Software/Computer Aided Manufacturing

Common line cutting which allows operators to cut two or more parts so that they share at least one common line with one another. This provides greater material utilization and better consumable life. Costing for parts, nests, and jobs to include factors such as consumable wear, machine operating cost, labor costs, electricity, etc. Auto-select of material so operators can enter basic material descriptions in settings and automatically map to available materials. With this feature, operators no longer need to separately pick a material and thickness once a tube size and wall thickness is selected.

To streamline access to Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) and metadata, hyperMILL® 2021.1 offers a new import function that retrieves face quality information and metadata when importing CAD data from neutral or native formats, and attaches data to the imported faces in hyperCAD®-S, making the information available to hyperMILL® and its machining processes. 

The latest release of the software expands on the exciting potential of Convergent Modeling for applications such as generative engineering, 3D printing and reverse engineering with new tools for integrating previously incompatible facet and B-rep data formats within a single modeling session. This enhanced support for mixed models can help drive significant productivity gains by eliminating the need for time-consuming model conversion and allowing users to apply classic design techniques directly to facet models.

Mastercam users can download the GARR TOOL cutting tool library, containing both inch and metric tools, from the Mastercam Tech Exchange. The native, Mastercam 3D tool database is fully compatible with Mastercam 2019, 2020, and the latest Mastercam 2021 release. The new library features over 11,000 GARR end mills, drills, reamers, and roughers, including the new VRX-6, VX-7, and 1880KD series of tools introduced to the market in October 2020.

BSB and DCR tool types are high performance endmill cutters, mainly used for finishing requiring high accuracies. They may be more familiar to some as circular segment or high feed endmills. In the current market, cutting tool manufacturers may be looking to enter new markets and this software release makes diversification with high-quality specialist tools attainable. 

The Sapphire product family now includes Sapphire Gen 2, the 1-meter tall Sapphire 1MZ and Sapphire XC—all using the laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF) process with patented capabilities to print without consideration of support structures. Sapphire systems specifically address the aerospace, power generation, and energy markets' unmet needs for quality-assured manufacturing of uncompromised geometries.

The new machine design allows the easy switch from automatic to manual operation without time consuming re-tooling. This can be highly advantageous for processing of somewhat larger single components. All the operator has to do is to unlock the rotary basket and move it to the rear of the blast cabinet. This provides work space for the manual handling and blasting of somewhat larger components. The clever design ensures that the operator is not exposed to any moving parts so that no additional safety features are necessary. 

Prospective companies interested to improve efficiency in the CADCAM/nesting process can request a free nesting benchmark comparison. By providing DXFs of parts alongside a nest of the same parts customers can see what percentage JETCAM’s high performance nesting could save on material over their existing software. Programming time can be drastically reduced by automating processes such as CAD import, tooling and automatic nesting, while machine runtime can also often be improved, with parts being common cut or (for lasers) JET-Cut fully automatic fly cutting.

Verisurf 2020 is the latest release of the popular measurement software for automated quality inspection and reporting, 3D scanning and reverse engineering, tool building and assembly guidance. Enhancements in the 2020 release include an array of reverse engineering tools with new Quick Surface modeling option, expanded device support to keep up with emerging measurement and data capture technologies, added productivity features, based on ongoing customer feedback, and many features designed to support efficient measurement workflows.