Software & Digital Solutions

Bob Warfield of the CNCCookbook.com analyzes the impact of tool deflection in the fourth episode of The CNC Chef, a video series from Cutting Tool Engineering.

By using software to automatically optimize NC program feed rates, parts manufacturers can achieve the benefits of high-efficiency machining. So says David Sutkey, sales engineers at Irvine, Calif.-headquartered CGTech, who presented a technical session about it on May 18 at BIG KAISER Precision Tooling Inc.'s Breakfast & Learn 2017. The May 16-18 event took place at the toolmaker's headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Proactive security measures become even more important as manufacturing software moves into the cloud, machine tool intelligence and automation continue to grow, and the Industrial Internet of Things makes big data an increasingly big deal.

New, ultraresilient workpiece materials with high strength-to-weight ratios have cutting tool vendors and CAM developers scrambling to design new tools and toolpaths to efficiently cut them. To succeed, the vendors and developers must collaborate with unprecedented frequency.

Florence, Ky.-headquartered Mazak Corp. hosted its Midwest Technology + Education Event May 2-4 at the machine tool builder's Midwest Technology Center, Schaumburg, Ill. The event featured a broad range of Mazak machines on display, exhibits and demonstrations presented by Mazak Value Inspired Partners and six daily seminars.

Last week, Desktop Metal, Burlington, Mass., a two-year-old startup, demonstrated the Desktop Metal (DM) Studio System, which it calls an "office-friendly" metal 3D-printing system for rapid prototyping, and the DM Production, a printer for the manufacturing market it claims is 100 times faster than current laser sintering machines.

Mahr Federal will offer its MarCom Professional metrology software version 5.2 as a free download from the Mahr.com website. MarCom 5.2 is a full-featured metrology software interface for connecting measuring instruments by cable or wireless.

ABB and IBM have announced a strategic collaboration that brings together ABB's industry-leading digital offering, ABB Ability, with IBM Watson Internet of Things cognitive capabilities to unlock new value for customers in industry, utilities and transport & infrastructure.

Makino introduces SGI.5, its latest version of Super Geometric Intelligence software for high-feed rate, tight-tolerance machining of complex 3D contoured shapes. Depending upon the specific geometry of the application, SGI.5 can provide 20 to 60 percent faster cycle times while maintaining accuracy and surface finishes.

With the latest version of QualityXpert, InspectionXpert Corp. and K2D-KeyToData GmbH offer the "next generation of quality-management software."

Bob Warfield of the CNCCookbook.com addresses tool life issues when micromachining in the third episode of The CNC Chef, a new video series from Cutting Tool Engineering. In this episode, Warfield takes a close look at tool runout, which he says is the No. 1 issue for tool life problems when micromachining.

System Insights announces the official launch of VIMANA Enrich, a software solution that simplifies the capture and integration of relevant data from the shop floor, manufacturing and business systems and adds context to the manufacturing process without increasing time and cost for programming and systems integration. VIMANA Enrich enables manufacturers to leverage machine data to gain improved insight, in real-time, that will support decision making and enable true Smart Manufacturing to take place, according to the company.