Delcam has introduced a new software system, NC-PartLocator, to improve the speed and accuracy of production that can be achieved when machining large, complex or flexible components. The software, which has been developed in association with metrology specialists MSP, gives the ability to adjust toolpaths to the actual position of the part, rather than having to ensure that the piece is in exactly the nominal location specified in the CAM system. This adjustment can be made in the machine tool control much more quickly and easily than placing, and holding, the part in exactly the specified position.
The main benefit of NC-PartLocator is that it is much more user-friendly than alternative solutions. “Delcam has previously offered software that needed to be customised for each application,” explained Peter Hammond from MSP. “Over a number of installations, we discovered that most of the manufacturing problems we were trying to solve were the result of similar issues. NC-PartLocator is an out-of-the-box application that can overcome the majority of these challenges, with a greatly-reduced need for customisation.”
The NC-PartLocator process uses a probe fitted onto the machine tool to collect the necessary data. A probing sequence is created within the software to collect a series of points from the workpiece. This can be used by a range of best-fit routines within the software to determine the part’s exact position. Any mismatch between the nominal position used in the CAM system to generate the toolpaths and the actual position of the workpiece can be calculated. The software then feeds the results to the machine tool control as a datum shift or rotation to compensate for the differences in location and alignment. This approach is much faster than trying to locate a heavy block of material into exactly the position specified, which can often involve many hours of adjustment and measurement.
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