TPT May 2012

T echnology N ews

Multi-axis CAM solution VERO Software, a provider of CAD/CAM/ CAE solutions for the tooling industry, has released Machining Strategist V13, a powerful multi-axis CAM solution that generates optimum HSM roughing and finishing CNC toolpaths for both the office and shop-floor environment. New CAM developments include HM Waterline Passes, a finishing strategy that combines the benefits of a traditional waterline operation with a 3D pocketing routine that interacts with the main strategy whenever the shallow area between consecutive passes allows the insertion of additional passes.

Machining Strategist is a CAD independent solution and can work with data from all major 3D modelling systems. In the latest release support for VISI 19 has been included and the CAD interfaces have been aligned to Parasolid v24, SolidEdge ST4 and Catia v5 r21. Significant product enhancements include a number of new machining algorithms that will benefit both Machining Strategist customers and OEM partners.

This method allows an optimal finish over the entire part, helping to extend tool life and produce parts with excellent surface finish. HM Rib Machining Passes is a new strategy designed to machine very thin walls. These walls are often made from exotic materials (such as titanium for aerospace), and therefore a traditional approach to their machining is often difficult

and risky, specifically towards the end of the process when the rib is subjected to high frequency vibrations and micro-flexes. This new strategy combines a new roughing toolpath and a finishing strategy to create a unique toolpath that should preserve the highest possible part rigidity. Further product enhancements include improvements to Helical passes, calculation speed improvements for non-smoothed waterline passes and the ability to define different feedrates within Rest Machining and Combined Waterline for steep & shallow and offset passes. Steve Youngs, MS development manager, commented, “The Machining Strategist development cycle is driven by customer needs, and an ever increasing requirement to have complete toolpath control when programming complex parts.”

Vero Software Ltd – UK Fax: +44 1242 542099 Email: info@vero.co.uk Website: www.vero-software.com

A newly developed coating ULTRA Impact is now available for applications involving significant wear. The coating combines maximum hardness with excellent toughness and a high degree of adhesion. The combination of these three properties is only possible thanks to a special nanostructure. The hardness ranges from 2,500 to 3,000HV, the coefficient of friction (dry/steel) is 0.5. Layer thicknesses between 2 and 10µm are feasible. ULTRA Impact is temperature-resistant up to 1,000 o C and is consequently suitable for use in hot forming as well. The coating enables you to extend the service life of metalworking tools many

times over, which saves maintenance costs. DURIT Hartmetall GmbH with locations in Germany, Portugal and Brazil has decades of know-how in developing and producing cemented carbide precision tools and components. The current product range comprises over 50 different types of cemented carbide. The production process, from powder to blank right through to the end product, takes place under one roof. DURIT entered the thermal spraying and PVD coatings segment around ten years ago. In 2012 the family enterprise celebrates its 30 th anniversary. DURIT Hartmetall GmbH – Germany Website: www.durit.com

Compared to a TiAlN coating, the toughness of this product is five times higher and it has four times the adhesive force. That makes it ideal for cutting and punching tools, such as stamping or forming dies, and other applications involving a high edge load and corresponding tangential forces.

Coatings from DURIT Hartmetall

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M ay 2012