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How long does it take you to program?

Let’s say someone gives you a metal part with 150 dimensions. How long would it take you to study the print, figure out fixturing, create a setup sheet, and program it? You’ve never seen this part before and it’s somewhat complex. Assume the print makes complete sense to you after studying the print—so you don’t need to ask the designer any questions.

Also, would the program run perfectly the first time? If not, how long would “proving out” the program (making adjustments) take you?

I ask these questions because I get them a lot being the only programmer at a significantly large company with 3 machines. I’m curious what other people’s experiences are, and I’m open to any tips. I will state my answers to these questions in one week. Hopefully I get a lot of responses.

Parents
  • Dual program with 2 parts, each has about 30 geometric tolerances (i use GeoTol only). Each part has own jig with datums and with 3 position bushings. First I have to measure all datums according to brushings. Then I transfer these datums as generic features and use only 3 brushings alignment. These jig programs are separated as Sub programs. In main program you can choose if you want measure both parts, left only or right only. You can choose if you want to remeasure jig positions or if you want to calibrate probe. Program has 2 separate reports with different header and partname. All position pins used during clamping parts into jigs have collision checks (many times operators left pins inside = big crash) so now i cannot happen. Jig sub programs also has clamp check if it's fully open during remeasuring in arease where collisions can occur. All features have relatives to other features to avoid colisions when parts have different conditions. Everything must run perfect without any issues because these programs are for operators using Inspect. They just fix jig and clamp parts. Everyting is fully automated. With PDF report there is also custom excel report and csv coordintes for customer. So program like this take me about 2 full days and 1 day of testing at least. so full duration 3 and more days.

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  • Dual program with 2 parts, each has about 30 geometric tolerances (i use GeoTol only). Each part has own jig with datums and with 3 position bushings. First I have to measure all datums according to brushings. Then I transfer these datums as generic features and use only 3 brushings alignment. These jig programs are separated as Sub programs. In main program you can choose if you want measure both parts, left only or right only. You can choose if you want to remeasure jig positions or if you want to calibrate probe. Program has 2 separate reports with different header and partname. All position pins used during clamping parts into jigs have collision checks (many times operators left pins inside = big crash) so now i cannot happen. Jig sub programs also has clamp check if it's fully open during remeasuring in arease where collisions can occur. All features have relatives to other features to avoid colisions when parts have different conditions. Everything must run perfect without any issues because these programs are for operators using Inspect. They just fix jig and clamp parts. Everyting is fully automated. With PDF report there is also custom excel report and csv coordintes for customer. So program like this take me about 2 full days and 1 day of testing at least. so full duration 3 and more days.

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