Edgecam Capto Geomerty

[trimneatsnob]

Outline:
Require instruction on how to import tooling geometry into edgecam to simulate machining of parts.

Our workshop is looking to design and develop some Capto C6 tooling for some specialised turning profile. The tooling will be designed on Fusion 360 or possibly solid works.

I am wanting to import the cad file and test out the tool with all the geometry taken into account and ensure there are no collisions or mods to be made to the tool before it goes off to manufacturer's.

Any help or advice on steps to take for the above would be most welcome. I've tried to work through it but I get lost .

If any more experienced people out there can advise on better software to use or another solution as our management have tasked us to complete this process for costvsaving and we all are a very inexperienced in the above.

Thankyou

 

[alphonso]

I thought Edgecam had some Capto templates. Or design the tool in Edgecam?

 

[trimneatsnob]

Alphonso, thankyou for taking the time to reply. I'm aware of the Capto tooling in edgecam, however we need to have some longer and very narrow for some specialist profile.
Can these tools be altered in cad then will all the tool geometry be there when we save the file.

Can have a play around with it and see how that works out.

Thanks

 

[alphonso]

I've modified some of the templates to make customized tools on occasion.

 

[gregormarwick]

I'm not an edgecam user so I can't offer advice on that specifically, but as you asked for general information I have done a lot of this kind of custom tool work and my general workflow is as follows:

First, I will decide if it's something that I want to do myself or not. If not, I send the part drawing to one of my preferred custom tool suppliers (for me those are Sandvik, Horn, or Tungaloy) highlighting whatever feature I want a special tool for with a description of how I intend to use it, and ask them to design a tool for me. They will do so, send me a drawing to sign off on, and then I order it.

If it is something I want to design and possibly make myself, then I will (in the case of a capto tool) download a .step of a suitable capto blank that I intend to use and start modelling, or if there is an off the shelf tool that is close to what I want I download a step of it (typically I use Sandvik for this as they have by far the largest range of capto tools) and modify it to what I want.

While I am modelling the tool, I will pull it into an assembly with the part and work with it in context. At this stage I constrain the insert cutting edge to the surface I want to machine and check the tool geometry for collisions with the finished part and any static workholding elements etc, and model it around the part until it looks good.

When I'm happy with it, I then import it into CAM as a solid model tool and simulate it machining the part to check for collisions with uncut stock etc.

If there are problems I go back to the CAD model and adjust as necessary, otherwise if it works in simulation then I will buy the blank/tool and start machining.