How to Use Keller Symplus 5.2 to Boost Your CNC Productivity
Keller Symplus 5.2: A Powerful and User-Friendly CNC Software Solution
If you are looking for a professional CAD/CAM software for turning and milling, you should consider Keller Symplus 5.2. This software is designed to make your CNC production and training more efficient and easy. In this article, we will introduce you to the features and benefits of Keller Symplus 5.2 and show you how it can help you with your CNC projects.
Keller Symplus 5.2
What is Keller Symplus 5.2?
Keller Symplus 5.2 is a CNC software developed by KELLER.Software, a company with over 30 years of experience in the CNC field. Keller Symplus 5.2 is the latest version of their SYM plus product line, which combines their extensive experience in CNC production and CNC training under one surface.
Keller Symplus 5.2 is a modular software that allows you to customize your CAD/CAM system or your CNC training package according to your needs. You can choose from various modules, such as:
Virtual workshop: A realistic simulation of your CNC machine and workpiece, where you can test and optimize your programs before running them on the real machine.
DIN/PAL: A programming language that is easy to learn and use, based on the DIN 66025 standard and the PAL programming aid.
Controls: A collection of control simulators that mimic the look and feel of different CNC controllers, such as Siemens, Heidenhain, Fanuc, etc.
CAD/CAM: A graphical interface that allows you to create and edit your geometries and toolpaths, as well as import and export files from other CAD/CAM systems.
Why You Need Keller Symplus 5.2 for Your CNC Projects
Keller Symplus 5.2 is a software that can help you with various aspects of your CNC projects, such as:
Programming: You can use the DIN/PAL language or the CAD/CAM interface to create your CNC programs in a fast and easy way. You can also use the postprocessors to adapt your programs to different machines and controllers.
Simulation: You can use the virtual workshop to check your programs for errors, collisions, cycle time, etc. before running them on the real machine. You can also use the controls to familiarize yourself with different CNC controllers and their functions.
Training: You can use the SYM plus training concept to learn or teach the basics of CNC programming and machining. You can also use the workbooks and exercises that are included in the software or available for purchase separately.
How to Organize Postprocessors in Keller Symplus 5.2
Keller Symplus 5.2 provides a list of around 50 postprocessors for different CNC controllers and machines. However, you may not need all of them for your CNC projects. In fact, you may only work with one or a few postprocessors most of the time. So, how can you organize your postprocessors in Keller Symplus 5.2 to make your programming and simulation more convenient and efficient?
Here is a practical tip that can help you with that: Create a second folder for postprocessor parameter sets, and copy the postprocessors you currently need into this folder. This way, you can have a shorter and more relevant list of postprocessors to choose from when you create or edit your CNC programs.
To do this, follow these steps:
Open Keller Symplus 5.2 and go to the CAD/CAM module.
Click on the "Options" button on the toolbar and select "Postprocessor" from the drop-down menu.
In the "Postprocessor" window, click on the "Browse" button next to the "Postprocessor parameter sets" field.
In the file explorer window, navigate to the folder where your postprocessor parameter sets are stored. By default, this should be C:\Program Files (x86)\KELLER\SYMplus\PPS.
Create a new folder inside this folder and name it as you wish. For example, you can name it "My Postprocessors".
Copy the postprocessor parameter sets that you need from the original folder to the new folder. You can select multiple files by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking on them.
Go back to the "Postprocessor" window and select your new folder as the source of your postprocessor parameter sets.
Click on "OK" to save your changes and close the window.
Now, when you create or edit your CNC programs, you will only see the postprocessors that you copied to your new folder in the "Postprocessor" drop-down menu. This will make it easier for you to select the right postprocessor for your CNC controller or machine.
If you want to see how this works in a video format, you can watch this tutorial on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwZwF6d0fEY
How to Use the Virtual Workshop in Keller Symplus 5.2
One of the most innovative and useful features of Keller Symplus 5.2 is the virtual workshop. This is a realistic 3D simulation of your CNC machine and workpiece, where you can perform various tasks and exercises to learn and practice CNC programming and machining.
The virtual workshop allows you to have a playful and instructive first contact with the workshop, machine and CNC controller. You can also prepare yourself for the real world by setting up the machine, selecting the tools, measuring the workpiece, etc. You can also test and optimize your CNC programs before running them on the real machine, and check for errors, collisions, cycle time, etc.
To use the virtual workshop in Keller Symplus 5.2, follow these steps:
Open Keller Symplus 5.2 and go to the Virtual Workshop module.
Select the machine and controller that you want to simulate from the drop-down menus.
Select the workpiece that you want to machine from the list of available models or import your own model from a CAD/CAM file.
Select the tools that you want to use from the tool library or create your own tools.
Set up the machine by mounting the workpiece on the chuck or clamping device, inserting the tools into the tool magazine or turret, setting the zero point, etc.
Create or load your CNC program using the DIN/PAL language or the CAD/CAM interface.
Select the postprocessor that matches your controller and machine from the drop-down menu.
Run your CNC program on the virtual machine and watch how it machines your workpiece. You can pause, resume, stop or restart your program at any time. You can also change the speed, zoom, view angle, etc.
Check your results by measuring your workpiece dimensions, comparing it with the original model, viewing the cycle time, etc.
If you want to see how this works in a video format, you can watch this tutorial on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwZwF6d0fEY
How to Learn and Teach CNC with Keller Symplus 5.2 Workbooks
Keller Symplus 5.2 is not only a software for CNC production, but also a software for CNC training. Whether you want to learn or teach the basics of CNC programming and machining, you can benefit from the SYM plus training concept and the workbooks that are included in the software or available for purchase separately.
The workbooks are based on many years of practical experience and modern didactics. They are structured according to topics and levels of difficulty, and cover various aspects of CNC, such as:
Introduction to CNC
Basic training in accordance with DIN
Preparation for the PAL examination
Specialist training specific to controls
CAD/CAM training
The workbooks contain various tasks and exercises that you can solve using the SYM plus software. You can also check your solutions with the answer keys that are provided. The workbooks are methodically interlocked with the SYM plus CNC software, so you can use them together with the virtual workshop, the DIN/PAL language, the control simulators, and the CAD/CAM interface.
The workbooks are available for both turning and milling technologies, and in different languages. You can order them online or request a quote from KELLER.Software. You can also download a sample extract from their website: https://cnc-keller.com/symplus-support/workbooks/
How to Program with the DIN/PAL Language in Keller Symplus 5.2
Keller Symplus 5.2 offers you a programming language that is easy to learn and use, based on the DIN 66025 standard and the PAL programming aid. This language is called DIN/PAL, and it allows you to create your CNC programs in a fast and efficient way.
DIN/PAL is a word-oriented language, which means that each command consists of a letter and a number. The letter indicates the type of command, such as G for preparatory function, M for miscellaneous function, X for coordinate value, etc. The number indicates the value or parameter of the command, such as G01 for linear interpolation, M03 for spindle on clockwise, X100 for 100 mm in the X-axis, etc.
DIN/PAL also supports variables, expressions, subprograms, loops, and conditional statements, which make your programming more flexible and powerful. You can use these features to create parametric programs that can be adapted to different workpieces or machines.
To program with the DIN/PAL language in Keller Symplus 5.2, follow these steps:
Open Keller Symplus 5.2 and go to the DIN/PAL module.
Select the machine and controller that you want to program for from the drop-down menus.
Create a new program by clicking on the "New" button on the toolbar or pressing Ctrl+N on your keyboard.
Enter your program name and number in the dialog box that appears.
Type your program commands in the editor window. You can use the keyboard or the buttons on the toolbar to enter the commands. You can also use the "Help" button or press F1 on your keyboard to access the online help for each command.
Save your program by clicking on the "Save" button on the toolbar or pressing Ctrl+S on your keyboard.
Test your program by clicking on the "Test" button on the toolbar or pressing F5 on your keyboard. This will open the virtual workshop where you can simulate your program on the virtual machine and workpiece.
If you want to see how this works in a video format, you can watch this tutorial on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwZwF6d0fEY
Conclusion
Keller Symplus 5.2 is a CNC software that can help you with various aspects of your CNC production and training. It is a modular software that allows you to customize your CAD/CAM system or your CNC training package according to your needs. You can choose from various modules, such as the virtual workshop, the DIN/PAL language, the control simulators, and the CAD/CAM interface.
Keller Symplus 5.2 also provides you with a range of features and benefits, such as:
Programming: You can create your CNC programs in a fast and easy way using the DIN/PAL language or the CAD/CAM interface. You can also use the postprocessors to adapt your programs to different machines and controllers.
Simulation: You can check your programs for errors, collisions, cycle time, etc. before running them on the real machine using the virtual workshop. You can also familiarize yourself with different CNC controllers and their functions using the control simulators.
Training: You can learn or teach the basics of CNC programming and machining using the SYM plus training concept and the workbooks that are included in the software or available for purchase separately.
If you are looking for a professional CAD/CAM software for turning and milling, or a comprehensive CNC software for training, you should consider Keller Symplus 5.2. It is a powerful and user-friendly software solution that can make your CNC projects more efficient and easy. b99f773239
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