A combination of tool-path simulation for G-code verification and cutting-tool management has significantly improved productivity for a company specialising in the machining of hydraulic blocks. Based at Saint-Germain-Laval in central France, Evaflo uses NCSIMUL’s machine simulation module from the Hexagon group to help create a complete digital chain, from receiving the customer’s product plans, through to setting up its CNC machine tool for cutting the prototype.

Around 80% of income at Evaflo comes from machining hydraulic blocks for agro-industry and aerospace applications. As manufacturing the blocks is highly specialised, the company originally programmed through a mix of basic CAM and code written manually using a text editor.

“Checking the code line by line on the machine was time-consuming, so we invested in simulation software that would validate the checking stage,” says co-director Élysé Botellé. “Installing the NCSIMUL Machine module from Hexagon reduced the time taken to complete that task by a factor of three.”

Having saved time in the workshop, the company turned its attention to improving productivity in the office.

“We developed our own code generator, dedicated to producing machining tool-path programs for our five Mori Seiki machining centres and turning machines, which we simulated in the digital twin created by NCSIMUL Machine.”

Based on the real characteristics of its machines, NCSIMUL provides Evaflo with a dynamic verification solution. But it does not end there, as the company discovered the software has complete synergy with another module, NCSIMUL Tool, which integrates its digital tools into the global production process, and optimises the tool cycle.

For further information
www.ncsimul.com

Devon-based software developer, Lineal Software Solutions, has launched a software suite designed for the UK’s manufacturing sector. SQLWorks is an MRP platform that helps companies gauge future demand for products, purchase stock intelligently and control their manufacturing processes.

Lineal Software, which already serves companies right across the UK and as far afield as Sydney, Australia, has hired extra software developers to meet demand with the release of the latest version.

Mike Matthews, Lineal’s managing director, says: “This is a terrific leap forward for our SQLWorks software. The new release is our most advanced version, and introduces powerful new manufacturing and logistical control to our existing business management tools.”

The software also integrates with a wide-ranging set of other business applications, including accounting, stock and warehouse management, document management, and CRM. Lineal’s software team knows the ability for industry to automatically complete important engineering tasks, such as importing newly-designed assemblies (BoMs), capacity planning, updating part costs and forecasting future production.

A company spokesperson says: “Post-lockdown, many firms will be doing some serious soul-searching about whether their systems are really up to scratch. If you can’t innovate then you’re at a dead end, and modernisation will be an important part of the UK’s economic recovery.”

A recent Tech South West Award winner, Lineal recently featured on the Tech Tribe podcast to discuss the challenges of launching a new software product during the COVID-19 pandemic, getting more women into tech, and the post-lockdown recovery.

“SME manufacturers need a provider who will ‘take ownership’ of their pain points, solve these, and deliver better business results,” says the firm.

For further information
www.sqlworks.co.uk

The latest Esprit 4.6 from DP Technology includes features such as turning tool-path enhancements, support for contour-type features in pocketing, automatic tool orientation for five-axis tool paths, improved support for multi-spindle and multi-channel machines, and a new connection to the Machining Cloud tool catalogue.

Enhancements to the turning cycles reduce perishable tooling consumption, minimise intervention from the machine-tool operator by creating more predictable machining processes and reduce the need for manual NC code editing, further improving user efficiency.

The new support for contour-type features in pocketing allows users to exploit Esprit’s ProfitMilling cycle to rough-out a profile without creating extra boundary geometry, while five-axis composite automatic tool orientation is a new programming method for the composite cycle.
“This is a big leap forward for simplifying five-axis programming and improving tool-path continuity,” says Yijun Fan, director of product marketing at DP Technology. “It makes it much easier to program five-axis composite components, especially in parts with hard-to-reach areas.”
Automatic orientation gives precedence to tool-path continuity, creating a better surface finish on a completed part.

Esprit 4.6 also enables support for multi-spindle machines featuring an off-centre sub-spindle with an X-axis slide, including machines with a tailstock and sub-spindle mounted on the same X-axis slide. Multi-channel machines are controllable with a new interactive method that synchronises motions within a cycle.

Machining Cloud is the fastest way to find, select and assemble tools from leading tool manufacturers. Esprit improves the connection to Machining Cloud with a simplified workflow, and via the introduction of a new job manager for full control over the import of tool assemblies.

For further information
www.espritcam.com

France headquartered Topsolid is pursuing its international growth strategy with the acquisition of two of its historical distributors in Belgium and the Czech Republic.

These new acquisitions are part of the Topsolid 4.0 strategic plan, which aims to accelerate its international development and its product offering as part of industry’s digitalisation.

Richard Lamure, CEO of Topsolid Group SAS, says: “We had two very good opportunities to expand our direct presence abroad. I’m very pleased to expand the Topsolid family and further strengthen our presence in Europe.”
A Topsolid partner for over 17 years, Belgium-based 4D Services has a strong team and recognised technical expertise. The company, which now becomes Topsolid Belgium, will be managed by Pieter Cornelis and Kurt Neuckermans, the two existing managers of 4D Services, who state: “Our common objective is to strengthen our operational capacities on technical and commercial levels. This will help us continue providing more service to our customers and reinforce our presence in the Belgian market.”

Centersoft has been present for 10 years in the group’s network of 70 distributors and is the only TopSolid reseller in the Czech Republic. Topsolid Czech will be managed by Karel Preis, CEO of Centersoft, who says: “We’re very confident about the development prospects of Topsolid Czech. The Czech Republic is historically a country with a strong mechanical culture,

and Topsolid CADCAM solutions – in particular TopSolid’Cam – have great potential for success.”

For further information www.topsolid.com

The latest Vericut version 9.1 CNC machine simulation, verification and optimisation software from CG Tech is said to raise the bar for CNC simulation with several new features that increase efficiency and empower users to do more in less time.

New visibility options, plus enhancements to tool-path optimisation, additive manufacturing, tooling and multi-tool stations, and measuring and inspection/reporting, are just a few of the noteworthy features in this latest release. Hundreds of customer-driven improvements and software requests were also incorporated in the new version.

“Vericut 9.1 continues to enhance the user experience through ongoing advancements in graphics and display controls, streamlined user controls, and more new capabilities and features than ever before,” says product manager, Gene Granata. “Version 9.1 also introduces a ‘Learn’ mode for Force optimisation – a form of artificial intelligence for faster/easier NC program optimisation. Using Learn mode, almost anyone can create highly optimised NC programs from existing programs, without the need to start again.”

New visibility features have been added to the project tree and Vericut’s right-click convenience menus for components and models, enabling users to toggle between visible and invisible states, or to enable/disable 3D objects for the simulation. Users can quickly see unobstructed views of the cutting process and gain better access to the part by removing enclosures, models of sheet metal or shrouding, and other ‘in-the-way’ objects via ‘Invisible’ or ‘disable’ actions.

Features have also been added to ‘Auto-Diff’, giving users a higher degree of control over component visibility, such as when fixture models should appear.

For further information www.cgtech.com