Maximizing Machine Efficiencies
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VoluMill™ from Celeritive Technologies Maximizing Machine Efficiencies Ultra-High Performance Toolpath (UHPT) Technology Can Transform U.S. Manufacturing By Alesa Lightbourne, Ph.D. Since the dawn of machining, the manufacturing industry has looked for ways to squeeze greater efficiencies out of existing equipment, materials and labor. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining were huge steps in the right direction several decades ago. But in recent years, we have seen only small, incremental improvements in machining productivity. This is because research focused primarily on computerization to streamline toolpath generation, and on expensive toolpath “optimizer” software, slowing feedrates at corners to reduce stress on tools. Nearly all innovations assumed a parallel-offset toolpath used for roughing out parts – not realizing that this was the real bottleneck. A breakthrough technology changes all this. Ultra-high performance toolpath (UHPT) software improves the way that tools cut their way through material, using high-speed continuous tangent motion rather than sharp, interrupted movements. Field applications prove that UHPT technology can safely double machine output, extend tool life, and create a much more productive competitive manufacturing enterprise in the global marketplace. Figure 1: A standard toolpath (left) makes parallel cuts through material, requiring numerous stops and starts. UHPT technology (right) designs toolpath cuts in continuous motion, doubling machine efficiency. Avoiding the corners and stop signs Imagine driving through a neighborhood without arterial streets. At each corner, you must slow down or stop at a stop sign, make a turn, and proceed for another block, always encountering changing traffic conditions. Or think of a rural road that skirts the perimeters of various farmers’ fields, filled with tractors and trucks. Slow down, pass, stop, turn, go, sharp turn, go. Slow down. It’s maddeningly inefficient. That’s how basic toolpaths drive today’s CNC machines. Modeled on manual methodology, existing toolpaths are derived from the geometry being machined. They start with the material boundary and keep

VoluMill™ from Celeritive Technologies UHPT software actually compares the speed between slotting or side milling an area under given conditions and selects the fastest or most efficient approach. stepping in, following the shape of the material, regardless of efficiencies, until the path collapses on itself. In other words, the tools follow a path regardless of the amount of material they encounter. They slow down, sometimes stop, change direction, and cut again, sometimes encountering excessive material, other times little material. This is very hard on both machines and tools. Now return...

VoluMill™ from Celeritive Technologies “There’s no comparison between our old and new systems. UHPT technology creates toolpath cuts much more intelligently, with more aggressive parameters. It has optimized our machine and cutting tool capabilities like nothing I’ve ever seen. The improved cycle time speaks for itself.” Jake Kopveiler, CNC Programmer, Performance Tool and Die The “sweet zone” For every unique combination of machine, cutting tool and material, a “sweet zone” exists, where an ideal combination of feedrate, spindle speed, cut depth and cut width maximizes material removal...

VoluMill™ from Celeritive Technologies machines. Together, they constructed a sophisticated mathematical formula that resulted in the UHP toolpath technology breakthrough. Their firm, Celeritive Technologies, Inc. of Cave Creek, AZ, is currently the only provider of UHP toolpath technology, offered under the brand name of VoluMill™. Celeritive has applied for a patent on this technology. Efficiency doubled in field test PTD Manufacturing, a metal stamping and fabricating facility in Detroit Lakes, MN, recently adopted UHP toolpath software in its tooling department. The software is...