Automated CNC programming with iX CAM
From planning or design directly to the machine.
From the finished design drawing or the online store directly to the machine: iX CAM automatically generates the CNC programs for all common machine manufacturers from the planning or design - from the individual CNC machine to the workshop cell or the networked production plant. In addition, in-house production processes can be mapped and CNC data generation can be adapted to the respective production flow - simply, quickly, reliably and economically.
Highlights at a glance
- Integrated in iX Organizer and iX CAD
- Production lists and NC data at the push of a button directly from iX CAD
- Direct connection of CNC machines and production lines of the most common brands
- Automated tool assignment
- Unique part identification by barcode labels
- Generation of approach and retract movements of the tool as well as automatic individual positioning of the parts
- Provision of nesting data to third-party systems
- Toolpath animation of the CNC programs in iX CAD
- Connection to manufacturer systems, including woodWOP, B-Solid and Maestro
- Connection of common cutting optimization software, e.g. Schnitt Profi(t), ARDIS, HPO, OptiPlanning, Ottimo
- Allocation of part machining to several machines
- Management of tools, technologies and machining strategies
- Special machining strategies for solid wood machining and edge banding on the CNC machine
- Calculation of machining times
Application areas and functions of iX CAM
The data flow is essentially based on the workflows. Here, component or machining properties are used to control which path a component takes through production. Starting from the cutting dimension, which is transferred from iX CAD, processing steps such as formatting and edge banding are taken into account and subsequent programs are written according to the available component dimension.
Thanks to the object-oriented approach, detailed manufacturing data can already be derived from the planning and design. Not only geometry data, but also the technology parameters as well as the process sequence are generated automatically. iX CAM considers the individual machine configuration: From the single CNC machine to the workshop cell consisting of saw, edge and CNC up to the fully automatic industrial plant, a professional and economic CNC connection is feasible.
- Approach and departure routes
- Milling strategies
- Converting machining operations
- Mirror programs
- Zero point corrections
- Multiple generation of NC programs for machining on both sides
- Contour machining
- Tool assignment
- and much more
iX CAM does not offer its own cutting optimization, but uses a freely configurable interface. Not only cutting dimensions and material designations can be transferred, but also part designations, item numbers, component graphics and much more. This information can be output on a component-specific label.
The core of CNC production is a suitable workpiece identification via barcode or similar. A unique part number can be generated directly in iX CAM according to freely adjustable rules. This ensures that the part can be clearly assigned in production.
Not only can the processing time per process step be defined individually, you can also calculate and provide process times.
Special facts about iX CAM
Customer configuration instead of special development
The openly designed configuration interface allows the output and definition of the programs to be designed independently and adapted to the needs of production. Tool tips explain the individual functions and provide useful examples for use. An input wizard helps to enter formulas and variables syntactically correctly.
Complex production processes
Automated CNC data generation in iX CAM can take place for multiple workflows and enables flexible production planning. Thanks to special milling strategies, solid wood and frame parts are machined taking into account their respective grain direction.
Obtains geometry and machining data from iX CAD
An end-to-end data model from sales to manufacturing ensures error-free and complete output.
iX CAM 2021 Highlights
Using two post-processors (instead of one) doubles the speed of generating drawing documents, manufacturing documents and CNC programs, speeding up operations and maximizing productivity.
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Even more functions for iX CAM
iX CAM can do even more - the range of functions can be easily extended with these optional add-ons:
Edge
With the add-on for edge gluing, the gluing processes of different machine manufacturers can be defined and controlled. While the process for HOMAG machines is defined in iX CAM, predefined macros are controlled for Biesse and SCM. For IMA machines, the IMA Quicktool is controlled and supplied with parameters.
Sandwich
The sandwich enables the generation of CNC programs for combined components (e.g. side panels with rows of holes) that can be clamped simultaneously on one machine. The programs of the individual components as well as the combined sandwich program with machining from above and below are created. The function is integrated as a call in the workflow. This makes it possible to define precisely which components are to be combined.
Multi Workflow
Multi Workflow allows the use of several CNC machines in one workflow, with different aggregate placement and postprocessors if necessary. In addition, the function "Process all matching workflows" is available. Previously, each part was assigned to a single matching workflow in the automatic CAM run. By activating this option, data from all matching workflows is written for each part. A downstream process can then use the data to optimize the utilization of all machines, e.g. in the event of a machine failure.
CAM Edit
With the help of iX CAM Edit, users animate and modify their process data while still processing the job, without changing their master data. This saves them a trip to the machine and additional software licenses. In the iXplorer tab of the same name, they will find the element tree with all generated programs. The context menu contains the options for isolating and visualizing programs and machining operations. A machining is selected to view and adjust its program values in the properties palette.
Expand your possibilities in the production process!
These imos iX products are a useful addition to iX CAM and make your processes even more efficient.
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