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Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM software for programming CNC machine tools and a Cimatron company, announced that it has released the newest version of GibbsCAM NC programming software, GibbsCAM 2013. This new version includes enhancements to the entire suite of GibbsCAM software to improve efficiency and profitability. Two new options have been added to the software suite as well, 5-Axis MultiBlade and 5-Axis Porting.
GibbsCAM 2013 includes many software enhancements, mostly focusing on increasing the efficiency of part programming and the efficiency of machine run time. Enhancements include:
Mill Feature- Allows the user to assign certain machining attributes directly to part features. This allows users to save and reuse Knowledge Based Machining (KBM) information for best practice machining on families of parts. New parts and part changes are handled quickly and easily by a single mouse click.
Lathe Threading/Thread Whirling- Users can now define lathe threads from any valid shape, including shapes that contain arcs or splines. Post processors can be upgraded to support native arc threads (G35 and G36) for a more efficient NC program.
Surface Flow- Improved machining strategies for solids machining include an improved algorithm that smoothly handles most nonplanar fillets and other blended faces, resulting in better surface finish and more efficient NC code. New functionality allows users to manipulate shapes that can be combined through Boolean operations such as union, subtraction, and intersection, trimmed, or broken into segments.
Profiler modes- The Profiler now has increased functionality allowing users to slice spun bodies, silhouettes, and cylinders.
Lathe Plunge Roughing- Improvements to Lathe Plunge Roughing result in toolpaths that remove more material in less time with improved tool wear.
Drilling and Thread Milling Patterns- Users can now place Drilling and Thread Milling in patterns.
Pre-mill drilling of patterned milling operations will pick up the pattern automatically.
Pocketing Improvements- Several improvements to Pocketing continue to improve the efficiency of the program, including features such as "Outermost Shape As Boss" and improvements to mixed-shape pocketing with smarter entry and exit moves.
The new 5-Axis MultiBlade option targets the machining of turbo machinery parts. It simplifies the programming of impellers, blisks and blings with specialized functions that include roughing, blade finishing, hub finishing, splitter, sub-splitter and wall finishing, and extension and control of leading and trailing edges.
A new 5-Axis Porting option provides specialized functionality for the machining of hollow shapes that have significantly different shapes or sizes at each open end or have a significant amount of curvature from one end to the other, including engine ports, manifolds, and throttle bodies. This dedicated new option simplifies the creation of these highly complex shapes with faster programming time, a cleaner, more efficient toolpath and more efficient machine times.
Related Glossary Terms
- computer numerical control ( CNC)
computer numerical control ( CNC)
Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- gang cutting ( milling)
gang cutting ( milling)
Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.
- lathe
lathe
Turning machine capable of sawing, milling, grinding, gear-cutting, drilling, reaming, boring, threading, facing, chamfering, grooving, knurling, spinning, parting, necking, taper-cutting, and cam- and eccentric-cutting, as well as step- and straight-turning. Comes in a variety of forms, ranging from manual to semiautomatic to fully automatic, with major types being engine lathes, turning and contouring lathes, turret lathes and numerical-control lathes. The engine lathe consists of a headstock and spindle, tailstock, bed, carriage (complete with apron) and cross slides. Features include gear- (speed) and feed-selector levers, toolpost, compound rest, lead screw and reversing lead screw, threading dial and rapid-traverse lever. Special lathe types include through-the-spindle, camshaft and crankshaft, brake drum and rotor, spinning and gun-barrel machines. Toolroom and bench lathes are used for precision work; the former for tool-and-die work and similar tasks, the latter for small workpieces (instruments, watches), normally without a power feed. Models are typically designated according to their “swing,” or the largest-diameter workpiece that can be rotated; bed length, or the distance between centers; and horsepower generated. See turning machine.
- milling
milling
Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.
- milling machine ( mill)
milling machine ( mill)
Runs endmills and arbor-mounted milling cutters. Features include a head with a spindle that drives the cutters; a column, knee and table that provide motion in the three Cartesian axes; and a base that supports the components and houses the cutting-fluid pump and reservoir. The work is mounted on the table and fed into the rotating cutter or endmill to accomplish the milling steps; vertical milling machines also feed endmills into the work by means of a spindle-mounted quill. Models range from small manual machines to big bed-type and duplex mills. All take one of three basic forms: vertical, horizontal or convertible horizontal/vertical. Vertical machines may be knee-type (the table is mounted on a knee that can be elevated) or bed-type (the table is securely supported and only moves horizontally). In general, horizontal machines are bigger and more powerful, while vertical machines are lighter but more versatile and easier to set up and operate.
- numerical control ( NC)
numerical control ( NC)
Any controlled equipment that allows an operator to program its movement by entering a series of coded numbers and symbols. See CNC, computer numerical control; DNC, direct numerical control.
- toolpath( cutter path)
toolpath( cutter path)
2-D or 3-D path generated by program code or a CAM system and followed by tool when machining a part.
