The 2018.2 version of ModuleWorks supports FDM, a process which works like a hot glue gun, where the object is printed on to a moveable and heated build plate. To ensure a high quality printed structure, ModuleWorks 2018.12 offers different infill patterns with a defined density and rotation angle that can be applied to each layer of the infill. A support structure can be created for overhangs, while an additional brim layer can be used to provide extra adhesion to the plate. To check whether the nozzle is correctly calibrated, and whether the material has been sufficiently heated, a skirt line can be printed around the model.
A further enhancement is the newly developed side tilt by contact point. This option for 5-axis machining lets users define tool-axis tilting by specifying a contact point on the tool profile. According to ModuleWorks, the feature simplifies operational set up, especially for tools with complex profile geometries, such as barrel cutters. Users can specify a static contact point or a dynamic range, allowing the contact point to change along the contour.
Automatic tilting for barrel mills is another new feature which offers enhanced collision control by smoothing the toolpath and ensuring that the tool moves fluently, while the blending distance option provides even more control by adding orientation points in the event of a collision.
ModuleWorks has also added dynamic holder collision avoidance for 2-axis roughing. To enhance machining safety and productivity, this feature takes the shape of the holder and arbour into consideration during the toolpath calculation to avoid collisions between the entire tool and stock material.
Another addition is intermediate slice filtering for 3-axis roughing. This time-saving feature eliminates the machining of very thin slices that result from the cusps left over by the previous operation. The user-defined threshold lets programmers avoid these unnecessary toolpath segments to speed up the machining process and increase productivity.
Finally, newly created options have been added to the software’s machine simulator to give users more control over the simulation process. Programmers can now step forwards and step backwards to the next/previous feed move, jumping over (fast simulating) the rapid moves.
