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Product category: CAM, CNC and production management software
News Release from: Pathtrace Engineering Systems | Subject: Murray Productions
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 28 March 2002

Old-timer upgrades from DOS to Windows
2000

It's never too late to learn, as former jig-borer George Roads of Murray Productions amply demonstrates.

Earlier this year, George Roads went on a three-day training course at Pathtrace's Reading headquarters to familiarise himself with the company's latest EdgeCAM computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system for milling and turning machines His boss, Warren Bell, owner of Murray (Productions) had decided to invest in the latest EdgeCAM software to improve the machining programs for the range of precision aerospace and defence components produced by the Hayes, Middlesex, machining and pressing subcontractor

He also wanted his programmer to fully appreciate the software and be ready to develop the business into other areas.

Nothing unusual in that? Except that Roads was one month short of his 72nd birthday when he found himself sitting among a bunch of computer-wise 20-something-year-olds, and he was making the leap from a DOS operating system to Windows 2000.

For the past 20 years or so the former jig-borer had been using the original Pathtrace DOS-based PAMS software to program components such as parts for the atom bomb, helicopter pitch control arms, gearbox elements and jig and fixtures for Murray Productions' three CNC milling machines and three CNC lathes.

From his experience Roads maintains: "The most difficult part of the course was unlearning the old DOS way of doing things, particularly in creating part geometry.

Otherwise the new EdgeCAM system is really very simple.

It's much easier to use than our previous method, so much faster, less keystrokes and far less chance of getting it wrong.

It's so different.

It's unbelievable! We should have changed years ago!".

But Roads is used to the unbelievable.

Over recent years, as he has sat at his computer keyboard and screen studying component drawings to create part programs for the CNC machines, a glittering galaxy of stars from film, TV, pop and football, have paused in amazement at the complexity of funny shaped bits and components that surrounded the engineer's desk.

Stars have included Michael Caine, Claudia Schiffer, Sylvester Stallone, Bjork, Uma Thurman, Kevin Keegan, Mel B, Peter Shilton, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sterling Moss - and even John Major MP.

However, comedian Jack Dee was heard to make comments reflecting his ex-apprenticeship days and saying: "This brings back memories".

These celebrities are on route upstairs to Murray Productions' sister company, Cyber-Site Europe, where they have had their famous features recorded in 3D by a unique laser scanning camera for the production of solid or wire frame models.

The digital data from the camera is used by film and television producers to animate and morph stars' faces - Bjork, for example, changed from singer to hairy bear in her recent Hunter video, all thanks to Cyber-Site.

So far, Murray Productions has been limited to 21/2-D programming and has not been able to use the full potential of the Cyber-Site laser scanner and offer customers true 3D machining work in house.

However, while George is extending his knowledge of EdgeCAM, which he believes will pay for itself inside six months, Murray Productions is now contemplating the possibilities of using the full 3D Pathtrace EdgeCAM package so that it can make maximum use of data from the Cyber-Site camera.

The idea then is to produce small promotional items and gifts involving 3D moulds and sculptures.

Dave Arnold, who now runs the Cyber-Site studio with his brother Graham, agrees the next move is to take on the full 3D Pathtrace package.

"We could use it in conjunction with the camera to 'reverse engineer' objects.

We could also scan in components that are not mathematically precise or which are difficult to measure, and then program the machines to produce the relevant profiles and shapes for customers".

Murray Productions was started by Warren Bell's father in 1958 as a toolmaker for local aerospace and defence companies such as Westland and Fairey.

Gradually, customers began asking the company to machine single development parts, twos and threes and then small batches.

Eventually the demand for machining and pressing eventually took over from toolmaking.

Today, the company employs 15 people and has an annual turnover of just under GBP 1 million.

It is certified to ISO9002 and AQA approved.

Currently, the bulk of its business is repeat work, making batches of precision machined parts and pressings for customers such as Smiths Industries and Westland.

Over the last 20 years certain repeat batches have been seen time and time again.

Soon after George Roads joined Murray Productions as a jig borer in 1974, he was given the job of programming the company's NC mills because the geometry and thought patterns were very similar to the jig boring process.

"And he was good at maths", interrupts Dave Arnold explaining that: "He had to be, the punched paper tape programs were prepared using 'a lot of trigonometry' and an Olivetti computer with 48k memory".

What eventually convinced everybody that they needed a proper part programming software package was the initial job to be done on Murray Productions' first CNC milling machine in the early 1980s.

The job was a machined component for a nuclear device.

It started as a 150mm cube billet of aluminium and ended up as an X-shaped thin-walled housing that required several deep pockets to be milled with drilled and tapped holes.

"We didn't even attempt to do it on the Olivetti", says George.

"Pathtrace showed us how it could be produced using PAMS, so we bought the system".

Although Roads officially retired seven years ago, he still works three days on programming a week.

"I probably produce three or four new part programs a week plus the transfer of old programs to the new system.

We definitely get far higher productivity with EdgeCAM", he says.

The biggest difference between EdgeCAM and the redundant DOS system, says Roads, is the way the geometry is created.

"Instead of going from point A to point B, you go past point B and trim off the bit of the line you don't want.

Pathtrace calls it 'trimming entities'.

I must say it was a bit difficult to grasp at first, but once you get the hang of it, it is so much quicker.

I think it's great!".

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