One of the hottest categories in manufacturing software currently is simulation. Technologies developed for gaming are finding their way into manufacturing as useful tools.
Siemens PLM Software exhibited its Virtual Machine technology, a one-to-one copy of a machine tool on a personal computer with full virtual Sinumerik controller functions and machine tool simulation at the recent EMO Milan trade show in Italy. This technology is said to maximize machine tool productivity by eliminating the need to use the physical machine for non-production tasks. The Virtual Machine delivers shop floor NC programming validation and off-machine set-up preparation and checking which reduces the errors and setup time while transforming the way in which machine tools are built and utilized.
The combined solution was presented by Siemens PLM Software www.plm.automation.siemens.com—en_us , a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division and a global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, and Siemens Drive Technologies Division, supplier of products and services for production machinery and machine tools.
The demonstration was implemented by the INDEX Group, a manufacturer of CNC turning machines. It sought to increase the efficiency of multi-function production center setup, programming, and validation. The objective was to increase machine tool utilization for production work, eliminate collision and reduce setup times by up to 90 percent without any additional need for training.
“The main idea of the virtual machine was to install a one-to-one copy of the machine tool on a personal computer and make it available as a tool to the machine operator,” said Eberhard Beck, Head of Electronic Control Systems, INDEX. “Virtual machining is just the beginning. In cooperation with Siemens, we will continue to optimize the process chain from engineering through to production so we will be able to produce even more economically in the future.”
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