Click on the advert above to visit the company web site

Product category: CAM, CNC and production management software
News Release from: Pathtrace Engineering Systems | Subject: EdgeCAM Solid Machinist for Catia V5
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 19 May 2005

RD keeps up with technological
expectations

Success often depends on choosing the correct CNC software, which is why RD Precision has chosen EdgeCAM Solid Machinist for Catia V5.

It may be a close call as to which industry leads the world in the use of digital product definition However, with virtually all new aerostructures, subassemblies and components being designed wholly in 3D, the aerospace industry has a viable claim

Digital product definition technology such as Catia, Dassault Systemes' solution for digital product definition and simulation, permits companies such as RD Precision to manufacture directly from their clients' designs, without having to import, translate or recreate the designs.

The benefits have been proven: improved quality through the elimination of ambiguity and errors, faster turn round times in manufacture, and time savings that translate directly to cost savings.

However, achieving this is easier said than done.

Success depends on choosing the correct CNC software, which is why RD Precision has chosen EdgeCAM Solid Machinist for Catia V5.

In its drive for continued success, RD Precision has invested heavily to meet market requirements for the present and for the future.

For example, the company has recently acquired Patrick Engineering, the Isle of Wight-based supplier of precision CNC-machined components for the aerospace industry, increasing manufacturing capacity by a further 24 CNC machine tools and a highly skilled workforce of 50 people.

RD Precision is committed to share cost reduction through a policy of continual technical improvement and through the development of efficient manufacturing techniques.

RD Precision has over 100 employees supported by 19 CNC three- and four-axis machining centres, six CNC lathes and a host of other precision machine tools.

RD Precision's quality system, certified to BS EN ISO9002 TS157, meets the relevant requirements of Airbus UK , BAe Systems (Operational), Raytheon Corporate Jets, the Stork Aerospace Group and others.

Based on Deeside, close to the facilities of its major client, RD Precision is the only company in the area to provide a world-class aircraft-on-ground (AOG) service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Ged Edwards is General Manager of RD Precision and his biggest challenge is, he says, "keeping up with the technological expectations of our blue chip clients".

He continues: "There are so many new aircraft in development, all of which are being designed in Catia, that the ability to work from these models has become essential to us".

That is why, some four years ago, after a detailed evaluation, RD Precision invested in an EdgeCAM Intelligent solids-based machining solution.

As part of this, RD Precision acquired a third-party Catia V4 model loader.

This application allowed the input of Catia V4 models directly into EdgeCAM and the generation of machining strategies and NC code for Catia V4 solid models.

According to Andy Dewell, Technical Manager at RD Precision: "We chose EdgeCAM because of the complexity of the parts that it would enable us to machine".

He points out: "Once we proved that we could machine such parts directly, we started winning the orders".

"Since then, we've completed almost 900 parts this way and written nearly 3000 programs".

Dewell adds: "Of course, we can still use EdgeCAM to machine parts for older aircraft not designed on Catia".

"This is still an important part of our business".

Dewell is now a highly-satisfied long-term user of EdgeCAM.

He says: "EdgeCAM supports our creative and problem-solving skills".

"We just could not make such complex parts without it".

He adds: "EdgeCAM is very easy to pick up and to use and the training is very good, so much so I've not needed to call the support line".

"It is so quick to write programs, which we can do offline so we don't lose machining time".

"It reduces the chance of tool breakage and scrap very significantly and improves the machining of the components".

When RD Precision's customers moved to Catia V5, the company was able to maintain seamless continuity by upgrading to EdgeCAM Solid Machinist for Catia V5 without having to rely on third party software.

According to Dewell, "it worked, first time, fault free".

He continues: "All we do is open the file in EdgeCAM as a CAT file".

"There is no concept of translation or of a batch conversion process".

"The files open up exactly as if they were native EdgeCAM files".

Dewell adds: "In the three months we've had it, we've already completed around 20 jobs".

As well as EdgeCAM Solid Machinist for Catia V5, the RD Precision system also includes EdgeCAM Advanced Surface Machining, EdgeCAM Surface Design and Milling, EdgeCAM Production Milling and EdgeCAM Solid Machinist for Parasolid.

One example in particular highlights the benefits of EdgeCAM.

Dewell recalls: "We were asked if we could make a critical fuel hose coupling part for an aircraft in under three weeks".

"Our client's usual supplier of cast parts said that the part could take over 18 months to make, allowing for mould manufacture, approval, testing, finish machining and so on".

He continues: "We knew that with EdgeCAM we could machine it from a solid billet in well under that time".

"Generating and checking the program took a working day".

"Machining took two days and we had to make three couplings in all".

Dewell adds: "In fact, we were able to make the parts at a fraction of the cost of the cast versions because there was no mould to make".

"In addition, the cast part would have been in two parts with a sealing ring, whilst the machined part has no such potential maintenance needs".

Dewell comments: "EdgeCAM Solid Machinist for Catia V5 has definitely justified itself on this job alone".

"In fact, we were able to do this job for about one tenth of the cost of the cast versions, saving our customer tens of thousands of pounds and many months waiting time".

"Since that success, we have been getting more and more work of that nature".

As proof, Dewell notes: "We have 150 different jobs to get out of the door in the next month".

"That's over 3000 parts".

"Yes, I'd certainly recommend EdgeCAM.

In fact, I already have".

EdgeCAM is now an integral part of the RD Precision operation.

One user, Keith McKeown is an experienced CNC programmer and an EdgeCAM user for 18 months.

He points out: "With EdgeCAM, you can make virtually anything, whereas there are always limits to what you can achieve by programming at the machine".

He adds: "It saves time too".

"You can machine much more of a part without having to stop the machine and reposition the work piece".

McKeown continues: "EdgeCAM has been really easy to use and my advice to any new users is to get on and use it as soon as possible".

According to Ged Edwards: "EdgeCAM has had a major impact on our business".

"Prior to installing it, and not having the capability to accept Catia parts, we had a turnover of around GBP 4.5 million".

"Since we've had EdgeCAM we have increased our turnover to GBP 8 million".

"All the new turnover has come because we are able to machine directly from Catia V5 models".

"EdgeCAM has helped us maintain our competitive edge and helped us maintain our margins, too".

However, we'll let Andy Dewell have the last word.

He says: "I'm sure Pathtrace will continue to enhance EdgeCAM, but it really is very good already".

"I've not yet found a job it can't handle".

• Pathtrace Engineering Systems: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page

Search the Pro-Talk network of sites

Put your news on Engineeringtalk  |   Advertise  |   Get the free Engineeringtalk newsletter  |   Engineeringtalk Home
About Engineeringtalk  |   Copyright © 2000-2008 Pro-Talk Ltd, UK