Multi-tasking is one technology that has been around for a while, but has only recently become the hot topic as more shops discover their uses. In fact, many companies who previously never thought about getting a multi-task machine have done so or are thinking about doing it for the gains in productivity they offer.

A machine like this could be considered disruptive technology— having the ability to significantly change downstream processes. One of the biggest mistakes a shop can make is not considering what might be affected and planning accordingly. In fact, many companies will look at new machine tool technology every year, and not much else to ensure maximum productivity gains.

One of the biggest challenges with a machine like this is the heightened complexity of NC programming and the importance of program verification. The concept of the machine is often misunderstood or under-utilized, and some shops struggle to make ends meet enough to justify the machine purchase or another machine. However, when the machine’s capabilities are finally realized, the machine quickly justifies itself. This is why a programming system is important for these machines.

There are a lot of things to think about, but here are six questions to ask when looking at your in-house programming software, or shopping for a new solution:
1. Does it support all the options available to the machine?
2. Does it support more complex machines/machining?
3. Does it have the front-end capability to give me the tool control needed for this machine?
4. Does it have a simulation capability that is accurate and can fully represent the machine?
5. Does it have a post processor that is already proven for this machine tool?
6. Does it program all my existing equipment at the shop?
As a manufacturing company adds new capabilities and technology, the shop shouldn’t get overburdened with implementing complex technology without the necessary supporting elements.
Whether the multitask machine is a milling machine with turning capability or a multi-spindle, multi-turret lathe, the machines are getting more complex and solutions need to support these, and future machines. We are seeing machines with sub-spindles that index and move, four turrets, multiple gang-slides and even indexing B-axis milling heads on lathes now as common. Taking all these machines into account, a programming system is going to directly relate to the productivity you receive from your machines. In the case of ETBO, they looked for a CAM solution that has a simple interface while still allowing for detailed toolpath control.

With respect to mill-turn specifically, the solution we chose had a tight relationship with Mazak creating a robust post processor and good simulation of the machine model. There are two needs that stood out to ETBO for programming mill-turns. The first is machine simulation. It is much easier to have a machine crash on a mill-turn compared with 3-axis milling. The second is axis control. On a mill-turn there are often various strategies to accomplish an end product. We needed a programming system that provides robust toolpaths to utilize the axes that are applicable to the highest quality part and/or most cost-effective machining strategy.

This programming system should support the tool control needed to generate a complete and optimized NC program up front. The program should offer the user a seamless interface for visually representing the machining processes on the computer, without having to waste valuable machine time proving programs. In this regard, the post processor should be proven, and available to be supplied with the programming solution. In the case of Single Source Precision Machining, a proven CNC-programming solution was supplied on-board the machine tool itself.
Our machine tool can do so much, To date, our new programming system has matched our multi-task machine’s every move. Receiving a programming solution from the machine builder with a reliable post processor and simulations are a great value to us. In fact, we have just recently installed our second machine, so things are going good.