Delivering safe, effective and collision-free NC programs directly to the machines is the Tebis advantage. This means that planning, programming and verification are performed right in the CAM environment using digital twins of the real production environment: The CAM programmer uses all of the manufacturing-related data from the machines and tools used, checks the machining for collisions in the virtual machines in the CAM software and corrects any errors. The output programs are completely collision-checked. In this chain, the virtual machines are one of the most important links.
Tebis draws a distinction between the virtual machines that are standard catalog machines and those that we call customer machines. For catalog machines, the simulation is based on the manufacturer's specifications for the machine envelope. For customer machines, all movements within the machine space and all actual geometries are also fully accounted for – and this service is unique to Tebis. The machine logic is stored in full in the virtual machine. The entire machining space can therefore be used to the maximum. The real manufacturing can also be fully simulated and controlled in the virtual CAD/CAM environment, saving time even before NC output.
Of the more than 6,000 virtual machines used by Tebis customers worldwide, more than 60 percent are custom-configured customer machines.
The geometries of tool heads, spindles, cooling nozzles, laser equipment and units can vary, even in machines of the same type. The machine data are therefore recorded individually with all possible collision elements. Reference points also need to be digitalized so that movements and geometries can be correctly assigned.
The entire machine logic is stored in the virtual machine. This is realized by transferring all values recorded on the real machine to the virtual machine, including limit switch positions, tool change positions, reference points and safety positions.
At the same time, the individual elements are structurally linked in a "kinematic chain".
The collision matrix can also be used to configure the elements that need to be accounted for in the collision analysis.
The Tebis post-processor is precisely customized for this configuration. The machine uses the intelligent programming logic to decide how to perform stepover and retract movements in each critical situation.
The virtual machine independently determines how to perform the part transfer with no need for input from the CAM programmer or machine operator: In this example, it first selects a free turret position and safely moves the turret under the main spindle. After the cut-off tool has been changed, the machine head moves along the B axis to a safe position. Only then does the sub-spindle grip the part so that it can finally be cut off.
Specifically configured to meet customer requirements: The tilt-direction change can be safely performed with the part in 5-axis simultaneous machining. There’s no need for a retract to the safety position.
The Tebis machine library includes all common machine types for different manufacturing methods. The spectrum ranges from simple CNC machines that are suitable for one specific machining process like milling or turning to multifunctional high-performance machine centers on which the part undergoes multiple machining processes on a single machine. Changeable heads and pick-up stations for all tools are also represented one-to-one.