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News Release from: ForeGone Solutions | Subject: WorkNC
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 October 2006
Automatic Hole Drilling with iges files
Traditionally 2D drilling was left to the machine programmers on the shop floor 3, 4 and 5 axes being the areas concentrated on with the majority of CAM systems today.
Traditionally 2D drilling was left to the machine programmers on the shop floor 3, 4 and 5 axes being the areas concentrated on with the majority of CAM systems today And those offerings have traditionally been limited to native files, or Solid Models
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 3 Aug 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Leaving the subcontractor to either purchase the same software, or manually programme the holes.
WorkNC can recognise holes in Iges files, this works especially well in full 5 axes drilling, where there are vectors, holes or just surface points to work with.
If the holes are modelled, WorkNC can recognise the diameter and depth, and work out a procedure for drilling, especially efficient at deep holes, where there will be several stages of drilling, based on your rules.
WorkNC recognises any holes that are not vertical, and if you cannot drill them (3+2 or 4 axis), it will not program them.
So you remain in control at all stages.
But if your configuration and machine will perform multi position drilling, then it will separate the appropriate holes for each face, and complete that face before moving on to the next one.
The Post Processor and Set-up sheets will give rotation angles for the operator to set to.
This is not a "DUMB Wizard", but an interactive tool, designed by "Engineers" for Engineers, and is an integral part of WorkNC.
For those still on the manual programming method, this is fine when the number of holes are less then 20, But it only takes a moment of distraction of attention by the operator, and can either lead to a costly welding job, or more seriously a missed mistake can cost thousands of pounds in customer confidence, compensation and re-work of complete components.
WorkNC Automatic drilling on complex components (or even ejector frame components for mould tools or stripper plates for Press tools) can be performed in the programming office, or on the shop floor.
Select all the holes in a model, decide what type of holes they are (reamered, tapped, simple holes etc).
Let the software take over, it will examine all holes, see if they can be machined (centre drilled, drilled, counter bored or tapped), if it cannot complete the task, the hole will be ignored.
This also optimises the hole sequence to avoid the machine repeating movements If you don't have the correct size counter bore tool, the software will circular pocket wi.
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