storing solid models in the Edgecam part file, giving up to 30% faster loading times, and up to 10 times faster switching between render models (wireframe, hidden line and solid).

Edgecam 2011 R2 introduces a new license for Solid Machinist for NX. This allows a wider range of NX files to be loaded, gives support for NX assemblies, and supports the latest NX release.

Edgecam Simulator

Following improvements to collision checking in the last version, Simulator has been further enhanced, allowing all machine graphics to be checked against the stock, fixtures and other parts of the machine. This enables machine setup to be proven safely off-line ensuring that the actual setup can be carried out with confidence.

Simulator has been upgraded to support 64-bit architecture to handle much larger memory requirements, giving improved performance, smoother running on large simulation parts, and the ability to save large STL models.

Ease of Use

View management in Edgecam has been enhanced to include dynamic view rotation and creation of views relative to world coordinates, machine coordinates or a construction plane. There are now four isometric views to choose from and the view menu is dockable in the browser to optimize the display layout. Viewing a turning part in Simulator also benefits from the improved Profile Turn View and the ability to specify which quadrant to base the three quarter turn view on.

To ensure users are kept up-to-date about the software, the customer notifications feature issues messages about software and license updates, and tips and tricks. These messages are delivered via the client license server (CLS) allowing users to stay instantly up to date with the latest Edgecam software.

Tooling

Through coolant is as relevant for modern turning tools as it is for milling tools; therefore, the Through Coolant option has been added to the Spindle tab of all turning toolchange dialogs – and it is also available on the turning Tool Geometry tab in ToolStore.

Previously the F Distance option was only available for turn and bore tools. In Edgecam 2011 R2 this has been extended with the F Distance now able to be set for grooving, parting off and threading tools in toolchange dialogs and ToolStore.

CAD Support

As a Silver Value Added Reseller, and Autodesk Authorized Developer, Edgecam has gained full certification from Autodesk for the 2011 R2 release to be used with its Inventor 2012 CAD software.

Edgecam also offers support for the loading of models the from latest releases of other popular CAD products including SolidWorks, Solid Edge, NX, Creo Elements/Pro, SpaceClaim and CATIA V5.

Part Modeler

A number of licenses for new CAD loaders are available for purchase, allowing NX, Creo Elements/Pro, CATIA V5 and ACIS files to be loaded into Part Modeler.

About Edgecam

Edgecam, a market leading computer aided manufacturing (CAM) system for NC part programming, offers a complete solution for milling, turning and mill-turn programming with unparalleled ease of use and sophisticated toolpath generation. Edgecam is a brand within the Planit group – recently ranked by CIMdata as the world’s fastest growing CAM vendor, with most industrial users.

Publicado en: http://www.tenlinks.com/news/PR/Planit_holdings/052411_edgecam2011_r2.htm