Presentation on the benefits of integrated collision checking in CAM software

1. The benefits of
integrated collision
checking in CAM
software
GUIDE
TO
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2. The benefits of integrated collision
checking in CAM software
What is collision checking?
A means of detecting interference
between the tool holder, the machine tool
and the workpiece.
However, collision checking integrated
into CAM software gives you much more
than a stand-alone toolpath verification
system.
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3. Benefits of collision checking
• Eliminates the need for machine prove
out trials.
• Parts made right first time
• No damage to the machine or workpiece
• Ability to safely run machines unattended
- greatly improving productivity
• Extended tool life through steady tool
loading
• Instils confidence in the quality of the
machining process
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4. Limitations of stand-alone
verification
• Stand-alone verification relies on cutter
location data.
• Errors found during stand-alone
verification require time consuming
correction and re-post-processing in the
CAM software
• Integrated CAM and verification finds the
errors as programming progresses
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5. Benefits of integration
Integrated collision checking gives -.
• Real time collision avoidance
• Suggestions for alternative toolpaths
• The ability to edit the toolpath as
programming continues
• Elimination of an extra external program
verification step
• Simplicity – only one system to learn
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6. Why not stand-alone verification?
• CAM systems like WorkNC are very
reliable, so external verification duplicates
effort.
• Corrections require reprogramming in
the CAM software.
• Extra training will be required to operate
the stand alone system
• Collision avoidance rather than detection
is impossible.
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7. Collision avoidance
– how it works
• The CAM software knows exactly
where excess material is located.
• Machine travel and rotational limits
are considered.
• The software creates only uncollided
toolpaths
• The software suggests tool lengths to
reach other areas of the job
• Rotate, flip and unwind moves are
automatically added as rotational limits
are reached.
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8. Collision avoidance with 5-axis
machining
Collision avoidance is particularly
valuable for 5-axis machining.
• Complex machining can be done safely
and with confidence
• Promotes the use of the shortest and
most rigid cutters
• Minimizes axis rotation moves to speed
up cycle times
• Enables more of the component to be
completed in one operation
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9. WorkNC Auto 5 and
collision avoidance
WorkNC Auto 5 automatically changes
3-axis toolpaths into 5-axis
• Collision avoidance is applied during
programming
• Nine options for controlling the toolpath
trajectory
• Flip and unwind moves added as axis
limits are reached
• Takes account of the kinematics of
individual machines
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10. Visualising the machine
• Both stand-alone and integrated collision
check systems can model the complete
machine
• Most useful for individually programmed
5-axis machining operations when
collisions are more likely
• VisuNC in WorkNC shows collisions or
near misses. The programmer can edit
these toolpaths immediately.
• WorkNC Auto5 avoids collisions as it
calculates
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11. Is it completely machined?
• Some stand-alone systems can compare
the finished part with the original model
• Rest models in CAM software show
where the excess material remains
• Extra machining operations can be
added as programming continues, to
remove the excess material
• Graphics show areas which need spark
eroding where further machining is
impossible
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12. Optimizing the toolpath
• Some stand-alone systems can optimize
feedrates and rapid movements
• WorkNC already produces optimized
toolpaths
• WorkNC uses climb milling if possible,
smoothes trajectories and eliminates
unnecessary retract moves
• For extra optimization Sescoi offers
NCSpeed which works on the
postprocessed code to fine tune feedrates
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13. Safety and productivity
• Modern CAM software is very reliable.
WorkNC defaults to safe toolpaths
• Advanced systems like WorkNC produce
high quality fast cutterpaths
• Auto 5 technology brings 5-axis
machining with collision avoidance within
the reach of every engineer
• Except in special circumstances stand-
alone verification duplicates effort
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14. For further information contact :
international@sescoi.fr
Or
info@sescoi.com
Check out :
www.sescoi.com/camsoftware