Maximizing multitasking with CAM: General Industry Coverage

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END USER: Central Utah Tool, (801) 374-2745, centralutahtool.com. CHALLENGE: Minimize time for programming complicated machining on a multitask machine. SOLUTION: CAM software for multitasking. SOLUTION PROVIDER: DP Technology Corp., (805) 388-6000, www.dptechnology.com

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With an array of machine tools ranging from grinders to lathes to manual and CNC mills to wire EDMs, Central Utah Tool handles a host of low-volume, job shop-type work. That includes parts other shops can’t or won’t produce, according to Matt Watters, CNC machinist. “We have some pretty sharp guys here,” he said. “Plus, our tool and cutter shop and wires give us a lot of flexibility.”

After purchasing a 4-axis lathe with live tooling and a subspindle, the Provo, Utah, shop realized the high level of part complexity and productivity that type of machine can achieve. To tackle even more complicated machining tasks, the company purchased a 7-axis Okuma Multus B300 multitask machine with opposed headstocks and a dual-function upper turret. “We stepped it up 30 notches and bought this Multus,” Watters said. “It’s a beast of a machine that does a lot.”

Courtesy of Central Utah Tool

The underside of a prototype aluminum handlebar (top) that holds a joystick for a quilting machine was produced on an Okuma Multus B300 multitask machine using ESPRIT CAM software from DP Technology (shown above).

Central Utah Tool previously relied on its experienced staff to manually program G code, but performing that task for the new machine became too complicated when a part required multiple operations. “Even though each operation by itself may not be that complicated, you end up with one pretty good-size program by the time you add three, four or five operations,” Watters said. “These machines are extremely difficult to program manually.”

Therefore, he began shopping for CAM programming software even though the shop already had two CNC programming software packages. “I took a close look at our software packages and did not feel confident that either of them were up to the challenge of programming a multifunction machine,” Watters said.