All mould and die shops using the WORKNC CAM software from Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division have now been provided immediate access to its model preparation software. This integrates workflows from any CAD model format to CAM, so they can machine parts more efficiently.
The transition from engineering to production can be prolonged without the right tools to efficiently prepare solid models for manufacturing. By providing WORKNC customers with access to the fully-featured CAD application, DESIGNER companion, Hexagon has made it easier to prepare any mould for machining while simplifying the challenge of working with a wide range of file types from different CAD tools. Because the software provides specialist tools for mould and die engineering out of the box, the resulting workflow simplifies the preparation of models that are both feasible and optimised.
Introducing universal access to CAD preparation helps users accelerate the process of missing faces, extending surfaces, capping holes and pockets in preparation for manufacturing. It also provides direct modelling functions that are easier and less limiting than traditional parametric modelling. Users can also employ a hybrid design approach that combines surface and solid entities through direct-modelling techniques.
Once a model is prepared, new advances in WORKNC’s programming capabilities reduce the time spent calculating toolpaths, generating faster and more efficient code for reduced cycle times. Used with a spiral toolpath option, the software’s 3-axis parallel finishing strategy supports compensation for any tool shape, including lens cutters, barrel cutters and circle-segment tools. On average, Z-level cutting toolpaths using this strategy can now be calculated four times faster than in previous versions.
New strategies for machining with Advanced Toolform technology, which supports programming with any tool shape for greater efficiency, are central to new developments in WORKNC. New 5-axis offset, parallel finishing, and curve-machining strategies can be used to generate fast, reliable toolpaths with barrel cutters, lens cutters, and other user-defined shapes for improved surface finish and reduced cycle times. For enhanced simulation and verification capability, the latest release of WORKNC also enhances workflow integration with NCSIMUL, Hexagon’s machine-simulation software. NC code and links for toolpaths generated by WORKNC can be easily imported into NCSIMUL to simulate the manufacturing process on a target machine type and validate it for risk-free production.
