CAM Software R C S

CAM Software RCS
Programming software for
4 and 5 axis machining
of turbine blades

Prime performance through know-how
Precision and efficiency in the machining of turbine blades depend increa-
singly on the performance of the programming software being used.
By virtue of over 20 years of development and application experience,
StarragHeckert ranks also in this category to the technology leaders
world-wide.
Perfection in each dimension
RCS is a high-performance CAM-software,
specifically developed for 5-axis high speed
machining of steam turbine, gas turbines
and aircraft engine blades.
This software program is efficient in all disciplines
of blade machining, irrespective of
blade sizes and material. Small compressor
blades in Titanium or Inconel, with only a few
millimeters in length, can be machined just
as easily as 2 m long steam turbine buckets
made of stainless steel.
The parametric input structure allows entire
families of blades to be programmed quickly
and efficiently by way of input geometry
modifications and adaptation of a few parameters.
RCS V6 sets new standards
By means of a new operator platform, a windows-based
user guidance and quick 3D
graphics, this programming software can
be used quite intuitively.
Being a able to switch the screen display at
any point to direct graphics allows the user
to maintain a complete and constant overview
of his inputs. The help function in HTML
supports the user in all situations.
Thanks to the new User Interface in version 6
the guidance has become more comfortable.
The input templates are configured similarly
for all software modules, thus providing
optimum ease of use. The integrated project
tree enables the programmer at all times to
maintain perfect control over the defined
sequence of operation.
Enhanced productivity
Operating the software has not only become
more comfortable but also more productive,
thanks to the new GUI (Graphical User
Interface). Programs can be generated even
faster yet, while existing projects can be
utilized and adapted to new blades more
easily. Besides, training of new CAM-programmers
has become considerably more
efficient and easier with RCS V6.
Improved clarity in project management
Because of the ease of operation, the entire
project sequence is in every phase totally
transparent. Communication between individual
project partners is greatly facilitated
by the manifold possibilities of graphic
outputs and the generation of avi-movies.

Flexibility due to modularity
During the conceptual definition of RCS, one objective was given
utmost importance: The individual software modules must be
perfectly matched to customer requirements. The graphic display
shows the structure and the interdependence of the various
modules at a single glance.
Universal interfaces
Optimized interfaces are crucial for an efficient
CAD/CAM simulation process chain.
In addition to standard format IGES our UG-
RCS interface makes it possible to import
geometry data directly from Unigraphics.
Additionally available is an interface for
the Vericut-based machine models «Virtual
Blade Machining». The latter makes it possible
to simulate and optimize complex blade
machining tasks 'one-to-one' directly on the
computer screen.
Simulation - «Virtual machine modell HX-151»
Everything from a single source
Our customers not only benefit from the continuous
enhancements to our post-processors,
but also from the fact that they are
perfectly attuned to the CAM system, the
machine and the cutting tools.
Post-processors are a crucial link between
CAD system and machine and must therefore
always correspond to the latest degree
of development. However, RCS is not only
geared towards efficient and profitable five
axis machining, but also for four axis machining
on suitable equipment by other manufacturers.
P-Milling**
Partial
Milling*
Blade Tip
Milling**
Prismatic
and Slot
Machining*
Basic Package*
The machining process can be significantly
optimized by way of adaptation of a customer
specific post-processor.
P-Milling - Efficiency made perfect
P-Milling is a milling method, developed and
patented by StarragHeckert, which can significantly
improve the efficiency and quality
in 5 axis machining of surfaces.
Due to the mathematically optimized cutter
orientation relative to the surface to be
machined, considerably wider milling passes
and shorter cycle times can be generated
in comparison with 5-axis sturz milling or
3-axis ball nose milling, while maintaining an
identical surface finish.
On the other hand, a significantly better
surface finish is achieved with P-milling, if the
number of milling passes is not reduced but
kept the same.
Surface
Milling*
Adaptive
Machining**
Contour
Inspection**
* 4 and 5 axis
** 5 axis

Basic Package
The basic package incorporates all functions
required for machining of the entire flow path
of a blade (airfoil and platform), as well as for
measuring individual points.
Partial Milling
Partial Milling allows the machining of
individually selected areas within the
flow path.
-NV
NV
Blade Tip Milling
Tip Milling is used for milling blades to
length, as well as for squealer tip milling.
P-Milling
P-Milling is used to achieve improved
surface finish quality and reduced cycle
times, respectively, when machining airfoils.
Prismatic and Slot Machining
Prismatic and Slot Machining features the prismatic
(3D) cycles for rough and finish machining
of blade tip and blade root areas. The same
functions are also used for milling slots.
Surface Milling
Surface Milling offers the functionality
for elegant simultaneous 5 axis milling
of free form surfaces.
Contour Inspection
Contour Inspection is the perfect software
package for the measuring blade
geometries, e.g. profiles.
Adaptive Machining
Adaptive Machining offers the functions required
for finish machining of precision forged components
(snubbers / midspans, root intersections,
or blade repair) by best-fitting blade geometries
to an existing geometry.
v
u
RCS-Modules

Partners with competence
Our know-how is not limited to the solution and implementation
of purely technical problems: StarragHeckert is your competent
partner in all respects and offers professional advice and support
in each phase of the manufacturing process.
Extensive technological support
As worldwide technology leader we endeavor
to optimally support our customers in all
respects. Our specialists are therefore
pleased to discuss your specific problems
with you:- Whether you wish to optimize your
existing RCS programs with regard to cycle
time, surface finish quality or contour accuracy
or require programming support due to
a capacity bottleneck - you will certainly
benefit from the qualified support we offer in
these matters.
If you have no suitable machine, our contract
manufacturers can even machine your blades,
which could also be a benchmarking instrument
to measure the performance of your
own manufacturing department. The perfect
programming of highly complex blade
geometries is a particular challenge to our
software engineers, and we also give advice
on the use of new, highly efficient cutting
tools.
Professional training
Technology is only as good as it is understood
and applied. Quality and efficiency do
therefore not depend on technology alone,
but also on the people who use it. As a result,
training becomes a key strategic factor for
efficient manufacturing on modern machining
centers. Therefore, we not only offer
basic and refresher training courses for all
our RCS modules, but also individual training
based on customer-specific workpieces.
Systematic maintenance
Standing still is sliding backwards. This also
applies to highly modern CAM software.
After expiration of the warranty period, we
therefore recommend to all our RCS customers
to conclude an RCS Maintenance
Agreement in order to gain the utmost benefit
from RCS.
This maintenance agreement guarantees free
of charge comprehensive support in RCS
programming. Furthermore, you are entitled
to at least two free RCS updates per year as
well as a one-day visit of a StarragHeckert
RCS Application Specialist at your premises.
He will be pleased to answer all your questions
and can advise you in depth on the
optimal use of RCS or competently assist
you with the adaptation of RCS to your specific
manufacturing tasks.
Last but not least, this service also includes
the optimization of your post-processor
drivers as well as an every-two-months
newsletter, which informs you of the latest
software trends and developments.
RCS-advantages - Your benefit at a glance
• Dedicated CAM software, which has been specifically
developed for 5 axis HSC machining
• Extended selection of 4 and 5 axis machining strategies
• Highly efficient programming due to parametric input
structure
• Selection of the optimal milling strategy ensures cycle
time reductions
• Intuitive, Windows-based user guidance
• UG-RCS interface for importing data from Unigraphics
Training becomes a key
strategic factor for efficient
manufacturing.

8.2004 ©Copyright 2004 by StarragHeckert AG
StarragHeckert Technology AG
Seebleichestrasse 61
CH-9404 Rorschacherberg
Switzerland
Tel. +41 71 858 81 11
Fax +41 71 858 89 88
sales@ch.starragheckert.com
www.starragheckert.com
StarragHeckert Technology GmbH
Otto-Schmerbach-Str. 15/17
D-09117 Chemnitz
Deutschland
Tel. +49 371 836 22 88
Fax +49 371 836 23 98
marketing@de.starragheckert.com
www.starragheckert.com