Manufacturing & design technology

Four next-generation CNC machines

At IMTS 2016, Tsugami/Rem Sales will display four new models in the third-generation of Tsugami’s Opposed Gang Tool CNC lathes, identified with a “-III” after their base model numbers.

To increase the machines’ rigidity, Tsugami moved the electrical control cabinet from inside the machines to an external position behind the machines and installed two additional support ribs in the space that held the control cabinet. Tsugami also redesigned the machines’ castings, increasing the weight of some machines by more than 650 lb. Increased mass will help improve cutting ability, improving part runout and straightness, particularly after parts have been transferred from the main spindle to the subspindle.

Tsugami also updated the machines’ programming software. One new feature, part program checking, analyzes the part program code and provides the operator with suggested code optimizations to increase the operating speed of the program and subsequently reduce part cycle time. The thermal displacement compensation function has also been enhanced and can now be used on every linear axis. Other software changes include improvements to the rapid feed override process and automatic back tool post interference protection.

All four machines include Tsugami’s free Abile programming software and all are convertible, meaning they can run as traditional Swiss style lathes using a guide bushing or operated with an optional chucker kit, which can be quickly installed.

Tsugami/Rem Sales

www.remsales.com

IMTS 2016 Booth # S-9410

Feedback from customers using previous version of Mastercam showed that some of the more powerful tools within the software were not being used because customers did not know where to find them. To address that, developers added a user-friendly ribbon tab interface to Mastercam 2017. The ribbon tab groups similar functions and displays them in order from simple to more complex. Each tab relates to a type of activity, from creating wireframe geometry to generating tool paths. Editing functions are on the same tab as creation functions so users have easy access to all the tools when needed.

Enhanced features

Dynamic motion technology can cut machine time by as much as 75%, helping users get the most out of new and old machines. Dynamic Motion Technology extends tool life, reduces cycle time, saves wear and tear on machines, and cuts hard materials more easily. New to Mastercam 2017, micro-lifts use a line-of-sight approach to move the tool where it needs to go through unobstructed areas, resulting in reposition moves during micro-lifting that are more efficient, less complex, and travel a shorter distance.

Maximum stock engagement for select 3D HST finishing tool paths, enables users to select a previously made stock model and set the maximum depth to limit how deeply the cutter engages uncut material. HST Raster allows users to limit raster passes relative to a cutoff distance, and then fills in the limited area with perpendicular raster motion to create a clean result.

Mill-turn now supports multiple sessions, multiple machine groups, and multi-station tool locators for turrets as well as half index positions.

CNC Software Inc., Mastercam

www.mastercam.com

IMTS 2016 Booth #E-3340

On display at the GenSwiss booth will be Lous Belet SA precision carbide expert series tooling packages designed for aluminum, brass, titanium, stainless steels, and composite material groups. The packages incorporate optimized geometries and coatings for drills, end mills, slotting saws, thread mills, engraving, and spotting tools. The products after greater productivity, higher material removal rates, superior surface quality, and extended tool life.

Also featured will be Utilis Multidec Cut3000 cut-off inserts with new geometries with the Type GS cut-off insert. They offer optimally tuned carbide and coating for high cutting speeds with chip control for carbon steels cut-off work. The Type SPT 06 chipbreaker, available with Cut1600 and Cut3000 series holders, is for stainless steel part-off work. New from PCM are precision live tools for greater speeds for specific Citizen, Tsugami, and Star machines.

Genevieve Swiss Industries Inc.

www.genswiss.com