- Email: [email protected]
Visualizing parts in 3D
Mixing JIT and MRP Mac-Pac/JIT is a manufacturing planning and control software system now available from Arthur Andersen & Co. Operating within the Mac-Pac/ CIM system it is designed for an environment with a mix of discrete/ job shop and repetitive/JIT operations, including MRP. The 14module system allows communication and integration with an automated plant and incorporates productivity tools for both the end user and D P specialist. It includes rate planning, automatic rescheduling, cell schedules, electronic communication with suppliers, point of use allocation,
card order notice, bring out notice (CONBON), bar-coded part reporting, cost accounting and deduct point relief. The programmers workbench includes automatic shell generation, a screen painter utility and job submission interface. Mac-Pac/JIT runs on the IBM System 370 architecture or plug compatible hardware (typically IBM 30xx, 43xx or 9370 range of machines). It uses IBM's IMS/DB database management system in the MVS or DOS operating system environment using COBOL. A typical system configuration costs £100 000--£120 000. (Arthur Andersen
& Co., 2 Arundel St, London WC2R 3LT, UK. Tel: 01-836 1200) []
CAD systems integration The realtime materials production planning and control system (RMPPC) is the central component of SAP's CIM concept. An interface between this and IBM's CAD system, computer graphic aided threedimensional interactive application (CATIA), is now available. CATIA is most applicable to those case where, in addition to production drawings, further manufacturing requirements exist such as three-dimensional design, NC programs for surface work and complex drilling and machining. The connection between CATIA and RM-PPC is facilitated by the
C A T M I P module. This delivers information from the CAD application for material master records and bills of material to a work data file. RM-PPC then evaluates this file and creates and updates the master records accordingly. Through a second data file, similar structures are communicated for data transfer to CATIA. Price available on request. (SAP
Inc., Leugenestrasse 6, 2504 Biel, Switzerland. Tel: (032) 42 02 73. UK address: Greyhound House, 23-24 George St., Richmond, Surrey TW9 IJY, UK. Tel: 01-948 5771) []
Visualizing parts in 3D PEPS Solid is a solids visualization program generated directly from the PEPS machining program. It gives a three-dimensional graphics representation of the part to be made. The component can be studied from any angle on the screen, with a userdefined light source, to ensure that the shape and finish is accurately
126
represented. The picture will also show the location of fixtures and clamps and the possibility of tool collision with them. The elimination of defects at the visualization stage saves time and money at the machine dry-run stage. A suitably sized billet is first defined from a library or as a collection of
Modular DNC system Up to 24 computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools can be controlled by a modular direct numerical control (DNC) system called Pathcom. Management information on program movements across the system is also maintained. If access to a limited number of machines is required, the D N C system can run in tandem with CAM, from Pathtrace, on the same PC. DNCtype operations will run concurrently with part programming tasks. Connections can be made to a NC/ CNC controller equipped with an RS232 port and program upload/ download facilities. Systems for larger CNC machine installations are configured around work centre computers which may be linked to other work centres and offline programming systems via LANs such as Ethernet. Pathcom includes screen-based editing, scheduling and queuing, builtin file management and shopfloor documentation. The system can be integrated with Pathtrace CAD/CAM packages. Pathcom starts at £2500.
(Pathtrace Engineerin9 Systems Ltd, 5 Frederick Sanger Rd, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5YU, UK. Tel: (0483)301744) [] planar 3D facets. The unmodified PEPS program is then combined with the selected billet to produce an accurate representation of the final component shape. The PEPS solid visualization program will generate cutter paths from the component geometry. It is currently available on the PEPS milling and wire cutting modules and will be extended to turning as well.
(Camtek Ltd, 117 Church St, Malvern, Worcs WR14 2A J, UK. Tel: (06845) 60611 []
Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Systems
card order notice, bring out notice (CONBON), bar-coded part reporting, cost accounting and deduct point relief. The programmers workbench includes automatic shell generation, a screen painter utility and job submission interface. Mac-Pac/JIT runs on the IBM System 370 architecture or plug compatible hardware (typically IBM 30xx, 43xx or 9370 range of machines). It uses IBM's IMS/DB database management system in the MVS or DOS operating system environment using COBOL. A typical system configuration costs £100 000--£120 000. (Arthur Andersen
& Co., 2 Arundel St, London WC2R 3LT, UK. Tel: 01-836 1200) []
CAD systems integration The realtime materials production planning and control system (RMPPC) is the central component of SAP's CIM concept. An interface between this and IBM's CAD system, computer graphic aided threedimensional interactive application (CATIA), is now available. CATIA is most applicable to those case where, in addition to production drawings, further manufacturing requirements exist such as three-dimensional design, NC programs for surface work and complex drilling and machining. The connection between CATIA and RM-PPC is facilitated by the
C A T M I P module. This delivers information from the CAD application for material master records and bills of material to a work data file. RM-PPC then evaluates this file and creates and updates the master records accordingly. Through a second data file, similar structures are communicated for data transfer to CATIA. Price available on request. (SAP
Inc., Leugenestrasse 6, 2504 Biel, Switzerland. Tel: (032) 42 02 73. UK address: Greyhound House, 23-24 George St., Richmond, Surrey TW9 IJY, UK. Tel: 01-948 5771) []
Visualizing parts in 3D PEPS Solid is a solids visualization program generated directly from the PEPS machining program. It gives a three-dimensional graphics representation of the part to be made. The component can be studied from any angle on the screen, with a userdefined light source, to ensure that the shape and finish is accurately
126
represented. The picture will also show the location of fixtures and clamps and the possibility of tool collision with them. The elimination of defects at the visualization stage saves time and money at the machine dry-run stage. A suitably sized billet is first defined from a library or as a collection of
Modular DNC system Up to 24 computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools can be controlled by a modular direct numerical control (DNC) system called Pathcom. Management information on program movements across the system is also maintained. If access to a limited number of machines is required, the D N C system can run in tandem with CAM, from Pathtrace, on the same PC. DNCtype operations will run concurrently with part programming tasks. Connections can be made to a NC/ CNC controller equipped with an RS232 port and program upload/ download facilities. Systems for larger CNC machine installations are configured around work centre computers which may be linked to other work centres and offline programming systems via LANs such as Ethernet. Pathcom includes screen-based editing, scheduling and queuing, builtin file management and shopfloor documentation. The system can be integrated with Pathtrace CAD/CAM packages. Pathcom starts at £2500.
(Pathtrace Engineerin9 Systems Ltd, 5 Frederick Sanger Rd, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5YU, UK. Tel: (0483)301744) [] planar 3D facets. The unmodified PEPS program is then combined with the selected billet to produce an accurate representation of the final component shape. The PEPS solid visualization program will generate cutter paths from the component geometry. It is currently available on the PEPS milling and wire cutting modules and will be extended to turning as well.
(Camtek Ltd, 117 Church St, Malvern, Worcs WR14 2A J, UK. Tel: (06845) 60611 []
Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Systems