VMR Achieves Fast and Efficient Prototyping with Cimatron
Challenge
Efficiently, cost-effectively design and manufacture prototypes and short runs while reducing errors.
Solution
Cimatron integrated CAD/CAM software for mold design and manufacturing.
Results
- Reduced electrode design and manufacturing time by 70% and automated the process by defining templates.
- Operated milling and EDM machines at full capacity to design and produce 10,000 electrodes per year.
- Eliminated data import errors.
- Accelerated onboarding time for new employees (8 days of training).
- Maximized return on investment.
Because of these issues, they started evaluating a new CAD/CAM solution in 1999. VMR tested various systems, and Cimatron soon stood out as a favorite, largely because it is an integrated system. Vibrant says: “We liked the openness and the comprehensiveness of the system. The previous system offered very good freeform modeling, but Cimatron was even better. One of the real highlights of Cimatron is the CAD data interfaces, which are affordable and of premium quality.”
VMR now has fewer interface issues with no data errors caused by import and export, which ensures a higher throughput and process-proof planning.
Cimatron proves its value every day. For example, VMR has more than 20 view-only licenses, which are used on the shop floor by machinists who can then view the 3D models and figure out how to assemble the tools. This not only makes the machinists’ work easier, but it also makes the designers’ work easier because they have to answer fewer questions. Sales and other departments also use view-only licenses.
Mold being designed in Cimatron®
Automating Electrode Design for High Output
VMR reduced the time it takes to design and manufacture electrodes by 70 percent and automated the process by defining templates in Cimatron for the most-used electrode geometries. These templates are predefined with all parameters for design and production, such as with NC programs for milling. A new electrode is generated by choosing the most suitable template and editing the geometry. After Cimatron has refreshed the model, VMR can start production immediately.
The predefined template being loaded in Cimatron with criteria for calculation purposes
This content was originally published on the Cimatron website.