EdgeCAM CAD/CAM 2021 software from Hexagon, has launched with claims of boosted customer productivity through lower computer processing time, and faster toolpaths.
A number of these productivity-boosts are said to have been achieved through reducing calculation time by enhancing EdgeCAM 2021’s parallel processing capability.
Two of the most popular machining cycles in the software – Roughing and Profiling – benefit from improvements to the software’s multi-threading technology algorithms.
As a result, EdgeCAM‘s high speed Waveform Roughing strategy is now faster when generating toolpaths for both solid and wireframe components.
“Numerous benchmark tests show a 30 per cent improvement in calculation times, compared to the previous version,” claims Miguel Johann, EdgeCAM machining market and product manager.
When using the Profiling cycle’s Undercut function, savings of between 40- and 60 per cent have been recorded in Hexagon’s tests, depending on the part’s size and complexity.
Most of this is put down to improvements in the software’s architecture, which give a reported average time saving of 70 per cent on checking toolpaths with Machine Simulator when the software is initially launched.
A radical overhaul of the probing functionality in EdgeCAM 20201 revolves around 8 new cycles, which deliver support for programming a variety of on-machine probing cycles.
The cycles’ NC output can be configured to support Hexagon’s existing m&h probing macros, as well as many other popular probing systems for different controls and native probing languages of Siemens and Heidenhain controls.
Following specific customer requests, six new or updated commands have been introduced into the Inspection operation, including the ability to globally edit existing features, and to specifically control the layout of both Linear and Rectangular Array features.
The Face Mill Cycle, an oft-used strategy in EdgeCAM, now offers better toolpath control, reductions to cycle times, less tool wear, and can potentially increase machine tool longevity.
As well as time savings, the new Cut by Region option deploys a more even toolpath, completing each segment of a component before moving on to another region.
Another new feature, Outside To In strategy, promotes more intelligent toolpaths, as well as reducing cycle times.
Dovetail tool cutters, which were introduced in the previous version of EdgeCAM, can now be used with a Profiling cycle in both milling and turning environments.
The EdgeCAM 2021 release includes two new machine tool configuration features to aid best practice.
Variable pitch and multiple axis support on tool mounting blocks has been introduced in Linear Turret Lathes kinematics. Using a simple switch in the Code Wizard to stipulate the exact position of numerous tool stations on a turret, while clearly showing this in the Machine Simulator.
Multi-task machine tools can now support cutting tools mounted inside Angle Head attachments – a type of tool configuration that’s been in EdgeCAM’s milling environment for a while now, giving users a tried and tested feature.
Finally, Wire EDM includes a new strategy to the Wire Set-Up command and extended controller support. The ‘create pocket rough tag and finish files’ strategy supports industry best practice and allows users to create four separate NC files, for Pocketing, Roughing, Tag creation, and Finishing.
Technology tables for Charmilles and ONA AV have been added, along with enhanced support for a range of Mitsubishi controllers.
