New products from our member companies
GTMA is pleased to offer a showcase of new products from our membership. Future pages will include a wide range of products from Software to Metrology equipment that will provide innovative solutions throughout the engineering supply chain
- Delcam launches PowerMILL Robot Interface
Delcam has launched the PowerMILL Robot Interface for the programming of robots for multi-axis machining operations. The earlier VB application that was developed for robot machining has been completely rewritten and fully embedded inside the company’s internationally-renowned PowerMILL CAM system as a plug-in.
This approach makes it as easy to program a robot for machining as it is to program a five-axis machine tool. With the Robot Interface being a fully-associated application inside PowerMILL, users have access to all the multi-axis machining strategies within PowerMILL and can use all the system’s project management options to manage, store and retrieve data.
To see how easy it is to use the PowerMILL Robot Interface, please go to www.delcam.tv/cnc-polystyrene.
The core functionality of the PowerMILL Robot Interface consists of three main steps: programming, simulation (including analysis) and creation of the robot programs.
Robots can be programmed for tool-to-part applications, making them ideal for machining large parts, such as composite panels that need to be trimmed, or for part-to-tool applications, such as grinding or linishing. The working area can be extended with linear tracks and rotary tables for even greater flexibility over the size and types of parts that can be manufactured.
The PowerMILL Robot Interface can then be used to simulate the complete machining operation and to control the robot’s movements through different variables, such as axis limits, axis priorities and workplane constraints. Various aspects within the configuration of the robot cell, such as axis limits, tool constraints and home position, can be defined, and the simulation of the robot completed within those constraints.
The robot’s working envelope can be displayed to optimise the position of the part or initial stock, and so give maximum access to the material. The maximum range of movements required of each axis can be viewed to analyse the robot’s behaviour and movements throughout the operation.
Any issues that may prevent the toolpaths from being completed successfully are highlighted, with notifications of the robot potentially reaching axis limits, singularities and collisions. Graphs display the axis limits, wrist singularity and axis reversals, to give a better understanding of how the robot will move. Similarly, the acceleration and deceleration of the robot’s axes are shown on time-based graphs.
Once the results of the simulation have been reviewed, and modified if necessary, the program can be output in the appropriate robot native language, for example for KUKA, ABB, Fanuc, Yaskawa Motoman or Stäubli equipment, eliminating any need for third-party translation software. Acceleration, smoothing values and other robot-specific parameters can be defined as part of the output. Full support for external axes, such as rotary tables and linear tracks, can be included, as well as dedicated tools for spindle calibration.
Overall, the PowerMILL Robot Interface helps users to get the most out of any robot type in the shortest possible time. The simplified workflow makes it easy to program, simulate, review and refine toolpaths, whilst also enabling the robots to achieve levels of accuracy similar to many CNC milling machines when cutting softer materials.
For further information on Delcam’s PowerMILL Robot Interface, please contact: -
Peter Dickin, Marketing Manager
Direct phone: 44 (0)121 683 1081 e-mail: marketing@delcam.com
Delcam plc
Small Heath Business Park,
Birmingham, B10 0HJ, UK
- Version 9.0 of Indysoft Calibration, Asset and Tool Management Software products now available
IndySoft announces the release of version 9.0 of their suite of Calibration, Asset and Tool Management Software products.
When it comes to adding industry leading features to their software, IndySoft are certainly up there with the biggest and best of them. The eagerly awaited version 9.0 of their top three main products IndySoft Calibration and Asset Management software, their IndySoft Commercial Lab Calibration software and their IndySoft Tool Management software are all available now for immediate download.
Existing users of IndySoft that have a paid-up support agreement can get this NEW Version for FREE right now. Other users will need to talk to their IndySoft contacts for details on how to get this must-have up-grade.
IndySoft believes that the purchase of a Calibration or Tooling Asset Management System is one of the most important decisions a business can make in relation to their quality program needs. They understand that these are your operations and the right software package is going to be the one that can complement and augment your process, not unflinchingly dictate how you have to run your business. At IndySoft they take the time to understand your business needs and challenges then pull from their extensive experience to offer just the right mix of products and services to meet your long-term goals.
The IndySoft Calibration Management package offers labs a rich feature set to manage your specific quality needs. With support for leading enterprise platforms IndySoft Calibration Management is perfect for deployment in the corner lab of a start-up manufacturing facility or an international quality-driven operation as well as commercial calibration labs that receive all types of equipment from their customers. With the exclusive process modelling engine, companies can configure their own event-driven system with checkpoints; rule sets and documentation at every point along the equipment path, ensuring assets are handled according to existing quality procedures. Businesses can calibrate any type of equipment with IndySoft, generate certificates, calibration stickers with barcodes as well as automate calibration due reminders and distribute these and other user defined reports automatically at a time via email.
Jake Bishop, Managing Director of IndySoft Europe says that “Version 9 isn’t the only innovation coming out of IndySoft. At the start of 2013 IndySoft officially switched to a quarterly release cycle. This means that once a quarter the core product will be released with new features and any pending maintenance issues. There will no longer be “major new versions” at annual intervals… we will be pushing the products forward continually each quarter with some very big announcements as things progress.”
IndySoft have a knack of incorporating the right features into their software just when industry has started to think they will need them. This is why IndySoft are and will always remain leaders in Calibration, Tooling and Asset Management Software.
For more information visit: www.IndySoft.co.uk
End.
Note to the Editor.
IndySoft has been the market leader in Calibration Software for many years and is a preferred supplier to most of the top fortune 500 global manufacturing companies. Customers exist in Automotive, Aerospace, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, Defence, Food & Beverage, Electronics, Rail, Research & Development, Space and Commercial Laboratories.
IndySoft Contact Details:
Jake Bishop – Managing Director of IndySoft Europe
- Rofin's StarFemto FX Laser
Cold laser material processing, using ultra-short pulse lasers (USP lasers), has become one of the most promising new technologies for high-precision cutting, structuring and drilling of almost all types of material, without causing thermal damage on the part.
These characteristics have not only opened up new application areas for laser processing, but also allowed previously impossible features to be created with the added benefit of reducing the amount of post processing required to an absolute minimum. In addition, new materials can now be processed without damage due to the heat input from the laser.
The highly versatile StarFemto FX, just one of a comprehensive range of ultra-short pulse lasers offered by Rofin, is ideally matched to industrial material processing applications within electronics, semiconductor, micro technology and medical device manufacturing as well as other industries.
(The versatile StarFemto FX – just one of the range of ultra-short pulse lasers available from Rofin)
The StarFemto FX offers wavelengths of 1030nm, 515nm (green) and 343nm (UV) and the pulse duration can be varied between 300 femtoseconds and 10 picoseconds. The system provides up to 200μJ of stabilized pulse energy in a closed loop, with repetition rates ranging from a single pulse (pulse on demand) to 1 MHz.
This compact laser system is available together with beam delivery systems, providing a complete solution for cutting, drilling and structuring applications.
For Further Information Please Contact :-
Mr Dave MacLellan
Sales Manager – Micro
Rofin-Baasel UK Limited
Sopwith Way
Daventry
Northants NN11 8PB
Telephone – +44(0)1327 701 100
Fax – +44(0)1327 701 110
E-mail – sales@rofin-baasel.co.uk
Web – www.rofin.co.uk
- Workflow - Edgecam's Latest Game-Changer
A new application in the market-leading Edgecam software has been specifically designed for manufacturers to reduce costs, improve quality and hit shorter lead times.
Known as Workflow, it automatically loads a part in the correct manufacturing environment, with datum set. Using the new ribbon toolbars, interactive part set-up, stock and machine manager functions, operators will be able to apply toolpaths within seconds.
Workflow tools aid in loading and positioning the component, choosing the manufacturing method and suitable machine tools, adding user defined stock or stock from a database, importing fixtures, selecting a machine and toolkit, and managing strategies to automate manufacture. At each stage Workflow makes automatic decisions or suggestions as to how the goal is best achieved. However, the user can easily over-ride each automatic decision if required.
Two Workflow webinars were attended by over 1,000 engineers, which highlighted exactly what each stage does:
File: Adopting the common Microsoft Office 2010 theme, this
area allows users to efficiently manage files and folders
Set-Up: Dynamically sets up datum position, and adds stock and fixtures through the interactive stock, fixture and machine manager functions
Features: Using Edgecam’s powerful automatic feature
recognition, many types of manufacturing features can be found in seconds
Machining: Planning board applies a dedicated order to
manufacture, manipulated by drag and drop
Accept: The toolpath is verified in the full machine simulator, checking for collisions, gauges and limit over travel. NC code
is then generated to complete the five-stage Workflow process.Many questions about how the new tools aid the manufacturing process were addressed during the webinars:
1. Loading and positioning the component? Fully automatic.
Previously the user had to manually set the environment and use traditional ‘move, translate’ commands before creating a datum
2. Choosing the manufacturing method and suitable
machine tools? The user is presented with a list of suitable machine tools based on the component’s geometry, ensuring machine limits are respected
3. Adding user-defined stock, or stock from a database? A
selection of user defined materials are listed with three categories: Valid, Normal and Invalid, which allows suitable stock to be easily selected
4. Importing fixtures? The user can define fixtures, including
vices, chuck, clamps, etc, which can then be applied through the fixture manager
5. Managing strategies to automate manufacture? Edgecam engineers have derived dedicated methods of manufacture to machine the part on a feature-by-feature basis, with automatic ordering to rough all features before finishing. These methods are used as ‘toolpath accelerators’ where users can have additional input to produce the exact toolpath required for their processes.Once each section is complete, the user moves seamlessly to the next stage, completing each process in turn, resulting in a fully programmed, fully collision-checked, part with swift and accurate CNC code generated.
Workflow will have a significant impact on shortening programming time, and because it is so simple to operate, the learning curve for new users is considerably reduced. The traditional CAM commands remain available at all times, and the user can alternate between the two.
Edgecam General Manager Raf Lobato says: “Workflow was developed to address the many challenges facing manufacturing today. The driving force behind Workflow was the industry’s need to reduce costs while improving quality and hitting shorter lead times, coupled with a decreasing skilled labour market.
“Customers will benefit from producing programs much faster than if they were using more conventional CAM systems, and their staff will become proficient in using Workflow, quicker.”