C-axis MillTurn Feature Recogintion

MillTurn centers are on the increase, which are turning centers with live milling tool on the tool post with C-axis spindle control. Manufacturing view feature recognition library has added a new functionality to recognize such C-axis features in MillTurn module, apart from recognizing turning and milling features. FR further classifies the feature into C-axis-pockets and C-axis-slots as shown in Fig 1. 

Fig 1. C-axis Pockets and Slots

Bevel Recognition and Unfolding

Bevel cutting in thick plates can be cut in laser/plasma/waterjet/milling machines with tilt head. FR has developed bevel feature recognition in which four types of bevels such as V-Bevel, Y-Bevel, X-Bevel and K-Bevel can be recognized.  

 

Fig 1. Different Types of Bevels

Bevels are not only recognized on just planar surfaces, but can also be recognized on bent surfaces as shown in Fig 2.

Fig 2. Bevels on Bends

Unfold can also be generated as shown in Fig 3 for components with bevel features. 

Fig 3. Bevel Unfolding

Recognition of Hole types and Compound Cutouts

Sheet metal parts generally contain holes and cutouts. Holes can be simple holes, tapered holes, counter-bore holes, counter-drill holes and counter-sunk holes, as shown in Fig 1 from left to right respectively.

Fig 1. Different Hole Types

Similarly, cutouts can also have such cross sections, which are termed as compound cutouts. Sheet metal feature recognition library can recognize all these compound cutouts and can also classify cutout shapes such as obround, rectangular with/without corner fillets and generic shapes.  

Fig 2. Different Compound Cutouts

All these types of holes and cutouts are recognized by sheet metal feature recognition library as shown in Fig 3. Recognition of such features and associated parameters are very useful in automatic tool selection. For downloading evaluation version click here. 

Fig 3. Feature Recognition of Hole Types and Compound Cutouts

Marking and Half-shear Recognition

FR has recently added capability to recognize marking and half-shear features in sheet metal feature recognition library. Markings are generally inscribed on sheet metal parts, which are depressions that do not penetrate the sheet completely but partially as highlighted in green in Fig 1.

Fig 1. Marking features

Marking features with different cross sections as shown in Fig 2 can be handled efficiently. 

Fig 2. Cross section of various marking features

Half-shears are features that can be of any shape that are sheared partially in a sheet. The cross section of a circular half-shear is shown in Fig 3. Geometrically half-shears create a pocket on one side and island on the other side of the sheet. 

Fig 3. Cross-section of a half-shear

Few half-shears that can be recognized by sheet metal feature recognition library are shown below in Fig 4.

Fig 4a. Pocket side of half-shears

Fig 4b. Island side of half-shears

FR can recognize Fasteners

FR sheet metal library can recognize a variety of fasteners in sheet metal models such as

1. Square weld nuts
2. Hexagonal weld nuts
3. T weld nuts
4. Spacers
5. Stud fasteners