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DMG MORI Machine Produces Oil Field Rock Bit Using Full CAD-CAM-CNC Process Chain on 5-Axis Machining Center

Major machine tool builder offers their customer an entry-level, compact machine that works a 440-pound steel workpiece into a rock bit with better tool life, higher degree of accuracy and overall production efficiencies through partnership with Siemens

A DMG employee showcasing the DMU 50 with Siemens’ 840D sl CNC. The features of the 840D allow a streamlined simulation of the actual cutting path.

DMG MORI manufactures a wide variety of conventional chip-cutting machining centers for OEMs and production job shops serving the demanding oil-and-gas industry.  Inherent in this market are several factors that lobby for great care and planning in the machining process. Typically, components produced for the oil-and-gas field are very large, very heavy and often have complex contours, making the machining time long and the tool life short. The DMU 50, although an entry-level 5-axis machining center from DMG MORI, is a compact unit that features considerable strength, as the following example will detail.  “It is a David handles Goliath type of story,” says Matthias Leinberger, the business development director for Siemens PLM (Product Lifecycle Management).

On one recent application, DMG MORI was challenged with a 440-pound, 8” diameter x 8” high workpiece made from 1045 grade steel and being machined into a rock bit for oil field exploration. The customer further presented the builder with the need for fast changeover to produce the part from various metal materials, with all the attendant tool changes and workpiece setup variances present. The customer, a major upstream oil industry supplier, was trying to decide if the better path for this product was a single block of steel or a near net casting being machined.  Both high-speed roughing and then very precise 5-axis machining were required in this small footprint machine, which had been selected by the customer due to specific plant capacity utilization concerns, plus their desire for a flexible, reasonably priced and highly cost-effective machine tool.

Close up of the DMU 50 with Siemens’ 840D sl CNC.

The machine builder turned to its longtime business partner, Siemens, for assistance.  By offering a total package of CAD-CAM-CNC hardware, software and engineering services, Siemens was able to help the machine builder substantially improve every aspect of part production, including reduction of design-to-part protocols, machining time, tool life, surface finish, dimensional accuracies and overall production efficiencies.  This scenario was particularly applicable in this case, as the production runs were anticipated to be low with short lead times.

Starting from the CAD file, the Siemens PLM team ran the program through its NX CAM process, eliminating the set-ups through full 5-axis operation. The User Defined Events (UDEs) feature inside the NX program allows simple check boxes for triggering post-processors references for coolant pressure, spindle speed settings and more.  This avoids manual programming and, as a result, reduced the program transition time from as long as two days to approximately 30 minutes.

An oil field rock bit being machined on a DMU 50 with Siemens 840D sl CNC. Both high-speed roughing and precise 5-axis machining are possible on this small footprint, entry-level machine.

Once the program was ready for the CNC, the features of that control allowed a more streamlined simulation of the actual cutting path. The 3D quick set compressor feature provides a parametric itemized data file for all path motions, thereby eliminating collision and ensuring the optimum tool path, in conjunction with the NC kernel and PLC on the machine tool.  As Siemens technical applications center manager Randy Pearson observes, “This feature is a huge time saver for our customer, as the test ball and probe in the spindle mechanism can be run at any point in the cycle, testing the actual machine kinematics at any time. The procedure can also be automated to run on the table at prescribed time intervals.”

The high-speed machining feature is highlighted here by Cycle 800, which is a static plane transformation that allows a 5-axis machine to define a rotated working plane in space. It is commonly known in the trade as 3+2 programming.  The cycle converts the actual workpiece zero and tool offsets to refer to the rotated surface.  Of note here, the cycle accommodates particular machine kinematics and positions the physical axes normal to the working plane.  This is referenced as TRAORI or transformation orientation.

Meanwhile, Sinumerik Operate, the CNC’s easy-to-use, graphical user interface on the machine allows the operator to perform a variety of integrated tool management and information management functions, all transportable on a USB or network connection.

In the simulation, the loading and fixturing of the workpiece is performed virtually in the NX CAM program, which also calculates a consistent chip load, critical in these large material removal applications. The simulation further verifies the tool length at all cutting sections and the program is finalized for the machine to begin.

In production, this process also yielded a substantial improvement in tool life on this very heavy part over the 3-¾hour cycle time, according to DMG National Product Manager, Luke Ivaska.  “With the combination of the NX CAM software, plus the CNC on the machine and all it could do, we had some initial challenges, as most software programs are purpose-built CAM packages that allow quick and easy use by anyone.  They have significant limitations; however, as the software drives the tool path and the operator has very little control.  With NX and Sinumerik CNC, we have a lot more input on the creation of the tool path.  I have yet to find a problem I could not solve with NX.”

In the CNC, the Sinumerik Operate affords the end user’s operator and manufacturing engineering personnel full access to a variety of conditions in production, including all roughing and finishing data in plain text, plus all 5-axis transformation orientation data logged for restart after any interruption and manual restart.

An 8×8″ rock bit machined from 1045 grade steel on the DMU 50. Speedy setup and machining was made possible with Siemens’ total package of CAD-CAM-CNC hardware.

Easy-to-use probing for work offsets is another advantage the builder and their customer enjoy with the CNC used on this machine.  The operator is guided graphically for setting the workpiece zero, for example, while the tool length is automatically included in the calculation.  With the Operate system, the difference between the position value in the machine coordinate system and workpiece coordinate system is saved in the active zero offset.

The variable streamline operation of the machine tool combines here with an interpolated vector to produce a smoother finish in the machining of the intricate rock bit surfaces in a single tool path. The machine seamlessly transitions from square-to-round machining and then the extreme angle paths needed to accurately machine the internal surfaces.  A single bit portion of the program is automatically captured, so a step-and-repeat program can be built-up. The simulation of each bit cutting path was done on both the NX CAM and the CNC programs. It is literally like working with a “Digital Twin” of the machine.

This vectored program, it should be noted, is transportable to any machine with comparable results, according to Randy Pearson and PLM director of business development Matthias Leinberger, who comments, “Precisely because the machine kinematics are knowable, this program, once created, can be transferred onto multiple machines within the same facility or run by shops around the world, all tied together by the control, so there is total continuity between the operations, the data capture protocol and feedback received for production analysis.”  Randy Pearson further noted that, in this application, the customer’s desire to change the materials used on successive runs could be easily accommodated by the control, owing to its ability for on-the-fly adjustments, based on the orientation of the tool tip to the workpiece.

This project was accomplished, using CELOS® onboard the DMG MORI machine.  CELOS facilitates the total interaction between operator and machine, in this application, as it has numerous apps to enable instant call-up of actual conditions, full data comparison through a link to CAD and CAM products, plus full interface to the customer company’s ERP system for logging and analysis, with in-process remote adjustments achievable.  In the case of this oil-and-gas customer, interactive communication to a global production network is also provided, which allow the customer to run parallel production of different rock bits at locations around the world, with seamless data tracking and full production analysis.


For more information on this story, please contact:

Siemens Industry, Inc.
John Meyer
(847) 640-1595
john.meyer@siemens.com

For specific product information and inquiries, call (800) 879-8079 ext. Marketing Communications or send an e-mail to:  cnc.us@siemens.com

To watch a video of this line in operation, please visit https://youtu.be/xA1hyv6A7Hs

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Schütte Introduces 325linear CNC Grinder

5-axis cnc grinder with extended x-y axis paths plus two aux slides for workpiece clamping

Equipped with unique SIGSpro software system to allow full 3D simulation on the HMI or offline for more accurate quotes, complete cycle validation

New Schütte 325linear cylindrical grinding system features extended x-y paths plus two auxiliary slides

New Schütte 325linear cylindrical grinding system features extended x-y paths plus two auxiliary slides

Schütte (Jackson, Michigan) today announces the introduction of its new 325linear machine, a 5-axis CNC grinder with extended x- and y-axis movement plus two auxiliary slides for workpiece clamping and improved grinding wheel guidance over the entire machining envelope. Micro tools, gun drills, hob cutters and complex geometries can be accommodated on this new machine, which operates in the range of 2500-4000 rpm, typically. The additional second auxiliary slide enables the 325linear to utilize tool guidance, part support, tailstock or workpiece pallets in operation. This new Schütte machine further expands the user’s automation possibilities, as it also offers significant advancements in wheel change and robotic workpiece handling.

Specifically, on the a-axis, a user can install collet chucks, hydraulic expansion chucks or multi-range chucks. With the automated collet changer on the machine, workpieces with different diameters can be clamped with high concentricity in the unmanned loader station. The Schütte a-axis configuration on this machine also permits position-oriented clamping of non-rotationally symmetrical workpieces. In this way, sequential workpieces with various roughing and finishing requirements can be preset on the machine for continuous processing.

SIGSpro (Schütte Integrated Grinding Software) enables full 3D simulation of the entire cycle, either on the HMI or offline, for improved estimating and safety concerns

SIGSpro (Schütte Integrated Grinding Software) enables full 3D simulation of the entire cycle, either on the HMI or offline, for improved estimating and safety concerns

Likewise, this new Schütte grinding system offers scalable automation, with a 140-position tool changer, 5-24 grinding wheel magazine and a flexible robotic tool gripper for changing the smallest micro tools as available options. The same base machine can be utilized for continuous production of a single part in a work cell setup or used for sequential one-off work, as needed.

The 325linear features a universal rotation a-axis with a high level of concentricity (<0.0001º resolution) and pitch accuracy, while the xyz-axis resolution is maintained at

The machine is offered with the proprietary SIGSpro (Schütte Integrated Grinding Software) as the programming interface, allowing users to assign clamping options for each grinding operation being performed. When the support and tool guidance system are used, preset distances from the grinding wheel to the workpiece can be defined and held constant. In the 3D mode, all cycle steps can be simulated, controlled and optimized for exact estimating, collision avoidance and even external workstation integration with the other workpieces.

Optional robotic handling, wheel changing and tool magazines allow the same machine scalable automation in use

Optional robotic handling, wheel changing and tool magazines allow the same machine scalable automation in use

All motion control on this new grinder is maintained on a Siemens 840D sl CNC with compatible drive technology.

This new Schütte 325linear grinding machine is available for viewing at the company’s North American headquarters in Jackson, Michigan, as well as a number of the upcoming trade shows in 2015.

For further information, please contact:

SCHUTTE MSA, LLC
4055 Morrill Road
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: 517-782-3600
www.schutteusa.com
rfq@schutteusa.com

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Retrofitting for success

Major Tool & Machine, Inc. retrofitted two of their machining centers in 2010 changing to a CNC technology platform that was completely new to the company. Ten more such large-scale retrofits have followed, bringing increased enthusiasm, momentum and productivity.

Major Tool & Machine has been on track to retrofit over a dozen of its giant milling and turning machines within just two years, all supported by a new Siemens CNC platform. MTM’s management says the process has been an empowering experience for the company.

Major Tool & Machine has been on track to retrofit over a dozen of its giant milling and turning machines within just two years, all supported by a new Siemens CNC platform. MTM’s management says the process has been an empowering experience for the company.

CNC upgrade enhances performance and precision

Major Tool & Machine (MTM) is a large job shop, producing precision milled and turned hardware throughout the company’s 500,000 square foot Indiana facility. Performance is essential, because MTM contracts with aerospace, energy, nuclear and defense companies on many mission-critical, one-off projects. Owner and CEO Steve Weyreter will tell you openly, MTM is more competitive by way of a significant CNC technology change, starting with an aggressive retrofit strategy.

Günther Zimmermann, CNC Controls Engineer at MTM, says the company’s retrofit program and the decision to change to the Siemens SINUMERIK CNC platform have brought a new enthusiasm and momentum to the company. Over the last two years the change has also brought significant time and cost reductions, especially in the areas of programming, maintenance engineering, and machine operations.

“The initial goal in early 2010 was to retrofit two Cincinnati U5 Gantry machines,” Zimmermann recounts. “We evaluated two CNC technology platforms and after considerable analysis our CEO Steve Weyreter announced that Siemens would best support the company’s future.”

The decision to reduce costs by moving to a single CNC platform was the least difficult decision for the company to make, Zimmermann explains. The larger challenge for MTM was the integration of a new CNC technology platform that was new to the company.

Bill Henderson, MTM’s manager of large machining and maintenance, agrees that the decision to change to a Siemens CNC platform integrated with advanced part and tool probing was critical, because the shop manages constant changeovers from one complex job to the next, making setup times a critical time/cost constraint for the company. Another big advantage is the increased flexibility by only having to train machinists and maintenance personnel on one type of control.

Henderson went on to say “the decision to change to a new control has signaled higher expectations for the company, along with new challenges for those who program, operate and maintain the company’s big machines.

Naturally, there’s a resistance to change,” Henderson says. “People are comfortable with what they normally run, but after our discussions with the people on the plant floor, they understood the overall objective. Our retrofit program is not finished, yet it’s already showing tremendous benefits.”

An advantage MTM gained by its retrofit strategy has been the ability to interchange heads and rotary tables from machine to machine. Easy-to- use head storage and tool management programming provided by the Siemens CNC platform support the new interchange capability.

An advantage MTM gained by its retrofit strategy has been the ability to interchange heads and rotary tables from machine to machine. Easy-to- use head storage and tool management programming provided by the Siemens CNC platform support the new interchange capability.

Retrofitter Doug Huber says having Siemens as a new CNC technology partner has made a difference for Major Tool & Machine, but it’s also been an evolutionary uplift for his own retrofitting company, Indiana Automation.

“Indiana Automation has increasingly retrofit using Siemens controls in recent years, Huber explains. “On a retrofit, we always try to exceed what the original machine could do, and that’s just kind of inherent when you put on a Siemens 840D. Major Tool’s first retrofits were the Cincinnati U5 machines, a bridge model and two gantry models. These are five-axis machines and five-axis is the 840D’s forte. The processing power of the control is so much better, that it just whips through the blocks faster. So right off, cycle time is a major performance enhancement.”

Huber says something else happened this time. As his firm finished retrofitting the first three giant machines with Siemens five-axis controls, drives and motors, the reaction within the company was not just that the machines were now predictably more efficient, but that they performed as very different machines. A new advantage is the ability to interchange machining heads from machine-to-machine, and all driven by the Siemens CNC platform.

Central to MTM’s retrofit program has been the Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl control, which features the SINUMERIK Operate interface. The highly intuitive interface enables both programmers and operators to easily capitalize on the broad capabilities of the control.

Central to MTM’s retrofit program has been the Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl control, which features the SINUMERIK Operate interface. The highly intuitive interface enables both programmers and operators to easily capitalize on the broad capabilities of the control.

“On many of the U5 machines, the axes come off with the heads,” Huber explains, “and we rebuilt these machines to accept any one of three different heads. That’s one of Major Tool’s key strategies. They insist on having flexible machine capabilities, so that they can run all kinds of different parts. They have straight heads for serious metal cutting, contour heads for five-axis work and finesse work. They have 90-degree heads for more flexibility than a straight head, but it’s also not as fragile as the contour head. And they wanted to interchange all of these heads to automatically go pick up a head out of the shuttle and, on the fly, reconfigure the axes and the zero positions. To do this, the compensation tables all had to be updated. Everything needed to be done with the macro program so that each head came on ready to run.”

The interchangeable head strategy was a challenge, Huber says, because the machines were not originally capable of sharing heads. But with support from Siemens, the strategy has worked, including the ability to interchange rotary tables as well as heads. “Each head or rotary table has a configuration file that has all the settings and compensations and travels with it from machine to machine. So now when you mount that head the control just runs the configuration file that goes with it and its all set up for you. We also incorporated Siemens Tool Management for each machine’s 60-pocket tool chain. We used the feature on these machines to manage all the different tooling MTM uses, both in the automatic tool changer as well as the ones manually loaded.”

Huber says, “MTM’s ability to smoothly transition to more advanced CNC is largely due to the HMI’s ease of use. The Operate interface is a huge help to us and to Major Tool. The HMI helps make better parts. And it didn’t take very long for the operators to fall in love with it.”

Programming as easy as 1-2-3: Using the SINUMERIK Operate interface, a machinist can turn on coolant flow by 1) pressing Cycle Stop to stop the machine, 2) Coolant On, and 3) Restart.

Programming as easy as 1-2-3: Using the SINUMERIK Operate interface, a machinist can turn on coolant flow by 1) pressing Cycle Stop to stop the machine, 2) Coolant On, and 3) Restart.

“I had never used a Siemens control before,” admits MTM machinist Mike Burthay. “I have extensive knowledge of G-code and CNC controls and I would say the Siemens 840D sl with the Operate interface is the easiest one I’ve ever run. It’s user friendly, that’s exactly the words for it.”

Burthay reports several ways in which the Siemens SINUMERIK Operate interface has made his life easier. “There’s not as much G-code,” he says. “The control does it all for you as long as you put in the parameters as to size, length, width. Then once you’re in Job Mode, there’s a screen where you can tool change or jog the machine around to certain positions, or turn the spindle on, turn the coolant on, anything that traditionally required G-code. So now you can push a cycle stop button to pause the machine, enter a change such as turning coolant on, then restart the program.

“Another function I love is Block Search, which allows me to start or restart right in the middle of a program. Say you’re finishing a pocket and you have to run the tool two or three times to get a tight tolerance, I can enter in a line number and hit Block Search, the control picks up every line before that, restarts the spindle and everything for you.”

Burthay says the Siemens control also enables him to program parts right on the machine whenever necessary, using a simple yet robust program called ShopMill. “I can go into ShopMill, type in some parameters and it will kick out that G-code program for me automatically. Say I want to drill a hole two inches deep. I open ShopMill, pick my tool, tell it the depth and these steps are all interactive on the screen. It even shows me 3D motion images of the tool path, confirms the drill going down as expected into the part. So I hit go and it puts a drill cycle into the program for me.”

Programmed for collaborative growth

Lead Programmer, Tim Hayden, has from the beginning conducted all processor setups for the newly retrofitted machines. Hayden says integrating the Siemens CNC platform has been an empowering experience he had not expected, given the fact that he had never before set up a post processor to run a Siemens control, nor had he ever before operated a Siemens control.

“Now, when I look at the Siemens control, I think man, it would have been so much better to have had it all along,” Hayden says, “because the other control I’ve been using is just a lot more cryptic. The Siemens control with the SINUMERIK Operate interface is more powerful for writing macros and the language seems modern, whereas the other control seems like it is still based on an old FORTRAN type language.”

Work offsets for compound angles can be scaled and rotated using the Frames function of the Siemens SINUMERIK Operate interface. Many advanced machining operations can be managed simply, without the use of time-intensive manual G-code programming.

Work offsets for compound angles can be scaled and rotated using the Frames function of the Siemens SINUMERIK Operate interface. Many advanced machining operations can be managed simply, without the use of time-intensive manual G-code programming.

Hayden points to the Frames coordinate and offset programming function of the Siemens interface as an example of improved programming convenience.

“We do a lot of work on compound angles,” Hayden explains, “and with the Siemens Frames function, you can scale and rotate your coordinate system on the control, just plug it in with your work offsets. Whereas, on the other control you will see a G54 request, you’ve got to enter G-code. You can’t just plug it into your work offsets like you can with the Siemens control.”

Hayden says the SINUMERIK Operate interface brings greater programming flexibility. The HMI enables him to enter G-code using a comparatively more advanced manual data entry (MDI) function; however the HMI has all but eliminated the need for G-code entry by way of its intuitive design and evolved capabilities.

Another example of such HMI evolution is in the area of data management.

“When we post a program, we no longer have to use a G-code based MDI,” Hayden explains. “We no longer need to type in T= and enter a nine digit number and then enter M6 to make a tool change. With the Operate HMI, you pick your tool off a screen and hit cycle start. It’s just as easy to program going to a position. Instead of doing things the old way by typing G0X0Y0Z0 into the MDI, you open the Operate interface, click position, then click how you want to wrap it and then you just type the numbers into those fields. So it’s a lot more user friendly.”

Hayden says the Siemens CNC platform has supported greater collaboration at MTM between him and the machinists, and this is helping the company find ways to increase performance and efficiency. He agrees with his coworkers’ assessments that shorter setup times and greater operator freedom are making a significant difference.

“One of our production bottlenecks has been programming,” Hayden says. “The machinists that run our machines are professionals, they’re not button pushers, and with the SINUMERIK Operate interface, we can now rely on them to control and program certain parts right on their machines, while we programmers work on the more complex projects.”

“Siemens was the best fit for all of us,” Hayden concludes. “Siemens CNC is set up as an open control, and with that kind of flexibility, it seems anything is possible.”

For more information on Siemens SINUMERIK CNC, visit www.usa.siemens.com/cnc.

For specific product information and inquiries, call (800) 879-8079 ext. Marketing Communications or send an e-mail to: SiemensMTBUMarCom.industry@siemens.com.

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SiemensCNC or Twitter: www.twitter.com/siemens_cnc_us.

Siemens Industry Sector is the world’s leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products, solutions and services for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the sector enhances its customers’ productivity, efficiency and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services Divisions as well as the Metals Technologies Business Unit. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/industry.

The Siemens Drive Technologies Division is the world’s leading supplier of products, systems, applications, solutions and services for the entire drive train, with electrical and mechanical components. Drive Technologies serves all vertical markets in the production and process industries as well as the infrastructure/energy segment. With its products and solutions, the division enables its customers to achieve productivity, energy efficiency and reliability. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/drivetechnologies.

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AeroDef 2014 Siemens Round-Up: Machine Tool Solutions That Increase Aerospace Part Manufacturing Productivity

Did you miss Siemens at AeroDef 2014? Here’s what you missed!

At this year’s AERODEF conference in Long Beach, California, Siemens will demonstrate new CNC solutions and services for machine tool builders and end-users.  Under the theme, “Productivity in motion,” the presentation will focus on turnkey solutions for the aerospace manufacturing industry.

Broad-based CNC competence: Siemens will be demonstrating how productivity, flexibility and safety can be increased in CNC production with an array of smart additions to its Sinumerik portfolio

For the aerospace market, the Sinumerik 840D sl offers the latest in CNC technology that increases machine tool performance and user productivity.  The 840D sl is a universal and flexible CNC system based upon the innovative Sinamics S120 drive platform that can be used for up to 31 axes.  It is a distributed, scalable, open and inter-connecting system offering a wide range of specialized functions for milling, drilling, turning, grinding, handling and robotics technologies.  It offers users innovative features that increase productivity on the manufacturing floor, especially the challenging aerospace segments of high-speed and five-axis machining.

For the job shop, the Sinumerik 828D numerical control is the ideal CNC solution for mid-range machine tools.  It is designed to address the needs of complex milling and turning machines in the job shop segment by combining CNC, PLC, operator panel and axis control for six CNC measurement circuits into a single, robust operator panel.

The 828D is capable of full graphical, high-level language command and supports ISO programming that is customary in the United States.  Programming time can be further reduced for small-batch production with the use of the ShopMill and ShopTurn graphical workstep programming system, while high-level language programming can be used in conjunction with programGuide to significantly reduce programming times for large-scale serial production.

With the introduction of the Sinumerik 828D, extensive online help animations and a new type of input prompting system with moving picture sequences provide the basis for exceptional user convenience.  USB, Compact Flash (CF) card and Ethernet ports enable high-speed data transfers onto storage media or integration of the control system into corporate networks.

SOLUTIONS FOR CNC TRAINING

Recently introduced to the American machine tool industry, and based upon the new Sinumerik Operate graphical user interface, SinuTrain is the ideal solution for control-identical CNC training.

With SinuTrain, actual NC programs are developed and simulated, to speed the program generation protocol.  In this manner, machine tool operators not only learn the control language commands, but they also visualize part programs on a PC screen that are identical to the machine tool’s screen.  As an additional benefit, programs generated through SinuTrain can then be used on actual machines.

Offered in several languages, SinuTrain is available for different needs and budgets including a trial version, a study version, a single-user license and an educational license.

For more information about advanced CNC solutions for the aerospace industry,
please visit:  www.usa.siemens.com/aerodef-pr.

Download this article as a PDF: Siemens AeroDef14

Download the Siemens Aerospace Brochure: Siemens Aerospace

Download the SINUMERIK Integrate Run MyRobot Brochure: SINUMERIK Run MyRobot

For specific product information and inquiries, call (800) 879-8079 ext. Marketing Communications or send an e-mail to: SiemensMTBUMarCom.industry@siemens.com.

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SiemensCNC or Twitter:  www.twitter.com/siemens_cnc_us.

Siemens Industry Sector is the world’s leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products, solutions and services for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the sector enhances its customers’ productivity, efficiency and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services Divisions as well as the Metals Technologies Business Unit. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/industry.

The Siemens Drive Technologies Division is the world’s leading supplier of products, systems, applications, solutions and services for the entire drive train, with electrical and mechanical components. Drive Technologies serves all vertical markets in the production and process industries as well as the infrastructure/energy segment. With its products and solutions, the division enables its customers to achieve productivity, energy efficiency and reliability. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/drivetechnologies.

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AeroDef 2014 Siemens Round-Up: Siemens NX 9 Delivers Up To 5x Product Development Productivity Across Industries

Did you miss Siemens at AeroDef 2014? Here’s what you missed!

Technology breakthroughs establish new flexibility and productivity paradigms for working with 2D data and massive assemblies.  New functionality expands NX leadership in freeform shape design, PLM integration, and product development decision making.

AeroDef 2014 – The latest version of Siemens NX™ software (NX 9) includes new capabilities and technological breakthroughs that deliver enhanced product development flexibility and up to five times higher productivity across multiple industries. New tools like synchronous technology for 2D greatly facilitate 2D data editing. The introduction of fourth generation design (4GD) technology will enhance design productivity for massive assemblies.
And NX Realize Shape™ software delivers a new state-of-the-art freeform design toolset with unmatched product development integration. NX 9 also includes tighter PLM integration through Siemens’ Active Workspace environment, as well as multiple enhancements throughout the integrated CAD/CAM/CAE solution. The enhancements in NX 9 are aimed at creating value by addressing issues common to multiple industries such as automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, consumer products, machinery and others.

“NX 9 represents a very significant step forward for Siemens, our customers, and for product development in general,” said Jim Rusk, senior vice president, Product Engineering Software, Siemens PLM Software. “With significant new breakthroughs such as synchronous technology for 2D, 4GD and NX Realize Shape, we are offering our customers unprecedented design flexibility while significantly increasing their product development productivity. And by leveraging our successful Active Workspace solution, we are enhancing the high definition user experience that helps our customers make smarter decisions that result in better products.”

While 3D modeling is the preferred method of product design throughout the world,

2D drawings and 2D product data – in a wide variety of digital formats – are still used in virtually every industry in some aspects of product development. Unfortunately, due to incompatible data structures and inconsistent CAD technology, working with these 2D files is typically tedious and time consuming. Synchronous technology for 2D eliminates these problems by adding intelligence to 2D data without the need for translation, enabling users to intuitively edit multi-CAD 2D files up to five times faster. This can be particularly useful for industries such as automotive, aerospace, machinery and others with large amounts of legacy 2D product data.

“Siemens’ synchronous technology for 2D is a Next Generation 2D tool that ad- dresses many of the downfalls of drafting and sketching,” said Chad Jackson, Principal Analyst for Lifecycle Insights, a leading PLM research and advisory firm. “It ‘understands’ the geometric relationships inherent in 2D drawings and applies user-controlled assumptions at the point of change to enable intelligent modifications. It also applies these assumptions locally instead of globally to ensure fast performance.”

The new NX Realize Shape offering in NX 9 provides a unique freeform design environment for producing products with highly stylized shapes or complex surfaces. It is the industry’s only solution that seamlessly integrates the most advanced, easy-to-use, flexible tools for performing freeform design, with a leading CAD/CAM/CAE software package. As a result, companies producing a wide variety of consumer products – as well as those in the aerospace, medical and marine industries – can shorten product development time by eliminating the multiple steps associated with using separate tools for freeform design and engineering development.

Hundreds of additional enhancements throughout NX 9 touch every aspect of CAD, CAM and CAE. The introduction of 4GD, a new design and data management paradigm that enables versatile and efficient methods for collaboration and design-in- context, accelerates the development of complex large-scale products containing millions of components. The embedding of Active Workspace 2.0, the innovative new interface to Siemens’ Teamcenter® software, enables NX 9 users to quickly find relevant information – parts, tasks, workflows, requirements and specifications – even from multiple external data sources.

New NX CAE tools improve thermal simulation of aircraft engines, reducing the time to setup complex boundary conditions by 75 percent. A new NX CAE parallel thermal solver provides improved performance on large-scale models delivering faster results. Enhancements in NX Nastran® software, the premier FEA solver for computational performance, accuracy, and scalability, enable noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) simulation times to be cut in half.

New capabilities in NX for manufacturing provide enhanced control for faster and more flexible CAM and CMM programming. For die/mold machining, the new cut region management capability provides graphical user interaction for more efficient programming, up to 40 percent faster for some complex parts, and precise control over machining strategies. The new multiple-part programming capability lets programmers reuse machining sequences across any number of similar parts in a setup. For example, a setup with six identical parts can be programmed up to four times faster. The new MRL Connect for NX, connects NX CAM directly to the Manufacturing Resource Library (MRL) in Teamcenter to give programmers easy access to a shared library of standard tools, fixtures, and templates. The CMM Inspection Programming capabilities have been expanded beyond solids to support sheet metal parts, delivering manufacturers in the aerospace and defense, high tech electronics, and automotive industries a highly automated inspection programming solution.

NX 9 is available immediately. For more detailed information on all the new functionality in NX 9, please visit www.siemens.com/plm/nx9.

Download this article as a PDF: NX 9

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About Siemens PLM Software

Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division, is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with seven million licensed seats and more than 71,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Siemens PLM Software works collaboratively with companies, delivering open solutions to help them make smarter decisions that result in better products. For more information on Siemens PLM Software products and services, visit www.siemens.com/plm

For more information on Siemens SINUMERIK CNC, visit www.usa.siemens.com/cnc.

For specific product information and inquiries, call (800) 879-8079 ext. Marketing Communications or send an e-mail to: SiemensMTBUMarCom.industry@siemens.com.

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SiemensCNC or Twitter:  www.twitter.com/siemens_cnc_us.

Siemens Industry Sector is the world’s leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products, solutions and services for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the sector enhances its customers’ productivity, efficiency and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services Divisions as well as the Metals Technologies Business Unit. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/industry.

The Siemens Drive Technologies Division is the world’s leading supplier of products, systems, applications, solutions and services for the entire drive train, with electrical and mechanical components. Drive Technologies serves all vertical markets in the production and process industries as well as the infrastructure/energy segment. With its products and solutions, the division enables its customers to achieve productivity, energy efficiency and reliability. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/drivetechnologies.

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AeroDef 2014 Siemens Round-Up: Siemens introduces enhanced SIMATIC IT for Assembly and Complex Manufacturing

Did you miss Siemens at AeroDef 2014? Here’s what you missed!

AeroDef 2014 – Siemens Industry Software announced today availability of a new version of their leading Operations Management System for Assembly and Complex Manufacturing.

Already an established benchmark in the market, the introduction of version 3.2 of this comprehensive suite consolidates Siemens at the forefront of production optimization software for the discrete manufacturing industry.

SIMATIC IT ACM Closed-Loop Integration Built to deliver value right at the heart of the manufacturing facility, this powerful environment inherits the agility, speed, scalability and performance of the SIMATIC IT platform, providing customers with unparalleled out-of-the-box functionality and the flexibility to extend and tailor the solution to their needs.

Whether you are looking to reduce the complexity of your IT landscape, increase the agility and flexibility of your manufacturing facilities, render your production processes transparent and measurable, shorten time-to-market, streamline the link between shop-floor and supply chain or adapt to new regulations, SIMATIC IT is the right choice for your business.

The biggest opportunity for manufacturers lies in their ability to Continuously Innovate in a Consumer-driven market on a Global basis.  This requires that manufacturing facilities are seamlessly integrated into both the PLM and Supply Chain processes, and this is where SIMATIC IT is of unique interest, for only Siemens has a comprehensive portfolio of Industry Software seamlessly integrating PLM, MOM and Automation functionality.

Siemens Industry Software presents the new version of its SIMATIC IT Suite for Assembly and Complex Manufacturing

Siemens Industry Software presents the new version of its SIMATIC IT Suite for Assembly and Complex Manufacturing

 

SIMATIC IT ACM functionality includes:

  • Order and Task Management
  • Routing and operational constraint Management
  • Operation Work-booking
  • Work in Progress Reporting
  • Automatic As-Built Reporting
  • Composite materials checks
  • Material Pre-Kitting
  • Tool Management and
    Usage Tracking
  • End-to-end Material Genealogy
  • Electronic Work Instruction Authoring and Display
  • Manual and Automatic
    Data Collection
  • First Article Inspection (FAI)
  • Time and Attendance Management
  • Non Productive Activity Registration
  • Defect Tracking
  • Non-Conformity Declaration
  • Corrective Action Management
  • Rework process Management
  • Change Management
  • Audit and Certification
  • B2MML-based, bi-directional ERP Integration
  • Native PLM Integration

SIMATIC IT ACM is part of the full Siemens Manufacturing Operations Management portfolio.  The full range of SIMATIC IT products includes:

  • Finite Capacity Scheduling
  • Mechatronics Execution Management
  • Manufacturing Intelligence
  • Quality & Compliance Management
  • The world’s leading SCADA
  • Comprehensive solutions for Process and Pharma markets

For more information about SIMATIC IT, please visit www.siemens.com/simaticit

Download this article as a PDF: SIMATIC IT ACM

Download the SIMATIC IT Assembly & Complex Manufacturing Brochure: SIM ATIC IT ACM

Download the SIMATIC IT Line Monitoring System Brochure: SIMATIC IT LMS

For inquiries, send an e-mail to: industrymanagement_simatic.it@siemens.com

Follow us on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/simaticit 

 

For more information on Siemens SINUMERIK CNC, visit www.usa.siemens.com/cnc.

 

For specific product information and inquiries, call (800) 879-8079 ext. Marketing Communications or send an e-mail to: SiemensMTBUMarCom.industry@siemens.com.

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SiemensCNC or Twitter:  www.twitter.com/siemens_cnc_us.

Siemens Industry Sector is the world’s leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products, solutions and services for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the sector enhances its customers’ productivity, efficiency and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services Divisions as well as the Metals Technologies Business Unit. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/industry.

The Siemens Drive Technologies Division is the world’s leading supplier of products, systems, applications, solutions and services for the entire drive train, with electrical and mechanical components. Drive Technologies serves all vertical markets in the production and process industries as well as the infrastructure/energy segment. With its products and solutions, the division enables its customers to achieve productivity, energy efficiency and reliability. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/drivetechnologies.

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Siemens Introduces New SINUMERIK 808D Advanced CNC for Basic Machine Tools

Siemens Industry, Inc. presents its new Sinumerik 808D Advanced CNC with compatible motors, drives and cabling, in vertical or horizontal variants for basic  milling and turning machines

Siemens Industry, Inc. presents its new Sinumerik 808D Advanced CNC with compatible motors, drives and cabling, in vertical or horizontal variants for basic milling and turning machines

Siemens Industry, Inc. announced today its new Sinumerik 808D Advanced CNC, designed for basic milling and turning machines.  Affordably priced for the machine builder (OEM), this new addition from Siemens offers a suite of design features to improve the accuracy, surface finish, safety and communication of the control. This new CNC is available now to the North American machine tool market.

The Sinumerik 808D Advanced offers up to five axes / spindle motion control on a single machine channel, with drive bus communication between the CNC and drive for better position control, data transfer over standard Ethernet protocol, plus Auto Servo Tuning (AST) for superior surface quality and repeatable part accuracy in mold and die applications.  These include incremental encoder with 2,500 parts per revolution (ppr) or absolute encoder with 20-bit resolution.

Motor speeds up to 4,000 rpm are offered with Safe Torque Off (STO) and IP65 enclosure protection. Vertical and horizontal configurations of the Sinumerik 808D are available to suit all standard control panels.

The Sinumerik 808D Advanced T is the ideal choice for basic turning machines or turning centers without a Y-axis, with the option of driven tools, while the Sinumerik 808D Advanced M offers advanced surface finish and the SINAMICS V70 drive platform from Siemens, all with an attractive price-to-performance ratio.

Additional features of the Sinumerik 808D Advanced CNC include an RJ45 Ethernet port, 7.5” LCD color display with 640 x 480 resolution for easy viewing, machine technology-specific keyboards with hard keys shielded with protective membrane, a robust enclosure with no fan or hard disk, maintenance-friendly power with no battery, continuous data buffering with NV-RAM technology, LED tool number display and a master control panel with rotary switch for feed and spindle override.  The rated torque is 1.9-40 Nm with drive line input of 400V and overload rating of 300 percent.

Part programs can be managed on an external PC, then fed to the control over an Ethernet cable or input via the USB port.  Simple program sub-folders can be stored on the control, just like on the PC.  Other standard features of the Siemens CNC for machine operators and programmers include intelligent jog, precise tool data handling with easy-to-recognize on-screen icons, tool wear data logging to ensure consistent high workpiece quality and startGUIDE engineering support, complete with the graphical user interface wizard for easier machine commissioning and startup and troubleshooting.

Siemens provides full training, on-site support and service plus a three-year warranty on parts and service.  Proper machine registration is required.

For more information about the new Sinumerik 808D Advanced, please visit:
www.usa.siemens.com/808D-PR.

For more information on Siemens SINUMERIK CNC, visit www.usa.siemens.com/cnc.

For specific product information and inquiries, call (800) 879-8079 ext. Marketing Communications or send an e-mail to: SiemensMTBUMarCom.industry@siemens.com.

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SiemensCNC or Twitter:  www.twitter.com/siemens_cnc_us.

Siemens Industry Sector is the world’s leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products, solutions and services for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the sector enhances its customers’ productivity, efficiency and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services Divisions as well as the Metals Technologies Business Unit. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/industry.

The Siemens Drive Technologies Division is the world’s leading supplier of products, systems, applications, solutions and services for the entire drive train, with electrical and mechanical components. Drive Technologies serves all vertical markets in the production and process industries as well as the infrastructure/energy segment. With its products and solutions, the division enables its customers to achieve productivity, energy efficiency and reliability. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/drivetechnologies.

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Siemens Retrofit Business Development Manager Sees Opportunities

Tom Curfiss details the rapidly evolving business climate for retrofit; impacting large production department, job shop machine tool sectors alike 

Machine Photo

Siemens retrofit

CHICAGO —Various market factors and economic conditions have made retrofitting existing machine tools a very viable option for the large metalworking department at an OEM, as well as the job shop sector of moldmakers, tool & die and contract part manufacturers alike, according to Tom Curfiss, the retrofit business development manager for Siemens.  Speaking from his Cincinnati area office, Curfiss comments, “Today’s business climate has combined with economic factors involved in the manufacture of control packages to create an ideal atmosphere for retrofit.  Our company has long been involved in the upgrade of large gantry mills for aerospace production, for example.  But today, it’s just as likely you’ll find our Retrofit Solution Partners outfitting a 3-axis mill or even a basic lathe with a new entry-level or mid-range CNC, motor and drive package.  And, the best news for the job shop, this work can now be done at a price point comparable to just the cost of the CNC a decade ago, owing to economies of scale in the manufacture of these control packages.”

Tom CurfissSiemens currently has 17 Retrofit Solution Partners under contract in the U.S.  These companies work in close cooperation with Siemens to fully understand the possibilities of retrofitting machines with SINUMERIK CNC and to provide complete services for the installation and refurbishment of the CNC machine.  These partner firms for the Machine Tool Systems business at Siemens must have a demonstrated ability to work on CNC, PLC, servo motor, digital drive and all accompanying peripheral products, plus have a proficiency in the development of software packages related to PLC and CNC applications.  Every Solution Partner then commits to a battery of training sessions on SINUMERIK controls and is required to keep at least two Siemens-trained engineers on staff at all times, according to Curfiss. The Solution Partners are not geographic specific, as several have proven expertise in the field working on particular types or brands of machine tools.  The selection process for the appropriate partner takes many factors into consideration, says Curfiss.  “We have partners who specialize in 5-axis machines, others who have expertise in a certain industry such as aerospace or medical, and still others who have their greatest strength in a particular area of the country.  Depending on the job specifics and the logistic costs involved, we work hard to match the right partner to the customer’s needs.”

Typically, Curfiss continues, the tipping point on a retrofit job is 60% of the price of a new machine.  However, he also points out that many machines have outdated controls, although they still perform adequately in the shop or production department.  “The challenge, when we do our onsite machine evaluation, is to determine whether a retrofit will make an appreciable difference in the performance of the machine, as other factors in the mechanics of the iron might make a retrofit impractical.”  Curfiss further noted that today’s control technology is evolving at a very rapid rate, making some equipment that went out of production just 10 years ago less than optimum in contributing to maximum machine tool performance.   “Running machine tools with 20-year-old technology today will simply not keep a shop as competitive as it needs to be.”

Existing Equipment

Existing equipment

Tom Curfiss has had his share of experiences with “old iron” in the field, as his background in machine tools spans over 40 years.  “A lot of people think their old iron is just impossible to keep running, even with a retrofit, but we’re able to make the old equipment run better than it did when it was new, quite often.”  He notes this achievement is the result of faster control processors, improved motor and drive technology, even more accurate and responsive encoders and other machine status sensing devices.  On a practical note, Curfiss also remarks, “You cannot, however, fix a broken leg with a bandage, so the machine evaluation needs to be very comprehensive.”

In the end, Tom Curfiss suggests, both the large production departments and the job shops alike need to have regular assessments done on their prototype and production machine tools to determine if a retrofit might be in order.  “The savings can be substantial, compared to purchasing new machines, because it’s not just a matter of the dollars saved at the outset, it’s also the long-term production improvements that inevitably lead to even greate Tom Curfiss has had his share of experiences with “old iron” in the field, as his background in machine tools spans over 40 years.  “A lot of people think their old iron is just impossible to keep running, even with a retrofit, but we’re able to make the old equipment run better than it did when it was new, quite often.”  He notes this achievement is the result of faster control processors, improved motor and drive technology, even more accurate and responsive encoders and other machine status sensing devices.  On a practical note, Curfiss also remarks, “You cannot, however, fix a broken leg with a bandage, so the machine evaluation needs to be very comprehensive.” In the end, Tom Curfiss suggests, both the large production departments and the job shops alike need to have regular assessments done on their prototype and production machine tools to determine if a retrofit might be in order. “The savings can be substantial, compared to purchasing new machines, because it’s not just a matter of the dollars saved at the outset, it’s also the long-term production improvements that inevitably lead to even greater profit for the job shop or OEM.”

For more information on Siemens SINUMERIK CNC, visit www.usa.siemens.com/cnc.

For specific product information and inquiries, call (800) 879-8079 ext. Marketing Communications or send an e-mail to: SiemensMTBUMarCom.industry@siemens.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SiemensCNC or Twitter:  www.twitter.com/siemens_cnc_us.

Siemens Industry Sector is the world’s leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products, solutions and services for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the sector enhances its customers’ productivity, efficiency and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services Divisions as well as the Metals Technologies Business Unit. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/industry.

The Siemens Drive Technologies Division is the world’s leading supplier of products, systems, applications, solutions and services for the entire drive train, with electrical and mechanical components. Drive Technologies serves all vertical markets in the production and process industries as well as the infrastructure/energy segment. With its products and solutions, the division enables its customers to achieve productivity, energy efficiency and reliability. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/drivetechnologies.

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AeroDef 2014 Booth #239: Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl

sinumerik_840D_sl_with_motors_drives

Visit us at booth #239!

AERODEF 2014 – Siemens will present its SINUMERIK 840D sl numerical controller, the aerospace industry standard for CNC machine tool control, which features unmatched open architecture for the handling of the most complex cutting and forming operations.  In addition, Siemens will demonstrate robotic control through its mxAutomation solution, where robotic functions are controlled on a second channel of the SINUMERIK CNC and transferred to the robot via the Siemens PLC.  And as the only single-source supplier in the aerospace industry who can provide the entire CAD/CAM/ CNC process chain, it’s clear why Siemens is the first choice in aerospace part manufacturing.

For more information on Siemens SINUMERIK CNC, visit www.usa.siemens.com/cnc.

For specific product information and inquiries, call (800) 879-8079 ext. Marketing Communications or send an e-mail to: SiemensMTBUMarCom.industry@siemens.com.

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SiemensCNC or Twitter:  www.twitter.com/siemens_cnc_us.

Siemens Industry Sector is the world’s leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products, solutions and services for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the sector enhances its customers’ productivity, efficiency and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services Divisions as well as the Metals Technologies Business Unit. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/industry.

The Siemens Drive Technologies Division is the world’s leading supplier of products, systems, applications, solutions and services for the entire drive train, with electrical and mechanical components. Drive Technologies serves all vertical markets in the production and process industries as well as the infrastructure/energy segment. With its products and solutions, the division enables its customers to achieve productivity, energy efficiency and reliability. For more information, visit http://www.usa.siemens.com/drivetechnologies.

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