Gibbs and Associates announced that it will demonstrate forthcoming features of GibbsCAM MTM (multi-task machining) at the International Manufacturing Technology Show where the Cimatron Group will also highlight other GibbsCAM modules and its CimatronE CAD/CAM suite.
No longer based upon or restricted to lathe operations, MTM has been redesigned to reduce the time and effort required to develop postprocessors, generate CNC programs and simulate machine motion. With its redesign, the software will program more complex machines and give users greater control of postprocessor creation, reducing or eliminating the need for highly customized postprocessors. Users will interact through a new Machine Manager module to readily create definition files for multi-axis machines of various configurations; define assembly files for Machine Simulation; specify kinematics of machine configurations (axes, part stations, tool groups, etc.); specify machining preferences, such as work envelope, cycles and most frequently used options; and define interoperational events (tool or tool group changes, spindle changes, parking locations, etc.).
Improved and extended support for thread whirling will be included in the new, generalized MTM. Machine Manager will replace the current MDD (machine definition) Editor to support programming and synchronization for machines with more than three flows.
GibbsCAM Machine Simulation moves beyond 5-axis, to include other multi-axis configurations, including multi-axis, multi-flow Swiss-style machines. Machine Simulation will now provide users off-line testing and prove-out for the most complex machines.