ONGAA CAM for Wood CNCs

Sometimes ask a simple question leads to amazing results.  For us that question was, “How can we recognize where a part is oriented in the beat way for machining?”.  Seems simple right? The part is oriented in its optimal way when a) it fits and b) the required machining is possible.

‘a)’ is still simple.  One of the possible 24 orientations must make make Z the smallest dimension and X the longest dimension …. or is that 2 possible orientations?

‘b)’ is much more complicated. What is the required machining? How do I know a drill is needed or a pocket is required ?

Out of that ‘thought experiment’ came a set of rules which now defines ‘the Wizard’.  The wizard inspects the part, orients is, finds holes that CAN be drilled, holes pockets that CAN be pocketed, adjusts pockets when at parts edges (clearing corners) and adds a perimeter … Read the rest

From 3D Model to MPR (CNC Program)

One of the ongoing challenges for manufacturers is to quickly get from concept to product. 3D CAD and/or ‘Solid Modelling’ has made designing and 3D rendering so much easier. An accurate model with photo realistic renderings goes a long way in customer confidence and business growth.

But how do we get from ‘pretty pictures’ to cutting and shaping parts, both easily and accurately?

HOMAG machines are controlled by software called WoodWOP. WoodWOP allows you to enter processing steps (and details) manually.  These steps or program, called a MPR file, is ultimately what is used to get the machine working. Manually entering every dimension, every speed and feed for every process is tedious, time consuming and error prone because we need to use a drawing to read the dimensions from and manually type them in again.

ONGAA CAM is the go between software for … Read the rest

WoodWOP offers a way to create and reuse ‘multi step programs’ as ‘Component Macros’ which are in essence subprograms. Component Macros are great for repeated machining such as Cam Lock machining or Euro hinge machining or even dowel drilling/insertion. Since anything you can program in WoodWOP can become a Component Macro, they can be very powerful and at the same time they can be very complicated.

For a Component Macros to be of any use, we need to tell them ‘what to do’, ‘how to do it’ and ‘where’ to do it. The ‘what’ and ‘how’ may seem obvious, for example Horizontal Drill a 8mm hole 32 mm deep. But is it really that simple?

Many processes have macro parameters that depend on ‘where’ the process takes place. H. Drill for example needs the direction of drilling, X+, X- Y+ or Y- to be set. A wrong setting may cause … Read the rest

It is more and more common to have multiple machine manufactures in one shop. When all programming was done ‘at the machine console’ the only thing we needed to do was give each programmer the same paper drawing.

Today, we do much of the programming ‘in the office’ using common tools and it can be a challenge to keep programs for each machine separate, machine specific and accurate.

The link between the model and the programs is key to multiple programs, whether for different versions or for different machines. ONGAA CAM uses both the part name AND the configuration name to identify a specific program. Each configuration gets its own program.

When you have both a HOMAG and a BIESSE or HOLZHER machines and want a programs for each, simply create a Solidworks configuration with a name like HG or HOMAG etc. Make this configuration active (show configuration) and create … Read the rest

Vacuum loss while machining is a real problem. Vacuum drops with each pierce and cut. Since the coefficient of friction is based on the area of the part, smaller parts are the most affected. Unfortunately, the lateral force applied only varies by material and feed so what was ok for large parts may not work at all for small parts.

Step one is to ensure that there are no machine vacuum leaks and than the spoilboard edges are seals etc. Here are several strategies that will help with the movement problem. Two of these strategies try to conserver vacuum for when it needed most and the third reduced the force feed.

Option 1: Conserve vacuum by not cutting through the material.

Leave an ‘onion skin’ to reduce the amount of air passing through the spoilboard. Parts hold more firmly. Two passed are required to fully cut the parts. The … Read the rest

ONGAA CAM for Holzer (or any NC-HOPS machine) is available.

The initial release provides all the basic operations, V Drill, H Drill, V Mill, V Saw and V Pocket. Horizontal operations are included in the next phase and will include H Mill and H Pocket.

ONGAA CAM Nest is available now.

The final phase will be to include all A+C axis functions; Drill, Mill, Pocket and Saw.… Read the rest

New with ONGAA CAM – for Homag, V 1.3.44 is the PNX file export capability during Nesting and Assembly level MPR generation.

PNX files are intended for integrating Panel Saw Optimization with CutRite / MagiCut.

As stated in the PNX format specification, the file contains the following fields with comma separators:

• Part Code
• Material Code
• Length
• Width
• Quantity
• % Over
• % Under
• Grain
• EdgeCode
• L1 Edgeband
• L2 Edgeband
• W1 Edgeband
• W2 Edgeband
• InfoBox1
• InfoBox2
• InfoBox3
• InfoBox4

Fields from L1 Edgeband to InfoBox4 are filled from Solidworks Custom properties, where all other fields are filled from ONGAA CAM data properties.

The actual format including which fields to shown is configurable (order and whether shown or not) which allows ONGAA CAM to integrate with other applications / process streams using only one format.

The intended usage is as follows: 

A model is created in Solidworks … Read the rest

The latest version of ONGAA CAM specifically designed for G-Code driven machines has been released.

Vertical Drilling, Vertical Milling and Vertical Pockets provide the functionality required by most for wood panel machining.

In addition, Nesting makes the process of panel machine complete, with both assembly based and batch based nesting.

Labels can be created for automated placement as well as manually placement.

A standalone G-Code visualization tool allows you to preview both individual parts and nested sheets before machining.

Currently released:

Syntec Controller
Fanuc OM

New with the HOMAG DrillTeq H/V/D series machine come a new version of WoodWOP to support a new instruction. ‘Insert Dowel’.

WoodWOP 7.2 introduced a new instruction which expands the control of the dowel insertion operation.

ONGAA CAM now also fully supports this new <192 / Dowel insertion instruction in its MPR generation. This includes not only the creation of the <192 process over the creation of 2 separate drill and insert processes (ABD_ENU replacement) but also includes the setting of ‘Side variables’ to ensure correct part placement.

ONGAA CAM can generate all ‘Dowel Insertions’ on 2 sides of a part at the same time.

With the single process ONGAA CAM will produce 8 Dowel process for the machine.

Dowelling could not get easier !… Read the rest

Development and testing are currently underway on the latest addition to the ONGAA CAM line up. ONGAA CAM for G-code will be able to create .nc .gcode style programs for machines such as Thermwood, AXYZ , Anderson and NANXING (SYNTEC).

The same, easy to use, intuitive interface is used. Adding machining processes is simple selecting a process type, selecting the edges that define it and picking the tool (if needed).

The primary release will be provide 3 axis machining suitable for nesting table as well as pod & rail machines and will also provide the ONGAA CAM nesting option.

Processing functions in v1 will be Vertical Drilling, Vertical Milling (Routing), Vertical Pockets (Rectangular w/ round corners) and Vertical ‘Polygon’ Pockets.

Vertical Saw will follow as will Horizontal Drilling.

… Read the rest