Machining Enhancements

aPriori 2025 R1 resolves a number of Machining issues:

See also Improved Milling L/D Ratio Design Guidance.

Stock Trim Operations Included in Machining Tool Usage Summary Report

aPriori 2025 R1 includes Stock Trim GCD operations in the machining tool usage report.

Previously, the machining tool usage report did not provide tool usage for Stock Trim GCD operations. aPriori 2025 R1 updates this behavior, ensuring all machining tools for roughing and finishing operations are correctly included in the watchpoint report.

Updated Display of Surface Finishing Tool Diameter in Geometry Analysis (Heat Map) Tool

aPriori 2025 R1 updates the view of Surface Finishing Tool Diameter in the Geometry Analysis (“Heat Map”) tool to display the minimum tool diameter when multiple tools are used to machine a surface.

In aPriori 2025 R1 the display of surface finishing tool diameter within the heat map was updated to ensure the minimum tool diameter is displayed for side milling, facing and contouring when multiple distinct tools are used on a feature. If an operation requires only a single tool, the behavior of the heatmap remains unchanged.

Updated Batch Setup Time for Bar Feed Lathes

aPriori 2025 R1 updates the batch setup time calculation for Bar Feed Lathe processes, now leveraging a mechanistic approach.

For milling and conventional lathe turning processes, time to set up a production batch is based, by default, on several factors, including the number of tools used by all operations in the current process and the number of part setups. (For more information, see the section Batch Setup Time in the Stock Machining and Machining chapter of the Cost Model Guide.)

However, batch setup time for bar feed lathes previously was calculated using a different methodology leveraging a machine variable Setup Time and a multiplier to reflect the complexity of setting up a bar feed lathe relative to a conventional lathe. The inconsistency in batch setup time calculation led to situations where a bar feed lathe would have significantly less setup time than a conventional lathe.

In aPriori 2025 R1, this calculation was updated to leverage the mechanistic approach for milling and conventional lathe processes. Additionally, the multiple to reflect the complexity of the bar feed lathe is still utilized. Consequently, for the same part, a bar feed lathe will now correctly have a longer batch setup time than a conventional lathe.