Partner's products

Product Overview

FAST4AXES
Software to Program and Simulate Wire EDM Machine Tools integrated in CATIA V5

FAST4AXES combines the expert functionality of a stand-alone, technology based programming system with the advantages of the leading process-oriented CAE system, CATIA V5.
Use as integrated CAM module as well as stand-alone programming seat (WOP, workshop oriented programming seat) possible.

FAST4AXES as CAM module

• Installation on existing CATIA infrastructure (V4 or V5)
• Similar / unique user interface = lowest training needs
• Combination with other MFG products (e.g. PMG)
• Associative with CAD data
• Integration in PDM infrastructure

Benefits of CATIA V5 integration

• Object based CAM system with automatic access on CAD functions of CATIA
• Closed Process chain within CATIA as well as optimal support of external data
  • Direct support of CATIA V4/V5 data
  • Data interfaces are standard (IGES, STEP, VDAFS, DXF,...)
• Multi platform support: Windows 2000/XP and Unix (AIX, Solaris, IRIX, HP-UX)
• NC files are associative to design changes
• Identical user interface and infrastructure to V5 NC products like PMG, SMG, ...
  • Fastest productivity, lowest training efforts
  • Interoperability between different technologies (e.g. cutting tools, mold tooling, ...)

FAST4AXES - Functional Advantages

• Programming of contours in space, upper and lower contours with milestones and direct programming of ruled surfaces and solids
• Support of geometrical features
• Integration of machine tool specific technologies is optimal by powerful standard post-processors
  • Available for Agie, Charmilles, Fanuc, Mitsubishi, Sodik...
  • Adaptable on-site by PP generator software cPost
• Machining Operations: contouring/pocketing/point strategies...
• VisualBasic support to create flexible machining strategies
• Direct simulation of each operation

The FAST4AXES process

CENIT FAST4AXES allows NC users to benefit from advanced and easy-to-use Wire EDM manufacturing techniques. It provides a full set of pre-defined and re-usable machining strategies for 2 up to 4 axis WireEDM machining. FAST4AXES offers the user all the core functionalities of a NC system shared within CATIA V5 NC Manufacturing solutions: set-up and NC programs definition, full integrated tool path simulation. It also provides full integrated and dedicated post-processing facilities. Its full integration within NC Manufacturing Workshop and very easy-to-use user interface allows users to benefit from Wire EDM techniques in a perfect interoperable way with all CATIA V5 NC Manufacturing solutions.

Within FAST4AXES, every basic Wire EDM strategy is provided to the user : powerful contouring machining including drive curve interpolation into tangential arcs and lines, destruction cut operation (pocketing) including start hole definition. Variable technological events can also be set. Four axis machining extends these capabilities to definition of synchronization points as milestones and precise offset computation facilities.

In addition CENIT FAST4AXES provides early definition of a specific Wire EDM design feature at design phase and thus re-enforces design to manufacturing process chain coverage through high integration and associativity and therefore productivity increase.

1. Design of / Opening the 3D Geometry
2. Starting of FAST4AXES Workbench
3. Selecting the optimum Machining Strategy
4. Setting of Parameters
5. Simulation of Operations
6. Sending to shop floor