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The company has incorporated many new features and enhancements across the GibbsCAM 2009 product line including changes for advanced 3D high speed machining. According to the company, all of the additions are geared for ease of use and productivity. Interface, interoperability, programming, verification and machine simulation features are said to decrease programming and prove-out time.

Significant capabilities have been added to the lathe modules and the addition of machining methods for multi-surface hard milling and high speed machining in SolidSurfacer are said to provide quality surface finishes that reduce or eliminate polishing.

Advanced 3D high speed machining enhancementsinclude machining styles for smooth entries, exits and cutting motions. Other enhancements include steep or shallow angle limits, rest passes, toolholder collision checking and options to change cutting style. User-specified step distance drives the constant step over cut routine to generate 3D passes with constant separation along a part’s surface, from the outside in, to achieve smooth finishes. The flat cuts routine automatically recognizes and machines flat areas, using minimal distance retraction when moving from one section of a workpiece to another, avoiding workpiece features while minimizing non-cutting motion. For finishing and semi-finishing passes, the contour routine computes equal Z incrementsand generates tool paths at the various levels, automatically providing clean transitions with smooth entries and exits from one level to the next. Lace cut, intersections, automatic core detection and improved pocketing are additional functions.