CAM upgrade brings immediate improvements

When precision tooling job shop 3-D CNC decided to evaluate the CAM market for a new solution, it chose Camtek's PEPS Solidcut Wire EDM.

3-D CNC, based in Hutchinson, Minnesota, is a precision tooling job shop that specialises in EDM intensive tooling, component parts and assembiles.

The company was using a CAM system that had been discontinued, which was causing problems with newer file formats being incompatible.

It decided to evaluate the market and finally chose Camtek's PEPS Solidcut Wire EDM because of its ability to handle solids and create technology files at the computer for its Charmilles Wire EDM machines.

PEPS Solidcut Wire was installed along with postprocessors for all of 3-D CNC's Wire EDM machines.

Mike Getzke, Director of Business Development commented: "We immediately noticed several improvements".

"Firstly, forward and reverse profiling was much easier".

"Previously we had to draw both the forward and reverse toolpath onto the graphics file, and even had to make manual changes after NC code was generated to get it to run".

One of the initial reasons for updating their CAM system was the lack of support for newer CAD file formats.

Added Dave Hall, EDM Department Lead Toolmaker: "Previously we were limited to IGES, DWG and DXF import, with no support for solid models from CAD systems such as SolidWorks or SolidEdge".

"As PEPS Solidcut Wire ships with several CAD design integrators as standard this was no longer an issue".

Once the CAD file had been imported into PEPS further programming time reductions were noted, especially with four-axis programming, where the reduction was up to 30%.

"Converting imported graphics to toolpath is much easier within PEPS".

"The solid view of the component is also excellent - what you see during the graphic check is exactly what you will see out of the machine".

"We also saw benefits at the machine tool, as PEPS also created the technology files required for our Charmilles machines".

"This saves us up to 15% of the overall machine setup time".

As many processes are automated through the use of databases storing common actions and settings, errors reduced significantly.

This was most apparent on the four-axis programs.

Thorough training also helped to educate users on the best methods of programming each particular machine.

Of the training Hall commented: "We thought the onsite training was very good, but it is also backed up by strong help documentation".

"Camtek's telephone support has also proved very effective in quickly answering any questions we've had".

3-D CNC has seen an overall improvement in programming time, a reduction in errors and increase in the number of file formats it can accept from customers.

One of their major customers was so impressed with PEPS that it has also installed it to further streamline its CNC programming co-ordination.

3-D CNC plans to upgrade its vertical machining centres and will be standardising on PEPS for this process.

Hall finalised by saying: "PEPS is very easy to use and learn".

"Our maintenance contract allows us to download the latest version from their website, which has also continued to deliver new benefits".

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