Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    1/16

    Machining STRATEGIST is a powerful 3D CAM solution that generates

    optimum roughing and finishing CNC toolpaths from the complex

    shapes generated by all major 3D CAD systems

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    2/16

    Smooth motion control machining for alltoolpaths

    Tooling libraries, incorporatingtoolholders

    Toolholder gouge protection

    Drilling

    Taper cutter support

    3+2 axis machining

    Rest machining, including rest

    roughing and transversal rest finishing

    Flat surface machining

    Steep/shallow machining option for all3D toolpaths

    Variable stock-allowance to steep andshallow areas

    Local datums

    Batch processing

    Calculate multiple processessimultaneously in one database

    Your HSM Solutionfor

    Increased Productivity

    With demands for ever-shorter lead timesand improved quality, High SpeedMachining (HSM) is becoming more widelyadopted in many mould, tool and diemaking companies both in the CADCAMoffice and on the shop-floor to machinehard materials with increased feeds.

    machining STRATEG I SThas fast become thetechnological leader in this niche area withmany unique machining strategies forgenerating world-class machiningprogrammes.

    At the same time, many of these strategiescan improve the productivity of older CNCswith dramatically reduced air-cutting timeand programmes with smoothing arcswhich help to maintain continuous machinetool motion.

    Installed in a CADCAM office or on the shopfloor,machining STRATEG I STcan take yourmachining capabilities to new levels andproductivity to new heights.

    Features that count:

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    3/16

    The on-line help contains comprehensive andeasy to understand text and illustrationswhile every effort has been made to ensurethat it is written in plain English. The help isfully context sensitive and displays topicsrelevant to the current operation and dia-

    logue box.

    Hyperlinks have been incorporated to guidethe operator towards useful related topics,making the on-line help intuitive and easy tonavigate.

    Reading third-party data accurately is criticalto the successful operation of a stand-aloneCAM system.

    IGES 3D surface and solids data can be readin to machining STRATEG I ST together withVDA-FS, STL or direct CATIA interface.

    An optional nativeParasolid reader allowsthe transfer ofParasolids files fromVISI-Modelling or otherParasolid-based model-lers.

    machining STRATEGI STcan export STL files,which can be particularlyuseful after applyingfillets to a model.

    machining STRATEG I ST hasbeen developed to be very easy

    to learn and use and training istypically only one to two days in

    total.

    The software has context sensitive menusand dialogue boxes and is intuitive to drive,

    while many parameters are calculated auto-matically or remembered to minimise operatorinput.

    Operations are driven from a browser-liketree structure. This tree-structure develops toshow the history of the job as shown in theillustration below.

    The history tree can be employed to recalcu-late earlier operations with modified param-eters or can be used to capture a sequenceof operations which can be applied to similar,but different jobs.

    Data Import/Export

    User-Interface

    On-line Help

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    4/16

    A dynamic section-ing function allowsfor closer interroga-tion of cross sec-tional detail.

    This can be usefulwhen analysingtoolpaths whichmight otherwise beobscured by steepwall areas or forvisually viewing thedifference between a remainingmaterial stock model and the finished compo-nent.

    A minimumcurvature canbe assessed onparts relative tothe smallest cutter tobe used.

    By inputting the minimumcutter radius, a new

    model is generateddetailing corners sharperthan the specified cutter.

    Fillets can be used tosmooth out the model formachining. Standardradius fillets can becreated slightly largerthan the ball-cutter to beused. The result will bemachining that has con-tinuous movement and nodwelling.

    Fillets

    OPEN-GL graphics are usedto maximise the visualaspects of machiningSTRATEGI ST .

    Once read in, importedCAD data can beviewed as wire-frame,

    wire-frame with hidden-lineremoval or fully renderedand fully rendered withsurface edges drawn.

    Use of OPEN-GL graphics

    facilitates real-timedynamic rotation,zooming and panning

    machiningSTRATEG I SThas a variety of interac-

    tive tools for analysingthe part geometry. By

    snapping to surface node points accuratemeasurements can be taken including;

    dimensions

    lengths

    surface curvature

    slope angle

    Any surface can be viewed at a vector normalto itself and this is particularly useful when po-sitioning the part for 3+2-axis machining.

    Part Analysis

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    5/16

    Fillets can also be specified to have adifferent radius to the diameter andthis can be useful if 3-axis machin-ing with carbide-insert buttoncutters.

    As an example, if machiningwith a 32r6 cutter, fillets of34r7 could be created,resulting in smooth, con-tinuous machining even inwhat were previously sharp internalcorners.

    Fillets are generally produced in seconds,even on large detailed models. With the useof fillets, smooth machine tool motion, bettersurface finish and improved tool life areassured.

    Models read in with open holedetails can be filled with machining

    STRATEG I ST, using the planar patchfacility, in most cases eliminating the

    need to take the part back in to amodelling system for modification.

    Planar surfaces can be modelled if thecomponent is destined to become acore or electrode.

    In the example below, a gap exists be-tween the model surfaces and the planarpatch used to create a land. machiningSTRATEG I ST machines from a top-downattitude, making the vertical gaps inconse-quential and the part can be machined asintended.

    In the example below, the aperture has beenfilled with a planar patch to stop the cutterdropping through - very useful for restrictingthe cutter from entering this area.

    If planar holes are located at a vector inspace, these can also be filled, by specify-ing an AB rotation for the boundary used toconstrain the planar patch.

    machining STRATEG I STautomatically looksdown the vector path the boundary iscreated in when performing any associatedcommand such as machining or in this case,creating a planar patch.

    Planar Patches

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    6/16

    The history-tree structure withinmachining STRATEG I ST can beused to record a sequence ofevents.

    Rather than recording a macroin advance, the user can selec-

    tively specify exactly which machiningsequences to record after the operation hasbeen run.

    This allows the user to build up a selection ofoperations which can be used to automateother jobs. For instance, a sequence of

    roughing and rest-roughing operations couldbe recorded using particular cutters for small,medium and large parts.

    There is a powerful facility for reprocessing allcutter paths for a modified model.

    Within a session of machining STRATEG I ST,the operator can specify the software toretain any values which have been input/overridden. When exiting machining STRATE-G I S T , the operator can then save this sessionas a Profile.

    Profiles work especially well for different sizedcomponents, different operators who wish towork in their own particular style and evendifferent machine-tools, since high speedmachine tools benefit from different defaultparameters to conventional CNCs.

    Used in conjunction with batch processing,User-definable Profiles can help to make themost of process automation.

    machining STRATEG I ST was originally devel-oped specifically for Windows-NT, an operat-ing system that can support multiple proces-sors. As part of the design brief, machiningSTRATEG I ST was developed with multiproc-

    essor support - known as multi-threading.

    Within a session of machining STRATEG I ST, it

    is possible to have multiple toolpaths andother processes calculating simultaneously.

    On a single-processor PC, the default is forone independent operation to calculateautomatically.

    On a dual-processor PC, two processescalculate automatically provided they areindependent of one another.

    Multiple operations can be queued for calcula-tion.

    Depending on work-flow priorities, the Proc-ess Manager allows the operator to mangethe processes being calculated. Pausing thecurrent operations , cancelling operations,forcing operations to start calculating out ofsequence and re-prioritising calculations helpprovide flexibility forthe operator to, forexample, reactquickly to demandsfor more urgentprogrammes,without sacrificingany work carried

    out to that point.

    Batch Processing

    User-definable Profiles

    Process Manager

    Re-processing

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    7/16

    The range of machining options availablewithin machining STRA TEGI ST includes:

    DRILLINGZ-LEVELROUGHING

    CORE-ROUGHINGLACEROUGHINGRESTROUGHINGHORIZONTAL(FLATSURFACE) FINISHMACHININGZ-LEVELWATERLINEMACHINING

    RASTER(PLANAR) MACHININGRADIALMACHININGSPIRALMACHININGMORPHMACHININGALONGBOUNDARY(SCRIBE) MACHININGAXIALOFFSETMACHINING3D CONSTANTOFFSETMACHINING3D CORNEROFFSETMACHININGPENCILMILLINGPARALLELPENCILMILLINGTRANSVERSALRESTMACHINING

    All machining options have techniques formaintaining constant machine tool motion - anessential requirement for maintaining higherfeedrates and eliminating dwelling, the singleworst contributing factor to tool wear.

    Any 3D machining strategy, can be controlledby specifying the surface slope-angle to bemachined, without the need for steep/shallowboundaries. This means that, in addition towater-lining steep areas, shallow areas canbe machined using any of the remaining 3Dmachining strategies. So a radial part couldbe finished with a combined steep waterline

    and shallow radial strategy.

    All toolpaths in machining STRA TEGI ST arecreated as a two-step process:

    1 Toolpath passes are generated, calculated to a particular tool and toolholder.

    2 The toolpath passes are linked witha home position, rapid moves andtoolpath linking moves.

    There are a number of inherent benefits tothis approach. Firstly, if a different linkingstrategy is required, it is not necessary torecalculate the original toolpath passes.Secondly, if the original toolpath passesrequire editing, this is done prior to the linkingstage resulting in more control and betterlinking of trimmed toolpaths.

    Toolpath linking moves were designed tominimise the time the cutter is spent off thejob with the net effect that overall machiningtimes are reduced.

    All machining strategies can be driven in a3+2 axis orientation. machining STRA TEGI ST

    in 3+2 axis mode is as straightforward asconventional 3-axis machining with 2Dboundaries created in 3D space determiningthe Z-axis machining orientation, which canbe set as an AB, AC or BC rotation dependingon the particular machine tool setup.

    Whether machining with a high speed or con-ventional machine tool, machining STRA TEGI STcan help to reduce overall machiningtimes while improving tool life and pro-viding better machine tool motion.

    Machining

    DAPTIVE OUGHINGRA

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    8/16

    machiningSTRATEGI ST s roughing routinesemploys a number of techniques which, when

    combined, results in a programme with thesmoothest cutting motion and significantlyenhanced tool life:

    A series of offset passes are generated atspecified Z-depths and are automaticallycalculated to remove the maximum amount ofmaterial without leaving upstands.

    The depth of cut automatically adapts, ensur-ing that flat faces are machined to within theprerequisite stock allowance.

    A Core Roughing strategy is optimised to

    machine from the outside-in, resulting inbetter cutting conditions when machine coresor parts with upstands.

    Upon linking the passes, an effective cuttingdiameter helix entry is calculated, completelymachining the material under the cutter as itmoves to its next Z-depth.

    Cutter contact is maintained as much aspossible to avoid the reduction of tool life.

    machiningSTRATEGI STautomatically adaptsto a profile ramping condition following thetoolpath as the tool ramps down in Z if a helixentry is not possible.

    If both a helix entry or a profile-ramp entrywould leave material under the effectivecutting diameter of the cutter, which mightresult in the cutter being damaged as it dropsdeeper in Z, machiningSTRATEGI STdiscards

    this part of the toolpath, to be picked up laterby a rest-material re-machining operation.

    The software cannot plunge vertically downthe tool-axis, ensuring safe, reliable cuttingconditions at all times.

    Smoothing arcs are created automatically,eliminating dwelling, improving effectivecutting feedrates and tool life.

    Smoothing arcs are also generated on themost critical pass, where the cutter is incontact with the workpiece + stock allowance.

    Linking moves, from one offset profile to thenext, are created with smoothing arcs tomaintain a more constant cutting motionmachiningSTRATEGI STfully gouge protects fornot just the tool but also the toolholder.

    For older machine tools and machining softermaterials, a traditional lace-roughing toolpathis available.

    Roughing

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    9/16

    Toolholder GougeProtection

    previous tool could not machine due to poten-tial toolholder interference.

    machining STRATEG I ST can rest machine toeither a 2D or 3D stock model.

    2D stock models are used to build up a seriesof slices from roughing operations which canthen be used to rest-rough against progres-sively smaller cutters. A hybrid toolpath, whichprofile machines and area clears only whererequired is automatically generated.

    3D stock models can be used in a similarcapacity but can be more useful when restmachining at a semi-finish machining stage,for Cast Machining or to purely visualise acomposite sequence of machining operations.

    Since accurate rest roughing toolpaths can

    become more fragmented, tight control ismaintained over the rapid linking moves. Thishappens with little or no operator interven-tion since the defaults are set up to functionin this fashion automatically.

    In many cases, the cutter remains deep insidethe workpiece when making rapid moves fromone cut pass to the next. The result is lessair-cutting time and greater productivity.

    Toolholders can be specified from a standardtooling catalogue or be created according toany toolholders available in the customersshop. These can then be stored in a data-

    base, accessible over a network if required.

    There is no limit to the complexity of thetoolholder which can be created.

    The primary benefit of specifying a toolholderis that, by using short, rigid roughing cutters,large cavities can be roughed out more effi-ciently by maintaining a greater depth of cutand higher feed rates. As the holder clearsthe surfaces, the tool can clear out to depthsfar greater than the actual tool length.

    Toolholder gouge protection

    aids in 3+2 axis machiningoperations since the soft-ware will allow the operatorto machine areas whichmight be deemed as other-wise inaccessible unlessusing this approach.

    By specifying the toolholdershape, all toolpath calcula-

    tions will be fully gougeprotected including theleading and trailing edges ofthe defined toolholder.

    A stock model can be cre-ated and used to referencea cutter with greater reachto re-machine areas the

    The concept of putting arcs in the toolpath follows through toll other machining operations. Z-level (waterline) machining

    when used for semi-finishing has smoothing arcs within theoolpath to maintain even cutting conditions).

    Stock Modelsand RestRoughing

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    10/16

    By generating a setof rouging passes tothe final surface

    model and trimmingthese passes backto the cast surfacemodel, plus anappropriate castingstock allowance,machiningSTRATE-G I S T can efficientlymachining a castingwith no air-cutting.

    If there is no castingmodel available,similar results canbe achieved by

    trimming the roughing passes back to theoriginal model, plus a casting allowance.

    Once the casting allowance has been ma-chined, rest roughing can be carried out in theusual manner with 2D or 3D stock models.

    Boundaries can play a major role in semi-finish and finish machining since it is rare thata carbide cutter can machine a complete diesteel block without being replaced, so it oftenbecomes necessary to isolate local areas tobe machined.

    machining STRATEG I ST has a comprehensiveset of boundary creation and modification tools,including:

    Silhouette BoundariesContact Area BoundariesShallow BoundariesTheoretical Rest AreaBoundariesBoundaries from cutter pathpassesManual BoundariesFreeform

    RectangleCircleFrom Text (True Type Fonts)

    Boundaries can be importedfrom a modeller although the

    range of boundary commandswithin machining STRATEG I STlargely negate the need to dothis.

    Within boundaries can be made:cutter path passes; stock mod-els; planar patches; otherboundaries.

    All boundaries can be gener-ated in any 3D plane, specifiedas an AB rotation to aid 3+2axis machining.

    Boundaries can also be usedto edit toolpath passes in anyplane.

    CastMachining

    Boundaries

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    11/16

    Silhouette BoundariesCreated by selecting a surfaceor group of surfaces, the soft-

    ware generates a peripheralboundary looking down the toolaxis.

    Contact Area Boundaries

    Boundaries are generatedwhere the cutter would contacta group of selected surfaces andthe adjacent, unselected sur-faces with options for cuttercentre and cutter contact point.

    This command is used for con-straining and machining areasadjacent to near-vertical wallssince it stops the cutter from

    riding up these walls without the need tosubsequently edit toolpaths to achieve thedesired result.

    Theoretical Rest AreaBoundaries

    By specifying a referencecutter and smaller cutter tobe used, accurate boundaries are calculatedshowing the difference between the two. Thisworks for toroidal cutters just as well as ballcutters and any combination of the two withthe resultant boundaries being very smooth.

    Manually Generated Boundaries

    Boundaries of a defined size can be gener-

    ated using a dialogue box for data input.Freehand rectangle and circle boundaries canalso be created.

    Boundaries From TextAny Windows font can be used to gener-ate text which can be machined usingseveral of the finish machining strate-gies.

    Shallow Boundaries

    Used to isolate areas of a part at aparticular slope angle, for steep/shallowmachining, this command has largelybeen superseded with the ability tospecify a slope angle in the dialogue boxof Waterline and all 3-axis machiningstrategies.

    Boundaries From Cutter Path PassesBoundaries can be made by converting acutter path pass. This can be useful ifthe operator wishes to delete some ofthe toolpath passes and machine withinan area with a different strategy.

    Boundary Modification

    Boundaries can be manipulatedonce created with options forintersection, union, subtractionand convex hull. They can beoffset in and out, opened,closed and merged. Nodes canbe added and subtracted andstraight-line segments can bearced with all of the boundarymanipulation commands driveninteractively with the mouse.

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    12/16

    Z-Level Waterline MachiningUsed to semi finish and finish machine themore vertical areas of a part.

    If a slope angle is specified, the steeperareas are machined, leaving the shallowerareas for more appropriate strategies.

    Linking options for Waterline Passes includeone-way and bi-directional milling. With one-way linking, the default is to climb-mill and tokeep the cutter down in the job when makinga rapid move to the next cut position.

    Raster (Planar) MachiningRaster passes are typically used to semi finishcusps from roughing operations and to finishshallow detail.

    Linking options include one-way and bi-

    directional, plus options for down milling (for3D machining with carbide-insert cutters) andup-milling (for 3D finishing with solid carbideball cutters).

    Horizontal (FlatSurface)MachiningHorizontal Passesfinish machine flat

    surfaces moreefficiently usingtoroidal cutters.

    Horizontal machin-ing utilises similarsmoothing charac-teristics as roughing. Without boundaries, itcan detect and machine all flat surfaces on apart to a finish.

    Linking is similar to roughing with helix andprofile ramp entries and smooth linking mo-tions.

    Radial MachiningProvides the user with the ability to machineradial parts. Some unique options include theability to stop short of the centre of the radialpasses where they become very dense.

    The centre of the detail to be machined radiallyis located automatically.

    Spiral MachiningSimilar to radial machining, however anArchimedean spiral is generated and constantcontact is maintained with the cutter and theworkpiece.

    Morph MachiningMorph passes allowthe user to flow aset of toolpathpasses from two,

    three or four irregu-lar boundary pro-files.

    Boundary MachiningFacilitates machiningalong an open or closed Boundary profile andcan be applied to engraving text or scribingother detail.

    Machining

    At any stage of the machining process, Stock Models can begenerated, which display the result of any machiningoperations. If required, composite stock models can begenerated which show the result of a sequence ofoperations from roughing through to finishing.

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    13/16

    3D Constant Offset MachiningA universal strategy for maintaining a con-stant, equidistant stepover from one toolpathpass to the next irrespectiveof the slope angle of thepart.

    3D Corner Offset Ma-chiningSimilar to constantoffset machining,however with thisstrategy, ratherthan start from anoutside boundaryshape and work in tothe centre of thepart, a set of pencil

    milling passes arecreated at thecorners of the joband the passescalculated constantand equidistant outto the edges of thepart.

    The resultant surfacefinish in the cornersis significantlybetter than 3DConstant OffsetMachining as canbe seen from thecorresponding stockmodels.

    Pencil and Parallel Pencil MillingA strategy developed to finish corners whichmight otherwise have cusp marks from previ-

    ous operations. Single pass pencil milling canbe used when machining soft materials

    When machining harder materials, multiple-passes are required to gradually

    machine the remainingstock to a

    finish.

    Transversal RestMachiningPencil milling vertical corners can cause both theflute of the cutter and the radius to be in fullcontact with the material, creating adverse cut-ting conditions. Transversal rest milling picks thecorners out from the top down, resulting in bet-ter machining technique.

    The shallow areas can be machined with a con-ventional pencil mill pass or alternative, ma-

    chined normal to the shallow corners, takingadvantage of the diameter of the cutter to im-prove surface finish.

    Finish Machining With FilletsWhen finish-machining to a finish stock allow-ance, where the radius of the cutter isgreater than the curvature of the corners tobe machined the cutter will machine thesecorners using the full radius of the tool. As aresult, the toolwill pull in to theworkpiece andgouge thecorners to amaterial-offcondition. If thecorner happensto be at thebottom of avertical wallthen this facecan also bemarked.

    machiningSTRATEGI STsolves this problemwith the use of oversized fillets.

    Essentially, by filleting the part with a curva-ture slightly greater than the radius of thetool, the corner is protected. Finish machiningcan be carried out on the part globally, per-haps using a steep/shallow machining tech-nique.

    The corners can then be finished using apencil milling or transversal rest machiningoperation. The result is a perfect finish in all

    corners with no cusp marks or gouges.

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    14/16

    Any set of toolpath passes can be trimmedback to a boundary, or set of boundaries,created in any 3D plane. Toolpath passes canalso be edited to stock models and originalmodels.

    In addition, toolpath passes can also beedited to a toolholder.

    In operation, a set of toolpath passes can becreated without a toolholder. These passescan then be edited to a toolholder wherebythe minimum tool length can be established.

    A complete 3D toolpath can be split intozones based on tool length, with shortertools being utilised to maintain rigidity, withfaster feed rates, followed by longer, less rigidtools with appropriately reduced feedrates.

    This first dialogue box showsthe shaft profile. In essence,this is the shape generatedto guarantee the cutterdoes not collide with theworkpiece.

    In the second dialogue box,a tool holder has beenintroduced. The shaft profile has turned red tohighlight where the holderwould collide with the work-piece. At the same time,machining STRATEGI ST

    calculates the minimum toollength required to machineall of the passes.

    If the original tool length isretained, the passes areedited, with the results

    shown in the three imagesto the left.

    The first and second imagesshow the edited passes withthe tool holder set to clearthe part by 1mm.

    The third dialogue box showsthe remaining passes whichcan be linked and machinedusing a longer tool or alter-natively, the operator canuse the longer tool tomachine the complete job.

    machining STRATEGI ST

    linking options are designedto keep the cutter in continu-ous motion and to minimisethe time the cutter spendsoff the job.

    When roughing and horizon-tal machining, linking movesare designed to havesmoothing arcs and for thecutter to keep in contact withthe part for as long aspossible.

    For waterline passes, thedefault is to keep the cutter in contact withthe part as it moves from one Z-level down tothe next. If the cutter has to leave the sur-face to enter at another cut position it will do

    so with arcing movements.

    Editing Toolpath Passes

    Linking

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    15/16

    machining STRA TEGI ST takes advantage ofInternet Explorer to display tooling sheetswhich can be viewed as an HTML documenton any suitable computer within a companysinternal network, providing a paperlessmeans of distributing tool sheets.

    Tooling sheets contain comprehensive infor-mation and graphics with hyperlinks to theactual tape file itself.If printouts are required, a more simplistic tool-ing sheet can be produced without graphics.

    A variety of postprocessors are supplied asstandard with machining STRA TEGI ST, includ-ing configurations for the latest machine toolcontrollers.

    These postprocessors, if required, are easilyconfigurable by the operator

    With rapid moves, the default is for shortest-route rapids which look ahead at the sur-faces/stock model and take a racing-lineapproach to the next cut move.

    For all other machining operations, similar ap-proaches are used.

    While excellent for HSM, these moves can bedemanding for older and slower controllers soa second option, minimum vertical retracts canbe enabled to still keep the cutter in the partas much as possible.

    Finally, there is a full vertical retract optionwhich forces the cutter back to a minimumsafe Z height.

    Within all linking options, arc moves maintaincontinuous machine tool motion.

    There are two methods of generating sistertooling toolpaths whereby an identical re-placement tool is on-hand to replace thecurrent tool after a period of use.

    The first allows the operator to force a retractevery N mm. This has been designed to forcea retract on older machine tools which maynot have a tool-changer or where the opera-tor only requires a retract move to

    manually change the cutter or tofacilitate an insert change/rotation.

    The second works from a linkedtoolpath. It will split the linkedtoolpath into a number of newtoolpaths each with a home posi-tion. The operator can specify alinear distance or number of toolsto be used. Tool changes will al-

    ways occur at the end of a cut passto minimise any marking of theworkpiece.

    Postprocessors

    Tooling Sheets

    Sister Tooling

  • 8/9/2019 Www.machexhibition.com ExhibitorLibrary 376 MS Brochure 2

    16/16

    Vero Software Plc

    Hadley House

    Bayshill RoadCheltenham

    Gloucestershire

    GL50 3AW

    United Kingdom

    tel.+44 (0) 1242 542090

    fax.+44 (0) 1242 542099

    [email protected]

    web.www.vero-software.com