CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
29 September 2004
Company News
DP Technology Introduces ESPRIT 2005 CAM Software in Milan at BI-MU Trade Show, October 1 - 6, 2004
CAM industry leader DP Technology will introduce ESPRIT 2005, which includes a new pre-packaged solution for programming multitasking mill-turn machine tools and adaptive machining technology that provides unprecedented automated part programming, at BI-MU in Milan. The show will be the premiere of ESPRIT 2005 in the Italian market.
ESPRIT 2005 offers CNC programmers a complete solution to programming parts for multitasking machines. Until now, CAM products required end-users and/or resellers to devote time to post processor writing and machine definition, formerly routine programming steps that have increased in complexity with the availability of multitasking machine tools. ESPRIT's out-of-the-box CAM solution eliminates this complicated and costly implementation process. DP Technology has the in-house experience, skill level, and extensive resources required to provide software solutions for multitasking machine tools that would be difficult and expensive for an end-user or reseller to develop. Developed in cooperation with the machine tool builders, ESPRIT 2005 now delivers complete pre-configured and factory-tested solutions for programming multitasking machine tools. Prior to cutting parts, programmers can be confident of the results - ESPRIT's advanced, real-time simulation performs comprehensive verification of the machining processes without taking machines off-line for expensive dry runs. DP Technology has set its sights on offering complete out-of the-box programming solutions for all popular multitasking machines.
DP Technology will showcase the ESPRIT pre-packaged CAM solution for programming Mori Seiki multitasking mill-turn machine tools at BI-MU. On the Mori Seiki booth, Pad 14/1 Stand B19 C19, ESPRIT will demonstrate examples of mill-turn programming, one of which is a complex medical part (artificial hip joint, in three pieces). The entire live machining will clearly demonstrate the complete solution offered by the combination of the ESPRIT CAM software and the Mori Seiki machine tool.
ESPRIT 2005's feature exchange technology allows clearer CAD to CAM communication, streamlines the CNC programming process, and creates greater programming automation, eliminating the time required for input and verification of data associated with part features. For example, ESPRIT 2005 reads CAD features and their properties directly from native SolidWorks part models, enabling superior part integrity. CAD features import directly as CAM features generating automatic and precise part definitions, including feature name, type, description, and category.
New advances in ESPRIT's patent-pending KnowledgeBaseT also further programming automation. ESPRIT's process-driven adaptive technology makes use of the end-users' expertise and in-house programming skills, which are stored in the KnowledgeBase. This database of programmers' proven practices automatically chooses the most suitable process to machine a given feature - including machining cycles, cutting tools, and speeds and feeds, and all associated machining parameters. Programmers also can create new processes and update details of existing processes. ESPRIT's KnowledgeBaseT tools free CNC programmers from repetitive parts programming and give them time to investigate new machining processes that can further improve their business.
New Version Available Fall 2004
ESPRIT 2005 will ship this fall; current ESPRIT users with an active Software Maintenance Contract will automatically receive the new product version that includes many additional upgraded features. Significant areas of additional product enhancement in ESPRIT 2005 include:
Dynamic solid simulation - new options provide more dynamic and realistic views of the entire machine setup, including part, fixtures, and machine tool. The simulation offers collision detection between the part and tool; the part and tool with holder; or the part, tool with holder, and the entire machine. Machining movements are displayed in "real time", with the simulation reflecting the actual machine feedrates. Full, Rapid, or Rapid Index simulations have been added for milling operations.
Redesigned machine set-up - redesigned user interface make it easy to define the physical characteristics of the NC machine, including the machine's coordinate systems. A new machine set-up user interface for Wire EDM is now available in addition to milling, turning, mill-turn machines. An STL solid model can be imported for more realistic representation of each machine component.
High-speed surface roughing - new milling settings, Morph Move and Spiral Move, have been added enhancing ESPRIT's High Speed Machining options for milling operations that create concentric cutting passes at incremental depths. Morph Move adapts the shape of the cutting passes to blend outer and inner part profiles. Spiral Move creates a single continuous cutting pass with gradual spiral transitions to eliminate sharp changes in tool direction. When combined with Morph Move, cutting passes are incredibly adaptive to the shape of the part and allow for a consistent feedrate and cutter load.
More powerful wire EDM - new wire EDM feature selection in ESPRIT speeds and automates programming. ESPRIT 2005 automatically recognizes whether selected wireframe geometry defines a 2-axis or 4-axis part. The software analyzes the part geometry and based on user-defined options and rules, automatically defines machining parameters such as lands, taper angles, and corner types. This information is stored with the feature; when creating the wire path, ESPRIT automatically reads the machining properties from the feature and applies them to the machining operation, saving time and money.
Additional rotary milling support - faster, more flexible rotary machining is available with an enhanced Wrap Contouring machining cycle. Previously, wrap contouring operations used flat 2D geometry and then "wrapped" the geometry around a defined diameter. Programmers can now machine 3-dimensional features in their true position and are no longer restricted to cylindrical shapes. The cycle supports wrapped and flat geometry and allows for radial and perpendicular walls.
Further ESPRIT 2005 improvements include:
Two additional KnowledgeBaseT packages - provide new KnowledgeBase data import and export capabilities, and a redesigned Feeds and Speeds interface to view all material classes and conditions on one page. Enhanced security features make it possible to define separate users and control access permission to individual KnowledgeBase functions. For example, certain users can read or edit an existing database, but cannot add information.
An improved Process Manager - retains feature grouping order and easily sorts features. The feature list in the Process Manager also contains more information about the feature number, name, and type. When certain KnowledgeBase functions are enabled, ESPRIT interrogates each feature individually and uses each feature's properties when generating operations. The Process Manager now supports wire EDM processes, allowing for more automated wire EDM programming.
Improved turning - new capabilities include programming and simulation support for fixed and moving steady rests utilized during machining long or heavy stock to prevent vibration and deflection. Turning operations now support work coordinates, with output in the local work coordinate system. Tools are easily editable in the new Lathe Tool Manager - add, edit, copy, delete or rename existing tools for simplified ease of use.
New draft feature types - ESPRIT 2005 automatically recognizes whether selected geometry represents a 2-axis or 4-axis part. Based on user-defined options and rules, ESPRIT automatically calculates the feature start point, lead-ins and lead-outs, the depth of vertical walls (lands), taper angles, and corner types (sharp or rounded). This machining information stays with the feature and no longer needs to be defined each time an operation is created.
Automatic 3D feature covering - new settings for all 3D FreeForm milling operations automatically create covers over openings, cavities and holes before the toolpath is processed, allowing machining of the entire surface without interruption. The programmer can then create separate operations to machine cavities or holes.
Mori Seiki produces reliable machine tools and distributes worldwide. The Mori Seiki product line has over 200 models, including horizontal and vertical lathes, horizontal and vertical machining centers, and mill-turn machines. For additional information about Mori Seiki, visit http://www.moriseiki.co.jp/
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