Cimatron Electrode Functions

Define a 3D trajectory for an electrode. Use the Electrodes Simulation to simulate the electrode movement along this trajectory.

Activate an electrode by picking it in the display area.

Activate the main assembly.

Add an existing electrode part.

Add an electrode location (copy an existing electrode and place it on other burn areas). This operation uses the Add Component tool's functionality to position the electrode.

Add an electrode location (copy an existing electrode and place it on other burn areas). Position the electrode by indicating a point or a UCS.

Create an assembly drawing and one or more electrode drawings for the selected electrodes (the selected locations under the UCS in the Electrode Tree). This function is available only when the assembly is active.

Apply electrode features from a saved electrode template file.

Apply electrode features from a selected electrode to copy its construction steps into the currently activated electrode.

Calculate the 2D and 3D burning face areas of selected faces. The system automatically selects the burning faces from the electrode, however you can also manually pick/unpick faces, if required. This operation updates the Burn Faces Area value fields in the Electrode dialog page of the EDM Setup dialog.

Create an assembly drawing for the selected electrode, as defined in the Electrode Preferences. This function is available only when the assembly is active. An assembly drawing is created for selected locations under the UCS in the Electrode Tree.

Automatically create a contour for extensions.

Look for the open boundary of an electrode and automatically create a contour on it. This contour can later be used for the creation of extensions.

Create or edit the blank for the electrode, using finite element analysis (FEA).

Create a solid body from the burning faces. When creating electrodes, after the usual extract of the faces to be burned, the Burn Body function automatically surrounds and trims the burn surfaces into a closed solid object.

Create a contour from a series of curves and edges.

Create a single 2D or 3D contour (from the electrode edges) by joining two or more curves. The contour can later be used for the creation of extensions. The new composite curve is also displayed in the Feature Tree.
This function is only available when an electrode is active in an assembly environment.

Delete report images. A message is displayed requiring confirmation of the deletion request.

Define EDM parameters for electrodes and locations.

The EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) Setup is an application for defining burning conditions, generating reports, and programming EDM machines for electrodes created within Cimatron. It is an interface between Cimatron and the EDM machine, automatically setting all the necessary machine parameters (similar to a post-processor).

The EDM Setup dialog enables you to set general parameters for Components , UCS , Folder , Electrodes , and Locations before creating a machine-readable file.

Create all electrode drawings for the selected electrodes, as defined in the Electrode Preferences. This function is available only when the assembly is active. An electrode drawing is created for each selected location under the UCS in the Electrode Tree.

Simulate the motion of electrodes.

Create a set of extension faces between the burning surfaces and the electrode base.

Extract (create) a new electrode. This involves defining an electrode area which will be the basis for the blank.

Add or edit an imported holder on top of the electrode Blank.

Define images for the NC Report.

Create an image in the Electrode Assembly environment, for the NC Report. The image includes a description of the electrode dimensions as well as the electrode location within the assembly. The image contents can be controlled by defining templates.

The image is saved together with the part file and then integrated into the Electrode NC Report.

Save electrode features to a template file. Any electrode part can be saved as an Electrode Template. The system will save all the electrode features, such as Extensions, Electrode UCS, Blank, and Electrode Holder.

Show the report images. Open the default picture browser with the existing image.

Create a solid extension on top of the solid body (the solid body created by the Burn Body function).

The Burn Body and Solid Extension functions enable you to create a body and extend it all the way up to the electrode base. Together, these functions enable you to create electrodes using solid tools.

The Solid Extension function is very similar to the Electrode Extensions function.

Create or edit an Electrode UCS (User Coordinate System). This UCS serves as the reference point for this electrode in EDM operations, drawings, and reports.

Create or edit an NC UCS (User Coordinate System) for Electrodes. This UCS serves as the reference point for this electrode in NC operations.