Add-In for CAM software

Modern Machine Shop, June, 2002 by Shauna R. Pope

The company announces the immediate availability of a SolidWorks add-in for the push button transfer of Solid Works part models into the Esprit CAM system. This add-in is available free of charge to any SolidWorks user from the manufacturer's Web site. The add-in adds one menu item to the user's SolidWorks program called "Esprit SolidLink." When the user selects the add-in menu, Esprit automatically opens and loads the current part model ready for machining.

The add-in is available for Solid Works 2001 Plus; thus, customers using these two products together are able to immediately begin using this latest version of SolidWorks with the ability to directly machine the resulting native part models inside Esprit.

The solution provides a direct method of working from one native CAD file to create both the design and the associated CNC programs. By eliminating the need for a translator and a second neutral file format such as IGES or STEP, the file and part revision management is said to be simplified.

Esprit and SolidWorks both utilize the Parasolid modeling kernel, thereby allowing the direct CAD to CAM exchange of the part model and eliminating the need for data translation. Within Esprit, alt machining is performed directly on the solid model, thus assuring that the on-screen "as machined" part matches the original "as designed" version. The Solid Works/Esprit CAD/CAM solution is said to assure maximum integrity of the final part by using one solid modeling kernel for both CAD and CAM, and by performing solid-based machining on the resulting part model.

Esprit's associative connection to SolidWorks extends into the editing process as well. The program's Engineering Change Manager is an associative tool that enables the part programmer to manage part revisions and engineering changes, automatically updating any previously defined toolpath based on new or modified geometry. Changes in the SolidWorks part model are immediately reflected in Esprit and the resulting G-Code part program.

DP Technology (805) 388-6000. Enter 169 at www.mmsinfo.com to visit Online Showroom, or write 169 on RS card.