NC Preferences > Procedure Parameter Defaults

Access: Invoke this function from one of the following locations:

Navigate to NC > Procedure Parameter Defaults.

Set defaults for NC procedure parameters.

The Procedure Parameter Defaults dialog is displayed.

Interaction

  1. Set the required parameter defaults for NC procedures.

Use Stock in Finish Procedures

Set the option to use the stock in Finish procedures (Finish, Cleanup, and Pencil). Select the required option from the dropdown list.

Yes

Use the stock in Finish procedures.

No

Do not use the stock in Finish procedures.
This is the default option.

This default setting is used by the parameter, Consider Previous Stock.

Update Stock by Finish Procedures

Set the option to update the stock in Finish procedures (Finish, Cleanup, and Pencil). Select the required option from the dropdown list.

No

Do not update the remaining stock with the current procedure motions. The current procedure has no influence on the procedures that follow.
This is the default option.

Accurate

Update the remaining stock with the current procedure motions. This updates the Remaining Stock process that influences the input of the next procedures.

If the procedure is recalculated, this causes an R symbol down stream to procedures considering the remaining stock.

This default setting is used by the parameter, Update Remaining Stock.

Check Stock Above Z-Top

Set the default option for the Check Stock Above Z-Top parameter in the Z-Limits parameter table.

The default option is No.

Automatically Update Electrode's Burning Parameters in NC Procedures

Define whether the electrode burning parameters (set in the EDM Setup) are automatically updated in NC procedures. The following dropdown list of options is available:

Yes

Automatically update the electrode burning parameters in NC procedures. This is the default option. The following variables are extracted from the electrode burning parameters and updated in NC procedures:

e_2orbt (2D Orbit)
e_3orbt (3D Orbit)
e_spark (Spark Gap)
e_adoff (Additional Offset)

When creating a toolpath in NC, the Electrode Stage option with the burning stage dropdown list is displayed. See Electrode Burning Parameters in NC Procedures, below.

No

Do not update the electrode burning parameters in NC procedures. When creating a toolpath in NC, the Electrode Stage option with the burning stage dropdown list is not displayed.

Default for Toolpath Smoothness

Set the default parameter option for how toolpath (TP) points are distributed along a machining pass. The following dropdown list of options is available:

Standard

The TP points are not distributed equally. For backwards compatibility (prior to Cimatron 12.0), use this option.
This is the default option.

Fine Surface Quality

The TP points are distributed equally, resulting in smoother machining with better surface quality.

When the Fine Surface Quality option is selected, the Preferred Points Distance parameter is also displayed, enabling you to control the distribution of TP points.

The value limits and default for Preferred Points Distance are as follows:

Minimum value: sqrt(stol)
Maximum value: 50*sqrt(stol)
Default value: 8*sqrt(stol)

This default setting is used by the parameter Toolpath Smoothness.

Check Fast Motion Clearance as

Define the default method for calculating the Z height clearance of fast motions. The following options are available in the dropdown list:

Bounding Box

Calculate the Z height for fast motions based on a bounding box that contains the two connected points.
Example:Example:

 

This is the default option.

Straight Line

Calculate the Z height for fast motions based on a straight line between the two connected points. With this option, the Z clearance is at the lowest height where the connection between the two points is unobstructed.
Example:Example:

 

This parameter appears in the Clearance & UCS parameter table.

Internal Air Connections

Define the default feed value for fast air connections in roughing procedures to reduce machining time. Select the required option from the dropdown list. 

User Defined

Use the default values for this parameter as set by the User. 

This is the default option.

Milling Feed

Use the milling feed values.

This parameter is used with the following procedures: 

  • Rough Spiral

  • Rough Parallel

  • Volume Pocket

  • Facing

Note for Use/Update Stock: The defaults for all NC procedures is to use and to update the stock. These defaults provide a high level of security by preventing collisions between the tool and its holder with the actual remaining stock.

However, you may wish to control these defaults in Finish operations (Finish, Cleanup, and Pencil) for the following reasons:

      • The remaining stock is almost zero so using and updating it does not change anything.

      • Using the stock makes the calculation time longer.

      • Using the stock "links" between the operations so when a procedure is changed, all subsequent procedures get the stock not updated flag ("R" symbol) although, in effect, nothing has changed.

      • Finish procedures that do not use the stock can run in parallel on the SuperBox.

  1. Press the appropriate approval option.

Electrode Burning Parameters in NC Procedures

The process for automatically updating electrode burning parameters in NC procedures is as follows:

In an electrode file, set the electrode burning parameters in the EDM Setup.

 

In an NC file, load the electrode file (Load Model from the NC Guide Toolbar).

 

In the NC Preferences > Procedure Parameter Defaults, select YES for the option, Automatically Update Electrode Burning Parameters in NC Procedures.

 

When creating a toolpath in NC, the Electrode Stage option with the burning stage dropdown list is displayed. Select a burning stage for the TP (e.g., Rough).

 

Create a relevant procedure.

 

Set the Electrode Machine parameter branch to Automatic. The parameter values have been filled automatically with those set in the EDM Setup.

 

Example:

EDM Setup - Electrode burning stage parameters:

NC - Electrode burning stage dropdown in the Create TP stage:

The following values are set for each burning stage:

Burning Stage

Orbiting Type

Orbiting Size

Spark Gap

Offset

Rough

None

0

0.25

0

Semi-Finish

2D

0.5

0.1

0

Finish

3D

0.25

0.05

0

 

In the NC procedure:

Electrode burning stage parameter values are automatically transferred to the NC procedure (the example below is from the Rough stage shown above):

The variables listed below are extracted from the electrode burning parameters and updated in NC procedures:

e_2orbt (2D Orbit)
e_3orbt (3D Orbit)
e_spark (Spark Gap)
e_adoff (Additional Offset)

 

Move the cursor over the parameters to display the formulas that are behind the calculations.

Rough stage parameter values:

2D Orbit = e_2orbit = 0 (in the EDM Setup there is no orbiting of the electrode)
Spark Gap + 3D Orbit = e_spark+e_3orbt+e_adoff = 0.25 (0.25 [Spark Gap] + 0 [No 3D Orbit] + 0 [No Additional Offset]).

Reminder: The following values are set for each burning stage:

Burning Stage

Orbiting Type

Orbiting Size

Spark Gap

Offset

Rough

None

0

0.25

0

Semi-Finish

2D

0.5

0.1

0

Finish

3D

0.25

0.05

0

 

Semi-Finish

For the Semi-Finish stage, the NC parameters would be:

2D Orbit = e_2orbit = 0.5 (2D Orbit value)
Spark Gap + 3D Orbit = e_spark+e_3orbt+e_adoff = 0.1 (0.1 [Spark Gap] + 0 [No 3D Orbit] + 0 [No Additional Offset]).

 

Finish

For the Finish stage, the NC parameters would be:

2D Orbit = e_2orbit = 0 (No 2D Orbit)
Spark Gap + 3D Orbit = e_spark+e_3orbt+e_adoff = 0.3 (0.05 [Spark Gap] + 0.25 [3D Orbit value] + 0 [No Additional Offset]).

 

Some functionality may be dependent on the product package. Contact your Reseller if you require a license.