Updated CAM Software Builds on Tooling, Settings Library Features

SmartCAMcnc has released the 2016 version of its SmartCAM software, delivering an updated Knowledge-Base Machining (KBM) Library as well as improvements to the user interface and the core milling functionality. The improved KBM library supports the storing and reuse of tooling and operation settings, increasing the efficiency with which new programs can be created and ensuring that consistent and accurate CNC methodologies are used throughout the facility. The associativity feature of the KBM Library allows jobs that use library definitions to be quickly updated to the most current definitions. Additionally, the KBM Library can be populated from existing jobs with just a few keystrokes, the company says. Data stored in the library can be given a group name and associated to materials and machines, enabling the data to be quickly filtered and recalled for reuse.

Several improvements to the user interface have been included to make the software easier and more intuitive to learn and use. List view now displays model data in an expandable/collapsible tree structure. CAD and CAM model elements can now be shown using this hierarchical list, which eases viewing as much or as little detail of the model as is needed.

Improvements have also been made to the SmartCAM mill roughing processes. The “group pocket” process now supports separate pocket and island groups, including support for multi-level nested pockets and islands. The “part offset” and “morph-path” type options can be used to produce smoothed, continuously-tangent tool paths that are suitable for high-speed milling (HSM) techniques.

All SmartCAM 2016 products include an updated ACIS modeling kernel, and many customer-requested core improvements have been added.