AI-powered quotes available via MakerVerse

MakerVerse, a platform for sourcing industrial parts, is releasinga new version of its AI-based automatic pricing technology. The latestversion enables precise and customisable auto-quotes for CNCmanufactured parts, taking into account full component specifications based on 2D drawings. Auto quoting is available for over 150 materials and 35 different surface finishes.

According to MakerVerse, the automatic pricing feature is the first of its kind due to its approach to extracting and analysing geometric metadata from 3D files and product manufacturing information (PMI) from traditional 2D technical drawings. This dual extraction process automatically configures all requirements, features and tolerances, saving time and manual errors. MakerVerse’s approach guarantees that the price reflects the exact specifications defined by the customer rather than using general tolerances and standards.

“By integrating advanced AI technologies, we can fully understand the part design and extract critical manufacturing information directly from customer files,” says Markus Seibold, CEO of MakerVerse. “This capability allows us to provide a price for the component exactly as defined by the customer, ensuring precision and consistency from design to delivery.”

Using the combined geometric and PMI data, MakerVerse’s CNC pricing engine generates a quote for the part in minutes.

“By automating the pricing process and leveraging detailed data extraction, we not only increase efficiency but also provide our customers with precision and reliability in their manufacturing processes,” states Manish Katoch, CTO of MakerVerse.

While the current system generates a price in minutes, MakerVerse is already working on reducing this process to seconds. This next innovation will enhance the user experience further by providing immediate pricing feedback, enabling faster decision-making and streamlined procurement processes.

More information www.makerverse.com

IML cracks the code with HyperMill software

From one-off components to high-volume production, IML UK Ltd is a subcontract machining company that specialises in giving its customers exactly what they want, when they want it. With more than 25 CNC machine tools running 24/7, 365 days a year, the Weymouth-based company has invested in the latest five-axis machine tools, pallet automation technology and HyperMill CADCAM software from Open Mind Technologies.

IML director David Zollo says: “The work on the machining side of our business is predominantly aluminium, with our turning department being mainly stainless steel. We entered the CADCAM system market back in the early days and we’ve had our original system for probably around 25 years. However, things have evolved and jobs are getting more complex. The software systems have changed too.”

The company recently introduced HyperMill to run alongside its original system and is witnessing a number of notable differences.

“HyperMill is better on our complex parts, but we’re also applying it to simple components,” says Zollo.“For parts where there are endless lines of code, it’s all about the re-generation. Previously, regenerating a complex component that is millions of lines long would take forever, but with HyperMill it regenerates just the bit we need. This saves us a lot of time.”

He adds: “As a company that has two software systems, we know what we’re talking about. We can give an honest opinion of where we are with the two systems. We’re now leaning increasingly towards HyperMill when it comes to our complex parts.”

More information www.openmind-tech.com

Lantek software proves indispensable at A13

Worcester-based A13 Engineering moved from plasma cutting to laser cutting in October 2023 with the installation of a Bodor 12kW laser profiling machine and Lantek Expert CADCAM nesting software.

Harry Hodgetts, managing director at A13 Engineering, says: “We found that high-definition plasma wasn’t suitable for about 10% of our production, driving us to invest in a laser cutter that would give higher accuracy and automatic part etching for easy component identification.”

He continues: “We were already aware of Lantek and chose it without hesitation because it met all our needs. Laser cutting allows us to handle a variety of materials and, with Lantek Expertsoftware, we can seamlessly import customer CAD files. The majority of our work is cutting mild steel between 2 and 30mm thick, and stainless steel between 1 and 10mm. The machine has a shuttle table so we can unload parts while cutting the next sheet. With Lantek’s nesting we can tag parts in the sheet and nest parts in larger holes [which would otherwise be scrap], add the odd part in a spare area, and have the flexibility to use up material remnants.”

The subcontract side of the business requires A13 Engineering to generate a large volume of quotations. Using spreadsheets previously took over 20 minutes for each quotation. In contrast, the company can generate quotes in just 5 minutes with Lantek iQuoting. The software holds material prices and allocations of material, and simulatesnesting and machining times.

“In our fast-paced industry, Lantek Expert and iQuoting have become indispensable to our business,” concludes Hodgetts.

More information www.lantek.com

Vericut provides boost for major machining company

EMGE AŞ, a major machining company in Türkiye with more than 40 CNC machines on site, is now benefiting from the introduction of Vericut verification, simulation and optimisation software. This astute investment is helping the company to drive higher levels of efficiency and reliability in its extensive machining operations, which see the manufacture of around 1.5 million parts per annum from materials that include aluminium, steel, titanium and composites.

“After introducing 5S, Kaizen and lean production strategies, we decided to invest in Vericut as a means of reducing set-up times in our production processes,” explains Emre Uluhan, a mechanical engineer with responsibility for EMGE’s NC Programming Department. “This decision enables us to detect potential machining errors beforehand, simulate multiple operations in a single file, and execute them swiftly and reliably. Additionally, we can create specific simulation templates for new machines added to our inventory.”

Before Vericut, the process of simulating and verifying operations at EMGE was vastly different.

“We previously had to create separate simulation files for each operation, which led to inefficiencies due to the time required,” he says. “In contrast, using Vericut means we need just a single session to simulate programs of parts produced using multiple set-ups. Vericut operates so quickly and reliably that we observed an increase in our production efficiency from the very first moment of using it.”

EMGE reports a reduction in processing times for first article inspection (FAI) parts of 50% thanks to the confidence provided by Vericut simulations.

“I would recommend Vericut to any manufacturer that wants to prioritise machine efficiency, reduce part processing costs and avoid material wastage due to high material costs,” concludes Uluhan.

More information www.vericut.com

CGTech rebrands to Vericut

NC code simulation software developer CGTech is unveiling a new identity as it rebrands to Vericut, the name of its software and the name that best represents its legacy. “The transition to Vericut is more than a name change; it represents our vision for the future,” says Shin Voeks, president of CGTech. “We’re excited to continue our journey as Vericut, building on our legacy and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in manufacturing technology.” The initial brand transition has begun with the US website and at select global events, with plans to continue the worldwide rollout over the coming months.

More information www.cgtech.com