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

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