FOCUS ON CAD / CAM
Fully automating the nesting process freed up one person ’ s job by 95 % - now he just programs parts and oversees the DMM schedules
Technology-specific functionality has also allowed ASCO Power Technologies to save time . Tool Teach , in particular , has been instrumental in streamlining the process of applying punch tool hits to complex components .
“ We adapt to whatever engineers request on the part with teach mode - we can teach a special tooling arrangement which will then be applied automatically on all parts with elements of the same geometry . JETCAM automatically cleans the file during import and then we ’ ll auto-tool the part for each machine on which it can be processed , which means that it ’ s ready to nest on any machine ,” commented James Hunley .
In 2014 , the company upgraded its standard free form nesting to JETCAM ’ s Free Form High-Performance Nesting module . This delivered , on average , a further 4 % material saving using its time-based nesting algorithm .
Fully dynamic nesting
Continuously looking for areas of improvement , ASCO Power Technologies identified that scheduled , fully dynamic nesting across all its machines would deliver further benefits . It reviewed MES systems , finally settling on Aquila DMM due to its tight integration with JETCAM Expert . In 2017 , the company went live with DMM , with operators able to request nests on demand .
Assembly operations at ASCO Power Technologies .
“ Previously , operators might cherry-pick easier nests . Now , we are driven by data . DMM knows which parts to make and the next machine available , so it will send the parts for dynamic nesting to JETCAM , with NC code then quickly being ready . This ensures that the machines are always busy . The partnership between Aquila and JETCAM was a seamless fit ,” explained the company .
Below : ASCO 7000 SERIES Automatic Transfer and Bypass- Isolation Switches are available in open transition , closed transition and delayed transition designs .
Real-world scenarios can also be managed , with complex parts ( such as louvres ) handled using static nests .
“ DMM allows us to work outside the automated processes , if needed . It sees the order and knows that this requires an existing static JETCAM nest instead of a new dynamic one . Fully automating the nesting process freed up one person ’ s job by 95 % - now he just programs parts and oversees the DMM schedules ,” added James Hunley .
Strong support is key
ASCO Power Technologies has continuously taken a maintenance contract from JETCAM , regularly seeing the benefit from features in new releases . Hunley has noted a continuous trend of improvement , especially with algorithms within the software .
“ These have evolved over the years . Issues were uncommon to start with anyway , but now they are more of a rarity . The number of manual interactions is probably down by 80 %,” he explained .
With JETCAM , added Hunley , not only has the support requirement been significantly lower , but the quality of responses has set a new bar .
“ I cannot say enough about what JETCAM and its distributor , NestOne , bring to the table in terms of response time . We don ’ t need to call so often due to the level of automation …”
When ASCO Power Technologies first received JETCAM , training was provided by the machine tool vendor . Since then , new staff have been trained in-house by existing users , or with short online sessions with NestOne technical staff . ASCO Power Technologies also uses JETCAM ’ s online ‘ University ’, which features hundreds of short videos ( each detailing a specific feature ). n
CONTACT For further information , see
www . ascopower . com / us / en JETCAM International has been developing and distributing its range of automation software since 1986 . Used in 82 countries , JETCAM software supports most CNC punching , laser , plasma , routing , waterjet and flatbed cutting machines , and provides automation and Industry 4.0 IIoT connectivity . See
www . jetcam . com
36 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR February 2021