SUCCESS STORY
RRT Simplifies Machine Programming by Switching to InventorCAM
Customer Challenge
Historically, RRT has used Autodesk Inventor for new product development and to modify commercial items for use in tactical field environments. They managed the designs in Autodesk Vault, and when the designs were ready for manufacturing, the engineers would send the files to Mastercam. Using Mastercam, machinists would convert the toolpaths to G code to program the milling machines.
“The process worked, but since programming the mills was a manual process, it was time consuming, prone to errors, and tedious,” said Pat Gillespie, Vice President, RRT. “We decided to look into automating the process, so it would be faster and more accurate, and would free our team to do more interesting work.”
Project Goals
RRT wanted to automate the process of taking designs ready for manufacturing through to programming and machining. By reducing the potential for error - keeping the data consistent - RRT hoped to free their team from design re-work and coding, allowing them to do more interesting projects while being more efficient.
Solution
IMAGINiT created a plan for RRT that included:
1) Identifying and securing appropriate licenses of InventorCAM
2) Planning for implementation with the RRT team
3) Having an IMAGINiT-certified CAM specialist recommend user settings and configurations, create basic tool crib entities and more
4) Developing training material based on RRT's workflows and equipment
5) Lead a 2-day remote training workshop
6) Create a guide for using the software to carry out sample project use cases
7) Ongoing mentoring based on sample use cases
Business Outcome
By consolidating to one software suite, document management, production, drawings, work instruction development, and rapid prototyping have decreased RRT’s lead times on product deliveries while increasing overall efficiencies and improving its production processes and procedures.
Two dedicated employees are trained and certified to use Autodesk Inventor CAM and its associated programs, which they use for prototyping and product development. RRT depends on Autodesk Vault and Autodesk Fusion 360 to maintain all documentation relating to outdated and current product lines.
Conclusion
Both engineers that work with Inventor CAM agree that consolidating to one software suite has reduced errors and the amount of time spent working on projects. They said, “The ease in which we can move from one function/application/program to the other has increased our overall confidence and time management.”
“This project has further strengthened our trust in IMAGINiT,” said Pat. “As our technology needs continue to evolve, I expect to turn to them for practical advice, thorough solutions, and expert implementation services.”
Project Summary
Delivery Date
2021-04-28
Project Duration
3 days
Autodesk Solutions
- Product Design & Manufacturing Collection
- Inventor
- Fusion 360
Services Provided
- Configuration & Deployment
Customer Industry
- Design & Manufacturing