EXAPT

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EXAPT (" EX tended Subset of APT ") is a production-oriented programming language for generating NC programs in order to generate control information for machine tools , and enables production-related issues of various machining processes to be taken into account.

EXAPT has grown historically according to industrial requirements. Over the years, various software solutions have been created for the manufacturing industry, which today form a broad, scalable range of services with future-oriented products and services.

Today, the EXAPT brand name is primarily understood to be a CAD / CAM system and production data and tool management software from the German company EXAPT Systemtechnik GmbH based in Aachen.

General

EXAPT is a modular programming system for all NC processing such as

The main product groups EXAPTcam and EXAPTcontrol are gradually expandable due to their modular structure and enable individually tailored software solutions for the manufacturing industry, which can be used both independently and in conjunction with an existing IT environment.

Functionality

EXAPTcam covers the requirements for NC planning, especially for machining processes such as turning, drilling and milling up to 5-axis simultaneous machining. New process technologies, tool and machine concepts are continuously incorporated. Data from various sources such as 3D CAD models, drawings or tables can flow into the NC programming. The possibilities for NC programming range from language-oriented to feature-oriented NC programming. The integrated EXAPT knowledge database as well as intelligent and scalable automatisms support the user. EXAPT-NC planning also covers the creation of manufacturing information, such as clamping and tool plans, presetting data or time calculations. The realistic simulation options of NC planning and NC control data bring security to production.

EXAPTcontrol provides a neutrally usable technology platform for the information network from NC planning - to the workshop. This applies to all production data that are required for setting up NC processing machines , for the procurement, presetting and storage of operating resources and that are provided by EXAPTcontrol in a central database . In addition to classic functions of the tool management system (TMS), such as the management of cutting tools, measuring, testing and clamping devices, technology data management and tool lifecycle management (TLM) are also included. System-supported where-used lists include B. helps to get the resource cycle under control through secure needs assessment and coverage. Superfluous transports and unplanned dispositive changes are eliminated, stocks are reduced, set-up times are reduced and throughput is increased. EXAPTcontrol primarily synchronizes the systems involved within the value chain . Storage systems, MES systems or ERP systems (e.g. from the areas of purchasing and production) no longer work in isolation from one another, but interact with one another. EXAPTcontrol provides the basis for the Smart Factory , for more flexibility in production and accelerated communication.

history

As a spin-off from the universities of Aachen , Berlin and Stuttgart , the further development "EXAPT (EXtended Subset of APT)" of the programming language " APT (Automatically Programmed Tools) " was focused in 1967 with the establishment of the EXAPT Association and thus the first milestone for the EXAPT- History laid. In the same year, the EXAPT 1 system was available for drilling and simple milling tasks.

1969 begins the industrial application of EXAPT 2 for programming NC machines with 2-axis line and path control. The development of the EXAPT module system starts in the following year.

1972 EXAPT BASIC is made available for universal, standardized programming of all NC tasks. Mission support is provided by EXAPT application advice.

1973 EXAPT 1.1 was made available for programming track and path-controlled drilling and milling machines as well as machining centers. At the Hanover Fair (IHA 73) the interactive access to a central computer via a time-sharing terminal for the input and correction of part programs will be demonstrated and initiates the replacement of the punch card .

1974 the possibilities for the use of process computers for NC data transfer are explored. As a pioneer, EXAPT offers the possibility to simulate results when using plotters with the representation of tool paths and tools in relation to the workpiece.

EXAPT NC Systemtechnik GmbH was founded in April 1975 with the aim of enabling small and medium-sized companies to get started in NC technology through a complete range of products and services. In the following year, the range of systems is expanded with further system modules and service programs as well as the provision of post-processors.

In 1978 the development work on the EXAPT module system, which began in the 1970s, is completed. The different system parts BASIC-EXAPT, EXAPT 1, EXAPT 1.1 and EXAPT 2 are connected to an overall system using modern software technology. System support and application advice are developing into a new focus of work.

In the early to mid-1980s , in addition to the publications of new portable software modules for CAD / CAM applications (such as CAPEX, NESTEX, CADEX, CADCPL), the first version of the EXAPT-DNC system and the extensions of the EXAPT-NC programming system for presents the machining of curved surfaces.

In 1988 EXAPT expanded the software product range to include systems for resource management (BMO) and production data organization (FDO). Together with company-specific courses, EXAPT trained more than 1,300 course participants in 1988 alone.

In 1992 the first version of the completely new product generation EXAPTplus is presented and a branch in Dresden is opened.

In 1993 the company name "EXAPT NC Systemtechnik GmbH" is changed to "EXAPT Systemtechnik GmbH". EXAPTplus will be presented on PC under WindowsNT. The decentralization of the EXAPT system application extends the scope considerably. In the following year, EXAPT-DNC can be run on a standard PC under Windows. Special hardware can be dispensed with and can therefore be used in conjunction with the database-supported EXAPT production data organization system (FDO).

In 1995 , EXAPTplus is also ready for complex applications such as the machining of mold channels on extrusion tools. EXAPT-CADI ensures the transfer of 2D CAD data to EXAPTplus. Sales will be strengthened with the new Giessen branch. In the following year, the EXAPT-NC-Editor was developed for the direct processing of NC control data with toolpath display and visualization of the tools.

In the course of the market entry of comfortable 3D CAD systems for solid modeling of components, an extensive evaluation of marketable systems is carried out in 1997 . The decision was made to use SolidWorks as the reference system for solid-oriented NC planning with EXAPT.

In 1998 the first solution for the transfer of geometry data between SolidWorks and EXAPTplus is created. The EXAPT organization systems can now (in addition to SQL) also run under Oracle. The use of client-server solutions supports the flow of information in production.

1999 are made available to support NC-compatible workpiece modeling in connection with EXAPTsolid AFR functions. Millennium capability is guaranteed for all EXAPT systems. AFR is breaking new ground for the integration of third-party products.

In 2002 EXAPT-BMG was developed for the creation and visualization of tools with additional functions for the assembly of components. The acquisition of tools with their geometric and technological characteristics offers comprehensive support for NC planning with the EXAPT systems.

In 2003 , EXAPTpdo is ready to optimally design the process chains in production planning and production execution under the growing requirements of changing production conditions.

In 2004 , various system expansions were made in EXAPTplus, EXAPTsolid, EXAPT-NC-Editor, EXAPTpdo for complete machining on turning / milling centers with results validation through extensive simulation based on realNC (Tecnomatix), for the use of new, complex tool systems and for joint use between ERP -Systems like SAP and intelligent CNC systems. In the following year, EXAPTpdo will be expanded for cross-order setup optimization and resource provision, especially for single and small series production with a connection to procurement and physical inventory management.

In 2006 the EXAPT systems are in extensive use as an information platform for production, time management and similar requirements. For EXAPTsolid there are extensions for feature-oriented milling and machine simulation. The NC programming of complex machine tools such as B. Three-slide turning / milling centers is supported by EXAPT systems, as is the use of multifunctional tools.

In 2007 a module for simultaneous 3-5-axis milling will be presented.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ EXAPT
  2. ^ History of the EXAPT Association ( Memento from January 23, 2017 in the Internet Archive )