New technologies, evolving customer requirements, different process procedures, part changes, inequities between CAD model and actual fixtures and parts, and other problems all require a flexible process environment. However, increased process complexities place a burden on production operators.
CIMCORP has developed a flexible environment for drilling, routing and waterjet cutting composites. The system accepts off-line CAD/CAM generated part programs, allows on-line creation and editing of programs, integrates customer expertise to help optimize production, yet maintains a simple production level environment. The environment utilizes pop-up menus and pull down interaction windows to reduce operator input to known values. An on-line RS-274 editor, communication with intelligent peripheral devices, and system administration screens for reconfiguration of process parameters are also included.
The flexible system is configurable to meet customer specific needs, while maintaining production level operator interaction. This environment preserves process integrity, using proven, documented, parametric information, rather than operator skill.