manual electrode design

8/13/2019 Manual Electrode Design

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Electrode Design


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Electrode Design Tutorial

Overview

Downloading the Sample Part

Initializing the Electrode Design Project

Defining Manufacturing Geometry Attributes

Creating Sparking Heads

Designing Blanks

Validating Electrodes

Adding a Holder

Generating Engineering Drawings

Generating a Bill of Materials

Supplemental Case Studies

OverviewThe Electrode Design tutorial takes you through a hands-on, end-to-end scenario for modeling twoelectrodes, from initializing the project to generating engineering drawings of the finished electrodecomponents. The instructions are modular and linked in the correct sequence to ensure yoursuccess in modeling a sample electrode that can be machined and used in an EDM process.

Do not skip a task or a step within a task. To be successful, you must perform each step in theorder in which it is presented in the tutorial.

This tutorial consists of a cumulative series of linear tasks. Always complete the current task beforemoving on the next. For your convenience, Next and Previous navigation button are provided atthe bottom of each page. These buttons are intended to help you move forward from task to task, orback to revisit a previous procedure.

Before you Begin

If you have not already done so, open the Electrode DesignOverviewin the online help andbrowse the content. Then, also in the help, look at the Electrode DesignToolbarto familiarizeyourself with the interface.

Related Topics

More About Electrode Design
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Electrode Designis supported by a variety of online information, which you can easily andassertively explore. Click any link in this list to see an overview of the functions you will be using asyou progress through the tutorial. On each Overview page, you will see a row of labeled buttons justbelow the heading. The buttons allow you to navigate anywhere and everywhere in the ElectrodeDesignhelp-oriented documentation.

Initializing the electrode project

Adding attributes for downstream manufacturing (Manufacturing Geometry)

Creating sparking heads

Designing blanks

Validating electrodes

Adding electrode holders

Generating bills of materials

Generating electrode assembly drawings

Electrode Design Toolbar

Electrode Designprovides you with a unique suite of tools that are dedicated to the quick andefficient design of electrodes for Electrical Discharge Machining. The design functions are arrangedhorizontally on the toolbar in a sequence that suggests the recommended process. You begin eachelectrode design session with project initialization. As the project continues, you proceed

sequentially through the functions.

Electrode Design modeling tools are described in this table. For information on tools that areshared across NX Toolingapplications, seeShared Tools.

Icon Menu Label Description

InitializeAllows you to start a new NX Electrode Designproject using mold partsand project templates.

ManufacturingGeometry

Allows you to quickly define the sparking area of an electrode.

Blank DesignAllows you to add standard blank component to your electrode project,link the bodies of selected heads into the blank component, and updatethe dimensions based on the head selection.
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On the Blank Designtool dialog, the Blankoption lists the blanktemplates defined in the blank list. If there are material choices, theMaterial option is active on the dialog.

The Joint option allows you to use any of three methods to create theblend body between the head and the blank.

To create an extruded feature from the top faces of the selectedheads, choose Extrude.

To create an offset feature from the top faces of the selectedheads, choose Offset.

To manually create the connection between the heads and theblank choose None.

Electrode

Drafting

Allows you to create a drawing from the electrode model.

To generate a draft:

1. Select the electrode and assign the components to the machined,excluded, and optional lists.

2. Select a drawing template or sheet.

3. Enter or modify the assembly name.

4. Apply your information to create the drafting assembly andupdate the tabular report

ElectrodeChecking

Allows you to locate misalignments between the tool and the workpiece.Even small alignment errors may gouge the core or cavity duringmanufacturing.

The Electrode Checkingtool allows you to:

Check the electrode and workpiece touch status.

Create a sparking area sheet body.

Create an interference body.

Map colors from the workpiece to the electrode.

When the check is complete, the touch status items are reported in theCheck Resultswindow.

BOMAllows you to generate a parts list from the parts defined in the templatefile. The electrode position, and the spark setting and size are also writtento the Bill of Materials.

Navigation and Accessibility

This tutorial allows you to access supplemental information as needed. To this end, the tutorialprovides a set of buttons that allow you to navigate to additional information, always in a newoverlaid window, without forcing you to abandon the instructions in the main window. The icon oneach button indicates it's purpose. If you don't need more information about a particular topic orstep, you can ignore these buttons and move straight through the instructions without looking at theancillary information.


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Button Type Navigation Icon Description

Launches a movie in a new window to help you visualize the context ofthe current activity. The movies play inside a viewer console that allows you to

control the pace of what you see. You can start, stop, pause, scroll, and fastforward or back using the control buttons on the console interface. For anexample, clickhere.

Launches a full-size dialog image in a new window. Complete dialogs arenot shown in the main tutorial, only the icons images or partial dialogs areprovided. For an example, clickhere.

Launches an enlarged image that shows the current design elements in

greater detail in a new window. For an example, clickhere.

Launches aDialog Optionspage in the active window. This button isalways found in the popup window that hosts the dialog image. For an example,clickhere.

Next and Previous buttons appear at the bottom of each page in the tutorial.These buttons help you stay in sync with the ordered sequence of the step-by-step procedures. Each button has a tool tip that appears when you roll thecursor over the button image. The text in the tool tip tells you where the button

is programmed to take you. For example: .

Browser and Plugin Requirements

This tutorial is viewed through a Web browser. The browser must support Java (MS JVM or SunJVM Version 1.5 or higher) for the search function to work.

We certify and support the following browsers:

Windows Internet Explorer 6.0

UNIX, Linux Mozilla version 1.6 or higher

Internet Explorer is preferred.

If you have problems displaying the tutorial in Internet Explorer, you may need to set yourbrowser options to allow active content to be displayed. This is usually an issue when runningWindows XP, Service Pack 2 (SP2).

To allow active content to be displayed in Internet Explorer, follow these steps:

Select ToolsInternet Options, then the Advancedtab.

Scroll down to the Securitycategory and turn on Allow active content to run in files onMy Computer.

Downloading browsers
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These browsers are free and can be downloaded from the following web sites:

Internet Explorerhttp://www.microsoft.com

Mozillahttp://www.mozilla.org

Downloading the Sample Part

This tutorial is based on the sample NX part model shown here:

Tutorial Sample Model: saw_cover_cavity_011

This part model is the cavity half of a mold that is used to manufacture the engine cover ofa power saw like the one in the image. The slots and the end piece shapes are the focusof the tutorial.
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Molded Part from Cavity

The cavity part is supplied on the installation CD and was downloaded onto your desktopor network server at installation time. The tutorial requires that you have unrestrictedaccess to this part on your desktop or server. Instructions and links follow on this page.

On your desktop or the appropriate network drive, create a folder named Sawcover.

Open the tutorial's DownloadWeb page.

The launch button code on this page automatically locates and opens the archive filecontaining the part. To open the Downloadpage, click this link:

Launch Download Page

On theDownloadpage, click the Launch Zip button.

Using your native archive utility, extract the part file to the Sawcover folder.

When you have downloaded the part file and saved it in the folder, click Next to go toInitializing the Electrode Project
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Initializing the Electrode Design Project

You initialize an Electrode Designproject by setting the project name, units, and part material. Formore information, see theInitialize Project Overview.This section takes you step-by-step throughthe procedures you need to start a new project.

In NX, choose FileOpenand navigate to the Sawcover folder you created inDownloading theSample Part.

Open the Sawcover folder, select saw_cover_cavity_011and click OK.
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Tutorial Sample Model: saw_cover_cavity_011

To start Electrode Design, on the NX menu, choose StartAll ApplicationsElectrode Design.

The Electrode Design toolbar is displayed. For a detailed description of the displayed toolbar, seeElectrode Design toolbar.

Step 1. Launch the Project Initialization Process

Step 2. Create the Machine Setting

Step 3. Establish the Working Coordinate System (WCS)

Step 4. Link the Working Objects

Step 1. Launch the Project Initialization Process

On the Electrode Designtoolbar, choose Initialize Electrode Project .

The Electrode Project Initialize dialog is displayed.

In the dialog image, the icons that you will choose in the initialization process are arranged inprogressive order from left to right, from Step 1through Step 4. Perform the tasks in thisorder. Do not skip any steps. For a detailed description of fields and icons on the dialog, clickthe dialog image.

On the Electrode Project Initialize dialog, do the following:

In the Project Pathfield, enter an absolute path to a folder on your local machine ornetwork server to store the project data. For example

C:\Electrode_Tutorial

In the Project Namefield, enter a name for the project. For example:

1000

Choose New Project .

Electrode Designautomatically saves the part into an assembly with a link to the product model.

You can verify this in the NX Assembly Navigator:
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Assembly View in Assembly Navigator

In NX, choose FormatLayer Settings.

On the Layer Settingsdialog, makeLayer 8 selectable and click OK.

Step 2. Create the Machine Setting

The Machine Setting, or MSET, is the assembly that contains the machined part, machining origin,electrode working part, blank parts, and the holder components. You can create multiple MSETs fora single project, allowing different designers to work on the project concurrently from within theirown MSET.

On the Electrode Project Initializedialog, choose New Setting .

On the dialog, verify that the MSET name you defined appears in the information window.

For example, if you named your project 1000in Step 1, you will see:

1000_mset_001

Single MSET in Initialize Dialog

Electrode Designautomatically creates a subassembly. You can verify the subassembly

composition in the Assembly Navigator:

Assembly View with MSET in Assembly Navigator

Step 3. Establish the Working Coordinate System (WCS)


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In this step, you create the working coordinate system for the electrode. You use the MSET WCS todefine the coordinates for EDM machining and the electrode assembly drawings.

In NX, make sure that Layer 8is still selectable.

On the NXmenu, choose FormatWCSRotate.

On the Rotate WCS about...dialog, select YC axis: XCZC.

In the Anglefield, enter 180.000and click OK.

This sets the WCS to the orientation you need for creating sparking heads within the cavity.

The ZC-axismust correspond to the Z-axisof the EDM.

On the Electrode Project Initializedialog, choose Edit Origin Point and WCS .

On the choice box, choose the Face Centermethod.

Choosing the WCS Origin Method

In the graphics window, rotate the part so the bottom (base) of the cavity is on top.

Select the bottom face.

On the Selection Filterstoolbar, click OK .

This defines a project CSYS element at the specified origin, which is oriented the same as theWCS.


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Tutorial Project Coordinate System

Defining Manufacturing Geometry Attributes

Overview

Before you begin creating the electrode object, you specify the method for downstreammanufacturing. This tutorial will focus on two areas on the cavity where you will add the attributesfor downstream machining of the electrode. For more information, seeManufacturing GeometryOverview.

Manufactur ing Geometry Overview

Overview How To Options Related Topics

Use Manufacturing Geometryto add CAM attributes to electrodes for downstream tooling ofthe core/cavity area.EDM, WEDM, Hard Milling, andGrindingoperations can be identified withattributes.

Electrical Discharge Machining(the EDMoption) uses thermal energy from a preciselycontrolled spark to vaporize metals. The scope of this process can range from drillingholes smaller than a human hair to machining large industrial dies.
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Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (the WEDMoption) vaporizes material using a wireburning longitudinally through the material. This technique is often used to cut punchesand dies and to shape pockets.

The Hard Millingoption allows you to assign attributes for conventional CNC toolingoperations where successive passes are executed to mill the cavity to a specified depth.

The Grindingoption allows you to assign attributes for conventional grinding operations.

Step 1. Specify the Regions for EDM

In this step, you will remove extraneous regions, and specify the regions you want to keep forfurther processing. The dialog information window will show a list of nodes. These are the nodesyou want to keep. You will delete the rest.

On the Manufacturing Geometrydialog, press and hold the CTRLkey on your computer keyboardand carefully select all the electrode nodes except for two; the nodes with 54and 16 componentsrespectively.

When the unwanted nodes are selected, the dialog should look like this:


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Manufacturing Geometry Nodes to be Deleted

Press the Delete key.

Only nodes 02and 04 remain on the list. These are the cavity areas to be burned by electrodes.

Select the remaining nodes and click Apply.

Rotate the part to optimize your view of the remaining sparking areas.

On theManufacturing Geometrydialog, move the Translucency slider to fade the surroundinggeometry.

The working cavity areas should like this:


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Sparking Areas with EDM Attributes

Close the Manufacturing Geometrydialog.

To continue, click the Next button.

Creating Sparking Heads

This procedure consists of two tasks that result in discrete sparking (burn) areas, using differenttools and techniques.

The first task creates a sparking head thatburns material away from the cavity tocreate a row of stubs. The stubs in thecavity will create a row of ventilation slotsin the saw cover.

The second task creates a sparking areathat burns away three small rib shapessituated adjacent to the slot area. Theseareas are too small for traditional hardmilling.


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Sparking Area 1: Slots Sparking Area 2: Ribs

A finished electrode assembly in a cavity model will look similar to this:

Sparking Heads in Transparent Cavity

.


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Step 1. Create the Slot Stub Sparking Head

Step 2. Create the Rib Sparking Heads

Step 1. Create the Slot Stub Sparking Head

In this task, you create an electrode sparking area that burns away surrounding material, leaving arow of stubs that mold the cooling slots on the saw cover.

On theElectrode Designtoolbar, click Trim Solid .

The Trim Solid dialog is displayed.

On theTrim Solid dialog, choose Face, Manual, and Subtract.

Adjust the display to maximize your view of the floor and stubs.

Select the floor surface that lies under the stubs.

Select the Floor Surface

On theTrim Solid dialog, select the Convexoption, and set the search level to 2.
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One at a time, select any flat sideon slot stubs 1through 9.

Select the Slot Stub Geometry

On the Trim Soliddialog, choose Create Bounding Box .

On the same dialog, choose Edit Bounding Box .

Press F3to clear the dynamic input fields from the display.

To size the sparking head, drag the XandYarrow handles in the -Xand -Ydirections as shown.


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Modify the Floor Size

Stop when it looks like the face offsets are approximately -3 mmin theYdirection and -38 mmin the Xdirection. This balances the electrode design by placing the slots in the center.

Drag the vertical arrow upward until it clears the edge of the cavity, approximately 44 mmoffset inthe Zdirection.


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Dynamically Extrude the Electrode

Press F3again to restore the dynamic input fields to check your offset values.

To refine the offset values, select the X ,Y, and Zinput fields and key in the correct values.

Make sure you press Enter after each instance.

Click OKand Apply.


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Step 2. Create the Rib Sparking Heads

In this step, you create three sparking heads that burn cavities for support ribs on the saw cover.The ribs are in a complex area of the end piece so three heads are required; however, there will beonly one blank and holder for the set.

This step consists of three interrelated tasks. First, you create a complete, standalone sparkinghead in an end-to-end procedure. Then, as you create the second and third sparking heads, youwill use the Replace Solidtool to capture the parameters of the preceding head and pass them onto subsequent heads. You will use this parameter inheritance feature to ensure that all three headsare identically configured.

Prepare the Electrode Design Environment

Blank the slot electrode.

Rotate the part to optimize your view of the rib geometry, as shown, then zoom in on the sparkingarea.

Optimizize the View of the Sparking Area



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Finished Slot Stub Sparking Head

Blank the parent cavity model.

Rotate the part to optimize your view of the electrode head for burning the slot stubs.

Slotted Sparking Head

Unblank the cavity model.


Task 1. Create the Init ial Rib Sp arking Head


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In this task, you will create the first of three sparking headsthat are similarly configured in size and shape. You willexport the parameters of the initial sparking head toconfigure the second, then repeat the procedure to createand configure the last sparking head in the set.

On the Electrode Designtoolbar, choose Replace Solid

.

The Replace Soliddialog appears.

In the graphics window, select the rib face that is furthest tothe left on the end piece region, as shown.

Select Rib 1 Face 1

Rotate the part to optimize your view of the opposite faceof the rib cavity.

Select the second rib face as shown.


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Select Rib 1 Face 2

On the Replace Solid dialog, turn off the Bounding BoxFaceoption.

Select the floor of the rib cavity in between the faces asshown.


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Select Rib 1 Face 3

The initial sparking head outline appears in the rib cavity.

On the Replace Soliddialog, choose Edit Bounding Box.

The Create Box dialog appears.

Press F3to clear the dynamic input fields from the display.

To size the sparking head, drag the XandYarrow handles2mm in the positive direction, and the Z arrow handleapproximately 20mm in the positive direction as shown in

the image and the demonstration movie.

Stop when you think the offsets are +2mm in boththe XY directions. If theX or Y face offsets aregreater than +2, it may cause an interferencecondition in the downstream validation procedure.

Size the Sparking Head

Press F3again to restore the dynamic input fields to checkyour offset values.

To refine the offset values, select the X and Y input fieldsand key in the correct values.


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Make sure you press Enter after each instance.

On the Create Boxdialog, click OK.

The Replace Soliddialog reappears.

On the Replace Soliddialog, click OK.

Task 2. Create Sparking Head Two

In this task, you will use Replace Solidto export the parameters of the initial sparking head to thesecond sparking head. Do not rotate the part until you have selected the first face in the procedure.

On the Electrode Designtoolbar, choose Replace Solid .

Rotating the part as necessary, select the opposing faces and the floor of the second rib cavity, asshown.

Select Faces and Floor on Rib Cavity 2

The sparking head appears in the rib cavity.

Rotate the part as necessary to allow selection of the faces on the first sparking head.

On the Replace Solid dialog, turn off the Bounding Box Faceand Replace Reverse Faceoptions.

This action may cause the electrode to over-burn. You will verify this later when you validatethe electrodes.


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To export the parameters of the first sparking head to the second, do the following on the firstsparking head:

Select the top face.

Select the near (front) vertical face.

Select the far (back) vertical face.

Select Top and Side Faces to Export the Size Parameters

On the Replace Soliddialog, click OK.

Finished Sparking Head 2

This second sparking head inherits the size parameters of the first sparking head.


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Task 3. Create Sparking Head Three

In this task, you n use Replace Solidagain to create and configure the third and final sparkinghead. This task is the same as Task 2, except for the location of the cavity faces.

Create the Sparking Head

To create and configure the third sparking head, follow the instructions inTask 2. Create SparkingHead 2.

Review the Results

When you have completed the third sparking head, take a look at all three heads in context.

In NX, choose EditObject Display.

Select the part body and click OK.

On the Edit Object Display, choose Apply to all faces.

Move the translucency slider until you reach 75%.

The sparking heads should look like this:

Finished Set of Sparking Heads

Reset the translucency to 0.
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Designing Blanks

In this task, you add blanks to the rib and slot electrode heads. Start with the rib electrodes.

On theElectrode Designtoolbar, choose Blank Design .

On the Blank Designdialog, the following options should be active:

Create/Reposition Electrode Blank, Add Head(s)

Select Head(s)

Unite Head and Blank

These options are the initial defaults.

One at a time, select the top face of each of the rib electrode heads.

Select the Top Faces of the Rib Electrode Heads

On the Blank Design dialog, choose OK.

Electrode Designautomatically generates a common blank for the three rib electrodes.


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Generated Blank

In NX, choose EditObject Display.

Select the part body and on the Class Selectiondialog, choose OK.

On the Edit Object Displaydialog, move the slider until you reach 75% transparency.

The electrode and blank should look like this:

Rib Electrode Detail

On the Edit Object Displaydialog, reset the translucency value to 0.


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Blank the rib electrode and repeat theDesigning Blanksprocedure to add a blank to the slotelectrode.

Slot Electrode Detail
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Validating Electrodes

This section takes you step-by-step through the procedures to validate that your electrodes are freeof interferences and other errors. For more information, seeElectrode Checking Overview.In thistask, you evaluate the slot stub electrode for interferences and touch instances.

Unblank the rib electrode.

On the Electrode Designtoolbar, choose Electrode Checking.

The Electrode Checkingdialog appears.

On the Electrode Checkingdialog, choose Select Product .

In the graphics window, select the parent cavity model.

On the Electrode Checkingdialog, choose Select Electrode .

In the graphics window, select both electrodes.

On the Electrode Checkingdialog, choose Touch Area Calculation.

Turn off the Create Touch Sheet Body option.

Click Apply.

In the graphics window, Electrode Designhighlights the location of any touch or interferenceinstances, automatically generates a detailed report, and displayed it in the Informationwindow.

Depending on how you created your electrodes, the report may contain descriptions of touch points,interferences, or both. The report shows you the status of these instances and the orientation andlocation of the electrode relative to the MSET CSYS. For touch status, the report describes thetouch area, the projection area to the WCS, and the depth of the sparking area.Electrode Designsaves the validation report data and stores it in the electrode assembly as part attributes.

To get a better view of the error, on the Electrode Checkingdialog, move the translucency slider to

make the surrounding geometry transparent.

Use the Electrode Designtools to correct any interferences and rerun ElectrodeChecking.


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Adding a Holder

In this procedure, you add an electrode holder from the default holder library to the slot electrode

assembly. The holder library can contain any number of standard and user-defined electrodeholders.

Blank the rib electrode assembly.

On theElectrode Designtoolbar, choose Blank Design .

On theBlank Designdialog, choose Add Holder .

The Blank Designdialog switches to the holder selection panel.

.

In the graphics window, select the top face of the slot electrode blank.

On the Blank Designdialog, select the ER009222holder from the list.

Click Apply.

The holder appears on the blank.

Holder Added to Slot Electrode Assembly

Repeat this procedure to add a holder to the rib electrode blank.



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Generating Engineering Drawings

In this task you use Electrode Draftingto create 2D drawings from the 3D electrode assembly. TheElectrode Draftingfunction allows you to use predefined templates to generate multi-viewassembly drawings.

On the Electrode Designtoolbar, choose Electrode Drawing .

Open the Assembly Navigator, and select the assembly components that you want to use in thedrawing output.

Components in Assembly Navigator

You can also select the components in the graphics window. The component information is addedto the Electrode Draftingdialog.

Selected Components

On the Electrode Draftingdialog, to build the Component List, select the assembly parts that youwant to see in the 2D drawing output.


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Use the arrow buttons to add assembly parts to the Machined Componentslist.

To modify the Machined Componentslist:

In the Excluded Components list, use the arrow buttons to add or remove components.

In the Optional Componentslist, use the arrow buttons to add or remove components.

Edit the plot frame to update the attribute table, if necessary.

When the list is the way you want it, click OK or Apply.

The Electrode Drawingoutput is generated and displayed.

Use NX Drafting to automatically add dimensions to the drawing.

Generating a Bill of Materials

In this final task, you generate a bill of materials from the electrode assembly. The BOM functiongenerates reports on the parts listed in the template file, the electrode positions, sparkingsettings, electrode sizes, and the parameters and attributes that were applied to the assemblycomponents during the design process. The BOM is automatically created from the contents ofthe assembly in the MSET.

Electrode BOMheavily leverages a shared NX ToolingBOM facility. For more information, seethe Electrode DesignBill of Materials (BOM) Overview.This overview provides a briefintroduction to the Electrode BOM function and a link to theMold Wizard BOMhelp whichthoroughly documents the NX ToolingBOM application.

Make 1000_top_000the displayed part.

On the Electrode Designtoolbar, choose Electrode Bill of Materials .

In theAssembly Navigator, select one of the block_blankcomponents for the BOM report.


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Assembly Navigator Component Selection

Click Apply.

The BOM is displayed in the information window on the BOM Record of Editdialog. In additionto the component list, the BOM displays the parameters and attributes, such as material, catalog,and part name, that were automatically or manually applied during the design process.

Choose the desired dialog options to manipulate the BOM information.

When you complete this task, you have finished the Electrode Design tutorial.

. Generating a Bill of Materials

In this final task, you generate a bill of materials from the electrode assembly. The BOM functiongenerates reports on the parts listed in the template file, the electrode positions, sparkingsettings, electrode sizes, and the parameters and attributes that were applied to the assemblycomponents during the design process. The BOM is automatically created from the contents of

the assembly in the MSET.

Electrode BOMheavily leverages a shared NX ToolingBOM facility. For more information, seethe Electrode DesignBill of Materials (BOM) Overview.This overview provides a briefintroduction to the Electrode BOM function and a link to theMold Wizard BOMhelp whichthoroughly documents the NX ToolingBOM application.

Make 1000_top_000the displayed part.

On the Electrode Designtoolbar, choose Electrode Bill of Materials .

In theAssembly Navigator, select one of the block_blankcomponents for the BOM report.

Assembly Navigator Component Selection

Click Apply.

The BOM is displayed in the information window on the BOM Record of Editdialog. In additionto the component list, the BOM displays the parameters and attributes, such as material, catalog,and part name, that were automatically or manually applied during the design process.


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Choose the desired dialog options to manipulate the BOM information.

When you complete this task, you have finished the Electrode Design tutorial.

Supplemental Case Studies

These case studies are designed to let you experience a variety of way to create sparking headsusing the powerful solid modeling tools provided by Electrode Design. The tutorial tasks aredescribed and visualized in the following table. If you want to know more, to access direct links tothe individual tasks, clickhere.

CaseStudy

Workpiece Commands Description Expected Results

1

workpiece_1.prt

Create BoxCreate and edita simple box.

2 Create Box

Create a simplebox and modifythe angle

relative to theworkpiece

3Create Box

Trim Solid

Create asparking headby using TrimSolid to trim anexisting box.

4

Reference

BlendExtendSolid

Trim Solid

ElectrodeChecking

Create andvalidate asparking headusing multipleElectrodeDesigncommands.


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5

workpiece_2.prt

Trim Solid

Take a detailedlook at how theTrim

SolidSubtractoption works.

6

workpiece_4.prt

Trim Solid

Extrude

Trim Body

Use helpergeometry forcomplextrimmingoperations.

TheExtrude

and TrimBodycommandsrequire anNXModelinglicense.


Direct Links to Case Studies

se Study 1. Create and Edit a BoxCase Study 2. Create a Box With a Modified Z-vectorCase Study 3. Create a Box, Trim with Trim SolidCase Study 4. Use Electrode Design ToolsCase Study 5. Use Trim Solid with the Subtract OptionCase Study 6. Use Helper Geometry to Trim the Sparking Head

Electrode Design Attributes

Electrode Design attributes are described in the following table:

Attribute Name Description Location

EW_TOP Electrode top part ID Top part

EW_MSET Electrode MSET component ID Each MSETcomponent

EWSET_ELE_LEVEL Maximum Z level of the working part. May beused for machine level setting

Each MSETcomponent
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EW_WORKING Working part ID in each MSET Each workingcomponent

EW_COMPONENT_TYPE Electrode type ID Electrode

UM_STD_DIM Used to remember blank dimensions Electrode

UM_STANDARD_PART Indicates a standard component Electrode

UM_STANDARD_PART_ROOT Indicates a standard component Electrode

MW_COMPONENT_TYPE Defined in spread sheet to indicateELECTRODE type

Electrode

EW_FOOT_NAME Defined in spread sheet to remember blanktype

Electrode

MW_COMPONENT_NAME Customized electrode type Electrode

CATALOG Catalog information defined in spread sheet Electrode

manual electrode design

Documents