CGTech Software Update Features Interactive Capabilities

CGTech releases version 9.5 of its Vericut software. Vericut specializes in CNC machine simulation, verification and optimization across processes like metalcutting, additive manufacturing, hybrid manufacturing and composites. It is an independent, standalone software that can seamlessly integrate with all major CAM and tool management systems, as well as existing NC programs- even those that have been edited or created by means other than CAM.

In addition to improvements within the core product, Vericut 9.5 focuses on improving the user experience. It is said to have automated NC program optimization, while maximizing production efficiencies across multiple processes and minimizing downtime.

According to the company, some highlights of Vericut 9.5 include:

Tool summary and tool wear
Customers can use the heat map display (in Vericut’s tool summary window) to see the wear pattern on their milling and drilling tools. A combination of colors and messages can be used to understand how each tool was used and the effects of each cut on the tool.

Tool life can be tracked by assigning wear limits to cutters for a variety of machining factors, such as cutting time, material removal volume or cutting distance, to get notified when a tool is nearing expiration. Different values can be specified for machining different stock materials. This is said to be useful to better predict when a tool change will be required and to improve tool inventory management.

CNC machine connectivity
CNC machine connectivity can enable Vericut to connect directly to your machine to see real-time data in Vericut before, during and after machining has taken place.

The Postcheck capability within the CNC machine monitoring module enables users to review monitored data that was archived from the NC machine within a Vericut simulation. This feature can enable users to observe how well the machine ran, as well as identify when and where spindle or feedrate override adjustments were applied, machining was paused or if the emergency stop was used during machining of a specific part.

Vericut 9.5 also introduces connectivity support for NC machines with Okuma, Siemens and Heidenhain controls.

Interactive CSYS and model transformations
Vericut 9.5 provides tools for working with coordinate systems. Interactive transform menus can enable users to interactively translate and rotate coordinate systems, components and models faster and simpler. Visual cues show how pending transformations will be applied, which is designed to give users confidence to know the moved object will arrive at the desired location.

Enhancements to interfaces
Vericut 9.5 is said to add support for the latest released CAM versions as well as bring a number of enhancements and capabilities to its CAM interfaces to automate as many picks as possible from within the interface. The CAM interfaces are also being updated to support more advanced types of tools for simulation.

The Mastercam-to-Vericut interface joins the Catia5-to-Vericut interface as the next CAM interface to include such enhancements, with a custom look and added functionality to automatically define the fixture, stock and design if they are defined in Mastercam’s stock setup. Users can change the interface language and other settings from within the interface, without the need to exit and restart.

“Smarter” learn mode for optimizing
Vericut’s “Learn” mode can evaluate machining performed by each cutting tool, then auto-configure optimization to increase cutting performance and efficiency. Vericut 9.5 has a “smarter” learn mode, with ability to learn from cutting tools used multiple times (for example, roughing, semi-finishing, finishing and so on), then use the learned information to optimize those tools per each machining operation it performed.

Interactive simulation timeline
The simulation timeline (in the tool use window) is interactive with the NC program viewer and NC program review. It has been enhanced to account for all time used by the machine as commanded by NC programs used to make the part. Color-coded markers show when errors (red), warnings (orange) and other events occurred during the simulation. Click the NC program review icon and then click directly on a marker in the timeline to review the error in the simulation and investigate exactly where it occurred in the program.

Other features:

• Tether a FANUC control simulator to a digital twin in Vericut to see the impact on the actual CNC machine in a simulation environment.
• Drag and drop a file summary ZIP file directly into the project tree to open in Vericut and re-save any changes directly back into the ZIP file.
• EDM die sinking can now be simulated by machines that carry a custom “electrode” tool type to perform EDM burning operations, including five-axis burning.
• Ongoing enhancements to the stock material catalog and tool performance data, containing cutting feed and speed recommendations from various cutting tool manufacturers.
• Simplified GUI panels for cutting conditions and force graphs, tool manager, component configuration in Vericut’s project tree and more.
• Improved configuration of machine collision tables for excluding certain sub-components.
• Simplified configuration for interpolated turning.