New Versions of Alphacam, Edgecam Released

By DE Editors

Vero Software has released new versions of its Alphacam and Edgecam CNC software solutions.

New functions in Alphacam 2013 R1 include:

Tool Path Oscillation: A sinusoidal or zig-zag up and down movement can be applied to any contour toolpath, utilizing more of the effective cutting length of the tool used. This improves the surface finish and extends the tool life. Oscillation pitch and height can be set, edited and saved as a machining style for future ease of use. 

Automatic Support Tags:  Support tags can be added automatically to any contour toolpath, allowing the part to stay attached to the material being machined. This overcomes the issue of small parts moving during the nesting process, reducing material wastage and improving part quality. Applied tags can be edited and included as part of a machining style.

Nesting Zones: This function also contributes to cutting material wastage and improving the quality of the part. Small parts can be identified and nested in specific areas of a sheet.

Combined Pocketing and Finishing: Pocket area clearance and finish contour machining can now be combined into a single machining operation, which improves the quality of the part and reduces programming time.

According to the company, Edgecam 2013 R1 provides an intuitive environment for the comprehensive programming of all wire EDM machine tools. It includes a comprehensive library of post-processors and knowledge-based cutting schemes as standard. The new cycles are aware of stock, eliminating air cuts and reducing cycle time.

Users can select from one of the pre-defined machining strategies, such as "Unattended night runs" and "Attended day runs." Alternatively, they can define their own.

Other features include multiple strategies for corner types, different tagging options, the ability to apply roughing and finishing cuts, multiple punches and dies, and a "no core" pocket destruction routine. Another new feature is the "Images and context help" for all options on the Wire and Feature Find command dialogs.

Another time-saving feature in the Profiling cycle is the new option to specify a chamfer or radius to break sharp corners, eliminating the need for deburring. A new "Tube" stock type has been added, and the user can now edit stock dimensions and re-pick geometry while retaining the stock shape. Changes to the stock are now considered automatically when regenerating the machining instructions.

Toolpaths are now generated faster via a new 5-axis 64-bit machining engine running as a separate process, utilizing multiple core technology. Background processing of milling cycles in the Mill/Turn environment is now available, meaning the user can carry on working while Edgecam calculates complex toolpaths.

For more information, visit Vero Software.

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