SIMTech developed QuickSeeNC, a numerical control (NC) machining verification system that models, simulates, verifies and optimizes NC tool paths. QuickSeeNC has been adopted by several local die and mould makers because it is fast and simple to use. It provides "What You See is What You Cut" functions to efficiently model, simulate, verify and optimize complex NC machining processes.

1. April 2005 • cutting edge • 5
INDUSTRYALLIANCE
PROFITING FROM DYNAMIC NUMERICAL CONTROL
VERIFICATION SYSTEM
SIMTech has developed the QuickSeeNC to model, simulate,
verify and optimise numerical control (NC) machining.
QuickSeeNC has been adopted by several local die and mould
makers for its speed and simplicity.
“SIMTech has developed
practical applications for
mould manufacturers,
including QuickSeeNC
and PartingAdviser,
which provide ‘What
You See is What You Cut’
functions.”
In an increasingly competitive and
demanding market, saving material and
machining costs through effective
computing solutions is essential for
sustaining manufacturing productivity and
customer satisfaction.
Numerical Control (NC) machining is
an important and ubiquitous
manufacturing technology. NC errors
can cause work-pieces to be scrapped
and/or damage the machine tool. In small
batch production, there is little time for
trial and error. Verifying and optimising
precision NC machining data can
signigicantly improve profitability.
In high-speed precision machining
(HSM), the fast moving and expensive
cutter can be easily broken. Traditional NC
simulation checks only geometrical errors.
This is not adequate for high-speed
precision machining where it is necessary
to deal with the copious data for the
cutter tool path.
An efficient software package system
known as QuickSeeNC has been
developed by SIMTech to model, simulate,
verify and optimise NC machining, based
on geometric representation. The system
starts with a patented solid model of the
machined part to simulate and optimise
the machining process.
Compared to the conventional
software packages, the QuickSeeNC
software system comes with very user-
friendly features and more comprehensive
functions. The NC system offers the facility
of a 3D tool path graphic display that can
be viewed, edited and optimised. Users
can choose to highlight a tool-path
or layer as well as to edit a specific layer
of the tool-path. Another special feature
of the NC system lies in its capacity to
auto-track tool-paths and cutting results,
thus eliminating the need for time-
consuming test cuts.
Building on its patented techniques,
SIMTech has developed a number of
practical applications for mould
manufacturers, including QuickSeeNC
and PartingAdviser software, which
provide “What You See is What You Cut”
functions. Several local die and mould
makers have adopted QuickSeeNC for its
speed and simplicity. It has found wide
applications for NC tool-path simulation,
verification and optimisation in the
precision engineering, automotive,
aerospace and electronics industries.
SIMTech is currently working with
IHPC (Institute of High Performance
Computing) to promote this system to the
Singapore precision engineering industry
under the A*STAR precision engineering
programme.
For more information, please contact Mr
Liu Peiling, Research Scientist, at Tel: 6793
8356; Email: plliu@SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg;
or Mr Lee Soon Khuan, Senior Industry
Development Manager, at Tel: 6793 8419;
or Email: sklee@SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg.
(Right) Verifying and
optimising 16
operations of a
printer cover insert
machining
(Below) Dynamic
simulation of high
speed machining of
a thin wall part
Inset is a close-up
view of simulation
of the thin wall
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