VERICUT 8.0 features several enhancements designed to increase the
ability of manufacturing engineers to analyze, optimize, and document
the CNC programming and machining process.
Intelligence gathered from both the cut part and the machining
process is applied to achieve an even higher level of accuracy and
efficiency. CGTech is increasingly challenged to simulate more complex
processes and machines, while supporting 鈥渇irst part, good part鈥
production goals. VERICUT 8.0 ties complex processes together with the
ability to monitor and evaluate many potential problems in an efficient
and consolidated method, thereby reducing the time spent in the
programming and machining cycle.
New Ribbon Bar
VERICUT 8.0 optimizes workflow and helps you find the functionality you
need with minimal mouse clicks. Upon upgrading to VERICUT 8.0, the first
thing you will notice is the new Ribbon Bar. The Ribbon Bar allows you
to quickly select the VERICUT function you want to use. As you move from
tab to tab, the Ribbon bar dynamically updates to show the options
available for that tab. Options are grouped by the function they perform
within VERICUT.
The Ribbon Bar is highly customizable, but to ease the transition, a
鈥淰ERICUT Classic鈥 setting organizes all of the menus and options where
you previously found them (a 鈥渃heat sheet鈥 is also available from the
cgtech.com website). Several other layout options are included and can
be selected depending on the task at hand. Users can also create and
save their own workflow as needed for different jobs.
鈥淎ir Cut鈥 optimization built-in
You now have the ability to optimize 鈥淎ir Cuts Only鈥 (off-part milling
cutter motions) as a capability included with VERICUT鈥檚 base
Verification license. The new method is intended as an easy-to-use,
entry level method of optimizing NC programs. Additional optimization
strategies are available with the purchase of OptiPath or FORCE.
Read STEP files 鈥 no extra license required
The STEP Model Interface reads STEP files (.stp or .step) containing
AP203 and AP214 (geometry only) protocols. A STEP file can be referenced
directly in VERICUT鈥檚 modeling interface to describe machine, stock,
fixture, and design shapes, or 3D cutting tool shapes in VERICUT鈥檚 Tool
Manager. The Tool Manager displays the CAD Geometry window that allows
you to identify which parts of the CAD model file correspond with
holders, cutters, or inserts.
Integration with cutting tool suppliers and tool management systems
As with all software programs, the accuracy of the data input will
directly affect the output. So, an accurate model of the cutting tool
and holder is required for the effective and accurate simulation of the
machining process. Most leading cutting tool manufacturers now make 3D
solid model data available and VERICUT can read in this model data for
use in the simulation process. Many of the 3D models are available via
the Machining Cloud App, and version 8.0 has been enhanced to take
advantage of more Machining Cloud metadata. This can significantly
simplify the configuration of tools for use in VERICUT, and better
describe their proper use and limitations. VERICUT also integrates with
most major tool management systems. Pre-setting suppliers including
Zoller and Speroni can also interface to the software, so tool offsets
and exact dimensions can be applied to the simulation session.
Tool Manager preferences
A new preferences dialog allows users to setup many default settings
that help to streamline creation of cutting tool assemblies. For
example, you can specify the colors used, and the driven point offset
numbering scheme (default to 鈥1鈥, or follow the tool number), and CAD
model tolerances for cutters and holders, and if holder is desired (or
not) for a new tool. Each imported 3D tool model can also have its own
separate model tolerance. For example, you may want a very high accuracy
on the cutter model, and less tolerance on the holder model. Version
8.0 Tool Manager has a number of other time-savers, such as being able
to mark any tools as 鈥淒efault鈥, to be the starting point for building
similar tools of that type, instead of starting from scratch. There are
also a number of Copy/Paste/Multi Select improvements.
Consolidated reporting features
The VERICUT logger now displays messages and reports from many sources
in a tabbed logger window. In addition to errors, warnings, and other
messages from the VERICUT session, it also displays information from
AUTO-DIFF and X-Caliper. The messages can be grouped, sorted, and
displayed in a variety of ways depending on user preference. VERICUT
speeds investigation with dynamic links between logger messages and
responsible NC Program records. The exact source of an error is just one
click away.
Graphical tool path analysis
A new 鈥淭oolpath Trace鈥 feature creates a wireframe of the motion path
that can then be measured. In NC Program Preview or Review modes,
picking on a toolpath trace in the wireframe automatically sets the
simulation to that record in the NC program.
Force enhancements
The Force module, first available with the release of version 7.4, is a
physics-based optimization method that determines the maximum reliable
feedrate for a given cutting condition based on four factors: force on
the cutter, spindle power, maximum chip thickness, and maximum allowable
feedrate. In version 8 there are new features for better control of
entry/exit speeds, 鈥渃lean-up鈥 feedrates, and tooling information has
been re-arranged to be more intuitive.
Other new features not to miss:
- Translate models via selecting solid model features, eliminating the
need to create coordinate systems for positional information.
- Enhanced modeling options provide greater control and flexibility over
moving individual models, assemblies, and component origins, greatly
reducing time to model machines, especially from 3D CAD model
assemblies.
- Many performance enhancements.
- New method to compare the stock cutting position to a 2D DXF file drawn for design.
- Launch WinTool interface from within Tool Manager.
- Windows 10 is supported.
- Self-guided training sessions launch from the welcome screen and automatically open the associated sample files. |