CAD/CAM speeds actuator screw programming

Software, based on Archimedes principles, generates the design and the NC code to produce complex transport worms or screws within minutes rather than days.

Somatech has announced the availability of the 'Archimedes' software solution.

By integrating both the design and manufacturing aspects with the complex mathematics developed by Archimedes over 2,000 years ago the Archimedes solution can now generate both the design and the NC code to produce complex transport worms or screws for product movement systems within minutes rather than days.

Primarily aimed at the packaging industry but easily applied to other industries such as construction the solution generates the end result in four easy steps, create the geometry, define the movement of the product, generation of the design and NC-Code by the solution and finally validation of the NC code through simulation and output to the machine tool.

Malcolm Dearing, Somatech's product manager for Archimedes explained the benefits, "Archimedes has been developed in conjunction with industry to increase the flexibility of the design process whilst reducing the time and effort required to design, program, validate and produce a transport worm".

He said: "Traditionally a long serial process involving a team of individuals each skilled in their own area can now be performed by one person in a matter of minutes with the flexibility to calculate what if scenarios easily and quickly".

Dearing continued: "The benefits are achieved not only through the reduction in time and effort to define the transport worm but since the actual machined worm has better surface finish and highly accurate geometry matched to the product being transported the greatest benefit is the ability for the organisation to speed up the flow of the product through the transport system".

Archimedes utilises Esprit CAM from DP Technology to provide the underlying NC programming, validation and tool management but a separate user interface has been designed, Dearing explained why: "We developed a new user interface that focuses on the core requirements, that of transport worm design and NC code delivery this avoids the user having to understand the Esprit CAM system, design and manufacturing best practices for the transport worms so a new user can be productive within a very short space of time".

A demonstration CD outlining the benefits and giving a brief overview of the complete process is available upon request.

* About Somatech - Somatech is the UK operation of the Solva Groep.

The Solva Groep has its headquarters in Ede, The Netherlands and is comprised of several manufacturing technology companies developing and integrating computer aided engineering solutions for the production industry.

Companies in the group were founded as early as 1982 and through a team of over 130 dedicated professionals deliver solutions for all sizes of organisation in many different industries.

The group currently delivers solutions in The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland with over 2,500 customers to date.

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