Geometric to showcase the new features of CAMWorks® 2011 at AeroDef

Scottsdale: Geometric will showcase CAMWorks® 2011, the latest version of its solid-based CNC programming solution at booth #1523 at AeroDef Manufacturing 2011, from 5 -7 April, 2011 in Anaheim, California.

CAMWorks 2011 is intended to be a more focused upgrade in the CAMWorks line, and provides significant new capabilities including enhanced automation, improved knowledge-based machining information, smarter Volumill-3Dtool paths, and more.

Fast and intelligent roughing

CAMWorks 2011 introduces VoluMill® the ultra high-performance toolpath plug-in engine for high speed milling for 2.5 axis and 3 axis roughing operations. It is ideal for prismatic parts and complex 3-D shapes as its algorithms result in more intelligent toolpaths to machine pockets, slots, and arbitrary shapes. It can be used with any material, including the hardest metals. The result is increased efficiency and utilization of machines, tools, labor and materials.

Machine complex parts

The 4/5-axis machining features in CAMWorks’ MultiAxis machining module provides a wide range of benefits to aeronautical manufacturers such as greater productivity, equipment flexibility and quality.

MultiAxis machining provides powerful features and cutting strategies to create toolpaths across complex spheres that cannot be machined on 3-axis machines. This includes impellers, turbine blades, cutting tools, trimming/deflashing, and automotive port finishing.

Automatically identifying machining areas

Feature Recognition, which is used to automatically identify areas to be machined, has been upgraded to find more features, while decreasing computation times by more than 50% over previous CAMWorks versions. As part models become increasingly complex, recognizing more features in less time represents huge time savings for the NC programmer. The proprietary Technology Database (TechDB™) that is used to store and apply knowledge based machining information, has been enhanced to simplify the process of creating best machining practices. The improved interaction will result in greater use of the knowledge-based machining capabilities of CAMWorks, and will reduce potential errors in machining information.

For the mold and die industry, Geometric has introduced an optional electrode design solution labeled ElectrodeWorks™ that automates all aspects of the calculation and design of EDM electrodes including design, management, documentation and manufacturing. Its seamless integration with SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids assures complete parametric association of data.

CAMWorks® was the first Gold Partner CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) solution designed exclusively to operate in SolidWorks. CAMWorks can run within SolidWorks, or as part of a cost-effective CAD/CAM package, that includes CAMWorks Solids, an integrated solid modeler.

Organized by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in partnership with Boeing, Lockheed Martin,Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Bell Helicopter and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing, AeroDef Manufacturing is designed to meet the manufacturing challenges in aerospace and defense. The event is a unique platform to showcase emerging technologies and processes in every category and at every stage of aerospace and defence manufacturing.