TeamworkProduct and mold designers can work through most of the manufacturing issues in advance by teaming up in the early stages of product development as one engineered process. A team of engineers with diverse backgrounds concurrently working together is far more capable, […]
The best way to avoid these walls is to build the CAD and CAM application on the same 3-D database. This avoids the process of translating data from one format to the other, which could delay the project and increase the risk of errors. It also enables associative CAD/CAM usage, where modifications in the CAD [...]
By developing on a 3-D CAD mainstream platform, a CAM supplier can focus its resources 100 percent to support advanced manufacturing technologies. A good example is high-speed machining (HSM), […]
It is up to the high-speed machining software to make the most of these components, and to drive the process for maximum benefit. To do this, the software should excel in four areas: (1) optimizing tooling stability, (2) promoting toolpath efficiency, (3) maximizing operating performance and (4) enhancing ease of use—both in programming and operations. [...]
Success with high-speed machining requires a thorough under-standing of the required tools and methods and of their benefits and limitations. […]
Although a number of CAM systems have implemented or are implementing KBM, the level of automation and input required from customers varies. A CAM system may require a high level of front-end effort by users to embed their machining practices and rules. Some may require computer programming skills and the setup of custom databases and [...]
An important factor of KBM(knowledge-based machining)is retaining the design knowledge and information already inherent in a CAD model and using that information’s power. […]
Feature-based CAM systems provide a standard set of machinable features using common shop terms such as slot, groove, pocket, hole, side or face. To further improve automation and machining productivity, […]
KBM (knowledge-based machining (KBM)) can be incorporated into CAD/CAM systems at various levels. By comparing operations-based and process-based CAM systems to the automation capabilities offered by feature-based machining, there is a full range of capabilities afforded by KBM. […]
Two, three or four component molding can work with automation just as easy as single component. Two types are manual transfer and rotating molds. Manual transfer requires the robot end-of-arm-tooling to remove the substrate from the first cavity, remove the finished parts from the second cavity and place the substrate into the second cavity (overmold). [...]