Hi,

I use Edgecam for programming one-off parts with lots of detail.
The problem we are running into is that the generation and re-generation of detailed tool paths is taking forever (like 3-5 minutes sometimes more) to regenerate for instance a profiling toolpath with .001" cusp.

Especially when I tweak parameters to try and improve cycle time, it's creating a real bottlneck in the programming department.

I am using a Dell Xeon 2Ghz with 1G ram.

Are there some software changes that will speed things up?
Would a new CPU like Athalon 64 or Pentium Duo make that big of a difference?
Unless there's something i'm missing in the edgecam options somewerhe, Seems like this is a processor issue.

I called my Edgecam reseller but they are sloooowww. And I'm not sure how much they really know about this stuff either.

Thanks
j

2 things i know of. The first is that you can choose to disable auto-regenerate. Then EC will not regenerate whith every change. When you have done all youre changes then remember to enable again and regenerate. Second is if you save your files on a server over the local net there can be some waiting for save and autosave. So big files - save locally when your working on them.

Bent

I wish people would give all the needed information!

What Version of Edgecam are you using?
Are you on Maintenance? 3-4 minutes might not be that bad, depending on the model size.

Speed is always an issue. With every software. Edgecam is making CONSTANT improvements to the software. V11.5 was just released for duplucation. I saw speed improvements of about 18-22% (that's 18-22% faster than the previous version). If your on Maintenance you'll be getting that soon.

Mike Mattera

When was the last time the computer hard drive was reformatted and operating system reinstalled? Windows registry can get corrupt and slow everything down. People usually assume that the computer is getting old and the newer computers will be better then go out and buy a new computer.

The computer needs a new reinstall. The Dell Xeon 2Ghz with 1G ram with a top of the line graphics card and XP, will work fine with Edgecam.

I am using 10.75 and we are on maintenance. I'm have ver. 11 sitting right in front of me but haven't upgraded yet. Always seems to take the whole day by the time I get the server updated and dongles, etc.

Edgecam does run "fine" unfortunately that is not good enough. We are doing prototypes so every part is different so we are programming all the time, as opposed to one program that runs 1000 parts. When I am trying to optimize a tool path every little change takes 5 minutes to update and this adds up to a reall productivity drain. I don't think video has anything to do with my problem. This is tool path regen, the video is just sitting there.

The parts are all solid models with complex geometry, multiple tool paths with little tools, multiple set ups and rotary.

Mostly I use rough, rest rough and profile. Profiling with say 3/32 ball .01" z step with .001 or .0005 cusp height, lots of different containment boundaries, etc. Constant cusp toolpaths are great but tend to break the tiny tools (5/64 to .015). Tool paths come out around .5 to 1.5 meg.

Getting ready to drop $1500 on a new PC but I'm not sure it will make a difference.

I know the feeling of dred when a new update arrives. Can easily take a couple of hours for one PC. Now you might as well wait until 11.5 get there. You'll get some speed in the calculation.

New PC never hurts. A dual core AMD or Intel, which ever you prerfer. Dont get Vista. I understand all Cad programs are running slower on Vista right now.

Mike Mattera

...Dont get Vista.....
Mike Mattera

:)

Hi Wayne,

Does that mean you agree? Have you used Vista with Edgecam yet?

Mike

Dont set the tolerance of the sequence and of the profiling/roughing smaller than needed

Bent

Hi Wayne,

Does that mean you agree? Have you used Vista with Edgecam yet?

Mike

Mike,

Had some run-ins with Vista on other projects. It is too
early to start using it. The third party softwares are working on
compatibility issues. Microsoft has millions of beta testers
working on it too :)

Wayne

If you are tired of waiting on the regen during the create/modify timeframe of making toolpaths, try this: Create a new sequence(2), leaving your desired collection of sequences(1). Create the toolpath you want for the tool/parameters/surface you are focusing on. ..... After you have gotten the result you need, activate (1) and copy/move (2) into (1). You will still have to wait for the final regen, and you should save your file between steps.

That's a good work around. Lets you fine tune the single operation without all the other ops regenerating everytime.

It would be nice if you could turn Regeneration off and then select a single operation to Regenerate.

Mike Mattera

You can turn auto-regen off by right-clicking the sequence start folder and un-checking auto-regenerate.

You can then regen from any point to the end of the sequence. by right clicking an instruction and selecting regenerate

I hope this helps.

John

Hi

The news I am getting is that edgecam will not run on vista

Regards
Barrie

"POLE" wrote: in another thread /
juat a littel tip,
if you have a big sequens going on and find out that you need to do some small changes i the middel of the sequens you vil end up with EC regenerating the whole sequens... boring...

one easy way to get around this is to select the cycle(s) you want to edit AND select the next cycle allso (holding down the Ctrl button), then click edit. Make the changes you want in the cycle(s) BUT when you come to the last cycle you click CANCEL... now EC wil stop the regenerating at this cycle...

or you can use Batch mode, but i only like to use this if i`m doing som realy big and heavy stuff...
...
This sounds/looks like/a nice solution to auto-regenerate. I'll play tomorrow.

That is a VERY COOL tip.

Mike Mattera

Why don`t you try out Batch Mode, this will let you to work on the sequens without any generating of toolpaths.. when you want to generate toolpaths you just turn Batch Mode off... you can go do something else.. eat a donut or somthing..

Egdecam and many other systems does not support vista yet!!

If you are having troubles upgrade to 11.5 there is difference on calculating speed also you get shorter nc code on helix.

Regards

Aki Järvenpää

So Edgecam, Are you with Edgecam (Planit/Pathtrace)?

Mike Mattera

Reseller for Pathtrace Finland

Ex Surfcam user /seller

Welcome to the forum.

Mike Mattera
Reseller - Wisconsin, USA

Thanks Mike

It is nice to find some discussion about Edgecam

I think Solid machining is VERY good in egdecam
also millturn and not to forget Codewizard

Hey J

Let me tell you some usefull information. I am the supervisor in a cnc shop in cincinnati and have a current version of edgecam I also have a current version of surfcam. I have taken the same parts in each ran a tool path with the same paramaters ( cusp, surface tollerance all that good stuff) and guess what the results were. SURFCAM took a nut hair under three minutes to write my tool path. EDGECAM took 28 minutes. It was done on the same computer so that variable of different computers goes out the window. THE ONLY THING EDGECAM IS GOOD AT IS DRILLING HOLES. IT HAS NOTHING ON SURFCAM IN ANY OTHER AREA. I use surfcam for all milling operations 2d 3d doesn't matter. The only reason edgecam is still around is because the ability to make macros for drilling. That is the only thing it is good for and i will say nothing can match how it drills.

Boo!!! I Think Surfcam Is Very Easy....in Fact Its Too Easy ..its Like Pong Compared To Edgecam..you Dont Have The Same Control Over The Part And It Takes Forever To Make Changes (too Many Mouse Clicks)....but On The Other Hand The Truemill Deal Is Awesome......super Smooth Code ..basic And To The Point