ONGAA CAM for Wood CNCs

INCHES for Operators

Although the ‘underlying’ Units of measure of both SOLIDWORKS and WoodWOP are metric, this does not help operators accustomed to units in Inches.

Since one of the 4 ‘Guiding Mandates’ of ONGAA CAM is ‘ allow the operator to perform all operations as before’, we felt we should do something about this.

As of version 1.3.34, ONGAA CAM generates WoodWOP programs in Inches.  This is independent of the Units of Measure of the model or programming units.  Simply turn the option ON and ONGAA CAM creates the MPR with the WoodWOP Inch indicator ON and values in inches.  All ‘geometric measures’ are converted to Inches as the MPR is generated.  This includes all X,Y,Z locations, distances, radii and depths.

It should be noted that, at this time, programming in ONGAA CAM is still in metric (expected and displayed).  This ensures that all programs (old and new) will … Read the rest

Decorative panels in millwork are not new but they can be expensive.  Sometimes the quantity required just does not justify the cost and time to order it.

If you have  ordered and used some (and also have a Homag/Weeke CNC machine) you have looked at it carefully and said I could make that if I had enough time or the right software.

Well the right software is now available.   WaveGenerator, by ONG Solutions,  creates ready to machine MPR files to create waveboards.  Since the MPRs are 100% WoodWOP compliant all options are available to the operator.  The application is standalone and requires no additional software.

So why should you make your own?  Here are just some of the reasons.

• Cost:  At $600 a sheet purchased vs.   a 4 X 8 sheet of standard material machined in 17 minutes.
• On Demand: Final materials are not never held up in

Automatic Nesting

Several automatic nesting strategies are available in ONGAA CAM which provide a quick and easy way to nest rectangular parts across many sheets of material (directly from SOLIDWORKS).   ONGAA CAM optimizes the nest to both maximize material usage as well as minimize tool changes.

But not all part are created equally.  Automated nesting assumes the required material is as defined in the work piece definition of WoodWOP.   Odd shapes would waste both material and time.

Manual Nesting – ‘Nudging’

With the latest version on ONGAA CAM, manual nesting or ‘Nudging’ is now available.

Parts can now be selected, moved between sheets, moved on a sheet as well as rotated using intuitive button controls or keystrokes.

Unlike some other nesting solutions, ONGAA CAM goes not produce one continuous toolpath / process.

The resulting ‘Nested MPR’ shown here in WoopWOP 5 still produces … Read the rest

Whether you routinely make ‘left hand’ and ‘right hand’ parts or you use all ‘origins’ to make the same part, programming for a mirrored position in WoodWOP requires extra time (and care).  ONGAA CAM allows programming for any mirror position with only one selection.

To achieve ‘handed’ manufacturing, the program, designed for the #1 position, will generate a ‘Normal program’ and a ‘Mirror in X program’.  Although contour geometry is ‘mirrored’, routing strategies will be altered from climb routing to conventional.  ONGAA CAM provides a special features to overcome to need to think is reverse.  “Mirror Copy” will copy the process, with all the options and definitions, but reverse both the contour direction and the tool compensation.  Combined with the mirroring WoodWOP variables, each routing process can be turned on of off, by WoodWOP, depending on the position it is NC-GEN’ed for.

One program for any positions is more difficult … Read the rest

If you have ever needed to create a smooth, ‘arbitrary’, curved contour in WoodWOP from a SOLIDWORKS model you have probably been a little disappointed with the results.  ‘It’s not smooth!’.

The primary reason is in how the spline is converted into the WoodWOP contour and not how it is machined.

Most conversion programs will convert points on the spline to accurate contour points but they connect the points with straight lines.  Only by reducing the distance between the points can the contour be improved.   ONGAA CAM takes the connecting line into account as well and if it is curved, it supplies WoodWOP with the information to define an ARC.  This arc simulates the actual spline much more closely.

Take for example a perfect circle and imagine selecting 8 points along the circle to ‘guesstimate’ the contour.  This is of course exaggerated but it illustrates the point.  Now use those … Read the rest

We were recently asked to summarize the benefits of using ONGAA CAM over generating DXF layers to load machining into WoodWOP as MPR (MPRX).

To those using ONGAA CAM the benefits are clear:

• No need to create drawings and layers.
• No need to edit each process in WoodWOP to add the parameters that can’t be set in the ‘cryptic layer names’ – like tools changes
• No need to learn a new interface – ONGAA CAM provides access to all WoodWOP parameters.
• One click MPR load into WoodWOP – ‘visual verification’.
• Complex contours including lines, arcs and splines simply by selection
• Hole Wizard arrays and Linear Pattern arrays in one selection.

But the above lists does not fully capture all the benefits because as we all know ‘first time’ is not always right.  What happens if the model needs to be adjusted?   Lets say two features were moved by 2mm and … Read the rest

As with all thing,s a path is easy to follow when you can see it.  Toolpaths are no different.

The straight forward – follow these edges – toolpaths are a snap in current version of ONGAA CAM.  Click on a vertex, then an edge and another and so on.  The resulting toolpath is both simple and easy to visualize.

But what about surfaces? Those 3 dimensional curves than have no points or lines to click on.

Well, we are going something about those.  PLY file generation will allow you to select a surface and ONGAA CAM will map out a toolpath to machine the surface.  Files will be MPR compliant files able to be used both in ONGAA CAM as well as WoodWOP. With options like ‘Step Increment’, WoodWOP tool selection and path trace angle several ply files can be produced providing initial clearing, rough and finishing toolpaths.

 … Read the rest

As many of you already know, just because you can draw it does not mean its easy to create a WoodWOP contour to match — well at least not by hand or using DXF…

With ONGAA CAM it is as easy as selecting edges and whatever machining parameters WoodWOP wants to know. (Direction of travel, tool number ,  Tool compensation etc.)

Take for example the outline of the state of Indiana.

In ONGAA CAM (SOLIDWORKS), simply select a starting point, the first edge and then select tangency. Then with a couple more edge selections to close the loop we are done with the now 51 edges including straight line, arcs and spline curves.

Now launch WoodWOP from within ONGAA CAM to see the result.

It really is that simple.

The contour delivered to WoodWOP is 831 lines and arcs that fall within the 0.5 mm default approximation setting.

 … Read the rest

Auto-Nesting is a vital time-saver for any cabinet manufacturer.

ONGAA CAM now offers a basic auto nesting function that works directly from the assembly.

Options include:

• auto rotate of part (here grain does not matter)
• fill horizontally or fill vertically
• align to grain (each part to the current sheet)
• sorting options which may alter the part arrangements.
• multi-sheet output

Contact us today to see how ONGAA CAM can increase your productivity (and possibly quality of life).  We will arrange an online demonstration your parts and assemblies so you know it will work for you.