CAM software maker has announced that enhanced capabilities or programming 2- through 4-axis Wire-EDM CNC machines are now available.

Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM, computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software for programming computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools, announced today that enhanced capabilities for programming 2- through 4-axis Wire-EDM CNC machines are now available with the latest release of GibbsCAM.

Many of these enhancements are the direct result of feedback from customers and further refines and extends the software to better meet their needs.

Some of the key enhancements are: * User Configurable EDM Technology (EPAK) Settings.

Define standard or custom EPAK settings for rough and skim cuts, store them in a library, and retrieve as needed.

* Part Geometry Associative to Machining Operation.

Automatically creates an associative link between the geometry and the Wire-EDM machining operations.

* Multi-level Part Thickness with Auto-taper Calculations.

For parts with multiple Z-depths and thicknesses, the system can store datum information for each depth, and automatically adjust taper calculations and adjust the wire guides for each depth.

* Automatic Corner Looping.

Adds a switch to the properties of each part enables looping around external corners.

Actual loop extension and radius are a general strategy setting.

Creates external corners (loops) and internal corners (reliefs).

* Subroutine output for patterns of parts.

Automatically repeat a common part (open or closed contour or no-core feature) through a pattern of points (represented by a separate contour).

CNC output can either be created using subroutines, or longhand code (post processor dependant).

* Support for Agie Vision machines.

Full support for cut types, materiel types and wire types along with full support for Agie-style collar cutting.

In addition to these enhancements listed, a number of additional enhancements were made in other aspects of machine control, user interface and post processing.

This latest release of Wire-EDM has been sent to all customers on Software Maintenance and is now available as the shipping version of GibbsCAM Wire-EDM.

About Gibbs and Associates and GibbsCAM - since 1984, Gibbs and Associates has been a leading developer of CAM/CNC programming software that is widely acclaimed for its ease of use and productivity power.

The current GibbsCAM product line supports 2- through 5-axis milling, turning, mill/turning, multi-task simultaneous machining and wire-EDM.

GibbsCAM is available as either an integrated off-line or controller-embedded shop floor programming configuration, which are fully compatible.

High-level process models can be exchanged between the shop floor and manufacturing engineering allowing the capture of shop-proven processes.

GibbsCAM also provides fully integrated manufacturing modeling capabilities that include 2D, 2.5D, 3D wireframe, surface, and solid modeling.

GibbsCAM’s data exchange capabilities are able to access the broadest range of native and industry standard CAD data formats.

GibbsCAM is certified under the Autodesk Inventor Certified Application Program, a Solid Edge Certified Select application, and offered under the SolidWorks Solutions Partner program.

GibbsCAM is either offered or endorsed by a number of leading worldwide control and machine tool manufacturers, including GE Fanuc, Siemens, Fadal, and Mitsubishi.

Gibbs and Associates distributes its products worldwide through a network of international resellers.

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