Computer-aided-manufacturing (CAM) industry leader DP Technology, maker of ESPRIT®, is now shipping ESPRIT Mold Version 10 (v10), the latest generation of its mold software.
Designed to be user-friendly while maximizing efficiency, ESPRIT Mold v10 is loaded with new features and powerful upgrades — including a new patent-pending ESPRIT FreeForm 5-axis composite machining cycle and a new cycle designed specifically for machining impellers. In addition to other significant upgrades, ESPRIT Mold v10 takes advantage of multi-core processors (CPU) for substantially faster processing speeds.
ESPRIT Mold is designed to run on both Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Vista operating systems.
New Patent-Pending Free-Form 5-axis composite cycle
Twenty-two new 5-axis machining strategies have been added to the existing 5-axis functionalities within ESPRIT Mold, an upgrade that translates to even greater machining flexibility and improved cycle times. The new patent-pending FreeForm 5-axis composite machining cycle allows users to independently define machining patterns and tool orientation strategies to be used for creating simultaneous 5-axis toolpaths, and includes 20 different machining strategies (cycles) in one — resulting in a wide range of easily manageable possibilities.
The new ESPRIT composite machining cycle gives users the ability to perform simultaneous 5-axis machining for a wide variety of different parts and industries —including the aerospace, medical and automotive sectors — with one simple user interface.
New Impeller Cycle
Built into ESPRIT Mold v10 — and ensuring a programming process that is both simple and user-friendly — is a new cycle developed explicitly for machining impellers. This new cycle includes a roughing strategy that optimizes the creation of the toolpath based on the current stock and a new strategy for finishing the hub. These two new strategies support machining the main blade as well as splitter blades.
Among the host of enhancements designed to streamline the programming process is the capability to use separate stock allowances for vertical walls and floors, in addition to the option to set a different stock allowance for a given zone (surface or group of surfaces) of the workpiece.
Another significant upgrade available in ESPRIT Mold v10 paves the way for even greater toolpath accuracy. All machining cycles, including those for 5-axis operations, now incorporate full collision detection during toolpath calculation for not only the tool, but also the tool shank and tool holder — a feature that guarantees collision-free toolpaths.
ESPRIT Mold File as a Template
An existing ESPRIT Mold file can now be used as a machining template for a new job, which allows for a dramatic reduction in programming time. Users can now drag and drop existing ESPRIT Mold files into the active workspace of ESPRIT Mold. The machining process of the imported file will be added into the new file, thus providing users with the ability to regenerate existing machining cycles onto new part geometry —realizing monumental time savings.
Users now also have the means to view simulation at any point on the toolpath, which allows for inspection of the toolpath at any location. This gives the user the ability to make a quick inspection, negating the need to simulate preceding areas.
New Multi-core Processing
The full performance of multi-core (dual-core, quad-core or more) is now fully realized in ESPRIT Mold v10, which results in an up to 145 percent processing increase for each core added (1 to 2, 2 to 4, etc.). Streamlining the transition from design to machining, ESPRIT Mold v10 features a new and improved CAD reader for Pro/E, UG, CatiaV4, CatiaV5, STEP, ACIS, Inventor and Parasolid, maximizing CAD to CAM reliability.
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