Blank

Options and Results

Note: Only one Blank feature per electrode can be created. If the Blank function is invoked after a Blank has been created, the function will be invoked in edit mode.

Required Step 1

Set the appropriate parameters:

Define the shape, size and position of the blank.

The shape of the blank can be Rectangular or Cylindrical.

The size and position of the blank can be set either dynamically, by entering numeric values or by using a reference line.

Use the toggle button Free Blank Size / Use Blank Library to define how to set the size of the blank.

Free Blank Size	Define the size of the blank by entering the X and Y Size.
Use Blank Library	The size of the blank is defined from the Blank Library and the X and Y Size parameters are grayed out. The Blank Library is stored under the following folder: C:\Cimatron\CimatronE\Data\templates.

To select another set of parameters from the Blank Library:

Press Edit Parameters to open the Library.

Example:

Select a different size and press OK.

Example:

The library table can be edited to change the values in the table.

Set the height parameters for the blank.

Base: Select the type of Base for the Blank. The Base is the part of the blank that is not milled. The following Base types are available:

Wireframe / No Blank: Toggle button to create the blank with or without a wireframe body (example).

Notes:

When a Blank is created with a wireframe body, the wireframe body can be created as a single body or as three separate bodies. This is defined in the Tools / Preferences / Electrode / Colors (example).
Irrespective of whether the blank is created with or without a wireframe body, the information is saved as a parameter of the blank into templates and is considered in the execution of the templates.

Points are created on the bottom face of the blank and also on the top and bottom face of the blank base (example). These points indicate the center of the blank and enable you to pick an origin point for the Burn UCS. The points are created irrespective of whether the blank is created with or without a wireframe body or whether the base is Rectangular or Cylindrical.

Blank Height: The height of the entire blank.

Base Height: The height of the base. The default of the base height is set in the Electrode Preferences.

Clearance: The clearance is the distance between the highest point under the blank and the bottom plane of the Base. The default of the clearance is set in the Electrode Preferences.

Allowance: The allowance is the distance between the lowest point under the blank and the bottom plane of the blank. The default of the allowance is set in the Electrode Preferences.

Free Value: The free value is the value that is dependent and changes when other values are modified. One of the following values must always be free: Base Height, Clearance, Allowance or Blank Height. The free value will be grayed out and cannot be changed manually. The default for the free value is set in the Electrode Preferences.

Optional Step 1

Center the blank over the burn face. The size of the blank remains the same.

Note: The electrode blank can also be Re-Centered, at a later time, to all the electrode faces (burn faces, extension and manually created faces).

Before:

After:

Optional Step 2

Fit the blank over the burn face with a predefined offset. The size of the offset around the attached face is defined in the Electrode Preferences.

Note: The electrode blank can also be Re-Fit, at a later time, to all the electrode faces (burn faces, extension and manually created faces).

Before:

After:

Optional Step 3

Mark the Base. The base is often marked by a chamfer or a round on one of its edges. The mark helps the machine operator to position the electrode correctly on the EDM machine.

The mark options depend on the shape of the blank.

Rectangular blanks

The mark options are Round, Chamfer or None. For Round or Chamfer, define the size of the mark.

The mark can be applied to the corner of the base which is closest to the reference UCS, or it can be applied to a predefined corner. The rule for the marking is set in the Electrode Preferences.