SMARTElectrode Changelog

15.1.5.0

Enhancements

• Assembly UI: changed behavior for creation method "Use current assembly". List of selected reference models is cleared when switching to method "Use current assembly". Only selected reference models are marked as workpieces/core models. All other components are treated as "undefined".
  The new functionality also works for redefinition of assembly. [RM-17718]
• Most user interfaces remember position on subsequent calls in session. Child dialogs like "Edit Holder Position", "Edit Measuring Point" and "Notification" will be displayed dependent upon parent dialog position. In addition most user interfaces can be resized and remember size on subsequent calls in session. [RM-15325]
• Interfaces: Introduce validation rules and operations for placeholders. In addition to comparison operators also formatting rules and formulas can be considered.
  Syntax: #<placeholder>[<operator/format/math>;<format string>;<action>]#
  Operators: check help for complete list of operators
  Format: [format;<format string>;<action>] Example: [format;%07d;no-action]
  Formula: [math;<formula>;<action>] Example: [math;(burnarea_xy/10)^2;no-action]
  Valid actions: no-action [0], skip-value [1], skip-value-and-tag [2], skip-line [3], default-value [4]
  Multiple rules are processed one by one from left to right.
• Interfaces: Enhance usage and processing of exports and interfaces. Some interfaces (AgieVision, Exeron Exoprog, Ingersoll Multiprog) use predefined template from installation. Set export option SE_USE_CUSTOM_TEMPLATE=YES to activate custom template from configuration.
  [RM-16970][RM-17057]
• Interfaces: integrate export to Exeron exoprog.
• Add layer control when exporting 3d formats. Layer settings file (layer_settings.txt) and automatically created temporary layer "SE_EXPORT_TEMP" are outdated. There are two new persistent layers to define hidden (SE_EXPORT_HIDDEN) and displayed items (SE_EXPORT_DISPLAYED). Additional items to be hidden or shown can be added to these layers by user. Delete both layers from electrodes to recreate the layers on export - for example if the export configuration has changed. Reset of layers can also be activated by export option "SE_EDM_RESET_LAYERS" or activating checkbox "Reset export layers" in Output UI. In addition a new export option "SE_EDM_DISPLAY_LAYERS" is introduced. It contains a semicolon separated list of layer names that have to be displayed. [RM-17432]
• Interface ZK Alphamoduli: allow declaration of csys to measure Z0 point (MeasZPoint) from. Additionally 'MeasDim' can be set in options file to use dimensions absolute from palette (0) or incremental from top of piece (1). [RM-16971]
• Interfaces: remove enforced filling from roughing to fine-finishing if a specific machining step is missing. Machining steps are still automatically moved up for AgieVision, but not for any other interface anymore. The values are used as defined in parameters.
  Order: Rouging << Pre-Finishing << Finishing << Polishing/Fine-Finishing
  Parameters: &overburn1 << &overburn2 << &overburn3 << &overburn4
  [RM-16918]

Improvements

• Classify UI: user interface is not accessible until a zero point has been defined. This behavior avoids mistakes if users accidentally classify components as electrodes before an active operation is available. [RM-17719]
• Startposition UI: custom coordinate system can be selected as reference to define offset/rotation of start position. Coordinate system must reside in electrode model. Custom start position is only applied to currently active electrode component. Repeat definition for different electrode positions. Start position parameters update if coordinate system is redefined. Start position is reset to default behavior if coordinate system is deleted by user. [RM-14337]
• Base UI: allow display of quantity parameters for burngaps with decimals. Applies to parameters with rules &overburn1_qty, &overburn2_qty, &overburn3_qty and &overburn4_qty. Open Parameter Configuration UI and change type to DOUBLE or STRING and set number of decimal places in column "Format" to allow decimals. If parameter type was INTEGER before, existing quantity parameters must be deleted from electrodes manually to allow creation with correct type. [RM-17047]

Bugfixes

• Correct calculation of user-defined start position if reference csys is rotated in more than one axis. [RM-17551]
• Operation: fix minor bug when user selection of operation for editing is cancelled. [RM-16940]
• Drawings: set drawing detail options "ignore_model_layer_status=yes" and "draw_layer_overrides_model=yes" when drawings are created from template. This allows to control display of model layers through drawing layers with same name. [RM-16942]
• Fix problem with holder assembly. Sometimes electrode csys "EDM_HOLDER_POS" could not be initialized correctly. [RM-16824]
• Fix erroneous call to interference check toolkit API. Command delivers in some cases no result if arguments not in a specific order. [RM-16818]

15.1.4.0

Enhancements

• Add new command "Quilt Envelope" to allow creation of a rectangular, closed quilt around the selected solid or datum surfaces. Selections from workpiece or active electrode are valid. Created envelope can be used for trim, extend, merge and solidify features. Use command "Edit Cutout" to redefine. [RM-16455]
• Parameters in Properties UI and in Base UI can now be filtered by category. Available default categories are "Default" (as defined by Show in UI), "All", "Position" and "Technology". Use Parameter Configuration UI to add custom categories. [RM-15975]
• Assign electrode to different operation. Use page 'General' in Base UI to set a different zero point for active electrode component. Parameters will be recalculated after user confirmation. Changes assignment for active electrode component only! [RM-10410]
• Add new page 'General' to Base UI. This page combines basic information about the electrode: operation, csys, holder and notifications. [RM-8256]

Improvements

• Remove deprecated behavior for 'DEFAULT_START_DATUM < 0'. A negative option value does not start calculation of workpiece height in Z direction of selected csys anymore. All values for DEFAULT_START_DATUM are now used as offset from FREE_FACE datum plane. [RM-16690]
• Remove deprecated option 'CALCULATE_XZ_PROJECTION'.
• Remove deprecated option 'USE_ORIGINAL_TABLE'. If a table is updated by software is decided by value in row 2/column 1 of the placeholder. Check changelog of predecessor [RM-7306].
• Remove deprecated option 'AUTO_UPDATE_PROJECTION' for automatic updates of effective burn-area calculation. Effective burn-area can be calculated in Base UI and Check UI. [RM-8713]
• Remove deprecated option 'CALCULATE_OVERBURN' for automatic evaluation of undersize values from database. Undersize values can be calculated in Base UI and Check UI if technology values are prepared in overburn_calc.txt. [RM-8714]

Bugfixes

• Cleanup transformation matrices to get correct angles in edge cases. [RM-16748]
• Base UI: fix problem with display of undersize values queried from 'overburn_calc.txt'. [RM-16691]
• Burnsheet UI: fix wrong reset of workpiece display after "Isolate" or "Show Notifications" in Burnsheet UI. [RM-16692]
• Base UI: recenter base on electrode solid if Z position is adjusted automatically. Lateral surfaces with draft angle lead to different coordinates for base. [RM-16547]

15.1.3.0

Enhancements

• Add new commands to ribbon group 'View' to display workpieces or electrodes with transparency.

Bugfixes

• Correct behavior of FREE_FACE in new electrodes, Base UI and definition/redefinition of cutout if normal vector of FREE_FACE parent is not parallel to Z direction of first csys in solid. [RM-16099]
• Consider flipped normal vector for user-defined FREE_FACE. Normal vector of FREE_FACE created on reference surface is not automatically parallel to normal vector of reference surface. [RM-16074]
• Fix empty table on separate electrode part drawing if placeholder 'ASM_EDM' is used. Assembly is automtically added as drawing model if necessary. [RM-16088]
• Fix wrong evaluation of userdefined FREE_FACE in Base UI. Affected versions: SMARTElectrode 15.1.2.0 in Creo 9.0.0.0 and Creo 9.0.1.0. Compare https://www.ptc.com/en/support/article/CS369850. [RM-15938]
• Output/Interfaces: one operation (= zero point) must be seleced to start export. Electrodes, from simplified representations or selected by user, belonging to a different zero point are skipped during export. [RM-15864]

15.1.2.0

Enhancements

• Add two command options in ribbon to enable or disable automatic interference check for assembly or active electrode component. If enabled, interference check is automatically exectued for some events in Creo: solid regenerate, feature suppress, feature resume, feature delete. Regeneration can be started manually to check interferences depending on active option. Option 'AUTO_INTERFERENCE_CHECK' sets the initial behavior for the whole assembly while new option 'AUTO_INTERFERENCE_COMP_CHECK' sets the initial behavior only for active electrode components. Active 'AUTO_INTERFERENCE_CHECK' overrides mode for active component. Because of negative impact on performance, automatic interference check is only executed when user interfaces are closed. Known limitations: quilts representing holders can't be checked in active component mode, because of API limitations. Interference check is also not possible after completion of feature redefine. [RM-7330] [RM-7733]
• Introduce a new parameter default '&burndepth' to calculate the manufacturing depth based on copied burn-faces (copy-geoms). The depth will be calculated for Z direction of EDM_ORIGIN csys. The value - like all parameters - can be unocked and overwritten. The new default will be automatically used in interfaces for Ingersoll Multiprog and PowerSpark Editor. In order to overwrite value provided in export it has to be added to parameter configuration. It's recommended to add '&burndepth' as component parameter to allow different values for each position. [RM-14573]
• Introduce new parameter owner 'Project'. A project parameter is added to electrode assembly and electrode models. The value of a project parameter can be unlocked and overwritten in assembly or electrode. The value in assembly sets the value in electrode model unless its unlocked. This functionality can be used to replace implementations where parameter default '&inherit' was used till now. Use parameter configuration to add project parameters or change existing definitions. [RM-15169]

Improvements

• Burnsheet UI: remove disabled workpieces from simplified representations. Add enabled workpieces to associated simplified representations. [RM-10294]
• Improved method of FREE_FACE creation in new electrodes. Until now FREE_FACE used operation default plane as reference, creating an external reference. This freezes FREE_FACE and prevents changes if electrode is reused in a different assembly. A local datum plane is now used to create FREE_FACE if available. [RM-15655]
• Drawing templates: allow usage of multiple placeholders for drawing tables. Placeholders must consist of 2 rows and 1 columns. Cell 1/1 must show the table file name. Cell 2/1 defines whether the table columns are recreated after loading or if the table remains unchanged. NO: table is loaded and displayed. YES: table columns are created for visible parameters defined in parameter configuration column 4. Table 'asm_wp' shows all visible workpiece parameters. All other tables show visible electrode parameters (part and component). Drawing template using 'asm_bom' table may need to be updated to disable automatic recreation. [RM-7306]
• Interface Ingersoll MPG/PSE: allow creation of custom text for specific elements in output. It's possible now to write custom electrode and technology names instead of built-in formats. Parameters used must be introduced in SMARTElectrode configuration. Examples: EdmGapNames:#SE_GAP_OVERALL_COUNTER#.Electrode:#partname#_#SE_EDM_GAP_NAME#_0#SE_GAP_QUANTITY_COUNTER# #SE_EDM_GAP_COUNTER#.Undersize=#SE_EDM_GAP# EdmTechnology:#TECHNO_FLAECHE#mm_0#TECHNO_SHR#_0#TECHNO_SHL#_VDI#surf_quality# [RM-14600][RM-14601]
• Interfaces: allow values from postprocessor options file in naming formats SE_EDM_NAME_FORMAT, SE_2ND_EDM_NAME_FORMAT and SE_CORE_NAME_FORMAT. For example to add current operation name to workpiece name in output use following line: SE_CORE_NAME_FORMAT <partname>_<SE_OPERATION_NAME> [RM-14989]
• Interface ZK Alphamoduli: add new parameter rule '&order' to allow custom order numbers in output. In default configurations project corresponds to the assembly name and order to the operation name. Depending on the company structure, the information need to be assigned different values. This can be solved by adding parameters with rules '&projectid' and '&order' to parameter configuration. [RM-14989]
• Base UI: a custom template with free size is automatically selected if no matching size is found in data file. A userdefined name can be provided for the free size if the last entry in data file sets A_BASE=-1 and B_BASE=-1. Otherwiese the custom template reuses the data from the last entry in data file. [RM-7209]

Bugfixes

• Interface ZK Alphamoduli: fix recognition of blank shape for output of measure program type. Valid values are: 0-unknown; 1-cylindric; 2-rectangular. Alternatively value can be set using a parameter with default '&measureprogtype'. Values have to be added to sel_list.txt. [RM-14990]
• Interface AC Form: add a new element shape for each electrode position, because each position can have a different path from start to end position (PrepDepth). [RM-14918]
• Drawing UI: close already opened main drawing to avoid problems during creation and merge of drawing. [RM-14991]
• Localization: fallback to English fails if Creo language is set to an available but incomplete localization in SMARTElectrode. This leads to a ribbon showing only the command tags but not tranlsation. [RM-15291]
• Export: Fix incomplete output for Ingersoll Multiprog (MPG) and PowerSpark Editor (PSE) when output is created a 2nd time without closing UI. [RM-15277]
• Export: Fix usage of wrong directory for workpieces. Option value SE_EDM_BACKUP_DIR instead of SE_WORKPIECE_BACKUP_DIR used.

15.1.1.0

Enhancements

• Allow disabling of electrodes or workpieces in Burnsheet UI. Disabled components can still be edited and enabled again. Disabled components are not checked for interference or touching faces. During export these components are skipped and won't show up in export results. This functionality can be used to disable outdated workpiece geometry or to avoid output of construction dummies or advanced electrode designs like gate electrodes. [RM-4595]
• Add interface for Sodick LNPro. This interface is available as license option. [RM-14630]
• Export: Allow usage of layer settings file during export of 3d data. The file has to be named 'layer_settings.txt' and has to be located in export or post-processor configuration. Examples can be found in configurations that create 3d exports. Customize content and rename 'example_layer_settings.txt' to 'layer_settings.txt' to activate. [RM-14469]
• Integrate header for Soflex factory automation into output for AC Form (xmlj). Information for Soflex is added as comment to the file using a new keyword with value 'SE_INSERT:<config to insert>' followed by : and name of the postprocessor configuration to insert. This behavior allows to add additional output to all exising postprocessors and exports. [RM-13903]

Improvements

• Export: provide necessary export profiles with installation. Profiles available in configuration after installation: processor/ZK/pp/def_profile.dep_step (includes datums, utilizes protocol 'ap242') and processor/MAKINO/pp/def_profile.dep_para (exclude datums and bodies). [RM-14257]
• Export: Add all axes to hidden layer 'SE_EXPORT_TEMP' before any 3d export file (IGES, STEP, ...) is written. Embedded axes in Extrude or Hole features are also considered. [RM-14469]
• Postprocessor AC Form: consider undersize quantity in export. For example two roughing and one finishing electrode are leading to three Tools and three ShapeTools in export. [RM-14353]
• Interface for Ingersoll Multiprog (MPG): define technology on first occurance of electrode and call by name for subsequent positions.
• Remove check of model status and enforced regeneration to avoid continuous update of model data. [RM-14267]

Bugfixes

• Drawing creation may finish with incomplete drawings when working with active workspace and Creo option 'dm_upload_objects automatic'. Automatic upload to sever-side workspace may result in a conflict if previous save operations are still unfinished. Removed automatic erase of drawings from session and number of save operations are reduced to avoid this issue. [RM-14852]
• Drawing creation: in some cases a newly merged drawing with applied simplified representation overwrites the simplified representation applied to a repeat region on another sheet. Affected tables (templates ASM_OPERATION and ASM_EDM) are now automatically recreated. [RM-7504]
• Fix failing assembly of holder in Creo 9.0. [RM-14750]
• Fix using base groups with rectangular sketches and no frames. The automatic enlargement of the base size when no matching template is found takes the frame width (FRAME_WIDTH) into account when calculating the new size. This creates a base with values for A_BASE and B_BASE that are too large. [RM-14670]
• Delete supplier, type and selected instance when base group is deleted. This prevents display of wrong information in burnlist and output. Parameters "SE_EDM_SUPPLIER", "SE_EDM_TYPE" and "SE_EDM_SIZE" are internally set to "-". [RM-14338]
• Base UI: Avoid premature exit for corrupt geometry in auto-attach. Show detailed message for faces that couldn't be processed. [RM-14622]
• Assemble Again UI: fix wrong preview position when auxiliary csys are not correctly defined. Overhaul UI: move pushbutton "Creo constraints" to commit bar and add pushbutton to reset position to origin. [RM-14605]
• Read correct operation definition considering assembly structure (asmcomppath). Only operations on top-level can be activated or edited. Operations on sub-assembly level are readonly. [RM-14503]
• Reread operation zero when group is resumed. [RM-14485]
• Make sure to use current model-data in Base UI. [RM-14442]
• Postprocessor AC Form: Correct calculation of <PrepToolLength>. Use electrode height (&z_size) as default for now. Total length of tool is defined as height of electrode minus part inserted in holder.
• Avoid crash if electrode base data can't be initialized in Holder or Manufacturing UI. [RM-14332]
• Fix wrong calculation of D1 (normal distance from FREE_FACE to workpiece) if initial position of base is below workpiece outline. When adding the base to electrode solid, SMARTElectrode calculates the initial distance D1 from workpiece to FREE_FACE using tessellated data. The electrode outline is extended by option value LATERAL_KEEPOUT_DISTANCE in X/Y/Z direction (RM-13766). Electrode outline may not completely overlap workpiece outline if initial position of base is much below workpiece outline. Therefore calculated (negative) D1 is too small and optimization of base position fails. This issues is solved by extending the electrode outline in +Z direction to securly overlap workpieces in that area. [RM-14331]
• Check for availability of unit system on creation of new models. A new unit system is created if named unit system is missing. This avoids problems if unit system of assembly template and part template differ. [RM-14007]

15.1.0.0

Improvements

• Base UI: prefer template without rotation (C=0°) if several templates with same blank dimensions are available. [RM-10543]
• Operation UI: usage of option DEFAULT_START_DATUM=-1 sets workpiece height as offset for selected csys. This is not necessary anymore. With RM-13762 calculation of default start position takes contour height of electrode into account and therefore avoids collisions with workpiece geometry. Option value can be adjusted in #Options #Operation #DEFAULT_START_DATUM. [RM-13877]

Bugfixes

• Allow renaming of manufacturing assembly and workpiece in Manufacturing UI and Rename UI. In some cases a renamed electrode may not meet the naming format anymore. The new functionality addresses this issue. [RM-13988]
• Don't automatically delete failed cutout features in electrode model. Size of cutout or model accuracy can be adjusted by user manually to fix feature. [RM-13948]
• Adjust mapkeys to create wireframe styles for electrodes and workpieces. [RM-13966]
• Fix error when calculating the free base size if no sufficiently large blank was found in the blank list. New default value for SOLID_CONTOUR_CLEARANCE (1.0 mm or 0.05 in) makes sure that calculated blank is always larger than electrode contour. Furthermore a fix blank length from blank list won't be overwritten during calculation if its size is sufficient. [RM-10219]
• Definition of start and secure position: in some cases a rotated EDM origin is useful. (1) for definition of a user-defined start position or (2) if EDM origin uses an iverted Z-direction (NC setup). In those cases either the display of start and secure or calculated parameters have been wrong. This error is fixed. Csys SE_EDM_BASE will be considered for calculation of rotation angles ignoring any rotations applied to EDM origin. EDM origin is only used to evaluate position of electrode. For legacy electrodes from version prior SMARTElectrode 8.0 EDM_ORIGIN will be used instead of EDM_ORIGIN_TOP. [RM-13878]
• Drawing UI: drawings of newly added electrodes are not created if assembly drawing with position sheets already exists. Retrieval of assembly drawing with positions sheet activates the simplified representation of last sheet. All other electrodes are then suppressed by simplified representation and skipped during drawing creation. Changed behavior to activate previously used simplified representation again after retrieval of assembly drawing. [RM-13905]

15.0.0.0

Enhancements

• Enhance calculation of default start and secure position. Result was depended on position of EDM_ORIGIN csys. This led to disadvantageous or even wrong start positions for electrodes. Now the contour height of electrode is taken into account when positions are calculated. Adjustment of operation default planes may be necessary to respond appropriately to the new behavior. The new behavior is available for all assemblies from current versions. [RM-13762]
• Option UI: introduce new option #Electrode #LATERAL_KEEPOUT_DISTANCE to define the minimum distance in XY direction from the base that must not be disturbed by workpiece geometry. Option value will be added to electrode's base outline in XY direction before Z position of a new base is adjusted. The Z position will be increased to avoid an interference of workpiece geometry with keepout volume. Default: 0 [RM-13766]
• Option UI: introduce new option #Electrode #SOLID_CONTOUR_CLEARANCE to define minimum XY clearance from solid contour in XY direction. Option value will be added to electrode's solid contour before blank size selection and defines the minimum blank size. Default: 0 [RM-13765]
• Allow export of Creo View files. Use keywords 'SE_EDM_BACKUP_PVS' or 'SE_EDM_BACKUP_PVZ' in export template to create a file structure for Creo View (PVS) or a zipped archieve of the files (PVZ). PVS creates a *.pvs for the file structure and numerated *.ol files containing viewable geometry. Outdated formats ED and EDZ are not supported. [RM-13699]

Improvements

• Allow usage of option files for export of 3d files. Save custom option files to export/{type} or processor/{type}. Type | Keyword in template | Option file name ==================================================================== VDA | SE_EDM_BACKUP_VDA | def_profile.dep_vda STEP | SE_EDM_BACKUP_STEP | def_profile.dep_step IGES | SE_EDM_BACKUP_IGES | def_profile.dep_iges CATIA | SE_EDM_BACKUP_CATIA | def_profile.dep_catv5 SAT | SE_EDM_BACKUP_SAT | def_profile.dep_acis (Acis) NEUTRAL | SE_EDM_BACKUP_NEUTRAL | def_profile.dep_neu X_T | SE_EDM_BACKUP_X_T | def_profile.dep_para (Parasolid) UG | SE_EDM_BACKUP_UG | def_profile.dep_nx (NX) JT | SE_EDM_BACKUP_JT | def_profile.dep_jt [RM-13681]