To access Electrode options in Windows Explorer

You can access Electrode shell extension options using Windows Explorer. These electrode options enable you to view and extract electrode details using the exported .trode file.

1. Right-click the relevant .trode file to display its context menu.
2. Click Electrode to display the electrode shell extension options.
3. Choose from the following:
   • View HTML — to view an html file containing the electrode's details, such as its length, width, and height. A colour-coded image of the electrode is also displayed.
   • View General Assembly Diagram — to view the electrode's general assembly diagram using your default image viewer. This file contains a top view of all the electrodes within the model, and balloon labels marking the rotations and origins.
   • View Detail Diagram — to view the electrode's setup sheet using your default image viewer. This document contains an isometric view of the electrode, and displays the electrode's dimensions, rotation, and origin.
   • Extract Geometry — to extract the .dgk file, which contains the CAD model of the electrode. This file type contains only active workplanes, and geometric objects such as wireframe items, points, symbols, surfaces, and solids.
   • Extract HTML Data — to extract all the files that make up the HTML page, to a specified folder location.
   • Extract General Assembly Diagram — to extract the electrode's general assembly diagram to a specified location.
   • Extract Detail Diagram — to extract the electrode's setup sheet to a specified location.
   • Extract Inspection Data — if your electrode has been through the PowerInspect Electrode Inspection Wizard, this option extracts the inspection data files to a specified location.
     Note: .trode files generated by PowerShape do not have any inspection corrections. Corrections are only added to the .trode file if PowerInspect is used.
   • Extract Electrode NC code — to extract the NC code required to manufacture the electrode.
   • Extract Workpiece NC code — to extract the NC code required to manufacture the workpiece.
     Note: NC codes are only available if PowerMill has been used to generate toolpaths.
   • Extract EDM Script — to extract the EDM script. This script contains directions for an EDM machine to use the manufactured electrode on your CAD model.
   • Extract Corrected EDM Script — if your electrode has been through the PowerInspect Electrode Inspection Wizard, this option extracts a corrected version of the EDM script.
     Note: If there are no inspection corrections, you can extract only the original, uncorrected script files. If there are inspection corrections, you can:

     • Extract scripts in their original uncorrected form.
     • Apply the corrections and extract the adjusted version.
     You can extract all formats, but can currently correct only the formats of the following manufacturers:
     • JDMA
     • CERTA
     • Charmilles
     • Exeron
     • ONA
     • Zimmer Kreim
     • Sodick
     • Makino
     • Mitsubishi EPX
     • Mitsubishi NC (ESPER)
   • Send to MPP — If you use MPP software to drive your EDM machine, select this option to edit names, file paths, and numerical values such as Cavity style, and Machining cycle, using the Send to MPP dialog. A indicates that the data is specified in the selected .trode file. A indicates that data is missing, or has not been specified. To make an edit:
     1. Click an entry in the tree.
     2. Enter a value in the text box.
     3. Click Send to launch the MPP software.
     Note: This option is only displayed if MPP software is installed on your computer, and the selected .trode file contains a +GF+ MPP script.
   • About — to display the electrode shell extension version and copyright information.
4. Use the Select electrodes dialog to choose which electrode you want to get information about.