Electrode Base Platform

Electrode Base Platform

Electrode Base

• Electrode Base: Create an electrode base platform based on the electrode feature and define relevant parameters
• Electrode Number: Define the electrode number (automatically generated based on the initialized electrode number prefix)
• Layer: Define the layer number for placing the electrode (start layer is defined according to system parameter settings)
• Discharge Coordinate Rounding: Define whether to round coordinates and adjust X, Y, Z values
• Base Platform Offset: Define the offset value of the base platform; the value is inherited by the next electrode
• Electrode Dimension: Display the external dimension of the electrode head
• Base Dimension: Define the dimension of the electrode base (supports system parameters to define minimum dimension and the distance from the reference edge to the feature)
• Blank Size: Display the blank size (supports system parameters to define expansion value and increment method)
• Minimum Distance from Base Platform to Part: Display the minimum distance between the base platform and the workpiece
• Generate Base Platform Only: Generate a base platform without attributes
• Reference Chamfer/Fillet: Adjust the size of chamfer (C-angle) and fillet (supports system parameters to define default size)
• Clamping Height: Adjust the electrode clamping height (supports system parameters to define default size)
• Reference Angle Orientation: Define the direction of the reference angle (supports system parameters to define default direction or inherit the previous direction)
• None, Standard, Rib: Combine spark gaps (supports system parameters to define combinations)
• Roughing: Define the quantity, gap, and material for roughing
• Semi-Finishing: Define the quantity, gap, and material for semi-finishing
• Finishing: Define the quantity, gap, and material for finishing

Remarks

• CNC Machining Remarks: Remarks for CNC machining precautions, used for label output (supports system parameter settings)
• EDM Discharge Remarks: Remarks for EDM discharge precautions, used for label output (supports system parameter settings)
• Electrode Process Remarks: Remarks for process information precautions, used for label output (supports system parameter settings)

Discharge Parameters

• Surface Roughness (VDI): Define surface roughness for label output (supports system parameters to set default value)
• Oscillation Mode: Define the oscillation mode for label output (supports system parameters to set default value)
• Shape Category: Define the electrode shape for label output (supports system parameters to set default value)
• Discharge Remaining Height: Define the actual discharge height
• Projected Discharge Area: Define the projected discharge area

Clamping Simulation

• Fixture Center Point: Define the fixture center point (correction for original text error: not surface roughness, but fixture center * point) for label output (supports system parameters to set default value)
• Generate Fixture Block: Define the fixture center, generally used for eccentric electrodes
• Preview: View the fixture model or custom block
• Clamping Block: Select the simulated clamping block
• Extension Rod: Select the simulated extension rod
• EDM Spindle Head: Select the simulated EDM spindle head

Direction

• Cutting Edge Reference Position: Adjust the 3-axis (XC, YC, ZC) linked cutting edge position
• Electrode Discharge Direction: After activating the discharge direction, it can be modified to -Z, -X, +X, -Y, +Y, Three (3-axis direction)
• Preview Discharge Retract Direction: View the electrode retract position
• Retract Distance: Set the electrode retract distance

Others

• Mark Special Color: Bind a unique color ID to the electrode
• Mark Manual Discharge: After marking manual discharge, no program will be generated for scan discharge
• Mark Gap-Adjusted Body: Mark that the electrode gap has been adjusted
• Roughing-Finishing Multi-Tooth Electrode: Automatically jump to the roughing-finishing multi-tooth electrode settings
• Manual Point Acquisition: Mark that the electrode feature will not automatically acquire points
• Tolerance Type: Modify the electrode tolerance
• Material Number: Connect to the Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
• Measuring Probe Name: Specify the measuring probe to be used for the electrode
• Additional Widening on Both Sides of Base Platform: Set the corresponding direction and value for additional widening of the base platform
• Blank Size Increment Step: Set the increment value for blank size (in step units)

Settings

• Electrode Feature Interference Check: Check for interference between the electrode feature and the part
• Electrode Feature Undercut Surface Check: Check whether the electrode feature has an undercut surface
• Close Layer After Electrode Creation: Automatically close the electrode’s layer after the electrode is created
• Standard Blank Height Increment: Use the standard blank height increment

Special-Shaped Electrode

• Special-Shaped Electrode: Used to add attributes to special-shaped electrodes
• Select Centering Method: Choose from standard electrode, single-side reference electrode, multi-axis linkage (surface selection), lathe electrode, and square block electrode (point selection)
• Reference Plane: Define the reference plane of the electrode
• Reference Side Surface: Define the side surface of the electrode; the electrode centering method is automatically identified based on the reference side surface

Edit Special-Shaped Electrode

• Edit Special-Shaped Electrode: Modify electrodes with attributes; automatically read existing related attributes such as electrode number, gap, and quantity

Electrode Discharge Direction

• Electrode Discharge Direction: Used to edit electrode clamping information and adjust the EDM direction
• Fixture Center Point: Define the fixture center point (correction for original text error: not surface roughness, but fixture center point) for label output (supports system parameters to set default value)
• Generate Fixture Block: Define the fixture center, generally used for eccentric electrodes
• Preview: View the fixture model or custom block
• Clamping Block: Select the simulated clamping block
• Extension Rod: Select the simulated extension rod
• EDM Spindle Head: Select the simulated EDM spindle head
• Electrode Discharge Direction: After activating the discharge direction, it can be modified to -Z, -X, +X, -Y, +Y, Three (3-axis direction)
• Preview Discharge Retract Direction: View the electrode retract position
• Retract Distance: Set the electrode retract distance

Multi-Body Electrode

Import from Other Plugins

• Applicable to: Batch import "A Niu Attributes" (attributes from a specific plugin) from other plugins
• Select Other Electrodes: Add electrodes that need conversion
• Set WCS to Absolute Coordinate: Align the Work Coordinate System (WCS) with the absolute coordinate
• Coordinate Orientation: Specify the electrode to orient the WCS
• Close Electrode Layer After Completion: Close the electrode’s layer after the process is completed

Electrode Information

• Applicable to: Editing the content of electrode information
• Display Individually: Display the selected electrode individually
• Apply: Confirm the modifications

Electrode Renaming

Applicable to: When producing the same molds, batch change the electrode numbers.

• Component: Electrodes with exported Part files
• Find: String to locate electrode and mold numbers
• Replace: New string for electrode and mold numbers
• Renaming scope: Electrode attributes, electrode entity names, electrode layer names, electrode drawing names/attributes, electrode extraction drawing attributes, exported electrode Part file attributes, entity attributes/names

Batch Electrode Number Modification

Applicable to: Reordering after discontinuous numbering or electrode deletion

• Modification type - Specified layers: Loads all electrodes by default, renames sequentially from start to end layers with continuous incremental numbering
• Skip empty layers: Ensures consecutive electrode numbering
• Create layer name: Generates eponymous layer in electrode's parent layer
  
• Modification type - Selected objects: Renames chosen electrodes starting from specified name with incremental numbering, supports reading default names from selection and previewing new names

Mirror Electrodes

Applicable to: Electrode design for mirrored molds

• Select objects: Electrodes to mirror
• Specify plane: Mirror reference plane
• Start number: Initial numbering for new electrodes (auto-increments)
• Start layer: Initial layer for new electrodes (auto-increments)
• Preview: Real-time mirror effect preview