TopSolid’Cam 2011

Main improvements

Main improvements

2D operations multi-geometry

2D contouring improvements

New 3D finishing cycles

4 Axis improvements

5 Axis

Turning improvements

Machine replacement

2D contouring

Multi-geometry contouring (1/2)

The user is able to machine several profiles at different altitudes. The links between each tool

path, the order of the tool paths, the depths and the starting Z can be managed in the dialog box

directly. This creates one operation and only one. The strategy « by Z levels » allows the

machining of parts which present very thin walls which are frequently used on aeronautical

parts.

2D contouring

Multi-geometry contouring (2/2)

This technique could be used to make some engraving and avoid jumps between tool paths.

State surface quality is preserved.

2D contouring

Profile to contour calculation

In some particular cases, the calculation of the profile to contour fails

because the bottom face of the part to machine is not planar. This new

setting allows the definition of the altitude to cut the face to define the

profile to machine. More, this technique makes easier the compare and

replace of parts replacement.

2D contouring

Contouring / engraving self-intersected profiles

ZMI_SELF_INTERSECTED_CURVE_PARALLEL 1

TopSolid’Cam 2011 supports self-intersected profiles. This option is accessible trough a

configuration word. See the differences between the left and right pictures.

2D contouring

Helical and alternate contouring on open profiles

TopSolid’Cam 2011 supports helical contouring on open profiles. Bi-directional cutting is

supported too. For aeronautical parts, this allows efficiently tool paths which remove lot of

material. Cutter compensation changes are managed automatically.

Multi-Pocketing

Running processes on multi-pocketing function

Processes can be run trough faces analysis.

The user rights click on the selected face to

choose the process to use. Machine this part

can be done fully automatically.

3D Finishing new cycle

Helical Z Level (1/2)

Helical Z Level allows

constant contact between

the tool and the material.

When the part has some

bosses (like the pictures

on the left), the

application manages

retracts to prevent tool

overloads in the areas

which aren’t still

machined.

3D Finishing new cycle

Helical Z Level (2/2)

Helical Z Level should

become a common

strategy for parts which

are like this tripod car.

The application creates a

tool path which goes

down of one Z step by

revolution.

3D Finishing new cycle

Z Level contact mode

Z Level finishing operation supports “contact” mode. The user can select the faces where he

wants to be in contact. The tool path is trimmed by the contact faces. Very useful for

aeronautical parts. Note: it was developed last year for Parallel plane technology. (PPT)

3D Finishing new cycle

Morphing (1/3)

Morphing is a new

strategy. The tool path is

created from 2 open or 2

closed curves. The first

selected curve is

deformed progressively to

obtain the second one.

Intermediate curves can

be set to modify the

“look” of the tool path.

This one is helical to

perform better cutting

conditions. The scallop

height cannot be constant

but the tool never jumps

to guaranty a good surface

quality.

3D Finishing new cycle

Morphing (2/3)

Morphing supports

several modes to define

the tool position regarding

the curves. Contact, on,

before and after are

available.

However, undercut aren’t

handled by the

application.

3D Finishing new cycle

Morphing (3/3)

In some cases, morphing can be seen as a tool path strategy which should replace the sweeping

strategy. In the sample above, the faces aren’t machinable by using ISO-Parametric machining

because the ISOs are too different. Morphing between 2 open curves solves that question!

3D Finishing new cycle

3D tool radius compensation

Some modern numerical controllers

support 3D tool radius compensation. In

that case, the application must provide a

direction to apply the compensation

(difference between the programmed tool

radius and the real tool radius). These

vectors can be displayed on user

demand. To be efficient, the tool radius

must be smaller than the local radius of

the part. On other hands, the tool path

must be continuous.

4D Roughing

Areas and limitation curves

4 Axis roughing can be trimmed by curves for specific cases. The application does the same

thing with the finishing option (picture on the right).

5D Machining

3D to 5D conversion: new collision check settings

In case of collisions between the tool and the part which aren’t avoidable by changing the tilt

angles, the application allows other different settings. For example, by jumping to the clearance

point like the example above.

5D Machining

Miscellaneous

Database

Database structures and database models have been completely reviewed to perform better tool path,

faster computation and realistic simulation. User interfaces have been modified too, to be homogeneous.

5 Axis vectors modification

5 axis vectors modification has been completely reviewed and merged with the tool path solution edition.

When executing an operation plan again, if the 5 axis tool path is not modified, vectors modifications are

kept (so, it is no necessary to do it again)

Simulation

Simulation takes account of the real angular position of the tool according the previous operations

5D Machining

Swarf machining drive & check surfaces

Swarf machining provides a new option where the user can define Drives & Checks surfaces to perform the tool

path calculation.

5D Machining

Swarf machining faces selection (mode ISO)

In the case of the part which is above, selecting the faces (called ISO mode selection) makes a “nightmare” on

the tool path because the ISO-Parametric structure is not continuous and the application cannot chain the faces

correctly. Look at the faces as the software sees them.

5D Machining

Swarf machining faces selection (Drive & check surfaces)

By using drive and check faces, the application creates a guide curve which is the base of the

tool path calculation. In that specific case, the tool path can be created even if the topology of

the part is bad. You can compare with the result of the previous slide.

5D Machining

Swarf machining air cutting management

A new setting allows the trim of all the tool paths which aren’t in contact with the part. This

avoids air cuttings.

5D Machining

Homogeneous user interface

Swarf machining, 5 axis contouring, 5

axis sweeping, 3D to 5D function

purpose the same user interface,

especially on “Axis and angular

limitations” and on “Retracts

movements”.

Some new options are available to set

parameters which were set automatically

before:

•What the application have to do in case

of undefined solution or in case of

undetermined solution?

•What the application have to do when

bounds are reached?

•Locally clearance block or cylinder

definition.

•Etc.

Turning

Plunge roughing

Inside the plunge roughing cycle itself, an optimization can be apply to avoid air cuttings on

large grooves. The retract movements are made until the places where the material has been

removed to save time and productivity.

Turning

Management of small displacements in contouring

In case of very small

movements (length

movement is smaller than

the feed rate per

revolution value), it is

necessary to reduce the

feed rate to obtain the

right shape. By default,

the feed rate was divided

by 2. However, now, the

customer can choose the

wanted ratio.

Machine

Machine replacement

A wizard allows the replacement of a machine by another

one, even if the kinematics of the original and destination

machines are completely different. Operations which aren’t

possible to be performed on the destination machine are

automatically inactivated. The wizard is based on 5 steps.

Machine

Machine replacement Wizard

1 Start replacement

2 Choice of the

replacement machine-

tool 3 Axis analysis and

replacement 4 Tools replacement

5 Part positioning

Miscellaneous

Tool paths

•Different colors on approaches and retracts to make the difference with the tool path itself.

Operations manager:

The cutting conditions tab has 2 new columns:

•Tools numbers

•Tools compensation numbers

Part creation

• In the part creation command, the lasso allows to select several parts as finish parts to share the same stock

•Stock dimensions setting have been reviewed

Differed computing

•Revolved parallel plane and swarf machining can use the differed computing.

Minimal tool length for a tool

•The minimal tool length of a tool can be set according the stock

WCS

•The function « WCS list » can display the list of all the WCSs of all the parts

Thanks

Obrigado

Danke

Gracias

Grazie

Tack

Thanks

Merci