TILLR2NV
Forum Member
I didnt want to hi-jack Dan's thread anymore than it has been so I'll make my own. I work for a company called Commercial Tool Group here in Grand Rapids. I Run 2 OKK's which are 50hp 3 axis cncs with Mitsubishi controllers. I have 2 choices as far as machining software to use. The first one is called WorkNC version 18, the second software is called Powermill by Delcam. The reason why is one program has certain strengths over the other as far as code programing. They both are fantastic! I use PTC Pro E for surfacing and rendering and Autodesk Inventor for 2d-3d editting (just fast and simple for me) even though I have other choices like Autocad and Catia V5.
The 5 Axis machine is a Fidia. It is a TRUE 5 axis machine, not no rotary setup on a 3d mill. Rapid feedrates go as high as 1400 inches a minute vs. the OKK's 400. This Fidia is 1 of 3 in the U.S. For this I strictly use WorkNC for programing because of posting capabilities. (manipulation of the 3D model)
Here are the machines. First the OKK's
The Fidia
The red hood on the floor of the machine houses a laser to check tool length, diameter, and radius of the cutter tips
Here is just some of the work that these machines are capable of.
And my favorite stuff...trim die repair. Now I dont want to open a can a worms that work for a UAW shop but I cant believe the stunts these people pull so they can sit on their ass and not run production. The following pictures are from the Dodge Magnum. A worker stuck a stack of quarter on the stop blocks of the dies so it would crash, giving him time to sit. How do I now this you ask? Well the impression of the quarters were in the stop blocks! This particular trim die has a .002 break tolerance in material. This steel cuts the silver/woodgrain/carbon inlay on the center stack. With tolerances that tight something is going to break and its the steel. So weld it up and re-machine it.
I hope this tells you what you wanted to know. Just for your information machine time is around $250.00 an hour for 3D maching and around $1400.00 for 5 axis depending on the customer relationship.
Now for the Bummer Saturday I will be recieving a lay-off for an undetermined amount of time. So if you know anybody that wants to hire someone with 10+ years of machining and cad experience...send em my way!
The 5 Axis machine is a Fidia. It is a TRUE 5 axis machine, not no rotary setup on a 3d mill. Rapid feedrates go as high as 1400 inches a minute vs. the OKK's 400. This Fidia is 1 of 3 in the U.S. For this I strictly use WorkNC for programing because of posting capabilities. (manipulation of the 3D model)
Here are the machines. First the OKK's
The Fidia
The red hood on the floor of the machine houses a laser to check tool length, diameter, and radius of the cutter tips
Here is just some of the work that these machines are capable of.
And my favorite stuff...trim die repair. Now I dont want to open a can a worms that work for a UAW shop but I cant believe the stunts these people pull so they can sit on their ass and not run production. The following pictures are from the Dodge Magnum. A worker stuck a stack of quarter on the stop blocks of the dies so it would crash, giving him time to sit. How do I now this you ask? Well the impression of the quarters were in the stop blocks! This particular trim die has a .002 break tolerance in material. This steel cuts the silver/woodgrain/carbon inlay on the center stack. With tolerances that tight something is going to break and its the steel. So weld it up and re-machine it.
I hope this tells you what you wanted to know. Just for your information machine time is around $250.00 an hour for 3D maching and around $1400.00 for 5 axis depending on the customer relationship.
Now for the Bummer Saturday I will be recieving a lay-off for an undetermined amount of time. So if you know anybody that wants to hire someone with 10+ years of machining and cad experience...send em my way!
I'm guessing the head is not that ridged as we have a simler machine at are main building. (only its a brenten ?sp) I'm sending you a PM about some other stuff.