Enhanced Hole Processing

Starting with a complete redesign of the 2 Axis Hole Process interface, substantial cycle time improvements in hole processing can be achieved in Velocity II. These enhancements are of substantial benefit when the same tools are used in multiple hole processes. These tools can be sorted by tool number to minimize tool changes and and by Construction View to minimize rotations.

• Redesigned interface
• New Reverse Direction for subsequent tools
• 4- and 5-axis vector biasing
• Enhanced tool sorting

Redesigned Interface

Extensive changes have been made to the Hole Processing dialog. Instead of two tabs, options are organized onto four tabs.

• Tool Information: Lists the process grid and all tool-related parameters.
• Cycle Control: Lists the process grid and cycle-specific parameters.
• Sorting Control: This tab lists the point grid and sorting-specific parameters
  Terminology changes on this screen are:
  • Orthogonal Sorting replaces Linear Sorting
  • Use True Positioning replaces Use Accurate Mode
• Defaults: This tab lists the defaults of most parameters. The option for Recalculate Speed/Feed when New Tool is Chosen is the same as the previous Auto option.
  These defaults can also be defined in the NC Defaults section of the Option dialog on the Tools menu.

Reverse direction for subsequent tools

A new option has been added that controls whether the hole pattern will be drilled in reverse order after a tool change. Reverse ordering only applies when multiple tools are used to drill the same hole pattern.

Sorting Control with Reverse Direction

When the Reverse Direction option is checked, the system drills the hole pattern in reverse order after each tool change. When unchecked, the system repeats the same hole pattern in the same order with each tool.

4- and 5-axis vector biasing

A 4- or 5-axis machine can take longer to orient its rotary axis versus its linear. To reduce the overall cycle time when drilling a part with holes at different angles, SURFCAM provides an option to bias the rotary vs. linear reposition moves.

Sorting Control with Bias Rotary vs. Linear for 4/5 Axis Positioning

The new Bias Rotary vs. Linear for 4/5 Axis Positioning option controls whether the system will drill the hole that has the closest vector versus the next closest hole. Combine this new option with Reverse Direction to further reduce travel time.

Bias Rotary vs. Linear OFF	Bias Rotary vs. Linear ON

tool sorting

Two new checkbox options have been added to the NC Section Information dialog:

• The Sort Tools for Hole Processes option changes the order of tool changes to remove redundant tool changes between hole process operations.
• When the Sort Tools option is checked, the Minimize Rotations for Hole Processes becomes available. This option defines whether the system sorts the tools from multiple subsequent hole process operations across different Construction Views that are not in the same plane.

NC Operations Manager and NC Section Information

The following examples show how the number of tool changes and part rotations can be minimized when the two new sorting options are used. In this case, three separate hole processes use a total of 9 different tools on two different planes.

Sorting Multiple Tools Across Multiple Hole Processes

Sorting Example 1: No Tool Sorting

When Sort Tools for Hole Processes is unchecked, no tool sorting takes place. Each hole process is drilled in order, from first to last.

Number of tool changes: 11
Number of rotations: 2

Sorting Example 2: Minimize Tool Changes

When Sort Tools for Hole Processes is checked, tools are sorted to minimize tool changes.

Number of tool changes: 6
Number of rotations: 7

Sorting Example 3: Minimize Tool Changes, Minimize Rotations

When Minimize Rotations for Hole Processes is checked, tools are sorted to minimize rotations.

Number of tool changes: 9
Number of rotations: 1