Electroimpact Offline Programming Software

Simulation Integrated Manufacturing by Electroimpact, or SIMpact, is a lightweight, simulation-based offline programming software system developed exclusively for Electroimpact’s automated drilling and fastening machines and Accurate Robots.

SIMpact Robotics

SIMpact Robotics is built upon the Delmia Robotics infrastructure, incorporating native device building, kinematics, program specification, simulation, clash analysis, and post-processing capabilities.

Integrated OLP-Machine Development

Each application of SIMpact Robotics is developed in parallel with the automation components of the project. The established capabilities of SIMpact for each robot or machine type are tailored to the customer’s requirements for each project. This ensures maximum compatibility and simulation accuracy, as well as minimum change time to the software if changes to the machine are made.

Minimal Software Infrastructure

SIMpact Robotics is built on the Delmia Robotics infrastructure, meaning no software compatibility issues with Catia or Delmia, and eliminates Catia block point issues due to Dassult Système’s co-development of both.

SIMpact Robotics has no additional licensing requirements besides Catia Mechanical Design and Delmia Robotics.

Minimal Machine-Specific User Interface

Each instance of SIMpact Robotics provides a machine-specific form-based user interface through customized toolbars within Delmia Robotics. This user interface is tailored for each project, incorporating only the functions necessary for the device being programmed. This minimizes training and mistakes through simplification of the interface.

Process Tools

SIMpact Robotics incorporates design tables for fastener mapping, material mapping and drill tools. The software incorporates automated stack thickness and material interrogation from the workpiece models when creating cycle tags to be programmed.

SIMpact Robotics allows the NC programmer to:

  • Set local reference features that will be located by the machine
  • Sequence drill cycles
  • Modify cycle parameters such as countersink depth
  • Add jogs and waypoint moves to allow collision-free movement between cycles
Accurate Simulation and Analysis Capabilities

SIMpact allows accurate simulation of each NC program and robot/machine devices in the context of the workpiece design models, including whole or partial program simulation using start and end markers.

It incorporates the Delmia clash analysis functionality to detect potential collisions with workpieces or tooling, or to define a clearance envelope for safe machine movement.

Cycle Visualization

SIMpact provides cycle visualization during simulation. This allows the programmer to see:

  • A circle where and when a hole is drilled
  • Two concentric circles where and when a drill/countersink cycle is performed
  • A fastener instance where and when one is inserted
Customized Post Processors

The SIMpact post processor is tailored to the requirements of each project. It directly scans the program tree structure when compiling programs to ensure maximum accuracy and concurrency with simulation, and checks for common program syntax errors made by the NC programmer before posting a program.

Electroimpact Training and Support

As SIMpact is based in Delmia, the interface will be familiar to Catia users.

Mentoring and further training can be provided by onsite Electroimpact engineering during production support at no additional cost. Offsite software support is provided directly by Electroimpact engineers based in Mukilteo, WA.

SIMpact Machining

SIMpact Machining is a lightweight version of SIMpact based in Catia Advanced Machining and is used for Electroimpact’s FlexTrack line of products. It incorporates toolpath generation and visualization, workpiece material stack interrogation, program specification and post processing capabilities.

Like SIMpact Robotics above, SIMpact Machining incorporates:

  • Integrated OLP-machine development to ensure maximum accuracy and compatibility with the automation components of the project
  • Minimal software infrastructure based in Catia Machining eliminating software compatibility issues and minimizing licensing requirements
  • Minimal machine-specific user interface tailored for each project, incorporating only the functions necessary for the device being programmed
  • Customized post processors tailored to the requirements of each project, ensuring maximum program accuracy and checking for common program syntax errors before posting a program
  • Electroimpact-based training and support provided directly by EI engineers either while onsite for production or offsite in Mukilteo, WA
Process Tools

SIMpact Machining incorporates design tables for fastener mapping, material mapping and drill tools. The software incorporates automated stack thickness and material interrogation from the workpiece models.

SIMpact Machining allows the NC programmer to:

  • Set global and local reference features that will be located by the machine
  • Sequence drill cycles
  • Visualize machine toolpath
  • Modify cycle parameters such as countersink depth
  • Post-process part programs