Product category:
People in Manufacturing
News Release from: Pathtrace Engineering Systems | Subject: Technology Assistant
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 June 2000
Stored tooling data improves CAM
efficiency
Technology Assistant is the latest productivity enhancing feature to be included with EdgeCAM, Pathtrace's off-line programming software.
Technology Assistant is the latest productivity enhancing feature to be included with EdgeCAM, Pathtrace's off-line programming software This all-new, major extension of the EdgeCAM Toolstore allows operators to achieve considerable gains in cutting efficiency by utilising stored tooling and materials data for selection of the most appropriate tool and automatically optimise speeds and feeds
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 30 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Trochoidal moves speed up roughing cycles
Latest release software that uses new intelligent option that inserts trochoidal moves where required delivers a faster roughing cycle by minimising changes in the cutting direction.
Edgecam chosen for high performance transmission
Faced with an ever-increasing demand for more complex machined surfaces, motor sports supplier, Hewland Engineering, has invested in Pathtrace's Edgecam system.
Provided by the industry's leading tooling suppliers, the stored tooling data helps ensure that tool life and reliability are maximised, surface finish and quality are consistent and cycle times are kept to a minimum.
The result: higher productivity, lower scrap and significantly lower machining costs.
Raf Lobato, System Development Director of Pathtrace outlines the thinking behind the Technology Assistant: "When programming a part, most machine operators will rely on speeds and feeds that they feel most comfortable with - typically, the ones they've always used.
To the detriment of the process, they are not always the most suitable for the task." He continues, "To find the correct settings would normally require searching through tooling catalogues or reference books.
Technology Assistant provides the operator the information he requires, at his fingertips.
No searching, no trial and error." In common with EdgeCAM development, the user interface for Technology Assistant is straightforward.
The screen is split vertically in two with material data displayed on the left and tooling information on the right.
This simple layout encourages the user to quickly match the correct tooling with the material.
A prime consideration to users is that Technology Assistant can be customised to suit their requirements which extends the programming/machine shop user friendly capability.
Data can be added or deleted and the screens adapted to hide obsolete material, for instance.
In addition, the inclusion of a 'free format' printable notepad having full interactivity with Microsoft Word, this allows useful information to be stored and reports and support documents generated.
• Pathtrace Engineering Systems: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
