Showing posts with label Software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Software. Show all posts

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Thermwood announces QuickCut Cabinet and Closet System

We are pleased to announce a new, simplified approach to nested based production of cabinets and closets that does not require separate cabinet design software. This new approach, called "QuickCut", is done entirely at the CNC machine.

The operator, working at the machine control, simply selects and resizes cabinets and closets from a built-in library and runs them. This entire process happens at the machine. The process is simple enough that virtually anyone can run it with minimal instruction. Libraries can be modified or extended through a programming service.

"For the first time you can operate a CNC router without extensive training or technical skill", says Thermwood's Vice-President of Marketing Jason Susnjara. "This approach allows cabinetmakers to focus on making cabinets using an amazing new tool that's really easy to use".
Operating a CNC router usually requires specialized knowledge which limits its use to specially trained employees. We used the technical power in our Gen2 SuperControl to totally automate virtually every task, then created a simple user interface, resulting in a system that almost anyone can use without extensive training.

The QuickCut feature targets smaller, less technical shops but can also be used by larger companies to make virtually any part or product in their product line any time they want. A library of parts can be stored on a network drive. At that point, almost anyone can walk up to any QuickCut machine and make any part. It's that easy. By storing files in a central location, management has complete control of anything that is made, anywhere in the factory.

"This new interface takes what has been a confusing area for non-technical users and makes it almost as easy as using a copy machine", states Thermwood's President, David Hildenbrand. "We believe it will fundamentally change how cabinets, closets and perhaps many other products, are made".

All nested based systems from Thermwood are QuickCut compatible and Gen2 systems operating in the field can be retrofitted to make them QuickCut compatible.

For more information on this exciting new development, please visit our QuickCut area of the website.

http://www.thermwood.com/header/quick_cut_main.htm

CAM helps the CNC Machines to perform best


CAM investment is helping Frazero produce luxury interiors for automotive icons such as the Bugatti Veyron, Spyker C8 and Bentley Continental GT. The control panel for a luxury motor launch Specialising in the design and production of low volume or concept interior and instrument panels for cars and boats, Frazero’s customer list for its highly customised dashboards, consoles and instruments sounds like a catalogue of luxury cars and boat makers. As well as producing elegant panels and interior fittings, the company manufactures all its own tooling and fixturing. Panel manufacture typically involves pressing and gluing layers of wood laminate together onto an aluminium substrate to achieve the desired finish and thickness. Frazero’s GibbsCAM system, supplied by Tech CAD/CAM, allows it to produce the geometries required to machine complex shapes in 3 and 5-axes. David Carlisle, Machine Shop Supervisor, says, “We have six GibbsCAM systems, four on the shop floor and two in an upstairs office where most of the 5-axis parts are programmed. Our operators do all their own programming on the system for both milled and turned parts. It is very easy to use and far quicker and more reliable than on machine programming, even for the most simple shapes.” Frazero has greatly improved its productivity through shop floor programming. Operators can programme jobs while the machine is running, and their machining experience ensures that the most appropriate methods are used. Frazero has 11 CNC machine tools, three 3-axis Mikrons, two 5-axis Mikrons, one Haas with trunnion capable of producing 5-axis parts, four 3-axis Cincinnati machining centres and one Geiss 5-axis router. The majority of new concept designs produced by the company are modelled in the CAM system however, for complex parts from companies like Bentley and Rolls-Royce, designs are imported in car line directly from CATIA. Farzero also uses Solid Works CAD software to provide additional design capacity for its customers. David Carlisle adds, “GibbsCAM has very powerful modelling capabilities which enable us to design and manufacture some very complex new concepts in one system. It also has tools which enable us to move imported CAD data from car line to suit our own datum, as well as surface patching tools to repair small gaps in the model. 50% of our work is 5-axis, which involves producing multiple forming, gluing and trimming tools in aluminium.” David Carlisle says, “We produce some extremely intricate parts, and because they are part of the interior trim, the finish must be flawless. We find that for the machined parts such as air vents or bezels, a quick polish is all that is required to produce the required quality. www.frazero.com

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Delcam’s ArtCAM makes intricate carving easy


Shanfari Trading & Furnishing Co (STFC) has found that intricate carvings can be made easily since the company acquired Delcam’s ArtCAM Pro software. Mr Sulemain, General Manager at STFC, believes that the decision to use ArtCAM Pro has paid rich dividends for his company. He has purchased two more routing machines during recent years, while he is full of praise for the support his company receives from Delcam’s Middle East office.

STFC is a part of the Shanfari Group of companies, one of the largest groups of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman and even the Middle East. It has undertaken woodworking projects for the Divan of the Royal Court and also for museums throughout Oman for the last twenty-five years. It has also provided its services for interior design and other turnkey projects to palaces, commercial properties, high-profile villas and hotels.

Mr. Sulemain recalled the events that led to the purchase of ArtCAM Pro back in 1999. “We had just purchased our first CNC router and needed some three-axis software capable enough to generate intricate 3D carvings and their respective toolpaths.” He had invited various software suppliers, including Delcam Middle East, to give a presentation on their products, focusing on how the software solution would be used to design the carvings and then to machine them. After watching the demonstration of the ArtCAM Pro software, Mr. Sulemain and the staff at STFC were convinced that it could solve all their existing issues concerning generation of the most intricate shapes, including the V-carving used for the palace doors.


Mr Hari, in charge of the CNC department, was particularly impressed with the ease of toolpath generation for intricate 3D carvings and the short learning curve. Within one week, his CNC operators had learnt how to generate the toolpaths for even the most complex carvings.


More recently, STFC has been using its ArtCAM Pro software to program the newly-acquired twin-table, four-spindle, Homag routing machine. With the Reichenbacher twin-table, four-spindle machine and a Fanuc-based, twin-spindle system, this takes the total number of machines at the company to three.

Delcam’s ArtCAM used for giant chandeliers

Delcam’s ArtCAM software enabled Adirondack Studios to complete successfully a project to produce five giant chandeliers for the Mohegan Sun Casino at Pocono Downs, Pennsylvania.

For over 30 years, Adirondack Studios, based in Argyle, New York, has helped to design and build themed environments for theatres, arenas, exhibit halls, ballrooms, parks, restaurants, casinos, amusement parks, supermarkets, museums, stadia and marinas. About a year ago, the company began using the ArtCAM artistic CADCAM software to program the CNC routers used to manufacture the majority of the company’s products.

"The software that we used in the past for CNC programming worked fine for routine jobs but many of the projects that we get involved in are far out of the ordinary,” said Bob Gregory, Senior Router Operator. "We spent too much time watching the clock while we were machining and ran into quite a few bugs. Also, the software developer was not as responsive as we wished when we called in for support.”

"We had heard that a number of our competitors were using ArtCAM with very good results so we decided to give it a try,” Mr. Gregory continued. "From the very beginning we felt that ArtCAM was a more finished product, more robust, with much higher performance. The tutorials make it very easy to take advantage of the many advanced features of the software. The support provided by Delcam has been superlative and they do listen to, and implement, user suggestions for improving the software.”

Adirondack Studios’ designers began the construction of the chandeliers by building a 3D model in AutoCAD. The file was imported into ArtCAM to generate the CNC program to machine a positive shape in low-density foam. This was used by a subcontractor to vacuum-form the plastic bowl segments. These were then painted to look like alabaster.

In a similar way, the casting department used ArtCAM to make a mould to cast the grouse models that would be used to decorate the chandeliers. A black-tinted silicone rubber was used to give the grouse the appearance of wrought iron.


The next step was to create a bird’s nest pattern and weave it around the circumference of the bowl. ArtCAM allowed the ways in which the strands crossed each other to be varied for a more natural appearance. "Birds do not use a CNC machine to build their nests so it took considerable effort to get the correct look,” Mr. Gregory said.

Mr. Gregory generated a CNC program to cut the bird’s nest negative shape into MDF. It took only fifteen minutes to create the program compared with at least four hours that would have been needed with the previous software. The mould was used to cast the bird’s nests from the same silicon rubber used for the grouse. Finally, the birds and the nests were glued to the bowl of each chandelier.

The finished chandeliers were then installed in the casino. They formed part of a $208-million renovation of the site, aimed at transforming it into the area’s leading entertainment complex.

Monday, August 17, 2009

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/.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

UCanCAM Software V8 for CNC Router





Wentai Technology Co.,Ltd. is a professional and senior developer and manufacturer of CAD/CAM software in China. Wentai Corp. owns intellectual property right of all the UCanCAM series products,including software copyrights and patents.
With fourteen years of experience in the industry, Wentai Corp. succeeded in designing and manufacturing UCanCAM V8 series software,which includes 3D-engraving, 3D seal-making, laser-engraving,embossing-making, wave-board making, plastic-absorbing light box mould making, etc. Ucancam V8 series software can be applied in advertisements, sign-making, seal-making, gift-making, cutting, architectural mould making, ornament making, wood furniture making, mould-making, and many other industries.
Wentai Technology Co.,Ltd. is composed of an outstanding R&D team led by experienced experts in CAD and CAM fields. We also provide good and stable service by excellent sales and after-sales service team Our goal is to become the largest corporation in R&D of CAS and CAM software in China, providing products to the domestic as well as the international markets.
Wentai Technology Co.,Ltd. has been enjoying good reputation and popularity both in and outside China, and it has been awarded the titles of National Excellent Software and Most Competitive Productfor its engraving software. In 2000, Wentai Series software was given the award Pioneer Software Creation Awards in Zhongguancun High-tech Zone.
More details:http://www.ucancam.com

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

CNC Router cutting of three-dimensional characters using TYPE3)

First, the production process: 1, enter text (point A, to enter text mode. Attention to change the font). 2, the provisions of the word size (select the word, drag the small box around the word, when the mouse into a two-way arrow, press the F2 key, the "scaling" release the left mouse button after the dialog box, type size, pay attention to proportionality). 3, will be transformed into curves of the word after the deformation tool, click the "vertical mirror" to the word in turn. (This step is called mirroring) 4, layout, taking into account at the same time-saving materials to ensure that the stroke is greater than the distance between the cutting tool. 5, according to the text of the order of selection (of the order and selection of cutting the order of the) 6, into the CAM module to calculate the tool path.

II. Cutting Note: 1, the material if the plexiglass into the CAM module to calculate the tool path simulation if there is no problem, you can save the operation. 2, material for PVC, and if the Chevron board, cutting the time to reverse Reverse approach: Into the CAM module, the first tool path calculation (double-click the two-dimensional cutting), simulation, to ensure that there is no problem, and then right-click the "level" of two-dimensional cutting, select "Edit Tool Path" page to return to work (from the CAM module) , check out the black lines (only elected black line), in the Fx special effects tool, click the last "change direction" tool, and then return to CAM module, right-click the "level" of two-dimensional cutting, select "change the tool path "Two points for" Yes ", when the simulation, the need to move toward the path must be to ensure that anti-clockwise, do not need the path for the clockwise direction, we are commonly known as" reverse-shun outside inside. " Reverse operation is complete, save. Reverse operation flow chart: CAM modules into the calculation of tool paths (double b (c)) right-click cut-dimensional "level" of the Second (c) select Edit-dimensional cutting tool paths from the CAM module to select specific tools and line click the last of a "change direction" tool into the CAM module right-click "levels" of two-dimensional cutting choices under the "Tool to change the path" point of two consecutive "yes"

3, Note:

Two-dimensional cutting, in the dialog box that appears, pay attention to chamfering, whether or not zero, must be changed to zero, or cutting down a small fillet.

4, cutting methods:

1), lines: the use of two-dimensional cutting. Tool along the lines of the outer border of its cutting, cutting down the size and the same settings. 2), online: the use of graphics. Corner Crimping cutting lines, knife-half line, the half-line, the cutting down the size than the set value of the small size of a knife. 3), line: the use of two-dimensional cut in the cutting. Tool along the lines within the frame cutting, cutting the size of the next smaller value than the set size of two knives. Generally used for cutting nested, simply select the text, then by cutting; if the selected text and the frame, then the direct use of two-dimensional cutting, no cutting selected. Produced three-dimensional First, is carved (the word is positive, a positive moment in the material) 1, typesetting (and the same layout badges) 2, into the CAM module, select the word or icon, in the "Year Construction Tool Path - division - three-dimensional group of "three-dimensional carving, double-click in the dialog box that appears select knives, the knife depth (no more than the material thickness of 2 / 3, and the knife 90 degrees less than 6mm, 120 degrees knives in general no more than 5mm, three-dimensional sculpture is based on the width of character strokes of the knife automatically adjusted depth). in Tool Path table, right-click the next level the way the sculpture, the first simulation (simulation of selected entities, depending on the tool path, confirmed), After all the normal, check the frame, double-click the two-dimensional cutting, knife selection, knife depth (larger than the material thickness) (default is 1 chamfering, cut down a small fillet into midnight for the right angle), the machine work, save. Second, anti-carved (the word is anti-, and inscriptions in the negative material) 1), publishing (and the same layout badges) 2), select the character of its curve to the word set 3), all selected to be anti-carved icon of the word and its mirror.

Into the CAM module, methods Ibid. Third, reversing edge 1), is engraved down side After engraved text, select the frame, in the "Create Tool Path - division - two-dimensional group of" double-click the drawing, the dialog box that appears select knife (90 degrees or 120 degrees knife), the depth under the knife. Re-selected to do two-dimensional cutting frame. 2), anti-carved back side Drawing back side first, and then select the frame to do two-dimensional cutting, the material will be cut down to re-stick well to the knife, the final text and icons on the three-dimensional sculpture done. Calculated after the end of the path, right-click the level of simulation entities to choose to see the overall effect Simulation of the reasons for choice of entity: First observation of the overall simulation results, the prevention of back to the text of the hypotenuse was the situation like the above; followed by the word if there are any problems observed, to prevent certain character fonts reason as a result, leading to the node word tie, then you will find the word on by drilling a circle of the kind of situation. If this happens, it is necessary to modify the file. Notes: a. must be replaced after a knife to the depth of Z b. For the anti-carved back side, cutting edge down first, and then three-dimensional sculpture Washing method table (to 1208 cases) A, TYPE3 layout 1, first draw a rectangle, press F2 to adjust into 1200 * 800mm. 2, will be carved on a rectangular Page Center (there are two kinds of methods): a select box, respectively, click on the "alignment tool" in the "vertical center page" and "the level of center page" b, select box, the lock will be closed TYPE3 and drag to the edge of the rectangle. Second, access to CAM module, calculating the path. 1, select group of two-dimensional "scanning" approach. 2, choose a knife, the knife with the largest (such as Z-6 or Z-25). 3, under the knife a depth of 0.2-0.4mm, while choice of pocket "after." 4, in "After the parameters", the "residual" to 0, "coverage" to 80% (usually not changed, otherwise the effect will affect the sculpture.) 5, the machine work to produce documents and to import intraday U. Third, machine operators 1, the boot after the first set carving speed, primarily on the basis of the density of the material to set, can be slowed down first to see the effect of further adjustment. 2, on the knife: first "manual of the sword" will be Z axis to move to the middle of a knife, so do not be a better formation of the elimination. And X, Y coordinates of the "Origin Set" to direct positioning, X is 0, Y for the 800 (the case of ARM system -800) 3, insert U disk, selected files, to work. If not deep enough or too deep, according to "tentative" to adjust, and start all over again.

Durham firm promotes power of new CNC software

A CNC specialist from the north-east of England has sang the praises of new production control software which is aiding it in its progression as a company.
Durham Precision Engineering has announced its partnership with Glasgow-based IT firm Berkeley Myles, which produces ProgressPlus in order to streamline operations on the firm’s shopfloor.
Kevin McEneny, the managing director of the firm, said the investment was solid as it provided the same options as larger systems on the market targeted at those using CNC machines and turning centres.
He continued: “I have been extremely impressed by the operational efficiency that ProgressPlus brings to the business and it is certainly one of the best packages that I have come across, with an excellent front end and user interface.”
ProgressPlus specialises in aiding manufacturers which specialise in injection moulding, toolmaking and ceramic machining, with the firm beginning its trading in 1996 and serving thousands of customers throughout the UK.
http://www.progress-plus.co.uk/