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mmsonline.com June 2014 MMS 89 feature M achine programmers and operators know that valuable production time is lost due to unnecessarily long repositioning motions between cutting paths, unexpected collisions and over-travel. Detecting and correcting these problems histori- cally has absorbed a great deal of the NC program- mer's time and attention as well, requiring code editing for days on end. However, software now is available that embeds simulations into the post processing phase, identifying the optimal tool path and automatically applying the results. Not only that, but the program can easily be transferred between different fve-axis CNC machines and setups, making adjustments without assistance from the programmer. Jerry Gustafson, manager of NC programming at Valley Machine Shop, located in Kent, Washing- ton, about 20 miles south of Seattle, has experienced this frsthand since adopting ICAM's SmartPath toolpath optimization technology (patent pending). In fac t, Va l l ey wa s th e s of t wa re c o m pa ny's offcial beta tester during its development. "As a programmer, I'm now able to focus my energies on other things knowing that this software will run Automating Toolpath Optimization New software creates simulations during post processing, identifying and automatically applying the best path forward. By Ru s s W i llcuT T simulations during post processing and auto- matically apply its fndings without the need for my involvement," Mr. Gustafson says. inTO The Valley Founded in 1974 by Victor and Valerie Dalosto, Valley's growth has followed that of advances made in industrial manufacturing, particularly aerospace, the company's specialty. Now celebrating his 23rd year with the company, Mr. Gustafson has enjoyed a front-row seat to the introduction of machining processes and equipment that he wouldn't have thought possible two decades ago. "The company's frst shop was on the Dalosto's property, and then we moved into a slightly larger space," he recalls. "But we were really small in the early days, and it was all about three-a xis machining." As orders grew from its primar y aerospace customer, so did Valley. The company eventually moved into the spacious facility it currently occu- pies, lined with Mori Seiki turning machines; Mit- subishi, Mori Seiki, Makino and Haas machining centers; and no fewer than six fve-axis machines from OEMs such as SNK, Haas and Makino. With such a robust lineup of metalworking equipment on hand, optimization began taking priority over physical growth. "We decided it was time to make sure we were getting the most out of what we (Facing Page) Jerry Gustafson, manager of NC programming at Valley Machine Shop, says that SmartPath saves him time both in terms of setups and reprogramming code every day. 0614_MMS_Valley.indd 89 5/14/2014 9:54:11 AM