Irvine, California – CGTech has released the next major version of VERICUT CNC machine simulation and optimization software. VERICUT 7.0 features significant performance-improving enhancements that reduce the time required for manufacturing engineers to develop, analyze, inspect and document the CNC programming and machining process. Instead of focusing on new features or add-on modules, CGTech developer resources have focused on diligent code optimization and customer-driven enhancements.

“VERICUT has been reorganized with a new user interface for maximum efficiency.” said Bill Hasenjaeger, Product Marketing Manager. “Not only is the software extremely stable and significantly faster, it has never been easier to set up a VERICUT project. This release will set a new standard for the world’s most advanced CNC simulation system.”

VERICUT Product/Function Overview:
VERICUT is CNC machine simulation, verification and optimization software that enables users to eliminate the process of manually proving-out NC programs. It reduces scrap loss and rework. The program also optimizes NC programs in order to both save time and produce higher quality surface finish. VERICUT simulates all types of CNC machine tools, including those from leading manufacturers such as Mazak, Makino, Matsuura, Hermle, DMG, DIXI, Mori Seiki and Chiron. VERICUT runs standalone, but can also be integrated with leading CAM systems such as Catia V5, NX, Pro/E, MasterCAM, EdgeCAM and GibbsCAM.

GUI UPDATES
CGTech sought to reduce the number of pop-up dialogs for day-to-day VERICUT users and eliminate any confusion associated with “Apply”, “OK” and “Cancel” buttons. As a result, setting up a new project in VERICUT has been simplified. Items formerly in pop-up dialogs have been moved to the Project Tree, where all projects are now configured by using an intuitive configuration panel automatically displayed as the user selects each branch. Actions are immediate, so “Apply” or “Okay” clicks are unnecessary.

The Component Tree has also been merged into the Project Tree but can be optionally hidden, depending on the user’s requirements. Additionally, the Project menu is now much simpler with menu actions moved to the Project Tree. All these updates mean the user can stop hunting through menus to find the dialog the user need; everything the user needs is now in one place.

MOTION CHANGES
VERICUT 7.0’s motion processing is all new. Thousands of development hours have gone toward optimizing VERICUT’s internal code for the fastest, most efficient motion simulation to date. Motion Simulation refers to how VERICUT calculates the motion path from the NC data and animates it. The motion in all view-types is now coordinated and tool images are consistent. Collision tolerance and motion display are independent. When set to stop at a travel limit, the simulation continues the motion with axis clamped, while any cuts during a limit error are painted red. A 5-axis NC block is now one motion and simulation times overall are shorter due to improved efficiency.

It is now possible to pause VERICUT in the middle of an NC block. Pressing Pause halts VERICUT immediately. The busy light is yellow when paused in the middle of an NC block, and displays green when stopped at the end of an NC block. If paused mid-motion the user can complete the current block by pressing the Step button. If paused mid-cycle, pressing the Step button will finish the multi-motion cycle. Several new Step options are available by right-mouse clicking the Step button. These allow the user to step into, over, or to the end of any subroutines used in the user’s NC program sequence.

Users now have more control over Drill Cycles. Options for “Full Motion” & “Bottom Only” add the same cycle time and only control the animation display. “No Motion” removes material and adds cycle time but without any animation, and “Ignore” skips the cycle with no added time. Drill, turn, and pocket cycles stop immediately, and can be continued to the end with Step or Play, while turn cycles prompt the user to finish the cycle or jump to the end.

COLLISION DETECTION
All collision configuration is now done via the collision branch in the Project Tree. 5.x and 6.x collision configurations are upward compatible and read into 7.0. This central location for all collision control eliminates any possibility of duplicate collision checks. All current functionality is maintained. The user can define a near-miss collision with cut stock, and all near-miss and actual collision errors are separated in the logger. Components turn red upon first display of the collision contact, instead of at the end of the colliding motion.

CAM INTEGRATION
VERICUT can read NX Part Files directly when NX is on the same computer. NX parts can be referenced either directly from within VERICUT, or via the NX-to-VERICUT interface.

The CATIA V5–To-VERICUT Interface has been enhanced with many new features for managing tools. The user can merge tools from a template with new tools from the Part Operation, and optionally put all unique tools in one tool library. The user can also use CATIA-referenced STL models. VERICUT holders are now named using the holder names already defined in CATIA. Additional new features include the option to specify work offset subsystems and set model tolerances for the stock, fixture and design models. The interface optionally remembers the last options used. When working with multiple setups, the design model is only output in the first setup and moves with the cut stock.

ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS

* VERICUT and the VERICUT license server are now Vista compatible
* Option to automatically set working directory to current project’s folder
* Optionally write and display thumbnail images in the project and machine files
* Include visible CSYS in Report images
* Adding a new setup renames the currently selected setup and increments its number
* Minimum Cutter Extension option: Do not shorten
* Polar measure in X-caliper
* X-caliper measurement markers stay on screen
* Save machine images and display thumbnail images in both the file selection dialog and in the choice list
* A configurable tool bar gives the user the ability to add/remove individual icons and display them in the order that works best for the user

Altenstadt, Germany, September 3, 2009 --- CNC multi-axis grinding machines using NUM's NUMROTOplus 3D simulation and control software are helping Miller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH to manufacture a new series of high-performance MAPAL-brand solid carbide twist drills. The new drill tools employ complex optimised profiles to accelerate cutting speeds.

The NUMROTOplus software allowed Miller Präzisionswerkzeuge to visualise and optimise the complex machining process required to produce the new drills in 3D, before putting the new drill range into volume production.

"The NUMROTO features helped during the development of our latest MAPAL drill products, and we made extensive use of the advanced 3D simulation capabilities of NUMROTOplus software, including its tool collision monitoring procedures, to optimise our manufacturing process," says Ulrich Krenzer, Technical Director of Miller Präzisionswerkzeuge. "We have used NUM's CNC software for a number of years, and are now in the processing of running it out across all our machines. By effectively standardising on this one package, with a consistent user interface, we will reduce our personnel training costs and help maximise productivity, while maintaining the product quality for which we are renowned."

To cope with demand, Miller Präzisionswerkzeuge recently doubled the size of its R&D and manufacturing operations at Altenstadt in Germany, culminating in the opening of a new 7000 m2 production facility in November 2008. The facility contains more than 40 CNC grinding machines equipped with the NUMROTOplus software - which operate for three shifts per day, 365 days of the year - making it one of the most modern solid carbide tool and drill production plants in the world.

It is widely acknowledged that more than 30 percent of productive machine time is nowadays taken up by drilling operations. Typically, these include pilot drilling and pre-centring, drilling, reaming, countersinking, boring out, de-burring and thread cutting. By combining some of these operations in a single step, it is possible to decrease machine time significantly, but only if the drilling tools feature task-optimised profile geometries - factors such as chip removal, heat dissipation and tool stability are critical.

The new MAPAL 'Mega Speed Drill' is designed for high speed drilling of steel and iron. It features an asymmetric tip, with reinforced cutting edges. The 3 margins are designed in such a way that the drill will slightly oversize the holes and the friction between the margin lands and the workpiece will be minimised. This geometry makes the drill relatively insensitive to high cutting edge temperatures and corner wear. The specific, polished flute geometry guarantees a free flow of chips. The drill can be applied with a very high cutting speed of about 200 m/min when machining steel, enabling drilling times to be reduced by as much as 70 percent compared to conventional products. For example, when used to drill annealed 42CrMo4 under these high performance cutting conditions, the tool has a typical lifetime of 60 to 70 m, reducing the production cost per bore by as much as 50 percent.

Miller Präzisionswerkzeuge has also just developed a twist drill which produces a bore with a flat 180 degree bottom. Normally, this would require two machining operations, one to drill the bore to the required depth and one to perform counter-boring. A special tip profile on the new 'Mega Drill 180' effectively combines the two operations in a single machine cycle. The drills are ground with an S-shaped point thinning, which delivers good chip control and a profiled concave flank to produce a flat bottom hole. The tool can also be applied for piloting at inclined surfaces. The flat point reduces here the radial forces compared to conventional drill points with a 140° point angle.

CGTECH has released version 7.0 of its VERICUT CNC machine simulation and optimisation software.According to CGTech, VERICUT 7.0 include performance-improving enhancements that reduce the time required for manufacturing engineers to develop, analyse, inspect and document the CNC programming and machining process.
CGTech claims VERICUT 7.0 is more stable and significantly faster than previous versions. As a CNC machine simulation, verification and optimisation software, VERICUT helps users eliminate the process of manually proving-out NC programs, reducing scrap loss and rework.
VERICUT simulates all types of CNC machine tools, including those from Mazak, Makino, Matsuura, Hermle, DMG, DIXI, Mori Seiki and Chiron.The software runs standalone, but can be integrated with CAM systems such as CATIA V5, NX, Pro/E, MasterCAM, EdgeCAM and GibbsCAM.

September 1, 2009 - Utilizing FHSS technology, Touch Probe Systems allow automated job set-up and in-process measurement of all sizes of CNC machine tools. Model RMP40, measuring 40 mm in dia and 50 mm long, is suited for multi-axis and mill-turn applications in which line-of-sight between probe and interface cannot be maintained. Designed for hostile turning environments, Model RLP40 is sealed to IPX8 and further protected by eyelid that prevents high velocity swarf and chips from causing damage.

New Ultra-Compact Radio Transmission Touch Probes Bring Probing Benefits to a Wider Range of CNC Machine Tools

Renishaw adds to its market-leading range of probe and software products with new touch probe systems for machines, including lathes, where line-of-sight issues cause difficulties or optical signal transmission.

Renishaw is making waves with the introduction of new touch probe systems that use its unique frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) probe signal radio transmission technology to allow automated job set-up and in-process measurement on all sizes of CNC machine tools. The new ultra-compact RMP40 probe is especially suited to multi-axis and mill-turn applications, whilst its variant, the RLP40 touch probe, is specifically designed for more hostile turning environments. A transmission only module RMP40M is also being introduced.

Wide range of touch probes with radio transmission

These new products reinforce Renishaw's world leading range of probe systems and probing software, which bring a range of user benefits including reduced set-up times, reduced scrap, reduced fixture costs and improved process control. The range of radio-based inspection probes already includes the multi-award winning RMP60 touch probe, and the class-leading high accuracy RMP600 probe with Renishaw's patented Rengage(TM) 3D strain gauge technology.

Measuring just 40 mm in diameter and 50 mm long, the RMP40 probe system pairs the compactness of Renishaw's award-winning OMP40 optical transmission probe system with the robustness and versatility of Renishaw's unique FHSS radio transmission. This combination means that the RMP40 is suited for use on all sizes of machine tools, particularly multi-axis and mill-turn applications in which line-of-sight between the inspection probe and its interface cannot always be maintained.

Unique probe signal transmission system

The RMP40's FHSS radio transmission is the same unique yet tried-and-trusted system used by Renishaw's existing RMP60 and RMP600 probes in thousands of applications worldwide. It pairs with the standard Radio Machine Interface (RMI) and utilises the 2.4GHz frequency band, allowing it to be 'worldwide legal' so that machine tool builders and users can specify and operate the same types of probes wherever they are located. It also delivers unrivalled levels of robustness and flexibility through frequency diversity, whereby the probe and its interface continually hop from one transmission channel to another. This eliminates 'dead spots' within the working environment and allows the system to avoid radio interference, both of which are common problems for other fixed-channel and non-hopping radio transmission inspection probes.

Naturally the RMP40 touch probe incorporates Renishaw's patented Trigger Logic(TM) set-up and mode selection menus. This allows users to quickly and easily configure their probe systems to their own specific requirements, without tricky disassembly routines or changes to tiny switches.

New radio touch probe for CNC lathes

Sharing many features in common with the RMP40 touch probe, the RLP40 is a radio transmission inspection probe system for lathes, whilst the RMP40M is a radio transmission module that incorporates an industry-standard M16 adaptor for use with Renishaw's proven LP2 family of lathe probes.

Although it incorporates all of the key features and benefits of the RMP40, the RLP40 touch probe has been specially packaged to withstand the extreme environments more typical of lathes and turning centres. Like all Renishaw probes it is sealed to IPX8, but is further protected by a user-serviceable eyelid that prevents high velocity swarf and chips from causing damage.

The RMP40M module also gives all the benefits of the RMP40 system, allowing the flexibility of its FHSS radio transmission system to be applied to those situations in which the LP2 family of touch probes, adaptors and options are necessary.

Retrofit to existing machine tools

With a combined package of user-friendly operation, robustness, extreme flexibility and proven reliability, both the RMP40 and RLP40 probe systems are highly desirable and versatile additions to Renishaw's ever-growing family of inspection probes, and can be retrofitted to existing installations. Importantly for user confidence they are also backed by a trusted worldwide network of service, support and applications expertise.

Renishaw's range of tool setting probes, inspection probes and probe software caters for the complete cross-section of machine tool probing applications, from the setting of tools and workpieces through to process control and complex On-Machine Verification tasks, whether on simple milling machine or a complex multi-axis machine tool.

Find out further information about Renishaw's market-leading range of CNC machine tool probe systems and software