Archive for the ‘CNC Control Software’ Category

An ESPRIT CAM software add-in provides end users with direct access to the cutting-tool management capabilities of the WinTool Cutting Tool Management System

DP Technology, maker of ESPRIT computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, said that DATOS has released a WinTool add-in for ESPRIT 2008. This ESPRIT add-in provides end users with direct access to the cutting-tool management capabilities of the WinTool cutting tool Management System. The WinTool system allows users to centrally manage tooling libraries and cutting conditions, and makes these libraries available to a wide variety of users throughout the machine shop.

For ESPRIT, WinTool will automatically generate precise 3D representations of the cutting-tool assemblies for simulation within the CAM system.

The WinTool add-in for ESPRIT is designed to improve the ease of use in tool management and machine set-up.

Using the WinTool system, ESPRIT programmers now have full access to the tool crib, while machine operators receive professional instructions for tool setup generated by the WinTool system.

DP Technology told manufacturingtalk.com that because data can simultaneously be transferred to preset gauges, the occurrence of tooling problems and machining standstills are significantly reduced.

* About ESPRIT – ESPRIT is a high-performance cam system for a full range of machine tool applications.

ESPRIT delivers powerful full-spectrum programming for 2 – to 5-axis milling, 2 – to 22-axis turning, 2- to 5-axis wire EDM, multi-tasking mill-turn machining and B-axis machine tools, and high-speed 3- and 5-axis machining.

ESPRIT’s high-performance capabilities include machining any part geometry (solid, surface, or wireframe), universal post processing to format G-code for virtually any machine tool, and solid simulation and verification with dry runs rendered in dynamic solids for optimal part quality and consistency.

ESPRIT is 100% pure Windows, and provides a comfortable and familiar user interface for maximum productivity.

* About DP Technology – DP Technology is a cam software market leader with a mission to provide CNC programmers with the most powerful CAM software ever.

DP Technology’s flagship product, ESPRIT, captures the company’s vision of technology’s potential and its passion for excellence.

DP Technology maintains its worldwide headquarters in Camarillo, California, USA, and product development teams in California and Florence, Italy.

Sales and support operations are located in Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Request a free brochure from DP Technology….

Originally posted 2008-02-12 03:21:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Hello,

Today’s topic is controlling.  Since we are dealing with
machines that do work for us, we need to control those machines
somehow.  We need to control them for safety reasons as well.
If you give a machine improper commands it can easily get out of
control and cause harm to you or the part you are machining.  We want
to give appropriate commands to our machines, at appropriate
times so they are not "out of control". 

The language that these machines use is called G-code.  G-code
has been around since the early 60’s.  There are number
variations of G-code, but most are very similar to one another.
See the previous lesson for a sample of G-Code. 

We will need to use a computer to talk with our CNC machine.
Our computer will send signals to our CNC machine.  In-between
our computer and our CNC machine sits a controller.  A
controller converts commands into signals that are used to
control the motion of our machine.

As these signals are sent out of the controller, they go to
either stepper or servo motors.  This is how we create
motion.  These motors drive our various axis on our CNC machine.
While we are moving our axis, there is generally a cutting tool
of some sort removing material.  This is the machining process
coupled with CNC.

Here is a brief description of the two types of motors
generally used in CNC:
Stepper motors:
Simple design
Easy to use
Generate torque at low rpm
Do not know their position in relation to the program

Servo Motors:
Generate torque at high RPMs
Generally need gearing of some sort to be effective
More sophisticated
Can maintain their relative position, thus they can be more
accurate

Controllers generally stand alone near the CNC machine.  They
act as a translator between your computer and your CNC machine.
Generally they add quite a bit of cost to a CNC machine as well.
Controllers can cost anywhere from $1000-$20,000 or more depending
on their sophistication.

Now that we can control the machine, its time to machine with it.
That will be tomorrow, CNC Machining and everything that goes along
with it.

If you are interested in more information right now on Controlling,
you can go to my website.  Click this link now:
http://www.cncinformation.com/CNC_Controllers/CNC_Controller.html

Originally posted 2007-12-01 14:35:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

With Manual Guide i, the current Fanuc GE CNC controllers can be directly programmed onsite in a simple manner – regardless of whether turning, milling or combining machining processes

Manual Guide i, a user-friendly workshop programming from Fanuc GE, is constantly being developed. In addition to the improvement of diverse machining and milling cycles, it has new functions for multi-channel turning as well as programming in the tilted working plane. With Manual Guide i, the current Fanuc GE CNC controllers can be directly programmed onsite in a simple manner – regardless of whether turning, milling or combined machining processes will be carried out.

Thanks to the basic module and the modules for turning and milling, a user can limit himself to the essentials.

Each module initialises all cycles, leaving the user to easily and quickly program the respective machining process.

* All machining functions on one screen – the ‘all-in-one-screen-design’ provides the user with an overview of all machine functions on one screen.

On this an operator can read all axis positions and rotating speeds, detect where the machine currently is in the program, and display the tool paths or the workpiece in 3D in the simulation window.

To constantly maintain an overview, a bar with soft-keys facilitates intuitive menu selection. This also applies for multichannel turning operations.

* Intelligent functions – for the Series 0i-TTC CNC controller, Manual Guide i makes intelligent functions available, which simplify two-channel turning.

A process table, for example, displays the relation between the spindle and the turret via a timeline.

Standby times and travel paths can also be included.

An additional screen mask serves for simulation: both tool paths can be simultaneously displayed in the 3D model, which primarily serves for NC program control.

Lastly, the all-in-one-screen-design provides an overview on co-ordinates, machine status and the executed programs for both channels.

Even for three-channel turning, which is possible with the Series 30i CNC controller, Manual Guide i makes the corresponding functions available.

* Tilted work plane – there are new functions for tilted working plane (TWP).

With Manual Guide i, the TWP can not only be determined via Eulerian angles but also via the roll, pitch and yaw command (RPY), three points in the space, two vectors, angle projection or the tool axis direction.

In order to be able to easily utilise these options, Fanuc GE has developed a guidance screen which graphically supports the operator while requesting the required data from him in a dialogue.

Also new is the realistic simulation of the generated NC program for the tilted working plane.

It can either be shown as tool paths or as a shaded display.

* About Fanuc GE CNC: – Fanuc GE CNC is a leading global supplier in factory automation.

These include products and solutions for the machine tool market based on a wide range of CNCs, motion control products, monitoring and control software products, CO2 lasers and services.

Fanuc GE CNC is a joint venture between GE and FANUC and the company’s European headquarters are at Fanuc GE CNC Europe in Luxembourg.

Originally posted 2008-02-12 03:50:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Standard software for CNC data transfer, product data and document management as well as the machine data collection, is being used by a prominent German machine tool builder

EVO Informationssyteme said that the machine tool manufacturer, Gebrueder Heller Maschinenfabrik, recommends its customers use EVO software modules for increasing productivity and efficiency. The software developer, EVO, delivers standard software for CNC data transfer, product data and document management as well as the machine data collection.

The software for transferring CNC programs between PC systems and CNC machines and data communication is already used by Heller in Nuertingen.

EVO Informationssysteme also told manufacturingtalk that it has won the Industrial Innovations Award 2007 of ‘Initiative Mittelstand’ in the category production management.

• EVO Informationssysteme: contact details and other news

Originally posted 2007-11-10 15:56:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Beckhoff Automation  presented a new generation of more powerful CNC systems with PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology at the EMO 2007 in Germany.

The EtherCAT real-time Ethernet system enables high speed communication between the PC controller and the digital drives.

Additional process optimisation is offered by the XFC technology, which allows fast, deterministic reactions. In this way, the user is presented with completely new possibilities to improve the quality of his machine and to shorten reaction times.

Manufacturers from all over the world presented a wide range of machine tools and production systems for cutting and forming processes, as well as precision tools and controllers for the entire production technology.

At the EMO 2007, Beckhoff presented its range of products from the fields of IPC, I/O, motion and drives.

In the field of metalworking, PC-based PLC, motion control and CNC solutions are used, for example, in processing centres and lathes and in sheet metal processing, grinding, sawing and cutting machines.

In principle, the Beckhoff solution comprises:

• A modern industrial PC as an open control platform
• Software NC/CNC for Motion Control and interpolating path movements
• An open, flexible and configurable .NET-based HMI solution
• EtherCAT as a fast communication medium for I/Os and drives
• EtherCAT I/Os for high precision control of actuators and fast sensor signal recording, to integrated measurement technology and condition monitoring
• EtherCAT servo drives from the AX5000 series with a corresponding range of motors

A new generation of Industrial PCs is available for the EtherCAT-based control concept.

Instead of additional, expensive fieldbus cards, these IPCs contain two Ethernet interfaces for automation and IT applications. While the 100 MBit Ethernet port offers optimum performance for all EtherCAT control tasks, a gigabit port is available for connecting the higher-level network.

The C69xx control cabinet PC series offers a slimline, modern controller platform.

The Industrial PCs in robust, ultra-compact aluminium housings are equipped with new generation processors and are optionally available without cooling fans or mechanically moved parts.

Software replaces hardware-oriented controller systems:

Besides high-end PCs, Beckhoff’s scalable control system with Embedded PCs also offers powerful solutions. One example of this is the combination of a CX1020, Windows CE-based operating system and TwinCAT NC I for interpolating path movements in up to 3 axes.

The DIN rail mountable Embedded PCs additionally offer the advantage that the Beckhoff Bus Terminals and EtherCAT Terminals can be mounted directly side by side.

On the software side, Beckhoff offers two solutions for interpolating path movements in the TwinCAT NC I and TwinCAT CNC: TwinCAT NC I is the modular CNC solution for up to 31 channels, each with up to three main and five auxiliary axes. TwinCAT CNC is the classic, powerful CNC application for up to 64 path axes/spindles in up to twelve channels.

In addition, this package offers spline and transformation functionality (5-axis functionality) as an option. The basis of both CNC systems is the fast TwinCAT PLC system.

Optimised control and communication architecture:

Beckhoff presented an innovation for the metalworking industry at the EMO in XFC technology (eXtreme Fast Control Technology), a fast control solution.

XFC is based on an optimised control and communication architecture comprising an advanced Industrial PC, ultra-fast I/O terminals, the EtherCAT high-speed Ethernet system and the TwinCAT automation software.

In addition to optimised cycle time, XFC also offers improved temporal accuracy and enhanced resolution. In this way, the user is presented with completely new possibilities to improve the quality of his machine and to shorten reaction times.

Measuring tasks or documentation of parts quality can simply be integrated in the machine control without additional, costly special devices.

In the field of machine tools, XFC technology offers wide variety of applications for process optimisation, such as:

• Oversampling for structure-borne sound analysis for integrated tool
• Monitoring high precision recording of measuring probes
• High mutual synchronicity of axes (important for the precision of interpolating movements)

 

Goto suppliers website

14 November 2007

Originally posted 2007-11-15 14:58:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Chatsworth, CA – Vertical machining center producer MAG Fadal announced that their FX series of machines will be available with the new Infimatic Freedom NC200(TM), a digital control designed specifically for metal-cutting machine tool applications, with three highly-intuitive navigation choices. The control is compatible with standard G Codes as well as part programs that have been created for Fadal CNC controls.

The operator pendant has been designed with the machinist in mind, offering a full keyboard, integrated mouse and easy-to-use LED-ringed pushbuttons. VeriCode(TM), the control system’s unique color-coded editor, has real-time syntax and semantic verification to simplify part programming, as well as the ability to facilitate background editing during machining. ServoScan(TM) technology automatically populates control parameters and other critical data when the machine is powered up, reducing errors and streamlining the start-up process.

Infimatic’s Freedom NC Portal(TM) is an interface for seamless integration of software from GibbsCAM, NextEngine, Renishaw or other sources whose technologies complement the core functionality of the CNC. Complete with advanced 3D graphics, the NC200(TM) comes loaded with integrated GibbsSFP®, the control-resident version of GibbsCAM that includes time-saving drilling, contouring and pocketing routines.

Engineered for maximum reliability in a contract shop or production floor environment, the Freedom NC200TM features fanless cooling, diskless data storage, advanced protection circuitry, all surface-mount circuit board construction, a water resistant panel, and a distributed architecture platform which enables electrical cabinet optimization.

Nationwide availability of the new FX series is planned for April 2008. Special editions of both the VMC 3016 FX and VMC 4020 FX are being offered on a limited basis earlier in the year. These machines will include a 10,000 RPM air/oil 40-taper spindle, the coolant-thru-spindle feature, and dual-arm tool changers, with 24-tool capacity on the 4020 FX and 20-tool capacity on the 3016 FX.

Since its introduction in 2006, the FX series has been embraced by manufacturers in applications ranging from die and mold machining to part production in the automotive, aerospace, medical and other industries. Its value-to-price ratio make it a natural choice for coupling with the economical yet powerful control platform developed by Infimatic.

On the 3016 FX and 4020 FX, rigid box-way construction with integral flame-hardened ways are complemented by Steinmeyer ETA+ dual-mounted ballscrews that optimize machine stiffness and virtually eliminate reversal error. Rapid traverse is 1,000 IPM (inches per minute), with a cutting feed rate up to 800 IPM.

X/Y/Z axes travel on the 3016 FX is 30" X 16" X 20" (762mm X 406mm X 508mm); the 4020 FX increases the working envelope with X/Y/Z axes travel of 40" X 20" X 20" (1016mm X 508mm X 508mm).

About MAG Fadal

Fadal Machining Centers (MAG Fadal), a division of MAG Industrial Automation Systems, offers a wide range of Vertical Machining Centers (VMCs) complemented by a full line of performance-enhancing rotary products. Close to 40,000 VMCs have been installed worldwide in applications for general machining, medical, mold/die, automotive, aerospace, woodworking and many other dynamic industries. With over 40 years of experience in the machine tool business, MAG Fadal continuously strives to apply innovative metal-cutting technology to its VMCs. Headquartered in its 280,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Chatsworth, CA (Los Angeles area), MAG Fadal offers extensive training and support programs, including a global network of distributors trained to deliver world-class after-sales support. Also see www.fadal.com.

About Infimatic

Infimatic, headquartered in Hebron, Kentucky, is focused on the science and engineering of machine motion and automation control systems. As a division of MAG Industrial Automation Systems, the company brings a real-world depth of expertise in automation, CNC machining, robotics, process and motion control – with innovative solutions to common control issues. Infimatic systems are distinguished by their modularity, ease of configuration and integration, scalability and maintenance advantages, tough hardware architecture, dynamic productivity software platform, and first-caliber quality – all at a price point unmatched in the industry. Also see www.infimatic.com.

About MAG Industrial Automation Systems

MAG Industrial Automation Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, is a group of leading machine tool and systems companies serving the durable-goods industry, worldwide, with a large portfolio of highly-recognized and well-respected brands. With manufacturing operations on five continents, MAG ranks as a leader in the global metalworking capital equipment market. Also see www.mag-ias.com

Originally posted 2007-12-31 19:02:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Here is a recent article from Mechanical Engineering magazine.

CNC Machines of the future will be able to read CAD and CAM files directly.  Interesting.  I can’t wait to see the code and how they will accomplish this.

"Modern-day computer numerically controlled machines are no longer modern enough. The 50-year-old G and M codes that drive those machines can’t transfer valuable geometric information from CAD and CAM systems, according to a group of experts who are advocating for widespread use of the recently approved STEP-NC standard. With the new standard, CAD and CAM applications have the capability to send product information to CNC machines.

But getting equipment and software suppliers on board with the new standard might take a while, the experts add. Still, if universally adopted, the standard could make subcontracting of machining across many manufacturing industries much easier.

Today’s global engineering companies commonly pass CAD files back and forth. There are a number of ways for suppliers to translate their own CAD files into a format that original equipment manufacturers can read. Although the system is not always effective, suppliers and OEMs can almost get by. But engineering organizations can sometimes perceive CNC machines as the weak link that holds back a data stream that flows seamlessly from design to manufacturing, said Xun Xu, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

Now comes STEP-NC, the machine-language standard first published by the International Organization for Standardization in 2003. Ten years in the making, STEP-NC includes tolerance and process planning capabilities that G and M codes can’t accommodate, Xu said. He’s looking at how STEP-NC can be adapted to all machining environments.

With the standard, a cutting tool is driven by geometric representation of the part to be made, said Martin Hardwick, president of STEP Tools Inc. of Troy, N.Y. His company sells software libraries that help companies write STEP-translation programs. It now sells similar tools for STEP-NC applications.

Just as STEP has standardized the description of product data, allowing it to be passed with translation between varied CAD and CAM systems, STEP-NC is expected to streamline the passing of vital product data as well as geometric information across a global manufacturing chain, Xu said.

With STEP-NC, a machine tool can receive a file with extended product data, know what it means, and proceed to mill the piece without any more instructions. No more programming the machine tool for each job.

"Really, today, the guy on the CAM system generates codes for one specific CNC machine in his plant that he understands well," Hardwick said. "With geometric representation that machining program could be sent anywhere in the world and they could make it on their machine."

In terms of interoperability, the new standard promises to do for CNC tools what STEP and IGES have done for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing, Hardwick said.

The ISO standard STEP, which stands for the "standard for the exchange of product model data," allows all CAD and CAM systems to exchange information, regardless of file format. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology has a standard called initial graphics exchange specification—usually shortened to IGES—which also functions as a translator.

According to Hardwick, machine shops using the STEP-NC standard could reduce setup times by as much as 35 percent by seamlessly reading the 3-D product geometry and manufacturing instructions supplied by their customers. Original equipment manufacturers could reduce the time they spend preparing data for suppliers by 75 percent because they could share the design and manufacturing data straight from their databases.

A STEP-NC converted CAD file can whiz via Internet from a New York OEM to a California machine shop, which can then immediately start milling the part, Hard- wick said.

Adoption Obstacles

Given all these benefits, manufacturers and vendors should be lining up for STEP-NC, right? Not yet. Experts generally agree adoption isn’t around the corner. It will happen eventually, although no one can yet say how long it will take.

Hardwick expects adoption of STEP-NC to mirror that of STEP, which users have been slow to accept. STEP for CAD became an ISO standard in 1995. Three years later, the large manufacturers—the early adopters, who saw the business case for STEP—began using the standard.

"In 2001 other enterprises started using it, and in 2003 all the complaints and whining disappeared as people realized what it did," Hardwick said. "There’s a tremendous amount of resistance when these standards come out."

But more than users’ reluctance holds back full-fledged adoption. CAM vendors will need to add system interfaces that write STEP-NC data while CNC machine makers will have to add interfaces to read data. Without significant customer demand for STEP-NC, vendors are hesitant to make the necessary investment in their systems, said John Callen, vice president of marketing at Gibbs and Associates of Moorpark, Calif., which sells CAM and NC programming software. Callen has partic-ipated in the STEP standards community and was a member of the STEP-NC industry review board for STEP Tools.

Vendors could also start making CNC machine tools that could read STEP-NC files. But the manufacturing world isn’t exactly clamoring for those machines, so companies haven’t stepped up to produce them.

"The audience that STEP-NC addresses is extremely conservative," Callen said. "Manufacturers say, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. If they’ve got a system that works, they’re not interested in jeopardizing that.

"A lot of them have spent years getting their operating procedures to the point they’re fairly canned," he added. "Introduce STEP-NC and that throws a significant wrench in the works that they have to modify their system around. Most manufacturers will go, ‘I want to do this why?’ "

Gibbs and Associates’ customers aren’t yet asking for systems that can output to the new STEP-NC format, he added. When they do, Gibbs will provide them.

For his part, Hardwick thinks more companies will create their own postprocessors, based on STEP-NC libraries like those his company provides. These types of postprocessors offer a STEP-NC interface between CAM and CNC systems.

So STEP-NC proponents must lead the way by making the business case for the CNC standard. Boeing has taken a point position here, Callen said. Representatives from the aircraft company have been part of STEP-NC deliberations and recent prototype demonstrations.

An aircraft manufacturer has been particularly interested in a CNC-language standard because its CAM systems generate APT CL language, an intermediate file format that—when sent through a postprocessor—automatically generates machine-specific G codes, Callen said.

STEP-NC files could include information that APT CL files can’t handle, such as part-model geometry, part dimensions, and tolerances, as well as machine probing commands. The manufacturer would like to work with the new standard on the company’s next-generation aircraft.

Still Lost in Translation?

Should STEP-NC follow STEP’s customer acceptance model as Hardwick predicts, it will likely face some adoption impediments along the way.

OEMs, well aware of STEP’s limitations, don’t make widespread STEP use easy, Callen said.

"In our industry, we see a lot of doublespeak when it comes to using STEP," he said.

A number of big players give lip service to STEP, he said. They agree the translation standard can be used to pass information from supplier to OEM. But, in reality, these large manufacturers require that suppliers use the same CAD system the OEM uses to avoid loss of data during translation.

"They’re saying one thing and requiring something entirely different," Callen said. "Many say something about STEP in the contract, but suppliers are encouraged to adopt the same CAD system the OEM uses."

So STEP itself still isn’t an optimal interoperability format and that’ll likely be the case with STEP-NC, said Ken Tashiro, vice president and chief operating officer at Elysium Inc. of Southfield, Mich. The company sells CAD translators that Tashiro said can ease the headache that engineers face when translating STEP or IGES files.

The STEP and IGES translation programs have the same problems as human translators. Sometimes, there just isn’t a one-to-one correlation between words or, in the case of CAD systems, pieces of product data, like geometry features or attributes.

And there’s another issue as well. IGES and STEP standards have to evolve as fast as today’s engineering technologies are evolving. And a slow-moving standards committee can’t keep up.

Specialized translators like the ones Elysium makes are specifically written to translate files from one brand of software to another such as, say, UGS to Catia. Engineers who rely only on STEP or IGES as their translation tool of choice rather than on specialized translators can lose data in the translation process, Tashiro said.

Translators like Elysium’s have been programmed to understand the characteristics of each of the supported CAD systems, keep on top of them, and make the required adjustments and corrections required for any data conversion, Tashiro said.

Elysium’s STEP product is based on STEP tools.

"STEP Tools tells us how to build something, so we conform with STEP, and we add our own spice," Tashiro said. "If we know that some CAD format has something weird, like it calls a cylinder a truncated cone, but every other format calls it a cylinder, we know we should pop it into STEP as a cylinder."

Down the line, Tashiro expects to see specialized STEP-NC readers similar to the enhanced translators his company provides.

For his part, Xu is working to develop portable STEP-NC data that can be adapted to different machining environments. The key to this is to capture the information about machining tasks unambiguously and leave the decision on machining methods until the last moment when a machine tool is chosen.

So why don’t software vendors get together and agree upon standard language? That way, a fillet would be a fillet— whatever CAD system it originated in, whatever CNC machine eventually machines the part.

The answer is easy, Tashiro said. For competitive reasons, vendors simply aren’t willing to reveal their algorithms. That makes it impossible to transfer both files and codes among unlike systems without the use of a translator, whether STEP, or a spiced-up STEP.

Hardwick is hopeful that when manufacturers see STEP-NC in action, they’ll get behind the new stan-dard. Next month in Dallas, STEP Tools will help to demonstrate the new standard for participants from Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Sandvik, among others.

"It’ll be a fairly big demonstration to show the CAD/CAM vendors and hardware control vendors that all these people are interested in doing STEP-NC and to get them to move forward," Hardwick said. "But we still need to put forth more effort and get more vendors jumping in."

The road toward STEP-NC has been long and often filled with setbacks. But Callen said he hopes talk of the newly approved standard sparks user interest.

"We’re getting there," he said. "We need to keep it in perspective, though. But I don’t want to lose sight of the real benefits of STEP-NC and what it’s done as far as making people aware of the type of product infor- mation that’s required for next-generation manufacturing systems." "

 

Check out a link to the article right here:

http://www.memagazine.org/contents/current/features/beyond/beyond.html

Originally posted 2007-11-11 17:32:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Since we are dealing with machines that do work for us, we need to control those machines somehow.  We need to control them for safety reasons as well.  If you give a machine improper commands it can easily get out of control and cause harm to you or the part you are machining.  We want to give appropriate commands to our machines, at appropriate times so they are not "out of control". 

The language that these machines use is called G-code.  G-code has been around since the early 60’s.  There are a number of variations of G-code, but most are very similar to one another.  See the previous section for a sample of G-Code. 

We will need to use a computer to talk with our CNC machine.  Our computer will send signals to our CNC machine.  In-between our computer and our CNC machine sits a controller.  A controller converts commands into signals that are used to control the motion of our machine.

As these signals are sent out of the controller, they go to either stepper or servo motors.  This is how we create motion.  These motors drive our various axis on our CNC machine.  While we are moving our axis, there is generally a cutting tool of some sort removing material.  This is the machining process coupled with CNC.

Here is a brief description of the two types of motors generally used in CNC:
Stepper motors:
Simple design
Easy to use
Generate torque at low rpm
Do not know their position in relation to the program

Servo Motors:
Generate torque at high RPMs
Generally need gearing of some sort to be effective
More sophisticated
Can maintain their relative position, thus, they can be more accurate

Machine Controllers
Controllers generally stand alone near the CNC machine.  They act as a translator between your control computer and your CNC machine.  Generally, they add quite a bit of cost to a CNC machine as well.  Controllers can cost anywhere from $1000-$20,000 or more depending on their sophistication.

Originally posted 2007-10-30 02:38:49. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Using the DNCI mode of Fanuc-0 for continuous machining of large programs

Synopsis:
For machining very large programs on a general purpose CNC, the internal part program memory may become a constraint. This is usually the case with CAD generated programs for Die milling where the program size may run into the range of 20-30Mb, which is far beyond the capacity of a standard Fanuc-0 control. To execute such programs the alternatives are:

a) Breakup the programs to smaller manageable chunks as per the memory capacity of the control and execute it one by one.

b) Use the DNCI function available with the control.

Option a) is cumbersome since a lot of pre-processing has to be done to break up the program and while machining, after execution of every chunk the part program memory must be cleared, a new chunk loaded and executed. This involves a lot of operator intervention and may result in serious accident if a chunk out of sequence is loaded. This is where the DNCI option can be a big advantage.

What is DNCI?
DNCI is an add-on to the AUTO mode of the CNC where instead of executing the part program from the memory of the CNC, it executes program blocks dynamically transferred to it through the RS232 port. This article explains how to set up the DNCI and successfully execute programs.

To read the complete article please visit http://www.controlon.com/resources/default.asp

ControlOn is a large resource centre for Controls and Automation professionals featuring technical forums, articles, tutorials, classified advertisements, comprehensive directory of manufacturers, news, press releases, products showcase, and lots more.

To Know More Please Visit http://www.controlon.com

Originally posted 2007-10-28 07:22:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

 

Here is an article out of Modern Woodworking Magazine about CNC and Woodworking.

New contributing editor Hector Henry, research engineer and faculty member for the Advanced Wood Products Laboratory at Georgia Institute of Technology answers wood products manufacturers’ prevailing question, “Which software is right for me?”

By Hector Henry

 

At the top of my list, the first piece of advice that I give to any one person approaching CNC software for the first time is: Be honest with yourself. What do I mean by that? You need to ask yourself these questions:

Assuming that these basic skills described above have been acquired, we must face the really important question: Which software is right for me?
You will see that there is a great variety of packages and some of them do a lot more than others. Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses will help you make the right decision. While some packages only aid you in the manufacturing of products, other packages help you with the design of the product. Bigger packages provide complete solutions (design & manufacturing automation). Keep in mind that these solutions do not come cheap.

I arrived at the conclusion a couple of years ago that CNC packages are divided into three different categories: Engineering/Manufacturing, Design and Artistic applications software. Let’s discuss them a little further:

Engineering/Manufacturing Packages
These packages are regarded to as CAD/CAM packages (Computer Assisted Drafting-Computer Assisted Manufacturing). In almost all cases, these are packages that allow the user to draw and add tooling information to the drawing and, therefore, have tools that will help the user generate drawings and tooling information accordingly. As an example, a package of this nature will help you draw and machine a kitchen cabinet, but it will not draw and design the cabinet for you. These packages are an adequate solution for places where:

Final Considerations
Almost all CNC Machining Centers already come with some form of CAD/CAM software. Nonetheless, you are always free to decline the provided software and purchase it on your own. Do not discard a CNC machine just because you didn’t like the software that the salesman showed you. Sometimes they are not proficient users of the software in the first place. Talk to a technician or sales engineer if you have unanswered questions.

I recommend that you put to them the same questions that you would put to any software vendor. If you’re lucky, your CNC may already be provided with software that will handle your needs. Consider that CNC machine manufacturers will always provide a solution that allows its machine to do most of the work, whether it is time consuming for the user or not.

Finally, try to implement a little foresight. You may have to face different or bigger manufacturing challenges down the road and there is nothing more frustrating than having the right machine with the wrong software.

Hector Henry is a research engineer and CNC instructor for the Advanced Wood Products Laboratory, part of Georgia Institute of Technology’s College of Architecture. The AWPL provides training in computer-aided manufacturing and in the operation and maintenance of wood processing machinery. Training is available to individuals in the wood products manufacturing industry and those outside the industry who wish to become employed in the wood products manufacturing field. Henry can be reached at hector.henry@arch.gatech.edu. For more information on the AWPL, please visit www.awpl.org.

Originally posted 2007-10-13 15:50:19. Republished by Blog Post Promoter