Why does CAD/CAM allow you to add new markets and also earn money?

Why does CAD/CAM allow you to add new markets and also earn money?

17 Apr 2020 | CAD/CAM

While many companies have not yet acquired their own CAD/CAM solution, the fact remains that a well-thought-out CAD/CAM solution can be a great ally in growing your business. How can CAD/CAM allow you to add new markets? What are the main criteria to take into account when choosing a CAD/CAM solution? Our answers.

A CAD/CAM to add new markets

Regardless of the type of business, part programming without a CAD/CAM solution, although possible, very quickly reaches a certain limit in terms of technicality and quality. While using a manual and conversational programming “genius” may seem like a viable option, it is nonetheless unrealistic and resolutely limited for large-scale production capacity.

For many companies, equipping themselves with a CAD/CAM solution not only allows them to develop additional technical programming skills, but also represents a significant lever to be able to respond to numerous requests for tenders, which were previously declined.

Better performance, lower costs: there are many advantages to using a CAD/CAM system:

  • Less tool wear
  • Less waste
  • Less machine downtime
  • Better rationalization
  • etc.

In a development logic, the acquisition of an efficient CAD/CAM is a key step for companies. Whatever the specialization of the company, CAD/CAM becomes an ally of machines and human resources, and leads the company towards markets that were previously inaccessible due to a lack of resources. With the ability to produce more, in less time, the company can therefore go further, expand its offer, enter new markets and increase its turnover.

 

Choosing a CAD/CAM software that supports your growth

Though the added value of a CAD/CAM software is already proven, it is still necessary to choose the solution best suited to your needs, which will help you to expand your business. What are the focal points to be taken into account?

 

Benefits of a fully integrated CAD/CAM solution

Not all CAD and CAM solutions are created equal. Some solutions only offer the Computer Aided Manufacturing option, i.e. only the part relating to the programming of CNC (Computer Numerical Control Machines). In this case, it will be difficult for users to design their own parts to be machined or define a machining setup. To address this situation, users tend to add a CAD solution to their CAM solution. We can therefore talk about a “partially” integrated solution. And for good reason, since the exchanges between the two solutions are not “native”, they are often more difficult to master, not always reliable and even sometimes hazardous.

While a CAD/CAM solution is intended to support the company in its development, choosing a fully integrated solution is preferable. The union between Design and Manufacturing is therefore natively made, and communication between the two entities is direct, optimal and without any ambiguity.

 

 

TopSolid CAD/CAM Product Range

Criteria to be taken into account

A CAD/CAM solution must be a complete, flexible, modern and easy to use tool. It must therefore:

  • Offer a range of possible simple features that can be quickly assimilated by an experienced professional, but also by a new employee discovering the company and its specificities in machining.
  • Be perfectly compatible with the company’s means of production, in particular the machines to be driven and their diversity –  language, technology (3x,4x,5x, turning, mill-turn), their size, their complexity (multi-spindle, multi-table, head attachments, etc.).
  • Be perfectly compatible with the expected manufacturing needs. The software tool must be able to meet the company’s machining needs and manufacture the customer’s parts.

If it responds to these various challenges, a CAD/CAM solution is a way for the company to be more efficient in its production:

  • Reducing programming times
  • Reducing machining times
  • Improving quality (less waste)
  • Reducing costs
  • Being more competitive in the face of the competition, either in terms of time or price
  • And therefore gaining more market share

Advantage of teaching CAD/CAM nationally

In addition to the performance of the CAD/CAM solution, favoring a solution that is taught at the national level represents added value and potential for companies looking for development. The fact that a CAD/CAM solution is taught at the national level is not only a guarantee of confidence, but it also represents a major advantage for companies in terms of human resources management: easier recruitment, faster integration, increased productivity, etc.

 

TopSolid, a growth partner for companies

For more than 30 years, TopSolid has been adapting its offer to the needs of the market in which it operates. A CAD/CAM solution acclaimed by teachers, TopSolid can be proud of offering a “fully” integrated digital channel. Responding to the growth and development challenges faced by many companies, regardless of their size, today we are proud to contribute to their acquisition of new markets and their prosperity. To find out to what extent CAD/CAM can be a lever for performance and growth, there is nothing like seeing it with your own eyes: our customers In Bo and VCN Industries (videos available in French).

BoostMilling: how to save time on machining cycles?

BoostMilling: how to save time on machining cycles?

4 Feb 2020 | CAM, Machining

Extremely hard materials, exotic shapes: machining tools are often put to the test and their lifespan is sometimes limited. BoostMilling is a roughing strategy that removes material faster while increasing tool life. Let’s find out more about what BoostMilling  is and how it can save you money.

Switch from traditional machining to BoostMilling

In traditional machining, the path of a tool on a part to be machined leads to inconsistent material removal, because of the complex geometries. This “pass taking” variable results in overloading the tool. With BoostMilling, machining is “smoother”, for both the tool and the machine.

Example of a machining path without BoostMilling: the areas in red are those that are in overload

Step over in traditional machining

Decreasing the step over theoretically reduces the load. Therefore, going from 50 to 10 % of step over reduces the load by 40 %. Nevertheless, even in this configuration, the red areas in the previous diagram remain overloaded.

Going from 50 to 10 % of step over reduces the load by 40 %

The problem of the inconsistent angle between tool and material

Traditional tool paths also have two other disadvantages:

  • The tool/material angle is too large, greater than 90°;
  • This angle varies too much;

Therefore, if going from 50 to 10% of the step-over reduces the value of this angle, it still remains variable in some areas. The solution is therefore to find a tool path that keeps this angle.

 

The principle of BoostMilling

BoostMilling allows you to keep a constant pass taking on the entire tool path. How is this possible? By using complex tool paths, you can remove a homogeneous volume of material.

Use the full length of the tool with BoostMilling

In traditional machining, the radial width of each pass is large, greater than 50% of the tool diameter and a shallow depth. The principle of BoostMilling is to reduce this width while increasing the pass depth. This method also has the advantage of using the cutting tool over its entire length, which results in more even wear.

Keep a constant angle with BoostMilling

The power of BoostMilling lies in modifying the tool paths so as to maintain a constant angle. This makes it possible to considerably increase the speed per tooth.

Heat removal and constant pressure

By exerting constant pressure on the tool, not only is the radial pitch reduced, but the pass depth is also increased. The feed rate can be increased to 10 times greater than in traditional machining.

In addition, heat removal is easier with BoostMilling.

TopSolid CAD/CAM Product Range

What are the advantages of BoostMilling?

By choosing to switch to BoostMilling, you will benefit from several advantages that can impact your productivity in the long run.

Reduction of machining time

Although the tool paths are longer in BoostMilling, a high machining depth combined with a high feed rate greatly reduces “chip time”. Therefore, saving 30 to 70% more time is expected with BoostMilling.

For example, 3.5 hours spent in traditional machining operations correspond to 1.5 hours of machining time for a roughing cycle in BoostMilling.

 

Increased tool life

With BoostMilling, the load is distributed evenly over the entire tool. This means that there is less risk of tool breakage, which increases the lifespan of the tool. In addition, machining operations can be accelerated.

A tool lasts 5 to 10 times longer with BoostMilling.

 

Machine preservation

Overloading is one of the stresses to which machining machines are regularly subjected, along with vibrations. Overexertion of the tools is usually the cause. By reducing overloads, BoostMilling significantly reduces the stress on the machines.

BoostMilling increases machine life expectancy and reduces maintenance costs

 

Constant chip volumes

With BoostMilling, the forces on the tool are homogeneous, because the machined volume remains constant. Therefore, the amount of chips produced is also the same throughout the entire machining cycle.

 

Why is BoostMilling interesting?

The BoostMilling roughing strategy is extremely interesting for machining hard materials, parts with thin walls and during large material removal.

Machining hard materials

BoostMilling is particularly useful for machining hard or exotic materials. Indeed, these materials are difficult to machine and the tool life is greatly reduced with these materials. In addition, tool overloads and the associated heat generation are forcing machinists to reduce machining speeds.

Thin parts

BoostMilling is particularly suitable for machining parts with small wall thicknesses. Indeed, with this soft roughing technique, it is possible to machine as close as possible to the thin walls without the risk of breaking or deforming them.

BoostMilling is an additional TopSolid’Cam module that is aimed at machinists who wish to increase the life of their tools and save machining time. Are you a company concerned with the machining of large titanium parts with complex shapes? In this case, BoostMilling is for you!
Which CAD/CAM solution should you choose for the production of single parts, small, medium, or large quantities?

Which CAD/CAM solution should you choose for the production of single parts, small, medium, or large quantities?

18 Nov 2019 | CAD/CAM

In an ultra-competitive market, companies are confronted with the increasing reactivity from professionals in their market. A reactivity that they must match, or better yet, surpass. At the other end of the commercial supply chain, the customers themselves are raising their level of demand. In a technological context of process automation, where AI allows for extra confidence in speed and reliability, customers feel justified in demanding impeccable results within a short timeframe. Two significant – and closely related – objectives are emerging: to produce quickly and satisfactorily.

 

To be more competitive, maintain your business relationships, and attract new customers, you need to produce your parts according to your customers’ requests, at the best price, and within the required deadlines. The challenges remain the same in the production of single parts, small, medium, or large quantities. How to address them? By equipping yourself with a high-performance and adapted computer-aided design and manufacturing tool. Which CAD/CAM solution should you choose for the production of single parts, small, medium, or large quantities? Here is an update on the main advantages of the software.

Which CAD/CAM solution to save time?

 

1st objective of the company producing single parts, small, medium or large quantities: to produce quickly. CAD/CAM, provided that the software is well-chosen, meets this need for increasing speed.

 

As a subcontractor, you need to be able to:

 

  • Import parts from any CAD system reliably and without wasting time. Parts are not necessarily created in your software. THEREFORE, your CAD/CAM solution must allow importing through interfaces that automatically retrieve data without error. You can quickly modify parts to meet customer requirements, make them machinable, or redraw drawings.
  • Easily machine your parts with the latest high-performance technologies available on any type of machine. The more intuitive and ergonomic your CAD/CAM solution is, the easier it is to use, the better you benefit from its advanced technologies. You save considerable time in production.
  • Simulate, check and control your program before it goes to the machine. This way, you can check that the result is in line with expectations and ensure maximum reliability. The quality of your service guarantees a higher level of customer satisfaction.

 

To produce single parts, small, medium, or large quantities quickly – and well – check that your CAD/CAM solution meets these requirements.

 

TOPSOLID SAS is aware of the challenges you face in terms of competitiveness and has integrated all of these basic requirements into its TopSolid’Cam software.

 

You can model directly in TopSolid or import your workpieces from any CAD/CAM system, thanks to many native or standard interfaces that allow you to retrieve geometries and manufacturing data reliably. Machining paths are automatically recalculated without any user intervention, saving considerable time.

TopSolid CAD/CAM Product Range

A scalable CAD/CAM software that adapts to all situations

 

The life cycle of parts requires them to be modified continuously. A part is likely to evolve and change revisions over time, especially in the following situations:

 

  • Customers’ needs vary. To address them accurately, the parts must be adapted appropriately.
  • As innovations are made, technologies are moving up stream. The performance of the parts must be constantly improved upon to remain up to date in real-time.
  • The addition of options allows us to offer a higher level of service to stand out in a solid competitive context.
  • Error corrections must be made efficiently and quickly.

 

In these conditions, and whatever the situation, you need to be able to rely on a CAD/CAM solution that offers powerful modification functions after the fact. TopSolid’Cam meets this need for scalability thanks to its optimal handling of the modification management aspect for your single parts, small, medium, or large batches.

 

Regardless of the type of production, TopSolid’Cam manages last-minute changes with precision. For example:

 

  • Operations are deleted or reversed, changing the machining sequence? The stock management function allows you to automatically modify the process to adapt to the change in the state of the stock. The operations are associative to the geometry: they follow the modifications of the part, and the programmer’s work is considerably lightened.
  • You had planned a whole program on a machine that breaks down on the day? In a few clicks, you can transfer the programs from machine A to machine B. By switching the machine at any time, without wasting time, you ensure that the program is delivered on time.

CAD/CAM to perpetuate its know-how

 

Your know-how is a precious intangible asset to be preserved… and perpetuated. How can you do this? With a high-performance CAD/CAM solution for the production of single parts, small, medium, or large batches.

 

With TopSolid’Cam, you can capitalize on your know-how and optimize its implementation. Our CAD/CAM solution allows you to automate all your operation sequences, which are previously parameterized using your company knowledge and stored securely within the software. You save hours of programming time, and your productivity increases accordingly.

TopSolid’Cam is the modern, scalable and complete CAD/CAM solution for producing single parts, small, medium, and large quantities. The tool adapts immediately and reliably to meet all your requirements, considering the customer’s demands. TopSolid’Cam is your best ally for best performance, combining modern technology with ease of use.

Everything you need to know about programming complex parts

Everything you need to know about programming complex parts

24 Jul 2019 | CAD/CAM, CAM, Machining

In CAD/CAM, and particularly in machining, the manufacturing of parts with complex shapes must comply with the functional specifications expressed by the designer or the creator. The geometric model built in CAD is a digital reference model that must be reproduced as accurately as possible during the manufacturing phase. Complex shapes can sometimes be difficult to reproduce: adequate programming is therefore the key to success in CAD/CAM.

What is a complex part?

We speak of a complex part when there are topologies that must go through many machining paths, often with risk of collision, as well as areas that are difficult to access. The notion of the complexity of a part does not only depend on its shape or its size. In fact, the nature of the material used, the presence of residual stresses, the risk of overheating or the precision that is required are all factors that contribute to complicating the task for the machine tool operators.

 

Examples of complex parts

  • Aluminum moulds for plastic injection;
  • Automobile cylinder heads;
  • Inconel turbine blades for aeronautics;
  • Titanium bearings for the aerospace industry.

 

TopSolid CAD/CAM Product Range

Steps for successful programming

Before proceeding to the manufacturing stage, it is essential to be well prepared. The CAD file of the part to be designed must first be checked and the tolerances adjusted. It is obviously necessary to choose the machine and tools adapted to the expected result and, if possible, to go through a simulation stage. 

 

Preliminary analysis

Before starting the manufacturing stage, all parts must be checked. First, make sure that it is the correct part and the correct version of the file. 

 

Tolerance management

For a complex CAD model to be machinable, it often requires modification. In fact, in most situations, CAD models are drawn from nominal dimensions. However, manufacturing and machining operations impose tolerances that will need to be adjusted in the CAD files. If you are using a CAD/CAM software, think about its ability to modify the dimensions afterward.  

 

Choosing machines and cutting tools

Not all machines are created equal. Choosing the right machine depends on many parameters such as the shape of the part, the size, the material, etc. Likewise, there is a multitude of cutting tools dedicated to machining complex parts. Their shape depends on the geometries to be drilled, turned or milled, and the material they are made of is selected according to the material to be machined as well as the kinematic parameters. The choice of machines and tools will therefore strongly determine the success of the machining process.  

 

Go through a simulation step before starting the manufacturing

Machining complex parts is expensive, so it is best to avoid messing up the first parts and having to perform machining operations again. Therefore, simulating the tool paths in parallel with the programming allows the operator to compare the simulated model with the machining in progress, which prevents the risk of collision and enables real-time reaction.

 

Advantages of TopSolid

One of the challenges of CAD/CAM is producing complex parts using the minimum number of steps, the ideal is to be able to independently machine a part, without disassembly. TopSolid’Cam is therefore able to manage the programming of lathes/milling machines, whether turning combined with 2D or 3D milling operations as well as 4-axis or 5-axis continuous.  

 

Managing the latest tools

TopSolid’Cam is able to manage the new barrel milling cutters. These milling cutters are best able to adapt to the shapes with low curvature, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the number of passes in the 5-axis tool path.  

 

Dynamic machining in turning and milling

TopSolid’Cam integrates a high-performance machining function, which makes it possible to keep a constant volume of material removed during the machining process and therefore to wear out the cutting tools less quickly.  

Easy to modify afterward

The TopSolid software, and in particular the version dedicated to TopSolid’Cam machining, is extremely flexible as it offers powerful features that allow you to modify the parts afterward. This is an asset for the manufacturing of complex parts, which require many adjustments.  

 

Automatic shape detection

TopSolid can automatically detect basic shapes such as grooves, drillings and pockets on models designed with TopSolid, but also on imported models. This makes the software a valuable ally that helps to guide the operator to the right machining strategies through intelligent topological analysis.  

 

Powerful algorithms

The programming of complex 4-axis and 5-axis parts requires high-performance simulation tools and powerful automation. TopSolid’Cam incorporates valuable automatic features such as collision detection, which helps to reduce machining defects. Thanks to all the machining algorithms offered by TopSolid, it is possible to process all the parts of a mould, for example.  

How do you manage a large interior design project using a CAD/CAM software?

How do you manage a large interior design project using a CAD/CAM software?

3 Jul 2019 | CAD, CAD/CAM, Wood

Carrying out all the work involved in site layout is a part of the daily life of interior designers. As a decoration and finishing specialist, he is called upon to manage projects of all sizes and to work from interior design concepts and execution drawings. CAD/CAM software is a valuable ally for large and complex projects. Let’s find out why together.

What do we mean by a large-scale project?

 

An interior design project is said to be “large-scale” when it is complex, when the surfaces involved are large and when several sectors of activity are involved. In general, designing surfaces larger than 50 m² is considered to be a large-scale job.

Examples of large-scale interior design projects

Designing a complete Hotel is considered to be a large-scale project. A hotel is not only made up of rooms, but also of a lobby, a restaurant, a bar and corridors, which must be harmoniously arranged to form an aesthetic whole. The nautical industry is also strongly affected by large-scale interior design and mainly the luxury yacht market. There are even super-yachts over 150 meters long with several thousand square meters of living space including spas, swimming pools, libraries and a large amount of nesting furniture. The arrangement of such a complicated project is usually entrusted to companies specializing in luxury naval carpentry.

The need for collaborative work

Large-scale interior design projects, such as those mentioned above, require the use of different but complementary professions. Specialized people with valuable expertise will thus be brought together to work in a coordinated manner. But when it comes to collaborative work, you need the right tools. Like BIM (Building Information Modeling), which consists of having employees working on a digital model, a large-scale interior design project can rely on modern work tools such as CAD/CAM software.

 

TopSolid CAD/CAM Product Range

How can CAD/CAM be involved in a large-scale interior design project?

 

A CAD/CAM software allows you to design parts in 3D model (CAD), but also includes the manufacturing part (CAM). It is therefore essential for companies that manufacture furniture using numerical control machines based on drawings. However, some software, such as TopSolid, offers other features which are particularly suitable for interior design projects.

 

TopSolid’Wood software and work by areas

 

One of the significant features of TopSolid’Wood is that it allows the user to work in several workspaces or areas. The concept is as follows: from a master file, the user will be able to create several workspaces in which the interior design of each area will be created. Once the design of each area is completed, the user can then generate a final assembly from the files.

 

Advantages of the “master” file

 

Working with a master file is convenient. But its main advantage is probably the flexibility it provides by facilitating file update processes. In addition, the TopSolid’Wood master file provides an overview using a construction tree that provides access to all workspaces. This allows you to make changes in order to define spaces even more quickly. In addition, TopSolid’Wood allows you to create a master file from the CAD files from other software.

 

(more…)