Machining Strategist
The process begins with an IGES, VDA-FS or STL file from a modelling system. Machining Strategist loads the data ultra fast, colour renders it and tessellates it ready for machining. The model can then be dynamically rotated, panned or zoomed in this fully rendered state allowing the user to completely visualise and understand the geometry.
The graphics windows can be configured to provide the operator with the appropriate views quickly and easily; rotating, panning and zooming the model in each window independently.
The operator selects the set of surfaces to be machined and chooses an appropriate strategy. These include "Z-step" roughing, waterline finishing or multi-surface finishing. The roughing algorithms incorporate "Voronoi" calculations, which ensure that each cutter path is the optimum path at every particular height. A minimal amount of user input is required to specify the feeds, speeds, depths of cut and tolerance (assuming it is desirable to override the system defaults).
The operations necessary to produce cutter paths are extremely simple. A competent machinist with a basic knowledge of Windows functionality would require a maximum of a day's training to become proficient in the operation of Machining Strategist.
The primary function of Machining Strategist is to support high-speed machining where finer cuts are taken with accelerated spindle speeds and feed rates. The emphasis on high speed is very much in evidence with Machining Strategist: the speed of geometry manipulation is mirrored by the speed of creation of the cutter paths.
The efficiency of Machining Strategist makes it viable not only for companies wishing to exploit high speed machining techniques, but companies looking to generate the most efficient cutter paths quickly. It complements the existing functionality available within the ToolMaker suite of products.
As with all NC Graphics' products, Machining Strategist is completely multi-tasking. In addition it is also "multi-threaded". This means that even in the middle of a process such as a cutter path calculation, it is possible to continue working on the same model, for example to zoom in on this cutter path as it is being generated. Having created the appropriate cutter paths these are then post processed before being verified (if required) in ViewCut or downloaded through the DNC facility.
Based on the Windows NT operating system, Machining Strategist is quick and easy to use, with both "pull down" menus and icon toolbars. All the geometry information and cutter path details are displayed, textually and graphically in a Windows Explorer type format. By running under Windows NT, users can multi-task across other Windows applications and the other CADCAM facilities, drip feeding to machine tools for example. It also makes use of Windows-based peripherals including standard plotter and printer drivers.
Machining Strategist makes extensive use of OpenGL and the Microsoft Foundation Classes suite of development tools which facilitate the advanced functionality and excellent speed of performance.
General Features
- Rapid calculation of cutter paths
- Translators: IGES, STL & VDA-FS
- Windows NT based
- Multi-threaded
- Very easy to learn and use
- New users productive in one or two days
- Very reliable and robust
- Visualisation
- Superb 3D rendering using OpenGL graphics
- Real-time dynamic rotation, panning and zooming of rendered models
- Interactive dynamic sectioning
- Interactive measuring command for interrogating the 3D model
- All commands accessible from the mouse for ease of use and speed of working
- Interactive stock model.
- Machining Features
- Roughing routines ideal for DEPO and solid carbide cutters
- Smoothed optimised offset roughing
- Helical plunging
- Z-level profile finishing
- Raster finishing along any angle within a boundary
- Automatic up and down milling
- Radial finishing
- Spiral finishing
- Free-form (boundary) finishing
- Constant surface stepover finishing
- Pencil milling
- Smoothed minimal retracts
- Tool holder collision detection
- Automatic steep shallow machining
- Optimised lead-in and lead-out moves.
- Boundary Creation Features
- Freehand creation
- Import from other files
- From surface trim lines
- Around the silhouette of a group of surfaces
- From a cutter-path profile
- Around the shallow areas of a job
- Around the rest material areas left by another toolpath
NC Graphics, 10200 Wildwood Drive, Zionsville, IN 46077. Tel: 317-873-3096; Fax: 317-873-3097.