Jetcam has released version 3.82 of its Jetcam Orders Controller (JOC) nesting automation software, which includes a raft of new features. Available in two versions – Premium and Premium Automation (PA) – JOC works in conjunction with Jetcam Expert nesting software to streamline and automate the CAD import and nesting process.

When ordering components, customers can now specify a desired sheet size and material stock item on a per-component basis, which will override default settings. This capability gives customers greater control when feeding orders from MRP.

CAD import sees several enhancements. Users can automatically set CAD files queued for import to be the active revision, where a revision is specified. Additional columns are now available to CSV import – order deliver, order priority, allow mirroring and allow common cutting – again shifting control to external systems to affect the nest with minimal user input.

Searching for components on the orders screen is now easier. Where users are using multiple order tabs, perhaps for different machines or shift patterns, they can now enter a component name and immediately see which order tabs include the component.

Component identification within the advanced reports designer has been completely rewritten to handle many more scenarios, such as extremely small components where text could not be easily placed on-screen. Customers also have the capability to modify order IDs on previously created nests – useful when reusing a static nest against a new order and then exporting information back to MRP/ERP.

The batch nest reports generator has also been replaced, vastly improving rendering time for multi-nest, complex reports, resulting in higher resolution nest drawings. A new option allows for components to be coloured on the nest and in tabular data, making part identification much simpler.

For further information
www.jetcam.net

Birmingham-based Cutting Blue was founded five years ago by Piotr Parobczy as a consultancy imbued in the programming of complex high-value components for the Formula One and wider motorsport industries. However, in the past 18 months, the small subcontract company has commenced manufacturing, purchasing Doosan and DMG Mori machine tools supported by CAM software from Open Mind Technologies.

Cutting Blue has rapidly built a customer base in the electric vehicle (EV) and micro-mobility sectors, manufacturing drivetrain components, battery and electronic enclosures, and more, in batches from 100 to 500-off.

Alluding to why the company opted for hyperMILL from Open Mind, Parobczy cuts straight to the point: “I’ve used hyperMILL as well as other CAM systems for more than 10 years and it stands way above any other CAM software. As a business, we are currently only running three-axis machining centres, but hyperMILL is perfect for this type of machining. Open Mind may be known for its five-axis strategies, but as a completely modular system, we can ‘bolt-on’ additional features as and when we need them. This makes hyperMILL not only an extremely cost-effective solution but also the most premium package available for your money. As hyperMILL is not a subscription model, it’s far cheaper than other premium software.”

While hyperMILL is only required for three-axis machining on the shop floor at Cutting Blue, the consultancy division of the company undertakes the programming of complex components for a host of sectors, and it is here where the benefits of hyperMILL are evident.

“We’ve found hyperMILL faster, more productive and easier to use than other packages,” says Parobczy. “When going through the NC Code, hyperMILL is at least 20% faster than rival CAM systems.”

For further information
www.openmind-tech.com

Lantek, a multinational company that develops and markets CADCAM, MES and ERP solutions for the sheet metal sector, grew its turnover in 2021 to a record €26.6m, increasing sales to machine tool manufacturers by 40%. Total growth was 26% up on 2020 levels.

The number of active customers at the end of the year exceeded 29,000, with 3400 new customers across 100 countries during 2021. Lantek continues to strengthen its growth in international markets with an increase in sales volume of 42% in Asia, 13% in America and 19% in the EMEA region, while growth in countries such as Germany (33%) and Italy (25.6%), are among stand-out results.

In Italy, the company has further consolidated its presence with the construction of a new building. This new facility, located in Turin, has a surface area of over 1200 sq m. For both solutions and digitisation sales volumes, Italy has achieved rapid growth, making it one of the main markets for these Lantek products.

To build on its technological leadership even further, Lantek has already started a long-term R&D growth and investment plan that extends to 2025.

“In 2022, we’re making the largest investment in the history of our company: in the first phase of our strategic expansion plan we’ve increased our commitment to R&D by 70%,” says López de Biñaspre, the company’s CEO. “Our workforce will grow by 50%, with a special emphasis on R&D and our international customer service team.”

For further information
www.lantek.com

Mastercam Multiaxis is an add-on for Mastercam Mill 3D, Router 3D, Mill-Turn and Mastercam for SolidWorks. It improves productivity with simultaneous four- and five-axis machining capability for Mastercam. Notably, Mastercam Multiaxis offers a wide range of multi-axis machining strategies, both basic and advanced. These tool paths are also useful for the advanced control of three-axis machines.

The new Multiaxis Unified tool path allows users to select multiple pieces of input geometry to generate the tool-path pattern. Using those geometry choices, Multiaxis Unified picks the best algorithm to calculate the path. This single tool path gives users access to all the surface-based tool paths, as well as the geodesic tool-path options, in a single interface.

New Deburr tool-path enhancements include a new option ‘number of cuts along edges’ that allows users to add multiple cuts to the deburr tool path, rounding or flattening edges, to create a quality edge on deburred parts. Additionally, new ‘tilt range’ options allow users to limit tilt when machining type is set to five-axis (simultaneous) or 3+2 axis.

Maintaining climb and conventional machining is critical for surface finish and tool life. ‘Controlling climb and conventional cutting’ now provides control of climb or conventional cutting when working with surfaces that may require using both sides of a tool. It was previously impossible to maintain this while machining a curved shape that would require the use of both sides of the cutter.

Swarf milling tool-path enhancements include the ‘drop tool to floor’ option, which controls whether Mastercam will drop the tool path down to a floor or retract to the bottom of swarf surfaces.

For further information
www.mastercam.com

Umati was on display at the EMO Milano 2021 exhibition last October, connecting up more than 50 machines from all over the world, almost half of them remotely. The presentation was part of an international programme staged by the VDW to promote the ‘world language of production’.

“After making our first appearance over two years ago in Hanover, we were delighted to be back in a face-to-face setting – and with such an impressive demonstration,” said Dr Heinz-Jürgen Prokop (pictured), chairman of the VDW. In his status report, he emphasised: “The most important milestone in the development of the OPC-UA Interface for Machine Tools was the publication of the specification just over one year ago. It is now available free of charge worldwide, meaning that all companies that manufacture, use or offer software for machine tools can now develop and refine their products based on this specification.”

The Machine Tool Group is contributing to the development of this harmonised specification. Above all, it ensures the standardisation of a certain set of data relevant to the entire mechanical and plant engineering sector. The first step concerns the identification of the machine. In terms of digital nameplates, the type of machine is basically irrelevant. All machines have a manufacturer, serial number, date of manufacture, date of acquisition, location and so on.

Thanks to OPC UA for Machinery, technology-specific specifications now no longer have to worry about identification but can concentrate fully on rendering the relevant technology-specific data. The next step in development involves harmonising the operating states of machines, as these too could be used at a higher, more universal level.

Umati currently has almost 200 partners.

For further information
www.umati.org