VERICUT Force supports both milling and
turning (below) operations, delivering
safe cutting and optimisation
This information helps NC programmers
to set cutting limits to improve
performance and tool life.”
Automated electronic reports can be
generated to document the manufacturing
process, including set-ups, cutting tools
used and machining times, and to prove
the simulated nished part matched the
intended design. This information can
help with shop oor planning and
scheduling while providing useful data for
more accurate cost estimation.
Simulation has more to offer than just
verifying NC programs, though. For
example, states Mr Powell: “VERICUT can
save a Review le of the entire simulated
manufacturing process. Machinists, QA
and other personnel can use licence-free
Review les to see how tools approach
and exit the workpiece, check simulated
cut part condition at any stage of cutting
and compare it to real parts at the same
stage, and share machining strategies or
concerns with others.”
Simulating NC code programs on
digital twin machines that mimic the real
machine’s capabilities and limitations is
the only reliable way to know how the NC
codes will be interpreted by the machine’s
control system, and how it will move to
cut the part.
Many companies in the aerospace
sector looking for a simulation product
are also looking for optimisation
capabilities. Even if they are not ready to
optimise NC programs today, they want to
be prepared.
“Choosing a simulation provider with a
A vast number of the world’s aerospace
manufacturers trust VERICUT to deliver
safe and productive NC code
reputation for great support, training and
consulting options can determine how
quickly and how well software gets
implemented. Access to local support,
prompt responses to technical challenges
plus partnering to create innovative
solutions are critical,” Mr Powell points
out.
New from CGTech is a Force
Calibration product that enables
customers with dynamometer equipment
or proprietary materials to design their
own scienti c cutting tests,
measure cutting forces and
calibrate materials for use in
Force optimisation.
Two-way communication
between leading CAD/CAM
systems such as Siemens
NX and VERICUT sends NX
operations to VERICUT for
optimisation, then updates
CAM operations with optimised
feed rates and motions.
VERICUT Version 9 allows users to
control what is seen, with graphics that
display sharper views of the cutting
process and more realistic CNC
machines, tooling and machined parts.
Enhancements for hiding/showing
objects, translucency and sectioning offer
clear views of the cutting process,
regardless of machine or set-up
complexity. The exible viewing
environment enables users to rotate or
zoom the part while cutting, switch
between view types or desktop layouts,
and use VERICUT’s X-Caliper, Section and
AUTO-DIFF functions in any view.
Big data from simulation can provide
detailed cutting information, such as
predicted machining times, material
removal rates, chip loads, cutting forces
at the tool tip and spindle power. The
information is useful for balancing
machine workloads, judging effectiveness
of NC programs and providing more
accurate quotes for incoming work.
“It doesn’t matter how you created the
data,” offers Mr Powell, adding:
“A number of customers
choose simulation software
that runs independently
from, but tightly
integrated within the
CAD/CAM systems,
and is driven by NC
code data. This is
particularly important for
companies with multiple
CAD/CAM systems, for
those considering changing
CAD/CAM providers, or who may edit NC
programs after creation.”
He concludes: “And you don’t have to
see it to know if it’s good. There are a
growing number of companies that do not
watch the simulations of their parts. They
use batch processing that queues jobs to
run, then look at the results, such as
VERICUT reports, log les and
optimisation output. If a problem is
identi ed, users can open in-process
models saved automatically during the
simulation or look at a Review le to
investigate further.”
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