Application for Pictures by PC: Glaunach Tube Drilling Machine
June 2026 – Automated generation of CNC programs for customer-specific drilling cycles.
Complex drilling cycles can be modelled using the CAD software Pictures by PC from SCHOTT SYSTEME GmbH and its integrated programming language, BIX. Through an interactive dialog interface, manufacturing programs are generated with just a few clicks, automatically creating NC files containing thousands of drilling operations. The resulting silencers are used in the oil, gas, and hydrogen production industries.
All calculations are based on parameters entered through the dialog interface. These parameters are graphically visualized and documented automatically, including the generation of a PDF setup sheet. The graphical visualization helps identify input errors at an early stage, while a customized postprocessor incorporates all production-specific requirements to ensure efficient and reliable manufacturing.
Glaunach GmbH, based in Austria, supplies its products to 95 countries, boasts a global track record with over 10,000 projects, and is regarded as a leading supplier of silencers.
NUMCAD GmbH, based in Germany, supplies CNC controls featuring process automation. This also includes graphical applications for 2D, 3D, and animation.
The Task
Select one of four possible drilling cycles and distribute the rows of holes across a developed (unrolled) surface. In doing so, ensure an even distribution while complying with the applicable operating standards.
Pictures by PC includes all the mathematical functions required for this process and, through its object-oriented programming language BIX, can generate geometry interactively. Overall, BIX is a powerful tool for extending the functionality of Pictures by PC. It is a BASIC interpreter language developed by SCHOTT SYSTEME, which we used to implement this application.
The Solution Approach
After the parameters have been entered, the target values for the drill holes are validated, and the actual calculated number of holes as well as the maximum possible number of holes are displayed. By clicking "Draw", the result is generated graphically and documented as a PDF drawing.
The Dialog Editor provides all required user interface controls, including tab pages, checkboxes, display fields, drop-down menus, and many others.
The PDF documentation is generated from vector data and includes all relevant parameters. The possibilities for PDF generation are virtually unlimited in terms of quality, design, and layout formatting. The result is a highly professional form of documentation that cannot be achieved with standard form generators, since in our case the drawing elements are available as raw geometric data.
Regarding the collaboration between NUMCAD GmbH and SCHOTT SYSTEME GmbH, NUMCAD Managing Director Günter Bürger stated:
“NUMCAD has been using SCHOTT SYSTEME software since 1990. Nearly every one of our projects requires the automation of graphics. For us as developers, the excellent support in Munich and the continuously expanding functionality through product updates are decisive factors.”
Mr. Bürger further commented on the application developed for Glaunach GmbH:
“With this application, we were able to reduce the typical programming time for a workpiece to just a few minutes and eliminate the error rate.”
