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Features of Delmia's Virtual Numerical Control ( VNC )

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Introduction :-

Delmia's Virtual Numerical Control ( VNC ) is a completely 3 dimensional

simulation tool for the verification simulation of CNC programs on a virtual
machine tool.

Features of Virtual Numerical Control ( VNC ) :-

1. Machine Tool Simulation

1.1 Machine Building and other peripheral Devices modeling.

With VNC, users can build Virtual CNC machines of upto 16 axes and
Additionally peripheral devices such as Automatic Tool Changers,
Pallet Changers, Robotic arms etc. A machine simulated in VNC can
take into account the kinematics of various moving parts. This will
help in cross checking the various movements of the machine even
before a prototype is made.

1.2 Collision detection between all machine tool elements like each axis of
machine tool, Fixtures, Workpiece & Cutting tool.

In VNC, users can set the collision queue between various parts.
If there is a collision between the parts in the queue, the
colliding parts are highlighted. The simulation can be set to stop
at the precise moment of collision, and the CNC program block which
had caused the collision will be highlighted. The collision report
can be customized by the user to suit his requirements.
Additionally VNC is Capable of handling collision of workpiece with
non-cutting part of tool for example shank. User can also set
a NEAR MISS DISTANCE to maintain a safe distance between the different
components in the simulation. This can be very helpful in showing to the
users areas of close near miss situations.

1.3 Simulation of manual operations like addition or removal of fixtures

reorientation of part.

VNC is capable of handling Simulation of manual operations like addition

or removal of fixtures, reorientation of part. VNC also has buttons
for manual data input (MDI) to add a program line at any point of time,
 Block skip to skip a block of program code, Optional stop etc, which are
available in the operator pendant of the shop floor machine.

2. Material Removal Simulation.

2.1 New Fast and accurate material removal algorithm.

VNC's new material removal algorithm helps in improving the users'

productivity by offering them instant visual feedback of their work
The new material removal algorithm is a fast, flexible solid Boolean engine. It models the full
simulation of the CNC operation, including 2.5 through 5 axis milling operations, 2 and 4 axis
turning and 2 and 4 axis Wire-EDM.

2.2 Simulation of 2 1/2, 3, 4 & 5 axis milling & drilling operation.

With VNC, the users can simulate machines with 2, 2 1/2, 3, 4, and 5
axes machines. The users can also simulate machines with upto 16 axes
at a time. ADDITIONALLY, peripheral devices such as ATC's, Pallet
changers, robotic arms etc can be simulated.

2.3 Simulation of 2 & 4 axis turning operations.

VNC is capable of simulating turning machines of 2 & 4 or more

axes. Apart from single Turret it is capable of simulating ma-
chines with twin turrets & simultaneous machining with both the
Turrets.

2.4 Simulation of turn-mill operations.

VNC has a dedicated algorithm for both turning & milling operations.
It is capable of handling multiple tool & multiple workpiece in the
same machine. i.e., the same or different workpieces being cut by
more than one cutting tool at a time.

3. Data handling

3.1 Controller specific G-codes simulation capability.

VNC is capable of simulating all G and M codes specific for a NC system.

Apart from this VNC also gives the flexibility to program his own
G and M codes to see the effect in simulation world.

3.2 Ability to simulate machine cycles, sub-routines & part program

repetitions.

VNC is capable of handling sub-routines & part program repetitions.

 VNC also gives the user flexibility to Design/Test his customized cycles
using MIMIC in VNC.

3.3 APT and CL files support.

VNC is capable of simulating programs either in G&M codes or APT

or CL file format.

3.4 Standard translators like IGES, DXF, etc.

VNC supports IGES & DXF formats to translate data to and from other
CAD packages.

3.5 Dedicated translators for importing solid models from IDEAS, CADDS5
and AutoCAD(ACIS or DWG)

VNC supports all these translators on all platforms except IDEAS which
is currently supported in Unix platforms only.

VNC new releases have the functionality of directly reading in AutoCad

Files in either DWG or DXF format.

3.6 CAD direct access for Catia and Uni-Graphics.

Now VNC has new features like CATIA-Direct and UG-direct to retrieve
The model and session files directly from UG and Catia. This enables
The users to get the data into Delmia CAD environment with out any
Translation.

4. View & Analysis.

4.1 Zooming, Panning and rotation of Solid models.

VNC is capable of Zooming, panning & rotation of Solid models.

With VNC, the user can Zoom, pan or rotate views even when the actual
cutting and simulation takes place. This is extremely useful to the
user to concentrate on any particular area when the cutting actually
takes place.

4.2 Multiple view ports.

VNC supports multiple view ports and also gives the liberty to the user
to visualize standard views like Front, Top, Side views etc.
User can also have user-defined views. These User defined views can be
activated at specific events during the simulation to give closer
view of specific areas of interest. This feature is called Viewpoint
 Choreography. In addition, in VNC, the user can also have multiple
view Windows to view the simulation.

4.3 Cut away sectioning.

Cut away section of any element or workpiece can be obtained with VNC.

4.4 Gourad shading.

VNC supports Gourad shading. Apart from Gourad VNC is capable of having
different shades like transparent, Flat, Unshaded, Wireframe etc.

4.5 Process Monitoring

Continuous updating of material removal process and monitoring of depth

of cut, Volumetric rate of material removal, Axis speeds, Feed rates,
positions, and accelerations, gauge point location, Cycle times dimens-
ional relationship between any two parts, Dynamic dimensioning distance
to go etc.

VNC is capable of simulating continuous updating of material removal

process and monitoring of depth of cut, Volumetric rate of material
removal, Axis speeds, Feed rates, positions, and accelerations, gauge
point location, Cycle times dimensional relationship between any two
parts, Dynamic dimensioning and also distance to go etc.

It is possible to monitor all the machining parameters like feed,

speed etc either by pop-ups or by using charts & graphs. It's also
possible to have all this information saved in a file for further
reference.

The cycle time for the machine, the time the tool spent in feed, the
time the workpiece was actually cut etc can be got from VNC in the
form of POPUPS or reports. The cycle times reported by VNC have been
found to be 95% accurate when compared with the cycle times on the
shop floor machines. VNC also gives the cycle time for each block of
CNC code.

4.6 Measurement of distances between geometric features, thickness, angles

etc.

VNC Measuring features are capable of handling distances between

geometric features, thickness, angles etc. In addition, VNC supports
DYNAMIC DIMENSIONING with Floating and Fixed texts.

4.7 Comparison of the cut part with the original CAD model and visual asses-
 ment of gouging or additional material remaining with color highlighting.

VNC's Zip feature allows user to check the finished component for dimensi-
onal accuracies & gouging with color highlighting. It also highlights
in the workpiece, the tool which was used to cut the particular area
of the workpiece.

4.8 Automatic Gouge and Undercut detection

VNC automatically identifies gouges, undercuts and rapid-feed clashes in a machining operation
and generates an error list for the user. The user can view the list of errors, sorted by cut number or
severity, and then click to display a visual close-up of an error. The user is not dependent upon
manual visual inspection to spot errors.

During the CNC program processing, VNC detects and lists rapid-feed clashes between tool and
stock. CNC programs with millions of blocks can be checked in minutes on low-cost PCs. Smaller
CNC programs can be verified almost instantly.

VNC detects undercuts. For each cutting operation, VNC can return the volume of material
removed, maximum and minimum depth of cut and percentage area of material removed. A unique
Cut Preview capability allows cut parameters to be calculated without altering the stock model, so
that users can test cuts before performing them.

To determine the exact cause of an error, the user can select an error and watch a close-up
animation of the error occurring. By seeing the exact tool motions that cause it, the user can report
the error with certainty and gain a good understanding of why the error has occurred.

4.9 Tolerance compliance checking.

It is possible to have Tolerance compliance checking in VNC.

5. Process Evaluation.

5.1 Standard & custom built cutting tool & material libraries.

VNC has built in parametric tool builder capable of building standard NC

cutting tools. This is helpful in creating different types of tools by
clicking few buttons. User can also make use of 3D or 2D data to create
non standard tools. Along with this VNC has libraries of tools from
standard tool manufacturers.

5.2 Operator guided cutting parameters selection.

In VNC, the users can put limits on the cutting parameters like feed,
speed, depth of cut, so that when the actual cutting parameters exceed
the set limit, VNC can warn the users, or limit the parameters under the
 set limits. This sort of adaptive control mechanisms are supported in VNC.

VNC can also be made to take user inputs on Cutting parameters for each
tool while cutting.

6. Customization.

Delmia's universal controller Mimic is capable of emulating all controllers. Features including
canned cycles, mirror images, offsets, fixed cycles etc. The Universal Controller can be modified to
simulate any CNC Controller.