SmartCAM v16.0 Released for 'Field Test'
Standard release planned for June
 SPRINGFIELD,
OR, Apr 24, 2009 - SmartCAMcnc has announced the release to field test of
SmartCAM V16.0. SmartCAM Version 16.0 delivers a variety of new enhancements
and capabilities to the SmartCAM suite of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
system software, including automated toolpath generation directly from a
solid model, additional solid model translation, and visualization,
verification and usability improvements. SmartCAMcnc plans the standard
release of version 16.0 for early June.
The SmartCAM product family consists of applications for Computer-Numerical
Control (CNC) milling, turning, fabrication and wire EDM. Version 16.0 continues
the Solids-Machining theme found in the past four major SmartCAM releases, with
key improvements to both solid data handling and machining directly from a
solid.
Version 16 adds new toolpath generation routines for roughing and finishing
prismatic pocket and profile features directly from the solid to the mid-level
SmartCAM Advanced Milling and SmartCAM Advanced Turning products, as well as the
company’s premier milling application, SmartCAM FreeForm Machining.
Another major component of the SmartCAM V16 release is a new integrated data
translator that now allows both import and export of solid or wireframe models
in the STEP format. Additionally, fully integrated, native-file format
translators for Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks are optionally available with
SmartCAM V16.0.
“SmartCAM Version 16 is another milestone release for us.” said Doug Oliver,
Senior Product Manager at SmartCAMcnc. “Soon after we resumed development of
SmartCAM, we added solid model support to all our products, which was a
significant advantage for SmartCAM users. Of course this led to our customer’s
anticipation of being able to machine directly from those solids. The addition
of solids-based roughing and finishing for prismatic parts is a significant
advancement in this area.”
“These new toolpath generation capabilities save significant time by
eliminating many of steps required with previous versions,” continued Oliver.
“They also support full 3D tool offsetting, which allow the fillets, corner
rounds and drafted walls that are found on many prismatic parts to now be
machined directly from the solid feature. Customers can now accurately cut those
features using standard flat, ball, and bull end mills, instead of expensive,
custom form tools.”
“When you combine that with the new integrated STEP translator, and the
optional native CAD translators, this SmartCAM V16 delivers substantial advances
in Machining from Solids.”
Ongoing improvements to the visualization/verification, user interface and
usability areas found in several of the most recent SmartCAM releases include:
Showpath Tool Motion Verification
Persistent Tool Display
Verification improvements now allow preservation of the tool display while
dynamic viewing during toolpath verification, allowing the user to confirm
complete machining in a single session.
Optional Display of Rapids
In cases where the toolpath contains many rapids, turning off the display of
rapids makes it much easier to view the cutting toolpath.
ShowCut Material Removal Verification
View Change While Paused
It is now possible to pause the material removal animation, reorient the
model display to zoom, pan or rotate, and then continue the animation from the
paused point.
Stock Defined with Voids (holes, slots, etc.)
Voids in the verification stock model can now be specified by a set of
profiles. The void profiles are then extruded (or revolved in the case of a
turned part) to form volumes which when subtracted from the stock model allows
cast-in features and near-net stocks to be easily modeled.
User Interface and Usability Improvements
UI optimization for widescreen and dual monitor configurations.
Reduced mouse movement for faster, more accurate interaction with the CAD and
toolpath models.
About SmartCAM & SmartCAMcnc
The SmartCAM family of computer-aided manufacturing software provides
toolpath modeling and CNC programming for prismatic production work to complex
molds, dies, and prototypes. SmartCAMcnc provides affordable maintenance
contracts, updates, upgrades and technical support for all SmartCAM users,
regardless of version. All SmartCAM products include updated data translators
and market-leading NC editing software from
Predator Software, Inc.
SmartCAMcnc is a Springfield, Oregon-based company that was established in
December 2003 to develop, sell and support SmartCAM for the benefit of its
worldwide customer base of over 12,000 companies in 63 countries. The company
has successfully delivered at least two major releases of the award winning
software each year since then.
For more information, visit
www.SmartCAMcnc.com.
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See Also
SmartCAMcnc
website
CAM Products and Companies - by TenLinks.com
Additional News
Apr 16 - SmartCAM V17 Released
Oct 23 - SmartCAM v16.5 Released for 'Field Test'
Apr 24 - SmartCAM v16.0 Released with CAD Translators
Nov 13 - SmartCAM v15.5 Applications Released
Source: Material used in press releases is often supplied by external
sources and used as is.
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