Mastercam Streamlines the Manufacturing Process from Job Setup to Job Completion
Mastercam 2021 increases machining productivity and reduces overall production costs with faster and more flexible multiaxis improvements, improvements in turning and turning-related applications, advances in speed, safety, and much more. According to Mastercam President and CEO Meghan West, these advancements have been made in direct response to the needs of the global manufacturing community. “Mastercam is developed by listening to our users and creating solutions for their problems. We adapt to changing needs to ensure that the customer experience is the best it can be as we continue to innovate for improved automation, efficiency, connectivity, and precision. From job setup through job completion, you can depend on our technology to empower productivity.” Faster, more flexible multiaxis programming. As more shops continue to rely on streamlined multiaxis cutting for single-setup precision, Mastercam 2021 adds new techniques and strategies. Expanded Multiaxis Pocketing combines efficient pocket cutting with a focus on finishing with Accelerated Finish tools, automatically maintaining the correct tool contact within defined parameters. Mastercam now gives you the ability to analyze and modify the UV direction on surface models, expanding the power and flexibility of multiaxis flowline milling toolpaths. The new 3+2 Automatic Roughing toolpath automatically makes multiplane 3-axis roughing toolpaths by evaluating the [...]
Real Time Machine Data Collection for Machine Shops
Decades ago, Distributed Numerical Control or DNC consisted of serial cables run from a computer system to a very expensive, proprietary DNC serial hub. Proprietary shop floor boxes were often times used to initiate the transfer of files. All this for the sole purpose of downloading and uploading G-Code programs to CNC machines. So what’s different today? One of the biggest changes is the shift from very expensive, proprietary hardware to open systems with commercially available, inexpensive hardware. Many modern-day CNC machines now support communications through Ethernet, allowing far greater distances from machine to computer plus an exponentially faster transfer rate, not to mention the support of much larger program transfer without the need to drip-feed. In fact, many shops, whether owning ethernet-based machines, serial machines or a combination of both are transferring files wirelessly through the use of special boxes located on or near each CNC control. So what’s next? What else can revolutionize DNC? What are the latest advances in DNC technology that extend beyond the traditional transferring of files? Machine Data Collection, or MDC, offers shop owners the ability to capture information electronically, automatically and in real-time with little to no human interaction, primarily through a combination of software pushing [...]
Nexa3D and Henkel Launch New Medical-grade Polymer 3D Printing Material
reprint from https://3dprintingindustry.com/ California-based SLA 3D printer manufacturer Nexa3D and global chemical company Henkel have launched a new polymer for 3D printing called xMED412. The polypropylene (PP)-like material combines enhanced strength properties with the biocompatibility of medical-grade materials, potentially making it well-suited to producing medical devices. What’s more, the high-impact, durable plastic has also been tested and cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use within clinical environments. As a result, the polymer could be used for manufacturing products such as orthotics guides and braces, or even to print nasal testing swabs for COVID-19. “We are thrilled to bring this product to market in collaboration with Nexa3D,” said Ken Kisner, Henkel’s Head of Innovation for 3D printing. “We developed and tested with Nexa3D’s NXE400 3D printer a multitude of approved workflows designed to unleash the full potential of xMED412’s outstanding physical properties and biocompatibility.” “WE ARE PLEASED THAT NASOPHARYNGEAL SWABS MANUFACTURED WITH XMED412 ON THE NXE400, IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR PUBLISHED PROCEDURES, HAVE ALREADY BEEN CLEARED THROUGH CLINICAL TRIALS AND ARE IN COMPLIANCE.” Henkel and Nexa3D’s ongoing 3D printing partnership While Nexa3D is better known for its stereolithography (SLA) machines, Henkel has a strong recent track record of developing new [...]
Deviation Analysis in Design X
Let’s take a look at the basics behind Deviation Analysis in Design X. This is an essential tool for reverse engineering and will ensure that you get the most out of your 3D scans. In Geomagic Design X, Deviation Analysis tells us how far off our derived CAD model is from our scan. There are typically three sources of error when scanning a part: There could be a slight error in the actual manufacturing of the part, whether it was machined, molded, welded, or made in some other fashion. The second error could be that the part is worn or used. There could also be an error from the actual scanner. When reverse engineering, it is important to consider if you want to reverse engineer to your design intent, or simply reverse engineer as is. For example, the scanned cylinders' diameter may show up as 1.999827 inches. But in most cases, you would typically want to correct the specifications to 2 inches. In this gas valve example below the derived solid model was created from a scanned mesh. You can navigate to the Deviation for body tool. Everything you see in green is within +-4 thousandths of an inch of the scan. The [...]
Mastercam Adds Impressive Additions to Chaining and Hole Making
If you haven’t already noticed, Mastercam’s already powerful Milling capabilities got another upgrade with recent releases. “The first thing you’ll notice when you open Mastercam 2020 is that we’ve given the chaining dialogues a bit of a facelift. We also changed some of the behaviors so that they work more efficiently,” said Rich Greenhoe, Product Owner at Mastercam. Chaining interfaces are freshened up. Displays are more organized, buttons are updated, and selected chains are easier to see. Greenhoe explained, “We’ve changed how the chains are colored so that users to see what they’re doing and adjust how they see their chains.” The solid chaining and wireframe chaining displays have been reformatted so that they are consistent with each other, but the upgrades within Solids and Wireframe are unique. The updated Solids interface has two new selection options: Bosses, which selects only bosses on the selected face, and Cavities, which selects only cavities on the selected face. Users can also take advantage of the new Convert to edges and Convert to loops chaining functions. Many will be pleased to find that creating partial loops across multiple solid bodies in succession is possible as well. “We’ve also taken what was the Edges mode and Linked [...]
What PMI means to the future of integrated CAD/CAM
Since the mid-1980s, when PC based CAD/CAM started its explosion due to the advent of 386 computing technology, our industry has had an ongoing hurdle to overcome . . . How to convey manufacturing and inspection information with the original model design. Historically a manufacturer would provide a job shop with a CAD model and an inspection drawing, increasing the likelihood for inspection drawing interpretation error. Wouldn’t it be ideal if the manufacturing and inspection data could all remain with the model throughout all post-design functions? Looks like PMI (Product Manufacturing Information) has us finally following a path that will enable this groundbreaking technology to become a reality. Being able to seamlessly connect all manufacturing and inspection data to CAD models, including dimensions with tolerances, GD&T, datums, notes, labels and any other pertinent information modern-day CAD product users can seamlessly convey this information to downstream applications. This helps to greatly minimize the likelihood of error while reusing the PMI data for CAM systems to automatically select optimal toolpath parameters. Additionally, FEA and inspection products can also ‘share’ this data for their respective disciplines, again promoting the reuse of original PMI CAD data for ALL downstream applications. While many CAD, CAM, and FEA products [...]