Renishaw is offering a free 30 day trial of its latest version of Productivity+, a powerful software package that simplifies the generation of touch probe routines for CNC machine tools.

Free 30 day trial for new Renishaw touch probe software Renishaw is offering a free 30 day trial of its latest version of Productivity+, a powerful software package that simplifies the generation of touch probe routines for CNC machine tools.

Productivity+ is available as a plug-in for GibbsCAM and as a CAM-independent, stand-alone package named Active Editor.

Both options allow users to program and integrate touch probe routines for job set-up, process control, inspection, tool setting and tool breakage detection at the same time as toolpath generation.

The free 30 day no-obligation trial is available for both options of Productivity+.

The latest version of Productivity+, version 1.03, gives additional functionality including XY co-ordinate rotation, 4th axis levelling and three new post-processors for leading controllers.

Co-ordinate rotation in the XY plane (controller dependent) If a part is not aligned to the machine’s axes, this new functionality will compensate for the error and feed the new data back into the CNC control to ensure co-ordinates are correct.

Users will see a reduction in part set-up times or fixturing costs.

4th axis levelling Version 1.03 allows users to locate parts on a 4th axis fixture and use the touch probe to automatically find its position.

The software automatically update

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A Computer: The computer is used to draw the design. However, the design is only a picture and the CNC machine cannot use this to manufacture the product. The computer software must also convert the drawing into numbers (coordinates) that the CNC machine can use when it starts to cut and shape the material. The computer is used to input the design. Technical software such as CAD software is used to draw the design. The computer connects to the interface.

An Interface: A computer can’t be directly connected to a CNC machine. It’s connected to an interface. This converts the signals from the computer to a form the CNC machine understands. The signals are in the form of digital signals when they are sent to the CNC machine.

CNC Machine: (A lathe, mill, cutter, drill system). The signals from the interface control the motors on the CNC machine. The signals determine the way the vice moves. The vice moves in three directions X, Y and Z. (Horizontally, vertically and depth). The signals also control the speed of the cutting tool.

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Expanding 3D milling functionality, SolidCAM2007 R11 includes high-speed machining module for molds, tools, dies, and complex 3D parts. Module offers machining and linking strategies for generating optimum roughing and finishing CNC high-speed tool paths. Program smoothes paths of both cutting moves and retracts wherever possible to keep continuous machine tool motion. All machining passes operations support point reduction and arc fitting for gouge-free tool path.

Powerful and market-proven HSM Module fully integrated in SolidWorks

August 29, 2006 - SolidCAM, the Gold-certified Integrated CAM-Engine for SolidWorks, today announced that it will present SolidCAM2007 R11 to American and European audiences at the IMTS (Chicago/USA) and AMB (Stuttgart/Germany) tradeshows. With this release, SolidCAM is further expanding its 3D Milling functionality by providing a very powerful and market-proven high-speed machining module (HSM) for molds, tools and dies, and complex 3D Parts. The HSM module offers unique machining and linking strategies for generating optimum roughing and finishing CNC high-speed toolpaths. With demands for ever-shorter lead and production times, lower costs and improved quality, High Speed Machining (HSM) is a must in today’s machine shops.

SolidCAM’s HSM Module smooths the paths of both cutting moves and retracts wherever possible to keep a more continuous machine tool motion - an essential requirement for maintaining higher feedrates and eliminating dwelling. Retracts to high Z levels are kept to a minimum; angled where possible, smoothed by arcs, retracts do not go any higher than necessary - thus minimizing aircutting and reducing machining time. All machining passes operations support enhanced point reduction and arc fitting. The result is an efficient, high quality and gouge-free tool path. This translates to increased surface quality, less wear on your cutters, and a longer life for your machine tools.

Rest machining can be calculated even in areas where the final cutter is smaller than the curvature of the part. A succession of rest finishing toolpaths from a series of successively smaller cutters can be easily created, even on very large jobs. All operations feature tool holder collision checking and work with tapered tools.

According to SolidCAM’s managing director, Dr. Emil Somekh, the new HSM module expands the 3D machining capabilities of SolidCAM, allowing users to generate complex NC programs for different types of High-Speed cutting machines. “Efficient machine utilization and excellent surface quality will be the benefits for our users. Being fully integrated into the SolidWorks platform, we can now offer a complete CAD/CAM solution for the Mold, Tool and Die market and other high-end applications.” The new SolidCAM2007 R11 will be available to SolidCAM customers at the end of the third quarter.

About SolidCAM

Founded 1984 by its Managing director Dr. Emil Somekh, SolidCAM provides manufacturing customers with a full suite of CAM software modules for 2.5D and 3D Milling, Multi-sided Indexial 4/5 axes Milling, Simultaneous 5 axes Milling, Turning, Turn-Mill up to 5-axes and WireEDM. SolidCAM has the Certified Gold-product status from SolidWorks and provides seamless, single-window integration and full associativity to the SolidWorks design model including parts, assemblies and configurations. SolidCAM has today more than 10,000 seats installed in industry and education. SolidCAM is sold by a worldwide reseller network in 40 countries. SolidCAM has been on a very rapid growth path since it implemented the SolidWorks integration strategy. In the CIMdata NC Software Market Assessment Report, CIMdata named SolidCAM as the worldwide fastest growing CAM vendor in 2003, 2004 and 2005 with revenue growth rates of +39.4 percent, +51.1 percent and +40%.

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Currently, a large variety of software is available to the manufacturing industry. The software helps the industry to improve a multitude of manufacturing as well as organizational functions.

Firstly, software has been developed to control and monitor machines used in manufacture of products. Each type of machinery works in a different way and therefore requires a specifically designed software program.

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is software used to generate the codes to give instruction to CNC machines to enable them to form shapes designed in a computer-aided (CAD) system. This helps the modern manufacturing plants to meet their high volume high accuracy production requirements.This also simplifies the job of the person who is watching over the machines and makes it significantly less strainous.

The second important function of a software programs is to facilitate better control on financial and personnel management. The software for this purpose is usually applicable to all types of industries and institutions. Nevertheless, minor changes may be necessary to tailor the general software for a particular industry or institution.

Thirdly software programs are able to streamline and improve management functions within the manufacturing industry. Because computers control the machines, time and motion studies of various manufacturing operations, and stages can be more easily undertaken. It is possible to stay up-dated and effectively control the status of critical items, such as raw materials, inventory and order status, goods in-process status, finished goods inventory, and delivery status. Planning and scheduling software enables the industry to monitor manufacturing activity, through time and action calendars that track key milestone events and create alerts. Activities such as packing and labeling can be controlled, by getting real time status on exact quantity of pieces packed for different orders, per quantity, per color, and per size, to reduce possible back charges.

Manufacturing Software provides detailed information on Manufacturing Software, Manufacturing Inventory Software, Manufacturing Business Software, Manufacturing Management Software and more. Manufacturing Software is affiliated with Free CAD Software.

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