Vero Software Updates with Surfcam 2018 R1

Vero Software includes major enhancements to the 2018 R1 release of Surfcam, according to the company, including updates to roughing cycles for milling, turning and MTM, and the prevention of unnecessary CAM regeneration.

When a user makes an edit to an existing command, Surfcam 2018 R1 will not automatically regenerate the remaining instructions. When editing a tool command, there will now be no regeneration if the alteration does not affect the corresponding cycles with aspects such as coolant or high-speed.

Two new items of functionality in the Roughing Cycle can save time in the milling, turning and MTM environments.

The gWaveform Roughing Strategy now gives users the ability to determine the radius size when using the helical approach option, by simply entering maximum and minimum values.

Automatic collision detection has been added to the Rough Turning Cycle. In previous versions of the software, it was necessary to manually apply profile extensions to avoid collisions.

Surfcam 2018 R1 provides support for Deep Hole Drilling – also known as Gun Drilling. The new strategy empowers the user to control entry, exit and intermediate drilling conditions.

The Profiling cycle used in both milling and turning, now has two new items of functionality. A Spring Cuts field has been added to the Multi Passes tab, which means tool deflection can be removed where necessary, by adding extra neutral passes, known as Spring Passes. This will be used typically when machining hard materials.

And secondly, the new Adjust Feedrate on Arc command improves cycle time calculation. In previous editions of Surfcam, the postprocessor adjusted circular interpolation feedrates, which gave correct NC output, but not the best cycle time calculation.

Support for JT Open files is incorporated for the first time. This is a lightweight 3D model format developed by Siemens PLM Software.

An Editing Manual Milling function provides for editing a manually created milling feature, instead of having to recreate an entire feature when extra edges are required.

In addition, the Move Point function within the Inspection module has two further options: ‘Fixed Axis,’ and ‘Fixed On Surface,’ giving the ability to align a measurement point along a fixed axis, or a solid face. And the Plane Feature command has been enhanced enabling users to choose to evaluate ‘flatness’ on more than four probe touches.

Another new feature is the Pass Boundary To Cycles function, in the Feature Properties window. An improved toolpath is generated when the user engagers Current Stock, and picks a solid feature. Rather than use the stock limits, which can sometimes lead to unwanted passes, the toolpath is now clipped back to the feature’s natural boundary.

Finally, additional functionality has been added to the B-Axis Contouring Cycle, which was introduced in the 2017 R2 edition.

For more info, visit Vero Software.

Sources: Press materials received from the company.