Five-axis project aims to make programming easier

ModuleWorks, a supplier of CADCAM components for 3 and 5-axis toolpath generation and simulation, has begun a major new research project aiming to create new automated methods for 5-axis machining in mould and die manufacture.

The Germany-headquartered company's software modules are used by several CADCAM packages, including Mastercam (4D Engineering), Edgecam, Cimatron and Gibbscam (Tech CADCAM).

The research project is supported by Germany's BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) under grant 01IS07016, and led by ModuleWorks in collaboration with the Institute for Production Technologies (IPT) at the Fraunhofer Research Centre in Aachen, Germany.

The goal is to develop new techniques to simplify the programming of 5-axis toolpaths on complex mould and die components. A team of researchers is working with ModuleWorks software and expertise to extend automation techniques used for 3-axis machining into the realm of 5-Axis machining.

Marc Stautner, research director for ModuleWorks, said: "We have seen an increase in demand for 5-axis machining in the mould and die industry as demands on quality continue to grow. The technology has become much more accessible as machine tool prices have lowered but there is still a learning curve in programming 5-axis toolpaths. This research programme is giving some useful pointers to methods combine the ease of 3-axis programming with the power of 5-axis technology – ultimately this will make it easier and more cost-effective to programme these parts".

Author
Andrew Allcock

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