Product category:
Software, off-line programming, CAM, for metal cutting machine tools
News Release from: Renishaw | Subject: Productivity+ GibbsCAM plug-in software
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 02 March 2004
Toolpaths, process control, inspection
made in one
A powerful probing plug-in simplifies the production of touch probing routines on machine tools, allowing control and inspection to be programmed simultaneously as toolpath generation.
Gibbs and Associates, a leading developer of CAM/CNC programming software, and Renishaw, one of the world's leading metrology companies, have combined their expertise to produce a powerful new probing plug-in for GibbsCAM software Renishaw's new Productivity+ GibbsCAM plug-in introduces a new simplified approach to producing touch probing routines on machine tools, allowing process control and inspection to be programmed at the same time as toolpath generation
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 28 Feb 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Using the Productivity+ GibbsCAM plug-in, the many benefits of probing can be maximised by engineers who are responsible for developing manufacturing processes and understand the design intent.
Machine tool probing for process control and inspection therefore becomes a natural part of the engineering process, using the probe just like any other tool in the magazine.
The new plug-in supports probing routines to set tool length and diameter, perform work-piece identification, work-piece set-up, in-process tool offset control, and part inspection (pass off).
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With the seamless merger of these probing routines into the GibbsCAM environment, the entire process can now be fully simulated prior to machine prove out, increasing on-machine confidence and therefore increasing machine efficiency.
For further ease-of-use, the intuitive menus provided within the Productivity+ GibbsCAM plug-in allow the effective use of machine tool probes on a range of controllers without a detailed knowledge of macro code.
The instructions required to control the probe are automatically included in the same post-processed file as the toolpath.
A further development is a Productivity+ plug-in written specifically for the powerful Siemens 840D controller, which will bring advanced levels of probing functionality to machine tools.
The programs are processed within the controller at run time, bringing additional benefits of reduced execution times.
The Productivity+ GibbsCAM plug-in is available for GibbsCAM 2004 and, importantly, the benefits of the software are not restricted to new process generation, as existing programs can be re-processed to include probing.
GibbsCAM and the GibbsCAM logo are registered trademarks of Gibbs and Associates, Moorpark, CA, USA.
GibbsCAM and Gibbs and Associates - since 1984, Gibbs and Associates has been a leading developer of CAM/CNC programming software which is widely acclaimed for its ease of use and productivity power.
The current GibbsCAM product line supports 2- through 5-axis milling, turning, mill/turning, multi-task simultaneous machining and wire-EDM.
GibbsCAM is available as either an integrated off-line or controller-embedded shop floor programming configuration, which are fully compatible.
High-level process models can be exchanged between the shop floor and manufacturing engineering allowing the capture of shop-proven processes.
GibbsCAM also provides fully integrated manufacturing modelling capabilities that include 2D, 2.5D, 3D wireframe, surface, and solid modelling.
GibbsCAM's data exchange capabilities are able to access the broadest range of native and industry standard CAD data formats.
GibbsCAM is certified under the Autodesk Inventor Certified Application Program, is a Solid Edge Certified Select application, and is offered under the SolidWorks Solutions Partner program.
Gibbs and Associates distributes its products worldwide through a network of international Resellers.
For more information call 1-800-654-9399, or visit the company on-line at www.GibbsCAM.com.
Renishaw - for 30 years Renishaw, one of the world's leading metrology companies, has supplied products to manufacturing companies worldwide, all designed to increase productivity and improve product quality in a competitive manufacturing environment.
The company has a wide product range, and a customer base across a broad spectrum of different industry sectors.
Renishaw is most widely associated with its touch-trigger probes for CNC machine tools and co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs), but has successfully diversified into other market sectors, including scanning systems for reverse engineering applications, laser calibration systems, position encoders, and Raman spectroscopy systems.
A British company, Renishaw plc has an annual turnover in excess of ?100 million and exports over 90% of its annual production from its base in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, supplying all of the world's leading industrial nations.
The total number of employees worldwide is now over 1,500, with 80% based in the UK working on all aspects of the business, from R and D through to manufacturing and sales.
The company has established subsidiary companies in the USA, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Hong Kong, Brazil, India, Australia, South Korea, The Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Austria, Slovenia, Canada and the Czech Republic, with representative offices in China, Singapore, and Hungary.
An extensive network of distributors covers all other major industrialised nations. Request a free brochure from Renishaw ...
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