NCG CAM Solutions introduces significant enhancements with NCG CAM v13

It is expected that helical passes in NCG CAM v13 will be used for semi-finishing and finishing routines. They will reduce the witness lines between Z-level passes that occur when using waterline passes. The load on the cutter will also be more consistent than waterline passes during the linking move down to the next level, adds NCG CAM Solutions. Another innovation allows circular holes in the triangulated model data to be capped, including holes that span different surfaces. There are two options available with this feature: either a circular planar patch can be created at the upper limit of the hole or, for holes that pierce a 3D form, a patch that follows the surface edge can be generated. Both methods use a detected holes plan, allowing the top, the bottom or both ends of the hole to be capped. Often a part surface will have screw holes, ejector / core pin holes, etc, in it – in which case hole capping will allow the user to machine over the top without dropping down the hole. This will give a smooth machine motion, instead of trying to machine around a hole. Shaft Profile can now be exported as a .csv format file. This data can then be used as a template to turn a more robust custom toolholder, allowing clearance with the part to be kept to a minimum. NCG CAM v13 also allows single points to be converted into datum points. These may then be passed as inputs to machining plans when required for post-processing. An ability to save values in the edit transform dialogue will allow the user to save either a single or a combined set of transformations for re-use in another plan or even another database. Selecting 'save' in the transform dialogue saves the current set of transformations into a pull-down menu. The user can then accept the default name or supply a more suitable one. Selecting a saved transformation from the pull-down menu and then selecting 'load', restores the saved transformations and adds them to the current transformations list. The ability to pick a surface's colour and make other surfaces the same colour allows other surfaces selected to apply the remembered colour to them. This makes it easier for the user to change the colour of numerous different surfaces to be the same as an existing colour. Tapping with Chip Break will allow users with machine tool controllers able to support this feature (Heidenhain Cycle 209 and others) to implement a chip break within the tapping cycle. Five-axis operations can now employ lollipop and dovetail cutters, both of which will allow the machining of undercut surfaces. Other enhancements added in v13, concludes NCG CAM Solutions, include significant improvements to the rest finishing and waterline linking strategies.