Software
Software Emphasizes Efficiency, Automation
Mastercam X3 Mill, developed by CNC Software, offers expanded machining flexibility and an increased emphasis on speed and automation. Feature-based machining (FBM), high speed tool motion and faster toolpath generation combine with additional enhancements in a package designed to improve shopfloor productivity. Valuable for experienced users and easy enough for new users, FBM evaluates a part’s features and automatically designs an effective machining strategy to mill and drill solid models, the company says.
Read MoreThree-Step Creation Process For Inspection Program
SolidCAM describes its SolidCMM application as a complete inspection process that improves quality and reduces programming time. According to the company, an inspection program can be created in minutes. The part data (model and drawing) then can be simulated and verified in a virtual machine environment before it is transferred to the inspection machine in a standard CMM format.
Read MoreCNC For Toolroom And Small-Lot Work
Southwestern Industries’ ProtoTrak SLX CNC is suited for toolroom and small-lot work. According to the company, the advanced user interface of the CNC differentiates it from production-oriented CNCs. Users can generate complete part programs by naming the geometry required and answering prompts.
Read MoreSimultaneous Four- And Five-Axis Machining
SurfCAM Velocity 4 from Surfware has added numerous improvements to three-axis finishing, as well as four- and five-axis machining functions. The software’s three-axis high speed machining (HSM) strategies feature smooth and fluid tool paths that are said to improve surface finish while accommodating maximum cutting speeds to shorten the machining cycle. Updated machining strategies feature faster processing, multi-processor support, automatic arc filtering, optimized retracts and adaptive step down.
Read MoreWireless Data Collection System
L. S. Starrett’s DataSure wireless data collection system features smaller, coolant-resistant end nodes and a user interface.
Read MoreCAM Software Increases Productivity
Edgecam 2009 R1 CAM software from Planit is capable of programming milling, turning and turn-mill machines. Software improvements such as associative machining technology are designed to increase the productivity of manufacturing companies. This technology automatically calculates the correct cutting feeds and speeds for a program based on the tooling, part material and machine tool specification.
Read MoreCAE Software With Interactive Meshing Tools
Femap version 10 software is a PC-based CAE modeling solution and the finite element analysis (FEA) component of the Velocity Series portfolio from Siemens PLM Software. It is said to help users create FEA models from CAD data easily and quickly through new meshing features. Also, it provides pre- and post-processing benefits to CAE analysts.
Read MoreScalable CAD Solution
VX Corporation has released VX Innovator, a product designed to target entry-level CAD users. The scalable software is said to allow users to increase their CAD power, as needed, without investing in an entirely new application. According to the company, the software is a true hybrid modeler using modeling tools that are designed to work seamlessly with surface and solid geometry.
Read MoreData Collection Without Paper
MIE Solutions’ Trak Kiosk shopfloor data collection software uses production scheduling, which enables shops to go paperless, the company says. The software’s easy-to-use interface features large buttons that enable an employee to clock in/out for the day, clock in/out for jobs and issue a bill of material for jobs requiring job costing, the company says. The Windows-compatible software integrates with scheduling software that highlights virtually of an employee’s scheduled jobs.
Read MoreSoftware Supports Five-Axis Inspection
Version 5 of Delcam’s PowerInspect software supports five-axis scanning with Renishaw’s Revo probe. This hardware-independent inspection software can use multiple alignments within parts or assemblies. Other upgrades include additional geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) features; more flexible, best-fit algorithms; improved CMM connectivity; and more versatile report generation.
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