A painless switch to CAM

Manufacturing Engineering, Jul 1998

Two years ago, KLK Inc. (Phoenix) faced the need to process 70-100 different parts each week on shrinking schedules for its computer and electronics customers. Machinists at the supplier of ergonomic, automation, and test systems were highly skilled at manual programming, but they could not keep up with the jobs. Kim Wilkinson, the general manager, decided the 37-employee shop needed to simplify part design and produce part files for its prototype machining operation more effciently. It needed a system that could generate code for 12 different CNCs and post-processors.

When Wilkinson checked the market for available systems, FeatureMILL Engineering Geometry Systems (Salt Lake City, UT) emerged as one of the packages with the right features. He and his associates used manuals to teach themselves the program and found that it could easily accommodate the number of different parts KLK creates each day.

As machinists become familiar with the package, they can fine-tune it to their needs. Multiple operations can be generated from one feature representation. For example, a pocket feature can consist of multiple roughing passes and a finish pass. Once the machinist specifies the boundary and depth of the pocket the software selects tools and machining attributes.

Programmers can customize default attributes to fit their machining style; when toolpaths are ready to run again, the program automatically defines strategies based on the machinist's specifications. For users creating many parts in a short period of time, editing attributes at the individual feature level can be helpful.

For postprocessing on CNC milling machines and lathes, a general postprocessor program allows machinists to modify an existing post or write one for their unique requirements. Wilkinson finds FeatureMILL as successful in the office. "I use the part documentation to make job estimates," he says, "it's a complete solution for programming in my shop."

For more information on FeatureMILL from Engineering Geometry Systems, Circle 375.