Controls & CAD / CAM

Milling Options in FeatureCAM
The 2013 release of FeatureCAM feature-based CAM software will be demonstrated during IMTS, offering a new series of options for 3-axis milling and enhancements in 5-axis machining, plus improvements in the turning and mill-turn modules.

The main change to the 2013 FeatureCAM product family is the introduction of three levels of 3D machining functionality. FeatureMILL 3D Lite offers single-surface machining with a basic range of strategies, providing an introductory product for companies moving into 3D machining for the first time.

FeatureMILL 3D MX provides a greater number of strategies, including spiral finishing, flowline finishing, and rotary machining, support for multiple-surface machining and automated feature recognition.

IMTS Booth E-3222
Delcam plc
Salt Lake City, UT
www.delcam.com

CAD/CAM Software
Type3 artistic CAD/CAM software can import more than 40 different file types, driving more than 400 CNC machines, including mills, routers, lasers, and waterjets. The software provides the flexibility to take files directly from the customer, set up the jobs, and then output them to any G-Code based machines

IMTS Booth N-6146
Technifor Inc.
Duluth, GA
www.technifor.us

Next Generation
MTM Capabilities
Always focusing on helping customers program parts quickly, accurately, and efficiently, the next generation of GibbsCAM’s MTM solution helps customers utilize the full capabilities of complex MTM machines, including 5-axis rotary head and Swiss-style machines. MTM machines pose special challenges to users, including programming machines with multiple spindles and turrets, and cutting multiple parts simultaneously. GibbsCAM’s signature easy-to-learn and use interface walks customers through such complex part programming.

Also highlighted at IMTS will be GibbsCAM’s newest improvements in Automated Programming, including the introduction of smart features that help users program parts faster by retaining data about the feature itself, including depths, clearances, and feature types.

IMTS Booth E-3310
Gibbs and Associates
Moorpark, CA
www.gibbscam.com

Advancements in Version X6
Mastercam X6 includes Mastercam Blade Expert, Mastercam Swiss Expert, new stock models, and so much more. A machining stock model views and verifies work as it progresses, and performs stock model comparisons. Blade Expert simplifies toolpath creation for any multi-bladed parts, including fans, propellers, impellers, and turbines. It includes multi-axis roughing strategies while an automatic tool axis control ensures smooth machine motion. Design of Swiss Expert is to control Swiss-style NC machines. The 3D high-speed toolpath performs rest-milling operations to remove remaining material with optimized roughing motion. Finally, 3D high-speed Hybrid toolpaths maintain Z-level cuts in the steep areas of parts while filling in the shallow areas with scallop motion within a single Z section.

IMTS Booth E-3340, N-6427
Mastercam - CNC Software Inc.
Tolland, CT
www.mastercam.com

Version 2013 Software
The design of Version 2013 Software is for programming CNC mills, lathes, wireEDM, mill-turn centers, and Swiss-type lathes. The software has post-processors and machine simulation files for many machines. Version 2013’s Advanced Surface Machining (ASM) module replaces the Surface Machining Wizard (SMW) module for 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining. For existing PartMaker users, the upgrade to ASM will be free of cost. ASM provides fast toolpath calculation, greater tool control, and improved surface finishes. The ASM module features high-end milling strategies that can be applied across the entire suite of PartMaker CAM applications. PartMaker 2013 also features Delcam’s Vortex High-Speed Machining Strategies, enabling users to gain the maximum benefit from solid carbide tooling.

IMTS Booth E-3222
PartMaker Inc.
Fort Washington, PA
www.partmaker.com

Beta Complete, Available for Use
The beta version of Surfcam’s flagship CAM software, SURFCAM 6, has been completed and is being made available to SURFCAM Beta users, testers, and resellers worldwide. Some of the new features and enhancements available in SURFCAM 6 are:

•  A 64-Bit version
•  New tools and material database engine
•  Faster and improved verification technology
•  Updated interface
•  Completely redesigned Help System
•  Four new toolpath strategies
•  Updated CAD translators (plus RHINO CAD translator now included)
•  Updated and new post-processors (MPost and SPost)
•  New productivity utilities
•  Updated digitizer interfaces
•  New versions of editNC and SDNC
•  Enhanced TRUEMill toolpath calculator and toolpath algorithms

IMTS Booth E-3320
Surfware Inc.
Camarillo, CA
www.surfware.com

Reducing Tool, Machine Wear
The V25 CAD/CAM software offers 3-axis toolpaths, such as adaptive roughing, which produces a trochoidal-style cutting strategy to reduce tool and machine wear As traditional roughing toolpath puts heavy loads on the cutter in corners, this toolpath eliminates sharp turns that wear on the tool, and replacing them with smooth spiraling motions. Another feature is the multiple machine setup capability, allowing users to pick a face of the part to set up the next program on the same part.

IMTS Booth E-3360
BobCAD-CAM Inc.
Clearwater, FL
www.bobcad.com

Green CNC Technology
The Sinumerik 828D BASIC T (turning) and BASIC M (milling) CNCs will be running on various machines during IMTS. Design of the Sinumerik 828D BASIC T is to address the needs of shopfloor turning machines by combining CNC, PLC, operator panel and axis control for five axes/spindles, including live tooling. Milling and drilling operations, for both face and peripheral surfacing, are possible. When used with the Sinamics S120 Combi drives package, the 828D BASIC T offer virtually maintenance-free operation, as the fans, hard disks and batteries of past CNC machines are eliminated. The Sinumerik 828D BASIC M class offers mirror-smooth surfacing while reducing machining times.

IMTS Booth E-5010
Siemens Industry Inc.
Motion Control Business
Elk Grove Village, IL
www.usa.siemens.com/cnc

Matrix Control Software
CamLink software supports Mazatrol Matrix control in its GB\DataTransfer, GB\DataPrint, GB\DataEntry, GB\GeoEntry, GB\GeoSolid, and GB\DataTranslate software programs. GB\DataEntry allows Matrix users to program the Mazatrol control at the PC. Functions include pocket milling with multiple islands and B-axis indexing for lathes. In addition, users can check their programs for accuracy and note potential errors before parts manufacture. Tool Path for Matrix Mill allows users to view part shape and cutting path before sending the program to the control. The Tool Path is viewable in wire frame or 3D solid mode. The ShapeCheck graphics check feature shows the part shape in a 3D surface model or wire frame, allowing rotation of the part shape, and sets transparency level.

IMTS Booth E-3307
Griffo Brothers Inc.
Corvallis, OR
www.griffobros.com

Simulation, Verification, Optimization Software
Vericut 7.2 is a CNC machine simulation, verification, and optimization software enabling users to eliminate the process of manually proving-out NC programs. It reduces scrap and rework. The software simulates all types of CNC machine tools including Mori Seiki, Mazak, Makino, Matsuura, Hermle, DMG, DIXI, and Chiron. Vericut runs stand-alone, but can integrate with CAM systems such as Catia, NX, Creo Parametric (Pro/E), Mastercam, EdgeCAM, hyperMILL, Esprit, and GibbsCAM.

IMTS Booth E-3346
CGTech
Irvine, CA
www.cgtech.com

Shop Monitoring Station
Powered by Android technology, the RTStation is an embedded shopfloor device that displays machine-monitoring details such as part counts, cycle speeds, and other machine processes in real time. Designed for easy data input, RTStation provides machine downtime information, prints work orders, logs rejects for production reporting, allows for operator clocking in/out, and displays job set-up information. Connection can be to a variety of Ethernet-, USB- or RS232-supported hardware and peripherals.

IMTS Booth E-3259
IQMS
Paso Robles, CA
www.iqms.com