Geometric, developers of manufacturing software, including the CAMWorks platform for CNC programming, will preview the forthcoming CAMWorks 2015 release at IMTS 2014 in Chicago in September, emphasizing that standard operating conditions for manufacturers demand that they have more resources available. They “need to be able to do more with less,” the developer announced, “less design time, program time, set-up time and machining time. CAMWorks 2015 focuses on making the entire design to part cycle shorter.”
CAMWorks, a parametric, solids-based CNC programming software system that uses patented Feature Recognition technology together with “toolpath to solid-model associativity” and knowledge-based machining. CAMWorks is designed to operate in the SolidWorks CAD environment, and also is available as a standalone CAD/CAM package that includes CAMWorks Solids, an integrated solid modeler.
Quicker Programming Time – As detailed by Geometrics, CAMWorks 2015 will bring more than a dozen enhancements focused on shortening the programming time. One example is color-based identification of complex surfaces making it easier and quicker to define features by avoiding the traditional chains and profiles methodology.
Geometrics has strengthened CAMWorks 2015’s ability to interpret non-prismatic surfaces on solid models as machinable entities automatically. The enhanced ability to leverage feature-based machining for complex requirements, in combination with Intelligent Knowledge Base (TechDB) allows end users to eliminate the routine elements in CNC programming, the developer explained, and focus on their core expertise.
Quicker Set-up Time – For a job shop, set-up time is critical. With an integrated true G-code simulation, CAMWorks Virtual Machine, users can make certain that the costly process of dry-runs on the shop floor are minimized with one-click verification. Using G-code for verification is absolutely critical if you are dealing with sub-programs, macros, sub-spindle transfers, tail-stocks and steady rests.
Quicker Machining Time – On the other hand, for production shops, machining time is the primary concern. Users need to makes sure that what they are machining is not only correct but most efficient. The “ultra-high performance” toolpaths from CAMWorks VoluMill™ has enhanced capability to handle more complex geometries like multi-step irregular islands, that can be very difficult to address with trochoidal toolpaths which a number of other systems try to use to address this critical challenge.
