SmartCAM v2023: Wrap Process Simplification

NEWS RELEASE: SmartCAMcnc announces release of SmartCAM v2023

Wednesday, January 11, 2023 - Springfield, Oregon - SmartCAM® v2023 delivers improvements to model Information, viewing and display, user interface and usability, macro automation, and CAD data translation. Also included are many productivity boosting, customer requested enhancements to SmartCAM core functionality.

Model Information Improvements

Many functional improvements to the Element Data query tool make it easier to find specific data. A new list filter allows users to filter on a specific class of elements, for example toolpath, wireframe or surface geometry. A new Find function allows a specific alpha numeric string to be entered and searched, and corresponding Previous and Next buttons can be used to step through matching results. Element Data information can now be copied to the Windows Clipboard copy buffer so that it may be pasted into other text fields or edit windows.

The Markup Note feature, introduced in the previous release, has been enhanced to include the ability to embed hyperlinks to external information pertinent to the job, for example setup instructions or images, tooling websites, or other job or shop related documents.

"The Element Data command is a bread and butter function that our users use day in and day out.", said Douglas Oliver, Senior Product Manager at SmartCAMcnc. "We're confident users will find the Element Data improvements deliver significant time savings and integration with other shop functions."

Core and UI / Usability Improvements

Numerous user requested improvements have been made to frequently used areas of the product, including the following highlights.

• Keyless Dynamic Viewing - it is now possible to dynamically change the view or zoom using the mouse menu button and mouse wheel, without the need to hold down control keys.
• Plane Orientation Display Marker - a new, persistent plane orientation marker allows the active workplane orientation to be viewed even when the axes are obscured or out of the view window.
• Section Slice Plane Preview - a new section preview plane displays the slice plane location and orientation, and which section will be removed from view.
• Graphics View Profile Sequencing Menu - new graphics view mouse button menus provide immediate access to frequently used profile sequencing options, such as chain, reverse, and start.
• Toolbar Icon Alignment - toolbar icon positions can now be left, center, or right justified.
• Named Views Toolbar - a new Named View toolbar provides one-click access to the default, standard named views.
• Layer Manager Element Count - a new Elements column in the Layer Manager makes it easy to identify unused layers so they can be easily removed.
• ACIS Update - The modeling kernel has been updated to the latest version ACIS v2023, which supports Inventor v2023, ProE/Creo v9.0, Solid Edge 2022, and Solidworks v2022.

"Once again, in this release we implemented many core productivity features applicable to all of our applications. We think users will be pleased to see their suggestions being brought to life," said Oliver.

Simplified 4^th Axis Wrapping

The existing Transform - Wrap capability, of the SmartCAM Advanced level Milling and Turning products, has been greatly simplified. Additionally, a new Wrap Process has been added that allows the input geometry to remain in its flat state so it can be easily modified, and the Wrap Process automatically regenerated to reflect the changes.

Macro Improvements

v2023 builds on SmartCAM's automation strengths by providing several new capabilities including the ability to query and return surface data parameters, and several new commands for managing step and layer visibility, and unused sub routines. A new macro variables filter pick list stores the last five used filters, making it easy to recall sets of variables with the click of the mouse.

Oliver went on to say, "SmartCAM v2023 demonstrates our commitment to continued improvement across the product family. We look forward to bringing more valuable improvements to our users in coming releases."