Will it Fit? Your CNC Machine Layout in 3D

“Do you think the 80” TV is too big for the room?”

“Will the moose head fit over the mantle?”

“Will this CNC machine fit into my shop?”

All good questions! And while I’d love to get into deep contemplation of the first one, question number three is the one I’ll talk about here. When you’re moving things around – let’s say you’re planning a shop expansion, reconfiguring process workflows, or revising your machine layout to work around obstacles like column spacing – some foresight is needed when designing the plant layouts. Often, the key objectives are to determine the best location for each piece of machinery and to create an efficient workflow. You may have a useful tool right at your fingertips that can do just that – your 3D design software. While typically you use this to design parts, this tool is also quite useful for troubleshooting the challenges that tend to crop up when designing and planning your shop floor layout.

Plan Your Shop Floor Layout in 3D

I once heard a shop owner say he had to walk around with “a tape measure and a shoehorn” to figure out if he could squeeze in a new machine. I can feel his pain, and yes, there is an easier way! 3D models can help you preview your shop layouts, such as the positioning of a CNC machine on a potential floor plan. By viewing a scale fitment in three dimensions, the model can help you visualize and navigate toward the best machine arrangement for a new or current building blueprint. Space for conveyor or part handling systems can be planned for as you upgrade to more efficient workflows and optimize your space for lean manufacturing. With all of the components together in a model, changes can quickly be made for isle restrictions, workflow changes, and many other parameters so you can improve the efficient layout of your shop.

But Will the PART Fit?

Other uses can be as simple as ensuring that a part can fit through the machine door. With just a few clicks the door can be opened and the part can be directed into the CNC machine with your 3D software. Even the directional movements can be calculated for the gantry or robot arm, from the retracted position to the part’s fixture point.

Preventing Costly Collisions

While you’re doing all this planning, give some thought to a Collision Avoidance System (CAS) too. This can be configured with your part programs and tool offsets, and prevents costly damage to the machine. With a small investment of time, this prevention measure can save big bucks by preventing a possible mistake that any experienced operator can make. You can learn more about setting up your CAS in this quick video.

Ready to Fit It All Together?

Okuma provides most machine models in a generic form as a way to provide another source of support and value to our customers. The small footprint of Okuma CNC machines can be quickly visualized by importing 3D models of the desired machine, and then you can make sure the machining center or CNC lathe will fit into your shop space. You can contact your distributor to obtain a 3D model of your Okuma machine.

Continuous improvement involves a continuous challenge of building upon layers of previous business processes, and the complexity can compound over time. Along the way, unforeseen circumstances can be costly and devastating when discovered on moving day. By using 3D design models and programs to visualize and troubleshoot your floor plan, you can make sure it all fits ahead of time, and get back to cutting chips quickly.

What’s your favorite tool for creating a floor plan? Comment below, we welcome your ideas!

Chase Dooley is Mechanical Engineer, Okuma America Corporation.