Richard Parenteau is director of applications development and Nakamura-Tome product manager, Methods Machine Tools Inc. (Sudbury, MA). For more information, visit www.methodsmachine.com.
Accurate Simulation, Verification and Optimization Leads to Success in Complex Multitasking
PASSWORD
Manufacturing Engineering: How has multitasking evolved in recent years, and what industries are best taking advantage of the technology? Richard Parenteau: New multi-turret technology is maxi- mizing the capabilities of today’s leading multitasking ma- chines to provide exceptional efficiency. The use of multiple turrets with Y-axis or B-axis tool spindles takes full advantage of a machine’s capabilities and has brought unprecedented levels of productivity to users. Those in the medical and aero- space industries have already been using this technology to
Parenteau: The challenge now on new multi-turret, multi- tasking platforms is setup and the ability to prove out the pro- cess. This is where the CNC computer control together with the simulation and post-processing software are the most im- portant tools for success. Today’s multitasking platforms have many moving elements and need to work with complex parts. Using simulation and post-processing software that integrates all aspects of the machine is key, including full transfer of the part from left spindle to right spindle, wait-code timing, pinch turning or pinch milling and time management of each
“Today’s multitasking platforms have many moving elements and need to work with complex parts. Using simulation and post-processing software is key, integrating all aspects of the machine including part transfers, wait-code timing, and pinch turning or milling.”
improve their machine processes, resulting in a greater quality of geometric tolerance and high accuracy, as well as offering full deburring capabilities. Even some automotive component manufacturers have seen the benefits of higher-quality parts when machining a broader range of challenging features by using one multi-turret machine versus doing several setups on multiple machines to produce the same parts. This “done-in- one” approach has provided a whole new way of processing complex parts complete with greater efficiency and quality, including reducing fixture handling, to minimize error. ME: How critical is simulation and postprocessing for pro- gramming today’s complex multitasking machine tools?
operation so that maximizing the process can be seen very easily. The simulation and post-processing software provides the programmer with knowledge on time available so that he can generate the optimum cycle time on the first piece made, and with this software, users can see and verify entire setups while off-line. Programmers can import CAM-generated code into this software for accurate simulation/optimization before actually running on the machine. With this process, machine downtime is avoided. ME: Your company worked with CAMplete Solutions to develop the CAMplete TurnMill software for Nakamura ma- chines. What does this package offer users?