CAD/CAM speeds inspection on CNC machine tools

CAD/CAM compatible software offers faster set-up and inspection on CNC machine tools and will also integrate with existing design and manufacturing software.

At MACH 2006, Renishaw is showing two new PC-based software products, Productivity+ Active Editor Pro and Renishaw OMV, which offer significant time savings for users of machine tool probe systems.

To highlight the ability of these products to integrate with existing design and manufacturing software, Renishaw will demonstrate them within the specialist CAD/CAM pavilion, at stand 5773.

Productivity+ GibbsCAM plug-in, a well established module within the GibbsCAM system but with additional new functions, will be demonstrated by UK distributor GS Productivity Solutions on stand 5667.

Productivity+ Active Editor Pro is part of Renishaw's new generation of easy-to-use probing and process control software, which targets the entire spectrum of machine tool probe users.

It can be used to develop powerful probing routines for both contact and non-contact laser probes, including tool setting, tool breakage detection, part set-up, part inspection and probe qualification.

The software is an all-in-one, independent solution for producing probing cycles remotely from the machine tool, via a CAD interface that allows features to be identified with a single click, and a drag-and-drop interface that uses the measured data to update machine parameters.

It removes the need for specialist knowledge of probing macro commands, which vary by machine controller, a time-consuming way to produce probe routines.

The full range of standard prismatic features are supported using the same intuitive GUI and programming structure as the other editor products in the Productivity+ range.

For machine tool users requiring powerful inspection software, Renishaw OMV is a verification package that gives powerful co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) style 3D verification against a CAD model.

The software is targeted at manufacturers of complex and large parts, such as mould tools, and combines freeform and geometric features.

A straightforward point-and-click approach means that the user can see the inspection path as it is generated, and make changes if required.

Using Renishaw OMV for inspection allows manufacturers to detect errors earlier and correct them before the parts are removed from the machine tool.

The ability to check that the part is reaching specification at various stages of the manufacturing process will save time, reduce the amount of scrapped components and increase confidence.

* Renishaw at MACH 2006, NEC, Birmingham, UK, May 15-19, Hall 5, Stand 5773.

* GS Productivity Solutions at MACH, Hall 5, Stand 5667.

Back to top