1990 Ad

Modern Machine Shop, August, 1990

CAD/CAM NC PROGRAMING

Tooling And Toolroom Management

Software - Spacesaver Software

Systems, Booth 1232

On display will be a PC-based Tool Control System (TCS) software package for managing tooling and tool room operations. Available with bar coding, the system is designed for simpler and more accurate tool control by locating tools more quickly, avoiding misplacement, reducing clerical costs and improving productivity associated with machine setup.

The system is designed for job shops, manufacturing plants and other facilities with large investments in tooling. It integrates the major components of tool control activity: tool management, system management with an added security module, and transaction management. It is designed for use with the IBM AT or compatible, 640 K RAM, 20-megabyte hard disk (minimum), color or monochrome monitor, and an 80-column printer.

Spacesaver Software Systems, Inc., 155 Executive Dr., Brookfield, WI 53005.

CAD/CAM Software - Datacut

Booth 1317

Grafx II, a CAD/CAM software package developed by Datacut, features a mouse-controlled environment, pop-up menus, and the ability to import data from other CAD/CAM programs. Its features include a library of generic post processors (user-creatable processors), help screens, and the ability to upload and download information to CNC control. NC programs can be punched to paper tape or read/written to floppy disk.

The software uses preprogrammed fonts to mill text characters and features split-screen graphics and multiple function screens such as an automatic fillet and chamfer setup. GPost assists the user in developing custom post processors for different machines by using templates and parameter descriptions.

The manufacturer states that cost-effectiveness and ease of use were both design criteria for this application. Because of the point-and-click mouse environment, there is very little keyboard interaction required.

Datacut, Inc, Saw Mill River Road, P.O. Box 604, Ardsley, NY 10502.

Graphics-Based APT CAD/CAM

Software - N/C Software, Booth 1220

APTGEN, a graphics based programming system that produces true APT source as its output is now being included with the PC-APT system. Operating in a menu-driven environment, the system allows the user to create and display 3D geometry and tool paths, as well as simpler repetitive programming tasks and automatic pocketing. Lathe roughing operations are also included.

With APTGEN, the programmer who is not familiar with APT can easily create APT programs and more experienced users can become more efficient. The APT source program that is automatically generated during an APTGEN session is equivalent to that which would be written by an experienced APT programmer, but has the added advantage of visual verification as it is being created.

The system is a total conversion of mainframe APT/360 to the PC and includes custom features such as BSURF, BPOKET and the sculptured surface package, which permits controlling the tool with up to three surfaces at once in a direct manner, rather than through a merging process. A cutter path reversal function enhances machining opposite hand parts without reprogramming or purchasing left-hand cutters.

N/C Software, Inc, 46 Oak Meadow Dr., P.O. Box 14, Pataskala, OH 43062.

NC Editing And Program Development

Software-GN Telematic, Booth 1304

Editwell is a PC program that integrates full-screen NC editing and program development features with a communications package. The product employs popup menus, screen prompts, and shortcut function keys, so it is accessible for people with a minimum of experience using PC programs. Editing features include find, search, and replace functions (including global search and replace); block copy, move, and delete operations; user-definable macros and subroutines; math operations; line sequencing; and file merge.

The communications menus support program upload and download operations using paper tape or direct serial transfer between the PC and the machine control. The program allows the user to store communications parameters for specific machine controls as individual device description files, which provide quick point-and-shoot communications once those files are created.

The product has complete support for paper tape, including menu settings for tape feed characters as well as leader and trailer length.

GN Telematic, Inc., 46 Manning Road, Billerica, MA 01821.

Sheet Metal Application Package - DP

Technology, Booths 2132 And 3933

Enhancements to the Esprit system include a program for handling transition shapes, designed for use in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industries. Any transition shapes can be unfolded using the program, including square-to-round and round-to-round.

Esprit 6.0 includes a number of other sheet metal applications including advanced flat pattern development capability, forming simulation, dimensioning and materials database. It can automatically recognize the faces of a folded 3D model during unfolding, and then guide the process using that knowledge with only minimal intervention from the user.