A new guide from Sescoi details the advantages of integrated collision checking in CAM software. Free to download from the WorkNC CAM software white papers and guides page, this new guide itemizes and explains the reasons for using toolpath verification in CAM software and, in particular, the benefits of integrated collision checking.

It explains that with toolpath verification companies can increase their available machining capacity, reduce scrap rates and eliminate prove out runs through programming right first time; increase tool life by reducing shock loading of the tool; and perform complex 3 and 5-axis machining operations with confidence. It then goes on to explain how integrated collision checking in the CAM software enables systems like WorkNC to perform collision avoidance as well.

By working inside the CAM software’s algorithms, the collision avoidance routines can suggest alternative cutterpaths or different tool lengths to completely finish a job. Additionally, it can generate the uncollided toolpaths for an existing tool. For 5-axis operations the guide explains the importance of considering the rotational limits of the machine tool and how collision avoidance can introduce extra unwind and flip movements to enable machining to continue uninterrupted. Because the checks run in tandem with the system’s algorithms, these corrections can be applied inside the CAM software as program preparation progresses, using live feedback about tool location and interference - a process that is impossible for stand alone verification systems, which rely on cutter location data.

To further optimize the toolpath, the guide looks at how linking and editing cutterpaths, and adding corner smoothing and trochoidal movements can speed up machining and improve quality. It also explains how extra modules such as the NCspeed software available with WorkNC, make it possible to examine the tool loading in detail, dynamically increasing or decreasing feedrates to suit the cutting conditions, further reducing cycle times.

The feedback from users of integrated collision checking demonstrates how it gives them confidence to run their machine tools unmanned for long periods, how it has made CNC programming a routine exercise; and how it has produced significant savings in cycle times and in the number of EDM tools required to finish a job. Importantly, being sure that the program is optimized, right, and safe, lets a company concentrate on other aspects of its business, allowing it to introduce even more productivity enhancing initiatives.

The guide can be downloaded from this link. http://www.sescoi.com/fileadmin/pdf/worknc/WhitePaper_integratedCollisionChecking_EN.pdf

A .doc version and image can be downloaded on http://portal.sescoi.net/uploads.nsf/0/A6F87C12B857AC3C85257759002A6B9D

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require further information.

SESCOI PRESS OFFICE
Email Contact
www.sescoi.com