GibbsCAM 2011 to Be Demonstrated in Willemin-Macodel Exhibit at EMO

Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM® software for programming CNC machine tools and a Cimatron company, today announced that it will demonstrate its new release, GibbsCAM 2011, in the Willemin-Macodel, Inc. exhibit at EMO, the biennial international trade fair for metalworking technology. Gibbs will also preview two new GibbsCAM options specialized to simplify 5-axis programming of turbo machinery parts (rotary parts with blades). In addition to the new options, GibbsCAM 2011, released in July, includes many usability and productivity enhancements, with new capabilities and automation features that extend the flexibility of choosing programming methods and toolpath strategies. EMO will be held at the Hannover Exposition Grounds, in Hannover, Germany, from September 19–24. The Willemin-Macodel exhibit where GibbsCAM will be featured is in Stand C33, Hall 27. (Gibbs will have its own exhibit in Cimatron Stand H30, Hall 25.)

“We have enjoyed a great technological and marketing relationship with Willemin-Macodel Inc. for many years, supporting their machines and customers around the world,” said Simon Voelker, Gibbs Distribution Manager for Europe. “We look forward to supporting Willemin-Macodel at EMO, and demonstrating to their users how easily our CAM software programs Willemin-Macodel machine tools, including the latest and most capable multi-axis machines.”

In addition to the new turbo machinery options previewed with GibbsCAM 2011, are many new features, which include: automatic feature and color recognition in CAD models and preservation of these for quick selection and machining; full support of SolidWorks hole features; additional hole making capabilities for selecting, organizing, recognizing and drilling holes; addition of custom drill cycles; and major enhancements for 5-Axis operations.

The new options, 5-Axis-MultiBlade and 5-Axis-Advanced MultiBlade, which simplify programming turbo machinery parts for 5-axis machining centers and multi-task machines, are fully integrated with GibbsCAM 5-Axis and Machine Simulation. With standard industry terminology, the interface provides access to the toolpath strategies used in machining bladed parts for aerospace, automotive, power generation, hydraulic, and fluid transfer turbo machinery parts used in compressors, turbochargers, turbines, fans and pumps. Consistent with the rest of the GibbsCAM NC programming environment, the 5-Axis-MultiBlade and 5-Axis-Advanced MultiBlade options are easy to use and easy to learn.

Additional 5-Axis enhancements include: hole making features that make drill-cycle programmng at off-axis orientations very easy and extremely fast; an Operation Modifier that enables conversion of 2.5- and 3-axis toolpaths for 5-axis machining to allow use of shorter tools through tool-axis rotation; toolpath smoothing methods for all types of geometry, both STL (triangle mesh) and traditional surface geometry, to improve both tilt and rotary toolpath smoothness; support for B-axis (tilting live tooling) to enable programming 5-axis milling with Y-axis offsets on lathes and multi-task machines equipped with a live-tooling B-axis.