CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

18 April 2008

Events News

CGTech to Show VERICUT 6.2 at IMTS

CGTech will exhibit the latest version of VERICUT CNC machine simulation and optimization software at the IMTS show in booth D-3035

VERICUT 6.2 features several enhancements that increase the ability of manufacturing engineers to develop, analyze, inspect and document the CNC programming and machining process.

“VERICUT sits in a unique position in the process chain, in between the creation of the NC program and its physical application on the shop floor,” said Bill Hasenjaeger, Product Marketing Manager. “VERICUT software development is driven by the evolutionary changes in manufacturing technology: new CAD/CAM software features, new machines and tooling, new machining techniques and processes, and our customers’ needs to implement and improve on these changes. VERICUT 6.2 includes several new innovations to simplify validating even the most complex configurations in order to produce better results and reduce the time spent in the programming and machining cycle.”

VERICUT Product/Function Overview:

VERICUT is CNC machine simulation, verification and optimization software that enables users to eliminate the process of manually proving-out NC programs. It reduces scrap loss and rework. The program also optimizes NC programs in order to both save time and produce higher quality surface finish. VERICUT simulates all types of CNC machine tools, including those from leading manufacturers such as Mazak, Makino, Matsuura, Hermle, DMG, DIXI, Mori Seiki and Chiron. VERICUT runs standalone, but can also be integrated with leading CAM systems such as Catia V5, Unigraphics, Pro/E, MasterCAM, EdgeCAM and GibbsCAM.

NC Program Review Enhancements

A new “NC Program Preview” offers an option to process an NC program in VERICUT without actually simulating material being removed. This “quick check” is very fast and uses much less memory. When in preview mode, VERICUT displays a tool trace of the NC program over the design model. Preview checks for collisions, gouges, minimum excess and instances where axis limits are exceeded. At the end of the preview VERICUT enters NC Program Review mode.

Several new utilities have been added to the NC Program Review window. These include: a calculator, user-configurable text coloring, syntax checking and block renumbering options. The syntax check enables users to check the NC program for syntax errors based on a user defined set of criteria. This feature is also accessible from the NC Program Review editor. Users can turn On/Off VERICUT defined syntax checking rules (error conditions) and define custom syntax checking error conditions. Users who manually create and edit NC programs can now transfer NC blocks from the MDI window directly into the NC Program.

New Tool Setup Wizards

Complimenting the milling tool setup wizard introduced in VERICUT 6.0, a Turret Setup wizard has been added. The new Turret Setup enables users to easily load, change tools, or change tool positions in a turret. Users can also easily create a swept model of a turret.

The Tool Manager has also been enhanced to enable users to describe the shape, position, and orientation of a waterjet cutter or a tap in a tap tool assembly.

Simulate Tapping

VERICUT now supports simulation and analysis of tapping operations. Tapped holes are visually differentiated from other drilled/bored/reamed holes. VERICUT checks for correct feed rate and direction when using a tap tool, and also detects if the tap hole is pre-drilled too small.

More Powerful X-Caliper

X-Caliper allows users to measure thickness, volume, depth, gaps, distances, angles, hole diameters, corner radii, scallop heights, etc. VERICUT 6.2 can now directly measure the depth of blind holes as well as the top and bottom radius of a countersink. Picking a hole returns the center point.

X-Caliper can also be used to measure the distance between the tool and the stock, and shows the thread features of a tapped hole (e.g. pitch threads/inch (or mm), etc.), like it does for turned threads.

Create Setup Plans with Dimensions

A new Setup Plan window is added enabling users to add dimensions or notes to create a drawing of a setup lay-out or setup plan. The setup plan is stored in the VERICUT session and can be output in a VERICUT report.

AUTO-DIFF™ Precision

AUTO-DIFF enables users to automatically detect differences between a CAD design model to a VERICUT simulated cut part. The AUTO-DIFF Surface Range tables now include a value to represent surface cuts exactly matching (i.e. with no deviation from) the design model. A separate color can be designated for these features.

Additionally, the design model now moves with the cut stock as it transitions between setups. It also moves with the cut stock when the cut stock is manually moved via the Modeling window.

CAM Interface Updates

The CATIA V5-to-VERICUT Interface (CATV5) has been updated to:

•  enable selecting CATIA sub-programs.

•  retrieve cutting tool descriptions from CATIA Resources.

•  set the VERICUT working directory to the location specified in CATV5.

•  create no table entries, when desired.

The NX-to-VERICUT Interface (NXV) (formerly the Unigraphics-to-VERICUT Interface (UGV)) has been updated to:

•  support merging the tools in the current NXV session with those in the setup template.

•  remove Program Groups that a user does not want to export to VERICUT. Removed program groups are still saved with the NX part.

•  query the Geometry in NX to identify the CSYS names and add them to a pull down list for the "Program Zero To CSYS" on the Options menu.

•  no longer require specifying Model Location CSYS prior to selecting the operation's geometry (Part, Stock/Blank and Fixture/Check).

•  support TLDATA/GROOVE, LEFT/RIGHT, OUTSIDE/INSIDE, w, r1, r2, d, a1, a2, hh, hw in an NX CLS file.

Group Travel Limits

Travel Limits in both the G-Code Settings window and the Machine Settings window is enhanced to include soft limits, step limits and grouping. You can put conditions on travel limits and activate different groups of limits using Macros.

Additional Enhancements

VERICUT is enhanced to support milling on turning stock and is considered a valid cutting operation for any tool/stock orientation (on-center, or off-center). Full VERICUT support for such motions is implemented (X-Caliper, .vcs files, Model Export etc.).

Support is added for multi-axis water jet cutting operations.

VERICUT now supports pocket cycles in the XY, YZ, and ZX motion planes.

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