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Prospector™ Features
PowerSource Technology:
The Brains Behind Knowledge-based Shop Floor Programming
 PowerSource™ is the ingenious technology that powers Prospector to suggest industry best practices enforce and shop rules. The dynamic rules based engine continually monitors current part and machining conditions to:
- Suggest the most appropriate machining strategy.
- Suggest tool type, size and length.
- Recommend cutting and plunge feed rate and spindle speed based on material.
- Recommend machining parameters such as depth of cut, step-over and style.
- Totally automate hole making operations using feature-based machining to produce a machining sequence with all the tools and operations needed.
The Benefits of Knowledge-based Programming Are Clear:
- Reduce the opportunity for human error. - Skill-based systems are largely dependent on the individual's skill, knowledge and experience with the software. You can not be certain that every operator will have this knowledge and skill to avoid improper use of the software or inadvertently entering a bad value for a key parameter. The PowerSource system virtually eliminates human error associated with skill-based programming systems. This means your staff spends less time editing cutter paths (and welding).
- Enhance the capability of less experienced or skilled operators. - Because you pre-program rules and settings into the knowledge base, shop users with less experience automatically benefit because the system will suggest the right machining tactics.
- Enforce shop rules and conventions. - With Prospector you can be sure that machinists and operators are following your shop rules and conventions. With PowerSource, you have the master controls for all Prospector shop floor programming systems. By establishing plant-wide system database defaults that represent your standards, you can lock these setting and rules such that they can not be countermanded by the operators on the floor.
- Tailor each system to adapt to machine tool characteristics. - Local PowerSource databases can be programmed for specific machine tools to get the most productivity out of your equipment. For example, rules and settings for your roughing machine can be setup separate from the rules for your high-speed finishing machine. This ensures that machines are being programmed according to their capabilities and and in a manner that maximizes their efficiency.
- Address machining of all components of a job. - The flexible PowerSource database lets you group rules according to their intended application. This means that when programming an electrode, the system automatically calls up the proper rules for electrode machining. Similarly different rules, feeds and speeds may be established when cutting steel vs. aluminum. You decide what makes the most sense for your shop.
- Reduced variability and consistent high quality of workmanship. - PowerSource makes sure everyone is programming the same types of jobs in a consistent manner. This ensures that from user to user, job to job, you are producing consistent results that translate into on-time delivery of high quality tools. No more surprises.
- Reduce or eliminate reliance on "experts". - Relying on skill-based programming systems means you must recruit specialists who understand that system in-depth to produce results. Why be held hostage to the "computer gurus" to do your NC programming? With Prospector, anyone can program and achieve the same results. The system is so easy to learn, in just a couple of days new operators are up and running.
With Prospector on the job it's like having your best machinist constantly coaching every operator. Knowledge-based programming helps eliminates possibilities of human error and reduces variability. From user to user, job to job, your shop is producing consistent results with high quality workmanship and on-time delivery. No more surprises. PowerSource Technology makes sure things are done right the first time and every time.
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