GibbsCAM 2022 includes improvements for increased stability and performance as well as many new features that simplify and accelerate programming. The basic licenses get extended functionality and are renamed "GibbsCAM GO", which gives users extended possibilities. Below are some of the most important news.
CAD, SOLID AND SURFACE MODELING
EXTRUSION OF MULTIPLE SHAPES has been added to solid modeling.
The extrusion feature has been enhanced with the possibility to extrude several shapes at the same time while intelligently performing a "Boolean operation" (knows what to extrude and subtract). In this way, a complete solid model can be created with a single command. The function can now also run extrusion with taper in both plus and minus direction at the same time.
EXTRUDE SKETCH TO SURFACE has been added.
Surface modeling has been enhanced with a new extrusion function. Several cylindrical shapes can now also be extruded simultaneously to, for example, automate the definition of startholes (for wire threading) for the OptiCAM wire edm module.
CROSS SECTION VIEW
New function has been added that allows the user to create section view of the solid model dynamically by dragging "a plane", or by defining the section depth in the current plane at a specified depth.
FASTER ORIENTATION OF SOLID
The function "Align face to CS" has been supplemented with "Align edge to CS H".
For orientation of a solid model that has been imported in the "wrong orentation", it is advantageous to first use "Align face to CS" to get the correct basic orientation of the part, then use the command "Align edge to CS H" to describe which side of the model should be parallel with CS's horizontal axis – fast & smooth.
VISUALIZATION
SHOW CLEARANCE VOLUME
New feature has been added which during simulation can display the clearance plane / alternatively the clearance volume (if a clearance volume is used) for better overview of clearance moves.
SIMULATION/MULTIPART
When programming multiple parts, for example with TMS, the simulation can now be set so that it shows only the first part, or all (without the TMS setting needing to be changed).
SIMULATION / MTM
Simulation for MTM machines is now less memory-intensive and has received performance improvements that provide increased speed when loading operations, generating stock material in the subspindle, and more. In machines with a subspindle, this results in up to 25 times faster simulation. Simulation for multi-channel machines can now also be started from any operation.
KINEMATICS, MACHINING & TOOLS
CUBICAL/CYLINDRICAL STOCK SHAPE (MDD / document dialog)
Cylindrical or square stock shapes can now be defined as starting condition for both milling and turning as default, which provides faster handling when the stock is a simple shape, as a solid model does not need to be created.
MACHINE CONFIGURATIONS / KINEMATICS
One machine can now have several different configurations, i.e. the one and the same machine can have several different kinematics. This is useful for, for example, milling machines that have different variants of the fourth axis mounted on the table, eg a A axis or C axis. With "configurations", the machine's different kinematics (axis orientations) can now be handled in the same machine (MDD) and correct code can be created using only one postprocessor creating, for the different kinematics.
AUTOMATIC PREDRILL / MULTISHAPES
Automatic pre-drilling can now be done even when programming several contours at the same time. The auto pre-drilling automatically tracks down the startpositions and pre-drills them with the desired tool. By selecting starting objects manually on each contour, you can also control where on the contour the start position/pre-drilling should be performed.
VOLUMILL - DYNAMIC MILLING
The latest VoluMill kernel has been integrated into GibbsCAM. It provides a dramatically shorter toolpath calculation time, especially with more complex toolpaths such as 3D and restmaterial milling. In addition, the user can now better control the startposition by specifying the desired location.
ROUGH TURNING / SHARP CORNERS
New feature in the turning processes (rough turning and pattern shift) allows you to choose that no arc moves are created in the toolpath at external sharp corners, i.e. no "corner rolling" but instead "exact corners" in the toolpath. This results in shorter program code and makes it easier for the operator to adjust diameter or conicity via the machine's control.
5-AXIS MODULE
The five-axis module has once again received a number of improvements and new features, some of the most important news are described below.
ROTARY MACHINING (new method)
New strategy has been added for rough machining of, for example, feed screws and the like, i.e. machining with the help of a rotary axis. Machining can be done both on and off centerline on the 4th axis. The new Rotary Machining method can (unlike RotaryMill) move off centerline of the 4th axis. It can also be programmed directly on solids, which simplifies programming. This makes it very useful for rotary roughing as it can handle more different types of parts. It can be used in both Milling, Millturn & MTM applications.
CONVERT XY MILLING TO POLAR (new opmodifier)
Feature: CONVERT FACE OP IJK TO POLAR
This OP modifier can convert "normal" milling to polar milling, i.e. convert milling that uses XYZ to milling that uses XZ and C axis. Useful for converting complex toolpaths for C-axis lathes. Many Millturn lathes do not have a Y axis, or have limited stroke on the Y axis, which limits the milling possibilities. With the help of the C axis, larger parts can be machined. In the example below, we have converted a deburring operation made with the five-axis module in the front plane (XY), to Polar moves using the XZC axis.
AUTODEBURRING - 3, 4, and 5-AXIS
Automatic deburring has new improvements that make the function our absolute favourite for all types of deburring operations.
• Multiple cut deburring
• Option to choose deburring shape, chamfer or rounding
• With five-axis deburring, it is now also possible to control the contact point along the tool even for conical / non-cylindrical tools. This means that chamfering operations can now be easily done also with the side of the tool.
For more information, call 08-59411630.
