Mill Expert allows the manufacturing company to transfer into the computer the "KNOW - WHAT" the company is manufacturing and the "KNOW - HOW" the company is manufacturing it. The part to be manufactured is approached using Feature Oriented technique. Each Feature represents a construction element easily identifiable from design and/or manufacturing point of view. Features can be used industry wide as, for example, pockets, slots, holes, or it can be a company/customer standard. Each Feature has a definite input data format and an established manufacturing procedure. To produce a part all that is required is to describe Features which constitute the part and to identify their location. Using this information and its "know - how" the system resolves completely all machining operations involved, sorts them out in the optimum sequence and generates, in seconds, a comprehensive part program for the part as a whole ready to go for unmanned NC machining.
Features at a glance:
- Material Library which identifies used materials by their physical characteristics and cutting qualities
- Tool Library which is used to define tools to be used and optimum cutting parameters
- Industry Stahdard Features library
- Company Features library
- Features Machining Methods library
- Extensive range of CAD interfaces; both for import and export
- Comprehensive machine and postprocessor database
- Feature recognition from solid models with projection onto cutting planes
Mill Expert allows the manufacturing company to transfer into the computer the "KNOW - WHAT" the company is manufacturing and the "KNOW - HOW" the company is manufacturing it. The part to be manufactured is approached using Feature Oriented technique. Each Feature represents a construction element easily identifiable from design and/or manufacturing point of view. Features can be used industry wide as, for example, pockets, slots, holes, or it can be a company/customer standard. Each Feature has a definite input data format and an established manufacturing procedure. To produce a part all that is required is to describe Features which constitute the part and to identify their location. Using this information and its "know - how" the system resolves completely all machining operations involved, sorts them out in the optimum sequence and generates, in seconds, a comprehensive part program for the part as a whole ready to go for unmanned NC machining.
The concepts of the expert part programming system were started, implemented and tested at DIECRAFT AUSTRALIA, the leading tool making factory known by its high efficiency and supreme quality.
Said Graham Malcolm, the DIECRAFT production services manager at that time:
The system covers all mould frame manufacturing. The programming time is cut by 90 percent. The quality of part programs is superb, programs go into unmanned machining without a trial run. The multi pallet machining centre is working non stop and it works unattended during night shifts and weekends.
The machining technology generated by MILL EXPERT practically eliminates the "human factor" producing accurate and consistent machining instructions. Enhancements to technological standards become instantly applicable on the next run from the same original part definition, consistent quality is guaranteed. Consistent machining approach decreases the number of tools required for manufacture, providing savings on purchase and servicing costs. The wear and tear of NC machines also be reduced.
MILL EXPERT offers the opportunity for direct CAM programming from the CAD systems, thus totally eliminating the re-processing of geometry generated by CAD into geometry suitable for NC programming. From the part definition MILL EXPERT, coupled with the CAD/CAM package, can generate a part drawing. The need for fully trained NC programmers and detail draftsmen is substantially reduced as they will only be required for developing and covering new and/or specific construction Features relative to a company's production requirements.
