Rapid user guide

This section illustrates some of the standard procedures used with the Rover Tooling System.

Contents:

Chapter 11 A.P. Rover Tooling System

 Selection commands.

 Moving commands.

 Creating a tooling file.

 Configuration of a tooling file.

11.2.1 Selection commands

Selection commands are commands that may be accessed by mouse or keyboard, and let the user select an object in the active category as the active object.

Ways to activate the command

 With the keyboard: press “Ctrl” + “Left arrow” or “Ctrl” + “Right arrow”.

 With the mouse: move near the object and press the left key.

 With instruments: select icon 11.3 or 11.4

Figure 11.3: Left arrow

Figure 11.4: Right arrow

Purpose of the command

Changes active object within the same category.

Use of the command

If the active object is a bench, use the command to activate a place to the left/right of the current one; if it is a cup or a backstop, use the command to activate a place above or below it.

Note on the command

If you want to activate cups or backstops located on different benches by means of the keyboard, you first have to activate the bench containing them, then activate the category cup or backstop and select the one desired.

11.2.2 Movement commands

Movement commands are commands that may be accessed by mouse or keyboard, and let the user interact directly with the objects located in the graphics area, moving them as he wishes.

Ways to activate the command

 With the keyboard: use the arrow keys.

 With the mouse: use the left key.

 By typing positions.

Purpose of the command

Allows an object to be moved in the work area within the limits imposed by the presence of other objects in the same area.

Use of the command

With the keyboard:

1. press the arrow key corresponding to the direction in which you want to move the object;

2. release the arrow key to confirm the move.

With the mouse:

1. move near the object and press the left key;

2. drag the object by keeping the left key pressed;

3. release the left key to confirm the move.

By typing positions:

1. select the object by means of the Selection commands

2. with the Tab key, position the cursor in the edit field used to insert the “X” position; change the position and press Enter to confirm. Press the Tab key again to position the cursor in the edit field used to insert the “Y”

position; change the position and press Enter to confirm.

Figure 11.5: Typing positions

3. press Enter to confirm or Esc to cancel the changes.

Notes on the command

An object may be moved only in the directions permitted (see Movements command on the Configuration menu).

Object movement by means of keyboard takes place in discrete steps. The step used is described in the edit field located on the status bar, directly above the graphics area. The step unit may be changed by using the Step command on the Configuration menu.

11.2.3 Creating a tooling file

This section describes the methods used to construct a generic tooling file. The construction of a tooling file may be divided into the following phases:

1. Insertion of machine.

Chapter 11 A.P. Rover Tooling System

2. Insertion of mobile benches.

3. Insertion of cups.

4. Insertion of backstops.

Phase 1: Insertion of machine.

Select “Insert” on main menu Configuration, then select “Machine” on secondary menu Insert. Select a name from the list in the Load Machine dialog box. A drawing of the selected machine will appear in the graphics area.

Figure 11.6: Insertion of machine

Phase 2: Insertion of mobile benches.

Select “Insert” on main menu Configuration, then select “Mobile benches” on secondary menu Insert. Select a name from the list in the Mobile benches dialog box. Type the position for the bench insertion point, or accept those proposed, by means of the Object position definition dialog box. A drawing of the selected bench will appear in the graphics area: confirm the operation or redefine the positions of the insertion point.

Figure 11.7: Insertion of mobile benches

Repeat the operation for each bench to be inserted.

Phase 3: Insertion of cups.

Using the Selection commands, select one of the benches in the graphics area. The cups insertion op-eration will relate to the bench selected. Select “Insert” on main menu Configuration, then select “Cups”

on secondary menu Insert. Select a name from the list in the Load cups dialog box. Type the position for the cup insertion point, or accept those proposed, by means of the Object position definition dialog box. A drawing of the selected cup will appear in the graphics area: confirm the operation or redefine the positions of the insertion point. Repeat the operation for each cup to be inserted.

Phase 4: Insertion of backstops.

Using the Selection commands, select one of the benches in the graphics area. The backstops insertion op-eration will relate to the bench selected. Select “Insert” on main menu Configuration, then select “Backstops”

on secondary menu Insert. Select a name from the list in the Load backstops dialog box. Use the Object position definition dialog box to type the positions for the backstop insertion point and enable movements, or link the backstop to an origin. By choosing to link the backstop to an origin, positions and movements will

Figure 11.8: Insertion of cups

be automatically calculated (see backstops in the Glossary of technical terms) and it will not be necessary to insert them manually. A drawing of the selected backstop will appear in the graphics area: confirm the operation or redefine the positions.

Figure 11.9: Insertion of backstops

Repeat the operation for each backstop to be inserted.

The insertion of cups and backstops relates to the bench selected or to the bench containing the object selected.

Warning! You cannot insert a bench after having inserted a cup or a backstop, just as you cannot insert a cup after having inserted a backstop.

11.2.4 Configuration of a tooling file

This section describes the methods used to position the panel and objects that make up tooling. Its purpose is to position the objects that support the panel in such a way as to avoid all interference with the tools performing work. Before inserting a panel, make sure that tooling is complete. After a panel is inserted, it will be impossible to add other objects to the tooling. To insert a panel, proceed as follows:

1. By means of the Origins menu, select the panel reference origin.

2. Select Load Panel from main menu Panel.

Once the panel is inserted, you may rotate it or mirror it (see secondary menus Rotate and Mirroring).

By means of the Selection commands and Moving commands, position the objects that support the panel in such a way as to avoid overlapping between work areas and tooling parts. For example, if a series of through holes has to be drilled in a panel, the drilling tool must not enter into contact with the objects (benches, cups, backstops) that support the panel. Fig. 11.10 shows two cups positioned in proximity of a work area where a series of through holes are to be drilled. In Fig. 11.11, the cups have been moved, and work on the piece will not cause damage to the supports.

Chapter 11 A.P. Rover Tooling System

Figure 11.10: Incorrect position

Figure 11.11: Correct position