Delcam Offers NC-PartLocator for Accurate Machining

By DE Editors

NC-PartLocator highlights discrepancies between the CAD data and the actual position (shown by the red arrows in the top picture)  and then adjusts the CAM toolpaths to compensate.

Delcam has introduced a new software system, NC-PartLocator, to improve the speed and accuracy of production that can be achieved when machining large, complex, or flexible components.  The software, which has been developed in association with metrology specialists MSP, gives the ability to adjust toolpaths to the actual position of the part, rather than having to ensure that the piece is in exactly the nominal location specified in the CAM system. This adjustment can be made in the machine tool control much more quickly and easily than placing, and holding, the part in exactly the specified position.

The NC-PartLocator process uses a probe fitted onto the machine tool to collect the necessary data. A probing sequence is created within the software to collect a series of points from the workpiece. This can be used by a range of best-fit routines within the software to determine the part’s exact position. Any mismatch between the nominal position used in the CAM system to generate the toolpaths and the actual position of the workpiece can be calculated. The software then feeds the results to the machine tool control as a datum shift or rotation to compensate for the differences in location and alignment.

NC-PartLocator can be used for the finish machining of components as well as for the production of tooling. By using NC-PartLocator,  the surface of the component can be mapped, even if using more basic fixturing,  and this surface used to calculate the drilling routine.

A second problem that can occur when drilling composites is that the part can distort as the reinforcement is cut.  This can be overcome with NC-PartLocator by using a two-stage drilling operation. NC-PartLocator can also be used to prevent tolerance build-up when undertaking a series of machining operations. 

For more information, visit Delcam.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.