VISI PEPS-Wire

Extensive Range of CAD Interfaces and Powerful Modeling

VISI works directly with Parasolid, IGES, CATIA, Creo, UG-NX, STEP, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Inventor, ACIS, DXF, DWG, JT Open, STL, and VDA files. The broad translator library ensures your team can work with data from virtually any supplier, and complex customer CAD data can be manipulated quickly and accurately without manual conversion. VISI works directly with wireframe, solid, surface, and mesh data — or any combination of the four — giving programmers the flexibility to work from any CAD model or to quickly reconstruct geometry from paper drawings ready for wire machining.

Intuitive Operation User Interface

The 2 and 4 axis machining operations give the user a full choice of parameters including machining direction, auto offsetting, lead on/off radius, tag distance, lead off distance, and lead on/off technology. Each parameter is accompanied by a diagram that provides additional context on how it will affect the resulting toolpath, keeping the interface accessible and reducing setup time.

Automatic Feature Recognition

VISI PEPS-Wire includes powerful automatic feature recognition developed specifically for Wire EDM applications. Detection of through features including holes, open and closed pockets, constant taper (including constant radius and conic corner modes), variable taper, taper and land, variable land, and 4 axis is completed at the click of a button. Detected features are grouped automatically so they can be machined quickly and reliably using the preferred machining method and technology.

Feature Modification Tools

VISI's native graphical tools make it straightforward to edit advanced features such as 4 axis or variable tapers. User constraints and synchronization lines can be added to 4 axis features with results that update dynamically — particularly useful when working on extrusion dies. Variable tapered features can be edited graphically by dragging the angle on individual faces of the feature using the interactive graphical sliders found throughout the VISI environment.

Multiple Tagging and Tag Removal

VISI PEPS-Wire allows multiple start holes to be defined on a part, and the system can automatically establish tags near the start of each new hole location. Several methods of unattended machining are available — particularly valuable when the machine is equipped with automatic wire threading. Unattended machining is performed by leaving slugs attached while all preliminary cuts are taken. Strategies include taking all rough cuts first while leaving tags in place, then removing the tags before taking finish cuts — or alternatively, taking both rough and finish cuts while leaving the component or waste material in place, then removing the tag and finishing that area last.

Toolpath Verification and Simulation

The completed wire path can be simulated using rendered solid model graphics, including fixtures and target geometry. Any detected collisions are flagged both on the model and through on-screen messages. As slugs become detached, the simulation notifies the operator and removes the part graphically — accurately emulating the cutting process on the machine tool. Toolpath verification also checks whether the finished part can be removed from the component, and a part comparison between the target model and the cut part can be performed to highlight any remaining material or gouges.

Post Processor Database

VISI PEPS-Wire supports a comprehensive range of EDM machines from leading manufacturers including Agie, Charmilles, Brother, Fanuc, Hitachi, Makino, Ona, Sodick, Seibu, and Mitsubishi. Machine tool-supplied technology data is included for supported machines, along with JOB/Script file output for Agie and CMD file output for Charmilles. All post processors are easily configured to accommodate different machine models and configurations.

Automatic Cutting Strategies

VISI PEPS-Wire provides predefined cutting strategies for automatic ordering of rough, finish, and tag removal passes to support common shop floor workflows including attended day cutting and unattended night cutting. Additional capabilities include: 4 axis null span support with reliable offsetting where small spans are eliminated; square, conic, and constant radius corner modes for variable taper; separate clearance settings for main cuts and tag removal; additional M-Codes including Stop/Optional stop, Power on/off, and Wire cut/Thread configurable at any point; automatic start hole creation using CAD points or user-configurable start hole strategies; secondary wire selection for supported machines; incremental lead-on points to eliminate witness marks on the finished component; and automatic approach and retract technology to allow power to be ramped up and down gradually.