Gibbs and Associates released of the latest version of its GibbsCAM CNC software for programming CNC machine tools — GibbsCAM 2012+ — detailing that it includes significant speed and performance improvements. Included among these are a rendering option specifically geared for multi-axis parts, improved cutting strategies, and various other productivity enhancements.
The GibbsCAM product line supports 2- through 5-axis milling, turning, mill/turning, multi-task simultaneous machining and wire-EDM. GibbsCAM also provides fully integrated manufacturing modeling capabilities that include 2D, 2.5D, 3D wireframe, surface, and solid modeling.
All performance levels of the CAM are included among the improvements available in GibbsCAM 2012+, Gibbs noted, including the Mill and Lathe Production, SolidSurfacer, Radial Milling, MTM and 5-Axis options.
GibbsCAM 2012+ includes a Multi-Axis Rendering option that is provided free-of-charge now with each seat of the software; formerly, it was a $2,000 option.
Multi-Axis Rendering makes rotary milling applications significantly more accurate, especially when displaying toolpaths with continuous changes in tool position and orientation. Improved gouge and tool interference checking for tilting tools shows programming errors to customers before they become costly mistakes in production.
“We are pleased to be able to offer our customers such a valuable option free of charge,” stated Gibbs and Associates president and CEO Bill Gibbs. “A picture may be worth a thousand words, but being able to catch a tool collision before it gets to the shop floor can save customers thousands of dollars.”
Speed and productivity for all GibbsCAM users are improved because the GibbsCAM 2012+ rendering engine incorporate multi-core processing and multi-threaded computer hardware to accelerate processing. Part rendering speed is now up to 33 times faster, the developer noted, depending on specific computer hardware and part complexity. Increased rendering speed saves programming time and reduces programming costs.
Improvements to Radial Milling include the ability to produce a smooth, un-segmented, helical toolpath, which takes advantage of native machine-based linear and circular interpolation capabilities. The benefits of such toolpaths include simplified post processor output, potential savings of hundreds of lines of G-code, and reduced machining time.
Also included in the new release are new cutting strategies for parts with open-sided pockets, thin walls, shallow cut areas, and efficient G-code program. Finally, material only clean-up areas provide customers with optimized toolpaths.