Gibbs and Associates

New plunge roughing routines in GibbsCAM software have dramatically increased productivity at these Midwestern discrete parts manufacturers.

One software developer offers some guidelines for evaluating any CAM system's ability to perform this technique effectively.

GibbsCAM 2011 has multiple new capabilities, including an Auto Wizard within Hole Manager, which enables users to store default settings for reuse and invoke the Hole Wizard multiple times quickly.

Gibbs and Associates (Moorpark, California), the developer of GibbsCAM software and a Cimatron company, has granted 65 seats of software to Purdue University’s College of Technology, where more than 5,500 students are pursuing technical degrees.

GibbsCAM MTM (multi-task machining) module has been redesigned to reduce the time and effort required to develop postprocessors, generate CNC programs and simulate machine motion for multitasking lathes.

Gibbs and Associates’ GibbsCAM VoluMill Solids is designed for high speed machining (HSM) solid models directly within the CAM software.

Gibbs and Associates’ Plunge Rough feature is a user-controlled custom process within GibbsCAM 2010 designed to accommodate inserted plunge-milling tools.

GibbsCAM 2010 adds 64-bit support as an option, preparing for a future where 64-bit computing is the norm and also offering significant benefits to some GibbsCAM customers. This article offers information to help you appreciate the considerations associated with moving to a 64-bit computing environment.

 Gibbs and Associates’ GibbsCAM 2010 includes new features, additions, enhancements and productivity tools.

Gibbs and Associates, a Cimatron company and the developer of GibbsCAM software for programming CNC machines, has granted the Clemson University Campbell Graduate Engineering Center 50 seats of its software for use in undergraduate and post-graduate mechanical and automotive engineering research and curricula. The software will be used for advanced CNC machining simulation and analysis at both the campus and the university’s International Center for Automtoive Research (CU-ICAR).

Gibbs and Associates offers its GibbsCAM MTM solutions designed to enhance productivity by allowing multitasking machines to execute multiple operations in a single setup. The software fully supports all the functions available on standard multitasking machines and Swiss-type lathes.

Gibbs and Associates, a Cimatron company, has announced a partnership with Celeritive technologies to incorporate VoluMill as an integrated option for its GibbsCAM software. According to the company, this collaboration will provide seamless integration between GibbsCAM and VoluMill’s toolpath engine and reduce cycle times.

View on-demand webinars that cover topics including 3D printing, machine monitoring technology, tool shop optimization and CAM's impact on profitability.

This California-based shop machined parts for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover. GibbsCAM CAM software’s modeling functions and toolpath verification capabilities played a key role in its ability to effectively machine these critical components.  

Gibbs and Associates’ GibbsCAM Multi-task Machining (MTM) features a ProAXYZ module that enables the software to program thread whirling attachments on Swiss-style machines. According to the company, these machines can provide fast, productive machining of screws requiring high length-to-diameter ratios, high tapers from root to head, tight tolerances and burr-free finish typical of bone screws used in the medical industry.

 The five-axis module of GibbsCAM 2009 software is said to reduce set-ups and overall machining time. In addition to the overall improvements, the module includes enhancements to the postprocessors that extend support to drive virtually all five-axis machines with rotary heads, the company says. General machining capabilities of the five-axis module include multi-surface five-axis roughing and finishing; multi-surface, five-axis flow-line machining; surface-edge five-axis swarf cutting; an adaptable interface based upon part-type strategy; advanced gouge checking to ensure safe cuts in complex operations; complete control of entry, exit, cut-to-cut and between-cut motion; and five-axis depth cuts machining; and more.

Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCam software for programming CNC machine tools, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. “We owe our success and longevity to our customers, our employees, our GibbsCam resellers and other industry partners,” says Bill Gibbs, president and founder. “Without them, we would not be celebrating this landmark year.

GibbsCAM MTM (multitask machining) now includes lathe features that are said to provide more efficiency through tool control and take advantage of newer high-tech cutting tools that turn harder materials and machine smoother surfaces. Among the features is a ProAXYZ module that enables MTM users to program thread whirling attachments on Swiss-type machines, thereby eliminating the complexity of time consuming, manual code modification at the machine control, the company says. Also, as a result of the company’s collaboration with Mazak, Mori Seiki and Tornos, the MTM module now includes features to support advanced machines from these partners.

The company has incorporated many new features and enhancements across the GibbsCAM 2009 product line including changes for advanced 3D high speed machining. According to the company, all of the additions are geared for ease of use and productivity. Interface, interoperability, programming, verification and machine simulation features are said to decrease programming and prove-out time.

Gibbs and Associates’ GibbsCAM 2009 features enhancements in milling, turning, user interface/productivity and interoperability. Milling enhancements include advanced 3D high speed machining (HSM) methods. These machining methods, specifically developed for multi-surface hard milling and high speed machining in SolidSurfacer, are said to provide high quality surface finishes that reduce or eliminate polishing.

Extremely large workpieces often cause set-up issues because they can be difficult to move and position without a significant commitment of both time and manpower. Thanks to GibbsCAM software, mining equipment manufacturer Bucyrus International can use right-angle heads to cut down on the number of operations required to machine parts. In addition to helping the shop cut back on time-consuming setups, the software provides valuable estimation and toolpath verification features.

Gibbs and Associates offers its Advanced 3D with HSM enhancement for GibbsCAM SolidSurfacer, which introduces a complete range of advanced three-axis milling functionalities with support for high speed machining (HSM). The three-axis surface machining capabilities provide more control and flexibility in toolpath generation with integral high speed machining support, the company says. The enhancement includes toolpath strategies optimized for high speed and hard material machining; 3D rest or material-only machining; support for tapered tool shapes; and new types of finishing processes, including constant step-over and steep-shallow combination.

The part requires only milling and drilling, but it is still run on a lathe. Except for the cutoff tool, all of the turret positions on this lathe hold rotating tools. In other words, turning is not essential for using a lathe effectively. This application illustrates the productive possibilities of a modern turn-mill machine.

A CAD/CAM software provider has taken an important step that will enable CNC machine tool users to benefit from emerging data-communications standards designed to promote a truly “paperless” manufacturing environment. The key is a STEP AP224 interface.

Lean practices are not just for predictable production. Here are the common-sense ways this low-volume job shop has implemented a leaner process.

For Scott Tudury, co-owner of Apex CNC, the key to the future was a broken rocker arm on a Harley-Davidson Knucklehead motorcycle engine. Built between 1936 and 1947, the overhead valve V-Twin earned its name because of the valve cover design.

Go beyond crib books. Using a CAM-based knowledge library does more than just speed programming—it can also make machining more consistent throughout the shop.

A machine shop in a new cancer treatment center produces components to precisely guide proton radiation to eliminate its target—cancerous tumors.

This collection of hole making-technologies offers some new, unusual and overlooked ways to make holes in machined parts. One of these tools might be the solution you're looking for. All of them will help you rethink your approach to hole making.

This manufacturer has a history of manufacturing parts primarily for the automotive industry that dates back to the 1930s.

Software for creating probing routines off-line promises to make machine tool probing easier to use. As a few examples show, different software providers look at this off-line programming in different ways.

Customized software helps this machine tool builder maximize the output of its horizontal machining centers.

Most CAM software can be classified as either fundamentally process-based or fundamentally geometry-based. Understanding this often-overlooked distinction can help you find the CAM system that is best for your needs.

The term refers to different levels of automation that CAM software developers are building into their NC programming software.

The problem facing this casting shop is that the artisans who create patterns used to model and create cast-iron parts aren't available in the numbers that they once were, and as skilled workers retire, there aren't enough replacements to staff the industry. Foundries across the country face this problem as the skilled labor pool diminishes through attrition. The remaining patternmakers are working longer hours trying to keep up, causing longer lead times.

CAM software companies are offering software programs that allow their users to read STEP-NC files into their existing CAM software to generate the tool path and output for specific CNC machines. These "plug-ins" make many of the benefits of STEP-NC available to the average machine shop today.

Developers of CAM software have introduced many programming features for the initial removal of excess stock prior to finishing operations. By preparing the workpiece surface for more effective finishing, these roughing routines often determine how efficiently a CNC machining center can perform.

This company provides design and engineering services to oil drillers, cell phone service providers, companies that make clean water systems and any other business looking for effective problem-solving done at breakneck speed.

In a mature market, choosing the right software for the personal computers you use to create programs for your CNC machine tools can be tricky. Here are some guidelines to help you find the software that best meets your needs.

Mueller Tool and Machine's main focus is designing and building machinery that forms and finishes copper-tubing fittings for the plumbing and heating marketplace. Not available commercially, its custom machinery includes machines for facing copper fittings, and hydraulic presses with closed-loop programmable ram-control--which automate the push-forming of copper elbows.

The primary mission of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the exploration of the solar system and extend outward to the search for extra-solar planetary systems. Tools such as this software system are brought in at ground level.

When a manual pattern maker stepped up to CNC machining, he needed a simple way to write tool paths for his complex patterns. He found it. He also found a source of revenue he never anticipated.

This manufacturer found that its new CAM system was difficult to use, and although they had invested time and money in training, their highly skilled programmer consistently outperformed the system using his own skills, a calculator, and a pad of paper.