Multifunction machine support
UGS, represented in Australia by PLM , has released NX 3 software for programming multifunction machines, providing support for multiple manufacturing processes such as milling, drilling and turning on the same machine.
Reduces overall machining times and costs.
Using multifunction machines eliminates various set-up times as well as the transit and wait time between separate machines. It can also significantly reduce the number of machines required.
Companies can make use of more efficient machining processes, eliminating the time otherwise used in multiple set-ups on separate, single-function machines. This speeds the product manufacturing process, reduces potential waste and leads to improved product quality due to the reduction of material handling and set-up errors.
NX 3 supports multifunction machines requiring combinations of two to five-axis milling, four-axis turning and drilling on multiple turrets or milling heads. It shows each machining function as a channel on a graphical display. Start and wait codes control the flow of each phase of the machining process. Full integration with NX's machine tool simulation software provides visual validation of the entire process.
In order to make the task easier for the programmer, the process-based NX machining system allows predefined templates covering each of the machining methods typically used on a machine type and configuration. By selecting and applying the templates to each new job, many of the time consuming tasks are automatically applied and specific machine control parameters are preset, making the task faster, easier and repeatable.
Multifunction machining presents challenges for creating correct output files that support specific machine tools. If not addressed correctly, expensive new machines can easily be underused or sit idle. NX has an embedded post-processing system that addresses complex multifunction machining sequences. Graphical simulation of the complete machining process is essential to efficiently validating complex programs. NX provides full 3D machine tool simulation connected to its programming and post-processing functions.
13-Dec-2004