New GibbsCAM Turbo Machinery Options to be Previewed at EMO

By DE Editors

Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM software for programming CNC machine tools and a Cimatron company, has announced two new GibbsCAM options specialized for the machining of turbo machinery parts (rotary parts with blades) will be previewed at EMO Hannover 2011, the annual international trade fair for metalworking technology. Also demonstrated will be GibbsCAM 2011 features, including the latest version of GibbsCAM MTM, the multi-task machining option.

The two new GibbsCAM options, 5-Axis-MultiBlade and 5-Axis-Advanced MultiBlade, are fully integrated into GibbsCAM for use on machining centers and MTM machines. The MultiBlade interface provides access to toolpath strategies used in machining bladed parts, such as impellers, blisks (bladed disks) and blings (bladed rings).

Another feature of the new option is that MultiBlade works directly from the geometric model, making geometric manipulation unnecessary. Users need only select predetermined items such as the hub, blade, shroud, etc., to begin programming. Furthermore, toolpath strategies available within MultiBlade are only those required or typically used to machine those geometric elements, but with the flexibility to specify machining parameters.

The GibbsCAM 5-Axis-MultiBlade Option is designed for machining parts of simple to moderate complexity, and provides a subset of the features within the 5-Axis-Advanced MultiBlade option, which adds functionality for machining highly complex parts.

Both 5-Axis MultiBlade Options are supported within the GibbsCAM MTM (multi-task machining) module. There is automatic gouge checking on all toolpaths, and GibbsCAM Machine Simulation supports the MultiBlade Options, as do GibbsCAM 5-axis postprocessors.

For more information, visit GibbsCAM.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.