ALPHACAM 2018 R2

Új alkatrész kiosztó motor

 

Az ALPHACAM 2018 R2-ben bevezetett új kiosztó motor a tesztek alapján 17 százalékos javulást mutat az anyaghozamban.

Szerszámpálya optimalizálásnak és jobb alkatrészkezelésnek köszönhetően a kiosztó motor gyorsabb kiszámítási időt biztosít. A kiosztó ablak egy sokkal felhasználó barátibb felületet kapott, valamint sokkal több visszajelzést kaphatunk a tábla kiosztás állapotáról.

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Parametrikus szabályok

 

A Parametrikus szabályok programozása mostantól C# -ban történik, ennek hatására továbbfejlesztett grafikus felületet, illetve funkciókat kapott. A fejlesztéseknek köszönhetően egyszerűbb a logikai utasításokat elkészíteni ennek következtében növekedhet a megbízhatóság és a termelékenység.

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Síkmarás ciklus

 

Mostantól a síkmarás ciklus is része az ALPHACAM alap funkcióinak. Intelligens szerszámpályáka hoz létre, ami lehetővé teszi a felhasználó számára, hogy síkmarást alkalmazzon szabálytalan és összetett geometriákon. Ez javítja a termelékenységet, mivel a felhasználónak nem kell több műveletet létrehoznia ahhoz, hogy ugyanazt az eredményt érje el..

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Parametrikus vázlat készítő

 

A parametrikus vázlat készítő most már sokkal hatékonyabb a frissített felhasználói felületnek köszönhetően, ami azt jelenti, hogy az ablak átméretezhető. Ez nagyobb láthatóságot biztosít a paraméterek és műveleti lista átláthatósága érdekében, ami elengedhetetlen az összetett projektek kezeléséhez. Továbbá olyan geometriákat is létre tudunk most már hozni egy egyszerű paranccsal, mint a lekerekítés vagy a letörés. Ez javítja a termelékenységet mivel nem kell kiszámolgatni minden egyes pontot külön-külön.

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Méretezési rendszer

 

Az ALPHACAM méretezési rendszerének továbbfejlesztése nagyobb átláthatóságot biztosít a nyomtatáskor és megjelenítésekor. A méretezést most már általunk definiált utótagokkal is megadhatjuk. Ez azt jelenti, hogy az elsődleges, illetve az általunk megadott ún. alternatív méret is megjeleníthető egyszerre.

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CAD Modellek importálás

 

Az új frissítéssel nagyobb támogatást kaptak a SolidWorks-ben készült CAD modellek. Olyan új kezelőfelületet kapott a szoftver, aminek köszönhetően a felhasználónak nem kell meggyőződnie arról, hogy az általunk importált összeállítás megegyezik e a SolidWorks-ben tárolt utolsó verzióval.

 

ALPHACAM 2017 R2

Automation Manager

 

Automation Manager includes enhancements to simplify the workflow, including Multi-drill control, new Styles functionality, and further support for additional CAD file formats.

The introduction of Automation Manager Plus across all levels of ALPHACAM allows advanced automation to support the processing of Constrained Drawings and Parametric Sketches, and Part Grain Direction through sheet Grain Direction and Alignment Vector options. It also includes the Cabinet Door Manufacture (CDM) module.

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Robot Simulation

 

ALPHACAM 2017 R2 also sees the first release of its integration with robot simulation software, meaning that output toolpaths generated within ALPHACAM can be passed directly to RoboDK’s Offline Programming (OLP) to simulate robot kinematics, along with a range of applications and activities such as robot milling. RoboDK then outputs the OLP to the robot controller.

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Microsoft Analytics

 

As part of the Vero Customer Experience Improvement Program, ALPHACAM integrates Microsoft Analytics to gather software usage statistics.

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Reverse Cut Option

 

A new Reverse Cut Direction option has been added to Rough/Finish and Stone Cut Shape, creating toolpaths in the opposite direction to the tool direction on the geometry. This is particularly useful when creating multiple passes around a shape which need to go in alternate directions, such as polishing and sanding profiled edges.

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Tabbed Style Dialogs

 

Tabbed style dialogs have been introduced, and all strategies have Extents visualisation of the area to be cut with dynamic cut directions and start positions.

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Stone | Surfaces & Solids Cutting

 

For Stone, cutting surfaces and solids with a disk has been made easier, as the user no longer has to create the work plane before starting. The work plane can be created dynamically with on-screen feedback.

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Stone | Automatic Detection Of Unsawn Areas

 

The Stone module now includes support for automatic detection of unsawn areas of the selected parts, and the option to add a Water Jet Cut Path operation, with two new tabs added to the sawing Dialog for the Water Jet Cut Parameters and its Lead In/Out settings.

This is an essential addition to support the many combination Saw and Jet machines in the market.

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Sawing

 

Sawing has been enhanced by controlling how the foul avoidance is applied. It can be applied to None or All of the selected machining geometries. Alternatively, a separate selection can be made for the avoidance geometries. Foul avoidance geometries appear in a new branch of the Operation tree, where geometries can be added or removed, and the selection remade.

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Nesting

 

In ALPHACAM’s powerful nesting function, offcuts generated from nested sheets are now written to the new Sheet Database. Sheets may have been created from the database or just-as-drawn in the active drawing. The offcut will be created under the correct sheet, matching the material and thickness, which can be viewed as Attributes on the sheet.

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User Experience

 

2017 R2 continues ALPHACAM’s theme of improving user experience, by updating many Dialog boxes, including Profiling, 3D Machining, Lathe Turning Cycles and Stone, providing a more intuitive and consistent approach across the modules, to include new Images, Tooltips and Help Links.

Lathe Turning Cycles benefits from these new style dialogs, for Facing, Diameter Roughing, Face Roughing, Contour Roughing and Twin Turret Balance Roughing – again, to include new Images, Tooltips and Help Links.

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4K Monitors Support

 

Support for 4K monitors has been improved with the addition of Scaling Options, to make the icons larger for higher 4K dpi settings – accessed from the Appearance section in the Ribbon Bar Configuration.

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Input CAD Extensions

 

The Input CAD Extensions add-in now supports all imported file types. The dialog will only be displayed if the CAD file imported something that can be processed – for example, at least one instance of geometry, text or spline. Otherwise the dialog won’t be shown.

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CAD Format & Geometry

 

There is also a new tool which is useful for tidying up imported geometry from CAD formats such as DXF and DWG, where the designer may have created several overlaying entities which are used in design, but are not required for manufacturing via CNC. This is the Common Line Removal option which has been added to the dialog, enabling it to run automatically on CAD import. It will be particularly valuable when batch processing CAD data through Automation Manager.

 

 

ALPHACAM 2017 R1

Work Planes | User Interface

The Work Planes Project Manager Page includes a new command button in the local toolbar called “Work Plane Properties”.

This displays a window with a grid containing details of the work planes in the active drawing, including the name and offset number.

The names and offset numbers can be edited in this grid.

Project Manager | User Interface

It is now possible to rename the move clamp/fixture operation in the Quick Edit window. The new name will be displayed in the tree in the Operations Project Manager page and NC output.

Drawing Notes | User Interface

New Option – Open with Drawing if note exists. When enabled, this Add-ins Dialog will only be displayed if the opened drawing file already contains some Notes.

Area Estimate | Nested Sheet | User Interface

Area Estimate of Nested sheets now takes drill Holes into account when calculating the percentage scrap area.

Cylindrical Parallel | Width of Cut | Machining

The option to set the width of cut as a distance has been added.

Clicking the pick button in the Cylindrical Parallel dialog displays the Calculate Width of Cut dialog, enabling you to enter a value or pick a point in the active drawing. The width of cut is entered as a distance.

When this dialog is closed, the width of cut is calculated in degrees and entered into the Degrees field.

Cylindrical Parallel | Dynamic Preview | Machining

When editing settings in the Machining Data tab of the Cylindrical Parallel dialog, the Drawing Area will update with a preview of the tool and holder, if applicable.

The machining area is indicated by a transparent shaded area around the part that is automatically updated when settings are changed in the dialog. This allows you to visualise the effect that a change has on the operation.

Machining Dialogs | Machining

As part of the next phase in the development of machining dialogs, the new 3D Machining command has been developed.

The command displays a launch dialog from which the strategy can be selected and miscellaneous settings applied.

Dialogs for each strategy have been enhanced to include tabs, images, tooltips and help file links.

The following strategies are available in the 3D Machining command:

• Along Intersection.
• Constant Cusp.
• Cylindrical Parallel.
• Cylindrical Profiling.
• Drive Curves.
• Z Contour Roughing.

Sawing | Improved Foul Avoidance | Machining

When using a saw to cut parts, the risk of fouling other parts is increased due to the size of the blade.

Sawing operations will now check for fouling against all geometries selected for the same operation. Toolpaths will be trimmed, if necessary.

Sawing | Saw Cut New Command | Machining

New Options for extending saw paths by Distance, to Boundary or Pick Point, with Reversing options.

This can be very useful in Stone where the saw cuts can be extended to be just outside the sheet in order to prevent plunging of the saw.

Drill/Tap Holes Auto Z | Machining

Additional depth control settings have been added to the Levels and Cycle Data tab of the Drill/Tap Holes (Auto Z) dialog. These allow for the tip angle of the tool and the cone angle of the hole, therefore reducing the risk of the tool colliding with the solid.

The settings are available with the Drilling Pecking and Boring cycles.

Width of Cut as % of Diameter | Machining

A new option has been added to the Width of Cut as % of Diameter section called Residual Contour Pocket.

This allows you to have different settings for the main and secondary pocketing tools width of cut when the Take account of Previous Machining option is checked in the Pocketing dialogs.

Input CAD | Solid Model Assemblies | Machining

The Input Cad Dialog now has a new "Assemblies" tab containing options to save and align every Solid Body to individual part files with configurable Save Location and Naming Conventions.

Input CAD | Importer Scale Option | Machining

Due to the importer working in some arbitrary units, a scale was added on import option for mm/Inch when reading in postscript, AI and PDF files.

SOLIDWORKS | Machining

In previous releases of ALPHACAM, it was necessary to use the CADLinks add-in to export assemblies from SOLIDWORKS. This add-in created an XML file and a Parasolid transmit file which ALPHACAM would look for when importing the SOLIDWORKS assembly file (.SLDASM).

In 2017 R1, ALPHACAM can load SOLIDWORKS assemblies directly without the need to use the CADLinks add-in. It is critical that all of the files (sub-assemblies and part files) referenced by the assembly are accessible (usually, they need to be in the same folder as the .SLDASM file).

Solid Edge | Machining

Native Solid Edge Assembly support is not possible at this time but we have improved the way that the CADLinks add-in for Solid Edge interacts with ALPHACAM.

If you have both Solid Edge and ALPHACAM installed on the same PC, you can install the CADLinks add-in for Solid Edge and then use the CADLinks button to export assemblies directly into ALPHACAM.

Cut Shape | Stone

A new option has been added to the General tab called Auto Break-out cut (Open paths only). A configurable partial cut, in the reverse direction, can be created at the end of an open profile.

This avoids exiting the material with a full width of cut, which could cause damage to brittle materials.

Cut Holes Auto Z | Stone

Dialogs for the Cut Holes and Cut Holes Auto Z commands have been updated to the tabbed style.

New options have also been added. It is now possible to eject a slug of material from a tool

The feedrate of the tool can now be reduced by a specified amount when it approaches the bottom of the hole.

New parameters have been added for break through and slug eject. New attributes have been added to assist with post processor creation:

Cut with Disk | Stone

Dialogs for the Cut with Disk command have been updated to the tabbed style.

Geometry to machine and the profile along which machining will occur are now selected from the dialog using pick buttons. It is now possible to select a profile from either the Drawing Area or a separate drawing file. Commonly used side profiles can be drawn and stored in a library folder, saving time.

Loaded profiles are placed onto a work plane automatically. The position of the work plane and profile can be defined. The direction of the geometry and / or profile can be reversed and the tool side can be changed as part of the operation.

The dynamic preview is available for this command. When editing settings in the General and Levels and Cuts tabs of the dialog, the Drawing Area will update with a preview of the side profile, displayed as a rendered surface around the geometry. The tool and holder will be displayed, if applicable.

Rough or Finish | Router

A new option has been added to the General tab called Auto Break-out cut (Open paths only). A configurable partial cut, in the reverse direction, can be created at the end of an open profile.

This avoids exiting the material with a full width of cut, which could cause damage to grained timber components due to the grain and cut directions.

5 Axis Toolpaths Transfer | Simulator

The transfer of 5-axis toolpaths between ALPHACAM and the external Simulator has been optimised. Complex operations that contain toolpaths comprising thousands of individual elements will be faster.

Machine Configuration | Simulator

Simulation was restricted to having to have one Head rotation about Z. We now support XY on Head or Table in all simulations.

Feature Extraction | Automation Manager

A new checkbox called Extract Solid Body Outline has been added to the Feature Extraction Contour Settings section of the Layer Mapping Setup tab.

This enables you to extract the solid body outline of the part.

"From Job" Option | Automation Manager

For non-nested job files, the option “From Job” is now available in the Machining Order drop-down menu in the Processing tab.

Layer Mapping Setups Tree | Automation Manager

It is now possible to copy and paste styles in the layer mapping setups tree by right-clicking and selecting Copy or Paste on the menu.

Settings are retained when copying, enhancing efficiency by removing the need to re-apply settings each time a style is applied to a layer. It is also possible to copy and paste a complete setup, if required.

Sheet Database | Automation Manager

ALPHACAM 2017 R1 includes an internal update to the database engine, meaning that the Sheet Database and Automation Manager databases will no longer be compatible with their previous versions.

Sheet Database and Automation Manager will be upgraded automatically after running them for the first time in ALPHACAM 2017 R1. An information message will be displayed informing you of the upgrade.

Previous versions of Sheet Database and Automation Manager will work normally, however, after upgrading any changes made in the old version will not be reflected in new versions and vice-versa.

Parametric Sketcher | Geometry

The Create Panel command dialog has a new checkbox called "Create as a Work Volume" that enables you to create a panel as a work volume in the Drawing Area.

This is useful with many post processors that require the work volume dimensions for the NC controller.

Program Stops | Simulation

If program stops are included in the operation, they will now be recognised by the internal simulation and external simulator.

For the external simulator, program stops will be recognised in the same way if "Stop at Program Stop" is checked in the Stop Options drop-down menu on the main toolbar.

Clamp Moves Speed Control | Simulation

For Shaded Simulation (not Solid), by default, the speed of clamp moves is controlled by the rapid speed read from the Post ($900). The new Feed Rate option added to the Define Clamp dialog box can be used to override this behaviour.

 

ALPHACAM 2016 R2

A number of new and enhanced items in the latest release of ALPHACAM software provide improvements with automation, machining and feature extraction. ALPHACAM 2016 R2 also contains a range of general improvements, along with new user interface commands for faster and simpler ways of working.

ALPHACAM Clipboard

ALPHACAM Clipboard enables entities to be cut, copied and pasted in the Drawing Area between different versions of the software open on the same PC. An additional option has been added for pre-drilled holes as the entry type on waveform roughing operations.

Work Planes

A new method has been added for extracting contours in work planes – by selecting faces to create the work plane for the extraction direction. “This improved feature extraction on user-selected multiple angled faces, is a real time-saver,” says EMEA Sales Manager Michael Pettit. “Feature Extraction has also been enhanced using an updated algorithm for finding contours.”

Machining Dialogs

Tool Angle Direction Entry

Project Manager

Surface Machining Pattern

5 axis Progress Bar

Automation Manager

Geometry

Among many changes to how ALPHACAM 2016 R2 handles geometry, new ribbon bar command buttons have been added to the Parametric Sketcher dialog, enabling users to associate an image with Parametric Sketches (.aeps) and Variables (.aepsvars). The associated images will be displayed in the Project Manager’s Insert page. Another benefit is that the dialog displayed when using the Run Parametric Sketch command is resizeable, and a toggle button switches between the associated image and preview.

Enhancements have been made to the Cut Spline/Polyline command for the machining of  sharp internal and external corners. A new option within the Panelling command function now automatically closes geometries in each panel by creating geometry elements along the panel edges.
 
Processing time is reduced when creating a simplified version of a detailed model where roughing paths do not require a high level of detail. Using the 3D / STL Utilities / Simplify command, the number of facets in a model can be reduced as a percentage of facets in the original. “This simplified STL model either replaces the original, or is created in addition to it.”

 

 

ALPHACAM 2016 R1

A number of new and enhanced items in the latest release of ALPHACAM software focus on automation, reducing users’ CAD/CAM time.

Automation Manager

The new Automation Manager means 2D and 3D Cad files, along with solid models from third party software, can now be batch processed, from file preparation right through to applying  toolpaths, with NC code being generated automatically. In addition, the files create a full report structure, along with labels and bar coding.

“In a standard CAD/CAM system each file would have to be processed individually by inserting the file, extracting the features, applying tool directions and toolpaths, saving the file and NC code, then generating the required reports. But ALPHACAM takes a group, or batch, of files and automates the complete processing of the parts.
 
“Overall, this will save the end user days and weeks, potentially even months of programming time in a year.”

Parametric Sketcher

Parametric Sketcher provides a simple way of parametrically generating geometries for files that are used regularly, without the need for complicated constraints or routines. “Common CAD geometry is created automatically, regenerating the file with any required variables, meaning there is no need to redraw similar components or families of parts. They are built using standard geometry commands and parts with the same form but different sizes are created by simply modifying the values of one or more variables.”

File Inserter

2D Transform

Enhanced Sawing Options

Movement Automation

Roll-Split Nesting function

Simulation Enhancements

GUI Development & Other enhancements

ALPHACAM continues to develop its GUI with 2016 R1. “There’ve been significant changes to the interface in recent releases, and we always make it as easy and as modern as possible. Users now have the option to use a tab format or wizard when using the machining dialog.”
   
As well the major updates, there are a number of minor enhancements, including further improvements to ALPHACAM’s advanced 5-axis toolpath creation; one of which is to Machining Styles, which now remembers the selection criteria without showing the dialog box. Also, layer assignment has been added to the drive surface.

“ALPHACAM 2016 R1 has been geared to assist users in their everyday bread and butter task of generating quick, accurate, NC code, by automating their processes to save considerable amounts of time.”

 

ALPHACAM 2015 R2

ALPHACAM 2015 R2 is 64-bit compatible, meaning its programs can utilise all the available memory. “With 32-bit computers only able to work with 2GB, irrespective of how much memory is onboard, some large files are extremely difficult to work with,” says ALPHACAM Technical Manager Paul Green. “We gave a high priority to this development, as it means end users can now process large files without any issues arising.”

Amongst the full array of new and enhanced functionality in ALPHACAM 2015 R2:

New GUI Customisable Radial Menu

The GUI includes a new fully customisable radial menu. “It means users can set up as few or as many commands as they need.”

Advanced 5-Axis Machining Enhancements

For Advanced 5-Axis Machining, while the previous release of ALPHACAM introduced surface machining, considerable enhancements in 2015 R2 give many more advanced options, including wire frame machining for effective trimming, and multi-axis roughing which allows roughing to the actual contour, removing any unnecessary fresh-air machining. Side Wall Axial Relief Feed (SWARF) machining reduces 5-axis cycle times and gives a better surface finish through effective side-of-tool machining. The strategy is to finish the part in one cut, through constant cutting conditions giving increased material removal and a constant low cutting force, along with simultaneous 5-axis vector orientation providing full access to machining areas.

Enhanced Feature Extraction

Part Management

Improved Visual Render

Rough Finish Cycle

Nesting

Solidworks Support

Part Modeler

Subtle changes to Part Modeler give higher quality image previews, along with commands for part manipulation including rotation around a specific point or axes, and zoom to a cursor.

 

ALPHACAM 2015 R1

The inclusion of a host of new and enhanced functionality in ALPHACAM 2015 R1 from Vero Software ensures manufacturers can compete in a global economy.

The latest release is the largest ever delivered by the ALPHACAM development team and a release they are very proud of. The focus has been on helping manufacturers drive down costs, by speeding up their design and production processes, improving efficiency, productivity and profitability.

New advanced 5-axis machining module

A new advanced 5-axis machining module is introduced in ALPHACAM 2015 R1, which includes a comprehensive set of strategies with advanced tool axis control and intelligent collision avoidance, to quickly and accurately machine surface and solid models.

The incorporation of the Moduleworks technology shows ALPHACAM's commitment to the complex Advanced 5 axis market. The new toolpaths can also be analysed against the machine tool constraints using ALPHACAM’s 5-axis independent toolpath optimiser.

New ribbon bar interface

He says, a new ribbon bar interface brings ALPHACAM 2015 R1 right up to date as far as interface technology exists, the new interface enables users to quickly find the commands they need, as they are arranged in logical groups, assembled together under tabs.

Each tab relates to a type of activity, such as creating geometry, or machining. Clear icons and text labels ensure that commands are easily recognisable and accessible.

Quick Access Toolbar

aggregate tool holders

 

Project Manager updates

Multi drill heads graphical support

View comparison

Google Sketchup import

ALPHACAM 2014 R2 - Key Features

Feature Extraction

New intuitive graphical user interface for Automatic Feature Extraction. The use of tabs, descriptive images for each and every command and explanatory tool-tips greatly improve navigation through and use of the commands.

Enhancements to Feature include improve partial hole extraction, new developed diameter extraction for lathe and support for the F4 ‘Close & Finish’ key when 2D and 3D edge extracting.

5-Axis Toolpath Optimiser

The new 5-Axis Optimiser improves 4 & 5-Axis simultaneous toolpaths. Calculating the shortest rotary axis moves eliminates rollover wherever possible resulting in improved simulation, toolpath accuracy and part surface finish. Retraction from the part when rotary axis limits are reached is now automatic.  Another benefit of this command is the simplification of 5-Axis Post Processor creation.

Clamps and Fixtures

Nesting

User Interface