Multi-national OEM relies on VERICUT for mould tool machining

By OEM Update Editorial October 12, 2022 12:22 pm IST

VERICUT is today embedded into machining procedures at this progressive OEM after more than two decades of continuous use.

PLASSON, a NIS1.3 billion (£285 million) turnover multi-national manufacturing business headquartered in Israel, relies on VERICUT CNC machine simulation, verification and optimisation software fromPlasson1 CGTech to ensure high-quality, reliable and highly productive mould tool machining operations. Enhancing the manufacture of the company’s injection mould tools and associated parts, VERICUT is today embedded into machining procedures at this progressive OEM after more than two decades of continuous use.

As a global leader in the design and production of flow solutions (fittings and valves), livestock equipment systems, and products for bathrooms and kitchens, PLASSON maintains a tradition of over 50 years of excellence and innovation. Formed in 1963, quality is the key concept in all of PLASSON’S processes, from development and design through production, assembly, packaging, distribution, delivery and after-sales services. The company has a strong global presence, operating in more than 100 international markets, with approximately 2,000 employees and over 25 subsidiaries worldwide, including one in the UK at Burgess Hill.

PLASSON constantly aims to develop added value and stand at the forefront of technology in developing innovative products and solutions that suit the ever evolving needs of its customers. Such a philosophy relies heavily on the company’s in-house mould tool machining capabilities, which is where the capabilities of VERICUT come to the fore.

Itamar Minerbo, Mold Department Manager at PLASSON, states, “We’ve been using VERICUT for over 20 years. It was originally introduced because we didn’t feel that we could fully trust the post-processor. We found some differences between the CAM software simulation and the G-code files, where the software simulation didn’t show any problems. In contrast, running a VERICUT simulation shows whenever the tool follows a different path according to the G-code. We’ve protected many mould tools against damage since installing VERICUT.” 

The importance of protecting both components and expensive machine tool assets at PLASSON should not be underestimated. The company only ran two four-axis CNC milling machines when it introduced VERICUT more than 20 years ago. Today, PLASSON has two Hermle five-axis CNC machining centres on-site and a new multiaxis Nakamura turn-mill machine.

“Since we produce injection mould parts, there’s almost no serial production,” explains Minerbo.” Each component is unique, meaning we run VERICUT on every job we program.”PLASSON machines injection moulds, slides and electrodes measuring up to 300 x 300 x 300 mm in size. Materials include high-specification tool steels specifically for plastic injection moulds and copper for the electrodes. These metals are typically expensive, even more so in the current inflationary environment for raw materials.

To help protect its workpieces and prevent costly rework or scrap, the company relies on VERICUT for all of its machining simulation, verification and optimisation tasks. Supplied by Z-CODE, a VERICUT reseller in Israel, PLASSON leverages the benefits of VERICUT base modules that include verification (detects program mistakes and verifies part accuracy), CNC Machine Simulation (detects collisions and near misses between all components in the machining zone) and MultiAxis (simulates multi-axis milling, turning and mill-turn operations).

“For every simultaneous four- or five-axis milling move, we use the Multi-Axis module,” says Minerbo. “Due to the jobs we’re processing, we rely on this module quite often.” 

Adds Minerbo, “The overall benefit of using VERICUT is the option to send the program to the machine with the certainty that it will run smoothly without collision. Of course, to ensure reliable results, we always ensure that the tools, fixtures and workpieces are the same in the machine as in the simulation. We’ve standardised all the tools in our five-axis machining centres. For example, a 4 mm ball-nose cutter will have the same length and tool holder on both machines.”

PLASSON also takes advantage of the AUTO-DIFF™ module, which compares a CAD design model with a VERICUT simulation to detect differences, weaknesses or mistakes in the design and reduce the time needed to cut the first production-worthy part. AUTO-DIFF™ also reduces the time it takes to prepare an NC tool path. Programmers can check for gouges or excess material while working on the program, Plasson4, with problems identified and corrected before machining.

“We use AUTO-DIFF™ on all of our jobs,” reveals Minerbo. “This module helps us ensure we’ve covered every feature on the part by running the excess analysis function. If we’ve failed to program a specific feature, it shows up, and we can fix it right away. AUTO-DIFF™ also helps to determine where the tool has removed more material than needed and, of course, any collision between the tool, tool holder, workpiece and fixture.”

To make the deployment of VERICUT even easier, further modules at PLASSON include the PTC-Creo Parametric interface and Esprit to VERICUT interface.

“We find that VERICUT is easy to use daily,” concludes Minerbo. “The software is very user-friendly, and even those new to VERICUT get up to speed in a relatively short time.”

For over 180 years, WaldrichSiegen has known that continuous innovation is needed to create industry leading trends. Currently, the company is showing great interest in using the FORCE module. Waldrich Siegen wants to optimise the processing times of its clients’ complex projects. FORCE is a physics-based NC program optimisation software module that analyses and optimises cutting conditions throughout the NC program. It provides the most efficient NC program based on material, cutting tools and machining conditions. These results are considerable time savings and improved cutting tool life.