ModuleWorks has released the 2021.08 version of its CADCAM software components. This second ModuleWorks release of 2021 contains new and enhanced features across the entire product range, including new performance-improving features for multi-axis machining, two-axis machining and PrimeTurning.

Automatic rest finishing for multi-axis machining automatically applies a rest-finishing cycle to any remaining non-machined areas that could not be reached by wall and floor finishing operations. The wall and floor finishing operations carry information about which areas can be machined and which cannot. The new rest-finishing cycle automatically extracts this information from the operations and creates a rest-machining area that can be reached using a different tool with automatic tilting. Operators can choose which areas to machine and which curves to use as guide curves.

Two-axis roughing and finishing in a single operation is for wireframe engraving, enabling operators to add a final profile pass to roughing operations. This capability accelerates the engraving process because roughing and finishing are now performed in a single operation. By selecting one of the new sorting options for the 2D wireframe engraving cycle, operators can adjust the sequence in which a part’s features are machined, making it easy to apply the engraving pattern to a wide variety of scenarios.

The clean-up pass is a new feature for the PrimeTurning roughing cycle. After running the roughing cycle with the arc-entry operation, unwanted material is sometimes left in the corners of the stock. The new clean-up pass automatically removes the unwanted rest material to ensure clean, high-quality roughing.

For further information
www.moduleworks.com

At EMO 2021 (4-9 October, Milan), Siemens will show two machines controlled with a single Sinumerik One control system: a five-axis milling centre and a robot-based additive manufacturing machine. With these two machines, it is possible to repair large gears, such as those used in wind turbines. At the show, Siemens will demonstrate how to mill the gear wheels flat, before using the robot to rebuild the teeth in an additive manufacturing process. Final precision grinding will take place on the five-axis milling centre. The repair – instead of new production – not only saves material resources, but reduces energy consumption by about 60%.

Sinumerik One is said to represent the core element for the digital transformation of the machine tool world. Thanks to the digital twin via ‘Create MyVirtual Machine’, both machines could be developed, tested and functionally approved in parallel long before the real machines were put into operation. Machine builders thus get to a better machine faster, while machine users arrive faster at the right workpiece.

With its Digital Enterprise portfolio, Siemens supports companies exactly where the current challenges lie. With the help of digital twins, such as Sinumerik One, and the use of future technologies like AI or edge computing, machine builders and users can collect, analyse and understand the data generated in a meaningful way. This capability allows them to react quickly and flexibly to challenges, and adapt their products and manufacturing processes to new requirements and save resources.

Siemens thus supports the machine tool industry in utilising the full potential of data for flexible and sustainable action.

For further information
www.siemens.com

CGTech say that its Vericut software can now read in GDML files with a new 3DLive interface. GDML is an application-independent geometry description format based on XML. 3DLive is available in MachiningCloud for products that require kinematics, such as machine tools and work-holding devices.

MachiningCloud is renowned for its ability to provide 3D models of cutting tools for use in Vericut and other related CADCAM and simulation software. DMG Mori, Haas, Mazak, Kennametal and Kurt Workholding are among the first to supply GDML machine-tool driven-turret units and fixture models to MachiningCloud.

Vericut is the first software of its kind to support the import of 3DLive files for use in verifying, simulating and optimising NC programs. This enhancement provides Vericut users with the ability to read in 3DLive data for CNC machines, work-holding fixtures and cutting tool holders for use in simulations. This capability eliminates having to measure and model the components by traditional means or request 3D models from the machine-tool builder.

“What has traditionally been a challenging and time-consuming procedure to obtain machine-specific information and manually build digital twin machines, can now be done quickly and easily in Vericut using the new 3DLive interface to read information-rich geometry data,” says Gene Granata, Vericut product manager.

The 3DLive catalogue in MachiningCloud currently contains over 8700 products. 3DLive files contain kinematics, travel limits, minimum and maximum feed rates, initial machine location, and 3D geometry colours in a single file format. Vericut can read this data in a matter of seconds.

For further information
www.cgtech.co.uk

ModuleWorks has unveiled its 2021.04 CADCAM software components. This is the first major release of 2021 and is available now for download from the ModuleWorks website.

Release 2021.04 contains new and enhanced features across the entire product range.

For instance, users can now define a fixed contact point on the tool that enables the cone and cylinder to be used for deburring. This capability makes deburring an attractive option for chamfering because the cone and cylinder leave no imprint of the tool’s profile. To ensure a uniform chamfer, the tool is not tilted. Instead, to avoid collisions, the tool path is automatically trimmed in the affected areas.

The new 2D roughing algorithms prevent corner roll, which preserves sharp corners and providers greater control over the tool path when machining prismatic shapes. Notably, the ModuleWorks tool-path algorithms offer lower feed rates for machining corners. Decelerating the tool when machining sharp corners enhances surface quality and helps low-end CNCs to handle high-performance tool paths.

ModuleWorks’ collision checker algorithm now returns the approximate point of contact between two objects. This function enables OEMs to offer an enhanced user experience in their simulations, for example by drawing a sphere or other shape to graphically indicate the approximate area of the collision.

Last but not least, the ModuleWorks ‘Machine Builder’ now supports the ‘Smart Measure’ module for measuring distances between any on-screen geometry. Smart Measure automatically recognises different geometric features and their inherent dimensions, making it easier to create machine models.

For further information
www.moduleworks.com

CADCAM specialist Open Mind has identified rapid growth with its automated program generation. In fact, the company estimates that the number of automation projects among users of the hyperMill CADCAM suite tripled in 2020. At the same time, demand for hyperMill Automation Center Advanced has increased significantly.

“The more powerful that machining centres and tools become, the more often CAM programming becomes a bottleneck,” explains Rico Müller, project manager for CADCAM automation at Open Mind Technologies AG. “Companies are looking for solutions that allow them to make their CAM programming more efficient by automating processes. Even the most complex and diverse workpieces are created based on a large number of similar operations that can be standardised. In hyperMill, tool databases, feature recognition and macros for standardisation have been available for some time. However, they are now being more commonly adopted across the manufacturing industry to automate CAM program creation.”

Even the basic version of hyperMill Automation Center allows users to automate the job list creation process, and select and position clamping devices. In addition, a uniform process can be defined for all programmers. The Advanced version makes it possible to define and standardise even complex processes, where the solution primarily focuses on the individual elements of a CAD model. Here, the steps for data preparation and programming, right up to simulation and NC program generation, can all be defined.

Once a manufacturing process has been defined, it can be applied to any new component and executed automatically. If any decisions cannot be made with complete certainty within the automated process, the user is prompted to make the relevant choices during the program run.

For further information
www.openmind-tech.com