CNC & CAD/CAM initial & continuing vocational training - MTS

CNC & CAD/CAM
initial & continuing
vocational training
MATHEMATISCH TECHNISCHE
SOFTWARE-ENTWICKLUNG GMBH
CNC
TOPTURN
TOPMILL
TOPCAM
Complete
Machining
Turning
Milling

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TOPTURN TOPMILL TOPCAM
Software, teaching and learning aids for training
in metal, plastics and woodworking
For more than 20 years now, MTS has been
developing software for both technical applications
and special CNC shop-floor programming
systems, as well as CAD/CAM and CNC simulation
systems for turning and milling machining
centers.
The TOPTURN and TOPMILL CNC simulators
and TOPCAM, the integrated CAD and NC programming
system, are not only used in production,
but also in
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initial vocational training in vocational schools
and companies,
adult further training and retraining in training
centers of individual companies and of external
training organizations serving several companies,
the training of technicians and engineers of
polytechnical high schools, technical colleges
and technical universities.
Didactic concept of the CNC simulators TOP-
TURN and TOPMILL
Modern CNC technologies require staff training
that is innovative and in-step with current technical
developments. Our simulators provide highstandard
training software that
• encourages independent learning and work,
• is adaptable to different levels of learning,
• guarantees manufacturer-independent CNC
training based on the corresponding DIN/ISO
standards, taking into account knowledge on
cycles and contour paths programming,
• offers great ease of operation corresponding,
as far as possible, to operation of the machine
tools and controls,
• constitutes a system open to integration of any
CNC machine tools into the training concept,
and
••provides
possible ways of transfering and
applying what has been learned to the specific
environment of a particular CNC control
system.
Using these features, the didactic concept of MTS CNC simulators can be summarized
in one simple single statement:
Working with a CNC simulator should be just like working with a real
machine tool.
This involves integrating all preparatory and planning skills into the simulation
process, as well as all set-up operations such as determining the workpiece
dimensions and its clamping, setting workpiece coordinate origins, selecting
tools and assembling tools and, finally, loading of tool turrets and magazines.
Here priority is given to independent, activity-oriented work in all phases of the
learning process.
The virtual 3D reality simulation with its 3D collision determination, available
as an optional software enhancement, is ideal for supporting this type of learning.

TOPTURN models a lathe which can be optionally equipped with driven tools (supplementary axes C, Y and B) and a subspindle
for complete machining (supplementary axes Z2, C2).
TOPMILL models a 3-axes vertical milling machining center with configurable automatic tool changer, in the variants rotational tool
magazine and dual-arm gripper or pick-up-magazine.
In set-up mode, the CNC simulators
have to be set up just like a real machine
tool. This process is assisted by tool and
clamping device management modules.
Moreover, the teacher can also assign
complete set-up states on specific set-up
sheets to particular exercises.
NC programming is done in different
shop-floor programming modes. It is possible
to switch over from any of these
modes to another while programming in
order to suit the task at hand. These
modes are:
• Interactive programming
• Use of an NC editor
• Use of a geometry editor
• Teach-in operation
• Dialog mode programming
Automatic mode enables simulation of
NC programs either in 2D visualization of
workpiece cross-sections or, optionally, in
the virtual reality provided by 3D machining
area simulation and 3D material
removal simulation.
In the course of simulation, collision
detection calculations are carried out,
taking into account all components of the
machining area.
In addition, the tool paths can be displayed
either for the entire NC program or for
individual sections of this.
Quality control can be integrated into
the training concept by precisely measuring
the dimensions of the virtual workpiece
created by turning or milling simulation,
We have developed the SIMSTART software
module specially for vocational training
school courses. This enables the
students to learn the initial system skills
and progress to the programming task of
the respective curriculum unit quickly.
When operated in a network, this software
permits individual management of
the trainees.
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Dialog programming mode provides easy input of complex machining stages, one or several related input screens being filled in by
the user with graphical assistance. The input is checked for validity of combinations, value ranges and alternatives..
Since the CNC simulator can be adapted to a wide variety of CNC controls and machine tools, this programming option is available
for all CNC control systems. Consequently, our software enables an implementation of all methodical concepts for training, independent
of specific CNC systems in a neutral ISO/DIN code, as well as for particular CNC systems in all control code languages
(ISO/DIN dialects or legible text languages). In particular, it is possible to integrate older CNC controls (such as GE, Allan Bradley,
Contur 2, Dialog 4, TNC 151/155, Sinumerik 3T, EPL 1 / 2 and TX8) into the training courses.
From the drawing to the
finished workpart:
TOPCAM - CAD/CAM system
for training and production
TOPCAM, the integrated CAD and NC programming system, combines
the functions of a fully-fledged 2D CAD system with a comfortable
NC programming system for 2½D milling and complete mill-turn
machining with driven tools. The CAD system provides powerful
functions for creating, editing and documenting technical drawings.
For transfering geometry data to and from other CAD systems, DXF
standard format is supported.
The NC programming system enables automatic generation of NC
programs using contour strings and all common machining cycles.
An easy-to-use interactive graphic dialog permits automatic generation
of NC programs, not only for conventional machining processes,
but also for mill-turn processes using driven tools and sub-spindles
(with 5 axes each for main spindle and sub-spindle machining).
Postprocessors convert the NC programms generated by TOPCAM in
a neutral ISO format into the NC code format of the target CNC control.
There are two different versions of the TOPCAM postprocessor:
· configurable ISO command set postprocessor for 2-axes turning and
3-axes milling, and
· cycle postprocessor that can be adapted to any type of CNC control
generating the cycles of the target CNC control.
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For woodworking special functions
such as progressive tool lowering
are also provided.

ISO control system for trainee examinations
In the Federal Republic of Germany, the topic „generating an NC program" in vocational examinations for chip-cutting machine tool
operators is handled using a test ISO control system with the „enter the missing text" or „cloze test" method, the assignments being
formulated in a manufacturer-independent ISO programming key, named PAL. MTS CNC simulators can be configured to this simple
programming key, thus also offering supplementary functions such as workpiece dimension measuring, collision checks and 3D
visualization.
In the training phase, all programming methods, in particular interactive programming and ISO programming in dialog mode, can be
used to supplement the courses. A teacher's program module allows
instructors to create their own „cloze test" or „missing-text" assignment
programs. Instructors can refer to a comprehensive collection of exercises.
An NC program column editor and a corresponding postprocessor
has been developed for entering „missing text" in ISO column format. The
postprocessor converts the NC programs written in ISO command code
into the programming key of any desired target CNC control. Cycle commands
are converted into the target CNC
control's cycles - if available.
In this way, you are able to run the ISO
exercise programs on any CNC lathe or
milling machine.
*Programming key
The programming key of a CNC control system
(also known as the command coding or control
syntax) is defined first to be the set of programming
functions according to ISO/DIN that this control
system is capable of, including definition of the
control-specific deviations from this standard, and
second as the control-specific extensions by cycles, contour-programming
etc. The term programming key is also used to describe the definition of the
contents of a legible text language not based on the ISO/DIN standard.
TOPMILL for machining wood and plastic
Special technologies for CNC wood machining are supported. For
instance, the tool management modules permit the use of other tool
group designations, as well as providing additional concave and boxhandhole
milling tools. Vacuum tables are used instead of magnetic
clamping plates.
The MTS transfer program can be used for quick and easy transfer
of the specific control programs created with the CNC simulators or
TOPCAM postprocessors to any desired CNC control.
* PAL
Prüfungsaufgaben- und
Lehrmittelentwicklungsstelle
IHK Mittlerer Neckar,
Stuttgart
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MTS has been specializing in developing CAD/CAM and CNC
software for production and training for more than 20 years.
Our customer portfolio in the production sector includes many
renowned CNC control and machine tool manufacturers.
Working in close co-operation with the German Federal Institute
for Vocational Training (Bundesinsitut für Berufsbildung - BIBB) in
the 1980's, we developed the future-oriented didactic concepts of
the TOPTURN and TOPMILL shop-floor programming workstations
for the vocational training sector, and these still represent
the state-of-the-art up to this day. Since then, the systems have
been enhanced with regard to their graphical user interfaces and
user dialogs, thanks to the enormous increases in performance
achieved by PC technology.
Since the early '90s, we have also been offering training material,
software primers and training exercise assignments in addition to
the software documentation, as well as carrying out teachers'
training courses for our customers.
Our training center in Berlin offers one-week seminars at regular
intervals on the following topics:
• Introduction to CNC programming
• Introduction to CNC turning and milling with TOPTURN and
• TOPMILL
• Advanced seminar CNC turning
• Advanced seminar CNC turning – complete mill-turn machining
with driven tools
• Advanced seminar CNC milling
• Advanced seminar parameter programming
• Introduction to CAD/CAM using TOPCAM
•• Advanced seminar CAD/CAM – complete mill-turn machining
• Development and preparation of curricula, teaching and learning
materials
• Introductory and advanced seminars at customers' premises
• Hotline and e-mail service
• Software updates and software maintenance
You can also order our software in the following languages:
Chinese (simplex & traditional), Czech, English, French, German,
Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovakian,
Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.
System requirements
The software can be run on WINDOWS 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP
operating systems, either as a stand-alone or as a network version.
64 MB of main memory are adequate for 2D CNC simulation.
For optional 3D simulation, 128 MB main memory, a powerful processor
and a high-performance graphics card are recommended.
http://www.mts-cnc.com
email: mts@mts-cnc.com
Tel.: +49-30-349 96 00 Fax: +49-30-349 96 025