GibbsCAM Brings Efficient MTM, Swiss and 5-axis Machining Capabilities to SolidWorks 2011 CAD Software

Enables Manufacturing Engineers and NC Programmers to Machine Complex Geometry from SolidWorks.

Moorpark, CA - Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM® software for programming CNC machine tools and a Cimatron company, today announced that its suite of GibbsCAM modules supports SolidWorks® 2011 3D CAD software with new capabilities to make geometry machinable and to generate NC programs for all configurations of mills and lathes, including Multi-task machines (MTM), Swissturn machines, and 5-axis machining centers. The GibbsCAM interface also helps the SolidWorks 2011 user by providing an easy-to-learn and easy-to-use interface developed with language and icons that manufacturing engineers, NC programmers and machinists understand.

SolidWorks 2011 optimizes core design functions so that users can more quickly and intelligently achieve their goals. It also includes hundreds of new enhancements specifically requested by customers. The new version of SolidWorks improves designers’ and engineers’ productivity with new capabilities like rapid dimensions, enhanced mirrored components, and heads-up mouse gesturing. These capabilities let designers and engineers work smarter and faster while minimizing menu navigation.

“Engineers, NC programmers and machinists don’t have time to worry about software complexity or the problem of integrating data between separate applications,” said Nick Iwaskow, SolidWorks Manager, Alliances. “Combining GibbsCAM’s CNC programming, toolpath verification, machine-tool simulation, and post processing with SolidWorks 2011 3D CAD enables engineers, NC programmers and machinists to focus on innovation, quality, and productivity instead of how to use the software.”

Manufacturing engineers and NC programmers will use GibbsCAM to generate NC programs for all types of CNC machine tools from design models created in SolidWorks software, with seamless transition. GibbsCAM opens SolidWorks models so that the NC programmer can analyze and optimize them for machinability, and generate toolpaths for the chosen or available CNC machine tool. GibbsCAM verifies the toolpaths with gouge detection and interference checking, then dynamically and visually simulates them on virtual machine tools, and accurately postprocesses them to generate optimal NC programs. The manufacturing engineer and NC programmer can use various GibbsCAM features to eliminate scrap, reduce cycle times, and maximize efficiency, safety and profits.

“A high percentage of our customers use SolidWorks for 3D CAD,” said Bill Gibbs, president and founder of Gibbs and Associates. “They will be as pleased as we are to have an easy-to-use CAM solution that supports accurate and efficient use of SolidWorks 2011 models to easily and productively generate programs for their CNC machines, from the simplest to the most complex.”

A SolidWorks Certified CAM Partner Product, GibbsCAM allows users to open SolidWorks models, and use the model geometry to generate efficient programs to drive CNC machine tools of all types, including multi-axis machining centers and multi-spindle, multi-turret Swiss machines. The combination of GibbsCAM and SolidWorks 2011 covers the design through manufacturing cycle in the production machining environment of multiple industries. Whether parts have simple geometry needing only simple milling or turning, or complex geometry requiring use of 5-axis machining, MTM or Swiss-style turning centers, the SolidWorks-GibbsCAM combination accommodates the manufacturing process.