Transforming CAD/CAM for enhanced machining efficiency

GibbsCAM 2024 promises to redefine the CAD/CAM experience, enhancing user productivity while simplifying the complexities of programming advanced machining centers. This new version embodies the company’s commitment to innovation, encapsulated in their guiding philosophy of "Powerfully Simple, Simply Powerful." Dive into the details of this exciting update and discover how it can transform your machining operations.

Key Enhancements in GibbsCAM 2024

The 2024 version introduces significant advancements, particularly in digital connectivity. A standout feature is the integration with Sandvik Coromant's CoroPlus® Tool Library, which provides users with immediate access to precise cutting tool recommendations tailored to specific operations. This integration ensures users have access to the latest cutting tool data, including 3D models and relevant operational parameters, all adhering to the ISO 13399 standard for cutting tool data representation and exchange. The cloud-based nature of this tool library allows users to retrieve data from any location with internet access, facilitating standardisation across multiple sites and remote work environments​.

Tobias Unosson, Product Manager at Sandvik Coromant, emphasises the transformative impact of integrating digital technologies into the manufacturing sector, highlighting how proven data can enhance part quality while reducing costs and waste. With over 160 years in business and a strong footing in the tooling industry, Sandvik's expertise provides invaluable insights that benefit end users across various manufacturing settings​.

Streamlined Workflow and Flexibility

GibbsCAM 2024 places a strong emphasis on efficiency through new post-processor configurations that allow for both standard and custom defaults. The software now supports multiple fixture stacking, enabling previously unused fixtures to remain on the machine for simulation and collision checks, thereby enhancing operational flexibility. This flexibility is critical for modern manufacturing environments where agility and responsiveness to changing production demands are paramount​.

One of the standout features in this release is the improved tool for CAD data interrogation. Users can now directly extract dimensioning information from 3D models, optimising workflow significantly. A newly introduced visualisation tool allows users to map curvature and taper angles, streamlining the analysis of tooling requirements. This capability is particularly beneficial in identifying the minimum tooling diameter necessary for part cutting, reducing reliance on additional reference geometry and simplifying the setup process​.

Moreover, the introduction of generic probing that supports rotary part alignment and positioning further enhances the software's usability. By selecting only the rotary axis, clearance, and shifting parameters, the system can probe surfaces and calculate part rotation alignment, which is especially useful for complex parts that require precise machining​.

Enhanced Machining Capabilities

The new version expands the flexibility of form tools in milling processes, allowing users to select between using exact tool profiles or more simplified monotonic profiles. This flexibility extends to support for Sandvik Coromant’s PrimeTurning™ with the incorporation of second-generation B-type inserts, which are designed for faster material removal and enhanced productivity​.

In addition, GibbsCAM 2024 features improvements in rest machining, which have been optimised to create more efficient toolpaths and reduce air cuts during machining operations. Users can expect smoother transitions during machining, as the software can now intelligently manage tool movements, minimising downtime and improving throughput​.

Variable-depth engraving capabilities have also been added, greatly improving the handling of complex fonts with tapered tooling and corner ramping. Selectable alignment options allow for greater control over the starting position of operations using a rotary axis, and users can now override default singularity rules, which is particularly useful for maintaining toolpath limits during milling and turning processes​.

New 5-Axis Features

GibbsCAM 2024 introduces advanced features for 5-axis machining, including an optimised stepover feature for finishing walls and cylindrical or conical floors, ensuring a more consistent surface finish. New geodesic operations perform straight cuts on end boundaries, improving hole filling and preventing the tool from dropping into open cavities during machining​.

Additionally, improvements in multi-axis machining capabilities include enhanced management of 3D containment, better point distribution, and ramp offset for initial passes during roughing cycles. This level of refinement allows for user-defined start points during finishing operations and facilitates tool tilting during helix entries, thereby improving the overall efficiency and quality of machined parts​.

Conclusion

The launch of GibbsCAM 2024 marks an exciting development for both the company and its users. President Thorsten Strauß highlights the significance of this release, indicating that it represents a culmination of a year-long development cycle driven by both customer feedback and innovative enhancements. By leveraging Sandvik’s cutting-edge knowledge and expertise, GibbsCAM continues to position itself as a leader in the CAD/CAM software sector, providing manufacturers with the tools they need to produce high-quality products efficiently​.