NC Express PowerPlan Software
by Kyle Plass
CAD/CAM Coordinator
In recent years, CAM softwares have evolved
to become a significant component of shop floor management.
Utilized to increase the data flow within the production
cycle, CAM software can be used to link the MRP/ERP system
to the CNC machinery. Many companies struggle daily to
discover different ways to increase their production
flow through their programming department - continuing
to the shop floor. As an industry leader in development
of CNC based manufacturing software, Finn-Power, has
developed a powerful CAM package to help companies to
gain a higher level of automation and productivity.
 Automated
CAM System
Finn-Power's scalable CAM package, NC Express,
can be used either as a single part drafting and tooling
program or as a fully automated machine tool management
system. NC Express contains many features which make
it possible for the end user to automate daily tasks.
A key feature, Orders Management System (OMS), allows
for the link from the MRP/ERP system to the CNC equipment
to be made. The OMS allows the end user to import production
requirements within the nesting software.
From job shop to OEM, the OMS can benefit
the end user taking orders from the MRP/ERP and processing
into nests. The level of automation that can be achieved
within the system is directly related to the intricacies
of the parts. There are four main functions of NC Express:
Part Preparation, Nesting, Optimization and Post Processing.
All four are capable of being automated. Part Preparation
has capabilities from automatic application of tooling to
automatic application of robot sorting. Nesting, based upon
material, can be used to automatically nest common line parts
while taking tool overlap into consideration. Integrated
within Nesting is the ability to automatically calculate
part stacking to help manage large runs where automated stacking
equipment exists. Optimization and Post Processing can be
automated in all machinery types using default settings to
optimize tool paths, changes and clamp positioning.
Each function
of NC Express is built as a module within the structure of
the software. These modules can be used even if the software
is not physically opened. With the use of Visual Basic scripting
commands these modules can be used allowing for outside resources
to call out functions of NC Express. This allows the ability
to create an automated programming environment which enables
the programmer to dramatically decrease time spent programming.
 Added
Flexibility
Finn-Power's latest software concept - PowerPlan
has the ability to call functions from the programming software.
PowerPlan can elevate factory automation to a new level.
PowerPlan fits the pieces of the production puzzle together
by integrating: Order Handling, Part Programming, Nesting,
Tool Management, Machine Work Queues and Production Reporting.
The
figure (right) displays an example of the production cycle,
the green arrows depict the functions taken care of by PowerPlan.
Modern flexible manufacturing means producing
both large and small lot sizes. PowerPlan helps reduce storage
size and improves the controllability of the production flow.
Specifically, it allows so-called kit production - all the
parts of an assembly are produced in a sequence that corresponds
to the need of the parts in assembly. Thus, the Just-In-Time
(JIT) production principle can be applied in sheet metal
production.
PowerPlan enables JIT production by removing
manual intervention that traditionally limits the use of
the machines at their real efficiency level. Keywords in
the PowerPlan philosophy are:
Order Handling -
The main task of PowerPlan is to act as an interface between
the company's ERP, PPS or MRP system and Finn-Power's manufacturing
equipment. In the case where no higher-level management system
is available, PowerPlan can easily be used to take over the
role of a PPS (Production Planning System).
 Automatic Part
Programming - Through the use of PowerPlan comes the
possibility of eliminating repetitive engineering of part
files via parametric part generation. Parametric part generation
can be used if parts contain one design but vary in dimensional
size throughout. If not parametric, then PowerPlan will look
for the part file when ordered. Whether it is via parametric
creation or by importing of part files, the CAM system will
automatically tool the ordered parts in preparation for nesting.
Automatic
Nesting - Most important when controlling the product
flow is the nesting process. PowerPlan gives the choice to
strictly focus on the due date, order cohesion and part output
order, or maximum material utilization. All three can be
chosen or the user can reap the rewards by using all three.
Tool/Turret
Management - Management of the turret between large
jobs is an inconvenience. PowerPlan helps alleviate this
by giving a report of station changes either from the last
turret used or a static turret setup.
Part Sorting Management - Automated
sorting, performed within the CAM system during nesting,
allows the programs to be sent to the machine with minimal
setup. The advantage of this is the elimination of one unnecessary
manual operation of the machine operator, the result- fully
automatic production.
 Work Queue - Machine
work queues are made of batches of nests. The PowerLink cell
control offers PowerPlan an extended interface with which
PowerPlan can automatically send the batches to the machine
and monitor production in real time.
In today's demanding
manufacturing market costs have greatly increased causing
customers to look to other means of producing their goods.
Competition from countries with lower labor costs brings
the need of automation in all aspects of manufacturing. Finn-Power,
with the combination of NC Express and PowerPlan, can aid
in reducing the costs by helping automate the programming
and help in production planning.
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710
Remington Road 
Volume
14 Issue 2 -
December 2004