MACHINING / CAM

PLM also enables exploitation of existing business expertise, whether by using standard tooling ranges or by re-using existing part ranges.

The complete Computer Assisted Machining and machining process consists of 5 stages:

• Design: to define a tool trajectory, the geometry to be manufactured must be available (as wire frame, surfaces or solids).
• Preparation: this consists of positioning the part to be manufactured in relation to its tooling piece so as to manage collisions with this environment. CATIA provides all the functionality for creating tooling mountings using standard components.
• Programming: this consists of defining all tooling operations by cutting tool (milling or turning) or by electro-discharge. CATIA enables machining of any type of part, from simple turning through to 5-continuous-axes milling on a turning/milling centre.
• Machine simulation: this enables validation of the entire program by kinematic machine simulation of what the shop floor will receive, verifying the movement limits and avoiding NC machine collisions. This allows you to do without test machining.
• Postprocessor: once the CATIA program has been validated, post-processing specific to the NC machine is required. This translates the program into a format suitable for the NC machine (ISO, Heidenhain, etc.). The postprocessor can be developed using tools such as IMS Post.
• Shop floor and DNC documentation: programming is only one stage in the production process. Once the machine tape has been created, the shop floor documentation (progress-monitoring card, mounting instructions, etc.) must be provided, then distributed and followed. Solutions such as NC Doc from Technilog allow the required documentation and DNC to be generated.

Working with Keonys

Keonys can provide services for deploying CAM solutions from Dassault Systèmes and supporting you in your production:

• Training: on all products in the CAM range from Dassault Systèmes (whether for new or more experienced users).
• CAM/Tooling expertise: to help you use the Dassault Systèmes solutions you have chosen to best effect and to incorporate your numerical control machines.
• Postprocessor development and modification: Keonys can develop turnkey postprocessors suitable for your NC machine or supply the IMS Post postprocessor generator, which enables development of all NC postprocessor types, from 2.5-axis turning to 5-axis turning/milling centre. Read more about IMS Post.
• Expertise in 'first part' release: Keonys can work with you from initial training to actual tooling of your first part using CATIA, including development and validation of your postprocessors at your production site.