Job Design Considerations
Before designing a job for cutting on the machine there are a number of factors that must be
taken in to account. A designer must always consider how the component is to be produced
using the machine, tooling and materials available. Sometimes the design requirements will
place demands on the tooling that could lead to undesirable practices such as the use of
small diameter or extra long tooling. These must be avoided as far as practicable and
attempts should be made to alter the design to reduce these practices.
It is essential that when designing a job for manufacture the programmer is conversant with
the machine capabilities, characteristics of the materials being cut and the available tooling.
In cases where there is no control over the design of the component to be cut then the
overriding consideration must then be to the safe and efficient cutting of the component. The
order of priority of these considerations will be dependent upon the nature of the job.
Physicality of the component
The physical nature of the component (i.e shape and material to be used) to be machined
will determine factors such as;
• work holding
• cutter selection (diameter, length, flute geometry)
• cutting speeds and feed rates
• number of cutting passes
• edge finish
Work Holding
The material to be cut must be safely secured to the machine bed. The use of jigs or manual
clamping methods may be required depending on the size and shape of the item to be
machined and the material it is to be cut from.
If using vacuum tables the operator must ensure that minimal “leakage” is present to
maximise the effectiveness of the system. If too much leakage is present then materials and
components may move during the cutting process. The number and size of through cuts, the
size of the component being cut, the condition of the sacrificial board, the speed of cut and
diameter of the cutter being used will all influence the performance of the vacuum system.
If using manual clamping methods or jigging, consideration must be given to the placement
of clamps, height of clamps, number of clamps and proximity of clamps to machining paths.
The programmer and machine operator must ensure that travel clearance heights and clamp
location will not cause the cutter or any other part of the machine to strike any of these
items.
If automatic, semi-automatic or manually activated clamping devices are fitted to the
machine, care must be exercised to ensure that there is no risk of injury or engagement with
the devices by operators or other persons.
To Next Page
Loading...