3D interface changes – Create rough, semi-finish and finishing operations in a single pass through the new feature wizard.
Rerecognition/Associativity with Feature Recognition
Automatic hole recognition of holes around an index axis (or a turn/mill axis)
Auto side recognition from new feature wizard
Auto boss recognition from new feature wizard
Create objects from the part library or patterns of these objects from the new feature wizard.
Wrapped features with walls perpendicular to the axis
4 axis arcs in FeatureWIRE – Wire EDM posts can now be configured to output 4axis arcs.
Box zoom now computes a good center point for subsequent dynamic viewing rotations
Solidworks model import – Use ImportSolidWorks.bas to provide one button import of a solid model from a running solidworks program.
Easily position features with arbitrary B-axis orientations
New simulation and graphics options
Wireframe graphics are now displayed along with shaded surface/solids
Optional display of isolines inside of surface boundaries
Improvements in shaded selection – It is now easier to select surfaces in shaded mode. The closest surface is now always selected.
Display intermediate simulation results for centerline and solid simulations without recalculation
Ramps and leads are now displayed in a different color than the rest of the toolpath moves.
Toolpath Imrovements
No recalculation if lead/ramp change
Vastly improved Z rough – Z rough has been rewritten to avoid any missing slices or slices with bad orientations.
Improved Z-semi finish pass – Z semi-finish also benefited from the Z rough changes.
Z ramp clearance – Now control the starting height of zig-zag/helical ramping move
User definable milling tool holders
Special turning toolpaths for Iscar CUT-GRIP tooling
Checkbox for ability to perform helical interpolation
Automatic boundary curves are 2 times faster (slope boundary, spiral part boundary, internal only boundary)
Mathematical formulas in wire EDM posts
Toolbar buttons for the part compare options
More control over 5-axis positioning rotations
Verifying that a solid is valid
Automatic multiple roughing tools for milling
Objects of a pattern can now be renamed.
Save an STL file of a completed simulation
You are now notified of a change to an imported file. If a file changes after you import it into FeatureCAM, you are now notified and asked if you want to reimport it.
Optional stops and mandatory stops
Probing support
A detailed description of the latest macros are available at http://www.featurecam.com/support/Addins/index.asp. Below is a list of some of the new functionality available in FeatureCAM 2004.
Volume and cg of solids.bas - Calculate the mass properties of a solid
Setupsheet.bas - Custom setup sheet in html format
Wordsheet.bas - Custom setup sheet in word format
FadalMacroTopOfFile.bas – Places the macros at the beginning of an NC file.
DrillRetractGougeCheck.bas -
FindshortestExposedLength.bas – Select the tool with the shortest possible exposed length for each operation. Also select a holder that does not gouge.
PosttoAgie.bas – Create .sbr, .iso and .sbl files for Agie machines.
Set wrapped walls.bas – Create wrapped features with walls perpendicular to the axis. (Requires a 4-axs machine)
ImportSolidWorks.bas – One button import of solids from SolidWorks.
Turned Stepped Shaft.bas – Create a stepped shaft for turning using dimensions.