Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM® software for maximizing programming efficiency of CNC machine tools and a Cimatron company, announced recently the availability of GibbsCAM VoluMillTM Solids, a new option for the high-speed- machining (HSM) of solid models directly within GibbsCAM.
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The VoluMill Solids option, an incremental enhancement to the GibbsCAM VoluMill Wireframe option, is fully integrated within GibbsCAM. As such, it allows GibbsCAM users to select solids, surfaces and facet bodies, to quickly and easily generate HSM toolpaths with ultra-high performance and efficiency. Typically, traditional roughing toolpaths are generated as parallel offsets (with sharp corners and transitions), which require stops, starts and variable speeds for optimizing motion to reduce tool wear and excessive tool loading. In contrast, VoluMill develops toolpaths optimized for volumetric material removal, based upon desirable material removal rates, by using continuous tangential motion, specialized contour ramping and adaptive feed rates to achieve the highest feeds and speeds possible.
Programming for more machining performance By leveling tool load, maintaining constant machine-tool motion and using high-speed-repositioning, the software produces more efficient toolpaths, extends tool life and significantly reduces cycle times. The GibbsCAM VoluMill Solids option provides users the ability to directly machine solid models, whether they are created in GibbsCAM, SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire, Siemens NX or almost any other CAD system. VoluMill Solids is available immediately for the GibbsCAM 2010 and subsequent releases. “We are quite pleased to be adding yet another tool to help our users increase efficiency and profits,” said Bill Gibbs, Gibbs and Associates company founder and president. “This new option is a testament to our commitment to our customers and their productivity.” Advanced features in a glance The GibbsCAM VoluMill Wireframe and Solids Package provides users volumetric material removal on solid, surface and wireframe models, and on any combination of part and stock boundaries. It supports an unlimited number of islands, tapered walls, variable pocket depths and variable island heights. Additional key features that contribute to faster material removal, extended tool life and much shorter cycle times include:
- Programmed rate of material removal to keep tool and work piece temperature consistent, and to dissipate heat with chips
- Automatic feed rate adjustment and automatic depth of cut to maintain programmed material removal rate, eliminate excessive material conditions, and minimize tool wear, heat build-up and vibration
- Intelligent side milling and slot milling (with programmer override) to provide the fastest possible cycle time, with feed rates and Z-depth automatically adjusted in slot milling for constant material removal
- Smoothing radius to maximize tool utilization, minimize cycle time and extend programming flexibility
- Contour ramping to maximize material removal in tight areas, with safe access, while minimizing cycle time
- Up to 100% step-over to ensure complete cleanup without leaving any material standing
- Automatically applied special tool motion when tight spaces are detected to ensure fast clearing of small pockets
- Clean-up milling to allow a smaller tool to clean up material left by a larger tool in a previous operation
- High-speed-repositioning, with minimal clearance and no tool drag across machined floor, to maximize machine utilization and minimize cycle time
For more information about GibbsCAM, or to locate your local GibbsCAM reseller, go to www.GibbsCAM.com , call 1-800-654-9399, or email [email protected].
In Switzerland and France: Productec SA Les Grands Champs 5 2842 Rossemaison
Phone + 41 32 421 44 33 Fax + 41 32 421 44 39 [email protected] www.productec.ch
Productec France Phone +33 9 74 76 26 61
