Automatic Programming For WEDM Based On UG Automatic Feature Recognition

WEDM is one of the important processing methods in the modern moldmanufacturing. Though NC machining has developed from traditional manualprogramming to automatic programming with integration of CAD/CAM, automation levelis still low, requiring lots of manual involvement, resulting in less efficient. To solve thisproblem, this article introduces a WEDM automatic programming system based on UGNX4.0platform, with the technology of automatic features recognition. It enablesseamless integration of CAD/CAM, providing functional modules such as automaticfeatures recognition, parameter matching, detection figures generation, and postprocessing. It can shorten the process, reduce manual operations and improve theefficiency of program processing greatly.CAD module enables automatic feature recognition function for WEDM, creating theinterface for transmitting information form CAD to CAM, improving systems’ automation.Based on section profile, considering surface as the key-point, CAD module can identifythe processing characteristic of through-holes. After profile processing, it has completedthe automatic generation of2D detection figures and tables of auxiliary holes, which canbe used in auxiliary holes’ machining, making CAD design and processing linked directly.By the interface of human computer interaction, it has integrated all human intelligenceoperations, making the process more compact. The system is simplified.CAM modules of this system developed the function of setting process parameter forWEDM, solving the wire cutting processing trajectory and managing simulation andvalidation. Automatically matching the parameters provided by the enterprise library, userscan find the proper process parameter and added it to the processing code file. By postprocessing, the tool path can be converted into standard processing code.Using this system can shorten the whole process from designing to processing,making it more easily and efficient. At the same time, it can standardize the tool pathprogramming and improve the production management.