New code generation toolplane indexing with 3D transformations, optimization of toolpath for live tooling, and new Machine Define turn and mill primary and secondary turret categories, provide significant advances for mill/turn applications.

The Advanced Turning code generation has been improved to support full 3D toolplane transformations, as are already found in the SmartCAM milling products, and which provide greater control when outputting index commands. Operations performed using different toolplanes, for example when milling or drilling on the side of a part, now call the tool plane index section (@TPINDX), and related plane change template words are now correspondingly updated.

The Machine Define utility has been enhanced to include new turn and mill categories that display just the settings relevant to the primary and secondary turning and milling turrets. This makes it much faster and easier to create and customize the Mill/Turn code generators.

The Order Path tool box has been enhanced to include a new Optimize function, which can be used to increase the efficiency of live milling and drilling toolpaths. Optimize reorders toolpaths using Closest point or Zigzag X/Y methods, and an Improve option iteratively computes solutions until the shortest rapid distance is found. The selected elements can be sorted by Tool during optimization, which ensures the fewest possible number of tool changes.

Advanced Turning NC code generation has been improved to better support sequential, two-axis output in a single program using both turrets. This allows programs to be created for older machines with two turrets on a single slide requiring a single program, and also provides greater compatibility with the SmartCAM Production Turning product.