64-Bit Implementation for CAM

A recent news bulletin from a CAM software developer caught my eye. Gibbs and Associates (Moorpark, California) is now shipping GibbsCAM 2010, the latest release of its software for programming CNC machine tools. Among the enhancements in this version are new plunge roughing options, additions to five-axis and advanced 3D machining and 64-bit implementation.

I understand plunge roughing, five-axis and 3D machining, but the 64-bit technology is not a development with which I am very familiar. It turns out that Gibbs has produced a backgrounder on 64-bit computing and what it means to CAM programming. I found it readable and useful. The emergence of 64-bit technology is worth keeping an eye on. As CAM software developers follow Gibbs and Associates in implementing 64-bit operation, users with the appropriate hardware will benefit from faster processing of long toolpath programs and complex parts.

Click here for the 64-bit backgrounder.