nx8 multi-part setups + Multi-stage machining and in-process workpie

[Eracer5]

Hello all. I am using nx to program a multi-part, multi-stage tombstone setup. I am using nx 7.5 but I have access to nx 8. I just spent a very long tome copy/pasting operations from part to part, then having to edit each copied operation to reselect geometry etc. then spent a whole day dragging operations around the program order navigator to minimize tool changes and unnecessary movements. Thinking, "There must be a better way!" I started looking on the Google for a way to instance operations. I came across a brochure for nx 8 advertizing it's great new capabilities for multi-part setups and multi-stage machining, problem is I can't find any kind of documentation on how to set that up. Can anyone here point me to some more info/documentation on how this would be done? Thanks for your time.

 

[joycejo]

Why not program 1 part and use sub programs on the control to repeat the desired tool path at each location? You could have a fixture offset for each part on your tombstone. Then position to the next location with the fixture offset active and call the sub program to cut the part. This makes the program much shorter and easier to manage IMHO.





John Joyce
N.C. Programming Supervisor
Barnes Aerospace, Windsor CT
NX6.0.5.3

 

[Eracer5]

Thanks John, that does sound like a feasible option, I will look into it and let everyone know how that goes. Each stage of the programs usually contain 3 rotations (machining on 3 sides), with 2 stages per completed part and 8 completed parts per cycle, I am still hoping to find a more automated way to do this and the new functions in nx8 seem to be exactly what I need. My supervisor is back today from a long weekend and just gave me the product key for nx so I should be able to get in to the new manual, I will update on that as well.

 

[Eracer5]

So it appears that this is still something that is a work in progress, I got in touch with someone at Siemens that sent me some info on instancing operations, it looks promising but the clearance planes, tool start points are not working properly so when I generate an operation on the opposite side of the tombstone from where I programmed it the tool tries to go through the tombstone. There may be a way to fix this by setting up the geometry differently. I was told to turn on operation instance handling in the mcs, the info showed each workpiece with its own mcs within it which is not how I usually set up my geometries. For now I am following joycejo's advice and using subprograms, this takes a while and sometimes it is hard to visualize the most efficient path for one tool to take to access different sides of multiple parts with minimum 'wasted' movement, but it is working well and allows editing of only one subprog to make changes to all parts. I have asked permission to pass on the info that I got from Siemens and I'll post it here when (if?) I get it.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[markrief]

I am glad to see your interest in the new developments for programming multiple parts in NX CAM.

There are enhancements on the horizon that we cannot discuss in this public forum, but they may be exactly what you need. Please log a call with GTAC and ask for information on previewing some of these before their official release. GTAC can also refer you to our Product Manager in the area if needed.


Mark Rief
Product Manager
Siemens PLM