“Finn-Power is the only machine builder that took a position on the ...

SOFTWARE UPDATE
by Kyle Plass, Applications & CAD/CAM Coordinator
NC Express ® Programming Software
Finn-<strong>Power</strong>’s NC Express CNC
programming system <strong>is</strong> a user
friendly, integrated, and
automated tool for managing Finn-<strong>Power</strong>
equipment in <strong>the</strong> most efficient manner
available. NC Express <strong>is</strong> a tooling, nesting,
and optimizing software package designed
to easily integrate into an ex<strong>is</strong>ting
manufacturing environment, taking full
advantage of <strong>the</strong> powerful CAM features
and <strong>the</strong> Finn-<strong>Power</strong> <strong>machine</strong> tool product
line.
NC Express <strong>is</strong> a scalable application –
<strong>the</strong> system may be used as a single part
drafting and tooling program or as a fullyautomated
<strong>machine</strong> tool management
system. Ei<strong>the</strong>r way <strong>the</strong> results are <strong>the</strong> same
– optimized automatic N/C code creation.
The system utilizes several technologies
to create a fabrication environment in
which individual parts or assemblies of
parts can be retrieved directly from <strong>the</strong>
CAD database and processed by NC
Express for random part Just-in-Time (JIT)
production.
NC Express provides an easy-to-use
Windows-based Graphic User Interface.
Drop down menus and icons ensure easy
interaction with <strong>the</strong> system and immediate
productivity. Th<strong>is</strong> user interface, combined
with NC Express’ powerful automation
capabilities facilitates optimum production,
maximizes <strong>the</strong> computer-controlled features
of <strong>the</strong> <strong>machine</strong> tool, and simplifies <strong>the</strong>
effort required to design and program parts
for production.
With <strong>the</strong> r<strong>is</strong>e in material costs, labor,
and short-run jobs, today’s demanding
manufacturing market <strong>is</strong> focusing more on ways
to automate <strong>the</strong> fabrication of greater quantities
of parts in less time and with fewer people. NC
Express offers a complete programming package
for Finn-<strong>Power</strong> <strong>machine</strong>s <strong>that</strong> provides our
customers <strong>the</strong> ability to obtain high levels of
automation for less user interface and more
output.
Geometry
The first process in programming a
component file <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> geometry creation. NC
Express offers a full CAD package for
component generation. Alternatively, geometry
can also be imported from a standard DXF file
format. Open contours within a component
file can be cleaned automatically according to
<strong>the</strong> set system tolerance. For open contours or
duplicate line segments outside <strong>the</strong> system
tolerance, NC Express will d<strong>is</strong>play where
problem areas ex<strong>is</strong>t for quick and easy
cleaning.
Automation of importing of <strong>the</strong> geometry
can be done when using <strong>the</strong> MRP database
(OMS). Through th<strong>is</strong> process, component files
can be generated from a DXF file or by using
parametric scripting. During th<strong>is</strong> process <strong>the</strong>
geometry, tooling, and storing of <strong>the</strong>
component file <strong>is</strong> accompl<strong>is</strong>hed.
Tool Placement
The NC Express Autotool will
automatically place optimal tool routines and
tool placement in accordance with <strong>the</strong> <strong>machine</strong>’s
capabilities. Additional automation of robot
placement and last hit orientation for unloading
<strong>is</strong> set properly for sorting of components. Any
section of tooling placed by <strong>the</strong> Autotool
function can be easily reorganized or replaced
manually. Tool placement features include:
Automatic and interactive tool placement
Automatic and interactive microjoint
creation
Automatic and interactive destruct
Interactive cycling
Machine intuitive tool placement
Nesting
Nesting within NC Express can be done
statically or dynamically. During <strong>the</strong> nesting
process parts can be quickly moved by dragging
and dropping to <strong>the</strong> necessary location. For
10
quick part rev<strong>is</strong>ions, a single component file can
be edited at <strong>the</strong> part level and once <strong>the</strong> nest
layout <strong>is</strong> reopened <strong>the</strong> change will be promptly
updated for each part in <strong>the</strong> nest.
True Shape Nesting
True Shape Nesting utilizes <strong>the</strong> true
boundary of <strong>the</strong> part as it appears in <strong>the</strong>
drawing. Th<strong>is</strong> allows a tighter fit between parts
as compared to rectangular nesting. True Shape
Nesting allows parts to be interlocked and
provides substantially higher material
utilization.
Interactive part placement after auto nest
Automatically nest under or around <strong>the</strong>
clamps
Nests in zones to guarantee part accuracy
Nests in holes to gain higher sheet yield
Rectangular/Shear Nesting
NC Express utilizes a rectangular nesting
algorithm to take advantage of <strong>the</strong>
manufacturing features of <strong>the</strong> Finn-<strong>Power</strong> Shear
Genius and Shear Brilliance punch/shear
Flexible Manufacturing Cell (FMC). Unique
features include:
Automatic notch tooling recognition for
dynamic or static common line
Interactive Nest Tooling
Interactive Grid Nesting
Optimization
Optimization <strong>is</strong> done automatically for all
Finn-<strong>Power</strong> <strong>machine</strong> types (punch, punch/
shear, laser/punch, and laser). The Optimizer
references a pre-establ<strong>is</strong>hed tool library verifying
<strong>that</strong> all of <strong>the</strong> necessary tools to produce <strong>the</strong>
parts are
available for
use in <strong>the</strong>
<strong>machine</strong>’s
turret. Once
confirmed,
<strong>machine</strong>
movement, punching
and forming operations,
tool changes and
sequencing are
optimized for efficient
<strong>machine</strong> operations and
throughput. Additional
optimization features
include:
Automatic Re<strong>position</strong>ing and clamp
avoidance
Optimize index tooling based on angle
Automatic turret loading
Interactive optimization capabilities
Batch optimization for multiple nest
patterns