FIVE-SUPPLEMENTFIVE-AXIS MACHINING SUPPLEMENT
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The programming & production of complex
5-axis components by customers across
the globe is supported by CGTech’s
Technical Services
customers and the parameter le sits
inside the VERICUT kinematic model and
its control. Says Gavin Powell: “We want
to ensure the representation of all of the
elements within VERICUT are accurately
portrayed, with axis movements, material
removal and cycle times re ecting
what will actually be achieved on the
shop oor.”
ONGOING SUPPORT
Another important support function
offered by the Technical Support team is
ongoing assistance. While most software
solutions have a limited warranty for
changes and updates, VERICUT users
can usually get their supplied machine
tool models updated and modi ed for
free under their maintenance contract.
This could include the retro tting of a new
NC controller to an older machine tool
that has been refurbished, or changing
to a more sophisticated CAD/CAM
system that uses different features and
capabilities of the machine that were
previously not applied. The latter could
be the adopting of full 5-axis machining
in place of 3-, 4- or 3+2-positional 5-axis
machining.
“We have to be fully aware of the
developments of the machines in the
5-axis world. There is an awareness
of the capability of 5-axis machining in
the marketplace, for example rotating
the work co-ordinate system so you can
still drill using the same drilling cycle as
though it were a 3-axis machine, even
though the component might be at an
acute angle.
“Automation for minimally manned
or ‘lights out’ machining is certainly
a growing interest and when you are
running with lower skilled, and possibly
even no operators present, you want
everything to be absolutely correct. You
don’t want to nd issues that stopped
the machine completing its tasks
overnight and, even worse, that could
have knock-on implications for the day
shift, if the machine is damaged in any
way. This is where VERICUT steps in;
using automation without simulation
has the potential for too many negative
outcomes,” Gavin Powell states.
Supporting extended running, sister
tooling can be simulated in VERICUT
where a known life has been placed on a
cutting tool. And, while the load/unload
of pallet changers and even industrial
robots can be simulated in the software,
this tends to be for ‘proof of concept’ at
the start of the project. “VERICUT keeps
the machine tool safe,” Gavin Powell
points out. “One of the key concern’s
for automatically-fed machines centres
around the ability of the loaded pallet
to t through the door of the machine
tool, seeing this in a fully simulated 3D
VERICUT environment provides secure
knowledge that the work cell will run the
intended programme or family of parts.”
VERICUT also has the ability to apply
cutting tool modi cations, making the
cutting tool as short as possible and
yet still capable of undertaking all the
machining cycles required to complete
Simulation of the complete machining
environment, with programmed moves
reproduced as faithfully as they will be
machined is what VERICUT offers
the job. This can be adjusted in the
software’s tool library and allows the user
to keep the tool as short and, therefore,
as rigid as possible.
NO TICKETS, NO WAIT
With well over half a century of
accumulated VERICUT support experience
within the UK Technical Support team,
“we have an extensive case history for
reference when customers raise an
issue,” Gavin Powell says. “We do not
operate an ‘automated ticketing system’,
so the team is available to our customers
who can phone or email to directly access
a technically-capable and experienced
engineer. Most of us have been CNC
programmers and have 5-axis experience
at the ‘coal face’, and we would never
want to go back to programming without
VERICUT.”
Most of the CGTech UK staff have
been with the company for many years,
and that provides a comfort to customers
as they can speak to someone they
know. Even if the VERICUT users moves
to a different company, they still know
who they can contact for reliable support
at CGTech.
Gavin Powell concludes: “With the
lower entry cost of 5-axis machine tool
technology, there is a requirement from
manufacturers for our support as they
take the journey towards more precision
and productivity. And if you invest in
VERICUT software to keep your machine
tools safe, you want to know the support
will be there going forward.”
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