Gear Technology Magazine
www.geartechnology.com/articles/24987

IMTS Preview: CAMWorks

July 18, 2014
Geometric will preview its latest release of CNC programming automation solution, CAMWorks 2015, in Booth E-3320, IMTS 2014 in Chicago. In today’s environment, manufacturers need to be able to do more with less - less design time, program time, setup time and machining time. CAMWorks 2015 focuses on making the entire design to part cycle shorter. 

CAMWorks 2015 has over a dozen enhancements focused on shortening the programming time. One example is the color based identification of complex surfaces making it easier and quicker to define features by avoiding the traditional chains and profiles methodology. CAMWorks 2015 has bolstered its ability to interpret non-prismatic surfaces on solid models as machinable entities automatically. This 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 and focus on their core expertise. 

For a job shop, setup time is critical. With an integrated true G-code simulation, CAMWorks Virtual Machine, users can make sure that the costly process of dry-runs on the shop floor are minimized with one-click verification. The use of G-code for verification is absolutely critical if you are dealing with sub-programs, macros, sub-spindle transfers, tail-stocks and steady rests.

On the other hand, for production shops, machining time is the key. Users need to makes sure that what they are machining is not only correct but most efficient. The ultra-high performance tool paths 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 tool paths which a number of other systems try to use to address this critical challenge.