EDCAM PROFESSIONAL INCREASES MACHINE SHOP EFFICIENCY
MAKINO EDCAM
PROFESSIONAL™ INCREASES MACHINE SHOP EFFICIENCY
Offline programming software eliminates scrap, reduces costs and time to market
AUBURN HILLS,
MI—September 2006—The EDCAM Professional™ offline programming solutions software from
Makino will help reduce human error in burn programs, which in turn will reduce
scrapped mold components and increase machine shop efficiency while
dramatically reducing overall programming time by 70 percent. The EDCAM
software assembles and relays critical data between CAD-CAM systems and the NC
program for the controller running the sinker EDM machines, bypassing the need
for manual input that often leads to operator errors and mistakes.
This software enhances
sinker or Ram EDM capabilities through the direct reception and proper
calibration of workpiece data as a critical relay between the machines and
CAD-CAM systems. It receives all necessary peripheral information from the CAM systems, such as electrode positioning, and adds the
necessary burning technology and tool change data to output a final numerical
controlled (NC) program for the EDM machine to utilize.
With EDCAM Professional™
software, the positional information is taken directly from the part drawing or
CAD-CAM system and dumped into the burn program without any human intervention.
This essentially provides machine shops full offline programming capabilities,
making CAD-CAM departments more versatile and operators more efficient.
Reducing Manufacturing Costs and Time to Market
The EDCAM software technology will allow die/mold shops to use machines more
cost effectively, drive out operational costs, reduce lead-time and quicken
product time to market. In addition, it offers shops a distinct edge over the
competitors who are capable of making the same molds at the same tolerances.
EDCAM will input position
points from a design system directly into a burn program. In addition to
translating positioning data, the software will help operators determine
critical burn parameters, such as electrode material and quantity, undersize
parameters, desired removal rates and surface finishes. This technological
advancement creates burn parameters that in the past could only be determined
by an operator with several years of experience.
For example, an operator
typically uses the EDM machine to complete a job before using the same machine
to pick up all the electrodes and workpieces required for the next burn. This
process ties up valuable machine resources and increases cycle time. With this
software, an operator can pick up electrode offsets and workpieces offline on a
coordinate measuring machine and have the data transferred to the program for
use.
An operator can start a
burn program on a machine and then prepare future burns on a remote computer
and send them directly to the machine with EDCAM. All that is required then is
an operator to push the start button.
This Makino software allows
shops to plan ahead for the next job while one is being done and manipulates
the data in a much more efficient flow. Because the software takes control of
the programming process, a highly skilled applications engineer or mold maker
is not required to run the EDM machine. In fact, operators who have little or
no training on an EDM machine can develop burn programs using EDCAM.
Unmanned Operation
Automation systems for EDM production teamed with advanced software such as
EDCAM Professional™ do require machines with high rigidity for the best
accuracy and performance. Multi-directional burning with identical servo
performance, a disappearing drop tank, complex orbit control, interactive
automatic programming and an adaptive control system that reduces or eliminates
active flushing are critical elements to EDM automation with EDCAM.
Unmanned operations create
the optimum system for small-lot, large variety production, which readily
accommodates production change priorities. It also helps maintain efficient
throughput, utilizing less floor space and allowing the timely transfer of jobs
to the next process. The manufacturing process may become more streamlined and
efficient, and time-consuming operations like job setup, alignment,
positioning, programming, removal and cleanup can all be eliminated with EDCAM
Professional™.
Makino is a global provider of advanced machining technology and
application support, where new thinking takes shape for the
metalcutting and die/mold industries. Makino manufacturing and service
centers are located in the United States, Japan, Germany, Singapore,
Italy, France, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, China, Mexico, Brazil and India,
and are supported by a worldwide distributor network. For more
information call 1.800.552.3288, or visit www.makino.com.
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Makino logo: JPG
Media Contact
Brandon Rhoten
HSR Business to Business
513.346.3588
makino@hsr.com