Software

Datum Calculator | Time Estimation | Proram Conversion Manufacturing Data Collection | Nest Program Estimation Tool Management & Component Scheduling

What is a Datum Calculator ....

Datum Calculator calculates track able points or datum's around a pallet as it indexes through different positions on 4 or 5 Axis, Horizontal or vertical machines. Making it easy to calculate coordinate positions for work offsets within your part programme, whether it be a one off or multiple parts on the pallet.

It saves angled positions for further reference and gives you the opportunity to change machines or original reference positions quickly providing up to date live information.

The data output or programmable work offset line can be configured exactly for your machine and lets you copy and paste it direct into your NC part programme. Back to the Top

What is a time estimate system ....

The ESTIpro - Time Estimate System is an easy to use stand-alone PC based product, although network systems are available if required. It enables the user to produce an accurate time estimate of a component or components that are to be machined on a CNC machine tool for costing or capacity reasons.

Features of the system include a full printout capability for presentation purposes along with a full list of all the tools used within the study.

Included within the software is a comprehensive material database; we have also included some sample tools and sample machines. Some speeds have also been included, however the simplicity of the system allows the user to enter and update the machine, tool, and speeds and feeds databases with their own knowledge and experience making it a unique addition to the production office and ensuring the accuracy of the final times

At any time the user can alter, edit or add tools as well as change speeds and feeds even on a finished study so time is not wasted on mistakes by having to retype the study. Back to the Top

DATAcon - Program conversion software ....

Change one set of data to another data format at the press of a button whether it be NC Conversational programs to ISO format or NC programs to DXF format.

DATAcon is nearly always written to your specification because of the vast range of data that can be converted. A master control is created to include the change criteria and then you just pick the rogram to convert also included is a block number re-sequencer if you so require. Any data not decoded is written to a file where you can access and then change the master control to include the new data.

Examples include ....

* Fanuc conversational macros to standard iso format
* Heidenhain format to Fanuc format
* Old controls to new controls & vice versa
* NC Code to DXF format Back to the Top

DATAlog - Manufacturing data collection and analysis ....

Collect, analyse and manage your machine shop data including machine and operator efficiencies, scrap and cost utilisation and archive component data. The machine, operator and component Input screens are simple to use and store the information in a database format, so editing, deleting etc is easy with full printouts of the information contained in these files.

The input screen can be a separate piece of software that can reside in the administration office with information entered via a job card or on the shop floor where it is directly entered into the system by the operator.

The selection view area is used to search and set the extents for the required information criteria and automatically defaults to a period for the last three months if no information is entered.

Any combination of the fields in this area can be used to collate the data, which can be viewed on the screen, printed as a report or in graph form for presentation purposes, options are available to upgrade the system to bar code entry where a job/route card would be raised by the office containing all the relevant information in the form of a bar code (included within the upgrade package). So all an operator would have to do is swipe the job card, enter his name or swipe an I.D. Card then fill in the Number of parts, time and other information.

Numerous Graphs are available for presentation purposes or notice board Information. Back to the Top

NESTImate - Nest program time estimation ....

NESTimate is an addition to the ESTIpro time estimation system to include Laser, routers, Plasma and Punch press machines, whereby the nested NC code is read by the system to generate the accurate nested cycle times.

Machine parameter cards accurately store the machines non productive times, M codes, G codes and special cycles with the user able to edit all of the default and machine information. A detailed report is automatically generated and stored in its own directory containing all the information including de-code information and a list of all the tools with individual times and this can be printed out at any time NESTimate can be closed down but configured to remain active on your task bar, doing this will initiate the AUTOSCAN mode. NESTimate will look in the directory of your choice every few seconds and Automatically scan any new files that are created or saved there.

The split time calculation screen lists all the tools together with their individual cut, non cut, totals and accumulative running times while the control panel gives the user access to machine overrides together with single Block, split stop and machine stop. Once the scanning is complete a decode log is automatically created and the information can be viewed from within the software. Back to the Top

What is TOOLstat ....

TOOLstat is an in-depth tool management and component scheduling system comprising of different integrated modules to give a fully universal tool and component scheduling system that can save more than 50 per cent on set up times alone.

Are you are reliant on operator knowledge to determine which tools to build, where tools are stored and what tools needed to be built, all this is now taken care of, within a few moments you can have all the relevant information available for a given schedule of components that need to be run on your machines."

Customisation can be added to automatically change the NC program work datum positions from one machine to another, eliminating the need to re-clock and reset the datum positions when changing components from machine to machine, and enhancing the core purpose of the system which is to reduce set up times.

So, how does the system work? First, create a tool library made up of tool build assemblies, by giving the tool a reference number with up to eight digits. This maybe, for example, a 20 mm carbide endmill for roughing. This tool will have a set length, size and tool build, and a copy of the tool can also be created, which will become its sister tool. Each tool is made up of individual items, in this case a 20 mm diameter carbide endmiil, 20 mm diameter endmill adaptor and pullstud.

These items are stored within the stores library. The stores library can be used as a fully functional stores database or just to store certain information for viewing and print out when scheduling components or operator setting. Tools may have the same items for the tool build but a different tool length or used for finishing, for which there would be another tool number.

Once a tool library is created you will need to create a component library. For each component you need to input a certain amount of infOlmation and the accuracy of this information will determine the accuracy of the scheduler. The required information is obtained by using the NC file auto scan facility which will read the NC file and not only produce a tool list but an accurate cycle time together with individual tool times and non cut times.

A schedule is built up of the required components from a work to do list and with all this information in place it is a simple matter of selecting the component or components required for scheduling, choosing the machine or machines and pressing the button.

The system allows the monitoring and scheduling of tooling for a production work schedule, predicting tool life, when the tools will need changing within the production schedule and where all the tools are located. Back to the Top