ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONALITY, PLUS A SIMULATION PROGRAM TO RUN ON A PC
16 July 2004 - GE Fanuc Automation CNC Europe SA

Echternach, Luxembourg – GE Fanuc's user-friendly shop floor programming software, Manual Guide i, has been enhanced with new program management functions and background machining simulation. Also new is a simulator package which runs on a standard PC and simulates how the software runs on GE Fanuc's Series i CNCs. The part programs generated on the simulator can be transferred electronically to a CNC.

GE Fanuc's Manual Guide i enables quick and easy programming for turning, milling or compound machining. The software increases machine tool operators' productivity by offering an environment that enables development from a drawing to a production part in a very short time. The latest version of Manual Guide i enables programs to be managed by folder and file name. Program files on an inserted PC memory card can also be directly edited. Extra checks can be in-built, for example for offset data and to ask for confirmation before deletion of data.

3D simulation for turning, milling or compound machining, including milling on an inclined surface, helps reduce the time for part program checking and virtually eliminates errors. In the new version of Manual Guide i, animation can take place in the background. This allows simulated testing of the next part program while the machine tool is carrying out its current operation.

The new Manual Guide i Simulator runs on a standard PC using a WindowsÒ 2000 or WindowsÒ XP platform, and provides start-up options to support simulation of Manual Guide i running on any of the latest GE Fanuc Series i CNCs. It allows editing of part programs, data entry for cycle machining in menu form, machining simulation and NC program conversion. Part programs can be uploaded to a CNC via a network link or via a flash memory card.

Manual Guide i Simulator is offered with a single-user licence, or with a multi-user licence for concurrent use on a number of networked PCs. The software is protected against piracy by the use of a USB-insertable hardware key.

The new version of GE Fanuc's Manual Guide i is suitable for the latest Series 30i, 31i, 32i CNCs. It uses the increased display area offered by the 15' LCD unit to enlarge the Axis Co-ordinate, Spindle and Load-Meter area; to enlarge the area for animated simulation of part programs; and to increase the programming window to enable more lines to be visible concurrently. Vertical soft keys are assigned to window opening functions, with the ability to customise keys for operations adapted to the particular machine. Horizontal soft keys use icons to offer intuitive menu selection so that operators, without any previous GE Fanuc user experience, can quickly create part programs without reference to any documentation.

http://gefanuc-europe.com

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