The primary application
of the PanelBuilder solution is the machining of aluminium
sheet stock into fabricated panels. It is also suitable for
other composites such as stainless steel, titanium, copper
and zinc.
The conventional approach to the production of these panels
has been to use panel saws, guillotines, notchers and turret
punches. This is all extremely labour intensive and requires
panels to be continually moved from one station to another.
Consistency and reliability of output is also a major issue
where multiple machines and operators are involved.
The PanelBuilder solution starts with the software which
operates in 2D and 3D and allows users to quickly and easily
build up a library of panels by either using the built in
powerful drawing package or by importing existing drawings.
The software will then automatically generate machine toolpaths
for cutting all of the panels on the Axyz router.
Typically, hundreds or even thousands of panels will be
required in a single project. It is therefore important to
maximise the material utilisation to reduce costs and keep
scrap to a minimum. Panelbuilder incorporates a sophisticated
nesting algorithm which can cope with both simple and complex
panel geometry to reduce process time and maintain high levels
of efficiency.
The Axyz CNC routers with their well established dual and
triple head configurations are ideally suited to the processing
of composite materials. Most applications require either
two or three tools to process the sheets. To cope with this,
other conventional CNC routing solutions have required the
use of an automatic toolchange system which significantly
increases the machining cycle times.
The Axyz twin and triple spindle machines eliminate the
need for a toolchanger and therefore allow much faster processing
times. Typically, one spindle would have a V or ball nosed
tool for cutting the fold lines, a second spindle would have
a straight tool for cutting the panel out and a third spindle
would be used for drill holes. Switching between tools is
all handled automatically by the machine controller and results
in a fast, seamless machining operation.
|
