[step-manufacturing] Minutes of 12th conf call and registration

[Martin Hardwick]

All,

If you are planning to join us at the demonstration on May 14-15 in 
Washington State please register using the forms at:

http://www.steptools.com/library/stepnc/2009_renton/

Attendees
---------------
Martin Hardwick, STEP Tools
Mikael Hedlind, KTH
Magnus Lundgren, KTH
Bengt Olsson, Sandvik
Alain Brail, AlBavis
Fred Proctor, NIST
David Loffredo, STEP Tools
Chris Pfeifer, CCAT
David Odendahl, Boeing
Ian Stroud, EPFL
Larry Maggiano, Mitutoyo
John Horst, NIST
Bob Erickson, Pratt and Whitney


Apologies for absence
--------------------------------
Xun Xu, University of Auckland
Leon Xu, Boeing
Sid Venkatesh, Boeing
Aydin Nassehi, University of Bath

Data has been posted for both the five axis and three axis version of 
the part to the ftp site. The data includes a word file describing 
the tools and a AP-203 files describing the stock and workpiece.

ftp://ftp.steptools.com/private/Vancouver/Nominal_manufacturing_data_package/

The stock prepared by Boeing is 2024 aluminium, however 6061 and 7075 
aluminium are also acceptable. The prepared stock has four counter 
sunk holes for fixturing.

The AP-203 model exported from the CAD system includes a point set 
describing the measurement points. The STEP-NC Explorer needs to be 
updated to show these points.

A demonstration was given of collision detection using the machine 
tool model of the Northwood Gantry machine at Boeing.

We discussed methods for aligning the workpieces. There was agreement 
that the best method was for the CAD/CAM system to export its data 
with the workpieces already aligned with the toolpaths. If they are 
not aligned then the method for fixing the placements needs to be 
simple and easy to use. The axis orientations should be fixed first 
and in practice the orientations are usually wrong by a multiple of 
90 degrees but occasionally 45 degrees. Once the orientation has been 
fixed it is not so difficult to fix the positioning by jogging the 
part location.

We discussed the AP-238 implementation levels. At present there are 
four conformance class in AP-238. CC1 describes tool paths. CC2 
describes tool paths and workpieces. CC3 describes machining 
operations and CC4 describes GD&T.

The next conference call will be held on Wednesday April 17th at the 
usual times.

Action items
------------------
1.   David Odendahl to check on the delivery of the stock to the participants.
2.   Participants to download the data and prepare to machine the part.
3.   STEP Tools to enhance the STEP-NC Explorer to show the measurement points.