Cost benefits of automated CNC software

Global economic pressure and demands for cost reductions from customers has lead businesses to examine every aspect of their operation. Automated CNC software can make a big contribution, speeding up programming and reducing the risk of error. Batch quantities of components are reducing as customers want to increase the customisation of their products and lower inventory levels. For manufacturers, the response needs to be shorter setup times and parts produced right first time.

By introducing automated CNC software, which takes away most of the decision making, parts can be programmed very simply and quickly. Furthermore, tooling requirements can be consolidated, reducing the variety used and the number of tool setups necessary. Additionally, it will ensure that machining processes are consistent between components. Using the same methods and tools as much as possible takes out most of the variables in CNC programming, ensuring that machining times are predictable, tooling costs are controlled,and that the quality of the finished part is consistently high.

CNC software that is difficult to use requires skilled operators to produce reliable CNC code, making companies vulnerable to the capabilities of a few people. With the scarcity of skills, not only is it difficult to find suitable engineers, but it is also costly to employ them. Automation of both CAD and CAM appl ications makes programming simple and makes it possible to encourage far more people within an organisation to use the software. In niche applications such as the manufacture of dental prostheses, the skill of employees will be in their knowledge of prosthesis manufacture and not in CNC machining. 

Dental CADCAM software is capable of automating the process. It can take scanned CAD data, nest it in a blank and automatically apply the most efficient toolpath for the material being used. The CNC code produced is fully error checked and tailored to suit the control on the milling machine. With this type of specialisation, knowledge of CNC machining is unnecessary for the production of high quality parts, thanks to automation. 

Knowledge based manufacture is the cornerstone of automated CNC software. The CADCAM vendor needs
to have the resources and experience necessary to research the most efficient machining methods for each application. Dental CADCAM will use very different technology to automated 5-axis CNC machining or the high-speed machining of hard metals. However, systems also need sufficient flexibility so that they can machine parts which are unusual. The best automated systems will have this capability, allowing the user to intervene, add extra operations, change tooling or edit the toolpath, while still maintaining ease of use and speed advantages.

The techniques required to control a 5-axis CNC machine can be complex. Automation can be achieved using software such as the Auto 5 module in WorkNC. The programmer produces a 3 or 3+2 axis toolpath directly on the CAD model, and the Auto 5 module changes it to a continuous 5-axis cutterpath. Bringing automation to 5-axis machining enables companies to machine parts in one hit, use shorter and more rigid tools and improve the quality of the finished part, without the need for high levels of skill.

The simple programming in automated CNC software enables it to be used on the shop floor. A short learning curve and an intuitive interface make it easy for machine operators to program their machines themselves, greatly increasing their productivity levels and job satisfaction.

Machine operators understand metal cutting and the techniques required. Shop floor programming enables them to utilise this knowledge to best effect. Naturally, the CNC code generated by automated systems needs to be reliable and efficient. Collisions and poor cutter trajectories can damage the machine and produce very slow cycle times. Good software will givNew Balance