Wire EDM Machine Operation Chapter 4
Copyright November, 98 Page 4-3 Sodick Inc.
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Another part of the second concept: You must prepare to write a manual CNC wire EDM
program. This is one of the most important points, even though it has nothing to do with
program commands at all. Let us state this again: YOU MUST PREPARE TO WRITE
PROGRAMS! You know the old saying, “GARBAGE IN/GARBAGE OUT!” It truly
applies to CNC wire EDM manual programming.
There are four steps that must be taken before you attempt to write a manual program. If
you do these four steps, you will be able to get through the entire program without having
to break out of your train of thought. But if you do not take these steps, you will find
yourself constantly back-tracking to do something that would have been better and more
easily done earlier. Also, for beginning programmers, you will find it easier if you have
the “leg work” done up-front. Most companies now ,program using CAD/CAM.
Here are the four recommended steps to prepare to write your program:
1) Do all necessary math
2) Decide upon the wire diameter to use
3) Check condition file manual for necessary conditions and offsets
4) Consider the best “start point” for the wire
Let’s discuss each step.
1) DO ALL NECESSARY MATH:
Almost all CNC wire EDM programs require math calculations to be done. In essence,
you will be driving the wire through a series of coordinates that are calculated from your
program zero point. This is done in a point to point or “dot to dot” method. So, prior to
trying to write your program, it is wise to calculate the various positions you will be
driving the wire through. These calculations can sometimes get complicated. To calculate
the coordinates could involve some trig calculations as well as addition and subtraction.
One logical method to do this involves coming up with a “coordinate sheet” on which
you record the coordinates that will be necessary for the program. It is wise to mark up
your
print to show the location of your program zero point, and number each location that the
wire will pass through. Then, on your coordinate sheet, write down the X and Y
coordinates of each point number. Figure 4-2 shows an example of how to use the
“coordinate sheet”.
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