PartMaker Inc., a division of Delcam Plc best known for its specialty CAM software designed for automating the programming of multitasking Turn-Mill Centers and Swiss-type lathes, has come out with a modeling module intended to bring 3D CAD capabilities to CNC machinists.

The software can drive the full spectrum of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) applications, including milling, turning, wire EDM, multitasking, Turn-Mill, and Swiss-turning. PartMaker has always offered a base level of CAD, but it had limited functionality and only provided 2D, not 3D capabilities, according to Hanan Fishman, PartMaker’s president. “PartMaker has always had basic CAD — I liken it to AutoCAD for the machinist. In other words, it has 2D drawing capabilities and is designed for minimum keystrokes and to be easy to use by shop floor personnel,”

Fishman told us.

The 3D model of a hydrolic spool was created in PartMaker Modeling using its direct
modeling capabilities to adjust cross holes.

Though 2D functionality has long been sufficient, requirements are starting to change for the PartMaker customer base — the bulk of which consists of medical device manufacturers. Most of them now work regularly with 3D models, and it isn’t uncommon for the CNC software to run into data quality issues when working with IGES and STEP files, which is typically how partners working in different CAD systems exchange models, Fishman said.

Unlike native 3D CAD files, IGES and STEP files do not maintain a rich set of data about the product in a history tree. Companies with concerns about sharing intellectual property convert their native CAD files into so-called dumb STEP or IGES files. This strips out much of the intelligence and leaves only a surface model. This is perfect for sharing, but not oversharing.

Manufacturing teams typically have to recreate that intelligence before they can send the file off to a machinist to create a part with the proper tolerances. However, the recreation process is fraught with translation issues, and Fishman said PartMaker Modeling’s vision of CAD is designed to address that specific problem.

As a hybrid modeler supporting surfaces and the Parasolid industry-standard solid modeling kernel, PartMaker Modeling includes an internal Solid Doctor tool that automatically repairs models. It turns the simplified IGES or STEP surface model into a solid model that can drive CNC machines and 3D simulations without any translation issues. It also frees machine shops from having to invest in multiple CAD systems, most of which have capabilities they don’t use or need, Fishman said.

”This allows people to accept poor-quality data from all sorts of different systems and repair it and turn it into a watertight, machineable solid model,” he said.

http://www.designnews.com/document.asp?doc_id=238234&f_src=designnews_gnews

Sometimes really skilled CNC coders are so good at what they do that they resist adopting CAM software long after others, of lesser abilities, have made the change. That is exactly what happened to Joey Jones, president, Aerotech Machining Inc., a job shop specializing in multi-axis machining of high-end components for the aerospace industry.

“We were primarily a conversational and G-code programming shop. In other words, we wrote out our programs longhand. One day, about 10 years ago, I ran into an apparently simple programming issue that had me stumped. It involved engraving some longhand text – the word open – along a curvature. I was working on this for what seemed like hours and getting nowhere.

“A friend of mine had recently left his manufacturing job in Savannah to work at CAD/CAM Solutions, Atlanta’s Reseller for Mastercam (CAD/CAM software from CNC Software Inc., Tolland, CT). I contacted him and he volunteered to write the program and send it to me. Ten minutes later, he not only sent me a program but it was already posted to go to my machine. I bought my first seat of Mastercam that afternoon.”

Jones dipped his toes into the CAM waters cautiously at first by purchasing very basic software, Mastercam Mill Level 2. After a short time, he was in all the way with Mastercam Turning, Mill Level 3, Solids, Multi-Axis, and Design. Programming the company’s waterjet cutting system is also with Mastercam. Today, Aerotech has multiple seats and there are six users of Mastercam. These capabilities allow the company to aggressively pursue and win attractive aerospace projects, particularly those in which advanced multi-axis manufacturing capabilities are a necessity.

Monolithic Machining
Jones says one of the things driving the demand for multi-axis machining is the increased use of components made from monolithic materials. “In the world of aerospace, everybody is getting away from fabricated assemblies and going to these big monolithic machine structures with no rivets and no epoxies,” he explains. “It is nothing for us to put a 1,000 lb piece of material on a machine tool and have a single material part weighing from 40 lb to 50 lb when we are done.

“These structures can be very complex,” Jones continues. “You have walls tilted at 10° and you have walls that swarf around from one to the other. You have to have full simultaneous 5-axis motion to be able to manufacture them. You cannot hard code 5-axis. There is just too much going on. Your brain does not think that way.”

One option for reducing the complexity of programming 5-axis equipment is to divide and conquer using the 3+2 and 4+1 techniques. For example with the 3+2 option, operations are first performed in three axes, then the other two axes are brought in to finish up what was missed by the first three. From a programming point of view, far fewer movements require accounting for simultaneously, and code generation is far simpler because it is being written in only two or three axes.

“This type of programming is not an option for the types of aerospace parts that we see every day. All five axes have to move at once to accurately recreate these designs. Simplifying the programming and managing all the complexity of five axes of simultaneous motion is where Mastercam excels for us.”

Fail-Safe 5-Axis
Although Aerotech has a full complement of machining capabilities – from 2-axis turning to 5-axis milling – one of the most active growth areas for the business by far has been 5-axis milling with trunnion-based Mazak Variaxis and Integrex systems. When the company took delivery of its first 5-axis system, Jones put in a call to Steve, his reseller representative at CAD/CAM Solutions.

“Steve got in his car in Atlanta and drove to Savannah. He came in the next morning and he used Mastercam’s post-processor development tools to build a post for me from the ground up on my shop floor. The next day we were making parts,” Jones says.

Since that first 5-axis installation, he has identified many tools within Mastercam that improve 5-axis programming and machining productivity while reducing the risks of tool damage and scrap.

Tools That Improve
In and Out of CATIA: There are six brands of CAD software typically used by Aerotech’s customers, and Mastercam imports them all quickly and cleanly. Aerospace work most frequently comes in as CATIA files, and verification of the result is on a CMM and compared to the original CATIA model. However, Jones feels that this design and analysis software is too cumbersome to be of use for developing manufacturing processes. Too many machines would be idle waiting for creation of the next program. Mastercam has an approved and licensed translator that allows the model to seamless import into Mastercam where creation of the 5-axis toolpaths occurs. As soon as a CATIA model comes into the shop, programmers import it into Mastercam.

Productive Roughing: For monolithic parts, gross material removal occupies a high percentage of the machining time. For 3-axis roughing work, Aerotech typically uses the Surface Rough Pocket toolpath.

Jones says, “It is very, very simple. If you have a solid model, just window the model, give it a bounding box, select Surface Rough Pocket, and get out of the way. It removes massive amounts of material in a hurry.”

Jones continues, “A part we did recently weighed about 200 lb going into the machine and only 15 lb to 20 lb coming out. Roughing was with Surface Rough Pocket and it required just one operation that only took a couple minutes of programming time. Then we came in and put 5-axis motion on the walls because they were slanted.”

For 5-axis roughing, Jones typically uses the Curve 5-axis toolpath.

“It too is very simple,” he says. “You have floor lines and vertical lines. You chain them and let the machine do the rest.”

A monolithic aluminum aircraft wing component, which is programmed in Mastercam Mill and manufactured on a multi-axis Mazak machining center.

Reducing Interferences: Aerospace work is relatively high risk because the complexity of the 5-axis machining process has a greater potential for interferences (i.e. crashes) that could damage tooling, equipment, or expensive parts.

“We make a titanium part that starts with a block of material that is 1.5″ x 4.0″ x 16.0″, costing about $700. When you scrap one of those, you have painted your company red,” Jones states.

So Aerotech’s Mastercam programmers work very carefully, looking for mistakes as they go. After every section, the programmers typically check for interference problems with Mastercam’s Backplot feature, a computer simulation tool that identifies problems as fine as those involving the shape and size of a specific cutter body.

“Some of Aerotech’s 5-axis parts have as many as 80 operations,” Jones states. “We do not want to try to fix a problem started in operation 47 that compounded itself with other problems all the way up to operation 78. That would take days. So we clean as we go and get to the machine a lot faster.”

As a rule, Aerotech programmers use the Mastercam toolpaths as written, without further modification. However, once Backplot identifies interference, the software gives programmers the ability to quickly jump into problem areas and make fine adjustments to clean them up as needed.

More 5-Axis CNCs
Jones’ company has come a long way in 10 years, moving from hand coding to automated 5-axis programming and computer simulation of manufacturing processes. Jones admits he still spends an hour a week experimenting with the latest toolpaths in Mastercam in order to find ones that will allow him to compete more effectively in an arena that calls for high productivity and exceptional attention to detail.

These efforts must be working because the company has added eight more CNC systems within the past couple years. The newest multi-axis machine, which just arrived, has 200″ of travel with rapid traverse at better than 4,800ipm. It will produce very large monolithic parts that allow no margin for error. Managing the complexity of 5-axes will be more important than ever.

http://www.onlineamd.com/amd1211-CAM-software.aspx

This new version features a host new functionality including improved support for B-Axis Swiss lathes like the one shown above from Tsugami.

PartMaker Inc., a division of Delcam Plc, has released PartMaker Version 2012, the latest version of PartMaker Software for programming CNC Mills, Lathes, WireEDM, Turn-Mill Centers and Swiss-type Major highlights of PartMaker Version 2012 includes a host new functionality across the entire suite of PartMaker applications including improved visualization, more powerful simulation of vertical and horizontal machining centers, support for the latest breed of multi-axis Bar-Fed Mills, Turn-Mill Centers and Swiss-type lathes, greater flexibility and control in process development and much, much more.

“PartMaker Version 2012 will help our customers continue to ‘raise their game’ to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive manufacturing landscape,” says Delcam’s PartMaker Inc. division President Hanan Fishman. “PartMaker Version 2012 includes an array of new features and functionality that will benefit every PartMaker user. There’s just so much for PartMaker users to be excited about with PartMaker Version 2012.”

Variable Depth Cylindrical Milling

PartMaker Version 2012 includes a new, powerful 3D surfacing strategy as an enhancement to the Surface Machining Wizard (SMW) module. This new strategy allows the user to perform 3D surface machining using cylindrical interpolation. This powerful, new rotary machining functionality allows for creation of more complicated part features for complex parts being made on 4-axis Mills, Turn-Mill Centers and Swiss-type lathes.

Simulation of B-Axis Gang Style Swiss-Type Lathes

PartMaker Version 2012 supports the simulation of the latest generation of Swiss-type lathes, those equipped with a programmable “B-Axis” on a gang slide. PartMaker Version 2012 will allow you to take advantage of the newest breed of B-axis enabled gang-style Swiss lathes, better understand the benefits of using B-axis gangs for their ability to add more live tooling in a single set-up and simulate and collision check complex 5-axis simultaneous tool paths. This improved simulation supports models from the leading Swiss-lathe builders offering machines with this unique architecture.

Full Machine Simulation for Milling

PartMaker Version 2012 extends the software’s powerful Full Machine Simulation technology to vertical and horizontal machining centers as part of the new Kinematic Milling Simulation (KMS) module. This new functionality in PartMaker Mill simulates the kinematic motion of a CNC Milling machine’s programmable axes. It supports 3, 4 and 5-axis vertical mills as well horizontal and vertical tombstone set-ups and provides more realistic simulation and more comprehensive collision detection.

Set-Up Assemblies for Milling

PartMaker Version 2012 features the ability to import fixture models into the PartMaker programming environment to simulate tool paths for vertical and horizontal milling machines in a more realistic manner and avoid collisions between tools and work holding. The new Set-Up Assembly Feature, part of the new Kinematic Milling Simulation (KMS) module, allows the user to quickly designate the various components Set-Up Assembly as a stock, fixture or machining table in a visual and intuitive manner. Fixture models can be imported from virtually any 3D CAD system or directly cut and paste from Delcam’s PowerSHAPE.

Multiple Process Drag and Drop Selection

PartMaker Version 2012 allows the user to optimize and rearrange machining processes faster and easier than ever before. The new version allows processes to be simply dragged and dropped into place on PartMaker’s Process Table. It also lets multiple processes be selected and moved at the same time, rather than having to move processes individually as was the case before.

Support for New Bar-Fed Mill and Multi-Axis Lathe Architectures

PartMaker Version 2012 supports a number of new, cutting-edge architectures found on today’s latest Bar-Fed Mill and Turn-Mill Center offerings. This new technology has been developed in concert with a number of the industry’s leading machine tool builders. It includes support for such unique machine tool architectures as the Star SF and Mori-Seiki NTX where the sub-spindle can work at articulated positions in addition to the articulation of these machines’ tool head in the B-axis plane.

Enhanced Tool Path Visualization and Control

PartMaker Version 2012 provides much improved visualization across the entire PartMaker applications suite. This enhanced visualization includes the ability to display a 3D model of the stock being machined at any time without having to import a solid model as well as the ability to see tool paths and tool path verification on a 3D stock model even when no 3D model is available. Doing so allows the user to see the part in 3D before going to machining simulation, speeding up programming and reducing the chance of error. Additionally, the visualization and creation of tool path Approach and Escape points have been improved by allowing these points to be quickly defined with convenient snap modes. Approach and Escape points can also be much more clearly visualized after creation in PartMaker Version 2012.

Additional Productivity Enhancements

In addition to the improvements mentioned above, PartMaker Version 2012 includes a host of other productivity enhancements including the abilitity to directly output PartMaker’s graphical set-up sheets to Microsoft Excel, a direct Copy/Paste functionality from PowerSHAPE, 64 Bit version availability, tapered Thread Milling support, improved, more robust network licensing, more flexible sub-spindle control for twin spindle machines, improved CAD data translation, crisper rendering of imported solid models and improved 4 and 5 axis milling table definition.

http://www.cadcamnews.in/2011/12/delcams-new-partmaker-version-2012.html

The recent evolution of the Edgecam CNC software means manufacturers can achieve more machining in the same production time.

Edgecam users from around the UK saw live machining demonstrations at Mazak’s European Technology Centre, showing how a revolutionary new Waveform Roughing Strategy in Edgecam 2012 R1 cuts cycle time from 63 minutes to just 18 minutes, and improves the metal removal rate from 30cm3 per minute to 135cm3 per minute.

The demonstrations were part of the “Innovation For Productivity” event, run in partnership between Mazak, Sandvik Coromant, CG Tech Vericut, 3Dconnexion and Edgecam.

Sandvik’s Paul Williams told the 75 delegates that Britain’s manufacturing sector is growing through its commitment to small batch runs of high added value products. “This needs highly sophisticated advanced machine tools, and because of the higher costs involved, manufacturers must increase productivity and throughput to achieve more machining in the same production time.”

He said that using machines with more tools, in conjunction with Edgecam, reduced cycle times and optimised metal removal rates.

Edgecam engineer Mike O’Neill said the Waveform Roughing Strategy was the software’s biggest innovation for several years and is now included in the standard license, giving better machining for all users. As well as the Waveform’s constant tool load path and smooth toolpath pattern improving the metal removal rate, it also gives greater stability, more precise machining and improved tool life. In addition, the improved surface finish potentially eliminates secondary cutting cycles.

He said Edgecam’s recent evolution has also led to multi-threading toolpaths and background processing, as well as the 5-axis cycle being upgraded to 64-bit. “It’s now like driving a car in 6th gear instead of 4th. In particular, background processing frees the operator to undertake other tasks and has dramatically reduced downtime.”

Rob Lightfoot, of CG Tech Vericut, which has a seamless interface with Edgecam to verify NC code before it is transferred to the machine, said the software ensured manufacturers got prototypes right first time every time, overcoming issues of proof parts costing too much in terms of setting up, scrap, broken cutters, wasted program time and machine downtime.

Edgecam’s UK Technical Sales Manager Phil Gill who organised the event, said it demonstrated the partnership between Mazak, Sandvik, Vericut, 3Dconnexion and Edgecam to make manufacturers more productive through the latest innovations in machines, machine tools and software.

http://www.cadcamnews.in/2011/11/edgecam-more-machining-in-same.html

Cimatron Limited (NASDAQ and TASE: CIMT) has announced that representatives from both its German and Korean offices will be showcasing Cimatron’s CAD/CAM solutions at EuroMold in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, from November 29 - December 2, 2011.

“Cimatron’s comprehensive solutions, CimatronE and GibbsCAM, have been powering machining worldwide for almost 30 years,” said Dirk Dombert, Cimatron’s General Manager for Germany.

“As one of the largest gatherings for the tooling industry, EuroMold gives us an opportunity to showcase the capabilities and success of our machining solutions across the globe, as well as the localized high level of support and training that is offered by our wide network of service providers.

“We are also pleased to welcome Mr. SK Lee, Cimatron’s General Manager for Korea, to the event as part of EuroMold’s 2011 country partnership with South Korea.”

The Cimatron display will offer demonstrations of the latest features of the CimatronE and GibbsCAM product lines.

CimatronE 10 is an integrated CAD/CAM solution for both toolmakers and manufacturers of discrete parts. The latest version offers powerful CAD capabilities, including a built-in motion simulator, advanced analysis for the parting line and shutoff and runoff surfaces, intuitive strip design process, and tool design automation. CAM enhancements include background calculations and enhanced multi-core processing.

GibbsCAM 2011 is a state-of-the art CAM software solution for programming high end multi-axis CNC machine tools. GibbsCAM’s integrated solution for programming both standard and Swiss style MTM machines will be highlighted. In addition, the latest GibbsCAM version includes automatic feature and color recognition and preservation capabilities, hole making automation, and enhanced 5-Axis machining (encompassing new drill cycle options, toolpath conversion, toolpath smoothing and additional machining styles).

The Cimatron display at EuroMold will be in Hall 8.0, Booth F70.

About Cimatron

With over 28 years of experience and more than 40,000 installations worldwide, Cimatron is a leading provider of integrated, CAD/CAM software solutions for mold, tool and die makers as well as manufacturers of discrete parts. Cimatron is committed to providing comprehensive, cost-effective solutions that streamline manufacturing cycles and ultimately shorten product delivery time.

The Cimatron product line includes the CimatronE and GibbsCAM brands with solutions for mold design, die design, electrodes design, 2.5 to 5 axes milling, wire EDM, turn, mill-turn, rotary milling, multi-task machining, and tombstone machining. Cimatron’s subsidiaries and extensive distribution network serve and support customers in the automotive, aerospace, medical, consumer plastics, electronics, and other industries in over 40 countries worldwide.

Cimatron’s shares are publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol CIMT. For more information, please visit Cimatron’s web site at: http://www.cimatron.com

This press release includes forward looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such statements may relate to Cimatron’s plans, objectives and expected financial and operating results. The words “may,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” and similar expressions or variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Cimatron’s ability to control. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward looking statements include, but are not limited to: currency fluctuations, global economic and political conditions, marketing demand for Cimatron products and services, long sales cycles, new product development, assimilating future acquisitions, maintaining relationships with customers and partners, and increased competition. For more details about the risks and uncertainties related to Cimatron’s business, refer to Cimatron’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cimatron cannot assess the impact of or the extent to which any single factor or risk, or combination of them, may cause. Cimatron undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For More Information Contact:

Idit Pass Lagziel Marketing Manager Cimatron Ltd. Phone: +972-73-237-0298 Email: iditp@cimatron.com

Ilan Erez Chief Financial Officer   Cimatron Ltd.     Phone: +972-73-237-0114 Email: ilane@cimatron.com

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/21/4069875/cimatrons-global-expertise-on.html

Sescoi will be demonstrating the latest versions of its suite of manufacturing productivity software, and previewing 2012 developments, at the upcoming EuroMold show in Frankfurt.

WorkNC CADCAM, WorkNC Dental CADCAM, the WorkXPlore 3D high-speed collaborative CAD viewer, and WorkPLAN ERP will all be demonstrated in Hall 8 on booth F22 where Sescoi is co-located with partner, Ingersoll Cutting Tools. Visitors will also be able to see live cutting on Deckel Maho, Datron and Roland CNC machines.

The latest version of WorkNC incorporates 64 bit and multi-threading technology shortening calculation and processing speeds by up to 10 times by transforming program preparation times - especially important for large complex components.

EuroMold will be an opportunity for visitors to preview all major new WorkNC functionalities and enhancements. The previous twelve WorkNC 5-axis machining routines have been rationalized down to six new, powerful strategies, further simplifying the programming task. For even easier 5-axis programming, engineers can use the improved WorkNC’s Auto 5 module. This automatically creates 5-axis paths from 3-axis moves while considering the capabilities of the machine tool and the physical characteristics of the setup.

Also previewing at the show will be the advances in WorkNC feature recognition which will make it possible to machine holes and pockets completely automatically directly from CAD data.

EuroMold visitors will also get a chance to hear about the new WorkNC Laser hardening, welding, trimming and polishing applications first announced at EMO, as well as the new WorkNC Machine Limit Management, and the advanced WorkNC Stamping functionality, with its powerful flat surface machining algorithms.

Live machining of a highly complex V6 engine block on a Deckel Maho HSC 55 Linear will illustrate the power of WorkNC.

Version 3, the major new version, of Sescoi’s award winning, high-speed, collaborative 3D viewer, WorkXPlore 3D, will make its debut at EuroMold. Scheduled for release at the beginning of 2012, this new version makes use of B-rep structures which significantly improve accuracy. This will be particularly valuable for determining precise model information such as volume and draft angle or for detecting edges. As well as being able to read in and interpret model data from many different CAD systems, the new version will also have the ability to open multiple sessions simultaneously, further adding to the system’s flexibility and ease of use.

WorkNC Dental provides dental professionals with the ability to automatically machine implants bridges and crowns directly from scanned data. Incorporated into the system are the intelligence, technology and flexibility to cut prostheses in virtually every dental material on any machine tool giving the user a truly open and affordable dental CADCAM system. Live machining on both Roland and Datron CNC machines will show the capabilities and speed of the system and how easy it is to implement in a dental laboratory.

WorkPLAN Solutions ERP software has been designed for project orientated manufacturers and meets the exact requirements of mold and tool makers. Version 4 of the software includes the new customer CRM module that centralizes all sales activities making it easy for users to manage sales opportunities, prospects, contacts, quotations and sales orders, as well as to run personalized email and mail marketing campaigns.

As part of the Euromold programme of lectures, Sescoi will be conducting a presentation on CNC machining efficiency with a focus on automatic machine collision avoidance.

http://www.cadcamnews.in/2011/11/automated-cadcam-and-advanced-erp-from.html

Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM® software for programming CNC machine tools and a Cimatron company, announced that its participation at Haas Automation India’s open house event, HaasTec 2011, held in October at the Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai, India, was a complete success. The open house was part of Haas India’s continuing effort to provide a forum for customer interaction with Haas and providers of other manufacturing technologies. Gibbs demonstrated its extensive capabilities in programming Haas’ latest lathes, mills and multi-task machines (MTMs).

Participation in Haas India’s HaasTec 2011 demonstrates Gibbs’ continuing cooperation with Haas, worldwide, in support of Haas’ technology, machine tools and customers. In the United States, where Haas application engineers at Haas headquarters use GibbsCAM to support customers, Gibbs recently participated in Haas Demo Day events, at multiple Haas Factory Outlets across the United States, as it has for many years. At each event, Gibbs demonstrated how the GibbsCAM-Haas combination provides an ideal solution for customers who need to increase output, quality, productivity and profits, whether by maximizing material removal, optimizing surface finish, reducing cycle times, or minimizing errors through single-setup MTM machining.

“We were pleased to participate at Haas India’s HaasTec 2011, after great acceptance at the multiple Haas Demo Day events in the United States, in our continuing support of Haas and our mutual customers worldwide,” said Robb Weinstein, Senior Vice President of Sales and Strategic Planning of Gibbs and Associates. “We are in a unique position in supporting Haas. With over 10,000 postprocessors, including over 1,000 unique MTM postprocessors, we provide easy-to-use programming, machine simulation and postprocessors for all Haas machines, and we look forward to extending our cooperative effort across the globe.”

Terrence Miranda, Director of Haas Automation India, added, “We were extremely pleased to have GibbsCAM participating in the first ever HaasTec event in Chennai, India, on October 11-13, 2011. Our team and our HFOs (Haas Factory Outlets) look forward to continuing to work with GibbsCAM engineers in India, as we do with many of our allied industry associates, with the sole purpose of ensuring our customers’ best interests.”

GibbsCAM will be used to program some of the demos on display at the Haas Automation booth, at Engimach 2011 in Ahmedabad, India, from November 23-27, 2011.

About Gibbs and Associates and GibbsCAM

For over twenty-five years, Gibbs and Associates has been a leader in providing cutting edge CAD/CAM technology, while maintaining its signature ease-of-use and productivity.  Powerfully Simple, Simply Powerful is the guiding philosophy at Gibbs.  Gibbs believes in empowering the NC programmer, machinist, and manufacturing engineer, not eliminating them.  Gibbs’ goal is to introduce manufacturers to new technologies and new ways of working that makes their machining easier and their businesses more profitable.  To achieve this goal, Gibbs creates tools that are naturally intuitive, graphically interactive, extremely visual, associative, and just plain enjoyable to use.  Gibbs provides a total quality solution with the service and support that successful customers require.

The current GibbsCAM product line supports 2- through 5-axis milling, turning, mill/turning, multi-task simultaneous machining and wire-EDM.  GibbsCAM also provides fully integrated manufacturing modeling capabilities that include 2D, 2.5D, 3D wireframe, surface, and solid modeling. GibbsCAM is Compatible with Windows 7 and Certified for Windows Vista.  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 Program, is a Siemens Solution Partner Program-PLM for Solid Edge product, and is a SolidWorks Certified CAM Product.  GibbsCAM is either offered or endorsed by a number of leading worldwide control and machine tool manufacturers, including GE Fanuc, Infimatic, Siemens, Doosan Infracore, Haas, Index, MAG Fadal, Mazak, Mitsubishi, Mori Seiki, and Tornos. Gibbs and Associates distributes its products worldwide through a network of international Resellers.

In January 2008, Gibbs and Associates merged with Cimatron Ltd., and is now operating as a wholly owned subsidiary.  For more information about Gibbs and Associates and its CAM software packages, visit its web site (www.GibbsCAM.com) or call 1-800-654-9399 (outside of North America, call +1-805-523-0004).

About Cimatron

With over 28 years of experience and more than 40,000 installations worldwide, Cimatron Ltd., or Cimatron, is a leading provider of integrated, CAD/CAM software solutions for mold, tool and die makers as well as manufacturers of discrete parts. Cimatron is committed to providing comprehensive, cost-effective solutions that streamline manufacturing cycles, enable collaboration with outside vendors, and ultimately shorten product delivery time.

The Cimatron product line includes the CimatronE and GibbsCAM brands with solutions for mold design, die design, electrodes design, 2.5 to 5 axes milling, wire EDM, turn, mill-turn, rotary milling, multi-task machining, and tombstone machining. Cimatron’s subsidiaries and extensive distribution network serve and support customers in the automotive, aerospace, medical, consumer plastics, electronics, and other industries in over 40 countries worldwide.

Cimatron’s shares are publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol CIMT. For more information, please visit Cimatron’s web site at: http://www.cimatron.com.

The Gibbs logo, GibbsCAM, GibbsCAM logo, Virtual Gibbs, and “Powerfully Simple. Simply Powerful.” are either trademark(s) or registered trademark(s) of Gibbs and Associates in the United States and/or other countries.  Microsoft, Windows and the Windows logo are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.  All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact:

Yvonne Anderson

Gibbs and Associates

(805) 523-0004

(805) 523-0006 (Fax)

http://www10.mcadcafe.com/nbc/articles/1/1021939/GibbsCAM-Demonstrated-HaasTec-2011-Successful-Worldwide-Partnership-Continues-India?interstitial_displayed=Yes

Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM® software for programming CNC machine tools and a Cimatron company, announced today that GibbsCAM will be demonstrated as part of Haas Automation’s annual Demo Days, to be held at numerous Haas Factory Outlets (HFOs), in the U.S. and Canada, on September 14, 2011.

During this year’s Demo Days, Haas features its new ST and DS series of multi-task machines with Y axis and dual spindles, which are available in standard and super-speed configurations. There will be live demonstrations on the Haas machines, plus educational seminars on the latest trends for increasing efficiency in discrete-part manufacturing.

“Gibbs is gratified to participate at Haas Demo Days once again,” said Robb Weinstein, Senior Vice President of Sales and Strategic Planning of Gibbs and Associates. “We will demonstrate how a combination of GibbsCAM and Haas machines provides an ideal solution for customers who need to increase output, productivity and profits with single-setup millturn machining. In addition, we will highlight GibbsCAM’s VoluMill HSM option, which fully supports all Haas mills.”

Among the various HFOs featuring GibbsCAM are the following:

• Tempe, AZ | HFO

• Torrance, CA | HFO

• Union City, CA | HFO

• Denver, CO | HFO

• Windsor, CT | HFO – Trident Machine Tool

• Meridian, ID | HFO

• Indianapolis, IN | HFO – Midwest

• Hanover, MD | HFO – Lance (a division of Phillips Corporation)

• Colfax, NC | HFO – Jeffery’s Manufacturing Solutions

• Franklin, TN | HFO – Jeffery’s Manufacturing Solutions

• Auburn, WA | HFO

• Richmond, BC Canada | HFO

• Winnipeg, MB Canada | HFO – Thomas Skinner

• Toronto, ON Canada | HFO

“In support of Haas Automation, we are presenting our complete solution for Haas CNC machines, with a special focus on the new Haas ST and DS series multi-task turning centers,” continued Mr. Weinstein. “We are happy to report that we have GibbsCAM post processors and machine simulation models for these new Haas MTM machines. In July, we announced our thousandth custom MTM post processor, and the new Haas post processors represent our continuing expansion of support for MTM machines with GibbsCAM MTM software, post processors and machine simulation.”

The Haas ST series machines provide 4” of Y-axis travel (± 2” from center) for off-center milling, drilling, and tapping, and include high-torque live tooling and a servo-driven C axis. The Haas DS series machines enable turning both sides of a part in a single set up, with spindles supporting fully synchronized turning and on-the-fly part transfers. With addition of Y and C axes, and live tooling, the machines provide one-setup machining.

The GibbsCAM MTM Module, like other GibbsCAM NC programming solutions, is easy to use. It also provides the efficiency of a single interface for turning, milling and non-cutting motion, and further simplifies programming of MTMs with its Synch Manager, a highly efficient, graphical utility that synchronizes tool groups, optimizes toolpath, and alerts users to inefficient or conflicting operations.

GibbsCAM MTM post processors are customized to provide error-free operation for specific machine-control combinations, thereby maximizing productivity and efficiency.

GibbsCAM MTM is integrated with GibbsCAM Machine Simulation for complete toolpath verification and simulation of all of the machine’s moving components, to assist in developing toolpath without conflicts and collisions among tools, work piece, work holding devices and other moving components.

Contact: Yvonne Anderson

Gibbs and Associates

(805) 523-0004 - telephone

(805) 523-0006 - fax

http://www10.mcadcafe.com/nbc/articles/1/1004230/GibbsCAM-be-Demonstrated-Haas-Demo-Days

Delcam for SolidWorks CAM software helped this engineering firm relied on to generate the complex tool paths for a prototype job that many machine shops dismissed as too difficult.

Ten years ago, Oil Country Manufacturing, Ventura, CA, drew the attention of Weatherford International Ltd., with a larger new model of tongs – the large multi-jawed wrenches used for making and breaking pipe, tubing, or casing. Oil Country’s development caused a stir because the product was similar and competitive to one produced by Weatherford.

Taking an interest in Oil Country, Weatherford – also attracted to Oil Country’s flexibility and facility – bought the company. It became Weatherford Oil Country Manufacturing and a part of Weatherford’s Artificial Lift Systems division.
Weatherford transferred some manufacturing to Oil Country, provided backing to increase production, and expanded the global reach of Oil Country products. Output more than tripled, straining CNC programmers already responsible for creating programs to machine parts for the traditional product lines.

Luis Guerrero, horizontal mill set-up machinist, mounts a rod hook bail casting for machining. Mounting fixtures accommodate machining from as many directions as possible, eliminating setups.
“One of the challenges we faced immediately was that Weatherford used Pro/Engineer as their corporate CAD standard,” says Marcus Baertschi, Oil Country manufacturing engineering supervisor. “We needed to acquire all that part geometry to program CNC machines, while continuing to use geometry from Ashlar-Vellum’s Graphite, our CAD standard.”

Baertschi, an experienced tooling machinist and manual NC programmer, says they were too busy to search for computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software that would import Pro/Engineer solid models without translation problems, use the models to program machine tools, and simulate machine motion. A year and half later, they tackled the project, but by then, they had a good idea of what they needed.

SELECTION CRITERIA
There were many parts requiring several milling operations, sometimes needing additional conventional milling. The goal was to transfer them to horizontal machining centers, where they would run in fewer operations, back to back without waiting, so that parts came off ready for assembly. To achieve that, Oil Country established aggressive, but realistic, CAM software search criteria.

Says Baertschi, “We evaluated cost and ROI; ease of use to get up to speed quickly; integration with Pro/Engineer and Vellum for various departments; accommodation of current manufacturing software; a trial period before purchase; and technical support.”

Among the many required features were the ability to import, translate, and manipulate solid models in industry standard formats; the ability to create and use machine models for simulation; toolpath verification and machine simulation; ability to manage and simulate tombstone machining; and the ability to create and use an extensive cutting tool library.

“We used a spreadsheet to compare five CAM packages, and GibbsCAM solids machining won hands down, with flawless import of the Pro/Engineer models,” Baertschi explains. “It met our criteria for solids import, ease of use, and machine simulation, and the company had a reputation for good technical support.”

Oil Country programmer Tino Velasco agrees that GibbsCAM solids machining provides the tools he needs for visualization and simulation. He likes having multiple options when it comes to importing geometry, machining directly from it, or using a profiler to take cross sections to extrude into part shapes; manipulating stock material rendered with toolpath into new stock; easily hiding or revealing geometry, tools, or tooling; and, interrogating models anywhere to obtain dimensional verification.

“Everything about seeing and using solids for programming saves me time,” Velasco says. “But, I really like the simulation. When we first got new Niigata machines, I was a very nervous programmer, afraid of breaking something. Simulation gives me confidence that I have clearance and no collisions.”

He uses a gear case cover, which comes into the shop as a casting, to describe his challenges before solids machining and simulation. Velasco would get a drawing, or CAD data treated as a blueprint, where he was to ignore measured geometry and follow specified dimensions. To arrive at the shape of the casting, he would start with a virtual block and nibble away at it.

“The part has multiple profiles, steps, and dips, plus cutouts, handles, and flanges. It took 75 to a 100 operations to get my stock to look like the casting,” Velasco states. “I would have to measure the casting, draw it in Graphite, and go back and forth until I was done. Now I just import the model, and if I need to do some manipulating, I can do it in GibbsCAM, without having to go back to Pro/E, and then run the program in machine simulation, checking for collisions.”

Velasco explains that aside from eliminating repetitive measuring and drawing operations, solid models enables him to combine all the elements he needs to see before programming.

“I have the part and tooling designs in front of me, before I put any tools on the part,” he says. “The machining is very simple, usually some flats, then some boring and drill cycles. My challenges are seeing the casting, seeing how it is mounted, and avoiding collisions between part, cutting tool, fixtures, workholding devices, and the tool changer. Having these virtual tools is a real plus. Visualization is very difficult if all you have is wireframe geometry. Lines and points in space to represent surfaces and holes can make programming impossible.”

Velasco says that having the ability to import and machine from solid models reduces his programming time by 70%. Baertschi adds that using GibbsCAM solids machining and machine simulation to program the Niigata HN-63D (equipped with tool matrix and dual pallets) also reduced set-up time by 33% and cycle time by 52%, replacing three conventional and two CNC milling operations with two back-to-back CNC operations.

“Often,” says Velasco, “having machine and tooling component models is only the beginning.

“I need assurance there will be no collisions at the machine,” Velasco explains. “On the Niigata, I have a 39.4″ diameter for part motion; it seems like a lot, but you add the special workholding, plates, and clamps on a big part, and you may have a problem changing tools.”

REALIZING GAINS
He cites a recent project, a rod hook bail, as an extreme example.

“In programming, we always talk about machining strategy,” Velasco says. “For this part, the strategy was clearance, clearance, clearance. How can I move to get tools where I need them? The part, mounted on a vertical plate on a pallet, is about 2ft long, with a larger diameter on one end, but we needed to mount it so its centerline was parallel to the plate. To do all the milling, drilling, and tapping without adding set-ups and programming, I had to machine the back through an opening on the mounting plate, and then reach from the end, between the part and the plate, with a 4″ tool mounted on a 15-5/8″ extension.”

Velasco knew that the tool would require manual changing, but simulation assured safe motion and clearance for the other tools. In the end, the visualization saved a lot of time, and eliminated worry about on-machine crashes. Aside from saving 50% of programming time, they replaced six manual operations – conventional mill, lathe, saw, radial drill, pin stamp, and deburring – with three CNC (two lathe, one mill) operations, reducing set-up time by 22% and cycle time by 66%.

Baertschi says they continue to realize gains in productivity as they introduce parts into the new processes.

“Through use of GibbsCAM solids machining and simulation, we have greatly reduced new process and tooling turn-around time with the ability to verify and simulate feasibility; improved accuracy by replacing drawings with solid models; increased shopfloor confidence; improved safety and quality; and greatly reduced programming, set-up, and cycle times. For us, it is ideal,” Baertschi concludes.

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