Five-axis machining and machine support

Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM software for programming CNC machine tools, recently unveiled improvements within GibbsCAM 2011, including additions and enhancements to five-axis machining and multi-task machining (MTM). New features include:
• Five-axis hole-making – A new routine for five-axis hole-making operations, aided by enhancements to GibbsCAM’s automatic feature recognition, makes programming five-axis drill cycles much easier and much more efficient, the company explains.
• Five-axis toolpath conversion – A new Operation Modifier allows converting 2.5- and three-axis toolpaths for machining in five-axis, which enables use of shorter tools to achieve smoother toolpaths at certain surface intersections and other geometric conditions.
• Five-axis machining styles – Additional swarf cutting capabilities have been added, as well as a new five-axis trimming (wireframe) strategy.
• Five-axis milling on turning machines – Support for B-axis (tilting live tooling) enables programming of five-axis milling with Y-axis offsets on lathes and multi-task machines equipped with a live-tooling B-axis.
• MTM thread whirling – GibbsCAM support of thread whirling attachments is a key addition for multi-task machines with multiple axes (typically running with five-axis simultaneous motion). Thread whirling attachments provide the rigidity and rotary tools to make screws of high length-to-diameter ratio, such as ball screws, worm shafts, feedscrews and acme screws.
www.GibbsCAM.com