QUALITY AND DIMENSIONAL ACCURACY

In automatic mode, NC programs can be simulated in continuous sequence or block by block in real time with override function, or in an accelerated test run. Dynamic simulation is displayed graphically in two dimensional or optionally three dimensional views. The manufacturing, feed and tool usage times as well as the volume of workpiece material removed by machining are calculated concurrently.

The comprehensive collision detection calculations between all fixed and all moving parts of machine room support the run-in of NC programs, especially in tight workspaces, complicated chucking situations or critical tool location combinations (danger of collision with neighbour tools or collisions with rotational axes).

Quality and dimensional accuracy of the workpiece being machined can be monitored at any time in the course of the simulation using the ‘measure’ and 3D workpiece display functions.

The MTS-CAD/CAM-System TopCAM uses TopTurn and TopMill as test machine tools for a first NC program test run(machining time, collision detection) whether in a neutral NC format before postprocessing or after postprocessing in the target control code format.

TOOL TRAVEL DISPLAY

TopTurn and TopMill provide a tool path display to enable analysis of tool movements; this display is in the form of either a schematic 2-D representation or a 3-D representation, the transparent workpiece being superimposed on this view.

The tool paths are shown in the colour selected for the respective tool or in a freely-selected colour scheme. It is also possible to select tool path views for individual tools or machining planes. Clicking on a tool path calls up a display of the NC block that generates this path.

SURFACE ROUGHNESS CALCULATOR

In case of turning, the maximum roughness height Rmax, the surface roughness Ra and the average roughness allowance are calculated from the tool edge geometry, machining direction and from the infeed per revolution. Conversely, the feedrate can be calculated for a given maximum roughness height.