Selection of sheet metal software

The abstract analyzes and compares the advantages and disadvantages of the application of three kinds of software on Fanjin NC equipment, proposes and experiments a method of using CAD/CAM software in combination, and makes full use of the advantages of each software, thereby greatly improving the performance of Fanjin NC processing equipment. Productivity.


1 Overview
    The benefits brought by large-scale CNC processing equipment to the machining industry are not limited to improving the machining accuracy and reducing the labor intensity of workers. In fact, the wide application of CNC equipment makes production automation and management automation (including Drawing processing, etc.) become possible, which is a revolution in production methods including production management. Therefore, how to maximize and effectively utilize the capabilities of CNC machining equipment has become a key to this transformation.
 
    Usually, the manufacturers of various CNC processing equipment provide different NC codes and special programming languages. Because the language is too simple and programming is cumbersome, it is very inconvenient for users to use. Especially for units with CNC punching machines, the actual utilization efficiency of CNC equipment is very low for units with small production batches and many types of parts.
 
    In order to effectively utilize the processing capabilities of CNC punching machines and prepare for future non-mapping work, we decided to introduce advanced CAD/CAM software as a software platform, using its excellent modeling functions, drawing functions and post-processing (automatic The function of generating machine tool processing G code) enables the CNC punching machine to maximize its efficiency.
 
    After investigation and research, we selected three kinds of CAD/CAM software as samples for selection and comparison: Pro/ENGINEER from the US company, Cimatron system from Israel, and Radan rice metal processing software package from the UK.

2 Comparison of three software (See Table 1)

 
    Through investigation and research, we found that:
    A. They are basically the same in function, both of them are good at three-dimensional modeling and rapid layout.
    ——Powerful 3D modeling function: parametric design, convenient and rapid establishment of 3D of various complex parts Wireframe modeling, solid model, surface modeling (including surface intersection, surface blending, etc.).

   —— Rapid metal unfolding function: quickly unfold the three-dimensional metal parts (including the unfolding of the curved surface).
 
    The common disadvantage of the two is: since both of them take precision CNC milling as the main object, there is less consideration for CNC machining of rice metal, so it is inconvenient to apply it directly to CNC punching machines. Sample, material utilization rate is low; circular travel knife, machine tool use efficiency is low; In addition, the consideration of micro-connection, overshoot, odd-even jump, secondary positioning, etc. is also relatively lacking.
 
    B. Radan is just the opposite, because it is a special CAD/CAM software for metal processing, so its design on the metal CNC punching machine is very detailed.
 
    ——Automatic nesting: Based on the user-defined nesting part planning file, the nesting diagram is automatically generated based on the reasonable and most used nesting rules. Obtain the layout diagram with the highest material utilization rate, the shortest machine tool adjustment time, and meeting user requirements.

   —— Tool path optimization: According to the various hole shapes on the workpiece and the nesting results of the nesting parts, based on the reasonable path optimization rules of the software itself, the tool path is automatically optimized to generate the shortest tool path, the least processing time, and the highest machine utilization rate NC code file.

   —— Automatically generate operation process files: automatically generate NC machining operation process files, and users can define parameters on the process files.
 
    The actual production of my unit is precisely that the batch is small and there are many parts. A large number of drawings drawn by hand in the past (including those drawn with AutoCAD) still need to be used now, but these drawings cannot be directly used on CNC equipment, and their three-dimensional modeling must be established on CAD/CAM software. Therefore, it is inconvenient to use any of the above-mentioned software alone.
 
    For this reason, we decided to adopt the method of combining two into one, using Pro/E (or Cimatron)'s powerful CAD 3D modeling and layout function together with Radan's detailed layout CAM automatic layout and automatic optimization of tool path And other functions, maximize their strengths and avoid weaknesses, give full play to their greatest advantages, and get the most satisfactory application effect.
 
    My unit is currently promoting the use of Por/E, so we use the joint use of Pro/E and Radan. The key to the combined use of the two software is the correct conversion of data files. In order to prove the reliability of this method, a variety of data file conversion experiments were carried out between various software, the specific experimental method is as follows:

    ——Use Po/E to create a three-dimensional metal part shape, and expand it to generate expanded parts to form Po/E A .Prt(part) file. ——Use the file conversion module of Pro/E to convert the .prt file of the expanded part into standard graphic files .IGES and .DXF.
   
    - Read .IGES or .DXF files with Radan's CAD file interface.
 
    The data conversion result is correct, there is no missing line phenomenon, the size is completely correct, and it meets the intended purpose. The experiment proves that the method is simple, effective and reliable.
 
3 Conclusion
    Effectively utilizing the capabilities of CNC machining equipment is a key to improving production efficiency and realizing management automation. The processing efficiency of CNC equipment is high, but the programming is troublesome. According to the actual situation of the unit, selecting appropriate CAD/CAM software according to local conditions will give full play to the processing capabilities of CNC processing equipment and greatly improve processing efficiency. The method of using two complementary CAD/CAM software (pro/E and Radan) to generate CNC machining G codes,It provides a new effective and convenient method for the selection of CAD/CAM software.