Software

FEA software helps manufacturers reduce scrap.

A CAD-to-part comparison system allows first-article parts inspection on the shop floor and reverse engineering.

Computer-aided cost estimating can help optimize an OEM's or supplier's business in numerous ways.

You can fool your machine tool into holding tighter tolerances with error-compensation software.

Many of the machine tool innovations at IMTS will be rooted in controls, software and ancillary products--not hardware.

Finite element analysis helps eliminate guesswork and overdesigned fixtures.

The author provides guidelines shops can follow when selecting a PC-based CAD/CAM system. Selection guidelines include: CAD functionality, CAM functionality, NC code output, vendor evaluation and hardware selection.

Tool management software is designed to help users of cutting tools get more control of their toolcribs. The article describes the types of tool management software available, the savings possible by utilizing software and includes comments from shop owners who've installed these systems.

Software-based video tool inspection systems can read tool geometries much more precisely than other measurement systems. This article looks at the technology behind these systems and explains how this technology detects and measures tool edges and angles.

Modern control technology makes extremely fast milling speeds possible. But the top speed can only be as fast as the slowest link in the chain between controller and machine. This article looks at some of the bottlenecks that can prevent a mill from running at full speed.