GibbsCAM celebrates delivery of 1,250th MTM post-processor, claims leadership position

Each of the 1,250 post-processors is uniquely developed and configured for a specific combination of MTM machine, machine options and control. The achievement of this milestone underlines continuing adoption of MTMs and the increased use of GibbsCAM to program this type of machine, says developer Gibbs and Associates. Most MTMs, it adds, require a CAM system capable of programming the complex combination of milling and turning, while synchronising the motion of multiple tool groups and spindles, with part transfers and release, all within a restricted space. This complexity, combined with the necessity of optimising programs to minimise production time and cost, drives MTM users to GibbsCAM for a number of reasons, it is explained: programming and optimisation of machine motion is much simpler and faster with GibbsCAM; and GibbsCAM has the post-processors to generate CNC code that optimises machine tool efficiency and accommodates shop process preferences. The library of MTM post-processors, in combination with GibbsCAM software, allows Gibbs to provide a more complete and immediate solution to customers who need the productivity offered by MTMs, it is claimed. Says Robb Weinstein, senior vice-president of sales and strategic planning of Gibbs and Associates: "We continue our leadership position in MTM programming, with the best assortment of MTM post-processors in the industry, as, when new machines and new machine capabilities are introduced, we broaden GibbsCAM's programming and post-processing functions to accommodate them. "Then we develop and deliver error-free post-processors, and maintain them ourselves, to ensure that our users never need to edit the output. This helps customers attain the highest levels of productivity in programming and machining, strengthens our relationships with our multiple machine tool partners, and maintains our reputation for having the most effective, easiest to use, and most versatile solution for MTM programming." The company underlines that most CAM software vendors provide a post-processor as a generic tool, and relegate time-consuming configuration and implementation (which require reiterative testing, trouble shooting and correction) to their users and resellers. In contrast, Gibbs has a staff dedicated to developing, implementing and maintaining post-processors. The GibbsCAM post-processor group maintains a current library of nearly 11,000 unique post-processors to accommodate all types of lathes, mills, multi-task machines, and their associated controls. Among the machine brands supported by the 1,250 MTM post-processors so far delivered are: Chiron, Hankook, Hwacheon, Hyundai-Kia, Mazak, Nakamura-Tome, Toshulin, Victor, WFL Millturn Technologies, Doosan, Gildemeister, Index, Miyano, Schaublin, Traub, Citizen, Hardinge, Spinner, Mori Seiki, Okuma and Star.