DP Technology is helping factories of the future prepare for the digital transformation that’s taking place in manufacturing, with solutions including digital twinning, digital threads, machine-aware manufacturing, knowledge-based machining and cloud-enabled databases.
Through the Digital twin technology, Esprit allows users to create a digital twin of their machine tools for programming, optimization and simulation. This virtual machine ensures that whatever happens on screen will also occur
on the shop floor. Workpieces and cutting tools are set up virtually, resulting in exacting simulations, greater productivity and better toolpaths for higher quality parts.
Digital Thread
With Esprit, a digital thread ties together each step of the workflow from CAD design to finished part, ensuring that none of the manufacturing process is siloed. Esprit reads parts’ data from CAD software and creates machine-optimized G-code and setup sheets, which it then passes on to shop floor management, tool data management and enterprise resource planning software.
Machine-aware solutions
Esprit provides machine-aware CAM programming to increase tool life and
reduce cycle times. The CAM system’s Profit Milling and Profit Turning apps represent a fundamental change in the way toolpath is created: most CAM software work from the shape of the parts first and consider the machine last, if at all. Esprit’s machine-aware solutions first consider the machine tool – its axis’ positions and their limits, acceleration, and attainable and requested cutting speeds, allowing users to run machines faster, get a better surface finish on their parts and significantly increase their tool life.
As a result, with machine-aware CAM, programmers make better choices regarding toolpath, without asking the machine tool or cutting tool to exceed their own abilities.
Knowledge-based machining
Knowledge-based machining, the term for artificial intelligence built directly
into a CAM system, makes it possible to significantly cut programming time by capturing best practices, including machining processes and cutting conditions — leaving more time to focus on strategic process improvements and reducing time spent on repetitive tasks. Esprit’s Knowledge Base solution streamlines
part programming by automatically selecting the optimum processes — machining cycles, tools and conditions — for part features based on proven best practices. Recording practical knowledge via Knowledge Base is more reliable than leaving it to memory and allows for higher levels of automation through repeatable steps. Because programming is more predictable and consistent, programmers
encounter fewer problems and produce higher quality parts.
Cloud-enabled machining
As shops move to data-driven manufacturing, integration with cloud-based
databases, such as Machining Cloud Inc., further facilitates access to knowledge, product data, resources and process controls for machines, cutting tools and work holding. These cloud-enabled databases suggest factory-recommended feeds and speeds for a given cut, let users quickly find the tools they need, and provide continuously updated manufacturer product data, including drawings and models of tools and cutting tool assemblies for simulation. Because information is stored in the cloud, it is always up to date, available on demand and can be accessed anywhere.
These solutions will be on display at the company’s booth (Hall 25, Stand D25) at EMO in Hannover, September 18-23, as well as at other industry events around the world.