The Wire EDM Job

Introduction

This topic will explain where to create a Wire EDM Job from, will explain the Wire EDM Job, and all the items found in it. This topic will also provide links to related topics.

The Wire EDM Job

The Wire EDM Job in the CAM Tree provides the tools needed to define job settings, machine and post processor selection, stock, stock material, toolpath patterns, and Wire EDM features.

Navigation

To create a Wire EDM Job, use one of the following two options:

 

  • In the CAM Tree, right-click CAM Defaults, and click New Job.

 

  • In the CAM Job group, of the CAM ribbon, click New CAM Job.

  • In the quick access toolbar, of the CAM Tree Manager, click New CAM Job.

    The Machining Job dialog displays.

    • Click Wire EDM, and click OK to add the job to the CAM Tree.

      You can also click Stock Wizard to open the Stock Wizard and define the stock and machine setup for the job.

The Wire EDM Job in the CAM Tree

The following items are added to the CAM Tree when you create a Wire EDM job.

 

Wire EDM Job

System Default

Machine

Post Processor

Workpiece

Stock

Stock Material

Machine Setup

 

All of the job items in the tree contain a right-click shortcut menu that is used to access the commands as explained next.

The Shortcut Menus

Job Settings, Commands, and Setup Sheets

Right-click Wire EDM Job to open a shortcut menu with the following commands.

 

Wire EDM Job

 

    • Current Settings - opens the Current Settings Job dialog box for you to change various machine and posting settings for the job only.

    • Machining Order - opens the Machining Order dialog box for you to define the posting order and optimization.

    • Post - creates the NC program and displays it in the Posting tab (of the Layer-UCS-Post Manager). You can view the posted program, but you can't edit it in this location. Right-click anywhere in the Posting window to access another shortcut menu, or use Post & Save As.

    • Post & Save As - creates and displays the NC program, but first opens the Save As dialog box for you to name and save the file. You can use the default location, or select your own location.

    • Generate Setup Sheet - opens the Setup Sheet dialog box for you to select a template to format the output of the setup sheet and define what information is included. Select a Template, and click OK. The setup sheet is created and displayed in a browser showing all of the applicable information for the current job.

    • Generate Setup Sheet & Save As - opens the Setup Sheet dialog box for you to select a template to format the output of the setup sheet and define what information is included. Select a Template, and click OK. The Save As dialog box is displayed for you to select a location in which all of the setup sheet information is stored. Select a location and name the .xml file. When you click OK, a folder is created with all of the same information of the selected template, and the .xml file, in the specified location. The setup sheet is then displayed in a browser showing all of the applicable information for the current job.

Tip: When the Setup Sheet information displays, you can use the File - Save As command of the browser to save the file to another format or for later use. You can also print the setup sheet using the File - Print commands of the browser.

 

    • Simulation - opens the simulation window for you to view any computed feature operations set to Post Yes. To learn more, view Getting Started with Simulation.

    • Update All Geometries - Updates all geometry associated in the CAM Tree.

    • Compute All Toolpath - computes all feature operations in the job.

    • Post Yes/No - toggles whether or not all feature operations in the job are output in the posted program.

    • Blank/Unblank All - toggles the visibility status of the stock and all operations in the job to hide or show. Note that you can then click any CAM Tree icon that contains a preview to show the preview of that item in the workspace until you click another location to change the focus.

    • Edit Cutting Conditions - opens the Edit Cutting Conditions Database dialog box for you to modify the cutting conditions parameters, which allows you to modify and save the database information.

    • Search Cutting Conditions - (shown for Sodick AQ machines only) opens the Sodick Cutting Conditions Search dialog box for you to search the Sodick Cutting Conditions as a reference that you can use when setting values in the Cutting Conditions dialog box of the Wire EDM Wizard.

    • Save as Job Template - saves the entire job to be loaded as a template for later jobs. See The Job from Template topic for more information.

    • Delete - deletes the entire job and all items from the CAM Tree.

    • Collapse Items - collapses the child items of the Wire EDM Job folder. This is the same as clicking the minus sign () next to all child items of Wire EDM Job.

    • Expand Items - expands the child items of the Wire EDM Job folder. This is the same as clicking the plus sign () next to all child items of Wire EDM Job.

    • Rename - allows you to rename the job.

System Default

The System Defaults allow you to alter the default values for all features and operations. To learn more, see The Default Parameter Templates topic.

 

System Default

 

  • Edit - opens the Parameter Template Selection dialog to allow you to select a specific template from the available saved templates.

Machine Selection

Right-click Machine to open a shortcut menu with the following command.

 

Machine

 

  • Edit - opens the Machine Selection dialog box for you to select a machine for the job. This is a quick-change dialog box that is provided for you to change the machine without the need to open the Current Settings Job dialog box. Next to Make, click the arrow, and select a machine from the list. To change the machine and close the dialog box, click OK.

Post Processor Selection

Right-click Post Processor to open a shortcut menu with the following command.

 

Post Processor

 

  • Edit - opens the Set Post Processor dialog for you to change the post processor that is used to generate the NC Program. This is a quick-change dialog box that is provided for you to change the post processor without the need to open the Current Settings Job dialog. Click Select to display the Open dialog box, and select a .EDMPst file. To update the post processor and close the dialog, click OK. Click OK again to close the Set Post Processor dialog.

Assigning a Workpiece

The Workpiece item in the CAM Tree allows you to assign the geometry that displays in the simulation window as the workpiece (final part). When you assign a workpiece, only the assigned geometry is passed to simulation regardless of how many models are visible in the Workspace. The workpiece can be assigned during the job setup or by using the CAM Tree.

 

Right-click Workpiece to access a shortcut menu with the following commands.

 

Workpiece

 

  • Re/Select - enables selection mode for you to assign workpiece geometry or to modify the current assignment. After assigning or modifying the selection, click OK ().

  • Remove - eliminates the geometry assignment for the workpiece. If you do not assign workpiece geometry, all visible models in the workspace are passed to simulation.

Stock Creation and Modification

Right-click Stock to open a shortcut menu with the following commands.

 

Stock

 

  • Stock Wizard - opens the Stock Wizard for you to define the stock for the job.

  • Color - opens the Color dialog box for you to change the color of the displayed stock geometry. Select a color, or define a custom color, and click OK to close the dialog box and update the color.

  • Transparency - opens the Stock Transparency dialog box for you to modify the transparency of the stock geometry. Higher settings make the stock more transparent or see-through. After adjusting the transparency level, you can set the system default stock transparency by clicking Set Default.

  • Blank - toggles the visibility of the stock in the workspace. This hides or shows the stock based on its current condition. Note that you can click the Stock item in the tree to temporarily display the (hidden) stock geometry, until you click another tree item.

Material and Wire Diameter Selection

Right-click Material (the current material name, such as Aluminum) to open a shortcut menu with the following command.

 

Material

 

    • Edit - opens the Material and Wire Diameter Selection dialog box for you to select the material and wire diameter for the job. This is used to define many of the Cutting Conditions (such as power settings) in the wizards. Select the desired Material and Wire Diameter, and click OK to update the material and close the dialog box.

 

Important: The materials that are available in the Material and Wire Diameter Selection dialog box are determined by the information available in the Cutting Conditions Database file that is selected for the current machine. If there are no materials available, then you are not connected to a Cutting Conditions Database.

Machine Setup Modification and Feature Creation

Right-click Machine Setup to open a shortcut menu with the following commands. These include commands for modifying the machine setup, adding Wire EDM features, calculating toolpaths, setting posting status, and more.

 

Machine Setup

 

    • Edit -opens the Machine Setupdialog box in the Data Entry Manager for you to modify the current machining origin, and work offset value.

    • 2 Axis Inside - opens the 2 Axis Wire EDM Wizard for you to create a 2 Axis EDM Inside feature. This handles closed internal (die) features with or without constant taper. The available operations are: Rough Cut, Skim Cut, and Tab Cut.

 

Img Img

 

The 2 Axis Inside feature also provides the ability to create Land and Taper as shown next.

 

Img Img

 

    • 2 Axis Outside - opens the 2 Axis Wire EDM Wizard for you to create a 2 Axis EDM Outside feature. This handles closed external (punch) features with or without constant taper. The available operations are: Rough Cut, Skim Cut, and Tab Cut.

 

Img Img

 

    • 2 Axis Open- opens the 2 Axis Wire EDM Wizard for you to create a 2 Axis EDM Open feature. This handles open features with or without constant taper. The available operations are: Rough Cut, Skim Cut, and Tab Cut.

 

Img Img

 

The 2 Axis Open feature also provides the ability to create Land and Taper as shown next.

 

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    • 4 Axis Inside- opens the 4 Axis Wire EDM Wizard for you to create a 4 Axis EDM Inside feature. This handles closed internal (die) features with the available operations: Rough Cut, Skim Cut, and Tab Cut.

 

Img

 

    • 4 Axis Outside - opens the 4 Axis Wire EDM Wizard for you to create a 4 Axis EDM Outside feature. This handles closed external (punch) features with the available operations: Rough Cut, Skim Cut, and Tab Cut.

 

Img

 

    • 4 Axis Open- opens the 4 Axis Wire EDM Wizard for you to create a 4 Axis EDM Open feature. This handles open features with the available operations: Rough Cut, Skim Cut, and Tab Cut.

 

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    • Update All Geometries - Updates all geometry associated in the CAM Tree.

    • Compute All Toolpath - computes the operations of all features contained in the Machine Setup.

    • Add Group - adds a folder to your CAM Tree. Drag and drop features into the folder to save space in the CAM Tree and have the control to set Add Toolpath Pattern, Post All Yes/No and Blank/Unblank Toolpath options on all features inside of the folder at one time.

    • Add Toolpath Pattern - adds a Toolpath Pattern to the selected machine setup. When added from this location, the defined pattern is applied to all of the features in the machine setup.

    • Load Feature - allows you to locate and add a previously saved feature to the tree.

    • Paste Feature - is used to paste a copied feature to the Machine Setup after the last feature.

    • Delete All Features - removes all features from the Machine Setup.

    • Post All Yes/No - sets all toolpaths in the Machine Setup to post or not post in the NC program.

    • Blank/Unblank Toolpath - allows you to hide or show all toolpaths in the Machine Setup.

    • Collapse Items - collapses the child items of the Machine Setup. This is the same as clicking the minus sign () next to all child items.

    • Expand Items - expands the child items of the Machine Setup. This is the same as clicking the plus sign () next to all child items.

    • Rename - enables editing of the Machine Setup name in the CAM Tree. Type the new name for the setup.

Feature Modification

To learn about the feature that is added to the job after finishing the wizard, view Wire EDM Features in the CAM Tree.

Related Topics

The CAM Overview

The Wire EDM Wizard