G-SHOCK producer, Casio, uses the NC simulation software VERICUT
VERICUT, the best software for automating your process
Profile: After graduating from college, I engaged in design works at a major car manufacturer. Eight years ago I came back to my hometown, Yamagata. I enterd Yamagata Casio, as originally I have been highly interested in “G-SHOCK” and I was affected by my mother who used to work for the company. Thereafter I belong to Mold Section-1 and engage mainly in CAM duties. I am in charge of the electrode-related automation part of HINET MOLD, which was published last year as the next-generation mold design and production system.
As a mother factory of Casio Computer, the company is sending off most of the Casio products to the world since the establishment in 1979. In addition, as its own business activities, they run the development, production and distribution of precision mold, plastic parts and electronic equipment. They have a strong customer base at home and overseas. They pursue the manufacturing with the core competence and the technical tradition of the digital engineering, which they cultivated by the production of Casio goods, characterized by small size, light weight, and power-saving feature.
What is the trigger for VERICUT implementation?
Originally we introduced VERICUT more than 20 years ago, but it is recently we have been into full-fledged utilization. VERICUT takes the role on all the simulation parts of HINET MOLD system, which we developed for the purpose of overall automation from mold design to manufacturing process. It is no exaggeration to say that VERICUT is the core of the system.
Specifically, how do you use VERICUT for?
We use VERICUT as a confirmation procedure for CAM tool-paths. We build the system which can run Simulation and AUTO-DIFF by batch processing. For example, if you want to check parts with multiple electrodes, the system will automatically produce definite results once you put files into VERICUT. We have the table of the processing results, so we only have to “confirm the result.” It brings us large time savings for checking.
What do you think is the critical feature of the system?
It’s AUTO-DIFF. We implemented last year, and now we believe it is really a great player to show its power with VERICUT. It is indispensable for identifying gouges and excess material at the finishing surface. Before utilizing AUTO-DIFF, we had, honestly speaking, a tough time comparing directly between CAM model and the finished material.
What are the good points of VERICUT??
“Correctness” of the processing result and “Reliability” on the accurate processing. We find both are remarkable. It is also attractive to make use of VERICUT for surely matching with our ideal automation system, by way of published API (Application Programming Interface). After starting full-scale utilization of VERICUT, we experienced a great reduction of occurrence in machine tool troubles. It is possible to configure settings of actual machines, and that leads to the reduced time for checking. In addition, VERICUT gives us a considerable feeling of security when we would run “aggressive machining.”
What is your message to intending purchasers of VERICUT ?
I believe VERICUT is the most reliable simulation tool. VERICUT avoids serious damages to machine tools, reduces CAM operators checking time, and also alleviates their mental burden. I can say you would realize a sharp decrease of processing errors and tool breakages, one year later. VERICUT is certainly “the last bastion.”