Staff from computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) innovator DP Technology, maker of ESPRIT, visited the U.S. headquarters of leading machine-tool builder Mazak, where Mazak’s national applications engineers were trained to use the recently released ESPRIT 2008.

Olivier Thenoz, DP’s mill-turn product manager, conducted a week-long training at the Mazak National Technology Center in Florence, Ky., where Mazak applications engineers took part in specialized training on the software. Programming is an essential part of the job for applications engineers at Mazak, and ESPRIT will be one of the tools used when the engineers program a demo part or are testing, as well as when a customer is in need of applications assistance, said Thenoz.

Thenoz’s training focused primarily on milling on Mazak’s Variaxis 5-axis machines, and on production turning and 4-axis and 5-axis milling on Integrex Mk4 series and Integrex e-series multi-tasking machines.

“At the end of the training, Mazak found the software easier to use than two years ago,” said Thenoz of the trainees’ experience with ESPRIT 2008. “They really appreciated the stock automation and the open pocketing strategy.”

In addition to the training, Thenoz demonstrated B-axis contouring, a new functionality available within ESPRIT 2008, by performing a test cut on an Integrex e-series machine alongside Mazak National Applications Engineer Lem Linder.

Following several tests, Linder successfully ran a program on the Integrex e-410H with Mazatrol Matrix control.

“We didn’t need to use the RTCP function,” Thenoz said. “In turning mode, the machine keeps track of the position of the control point when the B axis rotates. We initially had a problem with a very slow feed rate when the B axis moved, but we overcame this problem by using an inverse time feed rate (G93) in turning mode.”

Thenoz and Linder cut a piece of aluminum to validate the tool path. The part was cut with accurate dimensions and the possibilities look very promising, said Thenoz, who added that “the most challenging element of performing the cut is finding the best tool, especially when it has to cut OD and ID at the same time.”

Advancements available within ESPRIT 2008 include turning stock automation for lathes, EDM machine specific machining technology, improved 3D machining performance, open pocket milling, expanded CAD to CAM feature exchange (FX), enhanced KnowledgeBase machining (KBM) functionality, and B-axis turning for 5-axis mill-turn machines. ESPRIT 2008 is designed to run on both the Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Vista operating systems.

About B-Axis Contouring
The B-axis contouring cycle is based on the SolidTurn contouring cycle, as most of the technology settings are common to both operations. The tool orientation defined on the strategy page defines the B-axis angle, and this orientation is used during the lead-in move. During the cut, the tool orientation changes based upon the B-axis strategy. The lead-out move uses the final tool orientation angle.

Two strategies used to control the B-axis angle variation are the minimization of the change of lead angle and the minimization of the change of orientation angle. Minimum and maximum lead angles define the allowable range of the local lead angle of the tool. The local lead angle is measured from an imaginary line perpendicular to the front edge of the tool.

Because the B-axis orientation angle is relative to the vertical axis and also takes into account the tool holder orientation, the tool angle will never pass minimum and maximum B-angle limits. When collision detection is enabled, it prevents collisions between the part and the tool. The collision detection works from the tool geometry and clearances input by the user.