1、CAM and CNC CAM systems have changed the job of the CNC programmer from one manually producing CNC code to one maximizing the output of CNC machines. Since CNC machine tools are made by a great number of manufacturers, many different CNC control units are in use. Control units from different manufac
2、turers use a variety of program formats and codes. Many CNC code words are identical for different controllers, but a great number vary from one to another. To produce an identical part on CNC machine tools with different controllers such as one by FANCU, OKUMA or DYNAPATH, would require completely
3、different CNC codes. Each manufacturer is constantly improving and updating its CNC controllers. These improvements often include additional code words plus changes in how the existing code works. A CAM systems allows the CNC programmer to concentrate on the creation of an efficient machining proces
4、s, rather then relearning changed code formats. A CNC programmer looks at the print of a part and then plans the sequence of machining operations necessary to make it (Figure O-3). This plan includes everything, from the selection of possible CNC machine tools, to which tooling to use, to how the pa
5、rt is held while machining takes place. The CNC programmer has to have a thorough understanding of all the capacities and limitations of the CNC machine tools that a program is to be made for. Machine specifications such as horsepower, maximum spindle speeds, workpiece weight and size limitations, a
6、nd tool changer capacity are just some of the considerations that affect programming. Another area of major importance to the programmer is the knowledge of machining processes. An example would be the selection of the surface finish requirement specified in the part print. The sequence of machining
7、 processes is critical to obtain acceptable results. Cutting tool limitations have to be considered and this requires knowledge of cutting tool materials, tool types, and application recommendations. A good programmer will spend a considerable amount of time in researching the rapidly growing volume
8、 of new and improved tools and tool materials. Often the tool that was on the cutting edge of technology just two years ago is now obsolete. Information on new tools can come from catalogs or tool manufacturers tooling engineers. Help in tool selection or optimum tool working conditions can also be
9、obtained from tool manufacturer software. Examples would be Kennametals TOOLPRO, software designed to help select the best tool grade, speed, and feed rates for different work materials in turning application. Another very important feature of TOOLPRO is the display of the horsepower requirement for
10、 each machining selection. This allow the programmer to select a combination of cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut that equals the machines maximum horsepower for roughing cuts. For a finishing cut, the smallest diameter of the part being machined is selected and then the cutting speed varie
11、d until the RPM is equal to the maximum RPM of the machine. This helps in maximizing machining efficiency. Knowing the horsepower requirement for a cut is critical if more than one tool is cutting at the same time. Software for a machining center application would be Ingersoll Tool Companys Actual C
12、hip Thickness, a program used to calculate the chip thickness in relation to feed-per-tooth for a milling cutter, especially during a shallow finishing cut. Ingersolls Rigidity Analysis software ealculates tool deflection for end mills as a function of tool stiffness and tool force. To this point we
13、 looked at some general qualifications that a programmer should possess. Now we examine how a CAM system works. Point Control Companys SmartCam system uses the following approach. First, the programmer makes a mental model of the part to be machined. This includes the kind of machining to be perform
14、ed-turning or milling. Then the part print is studied to develop a machining sequence, roughing and finishing cuts, drilling, tapping, and boring operations. What work-holding device is to be used, a vise or fixture or clamps? After these considerations, computer input can be started. First comes th
15、e creation of a JOBPLAN. This JOBPLAN consists of entries such as inch or metric units, machine type, part ID, type of workpiece material, setup notes, and a description of the required tools. This line of information describes the tool by number, type, and size and includes the appropriate cutting
16、speed and feed rate. After all the selected tools are entered, the file is saved. The second programming step is the making of the part. This represents a graphic modeling of the projected machining operation. After selecting a tool from the prepared JOBPLAN, parameters for the cutting operation are
17、 entered. For a drill, once the coordinate location of the hole and the depth are given, a circle appears on that spot. If the location is incorrect, the UNDO command erases this entry and allows you to give new values for this operation. When an end mill is being used, cutting movements (toolpath)
18、are usually defined as lines and arcs. As a line is programmed, the toolpath is graphically displayed and errors can be corrected instantly. At any time during programming, the command SHOWPATH will show the actual toolpath for each of the programmed tools. The tools will be displayed in the sequenc
19、e in which they will be used during actual machining. If the sequence of a tool movement needs to be changed, a few keystrokes will to that. Sometimes in CAM the programming sequence is different from the actual machining order. An example would be the machining of a pocket in a part. With CAM, the
20、finished pocket outline is programmed first, then this outline is used to define the roughing cuts to machine the pocket. The roughing cuts are computer generated from inputs such as depth and width of cut and how much material to leave for the finish cut. Different roughing patterns can be tried ou
21、t to allow the programmer to select the most efllcient one for the actual machining cuts. Since each tool is represented by a different color, it is easy to observe the toolpath made by each one. A CAM system lets the programmer view the graphics model from varying angles, such as a top, front, side
22、, or isometric view. A toolpath that looks correct from a top view, may show from a front view that the depth of the cutting tool is incorrect. Changes can easily be made and seen immediately. When the toolpath and the sequence of operations are satisfactory, machine ready code has to be made. This
23、is as easy as specifying the CNC machine that is to be used to machine the part. The code generator for that specific CNC machine during processing accesses four different files. The JOBPLAN file for the tool information and the GRAPHICE file for the toolpath and cutting sequence. It also uses the M
24、ACHINE DEFINE file which defines the CNC code words for that specific machine. This file also supplies data for maximum feed rates, RPM, toolchange times, and so on. The fourth file taking part in the code generating process is the TEMPLATE file. This file acts like a ruler that produces the CNC cod
25、e with all of its parts in the right place and sequence. When the code generation is complete, a projected machining time is displayed. This time is calculated from values such as feed rates and distances traveled, noncutting movements at maximum feed rates between points, tool change times, and so
26、on. The projected machining time can be revised by changing tooling to allow for higher metal removal rates or creating a more efficient toolpath. This display of total time required can also be used to estimate production costs. If more then one CNC machine tool is available to machine this part, m
27、aking code and comparing the machining time may show that one machine is more efficient than the others. CAM 和 CNC CAM 系统改变了 CNC 程序员的工作，即从手工编制 CNC 代码到 CNC 车床的输出最大值。自从手工 CNC 车床被一大批厂家生产以来，许多不同的 CNC 控制单元就被使用了。各个不同的厂家的控制单元使用各个不相同的程序与代码。许多CNC 代码语句可被不同的控制器识别。但其间还有众多的区别。为了在有着不同控制器（如 FAWC、 OKUMA、或 DYNAPATH）
28、生产一个可互换的零件，将需要完全不同的 CNC 代码。每个制造商在不断地提高和更新其 CNC 控制。这些改进通常包括附加的代码语句在已有代码如何工作上的变 化。 CAM 系统允许 CNC 程序员在高效的加工过程的建立上浓缩、精选、而不重新学习已改变的代码格式。一个 CNC程序员看着一个零件的图纸，并且设计必要的车床操作来制造这个零件（如图O-3）。这个设计包括以下每个因素，从可能使用的 CNC 车床的选择，到车床的使用选择，再到加工时的零件装夹的选择。 CNC 程序员必须对这个即将写入程序的CNC 车床的能力和局限有一个完全的了解。车床主参数如马力主轴马力、最大转速、工作台的重量、工具的尺寸限制、加工变化能力等只是值得考虑的影响程序的因素中的一些。对程序员要求的另一个最重要领域是 制造过程的知识。举例如选择最佳的切削工具来完成零件图上所标的公差和表面光洁度。这个加工过程的程序是吹毛求疵地获得符合的结果。车床极限能力必须考虑全面，这就需要刀具材料，刀具类型，和其推荐应用的知识。一个优秀的程序员将花相当数量的时间来研究关于新的、改进的刀具和刀具材料的快速设计者发表的书籍。通常在切削方面使用两年前的技术的刀具现在就是落后的。新刀具的信息来自手册或刀具制造商的刀具之资料。刀具选择或最佳刀具工作条件的帮助同样可在刀具制造商的
