Agiecut wire-cutting EDM systems

C3.1
Knowing Agievision

05.2003
AGIE
CH-6616 Losone
Telephone +41 / 91 / 806 91 11
Telefax +41 / 91 / 806 92 60
AGIE CHARMILLES Group
GEORG FISCHER +GF+ Manufacturing Technology

Contents
This document applies for Agievision
from version 04.01.00 (for Vertex
equipment from version 05.01.00).

Agiecut
AGIE 05.2003

1 Philosophy of Agievision
1.1 Programming on objects
1.2 The piece
1.2.1 Piece list
1.2.2 Pieceditor
1.2.3 View of current piece

3
3
4
4
4
4

2 Agievision operator interface

2.1 Agievision console
2.1.1 General view of the Agievision console
2.2 Agievision screen
2.2.1 Display when the equipment is switched on
2.2.2 Concept of the three window screen
2.3 Pointer system
2.3.1 Operation with mouse
2.4 Principal elements of the screen
2.4.1 Agievision Header Bar
2.4.2 Activity Selection icons
2.4.3 Dynamic Icons
2.4.4 Menu Bar
2.4.5 Function Keys
2.5 Details of a window
2.5.1 Activation
2.5.2 Window header bar
2.5.3 View Change Icons
2.5.4 Enlargement and reduction of the window
2.5.5 Pulldown Menu
2.6 Book
2.6.1 Elements of a book
2.6.2 Details of a book
2.7 Tree Structure
2.8 Other elements

5
5
5
6
6
7
8
8
9
9
9
10
12
13
14
14
15
15
15
16
18
18
20
23
23

3 Description of a punch
3.1 User Default Values
3.2 Starting data
3.3 Importing a geometry from a diskette
3.4 Description of the workpiece
3.4.1 Description with Easywork
3.4.2 Description with Pieceditor
3.4.3 Description with Script-File

24
24
25
26
27
28
32
48

4 Checks
4.1 Graficheck
4.2 Sequence and intermediate times

52
52
54

Keyword index

55

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1 Philosophy of Agievision
1.1 Programming on
objects

With Agievision, use of the equipment changes radically. The operator

no longer has to translate the requirements into a PROGRAM in the
form of sequences of machine codes; rather at last it is the machine
that speaks the workshop's language! The operator is projected
into a real multidimensional world: the world of the machining of
workpieces!

Thanks to the innovative structure of Agievision, the operator

describes the job he intends to execute using those terms current in
the workshop's language.
This description can be made or modified in various times and modes
as a function of the requirements and information available. It is made
by using elements from the operator's real world (OBJECTS), and by
describing their characteristics.

Machining

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Piece

Knowing Agievision

Tool

1.2 The piece

The central object of this new numerical control is, as elsewhere within
the workshop, the PIECE, and the whole dialogue of Agievision has
been created on this basic idea.

1.2.1 Piece list

The piece list may be regarded as the organisational and operating

pole of Agievision.
This list, besides the various functions that will be described in other
chapters, contains the list of pieces on which the following activities
are or will be carried out:
Description
Execution
Wait.

Piece 1
Piece 2
Piece 3

1.2.2 Pieceditor

The Pieceditor serves to describe the characteristics of the piece that

is to be executed.
This description is made by passing the items of information contained
in the shop design to the machine:
The jobs included
Reference positions
Quality target
Tool (wire) to be utilised
Geometry to be executed

01304a_x. ds4

1.2.3 View of current piece

The view of current piece displays the course of the piece under
execution:
What has been done
What is being done
What remains to be done

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2 Agievision operator interface

2.1 Agievision console

The console is the medium permitting dialogue between the operator

and the machine. The machine's control, communication and checking
elements are grouped together in it.
As far as the operator interface is concerned, it is based on the
operating system OS/2 Warp (Operating System / 2), of which it uses
some functions and certain instructions. Not all the rules applied on
OS/2 have been applied in the software devised by AGIE, a good
omen for reading these pages.
We warmly recommend reading the following pages to start
knowing the Agievision.

2.1.1 General view of the

Agievision console
1 Screen
2 Function keys (from f4 to f9
corresponding to the keys
appearing at the screen bottom)
3 Alphanumerical keyboard
4 Cursor movement keys
5 Numerical keyboard
6 Pointer system (mouse)

Below are shown the tools at disposal

for the dialogue with the system.

3
Display

The operator interface Agievision is displayed on the screen (liquidcrystal display).

Devices for entering

data/instructions

Keyboard: for data input the keyboard is subdivided into 4 distinct

parts:
Function keys
Alphanumerical keyboard
Cursor movement keys
Numerical keypad

Pointer system

The pointer system (in our case: Mouse) is the device mainly
employed for moving within the operator interface.

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2.2 Agievision screen

On the following pages, the principal elements of Agievision are

explained.

2.2.1 Display when the

equipment is switched on

After the equipment has been started up, it will present the pages for
the preparation of the working area.

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2.2.2 Concept of the three

window screen

Agievision is presented subdivided into three windows.

The subdivision into three windows is designed to display the
appearance of the activities in progress on the Agiecut equipment at
one single glance.

Designation of the windows

Left window

Right window

Horizontal window

Multiviews

The representation on the Agievision screen has several views

(Multiviews) allowing a multiplicity of tasks (Multitasking) in addition to
the display of the activities in progress.

Multitasking

Multitasking allows activities to be executed simultaneously, e.g.

during the erosion of one job, one can proceed with the description of
a new piece.

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2.3 Pointer system

The "Pointer System (in our case: Mouse) is the principal device used
for moving inside the operator interface Agievision.
Supplied with the equipment, the mouse presents two push buttons
used by Agievision.

1
2

2.3.1 Operation with mouse

The mouse serves to shift the pointer (normally symbolised by an

arrow) within the screen in order to position it at the point at which you
wish to intervene. By means of the buttons provided on it, it is then
possible to effect various operations (select, issue instructions).

Simple click

1 Click left (press and release the mouse button) allows me to:
select functions or objects
access data input fields
activate instructions

Double Click

Double Click left (press and release the mouse button twice quickly)
allows me to:
Select and directly access functions or data input fields concerning
the object selected.

Click Right

1 Click right allows me to:

Access the list of functions concerning the object selected by
means of 1 Click Left.

Action with movement of the

mouse

Left depressed + movement of the mouse. This function is used

above all in graph or symbol displays and allows me to:
shift objects (select the object and shift the pointer)
define a zone:
- zoom (zone to be enlarged)
- multiple selection

Note:
Certain parts of the mouse functionality can be implemented by means
of the keyboard. Details of such use are to be found in Chapter C4. ...
"Use of the Media.

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2.4 Principal elements

of the screen

Here below, the principal elements of the operator interface Agievision

are explained.

2.4.1 Agievision Header Bar

It is in the band at the top of the screen in which the designation and
version of the software are shown with which the equipment works.
On the right in the header bar are the "Activity Selection icons.

Icons

are the small graphic representations associated with applications

(activities)

2.4.2 Activity Selection icons

These icons serve to implement rapidly the composition of windows

necessary to execute the principal activities, such as: "Preparation of
Working Area, "Execution of a piece, "Description of the Piece,
"Management of the Files, "Graphic check and EASYRUN.
In order to access the window composition "Basic Activity, execute 1
Click left on the corresponding "Activity Selection Icon.

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Activity "Manual

Selection of the composition of the 3 windows required for

"Preparation of the working area.

Activity "Erosion

Selection of the composition of the 3 windows required for "Execution

of a piece.

Activity "Description

Selection of the composition of the 3 windows required for the

description of pieces (Pieceditor).

Activity "Data Exchange

Selection of the composition of the 3 windows required for "File

Management.

Activity "Check

Selection of the composition of the 3 windows required for the Graphic

Check (Graficheck) of an erosion job.

Activity Easyrun

Selection of the Easyrun window to access the dialogue for handling

the COM-Script-files or special macros.

2.4.3 Dynamic Icons

Icons connected with the most significant windows within the scope of
the execution of a job or an instruction. These icons have the
peculiarity of changing their appearance or colour as a function of the
state of the activity to which they refer.
Dynamic Icons are transforming icons.

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Icon MESSAGES

Dynamic icon coupled to the Messages window.

This icon changes in appearance and colour (from grey to green) at
the moment of the appearance of a new message. In order to display
the messages window select the icon with 1 Click Left.
The messages will appear in the horizontal window.

Icon PROCESS CONTROL

Dynamic icon coupled to the Process Control window.

This icon changes in colour (from grey to green) at the moment the
generator goes on; it also indicates through becoming red that before
the start the wire touches the piece (only if the appropriate function
has been selected on the handbox). In order to display the process
control window that will open in the window on the left, select the icon
with 1 Click Left.

Icon AXES MOVEMENT

Dynamic icon coupled to the Axes Movement window.

This icon represents the state of the axes on the machine: axes in
movement, dot rotates; axes stopped, dot stopped. In order to display
the Movement Axes window, which will appear in the window on the
left, select the icon with 1 Click Left.

Icon EXTERNAL MANAGEMENT

Dynamic icon coupled to the External Management function. This icon

represents a padlock which changes in aspect and colour from grey to
red (grey = Agievision enabled, red = Agievision locked). The icon
changes to red (Agievision locked) when a central computer controls
Agievision and the workpiece-handling device. Pressing the icon
allows also a rapid access to the Piece List.

Icon STOP

Dynamic icon Stop. This icon is represented by a Stop sign that

changes in colour from grey (non-active) to red (active) when there is a
function in progress activated with Start. By selecting the icon when it
is red (active) with 1 Click Left, all functions in progress are
interrupted. (e.g. the immediate stop of movement by the machine's
axes)

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2.4.4 Menu Bar

This is the bar located immediately under the header bar and
containing the list of selections in current use ("Menu) applicable to
the active window which in their turn are displayed in the "Pulldown
Menu.

Menu

is a list of actions and choices.

Pulldown Menu

is a list of choices (functions or instructions) relating to the selection in

the menu bar.

Global Menus

Contextual Menus of
the active window

Global Menus
The first 5 menus (global menus) are the same for all windows.

Contextual Menus
The contextual menus for the window following the first 5 change
according to the active window.
In the final position there is always a "Help menu.
Example of a pulldown menu
By selecting elements contained in the menu bar with 1 Click Left, a
pulldown menu will appear in which it is possible to select functions or
instructions with a further Click Left.

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2.4.5 Function Keys

The Function Keys are an extract of functions in current use relating to

the active window. These functions can be selected directly by means
of the pointer system, or by using the keys F4...F9 on the
alphanumerical keyboard.

Function Keys

The function key WINDOW is always located in first position and

serves for scrolling the single windows one by one. The following
function keys change according to the active window.

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2.5 Details of a
window

Here below the principal elements of a window are explained.

2.5.1 Activation

A window is activated (focused) in order to execute clearly distinct

functions belonging to a specific activity.

Method of proceeding to activation

By selecting one of the Activity Selection icons, a predefined

composition of windows is chosen. The "Focus (active or focused
window) is found on the principle that it is what gives the name to the
Activity Selection icon.
Another method of activating a window is to select it in the WINDOW
menu.
Or another, by selecting it with 1 Click left on the Agievision screen by
positioning the mouse pointer within the window to be activated.

For the detailed description of a window, we have opted for the

Pieceditor combination by selecting the icon

Recognition of the active window

with 1 Click Left

The active window can be recognised by the blue-coloured header bar

located immediately above the window itself.

In our example, the active window is the horizontal one, that is piece
list.

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2.5.2 Window header bar

The header bar, the band at the top of the window, can be found in two
states. Light grey when the window is not activated and blue when the
window is in an activated state.
It contains the title of the session (designation of the window), a
symbol preceding the title, "View Change icons and a push-button.

2.5.3 View Change Icons

View Change Icons

By remaining within the active window, they make it possible to display

further elements/details relating to the context of the session.

2.5.4 Enlargement and

reduction of the window

When there are 3 windows displayed on the screen, in some cases

they turn out to be too narrow for a good and complete view of the
panels.
For this reason, it is possible to enlarge the window of interest to fill the
whole screen.

Enlargement and Reduction

The following buttons are located alternatively in the header bar.

The "Enlargement button when the window is in the dimensions for 3
views and the "Reduction button when the window is enlarged over
the whole screen.

Enlargement button

By executing 1 Click left on this button. the window enlarges to

maximum, full screen size.

Reduction button

By executing 1 Click left on this button, the window is reduced to

minimum size in the dimensions for displaying the Agievision screen
once again with 3 windows.

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Sliding Bars

When the content is wider than the window, "Sliding Bars appear in
the right and bottom margins that serve for moving the content.
The sliding bar contains 2 sliding buttons and a position indicator. In
order to move the content of the window, select one of the two sliding
buttons while keeping the left button of the pointer system depressed.
Another method is to shift the position indicator while always keeping
the left button of the pointer system depressed.

2.5.5 Pulldown Menu

This is a list of choices, actions, routines and choices of input relating

to the selection in the menu bar.

Content of a pulldown menu

The elements of a pulldown menu can be presented in various forms,

depending on the type of function to which they refer:
Selections possible (written in black).
This allows a function to be executed directly.

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Heading preceded by a tick sign.

Indicates an active choice (e.g. a view).

Heading followed by dots.

Indicates that before executing a function, it requires further items of
information (details).
These items of information can be entered in the definition page that
will appear subsequently.
This indicates the need for further choices associated with the
selection indicated.
By selecting the heading or the arrow, a further pulldown menu will
appear ("Superimposed Menu).
This indicates the need for further choices associated with the
selection indicated.
By selecting the arrow, a further pulldown menu will appear
("Superimposed Menu) in which further choices can be executed.
The heading preceded by a tick sign in the "Superimposed Menu is
the default function (preset) which is executed directly in the case if
only the heading, and not the arrow is selected.

Framed heading indicates that it is preselected (with the pointer

system arrow) that is to say the focus is on this element and this
function will be executed by pressing ENTER.

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2.6 Book

A further element used for the description of objects is the "Book.

The Book is a graphic representation similar to a real book containing

pages divided into sections by Separators. It allows the details or the
relevant inputs for the object selected to be displayed or defined.
Let us now look in detail at the contents of a book.
For this purpose, let us select the Vertical Separator GEOMETRY.

2.6.1 Elements of a book

Vertical Separators

Arrows on the Separator

Numbering of the Pages
Horizontal Separators
Function Keys

The book is subdivided into pages divided into sections by Vertical

Separators and Horizontal Separators.

Vertical Separators

subdivide the book into sections (principal arguments) marked with a

heading. The individual sections can be subdivided in their turn by
"Horizontal Separators (data families).

Horizontal Separators

subdivide a section (principal argument) of the book into

"Superimposed Pages (groups of data)

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Superimposed Pages

are the pages contained in a section containing information or

selections belonging to a group of data relating to the principal
argument.

Arrows on the Separator

serve to let the superimposed pages contained in the book slide. By

selecting the arrow on the left with 1 click left, the book scrolls, one
page at a time, towards the beginning, and by selecting the arrow on
the right it scrolls, always one page at a time. towards the end of the
book.

Numbering of the Pages

indication of the number of the displayed page and of the number of

pages contained in the section.
Example:
1/1 Indicates that we are on the first page of a section containing one
single page.
1/6 Indicates that we are on the first page of a section of 6 pages.
The first page appears by selecting the vertical separator, the
others by selecting a horizontal separator or by using the arrows
on the separator.

Function keys

At the bottom of the page (superimposed page) are "Function Keys

which are the functions in current use relating to the pages in the book.
These functions can only be selected using the pointer system and are
the same for all superimposed pages.
OK
With this function, the book is closed storing the data entered
Cancel
With this function, the book is closed without storing the data entered

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2.6.2 Details of a book

A page can contain:

Input field
Active selection field
Keys for the definition of the
Suspension List
Group storage box with input field

Input field

is an individual field in a window used to contain data. For example, an

input field into which it is possible to enter a heading.
In order to enter or change data, shift the mouse pointer to inside the
input field (the pointer changes in appearance automatically from an
"arrow becoming a pointer to "I).
In order to select the position where I want to enter a datum with 1
click left, or if it is a whole heading to be changed, select the latter with
the key depressed on the left.
Key in the new heading on the alphanumerical keyboard.

Group storage box

delimitation frame for the definition elements for a group. For example,
storage box of definitions regarding options, or, as in our case, input
fields for values with regard to a reference.

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is a field containing an active selection chosen in the "Suspension

List.

Active selection field

Suspension List

(on Vertex equipment the parameter

Te has been replaced with Tf).

is a list of predefined inputs. By selecting the icon with 1 click left

this will be displayed.
At the top of this list is displayed the active list and it allows specific
predefined selections to be effected.
Alongside, in the suspension list, there may be a sliding bar to display
further selections.

Keys for the definition of the

Suspension List

by selecting these keys, a panel will appear for the display or the
definition of the suspension lists.

At this point, let us select the vertical separator GEOMETRY

A superimposed page may also contain:

Push buttons

Radio button

Check boxes

Push buttons

contextual to the displayed page which allow, for example, files to be

combined with the object to be memorised or are used to cancel the
selection effected.

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Radio button

circular buttons with heading alongside. The dots are put together to
show a series of choices of which only one is possible.
The dot selected presents a full circle at the centre.
In order to select it, position the pointer arrow on the dot and execute 1
click left.

Check boxes

small square associated with a heading representing a possibility of

several choices in a multichoice group. When a choice is executed
(position the pointer arrow on the dot and execute 1 click left) a tick
sign is entered in the box.
In order to eliminate a tick sign, select the choice once again.

At this point, let us select the horizontal separator "Conic.

In addition it can contain:

Selection Icons

Input Felds

Radio button

Selection Icons

These are buttons representing the selection.

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2.7 Tree Structure

This is a typical representation inherited from the OS/2 operating

system allowing all elements of an object to be displayed.
The extended tree allows seeing all elements of which the object itself
consists.
Agievision employs this structure for the display and/or modification of
values relating to the elements of an object, and by executing 1 Click
Right, executing a function in the interlinked menu in order to
intervene, for example, during erosion of the job.

2.8 Other elements

Select the Activity Selection icon

PROCESS CONTROL. There

are four various pages selectable through the icons

Spin Button

Spin Button

In order to increase or reduce the parameter displayed alongside.

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3 Description of a punch
By description we mean the pre-setting of all the data which the
machine must know for electrical discharge machining of the
workpiece in question; i.e. the combining of an already programmed
contour with a technology which depends on the required quality and
the preset conditions.

3.1 User Default

Values

They allow defining some functioning modes of module PIECE

DETAILS.
They can be preset by the user and adapted to the own requirements.
The examples in this manual have been executed with the following
preset values, except where indicated differently:

Note:
the parameter USE WIRE
ACCORDING TO TECHNOLOGY
present in USER DEFAULT VALUES
is active on Vertex equipment only.

To access the USER DEFAULT VALUES, open the EDIT pull-down

menu in Pieceditor and select USER DEFAULT VALUES.
Note:
To access the EDIT menu, the Pieceditor must contain a workpiece.
The various Start Options are described in chapter C4.3.
The examples in this manual have been executed with the USER in
CONFIGURATION set to EXPERT mode.

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3.2 Starting data

The example given below has the
following characteristics:

Workshop drawing
Material:
Cold working steel

16

Grade:
Ra 2.3
Tkm 30
Te 40

18

50

(For Vertex: Ra 1.5 m, Tf 30 m)

Wire:
Cobra Cut 0.25

01285a_x.ds4

(For Vertex: Cobra Cut A 0,20)

1 Programmed contour

(already executed, e.g. with Easycut)

Machining reference

8
01286a_x.ds4

14

Layout on the machine

The machining reference is shifted
with respect to the start point (hole).

1
1 Machining reference: the point
from which the programmer starts
programming the contour, or the
point defined as the origin.
2 Start point of machining,
corresponds to the threading point
(START POINT).

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3.3 Importing a
geometry from a
diskette

1 Proceed to the FILE

MANAGEMENT preselection.
2 Select IMPORT in the ACTIONS
menu.
3 Select the ISO icon in the
CONTAINER TYPE panel.
4 Select the geometry file required in
OBJECT LIST, in this case
SHAPE_3.
5 Press the right mouse button.
6 Click on IMPORT command.
7 If required, change the name in the
NEW OBJECT window; otherwise
just press the OK button. The
geometry file will be imported
immediately.
8 Leave the Import/Export function
by pressing the ABORT button.

4
5

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3.4 Description of the

workpiece

The items of information regarding WHAT must be executed are

entered by means of the description of the workpiece.
On the basis of the data entered and the selections effected by the
user, the numerical control is able to determine HOW the workpiece
will be executed.

Methods of describing a workpiece

Basically there are three:

Easywork (simple piece): one single cylindrical machining
Pieceditor (workpiece editor): without limit
Script-file (file prepared on CAD/CAM).
In addition to the methods mentioned above, it is also possible to
describe a workpiece starting out from a model previously described
by the user on which only some specifications are modified, a very
practical method for describing similar workpieces or one of a
recurring type.

In order to initiate the description of a

new workpiece, select the following
commands in sequence:

1 Select the icon

2 Select the ACTIONS menu
3 Select NEW PIECE

The SELECT A WORKMODEL panel

opens to select the type of description

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3.4.1 Description with

Easywork

An Easywork (simple piece) is a workpiece with only one cylindrical

machining with a closed contour and with a limited possibility for
defining the various specifications.
The contour to be cut (in .ISO and without an entry line) must be
previously imported in Agievision, as described in Import of a
geometry from a diskette .

Method of procedure:
1 In the panel for selecting the
WORKMODEL select
EASYWORK.
2 Select OK.

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3 At this point the Easywork panel

(description of a simple workpiece)
appears
4 Reply to the questions appearing
on the panel taking into account
the contour program and drawing
data.
WORKPIECE NAME:
(Enter via keyboard). In our case:
Piece 1
TYPE OF MACHINING
(Select DIE or PUNCH). In our
case:
PUNCH.
WORKPIECE MATERIAL
(Select in the pull-down list, see
arrow). In our case: steel for cold
working X155Cr V Mo 121
WORKPIECE HEIGHT
(Enter via keyboard). In our case:
50 mm

14
WIRE
QUALITY
(Select in the pull-down list). In our
case: wire type Cobra Cut 0.25,
grade Ra 2,3 - Tkm 30 - Te
30...50.

1 Machining reference
2 Workpiece reference

ROTATION
Rotation of the contour with
respect to how it has been
programmed.
(Enter via keyboard). Not used in
our case: 0.
POSITION
Machining reference position.
Machining position with respect to
the workpiece reference, which in
an EASYWORK, corresponds to
the start point (Entry via keyboard).
In our case: X-14, Y=0

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GEOMETRY
When this key is pressed, the relevant
panel appears for selecting the
geometry (contours) files available for
use. Under the option CONTAINERS,
select the required file container (in
this case: ISO Sys). Under the
OBJECTS option, select the required
contour (in our case: SHAPE_3.ISO).
The file is opened when it is selected
with a double click or by subsequently
pressing OK.

5 After assigning the geometry,

define the entry point of the
contour. In the case of an Easy
Work, it will be at the centre of the
element.
The separation cut will be of 3 mm
defined automatically.
6 Select the element in which the
entry point in the contour is
required.
7 Press OK.
8 Press OK on the EASYWORK
panel.

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9 (Not for Vertex) After defining the

entry element, it only remains to
define the technology with which to
execute the electrical discharge
machining. This is chosen
automatically by the machine in
accordance with the preset
QUALITY data: 10 proposals are
made in decreasing order (from the
one closest to the required result to
the most distant one). The values
of the parameters differing from
the required ones are shown in the
right part of the table; the
corresponding values are marked
by a dash. If all the parameters
correspond to the required ones,
the name of the data bank
associated with the technology
appears; in our case: AGIEDB
(AGIE Data Bank). Proceed to
associate the required technology
by pressing ASSOCIATE.
At this point the work description
may be considered as finished.

10 (for Vertex only) When closing

Easywork, the relevant panel
(Breaking) for preparing the
technology appears automatically.
The first listed technology is the
closest one to the quality target set
in the piece description.
11 Confirm the selection by pressing
OK.
(see chapter C5 TECHNOLOGY
for further details regarding
Teccut).

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3.4.2 Description with

Pieceditor

Describing a workpiece by means of Pieceditor offers the operator all

the possibilities of Agievision: several machinings and groups of
machinings, taper cuts, collar machinings, pocketing and differentiated
technologies on contour sectors are only some of the more interesting
characteristics of this highly versatile system.
The Pieceditor is the system commonly used for describing a
workpiece.
The contour to be cut (in .ISO code and without entry line) must have
been previously imported in Agievision, as described in Import of a
geometry from diskette.
For more detailed information on employing the Pieceditor see the
examples, for the meaning of individual functions see chapter C4.3.

New piece
1 Select NEW PIECE in the WORK
MODEL SELECT panel.
2 OK

2
The piece will be added to the Piece List under a default name and
tagged by the hatched piece symbol
uncompleted).

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(hatched because being

Accessing the Pieceditor

1 Double click button 1 of the mouse
on the new workpiece.
2 The workpiece appears in the
Pieceditor in the left window.

(There is a second method of

selection: press button 2 of the
mouse, then select EDIT in the
menu).

After entering the PIECE LIST, the

workpiece is marked by the symbol

(workpiece being edited).).

Workpiece details
When button 1 of the mouse is clicked
twice on the workpiece already
selected, the PIECE DETAILS book
appears. This book defines the
workpiece details (likewise in this
case, it is possible to click button 2 of
the mouse, then select DETAILS
PIECE).

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WORKPIECE page

NAME:
Enter the workpiece name via the keyboard. Max length of workpiece
name is 20 characters (letters, numbers and underlining). In this
example: Piece 1.
MATERIAL:
Select the type of material in the pull-down list (see arrow). In this
example: steel for cold working X155Cr V Mo 121
QUALITY TARGET AND WIRE:
Select, in the pull-down list, the quality target to be reached in the
machining operation as well as the type of wire to be used. These
characteristics will be inherited by the associated machining
operations, however they can be changed independently in the
individual machining operations.
If the various machining operations have different quality targets on
the workpiece, it is not important to define them at this level; the same
applies to the type of wire. They will be defined directly in the individual
machining operations.
In this example:
QUALITY Ra 2.3 - Tkm 30 -Te 30...50,.
WIRE Cobra Cut A 0.25 (for Vertex: QUALITY Ra 1.5, Tf 30, WIRE
Cobra Cut A 0.20).

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DISTANCE PIECE REFERENCE MEASURE POINT (possibly

DISTANCE MEASURE POINT PIECE REFERENCE)
In this example, the measurable point is the centre of the threading
hole and corresponds to the workpiece reference (origin of the
drawings dimensioning system): so enter X = 0, Y = 0 (! C3.4 1.2
for more details).

The data may be entered by means of

the graphic panel REFERENCE IN
CARTESIAN CO-ORDINATES.

WORKPIECE SIZE
It is possible to enter the workpiece dimensions here to allow its
correct graphic display on the screen. In our example, the default
dimensions can be retained: X = 100, Y = 100 and Z = 50.
Note:
the Z value (height) is also used for preparing the technology.

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EDGE POSITION
It is possible to enter the position of the workpiece edge (-X, -Y and -Z)
in relation to the workpiece reference.
Values X and Y serve solely for the graphic display, while the Z value
must normally correspond to the workpiece height, but with a negative
value. A few special cases form the exception.
Edge

If the Agievision is configured for a BEGINNER, the Z field does not

appear and the height value for the workpiece is entered automatically
with a negative value. In our example: X = 0, Y = 0 and Z = 50.

The data may be entered by means of

the graphic panel DISTANCE PIECE
REFERENCE -> EDGE POSITION.

SAFETY PLANE
This is the distance between the top surface of the workpiece and the
upper head during electrical discharge machining.
In our case it is left at 0.05.
RETURN PLANE
This is the distance between the top surface of the workpiece and the
upper head during positioning phases. In our case it is left at +30.

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When all the data have been entered, store everything with OK.

To add a machining operation

3
1 Select the workpiece
2 Click button 2 on the mouse.
3 In the menu which appears select
ADD MACHINING

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To define a machining operation

1 Select the machining operation
with a double click or else:
1 Select the machining operation
2 Click button 2
3 Select WORK DETAILS

The MACHINING DETAILS book will

appear for defining machining details.

Machining details

Thus function serves for entering all

the data describing the machining
operation.

14

MACHINING
The default name proposed may be retained.

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DISTANCE PIECE/GROUP REFERENCE MACHINING

REFERENCE
The machining reference is defined when building the geometric figure
and corresponds to the origin of the geometric figure.
Such reference need not necessarily be the machining starting point.
Position of the machining is referred to the workpiece reference.
It is possible to define an angle of rotation of the machining operation
around its reference (positive in counter-clockwise direction) in field C.
In our case: X = 14, Y = 0, Z = 0, C = 0.
The data may be entered by means of
the graphic panel REFERENCE IN
CARTESIAN CO-ORDINATES.

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Informative window, contextual to the selected subject

QUALITY AND TYPE OF WIRE

The quality has already been defined at workpiece level and is
inherited from there.
When the values differ from those defined in the WORKPIECE
DETAILS, select the quality to be reached for this machining operation
and the type of wire used in the pull-down list.

PRIORITY
In this field it is possible to define the sequence of execution of the
machining operation (in ascending order starting from 1).
The system proposes priority 1. If this is not changed the machine will
make its own choice according to the preset strategy. In our case the
preset priority is left, i.e. 1.

TEC HEIGHT
Height for preparing the technology.
If this value is 0, calculations of the technology will be based on the
piece height entered in PIECE DETAILS.
Entering whatever value other than 0 in this field, this value instead of
the piece height will be used for preparing the technology. This may be
useful when machining a piece at various machining heights.

START POINT
Shown the name of the selected start point and the object to which it
has been associate (Piece, Machining)

EASYGEO
Guided definition to easily prepare a machining by means of a
dialogue window.

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To associate the start point with

the machining operation

The start point, i.e. the point on which the machine threads the wire,
can be defined in two ways:
a) at piece level
in the window PIECE DETAILS
(X and Y distances from piece zero).
b) at machining level
in the window MACHINING DETAILS
(X and Y distances from machining zero)
Both start points (i.e. piece and machining startpoint) are automatically
created by Agievision with the co-ordinates X=0 and Y = 0.
(! C6 for more details)

In the example a start point at

machining level will be used (the start
point is at a distance of 14 mm from
the machining zero).
Select machining start point
StartPoint. Enter the respective new
values X and Y and select CHANGE.

To assign the geometry

1 Select the GEOMETRY page.
2 When CONTOUR... is selected,
the relevant panel appears for
selecting the contour to be
executed.
3 In the panel which appears, select
the geometry file to be used, in our
case:
SHAPE_2
4 Select OK.
5 Select OK.
6 Define whether it is a punch or die.
In our case a PUNCH is to be
machined.

2
1

3
4

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To define the entry

1 Select the mode of ENTRY in the

contour by selecting the relevant
vertical marker.
2 Define in which point of the
element entry is to take place, in
our case: at the MIDDLE OF THE
ELEMENT.
3 Define the entry mode. In our case:
FREE to the element.
4 Select ELEMENT to be displayed
in the relevant panel for selecting
the entry element.
5 Select the entry element in the
graphics with the aid of the mouse
pointer.
The entry into the contour appears
on the screen, from the starting
point to the element selected.
6 If selection is correct, memorise all
data with OK.
7 The entry element number can be
viewed In ENTRY ON SENTENCE
NBR on the ENTRY PAGE.
8 To conclude definition of this
machining operation at this point,
select OK in the MACHINING
DETAILS book.

6
7

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Graphic Test
1 In the VIEWS menu or else with

icon
select GRAPHIC TEST.
In this view it is possible to check
the precise layout of the objects: in
this case the measurable point, the
workpiece reference and the start
point have the same position
2 After checking, again select the
LIST view through relative menu
or, like in our example, select icon

at the top.

Attributes
VARIOCUT:
System of wire breakage prevention in
case of insufficient flushing or variable
cutting heights (see chapter C5).
SECURITY LEVEL:
Changes the security level during trim
cuts. The entered value has priority
with respect to the value defined in
technology or configuration.

Working steps
Allows seeing the various cuts and
their content after having prepared the
technology.
To prepare the technology, select
TECHNOLOGY.

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To associate the technology with

the workpiece (not for Vertex)
Select the workpiece, then click button
2 of the mouse (right at bottom) to
select CHOICE OF TECHNOLOGY.

The panel for associating the

technology with the machining
operation appears (name of the
machining operation appears at the
top of the panel)
Select the appropriate technology
(usually the first in the list), then
ASSOCIATE.

The number of working steps is seen

in the view list option (between
brackets).
As the quality target for the second
machining operation is the same as
for the first operation, the same
technology is associated
automatically.

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To associate the technology with

the workpiece (for Vertex only)

By selecting CHOICE OF
TECHNOLOGY

or after MACHINING DETAILS,

WORKING STEPS, select
TECHNOLOGY

the relevant panel BREAKING for

selecting the technology appears
automatically. The first listed
technology is the closest one to the
quality target set in the piece
description.
Confirm the selection by pressing OK.
(see chapter C5 TECHNOLOGY for
further details regarding Teccut).

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Th Working steps panel now shows

the various cuts prepared by the
technology.
Key EDIT TECH allows displaying
their content and possibly changing
the parameters.

Checks and closing of a workpiece

Editing of this workpiece may now be
considered finished.
Select OK.

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Select CLOSE in the EDIT menu (or

press the corresponding key at the
screen bottom).

The relevant panel appears

automatically for the FORMALCHECK
(presence of contours, entries and
technologies) of the workpiece.
Such a check can be carried out at
any time in Pieceditor, in the Edit
menu, or in whatever else appears, by
clicking the right button when pointing
to the Formalcheck function
Select EXECUTE.
If no error is signalled, select
CANCEL. Otherwise, if an error is
displayed, select the message with a
double click whereupon the page
containing the error or failure will
appear.

Memorise (save) the newly edited

workpiece

To memorise (save) the newly edited

workpiece, reply with YES.
The newly memorised item will appear
(selected and with a new name) in the
piece list.

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3.4.3 Description with ScriptFile

The description of a workpiece with Script-File (file .SBL) is used when

a geometry program complete with entry line and containing all the
specifications for the workpiece has been prepared with a CAD/CAM
system.
This program is made up of a SCRIPT file and a .ISO file for each
contour to be cut.
The .ISO file contains the cutting geometry.
The .SBL file contains the workpiece description.
Description of a workpiece with SCRIPT FILE reduces the operations
to be executed on Agievision, but, of course, requires a more complex
preparation on the CAD/CAM workstation.

Information which can be entered

already at CAD/CAM level:

Depending on the items of information contained in the Script file, the

workpiece may be ED machined immediately or completed with further
items of information. Generally all Pieceditor functions can be entered
in a Script file.

For more detailed information and for the method of entering the data,
refer to chapter C12.04 Description of input formats and functions, as
well as the descriptions provided by individual postprocessor suppliers.

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Importing a Script-File

In order to execute a Script File, this

must have been previously imported
into Agievision.
1 Select the FILE MANAGEMENT
icon
2 Select the ACTIONS menu
3 Select the heading IMP./ EXP.
DISK A
4 Select the .SBL icon
5 Select the file to be imported and
press the right button on the
mouse
6 In the small contextual menu select
IMPORT

7 If necessary, change the file name

8 Select OK

By importing the Script file, all the .ISO

files necessary and required by it are
imported automatically.

7
8

9 When the file has been imported, it

appears under the heading
SYSTEM CONTAINER OBJECT
LIST, at this point select CANCEL
to quit.

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New workpiece (Script-file)

1 In the panel for selecting the
WORKMODEL select SCRIPTFILES
2 Select OK.

2
3 In the container which appears,
select the file required
4 Select OK.

The file imported appears in the piece

list; it is in fact a workpiece which, if
complete, is already to be ED
machined.

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If the Script-File is not complete

If the .SBL file imported is not

complete, its symbol in the PIECE
LIST appears hatched.

It must thus be returned for editing

(Pieceditor) and completed

1 Select the workpiece with a double

click: you thus enter the Pieceditor
application.
2 Select the workpiece in Pieceditor
and press the right button.
3 In the contextual menu select
FORMALCHECK in order to see
the missing attributes.

2
3

4 The missing attributes are

signalled in red in the
FORMALCHECK panel.
By selecting the message in red
with a double click, the page will
open automatically allowing you to
complete the workpiece
5 In this case the missing attribute
concerns the technology, then the
ACTION button appears, by
selecting it, you will be able to
choose the database containing
the technology to be associated.

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4 Checks
In addition to GRAPHIC TEST and FORMALCHECK, which are
already executed at Pieceditor level, there are some ways of checking
and obtaining information before starting ED machining.
The ones most used are:
Graficheck (to display the workpiece in the work area)
Sequence and intermediate times (to display the course of the job
and the expected working times)

4.1 Graficheck
1 Select the workpiece with the right
button.
2 Select GRAFICHECK in the menu
that appears.
3 Check message window: There
must not be any messages
between START GRAFICHECK
and END GRAFICHECK.
4 To view the graphic representation
over the entire page, select icon
at the top right of said page.

4
3
2

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The graphic view offers various

display possibilities:
enlargement of a detail
optimisation of the entire display
shifting of the display (select a
point on the screen and "drag" it to
another position)
Adjustable three-dimensional
display
Fixed three-dimensional display
Two-dimensional display
Four-window display
Information about the element
selected
Choice of the visible graphic
objects

Graphic elements:
Workpiece reference

Reduction of the graphic display

(three-window view

Measurable point
Wire cutting

Gauge

Points on the contour

To select the graphic objects, select

in the row of buttons at top right.
The relevant panel appears for
choosing the objects to be displayed.

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4.2 Sequence and

intermediate times

This command can only be activated after a Graficheck.

1 Select the workpiece with the right

button on the mouse.
2 Select SEQUENCE AND
INTERMEDIATE TIMES
3 In the SEQUENCE AND
INTERMEDIATE TIMES panel will
appear (in hours, minutes,
seconds) the expected execution
times for the complete workpiece
and the individual machinings, and
the sequence of cuts.

Note:
The expected times do not take into
consideration corner strategies or any
other possible reductions in cutting
power due non-optimal conditions.

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Keyword index

A
Active selection field
ADD MACHINING
ASSOCIATE
C
Check boxes
CHOICE OF TECHNOLOGY
CLOSE
contour
CONTOUR...
D
data bank
DISTANCE PIECE REFERENCE MEASURE POINT
DISTANCE PIECE/GROUP REFERENCE MACHINING
REFERENCE
E
EASYGEO
Easywork
EDGE POSITION
EDIT
ELEMENT
Enlargement button
ENTRY
ENTRY ON SENTENCE NBR
entry point
F
file .SBL
FORMALCHECK
FREE
Function keys

22
44
47
24, 25
41
31
35
39
40
28
36
33, 47
42
15
42
42
30
48
47
42
5, 19

G
geometry
geometry
GRAPHIC TEST
Group storage box

41
30
43
20

I
Icons
Importing
Input field

9
26
20

M
MACHINING
Machining reference
MATERIAL
Menu
MIDDLE OF THE ELEMENT
Mouse
Multitasking
Multiviews
N
NAME
NEW PIECE

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38
25, 29
34
12
42
8
7
7
34
32

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OBJECTS
operator interface

3
5

P
PIECE DETAILS
PIECE LIST
Pieceditor
Pointer system
PRIORITY
Pulldown Menu
punch
Push buttons

33
33
33
5
40
12
24
21

Q
QUALITY
QUALITY TARGET

40
34

R
Radio button
Reduction button
RETURN PLANE

22
15
36

S
SAFETY PLANE
Script file
Separators
SEQUENCE AND INTERMEDIATE TIMES
simple piece
Sliding Bars
Spin Button
start point
START POINT
Suspension List

36
48
18
54
28
16
23
25, 29
40
21

T
TEC HEIGHT
technology
TYPE OF WIRE

40
24, 31
40

U
USER DEFAULT VALUES

24

V
values of the parameters

31

W
WIRE
WORK DETAILS
WORK MODEL SELECT
workpiece
workpiece reference
WORKPIECE SIZE

34
38
32
52
29
35

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