Product Overview

Advanced machine tools represent a significant investment, and need to be fully utilized in order to maximize their contribution to the business. Any time the machine is not cutting metal is lost value. For example, complex jobs can require hours of set-up preparation time, during which the machine tool is unproductive. Using the machine for operator training can be another example of low or lost productivity.

When the machine is running, it’s important that it does so with full confidence that there will be no problems (such as collisions) and that the program runs as efficiently as possible. If part programs are edited on the shop floor, it can be time-consuming to check them step-by-step on the real machine tool.

Imagine a machine tool model so complete that it acts and runs just like your real machine tool – only all in software. Virtual Machine is built from a toolkit of software elements – a 3D model of your machine tool, machining simulation software, the software kernel and the human machine interface (HMI) software from the controller (for machines with Siemens SINUMERIK controllers). Virtual Machine can be used for set-up preparation, operator training and part program validation, saving significant time on the real machine tool.

Virtual Machine reduces the level of unproductive time on a machine tool. At a fraction of the cost, Virtual Machine is realistic enough that it can be used to reduce non-productive time on the real machine tool.

Virtual machines can be built by the machine tool manufacturer for most machine configurations that use a Sinumerik controller, using the flexible software toolkit available from Siemens. Siemens can provide services to assist machine tool builders in using the Virtual Machine software toolkit to create specific versions of a virtual machine. Virtual Machine software can be licensed to allow the machine tool builder to offer a virtual machine as an option with sales of the corresponding real machine tool.