Edgecam launches Edgecam 2013 R2 and eSupport forum

Edgecam 2013 R2 features a number of other additional or enhanced functionalities. These include a redesign of dialogues, four-turret support, free loading of CAD files into Part Modeler, quicker simulation, and improvements to the Wire EDM Feature Finder. However, says Edgecam, Workflow is the most far reaching of the enhancement in 2013 R2, as it will allow CADCAM engineers to apply toolpaths in seconds. Tools aid in loading and positioning the component, choosing the manufacturing method and suitable machine tools, adding user defined stock or stock from a database, importing fixtures, selecting a machine and toolkit, and managing strategies to automate manufacture. At each stage Workflow takes decisions or makes suggestions as to how the goal is best achieved. Such decisions can be over-ridden, if required, making the whole process flexible. All Edgecam dialogues have been updated to include a set of buttons to guide the user through geometry selections interactively. Buttons are highlighted as geometry is required and if the geometry is mandatory, and must be selected, then the button is marked with an underline. When the data is picked, the appropriate button is ticked to show successful selection. If the geometry selection is not required the appropriate button is greyed out. If any buttons are left without data after the OK button has been clicked, a prompt will be displayed and the user will be asked to select the geometry. Part Modeler now comes with free CAD Model Loaders for Parasolid, Step, NX, ACIS, Inventor, Catia V5 and Creo Parametric files. A Move hole and Faces command allows the repositioning of features from models designed in another CAD system. They can either be moved from the original CAD datum position or relative to a user defined position. To modify features – for example, holes, grooves, pocket walls and boss heights on a third party model – individual features can be moved to create a Manufacturing Model from a design model, allowing for mid-tolerancing models to be created and manage conditions created, such as expansion when using heat treatments. Simulator now runs as a separate process from Edgecam. A major benefit when simulating large parts, says Edgecam, is that it starts instantly on second start up, from where it last finished, so there is no need to run it from the start each time. Also Update Stock is up to 50% quicker than in the previous release. Simulator rendering has also been enhanced. By default, stock surfaces are rendered with a metallic look. Now a Flat Rendering option has been added to render the surfaces with a non-metallic look. Rapid Result has been improved for this release and Tool graphics are now displayed, with Toggle Tool and Toggle Tool Holders buttons enabled. A Wire Profile Feature command has been added to find features suitable for Wire Erosion from a solid. This facility removes the need to extract the edges from the solid to make the wireframe fences. Faces can now be picked individually, by window or chained and selected faces can have differing levels and heights; they do not need to be on parallel planes. It is possible to control the XY and UV Profile Height of the feature using controls on the feature dialogue. The identified Wire Features appear in the feature list and have their own list of properties. The global eSupport community is intended a one-stop shop for sharing technical information, comprising forums, online documents, searchable databases and technical videos. Wiki will be continuously updated with topics from the forum to build a comprehensive knowledge base and Frequently Asked Questions database, as well as showing 'What's New' from each release, and resolved issues. Current maintenance users can access the Customer Community Forum through the Customer Support Portal, where uses have access to Edgecam releases and updates.