Pros and cons of Optipath

Dessie · 2009-10-12 15:46:06

Is there anyone can give me an objective opinion on Optipath? Does it do what it says on the tin? and has your company made any significant savings on cycle time. Is it easy to set up etc

many thanks
Dessie

Chigishev · 2009-10-13 05:52:53

I use VERICUT OptiPath to optimize "air cutting", very easy and good results.

paehv · 2009-10-13 05:54:03

Hi Dessie,

We use optipath for some years now and yes it does what it says.
How and what to optimize is up to the user depending on how much time you want to spend setting up the optimisation.
For a "short cycle timed" part with a relative low value you may just optimize the aircuts and reduce cycle time with a few percent.
When you have a part that you will be making in high volumes over a number of years, you may want to spend more time setting up optimisation on -for instance- constant chip-thickness. This optimisation will give a higher reduction. So, taking time for an good optimisation can be really worth while.
What we also see is that -esspecially in heat resistant Ni alloys- tool life improves by a good optimisation due to less "rubbing" with small RDOC.
That were the pro's

I think there are only 2 possible cons:
1. Setting up is -still, to my opinion- not simple, but like for most things in life, the more you do it, the simpler it gets.
2. The optimisation process takes time. This can be in real world sometimes cause a problem when a modification in NC needs to be made while the machine is standing still on this. After modification in CAM you would need to re-optimize and this can take a while. (We have some optimisations that run for over 6 hours. At the end we save aroud 15 to 20% on 60 to 70 hours cycle times)

Hoppefully this will help you make a good decision,

VERICUT Users' Forum

#1 2009-10-12 15:46:06

Pros and cons of Optipath

#2 2009-10-13 05:52:53

Re: Pros and cons of Optipath

#3 2009-10-13 05:54:03

Re: Pros and cons of Optipath

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