Faro has released its Cobalt Design structured light scanner product family. Structured light scanning technology uses projected light patterns with a camera system to capture large areas.

As a result, data capture time is reduced and results are delivered quicker.
In combination with the recently introduced RevEng software platform, Cobalt Design delivers a one-stop digital design solution where small-to-medium objects can be scanned with precision, in colour, with multiple levels of resolution. As such, it is the first colour structured light scanner from Faro specifically developed for design applications. In particular, the device is said to be suited to the scanning of complex surfaces, especially highly detailed organic shapes. Cobalt Design addresses a variety of design requirements, including reverse engineering, prototype design, packaging design, digital cataloguing, and even jewellery and fashion design.
Faro’s Cobalt Design enables design professionals to set up scan parameters once and then proceed to scan similar objects at the push of a button. Furthermore, several pre-configured scanning and meshing settings are available by default. This functionality, in turn, translates to less time per scan position, more scans per day and faster completion of scan projects.
An integrated, rotational axis improves the 3D scanning process and maximises scanning coverage. Objects/parts are placed in fixed positions on the axis, after which the axis can be set to automatically rotate up to 360° as it is being scanned.
Cobalt Design captures millions of 3D measurement points in as little as one second, with up to 3.1 Mpx accuracy for small-to-medium complex objects. Precise and high-quality textured scans can be captured in colour and delivered as realistic images that enable even more detailed representations of geometric surfaces and finishing.
For further information www.faro.com

Creaform has added the Academia 50 3D scanner to its Academia educational solution suite. This professional-grade, portable 3D scanner is suitable for teachers looking to show students the benefit of handheld 3D scanners and their use in real-life applications, such as reverse engineering, industrial design and quality control.

Easy to set up and use by teachers and students of all levels, Academia 50 employs structured white light technology to scan objects made of any material, or with any surface type or colour. Its technical specifications highlight the device’s performance levels, with an accuracy of up to 0.250 mm and a measurement resolution of up to 0.250 mm.
Academia 3D scanners are part of a turnkey educational solution that includes: 50 free seats of scan-to-CAD and inspection software to show students how to address any conventional or innovative engineering workflow; a five-year Academia customer care plan; and self-training documentation. Creaform offers teachers a free Creaform Academia sample kit that gives academics didactic material to enhance their curricula.
“This latest addition to our Academia educational solution suite attests to Creaform’s commitment to the educational sector by offering the designers and engineers of tomorrow the tools they need to help them excel in their careers,” says François Leclerc, marketing programme manager at Creaform. “We offer a complete education solution that does not sacrifice on quality or performance – all at a cost
which educational institutions can afford.”
For further information www.creaform3d.com

Open Mind’s 2019.2 version of hyperMILL CAM software offers a range of newly developed features that include high-precision 3D finishing, five-axis tangent machining, high-performance turning and new CAD-for-CAM technologies. Furthermore, Open Mind is integrating more and more functions directly into hyperMILL CAM strategies that previously required extra CAD steps.

Despite the previous version of hyperMILL featuring high-precision profile finishing, version 2019.2 offers a comparable function for 3D shape Z-level finishing. The ‘high-precision surface mode’ option ensures smooth surfaces with tolerances in the micron range. This functionality saves time on post-machining finishing processes, particularly when applied to mould making. The ‘smooth overlap’ function has the same effect for 3D profile finishing.
Within hyperMILL 2019.2, the hyperCAD-S ‘global fitting’ function is directly integrated into the CAM strategy (in five-axis tangent machining). With this feature, multiple faces can be joined into one face with defined ISO orientation. The principle of using CAD elements for CAM programming is also applied, for example, for automatic face extension. With the automatic face extension, bounding surfaces are automatically extended during programming to improve the edges of machined surfaces. This function simplifies programming since these adjustments are made within the CAM strategy, without switching to the CAD environment.
The previous version of hyperMILL MAXX Machining saw turn-roughing implemented with trochoidal tool paths. Here, optimised connecting paths and fluent machine movements ensure high-performance machining, which means significantly higher machining values can be driven compared with conventional roughing methods. Version 2019.2 guarantees even greater process reliability for high-performance turning, while tool-life monitoring makes it possible to restrict the use of a cutter by the distance covered, the number of toolpaths, or a time limit. If the defined limit is reached, a retract macro is generated automatically and the job ends.
For further information www.openmind-tech.com

First established in 2000, the latest edition of IInEX (formerly TIIE – Tehran International Industry Exhibition) will get underway next month in Tehran, Iran.

On 10-13 October at the Tehran International Permanent Fairground, the country’s leading show for machine tools, metalworking technologies, welding, materials handling, metals production and associated equipment, will host around 180 exhibitors. The show is entering its second year as IInEX, following the show’s rebranding in 2018.
For further information https://is.gd/topihe

As part of a collaboration project, Okuma and ModuleWorks have devised a solution that enables an entire Pelton wheel to be machined from a single metal billet. This procedure accelerates production and reduces manufacturing costs.

In short, Pelton wheels are the driving force of the hydro-power industry, extracting energy from fast-flowing water to generate electricity. However, manufacturing a Pelton wheel is a challenge. Due to the wheel’s complex design, the impulse blades are usually machined separately and then mounted to the rim, which is time consuming and adds to production costs.
To provide Pelton wheel machining on its MU-V series of machining centres, Okuma soon realised it would need technically sophisticated tool-path generation and simulation software to master the special technical challenges. For this reason, Okuma teamed up with ModuleWorks to find a way forward.
Surmounting the sheer physical limitations means the wheel is machined in two stages. One half of the wheel is machined before being turned 180° to enable the tool to reach the other half. The ModuleWorks triangle mesh roughing modules were used to cut the rough shape of the Pelton wheel.
For creating the bucket-shaped blades, the ModuleWorks adaptive roughing strategy uses consistent tool-path engagement and a smooth tool-path motion to generate a dynamic pattern and a high-performance roughing process that reduces the overall costs of producing non-prismatic shapes. For optimal finishing, ModuleWorks geodesic machining is said to deliver a high-quality finishing pattern and comes with features for producing rounded corners using a morph or constant step-over pattern. This capability enables Okuma to meet the high demands of the workpiece and ensure optimal energy transfer from the high-pressure flowing water.
ModuleWorks five-axis calculation strategies also extend the reach of the tool to provide enhanced tilting strategies on complex workpiece geometries and areas with deep grooves.
For further information www.moduleworks.com