SURFCAM Velocity 4 SP1 Released!
In May 2009, Surfware, Inc., developer of SURFCAM® Powered by TrueMill®
CAD/CAM software, announced the release of SURFCAM Velocity® 4 SP1. This powerful release contains new features
as well as enhancements from the SURFCAM user-base. This release is currently available for download for Surfcam customers.
Contact your dealer for more information or download instructions.
New features in Velocity 4 SP1 include:
Complete Tessellation of Arcs and Helical Moves in 3-axis HSM — The HSM routines have been made to be more robust
in the calculation of all Arcs (except true arcs–not helix/spiral–in XY plane). Tessellation and iteration of arcs and
helixes for all HSM moves avoids issues with post templates, rounding, and the need for post-specific solutions.
Direct Read of SolidWorks Sketches — Velocity 4 SP1 allows for all sketch type entities defined in
SolidWorks sketches to be imported. For an example, see the SURFCAM Tech Tip below.
Updated Toolkits — The third party libraries and toolkit functions have all been updated to incorporate the latest
releases from the prospective suppliers.
Updated Translators — The DWG/DXF translators have been refined to provide better and more accurate
translations. The ACIS based translators have also been refined to allow easier updating as new libraries are made
available. This includes improved support for STEP, PRO-E, Catia, Inventor, UG, and SLDPRT (via ACIS) files. A new User
Interface has been added to support the additional functions of the new translators.
Updated Post Files — Both the Mpost and Lpost engines have been updated. The Mpost engine has been updated
to better handle the HSM toolpaths without template modification. The Lpost has been updated to automatically handle
multi-start treading without template modification.
Backplot — The backplot function has been refined to allow better visualization with the solid tool
function enabled in V4. In addition, the backplot function has been enabled outside the operations manager to allow
easier faster access to the backplot function. The backplot function has been
enhanced to support partial toolpath display. With this option, the toolpath is drawn as the tool moves across the part
allowing better visualization for the tool and the geometry being machined.
Now, the animation will stop when the part is dynamically rotated. This is done to account for video cards that may not be able to keep up
with the display. The animation can be resumed, stopped, and restarted at any time.
The arrow keys allow single step backplot thru the toolpath.
Toolpath Operation — The operations manager has been enhanced with new status icons have
to show the status of the operations. Now when glancing at the Operations Manager, the user can be alerted to operations where the
geometry has been imported, altered, or missing. This allows for the user to quickly note and remedy any problem and post the process.
Enhancements to 4/5-axis cutting — The 4-5 axis functions have been enhanced to include the WRITE NORMAL
function that allow the SRFVCT records to be output in the APTCL stream for true 5 axis tool compensation to be enabled
in the post. The ENFORCE CUTTING DIRECTION option has also been enabled to better control the cutter direction on
interrupted cuts. Selecting this WRITE NORMAL in the 5 axis OPTIONS tab will yield output in APTCL file to
be used by SPOST to output the proper format for 5 axis diameter compensation for machines supporting this functionality.
Updated Tool Menus — The tool menus have been updated with real tools for easy identification.
Updated NCedit Functions — NCedit has been altered to allow better visualization of the tool and the geometry.
Now, the user has the ability to cycle through four different tool visualizations while stepping through the operation with
NCedit. The options for viewing the tool are: a solid tool, a transparent tool, a wireframe tool, and a tool "blip." The tool
"blip" or "cross" has also been altered in size and made transparent to avoid covering the toolpath. A diameter ring has been
added to the "blip" to represent the tool diameter.
Wire EDM Enhancement — The Wire EDM package has been improved to allow the cut types to be identified at
the post level thru APTCL.