Creo 5.0 Manufacturing - Machine Simulation

[bparker]

Hello, thank you for the opportunity to participate in this forum. I hope that this isn't a redundant question..

I am using Creo 5.0. I am using the base manufacturing program - I'm not sure what it is called (NC?). We also have Expert Machinist but I am not using the application. Does the base software include machine tool simulation?

Thank you,

Barry Parker

[JoseCoronado]

Hi Barry, we don't have G-Code Machine Simulation, as an out-of-the-box functionality. Usually our Creo NC customers use Vericut or NC-Simul.

There was a prototype to use Creo Mechanism, but there are limited capabilities and only uses CLData.

Regards

Jose  

[bparker]

Jose,

   Thank you.

   It is very difficult to know what functionality I have, what modules are available, what they do, what they are called etc..etc..

I see grayed out items in the interface but I am unable to determine whether it is a licensing, configuration or user issue. I seem to find positive information about what can be done with a module but none to say that you cannot use the visible but grayed out functionality.

Barry Parker

[bparker]

Is it possible (in the base Creo CNC) to replace or add to the tool shown in the "play path" a partial model of the machine head? I am using position milling in Creo NC to program a 5 axis gantry mill. The parts are quite large and require that the machine head goes inside the workpiece. There are areas that require close attention to avoid crashing the machine in to the workpiece. I need to find a way to see the machine head so as to avoid collisions. Is there a easy way to do this in the base Creo NC software?

Thank you,

Barry Parker

[JoseCoronado]

Hi Barry,  using the Creo NC basic functionality  you can use fixtures to place them where you want and check potential gouges and collisions against them...

Combine that with the functionality  included in Material Removal:

Regards

Jose 

[bparker]

Jose,

  Thank you.

  The parts/workpieces are large (36" + deep). The collisions are not only between the tool and the workpiece/part but also the machine itself and the workpiece/part. There are areas where the head of the machine will barely fit in the machined pockets. 

  We are probably exceeding the intended purpose of the base software. It can be done but it is not easy. I was hoping to avoid the expense of moving to a more advanced module.

Barry

[bparker]

I guess that I could assemble my own machine model and manually assemble it in the proper position in the worst case location(s) and check it that way. Using this approach, I would create my sequence coordinate system and then pull the machine assembly below it in the tree prior to constraining the machine assembly to it for each sequence. I would then make coordinate system adjustments as necessary before defining the machining sequence.

[cfardmanesh]

 So you know Jose is the product manger at PTC and he is not telling you that. Because there are a lot of things are short for machine simulation. It is a lot of work starting with machine native file and then you must have assemble with kinematics constraints which is additional license and your option is to CLDATA only which is useless anyway.

You want G-Code simulation and that is the ticket. I personally myself not a fan of VERICUT either.

[JoseCoronado]

Hello,  the best option is to use one of the Machine Simulation specialists. Vericut, NCSimul or similar.

In the past we enabled a sort of Machine Simulation using Creo Kinematics, but it can simulate only the CLData, so is not a good solution. What you need is to simulate G-Code.

Best Regards

Jose 

[bparker]

Thank you Jose, 

   We have recently acquired a full machining license which includes simulation. This is much better and allows for 4 and 5 axis programming but, as you have said, it simulates CLData. The CLData simulations look good and show no obvious issues. In reality (G-Code) there are occasional 360 degree head rotations/crashes that were not in the simulation. 

Regards,

Barry