A central tool database for CAD/CAM systems – wouldn’t that be nice? CAD/CAM Programmer no longer forced to create and maintain multiple, individual databases – sounds good. Simply import single components and tools with their individual geometry and technology data - interesting. Or scan tools and import the 3D models for programming and tool-path verification at the push of a button – unbelievable. With the ZOLLER CAD/CAM interface a piece of cake (with a Swiss cherry on top).So it comes as no surprise that a Swiss ZOLLER customer immediately agreed to do a »pilot« installation in cooperation with the Mastercam dealer in Switzerland - covering up to 10 CAD seats and 30 CNC machines.
As a first step the customer plans o manage tool and technology data of single components, tool-assemblies and jobs in the ZOLLER tool database. With the ZOLLER-Mastercam interface every programmer has access to ZOLLER tool-data from within Mastercam. With the geometry and technology data provided by the ZOLLER tool-database every programmer can create NC-programs based on tools “released” for the manufacturing floor.
The tool-list generated by Mastercam is then published “online” to the ZOLLER tool presetter(s).
After the tools are being measured the measuring values are being sent to the machines thru a DNC network. In addition to that, a tool scan generates a 3D model which can be used to verify the correct assembly of the tool. The scan function can also be used to create models for a collision check or to “draw” new tools within seconds, fully automatically.
“Wunderbar, magnificent” was the tenor at the meeting. Having one single database comes with multiple benefits such as time savings during programming and set-up as well as an optimized workflow to name a few. The transparent top-down flow of information and the possibility to access realistic manufacturing data from the get go impresses the programmer as well as manager and operators. Finally a “closed-loop” process linking CAD/CAM, preset, machining and quality control.
Gruetzi from Niederbüren, CH
Robert Auer
CAD/CAM interface - Technology data/article characteristics in »pilot 3.0«
In a production you can find numerous single components and complete tools which can be used for diverse tasks. A central and intelligent management of those components saves time and money. ZOLLER offers the perfect management to catalog the single components and complete tools by the help of technology data and article characteristic bars to optimize their usage. Article characteristic bars enable you to quickly access the specified object data, e.g. for an interface to a CAD/CAM system.
»3D-scan«
»3D-scan« allows to quickly and easily scan and save a tool contour as graphics file. Specify the starting and end point of the tool. In order to split up a tool into several drawing layers, e. g. for separating the tool cutting edge from the tool shank, it is possible to define several cutting points. It is then possible to start the scanning process. Afterwards the contour is displayed as 3D graphics and can be saved in DXF, XML, STEP, STL or vericut (layered dxf) format.
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