OK I will go through the material and exercises we got in training and make notes.
Really im not to sure, just trying to learn more. Mazak and SolidCAM are providing a proven post, we have purchased the software on Mazak's recommendation so we are hoping they will work well together, although prior to this we had looked at other integrated systems because we are SolidWORKS users so its great to be integrated with our design team.
The machine and software are part of a package from Mazak to help us manuifacure hydro lectric turbines, if you want to have a quick look at what we are going to be making on the machine just google "machined pelton runner" and "machined francis runner"....
Its going to be a steep learning curve!
Thanks I hadnt seen this vid! Ive added it to my watch list, im trying to do 1 KevCAM video a day on my lunch break.
^^^ Randomly picked video...
Back in the day I tested about ten competing CAD/CAM packages over the course of about 18 months... [before that /Previously (different project) I did a Ph.D in CAD laboratory / VR software development department / research/ R&D. Cambridge University UK]. Just some background / context. I (personally) found SolidCam to have the least troublesome learning curve out of all the professional level software platforms I tested and the manuals and tutorials to be the most helpful (GOOD documentation, not sure how it is now ?). MUCH has changed since then and some of the stragglers (then) have now really gotten their shizzle together and leapfrogged over some of their competitors.
Some of their (SolidCam's) current 5 axis strategies seem really interesting to me / looking forward to giving those a spin/ trying those out (seem very
real world yet
intuitive).
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In the USA MAZAK mainly endorse Mastercam and Esprit on their Mill turn platform (more regular B axis mill turn like an Integrex I-200 or similar).
I got to admit that's pretty awesome that MAZAK (Europe/UK) would step up and endorse SolidCam for these Hydroelectric "Pelton Runner(s)"...
I can see why... Crazy amount of material removal as the buckets are integral to the hub as a single / solid piece.
Without sounding like a SolidCam shill (lol) I can see where High Speed machining strategies and some trochoidal strategies + I-machining would be super helpful + TRUE 5 axis contouring moves (in cut) and 3D surfacing (using all 5 axes simultaneously) would be mission critical.
I can also see that the MAZAK Smooth control is good combo for that as it seems that potentially collision avoidance + efficient machining strategies have to go hand in hand on such awkward geometry / pelton / Francis runner. The Smooth control (computationally IMO) has the most horse power and is the fastest out there and has serious graphics capability to interrogate really tricky tool paths on long programs. + REAL/
realish high resolution model/ collision detection capability. Couldn't tell you how that would stack up against a good implementation of CAMPLETE ?
Honestly (as obviously) you'll break everything down step by step methodically that seems like you have picked one of the MOST friendly combinations / lesser learning curve on the planet for what you are trying to do. I don't expect for HYDRO - type bucket pelton thingy's that ultra high tolerances will be such a major consideration as compared to some Jet engine parts. So I don't see SolidCam being obstructive on that front.
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@KristianSilva MAZAK have a thing where you can cough up about $15K for three weeks training etc. on site, they can also for similar amount set up and prove out programs that you are most likely to use. So for example in the case of the Francis (bucket based) pelton "Thingys" (can I call it a power recovery unit ?,)… Appart from Turning operations and flipping the part over The same buckets are being cut again and again in a repeated program.
Just spit balling, if MAZAK can set you up with a higher level interface GUI/ set of macros like they have for their AG (gear type machines) where you put in gross parameters for your pelton bucket runner, and code is generated for different part families ? (Sorta parametric approach to program generation at a high level) ? And then maybe some in process inspection with the Renishaw newer 3d surface probes … Not trying to make things over complicated but seems that the platform you are working with $-wise would be commensurate for such process control and higher level automated program generation ? (Maybe ?).
Together they could pull a package together that makes things super easy if your part families are narrow/ very specific / very similar to each-other. In other words NOT a high mix (lowish volume) scenario …
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I have to be honest If I want to learn almost mold level 3d surfacing approaches (for high precision and high surface finish parts) and techniques I watch all the
Makino webinars lol (Unfortunately they have mashed their interface into something that's more difficult to navigate.). Not sure what the "mold level" surfacing you can get with the MAZAK e1250V but SolidCam should have good strategies to get to near final surfaces pretty efficiently.
Tool selection (as always) will be pretty critical. I think MAZAK smooth control is good for Sandvik tool descriptions but not sure how you get other (non Sandvik) descriptions / geometries / models from other more diverse companies nicely onto the control (in 3d) ? , and how best to program that/ create tool libraries that make sense (between CAD/CAM (SolidCam)/MAZAK control ?).