GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UK, Jan 14, 2015 – 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.
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. Alphacam general manager Nick Spurrett says: “Incorporating the Moduleworks technology into Alphacam shows our commitment to the complex Advanced 5 axis market. The new toolpaths can also be analyzed against the machine tool constraints using Alphacam’s 5-axis independent toolpath optimizer.”
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,” he says. “Clear icons and text labels ensure that commands are easily recognizable and accessible.”
The Quick Access Toolbar can be displayed above or below the ribbon bar and includes the most commonly used commands, such as Open and Save. Users can customize the ribbon bar by adding their own favorites. “We have 50 new icons in Alphacam, because ribbons have replaced menus.” All Alphacam modules, including Alphaedit, have the new ribbon GUI.
Also new in 2015 R1 is aggregate tool holders. “They are a welcome addition in the new release, enabling users to define them with geometry extrusions and rotations, STL and solid CAD models. Users can now create a library of toolholders. These toolholders, or aggregates, can either be extruded, evolved geometry or solids. Common applications of aggregates are horizontal routing and drilling. C-axis aggregates are also supported in Alphacam simulation.”
Significant updates to the Project Manager give it a more contemporary look, including specific icons for each Operation type. And the new look File menu now includes a Recent Files page listing Alphacam and CAD parts files, displaying a preview image and their properties.
Multi drill heads now have graphical support – as with the aggregates, they can be defined using geometry extrusions and rotations, STL and solid CAD models. Tools are loaded and selected in Project Manager and fully simulated.
Using the View Comparison function compares the part with the machining operations. “This means manufacturers can see whether there is any stock left, and allows them to select an alternative or extra machining operation,” says Nick Spurrett.
Finally, the ability to import files from Google Sketchup adds to the extensive list of third-party file formats which Alphacam supports.
Part of the Vero Software Group, Alphacam is a leading CAM solution providing productivity, reliability and flexibility.
About Vero Software
Headquartered in England, Vero Software designs, develops, and supplies CAD/CAM/CAE software radically enhancing the efficiency of design and manufacturing processes, providing its customers with exceptional value through high productivity gains and significantly reducing time to market. The company’s world-renowned brands include Alphacam, Cabinet Vision, Edgecam, Machining STRATEGIST, PEPS, Radan, SMIRT, SURFCAM, WorkNC and VISI, along with the production control MRP system Javelin. Despite the diversity of application, these solutions have one thing in common: they all address the rising challenges of achieving manufacturing efficiencies and bring huge value to the operations in which they are deployed.
Vero has direct offices in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, USA, Brazil, Netherlands, China, South Korea, Spain and India supplying products to more than 45 countries through its wholly owned subsidiaries and reseller network.
Vero is part of Hexagon (Nordic exchange: HEXA B), a leading global provider of design, measurement and visualization technologies that enable customers to design, measure and position objects, and process and present data.
For more information, please visit www.verosoftware.com.
