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First Steps

Welcome to ProSolids Wire EDM! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the complete process of generating Wire EDM toolpaths and NC code.

General Usage Instructions

The following steps are used to generate Wire EDM toolpaths and NC code using ProSolids WireEDM:

  1. 1.Model the part or open the part file in Autodesk® Fusion®
  2. 2.Change to the Manufacture Workspace
  3. 3.Define the Machine type and machine parameters
  4. 4.Define the Stock and Plane definitions and setup
  5. 5.Select desired geometry
  6. 6.Generate the Operation Plan and Toolpaths
  7. 7.Adjust operation parameters
  8. 8.Simulate Material Removal
  9. 9.Post-process the toolpaths
1

Model Part in Fusion or Import Part

The ProSolids Browser displays the list containing Machine, Stocks, Planes, and Operations to be programmed.

To use ProSolids WireEDM, you need to navigate the ProSolids Browser and Manager Tree. By default, the ProSolids Browser is anchored to the right side of the screen.

Tip: You can create your part directly in Fusion 360 or import existing CAD files from other software packages.

2

Expand the ProSolids Browser Manager Tree

When the ProSolids WireEDM Manager tree is displayed, it initially lists MAC Manager. Each level of the tree is expandable. Press and hold Shift, then click the arrow to open all lower levels.

When fully expanded, the ProSolids WireEDM Manager tree will display: MAC Manager, EDM Machine, EDM Stock, and EDM Plane. As features are added, they will be found below the EDM Plane.

ProSolids WireEDM Interface Components

Property Grid

Below the ProSolids WireEDM Manager tree is the ProSolids WireEDM Property Grid.

This area will display commonly used settings for quick and easy access based on the section selected in the Manager tree.

Examples: MAC Manager displays various system settings, while EDM Machine shows wire size and material settings.

Note: Any changes made within the property grid will affect the same setting anywhere beneath it. For example: If "Use Glue Stop" is toggled off within the Machine Data property grid, all glue stops of all Machining Features will be turned off.

Toolbar

By default, the ProSolids WireEDM Toolbar will display all button and menu options. These will be explored in later sections.

3

Define the Machine

The EDM machine is initially defined by the default machine saved in your preferences. The defined machine determines which post-processor will generate the NC code later in the process. The machine can change at any point without losing previously generated toolpath.

To change machines:

  1. 1. Right-click the EDM machine in the ProSolids WireEDM Manager tree and select Machine from the context menu. Or pick Machine Selection from the Setup section of the toolbar.
  2. 2. In the Machine Selection dialog box, select the appropriate Make and Model from the dropdown lists.
  3. 3. Click OK to close the dialog box.

Important: Make sure to select the correct machine model that matches your actual EDM equipment for accurate toolpath generation.

4

Define the Stock

The stock is the material from which the part will be cut. By default, the stock is defined as the smallest cube (or bounding box) that the part will fit into.

5

Define Setup

To define the zero position and orientation of the part, we need to define a setup. In the ProSolids WireEDM browser tree, right-click on the EDM Plane and select Manage Setup. This will open the Setup manager.

Note: If a setup is not created or selected before creating the first feature in a part, the system will create one automatically.

6

Geometry Selection

In ProSolids WireEDM, the machining process is done through a combination of methods to define machinable features:

  • • Interactively created features from 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional geometry
  • • New features can be defined by adding new 2 or 4 Axis features interactively. Using this method, you can define inside, outside, and open contour features.

Tip: Start with simple 2D contours for your first projects to get familiar with the workflow before moving to more complex 4-axis operations.

7

Create a Feature and Toolpath

In the ProSolids WireEDM Toolbar, or by right clicking EDM Plane, select Create 2Axis Feature. This will open the Geometry Selection window.

8

Adjust Operation Parameters

Each operation contains machining parameters that affect how the toolpath is created and specific parameters that will be output to the NC program. These parameters can be edited before post-processing the part.

9

Simulate Material Removal

ProSolids WireEDM provides the ability to simulate the tool path showing the tool movement and the resulting shape of the part. The Simulate Toolpath button will launch Predator Virtual CNC and import part information.

Note: Simulation requires Predator Virtual CNC to be installed. This is optional but highly recommended for verifying your toolpaths before machining.

10

Post Process Toolpaths

Post-processing is the final step in generating the NC program file. ProSolids WireEDM creates NC code for each toolpath in the order the operation appears in the operation tree and the Process order specified on the Posting tab in the EDM Settings dialog box.

Success: Once post-processing is complete, you'll have NC code ready to run on your EDM machine. Always verify the generated code before running it on your equipment.