Alphacam to Integrate with OgeeTek 3D Analyzer

The seamless transition from solid model to CNC program is close to the top of every woodworker’s wish-list. Now, Alphacam and 3D Analyzer have teamed up to make this goal a reality. With the ability to import solids from Parasolid and ACIS-based CAD modelers, as well as native solid files from CAD vendors such as Autodesk, Alphacam Part Modeler or Pro/ENGINEER, Alphacam is the ideal software partner for 3D Analyzer.
integration of Alphacam and 3D Analyzer
Using commands specifically developed within Alphacam, imported solid assemblies can be identified, tagged and exported directly into 3D Analyzer. Configurable scripts within 3D Analyzer automatically apply the jointing technology between assembly parts, such as Rafix, and CAM and Dowel. Cutter technology, also applied within 3D Analyzer, prepares each part of the assembly for export back into Alphacam. On import, the powerful Alphacam package automatically machines, nests and outputs the code for each part ready to run on any CNC router.
Darren Duane, managing director OgeeTek, European distributor of 3D Analyzer software, states: “Linking Alphacam and 3D Analyzer enables the automatic manufacture of assemblies created within any solid modeler. Additionally, the combined industry knowledge and experience of Alphacam and OgeeTek means manufacturing has been fast tracked to create seamless integrated environments and increased profitability for our customers. We see this as the ultimate link between CAD and CAM.”
About Alphacam
Alphacam is a comprehensive CAD/CAM system for the manufacture of metal, wood and stone parts of all types, from simple 2D parts to complex 5-axis components. The emphasis behind the development of Alphacam is to provide customers with productivity, reliability, and flexibility because improving these attributes in any company will help increase profitability.
For further information visit http://www.planitmanufacturing.co.uk/ or http://www.alphacam.com/.
About OgeeTek 3D Analyzer
3D Analyzer software is designed to eliminate costly manual procedures and to automatically add machining operations to CAD drawings. Historically, manually generating code was a time consuming task. Clients who have implemented 3D Analyzer have noticed a 60% increase in their overall efficiency. Several construction standards are supplied within 3D Analyzer; incorporating screws, cams, dowels etc as well as many custom requirements. Integration with several 3D CAD applications in conjunction with an easy to use interface makes 3D Analyzer a strong market-leader.
For further information, visit http://www.ogeetek.co.uk/.

MecSoft Joins C.R. Onsrud for Aerospace Composite Products

MecSoft Corporation, the developer of VisualMILL computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software, has partnered with C.R. Onsrud of Troutman, NC to quickly integrate a new router solution for Aerospace Composite Products of Livermore, CA – a valued MecSoft customer.
After three (3) years of successfully working with VisualMILL, Aerospace Composite Products decided it was time to upgrade their CNC router. They needed higher tolerances across a 5’ x 10’ table, and also a more powerful spindle. “Onsrud was an easy choice, with excellent customer service and a great reputation for building 1st class CNC routers,” mentions Justin Sparr, Vice President at Aerospace Composite Products. He continued by saying “We also wanted to support a domestic manufacturer,” thus making C.R. Onsrud a natural fit.
Although Onsrud was not familiar with VisualMILL, after a few conversations with MecSoft technical support, it was determined that MecSoft would continue to meet their needs with the new router. Of course, nothing is certain until the day of implementation…
“On the day of implementation, MecSoft and Onsrud came through with flying colors,” exclaims Sparr. The Onsrud technician, who had never worked with VisualMILL before, was able to easily access the post processor editor and begin modifying the post to match what the new router required. As the Onsrud technician was only available for 2 days, the quick integration with VisualMILL was essential to provide enough time to focus on the router setup. They were cutting production parts on the new router by the end of the first day.
“MecSoft Corporation’s partnership with C.R Onsrud brings together state-of-the-art machining software with one of the best-performing router machines in the industry” says Anita Anand, Senior Vice President, Sales and Operations at MecSoft. “The new bundled solution offers a revolutionary, easy to use, affordable solution to the wood working industry.”
About C.R. Onsrud
C.R. Onsrud, Inc. offers a comprehensive line of high-precision machining products including 3, 4, and 5-Axis CNC Routers, Inverted Pin Routers, as well as a complete line of tooling and accessories. Onsrud is well known for superior service capabilities, high-tech training facilities and an extensive Applications Engineering department to further reinforce our pledge to provide the industry with the best products, service, and customer support! For further information please contact C. R. Onsrud sales at 800-638-8185 and ask for Richard Comer, Tom Flowers, Clint Morton, John Akin, or Andy Turner.
About Aerospace Composite Products
ACP Composites is a custom composites manufacturing and distribution company dedicated to providing solutions to specific design requirements. ACP specializes in producing composite panels, tubes, and rods for a variety of industries including medical and aerospace.
For further information about Aerospace Composite Products or any of their services, please call 925-443-5900, or visit their website at http://www.acpsales.com/
About MecSoft Corporation
MecSoft Corporation is a leading provider of Windows-based CAD/CAM software solutions for manufacturing parts in a wide variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, education, general machining, and mold & die.
For more information, visit http://www.mecsoft.com/.

Atlas Signs and Plaques Completes 5-Foot Diameter Copper Plaque

“The United States Coast Guard Academy is committed to strengthening the nation’s future by educating, training and developing leaders of character who are ethically, intellectually, professionally, and physically prepared to serve their country and humanity, and who are strong in their resolve to build on the long military and maritime heritage and proud accomplishments of the United States Coast Guard.” United States Coast Guard Academy, Mission Statement

CNC Router at Work
Combining HDU Sign Board, CNC Routing, Hand Carving, and LuminOre® Copper, a Five Foot Diameter Plaque is created! Looking at it, one would think that it weighs hundreds of pounds and costs many thousands of dollars. But, one would be incorrect on both counts. The plaque is two inches thick, giving a real sense of mass, and scales in at under 60 pounds. Cost is a small fraction of a foundry cast plaque. That is, if you could even get one cast in copper.

Cold Spraying LuminOre® Copper
The plaque design was presented by the Coast Guard Academy in EPS format that was then translated to cut paths for the CNC router to follow for the initial cutting. After the CNC did it’s part with the major cuts, the details were hand carved to prepare for priming and metal coating. The cold-spray copper was applied and allowed to properly cure. The plaque was finished with our copper patina, then hand polished to bring out the beautiful metallic highlights.
With the shipping crate constructed and waiting for the finished plaque, delivery was made to the Coast Guard Academy in time for the 2009 graduation ceremonies.

Copper Plaque Ready to Ship
atlas Signs and Plaques creates Military and Service Plaques for any branch, or organization. All custom in your choice of size, metal finish, and level of personalization. Easy to order online with upfront pricing and fast shipping. All Made in the USA using domestic materials and labor.

How can a CNC router help your business?

Written by Justin Hollow

In this article I'm going to explain how the use of a CNC router can save your business. First of all, let's get to the meaning of CNC. CNC stands for Computer Numerical Controlled machine. This device is used to trim wood, metal, or plastic. It is also used in the process of etching and signage. You can look at a CNC machine as an engraving machine. A lot of companies knew the importance of having a CNC router. The CNC router delivers time saving methods and low maintenance to any daily carpenter's workload.CNC routers can be found at local production stores and even lone individuals are discovering the preciseness and overall versatility of a CNC router. For those who can not afford the cost of a newer CNC router, there are used CNC options.

An advantage to purchasing a used CNC router is the same production speed you still get with an older model. The product satisfies a need in little carpentry shops. It is a great tool to optimize work and still maintain production without the use of a lot of workers. It is not hard to figure out why more and more companies are using CNC routers. The companies combine CNC routing with cybernetics to cut labor cost. Although this method works for companies looking to stay within a budget, it hinders those who need jobs. Take my uncle for example. He worked for a company who decided it was time to use computers instead of good old-fashioned manual labor. As a result my Uncle was laid off and had to search other places to find a job to feed his family. My Uncle had other skills and certifications to find another job. Many factory workers aren't that fortunate and have to suffer because of a company trying to save a few pennies. Aside from moral aspects the CNC is still a good machine to have for your company. I just thought it was fair to glance at the disadvantages as well as the positives to get an overall scope of owning a CNC machine.

Chicago Router Works

Chicago Router Works started in 2001 when I bought a custom made CNC router from a small American company called ShopBot. The machine was one of the biggest they had ever made at twenty feet long and nearly six feet wide, with a cutting depth of twelve inches. CNC routers have been around for decades, but the rapid advance of their design programs means using their full potential quickly gets easier every day.

The first home for my new router was the scene shop at Lookingglass Theatre were I was Technical Director for three years. Here I was able to combine my knowlage of set construction and computer aided drafting to learn not only the basics, but also do a number of more complex jobs. These jobs included making 3D terrain models for an architectural model company, cutting hundreds of pieces for a curved seating system at NBC towers and making a giant forced perspective floor for the Lyric Opera.

After Lookingglass my router and I were hired by a large theatrical scene shop called Hawkeye Scenic. Here the router received its first major upgrade, a heavy duty steel table. At Hawkeye I ran the router day and night for three years. During this time, with the help of the wonderfully creative and talented people who worked for and with Hawkeye, I continued to hone and refine my skills.

A few years later Hawkeye closed. The router and I went back to the property where the Lookingglass shop had been. My stay at this location was to be short lived, as less than a year later the entire property was leveled to make way for a parking lot. Again I moved my operation , this time to the current home of Chicago Router Works.

Well, that's the story of me and my router, but the stories I'm really interested in are the stories of the things we have made together. That story is the one this blog is really meant to tell, so stay tuned...

Speaker Box cutting with CNC Router

Well, i just thought i would post up a few pics of some of the stuff people had cut out on CNC Router. Set of surround sound baffle's 1 1/2" thick baffles router templates.

PCD Countersinks target composite material applications.

Specially designed for cutting highly abrasive materials, PCD Countersinks allow for accurate forming of holes. Units with interchangeable pilot enable replacement of damaged pilots or substitution of various pilot diameters. They come in body diameters from 3/8 to 1 ¼ in. For constant hole diameters, PCD Countersinks with integral pilot come in body diameters of 3/8 and ½ in. as well as 10, 12, 14, and 17 mm. Both types have countersink angle of 100/130°.

Telcon Ltd, a designer and manufacturer of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tipped cutting tools, has launched its new, improved line of PCD countersinks for composite material applications. They are specially designed for cutting highly abrasive materials.The PCD countersinks design allows for accurate forming of holes and provides longer life and better hole quality."Today's composite materials can only be machined economically with PCD precision tools because high speed steel does not perform satisfactorily," said John Eisner, export manager, Telcon. "Telcon PCD countersinks are a high quality product and a cost-efficient solution because of the long service life PCD offers." Telcon offers PCD countersinks with interchangeable pilot and PCD countersinks with integral pilot. PCD countersinks with interchangeable pilot allow for replacement of damaged pilots or substitution of various pilot diameters with the same countersink. They come in various body diameters from 3/8-inch to 1 ¼-inches. The countersink angle is 100/130 degrees. PCD Countersinks with integral pilot are a permanent pilot for constant hole diameters. They come in body diameters of 3/8-inch and ½-inch and 10, 12, 14, and 17 millimeters. The countersink angle is 100/130 degrees.Telcon Ltd., a leading manufacturer of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and cubic boron nitride tipped cutting tools, markets to the woodworking, automotive and aerospace airframe and composite material machining industries. Telcon offers a diverse range of PCD tipped diamond tools, inserts, countersinks, routers, router bits, ball end mills, straight end mills, profile cutters, T-slots, combined drills, reamers, rabbeting cutters and drills. They are equipped with wire EDM grinding and cutting, EDG grinding and CNC grinding and eroding machinery. Telcon is ISO certified, has strict quality assurance controls and follows European standards.For additional information on Telcon Ltd., please visit www.telcon.co.il; e-mail Telcon@telcon.co.il; or contact Telcon, 2 Hamal Street, P.O. Box 1068, Industrial Park North, Afula 18110 ISRAEL. www.telconpcd.comPlease send all inquiries to: john@telcon.co.il