Gibbs and Associates introduces GibbsCAM 2013

GibbsCAM 2013's 5-axis MultiBlade option targets the machining of turbo parts, simplifying the programming of impellers, blisks and blings with specialised functions that include roughing, blade finishing, hub finishing, splitter, sub-splitter and wall finishing – and extension and control of leading and trailing edges. The dedicated 5-axis Porting function simplifies the creation of highly complex hollow shapes that have significantly different shapes or sizes at each open end, or have a significant amount of curvature from one to the other, including engine ports, manifolds and throttle bodies. As well as speeding up programming, it also provides more efficient toolpaths and machining. General enhancements to part-programming and machine run-time efficiency in GibbsCAM 2013 include the Mill Feature which allows the user to assign certain machining attributes directly to part features. This allows users to save and reuse knowledge based machining information. This means that additions and changes within part families can be handled with a single mouse click. Users can now define lathe threads from any valid shape, including shapes that contain arcs or splines using Lathe Threading/Thread Whirling. Post processors can be upgraded to support native arc threads (G35 and G36). Surface Flow machining strategies for solids machining offers better surface finish and more efficient code by means of an improved algorithm that smoothly handles most non-planar fillets and other blended faces. A new function, Geometry Shape Combine, allows users to manipulate shapes that can be combined through Boolean operations such as union, subtraction and intersection, trimmed or broken into segments. The Profiler has increased functionality that allows users to splice spun bodies, silhouettes and cylinders. Improvements to Lathe Plunge Roughing result in toolpaths that remove more material in less time while reducing tool wear, says Gibbs and Associates. Users can now place Drilling and Thread Milling in patterns. Pre-mill drilling of patterned milling operations will pick up the pattern automatically. Several improvements to Pocketing include such features as 'Outermost Shape As Boss' and improvements to mixed-shape pocketing with smarter entry and exit moves.