Introduction to the CAD CAM Department
Our CAD CAM department represents technological forefront in the field of high-precision mechanical processing. Through the use of cutting-edge software and CNC machinery, we are able to transform 3D digital models into finished products with utmost efficiency and precision.
CAD CAM team
CAD CAM team
The Green Button Project
With the hiperMILL® software by Open Mind, we can work on a 3D solid model (a digital twin of the part we need to produce) and on this we study how to remove the raw material and obtain the finished product. The machining simulation is completely computerized, then the program is transferred to the CNC machine. In the department, it's then just a matter of pressing the “GREEN BUTTON” to start production.
The GREEN BUTTON project aims to move the company towards further standardization of its processes, specifically, that of programming and starting productions on machines. This change allows a significant reduction of inefficiencies in the start-up phase of productions and the possibility to grow more robustly in shorter times. The impact is therefore higher production (due to the recovery of inefficiency), shorter and more precise delivery times, improved quality (reduction of errors and non-conformities), increased margins, and competitiveness in the markets.
CAD CAM software
Real piece
CAD CAM software
Real piece
CAD CAM software
CAD CAM software
CAD CAM software
Real piece
To do this, the software is "fed" with our company know-how. In practice, we transfer the company's know-how, especially in terms of direct processing experiences, into the software so that, under similar conditions, these can be replicated automatically, reducing, if not completely eliminating, the possibility of execution errors and optimizing the use of materials, reducing waste, production times, and other consumptions. We're talking about ideal processing strategies, such as how, for example, to remove material (depth of cut and cutting parameters depending on the material) rather than types of tools to use, etc.
The tools must clearly be described in detail so that the software can replicate them within the simulation. Moreover, each tool must have, depending on the material it has to process, the appropriate cutting parameters. Besides this, a section of the database dedicated to the equipment for attaching the tools to the machine must be created. This section is also of significant importance because it allows a precise simulation of the encumbrances and possible collision zones between tool/tool body and machine.
Another database is related to the equipment for clamping the pieces to the machine. Each piece, depending on its shape, size, material, etc., requires a specific clamping. Here too, we have created a database of all the equipment, with its 3D drawing, so that they can also be connected to the simulation.
CAD CAM software
CAD CAM software
CAD CAM software
CAD CAM software
Know-how
The transfer of company know-how into the software, especially in terms of processing strategies, is possible thanks to the creation of specific macros that effectively objectify a way of operating and make it subsequently usable in other types of processing. The virtual machining simulation thus allows to test all the movements that the machine performs on the computer, verifying that there are no collisions or anomalies, and also allows to verify that the strategies used allow the precise realization of the mechanical part.
The simulation also gives us, as output, the processing times, which, however, do not take into account all the movements of the machine (for example, tool change) and the kinematics of the machine itself. There would therefore be a discrepancy between the processing times estimated by the software and those real of the machine, while we need to have an accurate data that allows us, in the offer phase, to accurately estimate the price of the piece that we will have to make. Here, thanks to the data collection and the insertion in a database of a whole series of information (for example, type of material, machine, number of tools used, movements of the head, of the table, etc...) we have developed an algorithm that allows obtaining the real processing time of the machine.
Our project, ambitious and complex, places us at the forefront of our market for high-precision mechanical processing.
Real piece
Real piece
Real piece
Real piece
Our project is a process innovation initiative that represents a structural change in our core business processes, thus having a strong impact on our business logic. From an innovative standpoint, it's a paradigm shift for the sector because it greatly reduces dependence on trained personnel and standardizes production processes. In conclusion, we are facing a new way of organizing departments and operations where technology advances with human support.
With the increase in energy costs, reducing start-up times for productions contributes to saving energy resources, and machines are used only for production and not for testing, wasting resources. A significant impact is also made on process waste, often attributable to the start-up phase and thus also leading to a reduction in purchased material, processing waste, and energy wasted unnecessarily.
CAD CAM software
CAD CAM software
CAD CAM software
The project was funded by the Development and Cohesion Fund of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and with the strategic and operational support of Area Science Park, as part of the regional digital innovation hub initiative IP4FVG.
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