Interference is the term I use to describe when one machine sits idle while waiting for the operator to do something on another machine. For example, if both machines finish their cycles at precisely the same time, and if neither machine has an automatic loading device, one machine will sit idle waiting for the (one) operator to load the other machine.
I've been relating my observations about operator utilization, a rather controversial and complex subject, and I will continue to do so for the next few months. If you would like to comment, please e-mail me and explain how your own experiences compare with what I say. I’ll relate the responses I get in an upcoming column.
During the next few months I’m going to be relating my observations about operator utilization, a rather controversial and complex subject. If you would like to comment, please e-mail me and explain how your own experiences compare with what I say. I’ll relate the responses I get in an upcoming column.
Many current-model turning centers have two sets of offsets: Geometry offsets are used to assign program zero during setup, and wear offsets are used to make sizing adjustments during the production run.
When users view these offsets on the display screen, they look very similar.
Turning center cutting tools vary from one type to another. When the turret rotates a cutting tool into position, the cutting edge of a turning tool will be in a different position than the cutting edge of a boring bar, a drill or a back-turning tool.
The custom macro shown below will allow you to mill numbers on your workpieces. Though it has some limitations that can be easily improved upon, the macro shows the logic behind how serializing can be done.
CNC cycle time is defined as either elapsed time from a given event in one cycle to the same event in the next cycle or a job’s total production run-time divided by the number of good parts machined.
With the first definition, the “event” is commonly the pressing of the cycle-start button.
With custom macro B there are two different forms of argument assignment for the G65 command to call a custom macro. By far, the more popular is argument assignment number one.
A spot drill has a 90-degree point angle, which makes it easy to calculate the depth of a hole to be spot-drilled. You simply divide the diameter of the spot-drilled hole.
Straight threads can be milled on machining centers using the helpful helical interpolation feature. This feature makes it easy to program the milling of straight threads with just a few commands per thread.