SST is the UK's first professional organization to quickly provide low-cost small satellites to its customer base. The company's optical payload group, based at Sevenoaks, uses Edgecam software to produce key components of the payload (the core system that determines whether the satellite can successfully complete space missions). The team's equipment applications include satellite monitoring of the disaster area. Senior programmer/operator Bob Pearce said: "Imagine that when rescuers marched along the road and suddenly found that the front bridge was destroyed, it was very bad. Satellite images can show straight paths, giving them valuable time to save more Life.†The team also provides payload equipment for a portion of the satellites in the UK GPS network. Pearce says that combining Solid Machinist's Edgecam module with advanced milling is a complex task that can't be done with all manual operations, knowing how it works. “The system provides the ability to automatically find features, improving roughing and finishing operations; in addition, if the model needs to be changed, you can re-download the new model and change the program.†The materials are mainly titanium, space aluminum and invar (low expansion alloy) of mixed ceramics and carbon materials. “We have to produce increasingly complex parts. Because we are engaged in the field of optics, customers need better and more accurate imaging, so our products must constantly match. Although we can meet their needs now, but always One day our technology will no longer be able to meet the precision they need. But the software doesn't have this problem - I fully believe that Edgecam will continue to adapt to the growing development needs. Bottlenecks will only appear in CNC machine tools and their machining accuracy. †Currently, Edgecam is used in a Haas 4-axis milling machine, which requires an average of 10 knives per machining and is installed in an automatic tool magazine with 20 tool positions. Pearce likes the software's extensive programming capabilities for 5-axis machines, and he has learned a lot from participating in the upgrade training for the Edgecam user group. The average size of the part is 300mm and the thickness is about 50mm, but SST created a 3/4m platform to place the satellite to protect the load. Manufacturing manager Geoff Cooper said: "Almost all products are custom-made, each product is different, often involving a large number of different angles. An important factor to consider in space applications is to cut the metal into a "cavity". Possible to reduce part weight." Pearce is both a programmer and a machine operator. “Because of the large amount of tooling involved, it is important to be a programmer to fully understand the performance of the machine. Since most of the parts are very small and difficult to hold at certain stages of the process, I need to know before proceeding to the next step. Which faces are machineable. It is important for an operator to know which programming options are available." Before the design team began designing a new part, they agreed with Pearce on the best machining path and then designed it with SolidWorks. The final design was stored in a central database, which Bob Pearce entered into the Edgecam Solid Machinist environment. Once the tool is selected, the tool path is generated and the machining path is generated and input to the Haas milling machine. Another great feature of Edgecam is simulation. “Any interference collision is displayed in the simulation environment and can be alarmed when an interference collision occurs. This allows me to clearly see where there is interference and overcutting to ensure collision avoidance. When I check the tool and machine and set up the tool and workpiece Thanks to the emulator when processing the parameters, it made me convinced that this is a collision-free solution and I can start machining." Fancy Mdf,Veneer Mdf,Red Oak Mdf Linyi Chanta Plywood Co., Ltd. , http://www.lyplywood.com
Surrey Satellite Technology, Inc. (SST) uses Edgecam software to program complex parts of high-performance materials for assembling critical equipment for aerospace applications.