The document describes using the ECO Manager in CimatronE to update a mold design after engineering changes (ECOs).
The process involves comparing a master file to an updated ECO file, exporting the differences, and then importing those differences to update the relevant core and cavity parts. Differences are grouped as added, removed, or unchanged geometry. The faces can be reassigned as needed.
The document walks through an example where a master file is compared to ECO1, the differences are exported and used to update the core part. Faces are deleted, modified and recreated as needed to incorporate the changes from ECO1. This process is then repeated to compare ECO1 to ECO
5. ECO Manager
ECO Manager Introduction
The update of a mold project after ECO is one of the tool designers' most time consuming tasks. The
effectiveness of the ECO Manager tool is totally independent of the project size or complexity. It does not require
any regeneration. Therefore it can be used at any stage along the tool design process with the same efficiency.
The method is based on comparing the Previous ECO with the Current ECO. The results are exported to the
Diff. file and are then imported to the relevant active parts.
The flow of ECO process described in the figure below:
In this exercise you will use the ECO Manager function to compare the master document with an updated file.
The updated file includes engineering changes. The ECO Manager operation will be executed in the Work file.
CimatronE 8.5 ECO Manager 1
6. Compare the master file with the ECO 1 file
Compare the master file with the ECO 1 file
In this chapter we are going to compare a master file with an ECO file. The Compare operation is performed
through a working file.
The master file is the file (model) imported into the working document.
The ECO 1 file is a file of the updated master file after applying changes to it.
Unpack the md_MD_eco.ctf file (Located under Tutorial Work Files Data To Steel directory).
Open the Motorcycle Work.elt. work file from the DM browser.
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7. Either select Parting/Tools/ECO Manager from the Parting menu, or click on the ECO Manager icon from
the Parting Guide.
CimatronE 8.5 ECO Manager 3
8. Verify that the Master Motorcycle document is selected as the master document and select the ECO 1.elt
file (Located under Tutorial Work Files Data To Steel directory) as your ECO document. Select OK.
Exit (MMB) to accept the current location of the ECO 1 model.
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9. The different groups of the updated model
During the Compare stage, show/hide the different groups to find and understand the engineering changes.
Three groups of faces are created:
• The Blue group: contains the faces to be added to the original part. These faces exist only in the new
part (ECO 1).
• The Red group: contains the faces to be removed from the original part. These faces exist only in the
Master file
• The Unchanged group: contains the Unchanged faces. These faces exist both in the Master and the
Work files.
CimatronE 8.5 ECO Manager 5
10. Add or Remove Faces
Select the Add/remove faces optional step from the Feature Guide.
The Add/Remove faces option enables us to move faces from one group to another by using the middle mouse
button (exit). Multi selection is available for faces from the same group (blue or red faces)
Blue faces can be assigned to the Remove Faces Group by selecting the desired faces and Exit while the
cursor is located on a red face or on a clear area.
Red Faces can be assigned to Unchanged Faces by selecting the desired faces and Exit while the cursor is
located on gray face or on a clear area.
It is always possible to use the Reset button to reject all changes.
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11. Hide the Removed faces. Select the blue face as indicated below:
CimatronE 8.5 ECO Manager 7
12. Move the mouse over the clear area, and Exit. The added face has been removed.
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13. Select the removed face as indicated in the picture below:
Move the mouse over one of the gray faces and exit. This face will not be removed.
To reject the changes we have just applied, press the Reset tab.
The original changes made to the part will be used.
CimatronE 8.5 ECO Manager 9
14. Export results to File
Examine the Changes
Examine the Changes
Before applying the changes, notice the draft angle applied to the walls of the bosses.
Zoom in to the area marked with a red circle. Notice the changes of the drafted walls.
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15. Export Results to File
Note that Export results to File is the current status of the ECO Manager.
Export the results displayed to an external file. When exporting the results to a file, a new file will be created
without affecting the original work file.
If required, you can click the Export results to File toggle button to use the Submit to current
option for exporting the changes to the current work file.
Make sure that the Export results to File option is displayed. Select OK. Save the file
which contains the differences, using the default file name.
Save the file which contains the differences, using the default file name.
Note that the work part itself was not affected by the comparison. The differences in geometry are saved into
another part file.
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16. Update the components
Update the Core Document
Update the Core Document 1
Open the Core.elt document.
From the File menu, select the option Import from Part.
Select the file which contains the differences: ECO_Diff_Master Motorcycle_ECO 1.elt. Click the Select
button.
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17. You are requested to select the source UCS Which UCS of the Diff file to place on the Layout UCS . Select
the Using Active UCS option (which is the copied Mold CS in the Diff. file).
You may select the active UCS, Model UCS or any other UCS by selecting it from the display area.
Select OK.
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18. Notice the new sets in the part. The imported geometry is divided into the following three sets.
• Added Geometry
• Boundary Contours which Identify the Changed Areas
• Removed Geometry from the Master
Update the Core Document 2
We will now use the Delete Duplicate Geometry option. This option enables you to easily remove the geometry
that was identified in the work as geometry to be removed. The faces exist both in the Remove set and in the
active part.
Show the Removed Geometry set.
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19. From the Tools menu, select the Delete Duplicate geometry option.
Toggle the option to Delete Both Groups and select all the entities.
The Delete Both Groups option will delete the duplicated faces from the original core and the imported set.
Note that the EC0_Remove Master Motorcycle ECO1 set is now empty.
CimatronE 8.5 ECO Manager 15
20. Remove the parting face as indicated in the picture.
Update the core document 3
Show only the Added Geometry set.
Remove the drafted walls (which belong to the cavity active part) as indicated by the arrows.
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21. Create a composite from the inner boundary of the hole and then create a new bounded face.
Save the updated file.
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22. Update the Cavity Document
Open the cavity document.
Import the diff file.
Delete the duplicated faces. (Follow the steps in step Update the core document 2)
Show only the added faces set. Remove the faces of the boss as indicated by the arrow (they belong to the
core active).
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23. Remove the bottom face (it belongs to the core only).
Remove the old bounded face.
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24. Create a new composite curve.
Create a new bounded face.
Save the updated file.
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25. Additional Engineering Changes
Export Another Dif File
Return back to the work file and perform another compare operation using the ECO Manager.
Compare between ECO1 and ECO2
When selecting the ECO1, note the displayed message. Click OK.
CimatronE 8.5 ECO Manager 21
26. Notice the changes. Select OK to export the result to a new file.
Update the Core Document with the New Dif file 1
Open the core and perform the import from part operation .
Select the previously saved ECO_Dif_ECO1_ECO2A.elt. file.
Select the Using Active UCS option.
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27. Hide the Added Geometry set, and show the removed set.
Delete the duplicate faces. Select the Delete Both Groups option.
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28. Update the Core document with the new Dif file 2
Show only the Removed Geometry set. Note the extra faces.
These faces belong to the cavity.
Zoom into the green circle..
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29. Use the Remove Geometry option to delete the faces.
Show the added faces. Do not delete the faces belonging to the cavity, as we are going to use them in
order to reconstruct the parting faces.
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30. Update the Core Document with the New Dif file 3
Delete the old parting face.
Modify the face as indicated in the picture (to extend the face that belongs to the cavity and not the one
behind it.)
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31. Extend the face using the Natural extension and Same Face options, as follows:
Trim the face with the contour and edge as indicated in the picture.
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32. Repeat the same operation on the other side.
Update the Core document with the New Dif file 4
Create a bounded face.
Remove the added face (which belongs to the cavity active part).
Save the updated core.
Repeat the process in the cavity.
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