CADCAM & PRODUCTION IT COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY
ModuleWorks’ software components
support the programming of Sandvik
Coromant’s PrimeTurning technique
maximum energy is extracted from the
water.
Added to this, Pelton wheels are big and
heavy, challenging the physical limits of a
machine tool and making it dif cult to
machine an entire wheel in an ef cient and
economically viable way. High-speed 5-axis,
collision-free machining is required.
To offer Pelton wheel machining on
Okuma’s MU-V series of 5-axis vertical
machining centres, the company needs
technically sophisticated toolpath generation
and simulation software, with ModuleWorks
supporting that. A two-operation process has
resulted, with a special combination of
adaptive roughing, geodesic and classical
machining strategies solving the challenge
and opening up new machining possibilities
by extending the reach of tools for safe
operation in extremely tight areas. For Pelton
wheel machining, this development means
new design options by using new, innovative
machining processes that boost productivity
and cost-effectiveness.
In addition to this, ModuleWorks Hybrid
Machining component is being used for
Okuma’s MU-V Laser EX Series of machines.
The ModuleWorks software enables Okuma
to offer fully automated additive and
subtractive processes on a single machine.
The solution comes with easy-to-use
templates for fast parameterisation and job
set-up, as well as integrated 3D simulation
to verify the additive and subtractive
toolpaths before machining. Okuma is thus
able to offer simultaneous multi-layer laser
metal deposition and use the full bene ts of
the exible MU-V Laser EX Series to perform
layering on geometrically complex shapes
with steep walls (video: https://is.gd/uvocoq).
Sophisticated mathematical algorithms
ensure optimal surface quality and decimate
the amount of data to accelerate deposition
and strengthen the overall machining
process. For subtractive machining and postprocessing,
ModuleWorks’ proven 5-axis and
3+2-axis milling cycles are employed. This
development was part of Okuma’s EMO
show exhibit news last month.
SOFTWARE & CUTTING TOOLS
Sandvik Coromant (https://is.gd/uyodup) has
also partnered with ModuleWorks, with the
latter supporting the cutting tool maker with
the strategies required to use latest tooling
developments. Says Marko Stugbäck,
software manager for Digital Machining
Business at Sandvik Coromant:
“ModuleWorks’ unique position as a
component provider with a big reach in the
global manufacturing industry makes them a
highly valuable partner in our mission to
share our innovations with the market faster
by making them available as native CAM
strategies for any CAM solution.”
In fact, Moduleworks developed the
toolpath algorithms and parameter inputbased
G-code generation software to support
Sandvik Coromant’s PrimeTurning technique.
ModuleWorks partners can purchase the API
to allow for PrimeTurning integration into
their CADCAM software solutions. Sandvik
Coromant itself supplies its own integrated
solution through its CoroPlus ToolPath
software, of course.
Aside from the above examples of its
work, Moduleworks points to the crucial
place of its toolpath creation software in
support of ultra-precision machining.
Bene ts of CAM software able to support
this could previously only be realised on
specialised machine tool hardware.
However, the company says that “more and
more milling and turning centres now offer
the physical and thermal stability to cope
with the accelerated spindle speeds,
enabling ultra-precision machining to be
used not only for diamond turning, but also
for a wide range of new applications on
standard micro-milling machines”
And it adds that with the hardware in
place: “CAM software is now the gamechanger,
especially in the nanotechnology
manufacturing industry, offering OEMs and
end-users the dedicated functionalities and
high performance they need to differentiate
themselves from the competition.”
The company further adds: “High
performance software is important.
Generating toolpaths capable of machining
parts to an accuracy of just a few microns
and a roughness in the range of
nanometres requires sophisticated, highperformance
algorithms. The ModuleWorks
high-performance 64-bit ultra-precision
kernel is specially designed to accelerate
the calculation of ultra-precision toolpaths
and speed up the programming and
production of complex freeform parts and
surfaces.” The company’s latest 2019.04
software adds to its capability in this area.
Once again, its power will be exploited by
its partners, invisible to users of the
various CADCAM/CNC brands.
28 www.machinery.co.uk @MachineryTweets October 2019
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