What are your CNC connectivity requirements?

When evaluating your software needs, you should also consider how you will integrate it with your new or existing CNC machinery. You have a few options available to you, but obviously, they are not all equal. Most machines come with “onboard” tools or software that will allow you to create parts on the fly right at the machine. This is a very useful feature, but when you are processing multiple projects or need to push production to profitable paces, you cannot afford to have the CNC program creation be the bottle-neck halting production. This method is error prone and obviously time-consuming.

Another option is to use a secondary software application that enables you to design parts and optimize them for your machine, separate from your design and engineering software. Again, these types of software tools are handy and offer a much faster solution for exporting CNC code to your machinery compared to “on the fly or at the machine”, but it still does not efficiently drive your production, since someone still has to create your optimized CNC programs.

A third option is to take advantage of software such as Microvellum, that allows you to eliminate the “human” element by automatically creating part programs. Utilizing software that allows your project managers or engineers to push out projects to the shop floor that already include the optimized CNC programs will save you countless hours compared to any other method. Microvellum creates part programs automatically and stores them in the project folder for easy access, but gives you the option to push them directly to your networked CNC machinery. This empowers your CNC operators to simply browse to the project folder and start running the programs. Seamlessly connect to CNC machines such as Anderson, Accu-systems, Biesse, Busellato, Homag, Multicam, SCM, Weeke, Felder, and more. (view CNC Partners)