End users confirm the benefits of Manual Guide i, designed for easy on-site programming of lathes, milling machines and combined machines using all current GE Fanuc CNC controllers.
The modular structure of Manual Guide i means it can be employed across most types of cutting operation. The turning module provides all the cycles needed to program a turned part - roughing and finishing, inside and outside turning, facing, grooving and cutting-off cycles as well as drilling.
The milling module offers functions for trimming, contour milling and recess milling as well as drilling cycles and much more. Both modules can be used for combined machining operations; and a 'Setup' module is also available.
The product offers users a number of programming options, to be used according to individual capabilities - and the different methods can be combined. This in particular captured the attention of Werner Schnitker from Hora at Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock.
The company makes power station fittings and components for heaters/air-conditioning and ventilation. To tackle some of this work, Schnitker has started using a Biglia 650YS turning machine with counterspindle.
In fact, one reason behind the decision to go for the Biglia was that it came with Manual Guide i. 'For turning and milling on a single machine, we require the programming software to provide us with strong support,' says Schnitker. He also highlights the practical benefits of being able to work with both ISO and conversational programming.
He explains briefly how the machine is deployed: 'in my area, spindles are machined with key or square surfaces. Up until now, we have machined these spindles in two work cycles' ie turning and milling operations have been addressed separately. 'With the new Biglia, we are machining them in one clamping operation.'
The benefits of one software program for turning and milling were also important to Norbert Rödiger, who runs a machine shop in Wettenberg. Since January 2004, he has been running a Gildemeister CTX400 C2 with driven tools, equipped with a Fanuc CNC and the Manual Guide i desktop.
'Manual Guide i is a great help' he says; 'programming is considerably easier and I save time - this is particularly noticeable in milling with driven tools.'
Many users find the graphics editor especially helpful. Klaus Schlesak, operations manager at Webra Feinmechanik GmbH in Weidenberg is one. The company undertakes subcontract machining for automation and medical sectors, and its 35 CNC machines are nearly all equipped with Fanuc controllers.
A Biglia 550Y was the first to be equipped with Manual Guide i. Schlesak, an experienced programmer, says the machine has exceeded expectations: 'In the area of profiling, for example, I picked up the programming procedure very quickly and could make changes.
'It often happens that we receive a badly drawn construction drawing, from which we - without Manual Guide i - have to calculate many transitions and points of intersection manually using angle functions, etc, before turning.
'Manual Guide i does this work for me. The software almost permits construction of a component in the controller.;
Since February, there has been another Biglia, a 1200Y with Manual Guide i in the machine shop of the Ena iron and metal casting plant in Albbruck. The company produces core-intensive, complex grey, nodular and aluminium-sand cast iron parts.
Thorsten Betz, head of mechanical machining, explains the purchase: 'as we do not have any external programming space, we needed a programming system directly on the machine. We found Manual Guide very appealing thanks to its clear structure - although we had never had a GE Fanuc controller on our premises before.'
He has found that users can undertake simple machining work without the need for extensive training. 'In principle, we needed just a three-day training course on the controller to be able to use it properly. 'If you have worked continuously with Manual Guide i for two or three weeks, then you can do anything - assuming you have some experience.'
As well as the simple operation, he is also pleased with the graphical display options: 'you can look at cross-sections of the component, rotate it and turn it, so that you can see all the details. If problems are to be expected, then the controller will output error messages.'(end)
