The UK’s largest maker of leisure vehicles is using the full design capabilities of PTC to help it bring its latest model to an expectant market that is now booming. Swift Group, which employs over 1000 people at its 100-acre headquarters near Hull, has now launched Basecamp 6, a compact crossover camping vehicle.

Engineers at the family-run business have been using PTC’s Creo design software to introduce several new features, making the most of simulation tools, piping and cabling, and advanced assembly to deliver its product.

“Our models undergo significant transition and Creo has enabled us to reduce rework in our factory, check design in more detail and take a thorough approach to ergonomics,” explains Paul Cunningham, engineering director at Swift Group. “Another big step forward has been the way that people from inside and outside the business can engage with 3D models created in PTC software. Internal users that rely on them include senior decision-makers, members of the sales team and employees from the factory floor responsible for building products. External users are typically dealers, who can interrogate Creo Illustrate to identify exactly the part they need to fulfil a customer’s specific requirements and then click through to an ordering system. What it all means is that we have been able to deliver our most ambitious camper vehicle yet in the Basecamp 6…on time, to budget and with all the stylish features and benefits.”

Just like the touring caravans it manufactures, Swift Group has come a long way in the 57 years since it was founded by Ken Smith, who built and sold his first caravan for £289.

Today, the company generates nearly £270m in annual sales.

For further information
www.ptc.com

Lantek resumed its on-site activity at trade shows by exhibiting at MetalMadrid 2021, the Community of Madrid’s annual industrial fair held late last year. A total of 570 exhibiting companies and 9000 professional visitors gathered together to lead industrial transformation, an area where Lantek says it has a lot to offer.

At MetalMadrid, Lantek presented the latest technological developments that it has recently incorporated into its portfolio of software solutions, making them more efficient and enabling smarter and uninterrupted advanced manufacturing.

Joseba Montoya, commercial director of Lantek Iberia, says: “If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that production simply cannot stop and that we must continue to evolve and provide the market with solutions that are better prepared to operate with full guarantees in these new hybrid work contexts that are becoming increasingly common. Here, the cloud has proven to be our greatest ally. During this period, our sector didn’t stop and Lantek certainly didn’t stop either. In fact, we’ve worked hard to develop new functionalities that can be used to raise our cloud products’ level of excellence so that we can respond to new market realities and customer needs. Our partnership with Trumpf has made us stronger and given us more resources.”

One of Lantek’s maxims is to produce more and produce better, but always intelligently. This principle is embodied in the solutions and services proposed for the company’s Global Release 2021, which was shown at MetalMadrid 2021.

Considering the improvements by product type, fair attendees had the chance to get a first-hand look at several Lantek proposals for smart digital factories, including: a programming solution for 2D punching and cutting machines (Lantek Expert V2021); Lantek Flex3D V2021; Lantek MES and Lantek Integra; Lantek Analytics; Lantek iQuoting; and Lantek MetalShop.

For further information
www.lantek.com

SolidCAM 2021 SP2 is now available to all SolidCAM customers on subscription. The most powerful release yet, SolidCAM 2021 introduces the new Tool Table – ToolKit (especially important for mill-turn and Swiss-type customers), new Sim5X operations (including edge breaking and edge trimming), as well as many enhancements to SolidCAM’s various CAM modules.

In the new ToolKit, it is now possible to import 3D tool data seamlessly, including tool holders, directly from tool manufacturers’ cloud-based tool databases. ToolKit makes the tool assembly process as easy as possible for the user. Based on how tools are assembled in real life, the new ToolKit offers the possibility to assemble tools, their holders and additional components, exactly how tools are assembled in the machine shop.

The SolidCAM Sim5X operation of edge breaking automatically detects all edges to be deburred and creates a collision-free toolpath. SolidCAM edge trimming can be used, especially in the composites industry, to remove excess material from parts during manufacturing. An additional function available to all Sim5X customers under subscription is Sim5X auto 3+2 roughing, which automatically roughs parts from all possible sides, without any manual intervention by the operator.

SolidCAM 2021 includes the new SolidCAM Simulator, which provides graphical simulations of all SolidCAM operations. The simulator offers multi-channel simulations and combines all the modes of previous SolidCAM simulations into one integrated and easy-to-use interface.

CIMCO Edit Professional is directly integrated in SolidCAM 2021 to provide users with one of the industry’s most advanced G-Code editors. The seamless export of SolidCAM information, including tool table data, stock, target and fixtures, makes CIMCO Edit very useful for SolidCAM customers.

For further information
www.solidcam.com

CGTech has released version 9.2 of its Vericut CNC machine simulation, verification and optimisation software for all types of CNC machining, including additive and hybrid manufacturing processes. The software operates independently, but can also integrate with leading CAM systems.

Vericut 9.2 increases productivity and sustainability with several new features that boost manufacturing efficiency, help preserve machines and cutting tools, increase machine capacity, and reduce repair and scrap costs. Substantial speed increases to collision checking and overall performance, a New 3DLiv™ interface, improved cutting tool support and reporting enhancements, are just a few of the notable features in this latest release.

Hundreds of customer-driven improvements and software requests also feature in the new version.

“Vericut has been designed to meet the needs of all types of machine shops – from small job shops to OEMs and tier-one suppliers that are regularly pushing the limits of CNC technology,” says Vericut product manager Gene Granata. “The enhancements in version 9.2 provide the speed that machine shops of all sizes need to produce more efficient programs faster and get their products to market more quickly and competitively, while promoting conservation of valuable material and human resources.”

CGTech’s integrated simulation-optimisation solution, Vericut Force, also benefits from these latest enhancements. Force reduces machining times, extends tool life, prevents undesirable cutting conditions and improves part quality. Vericut 9.2 provides Force optimisation users with more options for setting and adjusting optimisation limits, more comprehensive tooling data and greater customisation options for graphs and reports.

For further information
www.cgtech.com

CNC Software Inc, developer of Mastercam CADCAM software, has released Mastercam 2022 turning solutions. From accepting and programming any CAD file to Dynamic Motion roughing and precision finishing, Mastercam 2022 gives users a variety of options to turn parts exactly as required. Mastercam 2022 features new mill-turn support, and enhancements to 3D turning tools, stock diameter and more.

With Mastercam 2022, users can now: define reusable holder assemblies; create collections of adapters, extensions and holders; and store them as an assembly. In short, users can save time and avoid errors by creating reusable assemblies of modular components. These assemblies can be stored in a library and used for the creation of full 3D lathe tool assemblies.

When defining stock dimensions in job set-up, a new button lets users specify the outer or inner diameter by selecting an arc or radial face. After selecting the button, users are returned to the graphics window where they can select an arc or radial face. Programmers can also select an edge. Mastercam automatically reads the proper diameter value from the selected geometry.

The 2022 version of Mastercam introduces steady-rest support for mill-turning, which allows users to precisely position and simulate steady rests throughout the machining process, adding part support capability to turning, milling and part-handling operations. This includes new component types, enhanced component libraries, dedicated operations for each type of steady rest, part handling strategies and simulation features.

The sub-program support from other Mastercam products has also been added to the mill-turn module. Users can create sub-programs for depth cuts and hole-making operations.

For further information
www.mastercam.co.uk