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Ease of use is a highly important factor in CNC programming. A short learning curve allows engineers to become productive and quickly achieve a return on investment. Tutorials and well developed training programs make becoming proficient in the software much simpler. This allows engineers to learn at their own pace and fully understand the aspects of the software which will most benefit their requirements. CADCAM vendors who design their systems to be intuitive and follow the rules used in commonly available computer software will provide users with a distinct advantage They will immediately be operating in a familiar environment, reducing the amount of new skills to be learnt.
As well as speeding up learning, intuitive operation and easily memorable navigation will allow occasional users to be productive. Icons and terminology which accurately reflect technology used in CNC programming make it far easier to remember the sequence of steps required, guiding the user from design to machining strategy, to tool selection and, ultimately the CNC code necessary to drive the machine. Simple operation will encourage more people within an organization to become skilled in the use of the software, both in the office and in the workshop. For CNC software, the ability to use the system on the shop floor can have significant benefits through increasing the productivity of machine operators and raising their job satisfaction levels. Conversely, if the system is difficult to operate or learn, its use will be restricted to one or two individuals, which could cause delays on the machines and leave the company vulnerable to absences. In the worst cases, the software will not be used at all.
A CNC program must be reliable. Producing a consistently accurate and safe program, which will run first time, is an essential element of ease of use. If the CNC software is easy to use and quick to learn, yet generates unreliable code for the machines, it will not fulfill the needs of engineers. The best CNC programming software has intelligence built in. The software knows where excess material is located, as well as the tool geometry and the kinematics of the machine. Knowledge about cutting strategies, tool behavior in particular materials, and how to machine in specific circumstances such as corners, full width cuts and 5-axis CNC operations, is included. The results go way beyond a functioning program; cycle times can be reduced from days to hours, tool life extended, and the quality of the finished part improved immeasurably. For even more productivity and simplicity, systems are available which automate CNC programming. Feature recognition automatically finds holes and pockets on a CAD design, picks the most appropriate tooling, and machines the holes, eliminating transposition errors and repetitive tasks. Sescoi’s WorkNC offers users automated 5-axis machining with its Auto 5 module. This changes 3 and 3+2 axis toolpaths into continuous 5-axis paths automatically, making 5-axis machining achievable by virtually any company. Automation features, which reduce the number of decisions the programmer needs to make, add to the ease of use, speed up programming, and ensure that the system is widely adopted and utilized to its maximum extent.
Computer hardware is continually evolving and CNC software needs to be able to take advantage of this. For complex parts, calculation times can be long, so advances, which can make use of multi-threading techniques, will cut these times considerably. Parallel processing is particularly useful for CNC applications where toolpath calculations, graphical manipulation, and cutterpath creation may all be happening at the same time. Systems which do not support the potential of computer hardware, will be less popular amongst users and will slow down program preparation.
Engineering is global, with multi-national companies having manufacturing bases in several countries. Software needs to be easy to use in all these locations. To enable CAM programming software to be used worldwide it needs to be in multiple languages and localized so that the correct terms are used for each country. Support also needs to be local, so that engineers can have questions answered in their own language. Local differences in the way in which business is carried out also need to be observed. For an international audience, the leading CADCAM companies have regional offices and a distributor network, enabling them to meet the specific requirements of engineers around the world.
CNC programming systems are frequently purchased to solve a particular problem. However, as a company’s business evolves new challenges arise, so the ease in which software can be adapted to these new requirements is very important. Changes may include the introduction of 5-axis CNC machining, electrode production, reverse engineering, or special machinery. The capabilities of the system and the relationship with the supplier will determine how much the software can keep pace with these new demands.
Sescoi designs its software with ease of use in mind. It works in partnership with its customers, providing worldwide solutions to every aspect of CNC programming. Its aim is to ensure users can automate processes as much as possible so that they can maximize their return on investment.
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