(Irvine, California, March 2, 2007) – CGTech, with its long history of being the manufacturing industry’s leading innovator of CNC simulation and verification software, continues to invest heavily in software development. As a result, the latest release of VERICUT, Version 6.1, contains a host of improvements–mostly as a result of feedback from users.
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, Unigraphics, PTC, MasterCAM and EdgeCAM.
NC Program Review Integration In VERICUT 6.1, NC Program Review is now integrated in the main desktop allowing the user to navigate backwards from the last NC program line simulated. Error messages and NC program text is highlighted when a collision on the stock or fixture is selected. Optionally, material can be replaced while stepping backwards, and then removed again while stepping forward, giving the ability to easily identify problem areas. Both machine views and profile views are now active in Review mode, including an optional tool path line display in the profile view. Additionally, synchronized subsystem simulation (such as for Mill-Turn and multi-channel controls) can now be displayed in Review mode.
User Interface Updates A new logger display shows messages in a scrolling list. Messages are organized by category. Each category of message can be blanked or displayed as desired. Selecting an error or warning message in the list highlights the associated NC program line in the NC program display. The logger display is a dockable panel and can be located horizontally within the desktop or outside the desktop. Furthermore, additional VERICUT status lights indicate activity during simulation.
AUTO-DIFF AUTO-DIFF Constant Gouge Check can now optionally check for a minimum amount of excess material relative to the design model. This is typically used where roughing cuts should leave a specific minimum amount of material for subsequent machining. AUTO-DIFF profile is improved to give more robust results on large and complex profiles where the design and cut stock models are nearly coincident.
Manual Data Input (MDI) Simulation MDI is significantly enhanced to include axis jog buttons and tool positioning by graphical picks. This can be especially useful during planning stages. The simple MDI controls can be used to make sure the machine will reach all the necessary features of the part. Tool positioning includes offset values along the tool axis and side of the tool.
Manage Machine and Control Configuration Files It may be desirable to ‘lock-down” VERICUT’s machine configurations at companies with multiple machines and several NC programmers. Encrypted machine and control files allow the site manager to prevent machine configurations from being inadvertently modified. Menu features are reorganized so ‘project-specific” settings used during NC program simulation tasks are clearly separated from ‘machine/control” configuration settings. Using encrypted machine/control files automatically disables machine/control configuration menus. If desired, the machine/control Configuration menu can be completely removed from VERICUT’s main menu bar.
Tool Enhancements Turning tools with multiple inserts (such as ‘Flash” tools or other types of tools with multiple inserts) are now supported–including definition of multiple driven points. Each insert’s position is checked for valid turning orientation before it will cut. Cutting limit checking (added in 6.0) is enhanced to include checking Minimum/Maximum RPM values. A new model choice automatically creates a milling tool’s gage location at the highest point on the tool assembly.
CAD/CAM/PLM Interface Updates VERICUT’s CAD/CAM Interfaces make verifying NC Programs from within the CAD/CAM/PLM system easy and convenient. Users can verify individual operations, a series of operations, or a set of complete NC programs. All stock, fixture, and design geometry is automatically transferred to VERICUT in the correct orientation, along with the NC program, tooling, machine and control data and other simulation parameters. The following CAD/CAM/PLM interface updates have been made in 6.1:
Unigraphics Interface— merges tools from the UG session with tools in the template project file’s Tool Library.
CATV Interface — CATIA V5 users can choose how to apply the part operation’s machining axis in their VERICUT simulation by selecting the offset table (Program Zero, Work Offset, etc.) and relationship to the machine (tool, rotary axis pivot, etc.). CATV allows the user to select sketch geometry used to define tool shapes in CATIA. This geometry is then used to create tools in VERICUT. CATIA length units (inch or millimeter) are now automatically detected and set in the VERICUT session.
About CGTech Headquartered in Irvine, California CGTech specializes in numerical control (NC/CNC) simulation, verification, optimization, and analysis software technology for manufacturing. Since 1988 CGTech’s product, VERICUT® software, has become the industry standard for simulating CNC machining in order to detect errors, potential collisions, or areas of inefficiency. With offices worldwide, VERICUT software is used by companies of all sizes, universities/trade schools, and government agencies. For more information, visit the CGTech website at www.cgtech.com
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Images available upon request.
For more information, contact: Bryan Jacobs (949) 753-1050 info@cgtech.com
CGTech, OptiPath, and VERICUT are registered trademarks of CGTech.
Airbus is selling so well that the demand to increase build rate has never been higher. BAE Systems (Filton, UK) needed a simple way to improve throughput - it found the answer in VERICUT.
With VERICUT, engineers at Stellex Monitor modeled the Sidewinder and Spar Mill machines.
Tell Tool of Westfield, Mass., has integrated VERICUT CNC simulation software into its numerical control program prove-out process.
VERICUT enabled us to start ordinary production after a minimum of time. Since this product is new for Volvo Aero Norge and our company had never before had parts with similar machining complexity, it is difficult to estimate the amount of cost saving.
Before implementing VERICUT, the company experienced the usual time-consuming and expensive manufacturing problems related to NC program prove-outs such as scrap loss, broken tooling, and a danger of occasional machine crash.
Over the last two years, AH has used Machine Simulation to speed the implementation of several new 5-axis machine tools.
VERICUT showed the NC programmers leftover or heavy stock." And the software detected a couple of places where the depth of cut was too large and tools were shanking out," said Collings. They then went back and corrected the errors in the tool path before
Dassault, Seclin initially purchased VERICUT in order to reduce the number of manual prove-outs using polystyrene material, which represented a significant expense in terms of time and money.
VERICUT enabled the designers and programmers see exactly what they were building as and in-process model in different stages of the machining cycle.
We utilized VERICUT to verify the CNC programs for cutting the tooling before they were sent to the machine control,
To protect their investment, they have been using VERICUT since 1996. They have two people to verify the accuracy of their G-code files.
"When we first started using OptiPath we concentrated on the feed rate option; now we use the constant chip thickness capability. With jobs up to 200 hours long, 50% saving is significant like having another machine tool."
The entire process took less than two hours and no manpower was required, whereas, creating the same pattern manually (the old way), would have taken one of our designers several days.
The verification process stays ahead of the actual machine position in the NC code being verified. Opera-tors can see errors before they occur.
The bottom line? Using VERICUT has made Supreme's existing machine tools more productive. Enthusiasm is up, delivery times have been reduced, and pricing is more competitive.delivery times have been reduced, and pricing is more competitive.
Using VERICUT to compare the electrode burn with the mold cavity ensures that we have all the correct clearances in the electrodes and that we have 100% clean-up." says Allen.
If I was using VERICUT at the time I would've caught the problem, and had a chance to fix it before it damaged the part.
Now I rarely see the potential crashes because the students find and correct them before I review the work. Catching those costly problems is a non-event now!
VERICUT can change speeds and feeds according to cutting conditions including difference in material and tooling. It is done automatically; the programmer does not have to make even one manual insert into the code."
Flying shrapnel from shattered cutting tools and components is avoided by using VERICUT to test student programs before they are run on NC machines.
The NC programmers at Ingersoll also rely on the simulation software to prevent mistakes when programming complex, five-axis parts.
After creating the NC programs in Mastercam, they began simulating the machining process in VERICUT by simulating the G-code data. There often can be a difference between the motion as programmed and the code after it's run through the post processor
After selecting VERICUT for third-party verification, each NC programmer attended two days of basic training where they experienced first-hand the type of results they could expect to achieve.
The program simulates milling, drilling, turning, wire EDM, and mill/turn machining operations using both G-codes and CAM output.
VERICUT provides simulation capabilities for the all the 3-5 axis and wire EDM parts, with focused control over the orientation of our 5-axis machine tool including the cutters used on that machine.
The inspection probe is created as a tool in VERICUT so the complete in- cycle gauging sequence is checked for collisions.
The bottom was machined first. This effort took about 24 hours from start to finish. By using VERICUT software from CGTech, Elliot was able to test the NC program for any problems before it was ever cut on the machine.
Cosworth Racing Integrates Walter TDM Tool Management into Manufacturing Systems
With data exported from NX, Vericut simulates the cutting process on the shop floor utilizing the machine G-code to detect any issues prior to NC Program release.
