Product category:
Software, off-line programming, CAM, for metal cutting machine tools
News Release from: Sescoi International | Subject: WorkNC, WorkNC-CAD and TNB CNC machine tool
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 March 2007
CAD/CAM choice improves machine tool
links
Helicopter maker's skills centre is using CAD/CAM that gives a close link between the software and the machine tool and a reliable toolpath with clear collision control and display capabilities.
Eurocopter can trace its roots back 100 years to some of the earliest experiments in helicopter flight It operates from six locations across Europe and has achieved a turnover in 2006 of EUR 4.9 billion an increase of 40% from 2005
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 8 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
WorkNC cuts machining times by up to 20%
Sescoi claimed that its latest NCspeed module can produce additional cycle time reductions of up to 20% through optimising machining cycle feedrates.
Mould maker has no crashes with WorkNC CAM
Mould and die maker said it does not have to worry about a crash with WorkNC CAM as it is very reliable and its performance is superior to other CAM systems it has used.
The Group produces a range of civil and military helicopters, and it has achieved a 52% market share in the private, corporate, and public service sectors.
Worldwide, it has around 2,500 customers in 139 different countries, and has sold approximately 9,500 aircraft.
"We have a duty to fulfil for each customer and our overriding aim is their satisfaction," explained Christophe Celor from the Corporate Communication and Information Department.
Further reading
Toolmaker invests in Sescoi job management
Czech toolmaker evaluated several job management systems before selecting MyWorkPLAN from Sescoi, to exchange data and interface with external software packages such as CAD and Microsoft Office.
Sescoi CAM helps remove EDM problem
Specialist mould and die maker automates EDM, with help from Sescoi CAM software, to remove a production 'bottleneck' and increase capacity by at least 30%.
Sportswear maker uses CAM to machine skiboots
Sportswear maker produces about 200 molds per year and has set up a single machining sequence, to suit every ski boot design and to cut the ten different sizes available in each range.
"Customisation is an increasing requirement, so we have had to organize ourselves accordingly." To meet these demands, the company has established four Industrial Skills Centres.
Each Centre operates autonomously as a business unit but maintains links to the Central Engineering Department.
The objective of each Centre is to design, manufacture and industrialize its products, which are destined for Eurocopter's civil and government sector helicopter assembly lines.
Additionally, it provides customer support and administers its own planning and purchasing policies.
The Structure Industrial Skills Centre initially produced batches of finished parts.
However, a change in policy resulted in these being outsourced and the Centre now concentrates on the manufacture of prototype parts; making customized non-standard parts; helicopter development; and productionising components ready for batch manufacture.
The Rapid Manufacturing Department, formed to meet these new objectives, capitalized on the existing skills within Eurocopter, providing faster response to the requirements of its customers, and new concepts in the manufacture of metal and composite structural parts.
The five-man team produces 65% of the moulds for composite parts, 30% of the sheet metal dies and 5% of the prototype parts for the Research and Development Department.
Its top priority is rapid turnaround.
To achieve its goals, the Centre needed to find a method which would enable it to rapidly manufacture moulds for composite parts, and sheet metal dies for prototype and low volume components.
Michel Labarthe, manager of the Structure Industrial Skills Centre said, "Due to the increased customisation applied to our range of products, we had to implement resources adapted to this new requirement." In 2002, the company carried out a feasibility study, benchmarking different CAM systems and CNC machines.
In particular, it was looking for a close link between the software and the machine tool; a reliable toolpath with clear collision control and display capabilities; an extensive tool library; an ergonomic and easy to use interface; and a means of reducing design times.
Extensive production tests led Eurocopter to choose WorkNC, WorkNC-CAD and a TNB CNC machine tool.
Labarthe said, "We reduced the time for machining a shroud from 32h to 4h 5min".
"The figures speak for themselves.
We also greatly appreciated the depth of collaboration between the machine tool manufacturer and Sescoi.
During the testing period, for example, the predicted times really were the times which we achieved.
This wasn't always the case for the other systems that we tested." Eurocopter's design and modelling is completed in CATIA V4 and V5.
WorkNC-CAD is used to interpret these designs and prepare the models for machining in WorkNC.
Here the software automatically calculates the geometry, generates reliable toolpaths and simulates the machining.
Within three weeks of the installation of WorkNC and the TNB machine tool, the company was producing its first tools.
Labarthe added, "Our main concern is always the same - to reduce part manufacturing lead times.
This is very important to us as an assembly line stoppage is very expensive." He was delighted with the performance of WorkNC and the TNB machine.
"We have achieved our objectives, halving production times on our sheet metal parts, including both the programming and machining phases." 2006 saw investment in an additional WorkNC and WorkNC-CAD system with a direct CATIA interface, together with a second TNB machine.
Labarthe concluded, "Our four operators work three, 8h shifts per day.
Additionally, we have implemented alert indicator methodology to enable us to monitor jobs securely and easily." With the additional equipment, the Industrial Skills Centre has achieved its rapid manufacturing target, and is now able to supply its customers with mass produced and customized parts within 15 days.
* About Sescoi - for 20 years, Sescoi has been developing software solutions renowned for their quality, reliability, ease of use, and automatic features, as well as for world-class technical support and service.
Sescoi has established sales and support offices across the United States, Europe and Asia in order to serve thousands of local and international customers from a range of industries.
Sescoi's software solutions include the following * WorkNC, an automatic CAM/CAD solution for 2- through to 5-axis milling, featuring the award-winning 'Auto 5' module which automatically converts 3-axis toolpaths into simultaneous 5-axis toolpaths.
* WorkNC-CAD, a uniform CAD solution for the entire manufacturing process.
* WorkPLAN, an integrated management solution for custom manufacturers that brings together company-wide data and resources enhancing knowledge, responsiveness and efficiency across the company.
* MyWorkPLAN, a cost effective and easy to implement job management system for small and medium sized custom manufacturers that controls quotations, time and resources, capacity and delivery dates to optimise performance and profitability.
With many years' business, engineering and software development experience, Sescoi understands customers' requirements, helps them master the challenges of new software implementation and build their business long-term.
• Sescoi International: 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
