Integrated CAM solution built PTS's Granite
Keywords: CAM, Software, Engineering
Pathtrace of Reading will work with PTC (Nasdaq: PMTC) the Product Development Company, to provide users of EdgeCAM Solid Machinist, Pathtrace's off-line programming software, with an integrated computer-aided manufacturing(CAM) solution built on PTC's Granite
The recently launched Granite is the platform that provides the base for the geometry, feature and data exchange capabilities at the core of Pro/ENGINEER,PTC's mechanical computer-aided design software. One of the key advantages claimed of solutions built on Granite is the ability to operate associatively providing updates to other Granite based downstream applications, such as EdgeCAM, based on any changes in the original solid
"In just 6 weeks we achieved the desired results from the integration of Granite with EdgeCAM. We then focused on the opportunity to become the first CAM vendor to announce availability of a solution enabled with Granite interoperability." – David Boucher, director research & development,Pathtrace. EdgeCAM will provide both OEM and subcontract users with an integrated solution to leverage native files from multiple CAD authoring systems, including Pro/ ENGINEER. This reportedly will allow the direct machining of solid models, without the need for translators.
As Brian Steatham, managing director of Pathtrace outlines, EdgeCA.M is well respected for its strong production engineering base and its ease of use. "Many of our customers already have Pro/ENGINEER and along with the capability of EdgeCAM, full associativity with their solid models will be a major advantage. In addition, for those currently not using a CAM system, the level of interoperability offered by Granite will greatly enhance the benefits of EdgeCAM."
Comments Jim Heppelmann, PTC's chief technology officer and executive vice president, software products: "Our Pro/ ENGINEER customers are looking for a best of breed solution for their CAD/CAM/CAE requirements. By partnering with other leading product design and development software vendors to deliver an end to end solution we provide our customers with the opportunity to focus their attention on producing more innovative products, instead of how their software products will interact."
To which Brian Steatham adds: "Pathtrace is proud to work with a company such as PTC which has one of the largest user bases of solid modellers. Manufacturing customers look for proven products. Also, the commitment by both parties to develop the technology to maintain and build on these world-class products is vital. In EdgeCAM, this will include ever-higher degrees of process automation and advanced feature recognition."
As Brian Steatham concludes the arrangement between PTC and Pathtrace:"EdgeCAM Solid machinist for Granite is an important step forward in lowering the barriers between CAD and CAM."
Pathtrace also reports that its off-line EdgeCAM NC Editor which can be used to modify the code of any computer-driven machine tool, and is now available for download FREE from the EdgeCAM Website: http://www.edgecam.com
Developed by Pathtrace of Reading, the NC Editor is a module from the award-winning EdgeCAM off-line programming software, which has some 20,000 installations world-wide. The EdgeCAM NC Editor will be of special value to small and medium size machining or toolroom companies which either do not have computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) facilities installed, or want a high level production engineering based editing solution to supplement their existing programming software.
The EdgeCAM NC Editor is said to be regarded by users as being more powerful than many existing CAM system editors and would normally be sold for £500. It will work independently of EdgeCAM or any other installed software at a remote PC terminal from the machine tool and, with on-line help embedded in the software, simplicity of use follows the existing Pathtrace strategy. It claims an unlimited file size, will perform global arithmetic calculations, and also has a unique,file compare, facility.
To access the free download all that is required is to log on to http://www.edgecam.com and complete your details in the EdgeCAM address book.
Details available from: Pathtrace. Tel: +44 (0)118 975 6084; E-mail: enquiry@pathtrace.com ; Website: http:\\www.edgecam.com
