CAD/CAM
CAM Software Features New Machining Strategies
The company has added 22 five-axis machining strategies to the existing functionalities of both Esprit SolidMill and SolidMillTurn FreeForm CAM software packages. These simultaneous five-axis machining cycles are available for both milling and turn-mill machines. The FreeForm 5-axis composite machining cycle allows users to independently define the machining patterns and tool orientation strategies to be used when creating the simultaneous five-axis tool paths.
Read MoreSoftware For High-Speed Machining
PowerMILL CAM software is designed for high-speed and two- to five-axis machining, The latest enhancements include improvements to two-axis machining and three- to five-axis surface finishing options. Other improvements include tool database improvements, the ability to transform multiple tool paths using groups and integral machine simulation for optimal toolpath verification. The company’s FeatureCAM 2009 package incorporates increased options for more complex machines, such as multi-tasking and multi-axis machines.
Read MoreFive-Axis CAM Module Reduces Cycle Time
The five-axis module of GibbsCAM 2009 software is said to reduce set-ups and overall machining time. In addition to the overall improvements, the module includes enhancements to the postprocessors that extend support to drive virtually all five-axis machines with rotary heads, the company says. General machining capabilities of the five-axis module include multi-surface five-axis roughing and finishing; multi-surface, five-axis flow-line machining; surface-edge five-axis swarf cutting; an adaptable interface based upon part-type strategy; advanced gouge checking to ensure safe cuts in complex operations; complete control of entry, exit, cut-to-cut and between-cut motion; and five-axis depth cuts machining; and more.
Read MoreCNC Simulation Uses High-Performance Graphics Engine
MachineWorks v. 6. 6 CNC simulation software features a high-performance graphics engine that supports OpenGL and DirectX 10.
Read MoreManufacturability Checks And Analysis Performed In A Single Session
Geometric Limited has released DFMPro for Pro/Engineer. The design for manufacturability (DFM) product is integrated within the Pro/Engineer design environment and provides a series of automated checks and analysis to assist designers in creating cost-effective designs, the company says. The software is designed to facilitate upstream manufacturability validation and identify areas of design that are difficult and expensive to manufacture.
Read MoreDigital Prototyping Design Software
Autodesk Inventor 2010 uses automated capabilities to design injection molds for plastic parts. The software creates and validates the corresponding mold design, helping to reduce errors and improve mold performance. The software provides improved support for motion simulation as well as static and modal finite element analysis at the part and assembly level, the company says.
Read More2D High Speed Tool Paths
Mastercam X3 offers a suite of six 2D high speed tool paths—peel mill, core mill, area mill, rest mill, blend mill and facing—all of which are optimized for high speed machining and hard milling. The 2D tool paths are said to make processes more efficient and automated while minimizing programming and cycle times. According to the company, all tool paths deliver efficient, low-stress motion without using a high speed machine.
Read MoreMold Design Software Improvements
TopSolid’Mold 2009 dedicated mold design software from Missler features complete CAM integration with TopSolid’Cam. The software update enables calculation of the shrinkage factor; analysis of undercuts; calculation of the parting line and surface of the joint; automatic creation and definition of the core block and cavity; implementation of the standard carcass systems of injection and ejection; and analysis of the cooling system. Molds can be designed in a collaborative environment with several users working at the same time, thus reducing design times.
Read MoreCAM Toolpath Strategies Push Limits Of Aged VMC
This shop was ready to capitalize on a heavy machine gun sight mount that could save lives in Afghanistan and Iraq, but its older VMC had difficulty producing enough models to bring the prototype to production. Tool paths generated by CAM developer Surfcam’s TrueMill technology enabled the light-duty machine to efficiently hog through the quantities of steel required to make the mounts and win large defense contracts.
Read MoreCAM Software Offers Ease of Use
The Esprit 2009 CAM software is designed to save time and money by importing solid models, recognizing features on those models and automatically drawing options from a database of machining practices for the machining of those specific features and for a range of machine types. The KnowledgeBase user interface has been centralized to make it easier to manage all of the data in the database, the company says. The single, consistent user interface allows users to access all the data from one central location, such as the processes, materials and cutting tools, and context-sensitive commands are available with a right-click of the mouse.
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