CGTech Ships VERICUT Version 6.0

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CGTech is shipping the latest version of VERICUT CNC machine simulation and optimization software. VERICUT 6.0 has many new features designed to increase the ability of CNC manufacturing engineers to analyze and optimize the entire CNC machining process in order to increase manufacturing efficiency. VERICUT 6.0 includes enhanced collision checking that monitors spindle states for milling and turning simulation, enabling VERICUT to catch common programming errors with spindle and cutting tool usage. Additionally, significantly enhanced simulation of complex cutting tool shapes commonly used in production processes shows the NC programmer or manufacturing engineer exactly what will happen when using the tool.

To ensure VERICUT's simulation is as accurate as possible, CGTech has partnered with many key machine tool builders, control manufactures and CAD/CAM companies. CGTech's Technology Partner Program establishes a cooperative working relationship with a goal of helping mutual manufacturing customers maximize their success and productivity.

With the new Project Tree in VERICUT 6.0, the manufacturing engineer can organize all his NC process steps in one place and the workpeice(s) transition from setup to setup automatically during the simulation. Each setup has its own CNC machine, fixtures, tools, NC programs and simulation settings. The cut stock moves from setup to setup, with automatic orientation. Once a user selects the CNC machine configuration, the stock, fixture and design component information is attached to the machine, ready to simulate the entire set of machining operations.

VERICUT 6.0 now offers the capability to synchronize up to 32 machine "channels" or machines with multiple synchronized CNC controls. VERICUT's virtual machine is organized into multiple sub-systems that can all synchronize together seamlessly.

VERICUT's NC program optimization module-OptiPath -is easier to implement thanks to a redesigned Tool Manager. OptiPath tooling data is now stored inside the Tool Manager. This simplifies the implementation by placing all relevant tool information in one place. Creating new tools has also been simplified. The new tool assembly wizard allows the user to create a new milling tool in one simple panel by answering a few questions.

Model Export creates CAD models from the VERICUT 'in-process' cut model generated by simulating an NC program. The model includes machined features such as holes, ﬁllets, corner radii, pocket ﬂoors and walls - exactly as it is cut on the CNC machine. In VERICUT 6.0, Model Export outputs features where possible and also "synthetic features" when individual features are not possible or desirable (such as "scallops" created by a ball endmill).

VERICUT is a place to create probing routines because of the 'in-process' model which is not available anywhere else in the CNC manufacturing process. Rather than having to create additional "manufacturing" CAD geometry that "hopefully" represents the as-cut workpiece, using VERICUT's simulated in-process feature geometry to create the CNC probe program makes on-machine in-process inspection a practical reality. In addition to on-machine probe programming, VERICUT 6.0 allows the creation of customizable inspection reports in HTML or PDF format for use by machine operators or quality control staff.

VERICUT 6.0 detects incorrect tool & spindle cutting conditions before the NC program is run on the machine. For example, an error is reported during a turning operation if the cutter enters material and:
- The turning insert in not properly centered on the material.
- The drill is not on the turning center-line for the drilling operation.
- The part is spinning in the wrong direction for the selected tool.

A milling tool will likewise report errors when:
- The milling spindle is not spinning.
- The milling spindle is spinning in the wrong direction.

A probe tool will also report collisions or errors when:
- The probe tip contacts anything when not in probing mode.
- The probe's stem or holder contacts anything, whether probing mode is active or not.
- The spindle is turned on, or is spinning about a maximum allowable speed for a probe.

Holder collisions in VERICUT 6.0 no longer remove material. All collisions create a volume that is available for later analysis in order to correct the NC program or process problem.

X-Caliper allows the user to measure thickness, volume, depth, gaps, distances, angels, hole diameters, corner radii, scallop heights, etc. It has been improved to optionally highlight features, such as all planes on the same level. The user can also now view and measure all tool collisions, even after subsequent machining operations have removed them from the screen.

Up to 128 cutting colors may now be chosen. Additionally, the workpiece can be colored according to feed rates or tool color or tool sequence. Any color display may be chosen without re-running the simulation.

VERICUT 6.0 can automatically calculate the minimum cutter extension for all milling tools. This feature applies to the first two holders in the tool assembly, such as an extension and a holder body. At the end of the simulation the user will be notified of any tool assembly changes and prompted to save the modified tool library.

VERICUT's constant gouge check is now much faster, simpler and more accurate than before. It also works on a single pass and requires less memory.

VERICUT runs as a 64 bit application on Windows XP64. This increases virtual memory access from Windows XP 2GB application limit to the hardware's maximum.

All interfaces have been updated to support multiple setups. The coordinate systems defined in the CAD/CAM software are used to locate models for each setup. VERICUT runs under Windows and UNIX operating systems.

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