SmartCAM V17.5 Released

Focus on Multi-Function, Mill/Turn Support

Geometry and Toolpath Modeling Capabilities Extended

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - Springfield, Oregon - SmartCAMcnc has announced the release of SmartCAM® V17.5. Version 17.5 introduces several new features and code generation capabilities targeted specifically at improving support for multi-function and mill/turn machinery.

Additionally, several new core "Toolpath Modeling" features which provide significant benefit to the entire SmartCAM suite include an updated ACIS® solid-modeling kernel, and updated CAD translators which ensure compatibility with current SOLIDWORKS® and AutoCAD® products. The SmartCAM V17.5 product family consists of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system software for Computer-Numerical Control (CNC) milling, turning, fabrication and wire EDM.

Multi-Function & Mill/Turn Support

The NC code generation system found in SmartCAM Advanced Turning™ has been enhanced to support a new format section for use when transitioning between different tool orientations. This allows improved code output control when generating C-axis rotation commands. The SmartCAM Machine Define utility has also been enhanced to include new category lists making it easy to identify and set machine parameters specifically related to the primary and secondary turning and milling turrets.

"SmartCAM version 17.5 is a important step toward providing all the advanced code generation capabilities needed to support the complex multifunction machines of today's market," said Douglas Oliver, SmartCAMcnc's Senior Product Manager. "As we move forward with future releases we will continue to expand our capabilities in these areas, making SmartCAM Advanced Turning a greater player in the mill/turn arena."

New & Enhanced Core "Toolpath Modeling" Features

New geometry creation and editing features further expand SmartCAM's already extensive toolpath modeling capabilities. A new geometry Hole Pattern Element can now be used to represent bolt-hole circles as well as radial-hole patterns. When used for radial patterns, this feature eliminates the need to define tool-planes for each axis-orientation, and allows code generation to directly command the required rotation moves.

Additional improvements to From Solid Hole-Detection allow better discrimination between partial and full holes, providing more control when developing hole-making processes. A new geometry editing Profile Extend command provides powerful low-level editing capabilities, which allow groups of profiles to be extended at the start and/or end by a specified distance, or until they intersect a specified profile.

"I think our users will be happy to see SmartCAM v17.5 includes several frequently requested core features and improvements," Douglas went on to say. "We're also very pleased to have made progress in key architectural areas, and are confident our users will appreciate the long-term benefits they enable."

Improvements to the SmartCAM offsetting now provide complete control over sharp corner roll behavior in the geometry Wall Offset command, Profile Toolpath generation processes, and "on-the-fly" Offset Property toolpath generation. Corners formed by the intersection of any element type are now rounded, or not rounded, based on the provided threshold angle and settings.

The geometry ordering Optimize command has been enhanced to allow Layer elements to be optimized in addition to Step toolpath. This change allows elements representing features to be ordered, and then subsequent processing for toolpath generation to take advantage of that order, for example when applying multiple drilling operations to a set of hole-elements. Additionally, the Optimize function is now available in the Advanced Turning product for use on live tool operations.

Other changes to the entire SmartCAM product suite include:

• Automatic Product Update Checking
• Multiline Comment Output of Job, Step, and Tool Notes
• Invert Display Background/Foreground Colors
• Modify - Purge Container Element
• Macro Command to Retrieve User Element Text