SmartCAM v2020: Verify Deviation from Part

NEWS RELEASE: SmartCAMcnc announces release of SmartCAM v2020

Monday, October 28, 2019 - Springfield, Oregon - SmartCAM® v2020 delivers numerous Verification improvements, the highlights of which are new material removal analysis capabilities that allow the cut model to be compared to the design model to check for remaining material, over-cutting, and gouges. Also included are many productivity boosting, customer-requested changes to the SmartCAM user interface and core functionality.

Verification Improvements

Gouge/Excess and Model Deviation analysis modes color the cut model based on specified tolerances to show remaining material, over-cutting, and gouges. Other analysis options for Climb/Conventional, and Up/Down cutting color the model based on the tool engagement with material. A new modeling function now allows a faceted model to be created from a solid at a specified accuracy for use in Verification as a stock, fixture, or target part model. Additionally, tool positions can be displayed during verification using world or local coordinates.

"Our users have enjoyed the recent improvements to our Verification functionality," said Doug Oliver, Senior Product Manager at SmartCAMcnc. "We are pleased to be introducing the new part analysis functionality in v2020, which has been a frequent request."

Core and UI / Usability Improvements

Numerous user requested improvements have been made to frequently used areas of the product.

• Selection Filters - The selection filters have been enhanced to include additional hole feature and region element types, and now allow selection to be further constrained to specific element attributes, such as Tool Number, Move Type or Feed Override
• Optimization - The sequence optimizer is now available in all SmartCAM applications, and has been updated to allow hole features to be automatically reordered using optimization settings
• Windows File Explorer Preview and Icon View Support - Process model (.PM5) and Job Operations Setup (.JOF) files can now be previewed in the File Explorer preview pane, and the process model file icon now displays the model image
• Job Report Mask Filter and Default Name - New report options alow reports to be generated excluding Steps and Tools that have been masked, and optionally saving the report using the same base job name
• ACIS Update - The modeling kernel has been updated to the latest version ACIS v2019 SP2, which supports Inventor v2019, ProE/Creo v6.0, Solid Edge ST11, and Solidworks v2019
• Resizable Notes, Element Data, Diagnostics Windows - Allow full screen notes editing, and make better use of available screen space
• Reorganized Right Mouse Button Menus - Offer more direct access to frequently used commands
• Property Change Toolpath Add Step - Allows a new step to be added to the model at the same time as assigning a step to a toolpath
• Arc Diameter Input Option - Allows arcs to be defined by diameter, or radius
• Process Names Displayed in List View - Provide greater information at a glance
• Job Parameter Name Display and Copy - Allows JOS tag names to be easily determined and copied to the buffer for use in an input field, macro, or code generator CGT expression

"In this release we delivered many user-requested improvements in key, high-use areas. We think our users will be pleased to see their input being realized", said Oliver.

Code and Macro Improvements

SmartCAM v2020 delivers many, many new code generator template words, functions, and capabilities that help to reduce template file complexity while improving readability. Additionally, new step list functions can be used to generate and embed a tool list directly in the output code file.

Macro improvements include more accurate model bounding box calculation support, and new functions to return a sub program name, and to check if a workplane is wrapped.

Oliver went on to say, "SmartCAM is known for its strength in post processing and customization. This release continues our commitment to on-going improvements in these areas each release."