Supporting end-to-end product development process, FiberSIM[R] is integrated into 3D CAD software systems and provides open engineering environment to support all composite manufacturing methodologies. Program offers zone-based solid generation, preliminary zone-based weight calculation, and composite stacking tool, which provides integrated laminate stacking and sequencing capability for automatically establishing order of plies and generating symmetric and balanced laminates.WALTHAM, Mass., (USA), November 3, 2006 - VISTAGY, Inc., a leading global provider of specialized engineering software, today announced the latest release of its FiberSIM[R] suite of software, created specifically for the design and manufacture of composite products. This version of FiberSIM greatly expands support for the entire end-to-end product development process-from early conceptual design through downstream manufacturing. New tools for defining preliminary 3D solids and generating product weight studies help engineers solve the particularly complex challenge of assessing and reducing the weight of composite products very early in the design phase while ensuring part durability and addressing demanding

Focused on maximizing sheet metal utilization, Radan 05 offers nesting routines for components that stack at specific angles, common line slitting, and ability to store and nest partly used sheets. It provides ability to define, store, and retrieve tooling templates that specify required tool blow combinations to be used whenever particular geometry is programmed. Radan 05 supports ACIS 14, allowing direct import of latest ACIS 3D models.

Many of the software’s new features focus on maximising sheet utilisation, reflecting the continuing escalation of world-wide raw material costs. These include enhanced nesting routines for components that stack at specific angles, improved common line slitting and the ability to store and automatically nest part used sheets.

Automation is a further theme in Radan 05, with new features including the ability to define, store and retrieve tooling templates that specify the required tool blow combinations to be used whenever particular geometry is programmed. Further productivity improvements include new heat avoidance options for all types of profiling machines and enhanced parts removal and unloading capabilities.

Comprised of staircad and staircam modules, alphastair v6 provides everything needed for staircase design, costing, and manufacture. Both modules utilize GUI that lets users add or delete toolbars and tailor screen layouts to preference. They also share integrated database with single point data entry. Along with built-in checking routines for regulatory compliance, software features 3D CAD drawings, materials lists, and ability to produce ready-to-sign quotations

Mazak Optonics’ FG CAD/CAM is used for multi-axis fabrication on the company’s FabriGear and Space Gear lasers. Useful for cutting pipe, rectangular and triangular tube, and C, H, I and L beams, the software generates cutting instructions for fabricating complex end-cut contours, with weld-prep bevels in addition to holes of virtually any size or shape. The laser systems then cut the part in one operation.

Illustrated, fill-in-the-blank screens are designed to quickly generate NC code. The system also incorporates various pre-programmed cut conditions and the capability to perform dynamic nesting

Operators can create NC programs on the PC, in turn increasing laser efficiency by allowing the laser to continue cutting while he/she creates the program for another job. Pre-cut interference checks can be run. Meanwhile, the laser is not occupied with non-cutting tasks.

Supporting multi-spindle, multi-axis, and synchronization needs of CNC machinery, PEPS SolidCut CAMFlow Director provides knowledge-based feature machining, machine kinematics, toolpath simulation, and CNC code generation. Program is centered around interactive flowcharting tools that can be used in key areas of CAM system functionality. SolidCut toolpaths and machining operations can be manually or automatically resequenced and optimized, as well as edited by programmers as necessary.

EPS SolidCut CAD/CAM system developer Camtek has announced that previews of major new product developments are to be shown during the IMTS 2006 machine tool exhibition at the Chicago, Illinois during September 6-13, 2006.

PEPS SolidCut CAMFlow Director is a significant new core component in what the company claims are the foundation for next-generation PEPS. Initial customer releases of PEPS SolidCut Version 6 are planned for late summer to fall. PEPS CAMFlow Director is a powerful new technology engine suite that includes automated feature-finding, knowledge-based feature machining, machine kinematics, toolpath simulation and CNC code generation.

Commented Terry Antrobus, Director of Sales & Marketing - “Camtek and PEPS have a solid reputation for the supply of quality CAM solutions around the world. Our work is not just a case of changing the wrapper - our new releases, built upon new developments, will begin to deliver impressive new levels of programming functionality, speed and ease of use, particularly for machining feature-based solid model designs using our all-new knowledge-based engine.”

Camtek are very aware of the needs of the marketplace and their users. Many experienced CNC programmers have a desire to retain tight control over their toolpath and code, there is also a need to provide productive and intuitive tools for less-experienced programmers and operators so they can gain advantage from the knowledge and experience built into the system.

Antrobus continues, “Part of the benefit of any CAM system is to relieve programming staff of repetitive, standard tasks. The combination of as much programming automation that can possibly be achieved but coupled with a high degree of flexibility and control is important. CAMFlow provides skilled CNC programmers the options to apply automated tasks as necessary, but also to use semi- or fully-interactive options for exact, precise control. Similarly, new or infrequent part programmers can rely on the expertise built into CAMFlow. On top of all our functionality additions we have also created new workspace environments and a new Windows graphical user interfaces that bring a fresh look and allow for user customizations.” Also a new post creator gives the programmer the ability to easily output code to his preference. Toolbars can easily be created and customized, and docked on user screen.

The development work necessary to deliver such significant increases in functionality has created the foundation for major enhancements in many application areas. Modular enhancements are now easier to ‘plug in’ to the base system than ever before.CAMFlow is centered around interactive and clear flowcharting tools that can be used in key areas of the new CAM system functionality. Best practice / preferred methodology can be configured and stored in the system. CAMFlow is also used to automatically find machineable features of model data and apply automated pre-configured machining to them. Features can also be defined within SolidCut itself. SolidCut Design - integrated component and fixture solid modeling - has also benefited from new user-interface options providing improved and intuitive 3D geometry capability.

The system is used to configure the machine tool components and the kinematics relationships and constraints that exist between them, simulate motion of the machine tool and is particularly designed to support the multi-spindle, multi-axis and synchronization needs of modern CNC machinery. SolidCut toolpaths and machining operations can be manually or automatically resequenced and optimized, and can also be edited freely by programmers as necessary.

The critically important step of generating quality CNC code is an aspect also now handled by CAMFlow. Camtek have embedded their considerable wealth of post-processing and CNC code experience into the new systems, resulting in new code option considerations and generating tools. Early releases will incorporate the processing by CAMFlow Director of all hole types using the SolidCut 3D Surface Milling module.

Brian Warner, Managing Director of Camtek, observed, “I am particularly impressed with the speed in which we have created the new CAMFlow Director mechanisms, associated structures, workspaces and user interfaces. Our first releases - delivering CAMFlow - automated feature-based machining of hole sets in conjunction with our powerful 3D Surface Machining product - will be followed with new advanced technology applications for Mill, Turn, Wire EDM and Fabrication. I am very excited by the prospect of delivering these solutions to our growing network of sales partners, and to our existing and future customers.

Integrating CAD, CAM, and CAE into unified, open environment, NX[R] v5 provides companies with design freedom to work effectively with all legacy data to maximize reuse without redesign. Advanced Selection Intent automatically selects geometry and infers correct relationship, so users can quickly make design changes. Active Mockup enables engineers to work in context of total product, while JT(TM) data format supports files from multiple CAD programs to speed design process.

NX 5 drives UGS vision to become market share leader in CAD/CAM/CAE segment of PLM industry

Release offers highest productivity improvements to date

PLANO, Texas - UGS Corp., a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced Version 5 of NX[R] software - the next-generation of its digital product development software designed to help companies develop innovative products faster and more cost-efficiently.

NX 5 delivers breakthrough technology innovations to the market, including the highest level of productivity improvements in NX software to date. UGS is supporting the launch with a series of “Greater Powers”- themed marketing events around the world.

“The CAD/CAM/CAE market is core to UGS’ future growth, and NX 5 drives our vision to be the market leader in this strategic segment by setting new standards through key new technologies,” said Tony Affuso, chairman, CEO and president of UGS. “The next generation of PLM solutions must facilitate better decisions across a global supply chain. The marriage of technologies inside NX 5 will dramatically increase the ability of companies to effectively leverage knowledge across their business. That’s why it is core to our PLM vision.”

Intended for use with CNC mills, lathes, wire EDM, turn-mill centers and Swiss-type lathes, PartMaker version 7.8 features a range of expanded functionalities, including enhancements to the Surface Machining Wizard (SMW) module, 3D simulation and the introduction of a production milling module. The latter of the three modules is designed to provide improved simulation capabilities for multi-axis milling attachments, including fourth-axis and fifth-axis rotary tables and tombstone fixtures. For cylindrical parts, chucks can be created and simulated as well.

Calculation of surfacing tool paths using SMW is faster in this latest version when compared to previous releases, says PartMaker Software/IMCS Inc. In addition, new surfacing capabilities have been incorporated to support four-axis milling for setups that support continuous rotary milling on a CNC mill, turn-mill or Swiss-type lathe.

Camtek says its PEPS SolidCut CAD/CAM software for wire EDM uses technology that determines optimal cutting conditions based on the precision and surface finish required for a part. Preferred cutting schemes can be saved and re-applied. The software projects 3D shapes onto cutting planes, and it can do rough and skim cuts of multiple punches or dies. It features cylindrical and constant taper with land height; variable taper; four-axis ruled surface; photo-realistic solid simulation with part sectioning; and knowledge-based cutting schemes for number of cuts and offsets.

With variable land heights for extrusion dies and clipping tools, the software has reverse cutting with offsets and multiple tagging options with auto tag removal. Options are available for ISO, conic and square corner types. The software also has involute gear design for ISO and AGMA, including tooth modifications. Other features include formed turning tool design with modifications for top, front and side angles; automatic wire cut and thread between apertures; no-core pocket destruction of round and irregular shapes; and the ability to work with solid or wireframe geometry.

Graphic Products says its recently released CAD/CAM software, cam-tool V3 Version 3.3, can be used for high speed machining, hard milling and micro machining of medical components or molds for medical components. The company also offers cam-tool MX version 1.3, which has the same qualities of the V3 version but allows 3 + 2 machining and five-axis control for applications that require long-reach tools or machining undercuts.

According to the company, toolpath inaccuracies or disruptions can damage or break small cutters with diameters ranging from 0.003″ to 0.008″. To alleviate this problem, the software creates tool paths by cutting sections directly through the surface data and offsetting the curves by the radius of the tool plus stock allowance. For unattended machining, an “in process” stock model controls the retract level of the the tool path and checks for shank and toolholder interferences. To minimize tool damage, a remachining program puts extra passes in corners with excess stock without requiring operator intervention.