Development of a MultiCAM 4.0 solution for ad-hoc generation of CAD/CAM programming for alternative CNC machines

 

The frequency of short-term rescheduling of CNC machines is constantly increasing as a result of the increased customer-specific production in small batch sizes. In the current practice, rescheduling leads to a large increase in time expenditure of more than 80%, higher personnel costs and reduced flexibility in production. This poses great challenges, especially for SMEs, given the already low margins and increasing competitive pressure.

There is therefore a need for a novel solution that greatly simplifies and shortens the rescheduling process. There is great potential for this in the use of an end-to-end digital process chain. Special attention is paid to modern CAM systems, which offer ever more comprehensive possibilities for production planning. The aim of the "MultiCAM 4.0" project is therefore to develop a solution that enables ad-hoc generation of CAM planning for alternative CNC machines and can be integrated into an existing CAM environment.

The approach for ad-hoc generation of planning on alternative machines is based on an intelligent identification process which recognizes machines suitable for the production of the present component. In order to develop this method, information relevant for the rescheduling, such as the machine kinematics, is to be made digitally available for all existing machines.

Once a suitable alternative machine has been identified, its information is to be transferred to the CAM system. During the original planning phase, an automated, parallel planning for the alternative machine will take place. Should a short-term rescheduling be necessary after completion of the original planning, e.g. because the machine initially selected is not available for unforeseen reasons, it is possible to activate the alternative planning immediately. This guarantees the prompt production of the required components.