Cimquest Turns 30 Years Old
This month Cimquest becomes 30 years old! While a small percentage of companies ever make it to that milestone an even smaller group makes that lengthy journey under the stewardship of the original founder. Even though this can be considered a great achievement, I feel that the passing of time is not a significant measurement of accomplishment. In fact, I am reminded of a poem that my mom loved and which was delivered at her funeral. The poem is called “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. I recommend that you read the poem and support the author’s site at thedashpoem.com. However, to summarize, the poem talks about how the importance of one’s existence is not the year they were born or the year they died but “what matter(s) most of all (is) the dash between those years.” There are so many people who accomplish so much in a very short time of existence, while others are blessed with a much greater amount of time but unfortunately do not leave nearly the positive imprint in the world. Now we all can’t be Henry Fords or Elon Musks, but we can all make positive contributions to the world in our own small but consistent manners. So [...]
Metrology Minute – Airfoil Analysis using Control X
Analyzing airfoil shapes is easier than ever using the Control X Airfoil Analysis technology. Upon completion of scanning the airfoil and aligning with the nominal CAD model, the software is able to return dozens of useful parameters necessary for complete airfoil analysis. Some of the parameters include: Leading and trailing edge radii Leading and trailing edge positions in space Maximum chord height Leading (and trailing) Edge position in space relative to the model origin. Axial chord length Leading and trailing edge thicknesses, as well as maximum airfoil thickness across the widest section, maybe easily requested using this powerful tool making complete airfoil analysis simple with just a few clicks of the mouse. Additionally, analyzing airfoils often requires identifying points along a section’s periphery and comparing those to the corresponding points from the nominal CAD model. Deploying the Comparison Point function in Control X, this too is handled by just a click or two of the mouse. For any questions or comments, please contact Joel Pollet at jpollet@cimquest-inc.com.
Mastercam Announces New 5X Mill Post Processors
Mastercam Announces New 5X Mill Post Processors for the SINUMERIK 840D / SINUMERIK ONE Control Mastercam announced new 5-axis milling post-processors that will unleash the highest productivity on SINUMERIK-controlled machine tools. These new post processors were developed utilizing the technical expertise of Siemens CNC engineers. These post processors include support for SINUMERIK 840D and SINUMERIK ONE CNCs from Siemens. Some features include: Table/Table (AC/BC/Nutating) Support. Rotary and Vector Programming. Advanced Surface / Top Surface (COMPCAD / COMPSURF). CYCLE 832 Support for High Speed Settings (OTOL). CYCLE 800 Tilted Workplane (3+2). TRAORI – Tool Center Point Control (ORIWKS, ORIMKS, ORIAXIS, ORIVECT, and ORISON/ORISOF). SUPA (suppress all [offsets]). Work offset support matching control capabilities (G54-G57/G507-G599). Optimized Drilling Cycles (CYCLE 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 840). Numerical tool call with offset D#. TOFFR functionality to support cutter comp wear strategy. A Siemens application guide. “Providing this new 5-axis post for Mastercam continues to extend the benefit of our ongoing relationship with Siemens from the creation of our 3-axis, 4-axis, and now the 5-axis post processors that will bring the highest productivity gains to machine tools for customers. Our post engineers and Siemens engineers have done a fantastic job making sure we provide the most common options [...]
New SGS Round Solid Carbide Tool Libraries Available for Mastercam
Seamless import of SGS round solid carbide tools into Mastercam toolpath operations Mastercam has announced a new partnership with KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools (KSPT) to provide tool libraries to the Mastercam user base. KSPT is an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer of industry-leading round solid carbide cutting tools and pioneered some of the world’s most advanced cutting tool technologies. “CNC Software is proud to partner with KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools. We’re excited to offer ten specialty series tool libraries of SGS tools in a native Mastercam tool library format for download,” said Stas Mylek, Partnership Program Manager, CNC Software, Inc. “As a result, Mastercam users gain fast, seamless access to the latest high-performance SGS round solid carbide cutting tools,” Mylek continued. With this collaboration, Mastercam users can download both inch and metric SGS round solid carbide cutting tool libraries from the Mastercam Tech Exchange. The native Mastercam 3D tool databases are fully compatible with Mastercam 2020 and subsequent releases. These offer the latest KSPT innovations and SGS product introductions, including their latest Z-Carb HPR roughing line and H-Carb end mills for Dynamic Milling. The native libraries represent more than 12,000 tools including ferrous and non-ferrous cutting tools ranging from end mills, routers, micro tools, and [...]
Solutionix 3D Scanner
Cimquest recently added a new 3D scanner to our portfolio. It’s called the Solutionix C500 and it is a structured Blue LED scanner. It’s designed to be user friendly so that both novices and experts can operate it with ease. It comes with the scanner, the stand, and an automated rotary 3-axis turntable. It combines well-written, intuitive software with simple, easy-to-learn calibration, scanning, and post-processing routines. Here are some of the key features . . . Often, a scanner’s field of view is a determining factor when choosing the scanner that is right for you. The C500 eliminates this limitation by providing you with four different lens sets from a field of view as small as 3.5” to one as large as over 19.5”. Switching between lens sets can be done in minutes, allowing you to accommodate a variety of part sizes all with the same scanner. The dual 5-megapixel cameras allow you to achieve accuracy capabilities that range from +/-.0015” for the largest lens all the way down to +/-.0005” for the smallest lens. These cameras also feature great resolution with the smallest lens having an incredible point spacing of .001” which can capture the fine detail of a coin, to the largest [...]
Nexa3D xCE-White – a New 3D Printing Material
Nexa3D Unveils xCE-White for 20X Faster Production of Parts and Injection Molding Tools Nexa3D, the maker of ultrafast polymer production 3D printers, recently announced the immediate availability of a new photoplastic material called xCE-White, a functional polymer for producing end-use plastic parts and injection molding tools in minutes. xCE-White is the fastest single cure material in the company’s portfolio to date, helping deliver 20X productivity increases in AM and boasting high flexural strength comparable only to dual cure cyanate esters. Developed for the company’s NXE400 3D printer, xCE-White can be used to produce isotropic parts that are well suited for a variety of automotive parts, automation and robotic assemblies, and many industrial components at speeds similar to injection molding processes. “We are very excited to bring to market our fastest functional photoplastic material yet, underscoring Nexa3D’s commitment to providing our customers with the highest levels of design agility and supply chain resiliency both now and post-Covid-19 that produce functional parts literally within minutes,” said Michele Marchesan, Chief Growth Officer for Nexa3D. “With xCE-White available through our rapidly expanding global reseller network, we are delivering a new performance photoplastic that is ideal for many production parts in addition to being an outstanding injection molding [...]