Operation optimization: General Industry Coverage

END USER: Paragon Medical Inc., (800) 225-6975, www.paragonmedical.com.
CHALLENGE: Verify and optimize machining operations, including ensuring that cutting tools avoid interference.
SOLUTION: CNC machine simulation software.
SOLUTION PROVIDER: Spring Technologies, (617) 401-2197, www.springplm.com

A CNC machining program typically requires an additional look at the programmer’s work via simulation software to effectively verify and optimize the machining operations. Medical products manufacturer Paragon Medical Inc., Pierceton, Ind., was relying on a module in the software generating the NC code to show how the cutting tools were going to move, but wasn’t getting the whole picture.

“That software doesn’t have the model of the machine tool and never simulated the part in relationship to the machine,” said Mark Erickson, NC programmer for Paragon, a Tier 1 turnkey manufacturer of cases, trays, surgical instrumentation and implants. “We needed to see the part rotate around a 4th or 5th axis between cutting operations to make sure the tool would clear the part. Our software simulated one operation and then the next, but didn’t move the tool from point A to point B. If points A and B are on opposite ends of the part, and the retract plane is not high enough, the part might rotate into the tool. We would rather see that happen on a computer than on the machine.”

To remedy the situation, Paragon conducted an intensive 90-day software assessment. It compared evaluation copies of a couple CNC machine simulation packages and selected NCSIMUL from Spring Technologies, Cambridge, Mass. NCSIMUL simulates, verifies, optimizes and reviews machining programs for CNC machines.

Courtesy of Spring Technologies

NCSIMUL software simulates, verifies, optimizes and reviews machining programs for CNC machines.

“We think of the simulation software as a way to check our work,” Erickson said. “It is a second set of eyes to look it over, like designers have people proofread their prints.”