TERRASSES DU PORT, Monaco, Sep 22, 2014 – JETCAM International s.a.r.l. announced that it will be showcasing version 3 of its award-winning CrossTrack composite manufacturing software at the Composites Europe show in Dusseldorf in October and the Composites Engineering Show in Birmingham in November.
The new version now also supports sheet metal manufacturing as well as composites, benefits from a new interface and includes an array of new features across all areas of the software.
Serving both Composite and Sheet Metal Users
CrossTrack provides traceability and control of materials, material life (for composites), components/plies, assemblies/kits, orders and nests – all in real time. JETCAM serves both the sheet metal and composite markets equally, also supporting cutting technologies such as punching, laser, waterjet and routing, which require different management processes to composites. CrossTrack 3 for sheet metal allows users to build quantity-based assembly structures, rather than the duplication structuring traditionally used in the composite industry. Many sheet metal companies will store multiple parts in one CAM component file – CrossTrack 3 now includes extensive support for this.
Stock is ever-changing, and staff need to know whether material is allocated elsewhere or actually available to use. CrossTrack 3 includes a nest allocation display, now also covering sheet metal, detailing the relationship between jobs to be cut and material to be used. Staff can see the physical material in stock and can also identify how much is already allocated to other jobs.
Enhanced Interface for Quicker Data Retrieval
The interface refresh is far deeper than simply cosmetic. New controls have been added to allow users to retrieve information faster, such as tooltips that also include thumbnail images. Additional filtering and searching tools have been added to many screens to allow users to quickly mine reams of data to get to the information they need.
Hundreds of additional updates across the entire CrossTrack suite have been included, such as:
- A new static nest allocation scheduler, which can automatically create a worksheet to fulfil new demand with any static nests that include all required components
- Significant performance enhancements, as background processes now run as dedicated Windows services
- CrossTrack 3’s CAD import now takes full advantage of JETCAM Expert’s CAD converters, supporting 3rd party CAD systems such as SOLIDWORKS, SolidEdge, Inventor and AutoPOL
- Improved handling of filler parts and ‘extras allowed’
- Traceability logging for sheet metal stock
- Support for JETCAM Expert’s v6 High Performance Nesting, delivering even greater material efficiency on dynamic nests with significantly reduced runtimes
Said Martin Bailey, general manager of JETCAM International s.a.r.l.: “This new release heralds a significant breakthrough for JETCAM. We have many customers manufacturing in sheet metal, composite or both. CrossTrack 3 provides a single solution which not only completely automates the CAM and nesting process but also provides end to end traceability to the exacting standards required by the aerospace and automotive industries.”
CrossTrack is in use by companies such as Bombardier Aerospace and is suitable for all sizes of company, with SME and Enterprise editions available. It won the Composites UK ‘Innovation in Manufacture’ award in 2013 and was a finalist in the MWP Advanced Manufacturing awards for best production management system in 2014.
About JETCAM International s.a.r.l.
JETCAM International has been developing and distributing its JETCAM Expert range of CADCAM software since 1986. In use in 82 countries worldwide, JETCAM Expert software supports virtually every CNC punching, laser, plasma, routing, waterjet and flatbed cutting machine available today, allowing users to program any combination of CNC machines with a single CAM system. The software has received various accolades and awards due to its high level of automation and fast return on investment.
