Thank you for being interested in our Software.
Following are a few short briefs that we hope will be of use to you.
 | "ATOOL" runs on the "AutoCAD" platform
|
| "AutoCAD" is the registered product of Autodesc Inc.
|
| The ATOOL package contains five modules.
|
Module 1
Designed for the complete novice as a
C.N.C programmers tutorial.
Before programming can commence,the programmer is requested to
enter the blank size, material and material gauge.In response
the blank is drawn on the screen.
The programmer is next prompted for the file name to which the
N.C. code is to be saved. The file name defaults to the drawing
name but can be overridden.
Then the programmer is requested to select the tools required
to punch the workpiece, these are selected from the Tool menu.
The tools default to the standard turret location but can be
changed if required. If during the course of programming the
programmer finds that a tool not initially listed is required
by selecting "TOOL MENU" a new tool can be added to the list at
any time.
When the tool list has been completed the "Functions" menu
appears, from which the programmer can select the appropriate
function or macro.
All of the "WEIDEMANN" macros are available to the programmer
with the exception of "PAT70 to PAT90" and "BNX/ BNY/" Some
special functions have been added to assist the programmer.
EG "Spin Flip". by selecting either of these operations, the
part will be either spun or flipped in "X or Y" thereby making
it easier for the programmer to see what is happening.
Each "WEIDEMANN" macro is broken down into its individual
elements, for which prompts are issued, requesting the
programmers response. When all of the prompts have been
answered, the punch or macro is drawn on the screen. On board
help screens are available at any time during the course of
programming, by selecting "HELP" from the "MENU".
To insert the "WORK HOLDERS" select "W/H" from the functions
menu. The programmer will be prompted for the distance to the
1st work holder. The response can be made in two ways,
(1) type a distance EG 200mm or
(2) enter and a picture of the safety zones appears
at the cross hairs which can be dragged to a
suitable location, enter and the safety zone is
inserted at that location. The programmer is
prompted "is 2nd required", type "N" for no 2nd
work holder or enter for yes, then follow the
same procedure for the 1st work holder.
When the punch program is completed, using "AutoCAD's" distance
command, the complete workpiece can be measured on screen to
check for any inaccuracy, thereby reducing errors on the shop
floor.
Syntax checking is executed on all entries, making it most
unlikely to produce incorrect "N.C." code.
Should the programmer make a typing error, placing a punch or
macro in an incorrect location, the code can be undone by
selecting "EDIT" from the menu. Erase the incorrect code,
then proceed with alternative code.
When the programmer is satisfied that the punch program is
complete, select "FILES" from the menu, then select
"WRITE NEW CODE" from the menu, the "N.C." code will be
written to the file named by the programmer at the
commencement of the session.
To read the N.C. code, select "FILES" "VIEW CODE"
Module 2
Designed for the competent programmer.
Before programming can commence, the programmer is requested to
enter the blank size, material and material gauge. In response
the blank is drawn on the screen. The programmer is next
prompted for the file name to which the N.C. code is to be
saved. The file name defaults to the drawing name but can be
overridden. Then the programmer is requested to select the
tools required to punch the workpiece, these are selected from
the Tool menu. The tools default to the standard turret
location but can be changed if required. If during the course
of programming the programmer finds that a tool not initially
listed is required by selecting "TOOL MENU" a new tool can be
added to the list at any time.
To insert the "WORK HOLDERS" type "WH" at the keyboard. The
programmer will be prompted for the distance to the 1st work
holder. The response can be made in two ways,
(1) Type a distance EG 200mm or
(2) Enter and a picture of the safety zones appears
at the cross hairs which can be dragged to a
suitable location, enter and the safety zone is
inserted at that location. The programmer is
prompted "is 2nd required", type "N" for no 2nd
work holder or enter for yes, then follow the
same procedure for the 1st work holder.
"WEIDEMANN" code is entered at the keyboard, the appropriate
punch or macro is drawn on the screen. Syntax checking is
executed on most entries, making it most unlikely to produce
incorrect "N.C." code.
Should the programmer make a typing error, placing a punch or
macro in an incorrect location, the code can be undone by
selecting "EDIT" from the menu. Erase the incorrect code,
then proceed with alternative code.
When the punch program is completed, using "AutoCAD's" distance
command, the complete workpiece can be measured on screen to
check for any inaccuracy, thereby reducing errors on the shop
floor.
When the programmer is satisfied that the punch program is
complete, select "FILES" from the menu, then select
"WRITE NEW CODE" from the menu, the "N.C." code will be written
to the file named by the programmer at the commencement of the
session.
To read the N.C. code, select "FILES" "VIEW CODE"
Module 3
If the part to be programed has been drawn using "AutoCAD" to
the basic rules as prescribed by "ATOOL" EG Round holes can be
drawn as circles but any other shape must be a "BLOCK" defined
by "ATOOL". The punch program can be extracted from the
drawing simply by selecting the elements to be programed.
The following "WEIDEMANN" macros are used in this module.
SINGLE PUNCH GRD/ INC/ TGL/ CAA/ SAA/ if your machine has
indexing stations BHC/ LAA/ REC/ HOL/ OPN/ NOTCH
Before programming can commence the programmer is requested to
select the extremities of the part to be programed, do so by
picking the minimum "X" minimum "Y" maximum "X" maximum "Y"
ATool prompts
OUTPUT DATA CODE file Name <default> ..:
Material to be used ...................:
<Default list of machines configured>
Machine to be used ....................:
Pick SHEET Edge min X Value (left)
Pick SHEET Edge min Y Value (bot)
Pick SHEET Edge max X Value (right)
Pick SHEET Edge max Y Value (top)
Distance to First Work Holder or ENTER to position
Second Work Holder <Y>es or No
Distance to Second Work Holder or ENTER to position
Work holder locations are requested next. The programmer will
be prompted for the distance to the 1st work holder. The
response can be made in two ways,
(1) Type a distance EG 200mm or
(2) Enter and a picture of the safety zones
appears at the cross hairs which can be
dragged to a suitable location, enter and the
safety zone is inserted at that location. The
programmer is prompted "is 2nd required",
type "N" for no 2nd work holder or enter for
yes, then follow the same procedure for the
1st work holder.
Select the required macro from the menu, the follow the prompts.
EG If TGL/is selected, select the three points of the triangle,
moving in an anti-clock wise direction, the program does the
rest. If the triangle selected would leave a slug behind using
TGL/ "ATOOL" automatically inserts a single hit with the tool
selected for "TGL/" to remove the slug before the "TGL/"
operation. If the selected triangle would not be removed with
one "TGL/" statement, multiple "TGL/" statements are made to
remove all the unwanted material. If "NOTCH" is selected, a
notch in the corner of the workpiece or anywhere on the piece
can be removed. If the notch is in the corner of the piece,
first select the intersecti on of the notch and the edge of the
piece in "X" the in "Y". The programmer is requested for the
minimum distance the tool is to extend beyond the workpiece
edge, in "X" and "Y", then the tool size to use (it currently
defaults to 50sq) but can be over ridden.
The program then calculates whether it requires only one hit
with the selected punch or maybe a "GRD/" statement or even an
"INC/" statement, whichever is the most appropriate.
When all of the holes and notches etc. have been picked, select
"FILES" from the menu, then select "WRITE NEW CODE" from the
menu. If all of the holes on the workpiece have been picked,
the "N.C." code will be written to the file named by the
programmer at the commencement of the session. If a hole or
holes have been missed the programmer will be prompted to this
effect and indicate where and what size holes have been missed.
Should the programmer not wish to pick these holes for some
reason, answer "YES" to the prompt "WRITE NEW CODE" the "N.C."
code will be generated minus the unselected holes. If the
answer was "NO" to the prompt, reselect the missed holes, then
reselect "FILES" "WRITE NEW CODE" new code will be generated.
To read the "N.C." code, select "FILES" "VIEW CODE". The code
will be displayed on your favorite "TEXT EDITOR" (this can be
assigned during the initial setup of the program)
N.C.code is generated in the same format as if it were typed in
manually, unlike many other systems that give each tool hit its
individual "X" and "Y" coordinates, thereby making the N.C.
code much shorter and less memory intensive when stored on the
"PUNCH MACHINE".
Module 4
Produces a drawing of the programed part by reading the
existing "N.C." code for the part. Any "WEIDEMANN" part program
can read and converted to a drawing, provided it has the blank
size and tools described at the head of the "N.C." code in the
format prescribed by "ATOOL" This module is a very efficient
way of producing "AutoCAD" drawings from any of your existing
punch programs. If a modification is required to the drawing
before it is reprogrammed, do so using "AutoCADs" editing
features, then reselect the program from the drawing.
Module 5
All of the above modules can use "ATOOL DIMENSIONING" package
which dimensions the part with the dimensions taken from the
datum.