Solid Machinist

Pathtrace leads the CAD/CAM industry with Edgecam Solid Machinist, a powerful and seamlessly integrated CAM system for generating machining strategies and NC code for solid models. Edgecam Solid Machinist loads Edgecam Part Modeler, Autodesk Inventor®, Pro/ENGINEER®, SolidWorks®, Solid Edge® and CATIA V5 files into Edgecam, where a wide range of innovative features offer a quick and reliable route to manufacture.

Guaranteed data integrity
With Edgecam Solid Machinist, the solid model is not filtered through a translator. The result - more of the intelligence contained within the model can be used by Edgecam to generate efficient machining strategies.

Automatic feature finding
Edgecam Solid Machinist uses automatic feature recognition to interrogate the solid model to find machinable features. At a single click, pocket, boss and hole features are found and information relating to these features extracted. This information is used to select the correct tools and to machine the features using Edgecam's extensive range of cutting strategies.

Toolpath to model associativity
Manufacturing companies are facing increased pressure to reduce production lead times. A major way of reducing lead times is through concurrent design and manufacturing activities. However, the inevitable changes that take place during the design process put an increased burden on the manufacturing department to continually update the NC programs.

Edgecam's toolpath to model associativity means that even late changes to the model will not affect the manufacturing lead times. Edgecam Solid Machinist detects when the solid design model has changed and notifies the user. The user has the option to update the model to the modified version and automatically identify features that are new or have been changed or deleted. The Edgecam toolpaths are regenerated automatically and new NC code is produced.

Operational programming
Manufacturing operations are applied automatically to features, significantly reducing the number of keystrokes, mouse clicks and the time it takes to generate the NC program.

Advanced machining with intelligence

Edgecam Solid Machinist provides a complete solution for generating high quality toolpaths for solid models with a wide range of intelligent roughing and finishing cycles. Efficient, reliable and gouge free toolpaths that are optimized for high speed machining give the user the confidence to machine complex parts. Intelligent approach strategies provide high-quality surface finish while optimizing machining times and maximizing tool life.

Edgecam multiplane machining supports the machining of holes, pockets and surfaces on different faces of the part. This reduces total setup time and takes advantage of multi-axis machine capabilities.

Edgecam turning provides functionality for a wide range of machine tools, including 2-axis lathes, multi-turret configurations, sub-spindle turning centres and mill/turn machines. Using Feature Finder, Edgecam Solid Machinist identifies holes and mill features and creates turn profiles of the maximum turned envelope. These profiles ensure that the whole 3D model is considered for machining by creating a sweep of the maximum turned area, unlike the more usual ‘slicing' method, which just considers a 2D profile through a defined plane.

A complete solution

Edgecam does much more than generate NC code. Using innovative productivity tools, Edgecam develops machining strategies that optimize toolpaths, eliminate unnecessary air cutting, maximize tool life, reduce programming time and increase overall productivity.

Edgecam Simulator
Edgecam Simulator is a state-of-the-art tool that simulates and verifies the toolpath against the solid model. The tool, tool holder, stock and fixtures are all included in the simulation. The simulation gives a realistic representation of the machining process, any collisions are clearly displayed on screen and reported to the user. This allows the user to prove out programs off-line and move into production faster.

Edgecam Strategy Manager
Edgecam Strategy Manager is an interactice, graphical tool used to define and capture the way in which parts are cut. Edgecam Strategy Manager allows the user to capture best practice manufacturing methods and apply them to subsequent jobs, dramatically reducing programming time.

Edgecam Tool Selector
Automating tool selection reduces machining time and production costs. Edgecam Tool Selector provides the user with the optimum tool selection for machining, based on the available toolstore. Cycle times are optimised in line with currently available tooling, giving maximum machining efficiency.