Product category:
Software, off-line programming, CAM, for metal cutting machine tools
News Release from: EdgeCAM | Subject: Edgecam CAM at ZF
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 January 2008
3D CAM covers all CNC machining
processes
For a prominent transmissions manufacturer, all necessary interface and data transfer parameters have been defined and the implementation of comprehensive CAM covering all CNC processes was reached.
In CNC machining, ZF has recently invested in Edgecam, a production machining CAM solution from Planit This investment is the culmination of a long-term feasibility project with Edgecam reseller in Germany Wecomp, preceded by an intensive consultation period involving Max Weishauupl, technical representative of ZF and Martin Biewer, senior consultant at Wecomp
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 15 Dec 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Although Edgecam's ability to meet ZF's technical specification for a 3D CAM system was clear from the outset, for the new system to integrate seamlessly into existing processes has, however, proved to be a much greater challenge, said Edgecam.
Eventually, all necessary interface and data transfer parameters were defined and the main goal the implementation of a comprehensive system covering all processes was reached.
This included the joint development of a tool that transfers data such as dimensions and tolerances from Pro/ENGINEER models directly to Edgecam, which in turn allows a very high degree of automation in part programming.
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The result was that lead times are cut and productivity is increased.
"This agreement with ZF represents a further milestone on our road to becoming the leading CAD/CAM systems provider for the automotive sector," said Manfred Kukla of the Wecomp management team.
"At the same time, this contract to purchase 50 Edgecam seats worth around EUR 800,000 is one of the biggest accounts in the 16-year history of our company".
Commenting on the implementation of Edgecam in ZF manufacturing facilities throughout Germany, Peter Robl, team manager, production services, said: "Edgecam is the only system that delivers the process automation tools we demanded during our evaluation of 10 CAM solutions.
The degree of integration and interoperability we achieve between Edgecam and our corporate CAD solution Pro/ENGINEER enables us to take component designs and automatically generate and apply optimised tool paths.
The Edgecam implementation will commence at the ZF facility in Passau, (south east Germany), where we have 600 CNC machine tools.
Another key aspect of Edgecam is its seamless compatibility with the FaSys tool database system.
The productivity efficiencies we achieve with Edgecam give us a significant return on our investment".
Edgecam country manager for Germany, Nick Spurrett, said: "As well as being a great success for the Edgecam business in Germany I am especially excited by the productivity gains ZF has achieved during the feasibility phase of this project".
He added: "By aligning its corporate CAM strategy with Edgecam, ZF shows that its manufacturing philosophy of investment in automation is very much in tune with our continued development plans.
With operations in both high and low labour cost economies, ZF needed to select the most appropriate CAM solution for future implementation across the whole business.
For global organisations such as ZF, simply chasing low wages is not enough.
Labour costs are only one element in a complex equation that defines sustained competitiveness".
* About ZF - with annual sales of around EUR 12 billion and 120 manufacturing plants in 25 countries, ZF is rightly regarded as a global supplier to the world's automotive industry.
The prestigious ZF brand is synonymous with the supply of high quality drive train and chassis technology to domestic, commercial, construction and agricultural vehicle manufacturers around the world.
Remaining competitive in a global market in the face of lower cost base competition is an achievement in itself and testament to the emphasis ZF places on continuous investment in productivity improvements.
* About Edgecam - Edgecam, a market leading computer aided manufacturing (CAM) system for NC part programming, offers a complete solution for milling, turning and mill/turn programming with unparalleled ease of use and sophisticated toolpath generation.
Edgecam is a principal brand of the Planit group recently ranked by CIMdata as the world's fastest growing CAM vendor, with most industrial users.
* About Planit - Planit is a global supplier of design and manufacturing software for the engineering, woodworking and stone industries.
The company provides its customers with products and services that enable them to improve the productivity of their machine tools, shorten design and manufacturing time, optimise material usage and deliver high quality goods and services to their customers.
Planit's solutions are best-in-class within their respective markets and are integral to the success of thousands of companies of every size around the globe.
* About Wecomp - Wecomp is an independent and totally process chain focused company, using best-in-class software from world leading software manufacturers, to provide the best manufacturing solutions for customers.
The goal is to optimise customer's processes and make them more productive.
With an experienced, highly skilled and motivated team in different German locations, Wecomp is one of German strongest Manufacturing Solution Centres. Request a free brochure from EdgeCAM ...
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