Machinery World - September 2016

The impact that the right CAM software can
have on a machining business should not be
underestimated, as AI-Met, which is based
near Cardiff, can verify. Here, five-axis milling
and turning, in combination with Edgecam
software from Vero Software, are helping this
oil and gas specialist diversify into the nuclear
market.
“Our craftsmen have been comfortable for
many years running parts through four or five
operations, and it took a while for them to be
fully confident with switching to the Mori
Seiki MTX 2000 five-axis machining centre
and doing everything in one set-up with
Edgecam,” says managing director Phil
Harmer. “However, one particular job that
used to take four or five days is now fully
processed in just under two hours. It’s a
massive time saving, and means we’ll be
looking at increasing our five-axis capability
in the near future.”
Of course, to ensure competitive gain is
maximised, machine shops must keep an eye
on the latest CAM software developments.
Each year, the major players release updated
versions of their CAM suites, all featuring
enhancements designed to simplify the life of
production engineers. For instance, Open
Mind Technologies has recently launched its
HyperMill 2016.2 CAM software with a host
of enhancements in 2D, 3D, five-axis and HPC
machining that are designed to boost
performance and ease of use.
The HyperMill Maxx Machining HPC
package has once again been expanded to
incorporate five-axis tangent machining of
any arbitrary faces with conical barrel cutters.
The use of conical barrel cutters is said to
enable performance increases of up to 90%
compared with conventional production
methods.
A further enhancement in HyperMill is the
five-axis rest material roughing module. This
has been designed to create high speed,
optimised toolpaths for rest machining from a
previous roughing operation. The definition
of the tilt angles for the B and C axes are
straightforward: the user can choose whether
to automatically create the tilt angle in 3D
mode within a specified angular range, or
generate it from the normal planes.
Elsewhere, 3D Systems has introduced
GibbsCAM 2016, which is available in the UK
from Tech CADCAM. Building on the
‘Universal Kinematic Machine’ (UKM)
technology of the previous edition,
GibbsCAM 2016 is compatible with a range of
operations, including solid modelling, high
speed machining, two- to five-axis milling,
multi-task machining and wire EDM.
Newly developed features and functions
of GibbsCAM 2016 include enhanced thread
milling (including support for multi-point
tools), tapered threads for both single- and
multi-point tools, and improved simulation.
In addition, the latest VoluMill technology
provides additional toolpath strategies
designed to optimise high speed roughing of
CADCAM & CONTROLS
SOFT SPOT FOR SOFTWARE
large pockets and slots, while open face
milling strategies are introduced that are said
to decrease cutting time by up to 60%.
Similarly, NCG CAM Solutions’ latest
version (v15.0) of its NCG CAM software
includes a number of new features, including
additional functionality to UV passes, tool
sheets, five-axis roughing, the use of T-slot
cutters in five-axis applications, as well as new
user interface features and enhancements.
So, what are the major trends in this
technology area? What is driving
development? Well, the move towards
Industry 4.0, which in effect represents a
connected world of automation and data
exchange in manufacturing technologies, is
certainly having a major effect.
For instance, in a direct move towards
Industry 4.0, Lantek is planning the launch of
a Lantek Expert native version in 64 bit. This
will be a specific version of the software so
that its customers can benefit from the highest
performance offered by current servers and
equipment and, along with the version for 32
bit, will be included in the launch of the 2017
global release. Among other advances, the 64-
bit version is estimated to deliver an
improvement of up to 50% in the speed of
some calculation processes.
Lantek Expert for 64 bit will be able to use
far greater memory volume and do so more
efficiently. The company’s intention is that the
64-bit version is implemented seamlessly, but
at the customer’s discretion, in its 2017
version. At a future point, the 32-bit variant
will disappear and the version for 64 bit will
become standard.
The latest version of TISIS software from
sliding head lathe specialist Tornos, is also
geared towards a future where Industry 4.0
figures heavily. TISIS is offered as an option
that not only allows Tornos machines to be
programmed, but permits interaction using a
tablet computer or smartphone. Of course, to
be able to link the world of production with
the current concepts of Industry 4.0, the
machines must be equipped with more
intelligence. Against this background, Tornos
machines have an industrial PC that serves
both as a data server and storage server.
TISIS is offered in several versions. The
light version allows programming while the
comprehensive version includes
programming, set-up and data management
support functions, as well as an optional
CADCAM system. Furthermore, the
company’s Connectivity Pack enables
production tracking via TISIS Tab (mobile
version for Android and Apple peripherals)
and includes the optional TISIS i4.0
production tracking function and set-up
support via a camera system. The efficiency of
each machine and of the entire workshop is
available upon request. This can be viewed by
machine or machine group, or by time
parameters.
Ultimately, the advantages achieved by a
turn towards connectivity and digitalisation
through Industry 4.0 are flexibility of
production and the potential ‘mass
customisation’ of products. However, this
requires investment in suitable faciliating
technologies such as CAM software and
controls. Those planning an investment in this
area in the near future are advised to choose
carefully – the future could depend on it.
22 Machinery World, September 2016