Description:
<jats:p>Industrial programming is a tiresome and time-consuming task that requires technical skill. Thus, new and more intuitive ways for people to interact with CNC machines are required to make programming easier. The goal is to present two methods of programming that helps users to program a machine in an intuitive way, providing a high-level of abstraction from the machine language. Therefore, this paper presents a CAD-based system to program from a 3D CAD environment, allowing users with essential CAD skills to generate programs off-line in order to facilitate and accelerate these related tasks. This is feasible due to a relatively low cost and commercially available CAD packages that enable the user to generate machining programs. The method used to get data from CAD and techniques to manipulate, simulate and convert it into CNC machine commands are presented herein. Finally, the effectiveness of the two methods is showed when the time and wastes saved in 3D programming is compared to 2D programming to perform the same task. This presented method can also contribute to improve the quality of work, increase productivity, standardize work routines, and strive for excellence in adding value. A case study is showed to evidence the benefits reached.</jats:p>