SmartCAM V18 Includes Sub-Spindle and B-Axis Support

By DE Editors

SmartCAMcnc has announced the release of SmartCAM V18.5, an upgrade to its turning and milling suite of products, and several core usability enhancements to the entire SmartCAM suite of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system software.

The SmartCAM product family consists of applications for Computer-Numerical Control (CNC) milling, turning, fabrication and wire EDM. The new release includes sub-spindle support in the Advanced Turning product, which allows machining operations to be defined on workplanes designated for the sub-spindle. SmartCAM toolpath generation routines now allow toolpath to be created using main- or sub-spindle plane orientations, and a sub-spindle offset parameter allows the sub 'spindle origin to be offset from the main-spindle origin by a specified distance.

Turret synchronization now allows turning operations to be synchronized across spindles, and new code generator template words provide support for independent spindle control, and conditional sub-spindle output

B-axis Indexing Support is the second major turning improvement. It allows live tools on machines with a pivoting B-axis to be positioned to machine on the face or side of a part, as well as on skewed planes. The Show Path and ShowCut toolpath and material removal verifications have been enhanced to display the tool pivoting into position, providing a more accurate and realistic representation of the machine movement, and the Code Generation module has been enhanced to output the corresponding B-axis positions and commands.

Live Tool C-Axis Face Indexing has been extended to include the ability to index user defined workplanes whose local Z axis is parallel to the world Z axis. This new capability allows machines with a Y axis to machine repetitive face features by indexing the C axis to each feature position then using XY motion to cut the feature.   

Also in V18.5, all SmartCAM milling products provide a new Rough Milling Morph pattern, which allows a variety of pocket and face features to be machined with a continuous toolpath that blends between an outer boundary and an inner point or island.

For more information, visit SmartCAMcnc.

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