"Step" vs "Operation" In Pro/Process

[boydt]

Hi,


I have been using Pro for several years and recently have taught myself (with a lot of help from this forum) Pro/Process. I can acclomplish what I need in Pro/Process but would like for someone to explain in simple terms the differances or logic behind Steps and Operations. AND do you assign each cut a step?


I just want to make sure I am making my prcocesses as clean and simple as I can.





Boyd

 

[dsilorey]

I believe that the operations contain steps. Say you have to make some tapped holes. This is considered one operation. The first step in the operation is to drill the hole and the second step is to run the tap. I am just starting to do this myself. I am doing it with out the Pro/NC. I hope I am giving you the correct information and that this helps.

 

[peterbrown77]

I have used Pro/PROCESS verylittle, but the concepts are the same as in the Manufacture module. In Pro/MANUFACTURE, Operations are a logical grouping of Sequences (Steps). You generally start a new Operation when something major changes in the setup of the part.


To put it another way, each time operator intervention is required is a good place to create a new operation. Of course, there are exceptions. For example, if the part is held in a vise and you have to release it and turn it over, a new Operationshould becreated. On the other hand, simply stopping to remove a clamp that is in the way doesn't necessarily call for a new Operation, since the part is not really being relocated.


Each Operation has its own Fixture setup, though a single Operation can have more than one. Using the previous example, you would have 2 Fixture setups for a single Operation if you only moved a clamp.


Moving a part to a different Workcenter would also call for the creation of a new Operation.


CL Data is generally output by Operation. This is the easiest method, though you can create Sets of sequences (which become hard to manage).


Pro/PROCESS lets you show the progression of the part from raw to finish by depicting in each step the correct fixture setup, workcell, and material removal state, and time and cost estimates. This can then be documented in drawings to convey the entire manufacturing process.


Regards

 

[jabbadeus]

It's been a couple years since I've used Pro/Process, but IIRC, a Process consists of Steps that document how you take finished components and assemble them together in the specified order. Pro/Process doesn't document any machining to the best of my recollection, not even match-drill cuts or holes.


I think the term "operation" with respect to steps in Pro/Process refers to doing things to/with steps, like creating a new step, deleting, suppressing,redefining, etc.

 

[peterbrown77]

That is Pro/PROCESS - there is also Pro/PROCESS for Manufacturing which allows you to create NC Sequences and Operations.





Regards