- Email: [email protected]
Harnessing CADCAM expertise
t r a n s f e r coefficients of c o m p o u n d m a t e r i a l s result in s m a l l e r d e f o r m a t i o n at t h e c u t t i n g - p o i n t . The l o w y i e l d strength and t h e v e r y m u c h l o w e r t e n s i l e strength of p o l y m e r concrete are i m p o r t a n t d i s a d v a n t a g e s . These l o w s t r e n g t h values make p o l y m e r concrete u n s u i t a b l e f o r service in h i g h l y - l o a d e d m a c h i n e parts so that it is n o w m a i n l y m a s s i v e m a c h i n e structures such as c o l u m n s and beds w h i c h are m a n u f a c t u r e d f r o m this m a t e r i a l . E c o n o m i c aspects are n o w b e c o m i n g m o r e i m p o r t a n t f o r the service of p o l y m e r concrete in m a c h i n e structures.
References 1 Taniguchi N. Current status in, and future trends of, ultraprecision machine and ultrafine materials processing. Annals ClRP, 198332 (2) 2 Weck M. and Petuelli G. Experimentell-rechnerische Ermittlung des statischen und dynamischen Verhaltens spanender Werkzeugmaschinen. VDI-Berichte, 1982, Nr. 456 3 Cranfield Research & Developments Ltd; Report: Synthetic Granite-Granitan $100. A new improved structural material for production machinery 4 Week M. and Sahm D. Gestaltfestigkeit und Schwingungsverhalten gegossener Maschinenteile. VDG-Bericht, 1985 5 Koller R. Entwicklung einer Systematik fLir Verbindungen - ein Vortrag zur Konstruktionsmethodik. Konstruktion, 1984, 36 6 WeckM. Werkzeugrnaschinen Band4: Mel3technische Untersuchungen und Beurteilung. VDI-Verlag, ISBN 3-18-40 0485-6
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Harnessing CADCAMexpertise An expert system with a CADCAM application, claimed to be the first in the world, has been launched by MDSI Schlumberger. Based on MDSI's EQINOXsoftware, the fabrication and geometric modelling packages allow the user, regardless of level of knowledge, immediate access to the expertise of experienced engineers. Features of the 'fabrication CADCAM' software, developed for the sheet metal design and fabrication process, are that: • Fabrication designs are created with natural three-dimensional visualization • Three-dimensional component representations are automatically unfolded for flat pattern development and manufacturing instructions • Fabrication processes are automatically generated based on part features, machine selection, tooling libraries, and material libraries • Development of press brake instructions is simplified • The user can apply his own company's methods at any time in the process The EQINOXgeometric modeller contains several powerful features for 3D design: • A complete list of standard primitives and geometric building blocks allows users to define easily threedimensional surfaces such as ruled, warped, and fillet surfaces, as well as surfaces of revolution • Automaticwireframe development permits quick visualization of
170
7-10April
1986, B r i g h t o n , U K
Low energy ion beams The aim of the conference is to bring together specialists in the fields of ion source development, beam transport, ion beam machines and the application of ion beams for the modification and analysis of solid surfaces. The conference programme will include coverage of the following areas: ion implantation, ion assisted deposition and annealing, sputter profiling, microbeams, low energy ion beams for surface studies, ion and plasma etching, effects on ion bombarded surfaces and interfaces, ion and atom beam source technology, excitation, ionization, charge transfer, ion accelerators. The Institute of Physics, 47 Belgrave Square, London SWIX 8QX, UK
the model during development stages • Surface to surface intersection capabilities make developing complex surtaces a simple task • With the selection of a single menu, any element type can be projected onto a defined surface • Complex surfaces can be stored as one entity, even if created through a combination of many surfaces • Distances and vectors can be obtained from any elements The results of the design stage can be down loaded to the shop floor as NC/CNCprograms using MDSI's DNC package. MDSl Schlumberger, Radcliffe House, Blenheim Court, Solihull, West Midlands B91 2AA, UK
Stimulating standards for design and performance To stimulate new interest in robot standards development and to establish priority areas for its own work, the Robotic Industries Associa-
tion (RIA) has issued a questionnaire to robot users, builders, educators, researchers, accessory suppliers and other groups in the USA with an interest in robotics. According to Samuel Korin, Chair of RIA's R15 Committee on Robotic Standards and Director of IBM's Manufacturing Technology Institute in New York, standards development in the robot industry will be a slowly-evolving process: 'The industry is still developing new equipment features and functions, making it more difficult to develop broad standards'. The work of the RtA parallels the work of the International Standards Organization (ISO). Currently, the ISO is working toward developing robot standards in the areas of terminology and graphic representation; performance criteria and related testing methods; safety; requirements for programming methods and data; and mechanical interface. Robotic Industries Association, Manager of Standards, PO Box 1366 Dearborn, M148121, USA.
PRECISION
ENGINEERING
References 1 Taniguchi N. Current status in, and future trends of, ultraprecision machine and ultrafine materials processing. Annals ClRP, 198332 (2) 2 Weck M. and Petuelli G. Experimentell-rechnerische Ermittlung des statischen und dynamischen Verhaltens spanender Werkzeugmaschinen. VDI-Berichte, 1982, Nr. 456 3 Cranfield Research & Developments Ltd; Report: Synthetic Granite-Granitan $100. A new improved structural material for production machinery 4 Week M. and Sahm D. Gestaltfestigkeit und Schwingungsverhalten gegossener Maschinenteile. VDG-Bericht, 1985 5 Koller R. Entwicklung einer Systematik fLir Verbindungen - ein Vortrag zur Konstruktionsmethodik. Konstruktion, 1984, 36 6 WeckM. Werkzeugrnaschinen Band4: Mel3technische Untersuchungen und Beurteilung. VDI-Verlag, ISBN 3-18-40 0485-6
|,
Harnessing CADCAMexpertise An expert system with a CADCAM application, claimed to be the first in the world, has been launched by MDSI Schlumberger. Based on MDSI's EQINOXsoftware, the fabrication and geometric modelling packages allow the user, regardless of level of knowledge, immediate access to the expertise of experienced engineers. Features of the 'fabrication CADCAM' software, developed for the sheet metal design and fabrication process, are that: • Fabrication designs are created with natural three-dimensional visualization • Three-dimensional component representations are automatically unfolded for flat pattern development and manufacturing instructions • Fabrication processes are automatically generated based on part features, machine selection, tooling libraries, and material libraries • Development of press brake instructions is simplified • The user can apply his own company's methods at any time in the process The EQINOXgeometric modeller contains several powerful features for 3D design: • A complete list of standard primitives and geometric building blocks allows users to define easily threedimensional surfaces such as ruled, warped, and fillet surfaces, as well as surfaces of revolution • Automaticwireframe development permits quick visualization of
170
7-10April
1986, B r i g h t o n , U K
Low energy ion beams The aim of the conference is to bring together specialists in the fields of ion source development, beam transport, ion beam machines and the application of ion beams for the modification and analysis of solid surfaces. The conference programme will include coverage of the following areas: ion implantation, ion assisted deposition and annealing, sputter profiling, microbeams, low energy ion beams for surface studies, ion and plasma etching, effects on ion bombarded surfaces and interfaces, ion and atom beam source technology, excitation, ionization, charge transfer, ion accelerators. The Institute of Physics, 47 Belgrave Square, London SWIX 8QX, UK
the model during development stages • Surface to surface intersection capabilities make developing complex surtaces a simple task • With the selection of a single menu, any element type can be projected onto a defined surface • Complex surfaces can be stored as one entity, even if created through a combination of many surfaces • Distances and vectors can be obtained from any elements The results of the design stage can be down loaded to the shop floor as NC/CNCprograms using MDSI's DNC package. MDSl Schlumberger, Radcliffe House, Blenheim Court, Solihull, West Midlands B91 2AA, UK
Stimulating standards for design and performance To stimulate new interest in robot standards development and to establish priority areas for its own work, the Robotic Industries Associa-
tion (RIA) has issued a questionnaire to robot users, builders, educators, researchers, accessory suppliers and other groups in the USA with an interest in robotics. According to Samuel Korin, Chair of RIA's R15 Committee on Robotic Standards and Director of IBM's Manufacturing Technology Institute in New York, standards development in the robot industry will be a slowly-evolving process: 'The industry is still developing new equipment features and functions, making it more difficult to develop broad standards'. The work of the RtA parallels the work of the International Standards Organization (ISO). Currently, the ISO is working toward developing robot standards in the areas of terminology and graphic representation; performance criteria and related testing methods; safety; requirements for programming methods and data; and mechanical interface. Robotic Industries Association, Manager of Standards, PO Box 1366 Dearborn, M148121, USA.
PRECISION
ENGINEERING