Matribages takes the lead with WorkNC Auto 5

Matribages, a company founded in 1987 in Manresa, Spain, designs and manufactures tools, moulds, dies and special machines for the automobile and aeronautical industries, among others. It is currently extending its research and development activity, bringing in new processes and products to optimise production and implementing precise and inexpensive machining strategies. Matribages uses WorkNC V16 and has recently implemented the optional 5-Axis module as well as an additional WorkNC licence to take advantage of its automatic 2D functions.

<< Several companies have simultaneous 5-Axis machines which are not fully exploited. The new WorkNC Auto5 module allows us to exploit all the advantages of our two 5-Axis machines to perform complex part machining with shorter tools and with the assurance that WorkNC gives us that all collisions will be automatically avoided >>
Mr. Oscar Silvestre, Matribages CAM manager.

Matribages’ specialist orientation allows it to provide the best solutions for its customers’ needs, keeping constantly up to date with technological innovations. For this reason WorkNC has become a tool enabling Matribages’ business development.

Mr. Jordi Cerrato, Matribages Technical Manager, asserts: “WorkNC is not only reliable and easy to use CAM software, which is an essential requirement in our field, but it also allows us to differentiate ourselves from competition as we can use the software’s innovative and automatic functions that no other system can offer. WorkNC has also allowed us to perform complex machining for new customers in the aeronautical industry, effectively expanding our activity beyond the automobile industry.”

Matribages has recently introduced the WorkNC optional 5- Axis package which includes various toolpaths developed especially for simultaneous 5-Axis machining, as well as the “Auto 5” module, a totally new concept that revolutionises the use of 5-Axis machines since it can automatically apply 5-Axis movements on any previously created 3-Axis toolpath quickly and simply.

The new WorkNC “Auto 5” module automatically analyzes the part, tool holder and machine geometry and kinematics in order to produce movements in simultaneous 5-Axis that follow the trajectory that has been previously calculated in 3- Axis and at the same time, avoid any tool holder collisions that the 3-Axis toolpath might encounter.

The advantage for Matribages is very significant as the creation of toolpaths in simultaneous 5-Axis with Auto 5 is as simple as it is in 3-Axis and allows the use of shorter, more rigid tools with a higher cut feedrate.

The Auto 5 module allows significant machining time reductions as it maintains the 3- Axis trajectory in every possible zone and only inclines the machining head at points where a collision could not otherwise be avoided. Auto 5 has been developed specifically for the mould and die industries and allows the machining of deep core parts and highly complex parts using very short tools in nearly all toolpaths.

Moreover, the Auto 5 module allows the machining of parts normal to the surface with an additional tool inclination angle with respect to the normal in order not to machine with the tip of the tool, thus obtaining improved cutting conditions and high quality surface finishing simply and efficiently.

Mr. Oscar Silvestre, CAM manager in Matribages, adds: “Several companies have simultaneous 5- Axis machines which are not fully exploited. The new WorkNC Auto5 module allows us to exploit all the advantages of our two DMG 5-Axis machines to perform complex part machining with shorter tools and with the assurance that WorkNC gives us that all collisions will automatically be avoiided. Also, the great advantage we have by using WorkNC is the high quality of service at our disposal offered by Sescoi. Our direct link with the software editing company is another advantage as we can transmit our comments and requests directly ensuring quicker solutions. Yet another great advantage is that we can train new users very quickly as WorkNC is very easy to learn and to use.”

Sescoi has also used its experience to adapt roughing toolpaths in V16 to the users’ needs. The 4 main roughing toolpaths (High Torque Roughing, High Feed Roughing, High Volume Roughing, and Hard Material Roughing) have been developed by taking into account every element (part geometry, material type, tool and machine) that technicians must consider every day to get maximum productivity.

WorkNC V16 also includes automatic 2D Features recognition and machining (cylindrical and prismatic shapes) which Matribages has also implemented. 2D holes (drilling and hole boring, tapping, countersinking) that are usually an important aspect of the daily tasks are identified by WorkNC-CAD and afterwards machined automatically by WorkNC which generates the appropriate codes and cycles for the NC. This module offers a rapid method to machine cylindrical and prismatic shapes, thus avoiding manual errors.