EdgeCAM Simulator

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About the EdgeCAM Simulator

Available in GLview only

Modes

The EdgeCAM Simulator has two modes, that you start from their buttons in the Maintoolbar (for example):

Use mainly with mould and die parts and

surface parts.

Gives you almost instant toolpath verification

with visual comparison between machined

stock and original model.

Not recommended for production machining

and does not support the simulation of

indexing, rotary machining, turning or

undercut machining (eg, thread milling).

Collision checking slows down Rapid

Result considerably, so you should disable it

in the toolbar ( ) unless necessary.

Use mainly for milling, multiplane milling, 2

axis, 4 axis and C & Y axis turning.

Tool, tool holder and fixtures are included

in the simulation.

Gives a very realistic representation of the

process.

Speed can be controlled and the viewdynamically rotated, zoomed and panned.

For turning operations, the part can be

shown as a view enabling internal

operations to be viewed clearly.

Not recommended for surface parts with

very complex toolpaths (simulation might

be very slow).

See a comparative table of features in each mode.

Licensing:

The EdgeCAM Simulator is licensed on two levels:

Level Lite Level 1

Availability Included in all EdgeCAM Entry Level

systems

A cost option with Entry Level licences,

included in all other licences

Functionality

Access

All functionality in both Rapid Result

and Simulate Machining.However with the Milling and Turning

licences processing is limited to 2,000

lines of CL data.

All functionality in both Rapid Result and

Simulate. No limit on the amount of data thatcan be processed.

The EdgeCAM Simulator supercedes the EdgeCAM Verify product. For further details see the Verifying

the Model topic (in the Obsolete book of the online User Guide)

You may encounter problems if you output EdgeCAM surfaces as STL then use the STL file to create

digitised stock. This is because the triangles in a collection of surfaces might not be closed, whereas stock

from solids should be.

See Also:

Sub-spindle Simulation.

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Level Lite Level 1


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Functionality

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lines of CL data.








See Also:


Simulating Multiple Sequences

If you activate Rapid Result or Simulate Machining when working with multiple sequences, the Select

Sequences dialog will be displayed. This allows you to select the sequence(s) you want to simulate from a

list of available sequences.

Available Sequences- A list of all available sequences that can be selected for simulation. Only

sequences which share the same discipline as the currently active sequence are displayed.

Selected Sequences- Select the sequences you want to simulate by moving them from the left to the right

panel. You can do this by simply highlighting the required sequence(s) and pressing the Add>> button. The

Add All >> button allows you to move all sequences to the right panel.

Use the Remove>> or Remove All >> button to delete sequences from the right panel and move them back

to the left panel.

To change the order in which sequences are simulated, select one or more in the right-hand panel and use

the arrows on the extreme right to change their relative positions. Sequences will be simulated in the order

shown when the command is executed.

The first sequence selected sets the code generator. Only sequences that share the same code

generator can be selected. In the case of Rapid Result both CPL and code generator have to be the same.

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surface parts.














in the simulation.


process.







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Licensing:


Level Lite Level 1


systems



Functionality

Access




lines of CL data.








See Also:


Using Stock and Fixtures in the Simulator

The online EdgeCAM User Guide provides instructions for using stock and fixtures in EdgeCAM Simulator.

You may experience problems when outputting EdgeCAM surfaces as STL and then using the STL

file to create digitised stock. Stock created by this method may not be taken through to Simulator since

the triangles from a collection of surfaces are NOT guaranteed to be closed, whereas stock from solids

should be.

When digitising solids for stock, self-intersecting triangles and open solids are not suitable for

simulation as Boolean operations are impossible on 'corrupt solids'. A warning message will be issued

when the part is loaded into EdgeCAM Simulator. EdgeCAM Simulator will carry on simulating the part

when the warning is accepted, but will fail when it reaches the problem area.

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in the simulation.


process.







be very slow).


Licensing:


Level Lite Level 1


systems



Functionality

Access




lines of CL data.








See Also:


Simulation Control

EdgeCAM Simulator offers the following simulation controls:

Control Simulate Machining Rapid Result

Start

Starts simulation, will run to stop

(also see Stop Options)

Starts simulation, the material is removed

from the model and display updated inlow resolution every 100 cuts (default

setting will run to the end of the

sequence)

Play # cutsStarts simulation, plays one cut at a

time

Starts simulation, will run for specified

number of cuts (the default setting is 100)

StopManual stop of simulation Manual stop of simulation

RewindResets stock to the start of the

simulation

Resets stock to the start of the simulation

Fast ForwardRapid processing of simulation to

stop (also see Stop Options)

The display is only at the end of the

sequence, but a progress indicator

is displayed

Rapid processing of simulation to stop

(also see Stop Options)

The display is only at the end of the

sequence, but a progress indicator is

displayed

When a gouge or collision is detected the results will be displayed in a window at the bottom of the

Simulator screen. See Simulator Output.

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Level Lite Level 1


systems



Functionality

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lines of CL data.








See Also:


Stop Options

To specify where you want the simulation to stop:

In the Simulator toolbar click and select one of:1.

Stop at End- Stops simulation at the end of the sequence.

Stop at Collision- Stops simulation at the next collision.

Stop at Toolchange- Stops simulation at the next toolchange.

Stop at Index Move- Stops simulation at the next index move.

Stop at Turret Change- Stops simulation at the next turret change. Also, with twin turret turning, at

the Synchronise Turrets instructions.

Stop at Fixture Change-Stops simulation at the next fixture change.

Stop at Cut # - Stops simulation after the specified cut number.

Stop after # Cuts- Stops simulation after specified number of cuts.

If you selected one of the '#' options in a drop down list, enter the number into the dialog that opens.

(A drop down list appears if you click the ' ' part of the button, whilst a dialog opens if you click the

main part of the button. The list and the dialog contain the same options.)

2.

Note that once the simulation stops, an indication of why it stopped

appears in the bottom left of the simulator; if you had set a 'Stop at

Cut #', for example.

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surface parts.














in the simulation.


process.







be very slow).


Licensing:


Level Lite Level 1


systems



Functionality

Access




lines of CL data.








See Also:


Using the Toolbar Display Options

At the top of EdgeCAM Simulator there is a toolbar with these display options:

Enhance(Only available in Rapid Result) Zoom in on a particular area,

then select the Enhance button to improve the display quality

around this area. The stock outside the zoom area is

removed.Also see View Comparison Accuracy.

View all Stock(Only available in Rapid Result) Resets view to display entire

model after using the Enhance option.

View Stock/

View

Component*

Allows you to display the stock and/orthe part model (in

Simulate Machining).

In Rapid Result, you can either display the stockorthe part

model.

ViewComparison

(Only available in Rapid Result) Colour-coded comparison

showing the differences between geometry and stock.

Green - nominal size

Yellow/Red - gouges

Blue - undercuts, i.e. material that the tool cannot reach

Also see View Comparison Accuracy.

Toggle Toolpath

Visibility

Allows you to turn on/off the toolpath display. Pressing the

button will render the toolpath.

Toggle Tool

Visibility*

Allows you to turn on/off the tool display.

Tool Holder

Collision Checking*

InSimulate Machining, switches the tool holder visibility

(collision checking is only performed with the holder visible).

InRapid Result, switches the collision checking only (tool

holder graphics are never displayed).

With collision checking enabled, the Collisions option

becomes effective.

Toggle Fixture

Visibility*

(Only available in Simulate Machining) Allows you to turn

on/off the fixture display.

Options dialog

Opens the Options dialog.

*A left-hand mouse click on the symbol next to the icon in the Simulator toolbar opens a drop-downmenu. This allows you to select how to display the stock, part model, tool, tool holder or fixtures on the

graphics screen.

You can choose to display them as solidortransparent or to highlight the edges. To display them as

wireframe, select the All Wireframeoption from the Simulator shortcut menu.

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Level Lite Level 1


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Functionality

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lines of CL data.








See Also:


A red cross indicates that the display of this item is deactivated.

Further display options are available in the Simulator shortcut menu.

Please note that a right-hand mouse click anywhere on the toolbar will open a menu that allows you to

display the Output window and activate the Speed Control slider.

See Also

Zooming and Rotating the Part

Changing the View

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process.







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Level Lite Level 1


systems



Functionality

Access




lines of CL data.








See Also:


Zooming and Rotating the Part

You can use the same methods for zooming, rotating and panning as in EdgeCAM, as detailed in the online

User Guide.

However there are these exceptions:

Holding down the Ctrl key while you click and drag with the right-hand mouse button performs a

zoom (an alternative to the normal mouse-wheel method).

Holding down the Shift key while you click and drag with the right-hand mouse button performs a pan

(an alternative to the normal clicking and dragging with the mouse wheel ).

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surface parts.














in the simulation.


process.







be very slow).


Licensing:


Level Lite Level 1


systems



Functionality

Access




lines of CL data.








See Also:


Setting Options

To set options you can right-click in the Simulator Graphics area and in the shortcut menu that appears click

Options.

Many of the options are explained within the dialog itself. Here are some additional notes where needed:

General tab

Use EdgeCAM View- Check this for EdgeCAM Simulator to open with the same view selected asEdgeCAM.

Maximised- The simulator window will occupy the whole of the screen, until you use Minimize or

Restore Down (in the top right hand corner).

Always on top- The simulator window will be on top of the windows for other applications, until you

use Minimize (in the top right hand corner).

Toolpath/Stock/Fixture Color- Can be set to be the same color as EdgeCAM, or another color.

Display tab(restart the Simulator after changing these options)

Enable Swap Area - Update the smallest area of the screen possible, to increase performance.

Software Render- Bypass your graphics card's OpenGL acceleration. You should leave this

unchecked for faster rendering, unless you have problems with your graphics card driver.

Tolerances tab- see the dialog. Also see:

Tolerance explanation.

Interior faceting explanation (for faster simulation you should leave Use Interior Faceting

unchecked. In (very) limited 2D situations, where cuts are orthogonal, you may want to check this

option to give an more accurate simulation).

Comparison Offset

Collisions tab- Collisions are undesired contacts between solids, for example the cutter hitting (cutting) afixture, or the tool holder hitting the stock. Collisions are listed in the Output window in the Warnings tab.

Note that collision checking can only include the tool shank and holder if they are displayed and tool holder

collision checking is switched on.

Flash Solids Red- All the colliding solids are displayed in red during a collision. This includes the

cutter. The cutter cuts through all solids, including fixtures, but the shank and holder do not.

This option (or Change Solids Red), is the best option to use if speed is a priority.

Change Solids Red- On colliding, the colliding solids change to red and stay red. This includes the

cutter. The cutter cuts through all solids (including fixtures) but the shank and holder do not. This option

(or Flash Solids Red) is the best option to use if speed is a pr iority.

Cut Solid- The cutter, shank and holder all cut solids they collide with, including fixtures. There is no

'flash red' or 'change to red' indication. The calculation of the removed material potentially slows down

the simulation, especially for large and/or complex forms.

Ignore- There is no collision indication. You might find this useful for demonstration purposes.

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in the simulation.


process.







be very slow).


Licensing:


Level Lite Level 1


systems



Functionality

Access




lines of CL data.








See Also:


Changing the View

A mouse click while the cursor is over the view caption at the bottom of the graphics screen will activate this

menu:

Select the required option and the model will be displayed in the new view.

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surface parts.














in the simulation.


process.







be very slow).


Licensing:


Level Lite Level 1


systems



Functionality

Access




lines of CL data.








See Also:


Speed Control

You can control the speed of the simulation by moving the Speed Controlslider, left to slow down and right

to speed up.

The minimum and maximum settings on the slider are defined by the Speed Options. Press the Speed

Options button to open a dialog with the following options:

Simulator

Minimum/Maximum Step per Frame- The distance travelled by the tool in units per frame of animation.

Minimum/Maximum Angular Step per Frame- The distance travelled by angular feed moves when

indexing or rotary machining (in degrees).

Rapid Result

Minimum/Maximum Cuts per Frame- The number of cuts per frame of animation.

Fast Render- Check this box to enable fast rendering with an approximated display of the toolpath.

Unchecking the option provides a better quality of display during the simulation.

To switch on the Speed Control slider

Click on the Toggle Speed Control button on the Simulator toolbar, OR

Open the shortcut menu with a right-hand mouse click and select the View, Speed Controloption.

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surface parts.














in the simulation.


process.







be very slow).


Licensing:


Level Lite Level 1


systems



Functionality

Access




lines of CL data.








See Also:


Tool Holder Collision Checking

InSimulate Machining, selecting the Collision Check Tool Holder command will switch on the tool

holder display and the collision checking functionality.

InRapid Result, selecting the Collision Check Tool Holder command will switch on the collision

checking functionality only. The tool holder graphics will not be displayed.

Please note that Rapid Result does not check for tool holder collisions if the tool cutting depth is greater

than the flute length.

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Level Lite Level 1


systems



Functionality

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lines of CL data.








See Also:


The Simulator Shortcut Menu

A right-hand mouse click over the graphics screen will open a shortcut menu. Please note that in Rapid

Result only the All Metallic, Options and View menu items will be available.

All Wireframe-Check to display all elements on the graphics screen in wireframe.

All Hidden Line- Check to display all elements on the graphics screen in wireframe with hidden lines

removed.

All Metallic- (Level 1 licence only) Check to display all elements on the graphics screen with a metallic

finish. This feature provides realistic rendering of the component enabling you to visualize the surface finish

produced by the toolpaths. Click here for an example of all metallic display.

Stock Rotation- Check this option to rotate the stock model in multiplane machining or turning. When

unchecked, the tool will be rotated.

In turning, you can choose between a Three Quarter Turn Viewand a Profile Turn View.

TheViewmenu item offers several options:

Output- This option allows you to switch on/off the display of the simulation report window at the bottom of

the Simulator screen.

Speed Control- This option allows you to switch on/off the speed control slider. You can control the speed

of the simulation by moving the speed control slider, left to slow down and right to speed up.

Toolbar- This option allows you to switch on/off the Simulator toolbar.

SelectingOptions...opens the Optionsdialog.

To select the display options for the stock, the part model, the tool, the tool holder and the fixtures use

the drop-down menu on the appropriate icon in the Simulator toolbar (see Controlling the Display Options).

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Level Lite Level 1


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Functionality

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lines of CL data.








See Also:


Output Window

At the bottom of the Simulator is the Output window, that provides feedback on the simulation.

To clear the Output window:

Right-click in the Output Window and in the shortcut menu that opens click Clear.

To show or hide the Output window:

Right-click in the Graphics area of the Simulator in the shortcut menu that opens click View

Output.

The Output window features the following tabs.

Output tab

This shows general feedback on the simulation:

Warnings tab

This shows details of the detected faults:

Tool/Stock Clash- either the tool rapids into the stock or the tool holder collides with the stock.Gouge- the tool has cut too deeply.

Undersized Stock- the target geometry 'sticks out' from the stock.

Double-clicking on a warning will pinpoint the location of the fault on the graphics screen.

Pick tab

SeePicking.

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Picking

To display detailed information about a specific point on the model pick the appropriate spot on the model

with a left-hand mouse click. The information will be displayed on the Picktab of the report window. This

is limited to cut number and location in Simulate Machining.

Pick- Identifies the cut number during the simulation.

Location- The co-ordinates of the point picked on the model.

World Stock Normal - The axis in which the measurement was performed.

Stock Normal- The axis in which the measurement was performed.Stock Height- The height of the stock at the point selected.

Target Height- The height of the target at the point selected.

d Axial- The axial distance from the process stock to the component surface.

d Normal- The shortest distance from the picked point to the target part surface

To clear the output window

Right-clicking over the output window provides a command to clear the display.

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Level Lite Level 1


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lines of CL data.








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Saving Stock as STL Files

TheSave STL button on the Simulator toolbar allows you to create STL files from stock. These can

then be reloaded into EdgeCAM and used for further machining sessions.

It is possible to save multiple STL files during a single simulation session.

The ability to import STL files requires a licence that includes access to Surface Design.

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Level Lite Level 1


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Functionality

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lines of CL data.








See Also:


Returning to EdgeCAM

To close the Simulator and return to EdgeCAM, click on the Return to EdgeCAM icon at the right-hand

side of the toolbar.

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Level Lite Level 1


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lines of CL data.








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Comparing Overview

In Rapid Result you can click the View Comparison button to compare the original component model

against the machined stock model (see Using the Toolbar Display Options).

The difference between the two models is shown using colour coding. A grid of 1000 by 1000 points over

the whole model is used.

Component Machined Stock Comparison

You can:

Enhance the accuracyof the view.

UseComparison Offset to take any deliberate machining offsets into account.

UsePicking to display detailed information on a point on the model.

The accuracy of the comparison display may not reflect the tolerances used within the machining cycles.

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Level Lite Level 1


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lines of CL data.








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Enhancing Comparison Accuracy

Whencomparing, after zooming in to a part of the model you can click the Enhance button to restore the

original resolution of the display, so enhancing its accuracy.

Before Enhance After Enhance

SeePicking for displaying detailed information on a point on the model.

The accuracy of the comparison display may not reflect the tolerances used within the machining cycles.

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Level Lite Level 1


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Functionality

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lines of CL data.








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Comparison Offset

Whensetting Options, you can use Comparison Offset to counter any offsets you used in your machining,

whencomparing.

If you know your machined part will differ from the original part model, you can use this factor to adjust the

original part model before the comparison. The factor is a three dimensional offset.

As an example if you set an negative offset of -0.2 in your finishing cycle, then specify this value as thecomparison offset, the comparison will show the component finished to size. With no comparison offset the

part would be shown to be undersize.

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Copyright

(C)1988-2005 Pathtrace Engineering Systems. All rights reserved.

Pathtrace Engineering Systems and its registered resellers or sub-resellers shall have no liability or

responsibility to the licensee or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage

caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this product, including but not limited to any

interruption of service, loss of business or anticipatory profits or consequent damages resulting from the use

or operation of this software.

Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

MemoHASP is a registered trademark of Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd.

NetSentinel is a trademark of Rainbow Technologies, Inc.

OpenGL(r) and Optimizer are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Inc.

Parasolid is a trademark of Unigraphics Solutions Inc.

Autodesk Inventor (tm) is a trademark of Autodesk Inc.

SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation.

Solid Edge is a registered trademark of EDS Inc.

PTC, Pro/DESKTOP, Pro/ENGINEER(r), GRANITE (tm) One, are trademarks or registered trademarks of

Parametric Technology Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and in other countries.

AutoCAD and DXF are registered trademarks of Autodesk Inc.

MicroStation is a trademark of Bentley Systems Inc., an affiliate of Intergraph Corporation.

IGDS is a trademark of Intergraph Corporation.

EdgeCAM Simulator and EdgeCAM Verify use technology developed by L ightworks Designs Ltd.

ACIS is a trademark of Spatial Technology, Inc., and was developed in co-operation with Three-Space, Ltd.,

Cambridge, England, and Applied Geometry Corporation, Seattle, Washington.

Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

The information contained within this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent

a commitment on the part of the vendor. The software described in this document is furnished under a

licence agreement and may only be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Pathtrace Engineering Systems

45 Boulton Road Reading Berkshire England RG2 0NH

Telephone +44 (0)118 975 6084 Facsimile +44 (0)118 975 6143

http://www.edgecam.com

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EdgeCAM Simulator