To specify electrode export options

Use the Export Options page to specify options to export the electrode for inspection, machining and EDM.

1. Select an option from the Export For area, to specify what you want to export the electrode data for:
   • PowerMill — Select this option to export a .trode file.
   • Other CAM software — Select this option to export to CAM software other than PowerMill.
   • No export
2. Select EDM data-transfer files to export the EDM files required to use the electrode on an EDM machine:
   1. Click to display a list of manufacturers that EDM scripts can be produced for. There is also a Custom script option to export user-defined scripts.
   2. Select the scripts you want to export.
      Note: ONA scripts can be produced in two styles, automation and classical. PowerShape uses Automation style by default, but you can produce the classical style script format by editing the config file ona_export.con in the electrode tree.

      The OPS + MultiProg option is displayed if you have MultiProg software installed. This script is the same as the OPS-Ingersoll option, but opens the software after export.

      The CERTA QMeasure inspection format can also be used to produce CERTA preset scripts.

   3. If you are exporting electrode data to GF MPP software, click Set details to choose the Machine Group and Machine Name from a list of those found in the mpp_interface.con config file. Choosing an option in one list automatically updates the other to only show options compatible with your selection.

      Alternatively, enter new values into the combo boxes to manually specify different Machine Groups and Machine Names.

3. Select Inspection points for PowerInspect to specify settings for inspection:
   1. Click to display the Inspection Points dialog.
   2. Click on the electrode model to select inspection points.
   3. Enter the Probe diameter.

      These inspection points are exported as PowerInspect compatible .pts files that are included in the .trode file.

      Tip: You can edit inspection points on an existing electrode by clicking Inspection Points on the Edit Electrode dialog to display the Inspection Points dialog.
4. When you have created your last electrode, select Generate Summary Spreadsheet, and the required Output file format, to export a file containing the details of all the electrodes in the model.
5. Enter a file path in Directory to Export to, or click Browse and navigate to the folder you want to export the data to.
   Note: You can export to directories only on the local and mounted drives.
6. Click Finish. The electrode base is automatically trimmed back to avoid collisions. The electrode is created as a symbol and is stored on the electrode level.

   In addition:

   • A new workplane is created, with the same name as the electrode, to help with machining.
   • If you selected Generate Summary Spreadsheet, two additional files are generated; electrode_summary.csv and electrode_summary.html. These are included in the .trode file, and the HTML file is displayed in the Browser window.
Tip:
• If the electrode is not what you expected, read Tips for creating electrodes.