NCSIMUL Machine Software Increases Reliability of NC Verification

Based on client/server scheduler architecture, the new version of NCSIMUL’s machining module available from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence includes automation functionality that gives the user wider control over their jobs on other devices by communicating with distant servers.

Philippe Legoupi, NCSIMUL technical director, explains that a dedicated graphical user interface (GUI) enables the performance of tasks such as simulation, cut analysis and 3D movies on any device. “Users can follow the status of the job and receive a notification when it’s complete,” he adds.

The Automation Module provides ensures that the entirety of the program sent to the workshop is validated by the simulation, since “for most minor modifications in the CAM system, such as the number of passes or changing the cutting conditions, the end user won’t verify the program because it’s too tedious.” The system enables customers to implement their own automation rules according to constraints and production priorities. The tasks all feature in a command file, which also shows the parameters to use and allows for customization. These features are meant to assure users that all program verification and simulation accurately follows requirements.

The module also maximizes license usage. For example, if a manufacturer has just one license, they can use this module to postpone tasks with the scheduler until lunchtimes or overnight. 

The NCSIMUL Machine 2020.0, which detects NC programming errors and any potential collisions from the same NC code that drives the CNC machine, also contains enhancements to a variety of functions, including Probing and Optitool.

In Probing, users can set specific simulation parameters for probing simulation during decoding. There is also the option to simplify the tool shape to reduce calculation times. Default values can be defined into preferences, and interactive comments and ACNU functions can define any elements to ignore during the calculation of probing contact points.

With Optitool, NCSIMUL provides improved chip flow computation and display on each increme. The flow can also be used for optimization as a limitation parameter.

The latest release of NCSIMUL’s flexible CNC programming module, 4CAM, also includes a number of new and enhanced functionalities, including sequences optimization, links between operations based on tool orientation and multiple-file import. According to Mr. Legoupi, “NCSIMUL 4CAM’s major benefit is that with one click users can change the target machine without any CAM reprogramming.”