Hexagon simulation avoids notorious 5-axis singularity to improve quality 

Virtual manufacturing software avoids quality issues machining complex parts, reduces time to simulate toolpath adjustments

New simulation software, released today by Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, addresses long-suffered 5-axis machine instability so manufacturers can achieve quality without sacrificing productivity.

Enhancements to the NCSIMUL software, that serves as a digital twin of the machine to plan and optimise NC programming, enable machinists to determine the location of the 5-axis singularity point and avoid it for the first time. This follows customer requests for vital assistance in ensuring a high-quality surface finish on their completed parts. It is particularly important when machining turbine blades and impellers for the aerospace industry – as 5-axis continuous cutting is used for 80 per cent of aerospace parts – along with complex automotive, and oil and gas parts.

When the toolpath generated by CAM software passes through, or near to, the singularity point, the machine tool behaves erratically. The machine tool can vibrate, causing ‘chatter marks’ on the component being machined, which affects the quality of the surface finish. In order to do the job right the first time and reduce cycle times to meet delivery times, it is vital to stop the singularity point. 

The new release helps predict the singularity point. By predicting the lines of code where there may be problems with vibrations and surface quality, programs can be improved by modifying cutting strategy parameters or changing strategies altogether.

“This means the user achieves the required surface finish and product quality on complex parts with a 5-axis machining process virtually, before going to the shop floor to cut the first part,” says Philippe Legoupi, Product Owner, Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division. “The stock position and orientation affect the cutting feedrate of the 5-axis continuous trajectories. NCSIMUL evaluates the quality of the fifth axis when it’s close to 100 per cent; the tool cuts with the programmed feedrate, and the user benefits from a shorter cycle time. So, overall, this new function helps to decrease 5-axis cycle times and increase productivity.”

A new material-specific optimisation tool, Optipower, was introduced last November that optimises the program and limits the power necessary to remove material. In NCSIMUL 2021.1, Optipower now calculates the cutting force applied to the tool’s external contact point, ensuring the maximum force of the tool is not exceeded, specifically for the tangential cutting force. It also extends tool life, reducing tooling costs.

This data is fully utilised, explains Legoupi, “We’re working to make manufacturing smarter through better use of simulation data. The maximum torque and cutting force for each machining sequence are integrated into the analysis report, and progress can be monitored with a graph displaying values as a curve, where X = time and Y = force.  This data is also used to define a minimum ‘feed by tooth’ to avoid being below the minimum chip.”

Additional enhancements to the latest software release improve productivity even more, through faster simulation after making changes, along with greater automation and scripting flexibility.

Data can now be sent from the user’s CAM system to NCSIMUL 2021.1 without any adjustment before launching verification, meaning NC-programmers can start debugging the G-code file during programming, and seamlessly go back and forth between CAM and simulation.

Furthermore, new intermediate stock management functionality ensures the simulation will always start from the last updated intermediate stock saving hours of simulations.”] When loading a new version of the G-code file, NCSIMUL automatically stores the previous file, and compares both records at the end of decoding.

Learn more at www.ncsimul.com