Die Casting Manufacture

The new CimatronE SuperBox combined hardware-software solution reduces the load on computers and speeds up tool-path calculations for multiple NC programmers. This breakthrough productivity-enhancing device was developed by Cimatron Ltd., which provides integrated cad/cam software for tool and mould makers.

“Up to 50% of a typical NC user’s day can be consumed by long tool-path calculations,” says Roy Sterenthal, Cimatron vice president of R&D. “Even if these calculations are done in the background, they put a very significant load on the user’s PC resources.” Cimatron’s aim in developing the SuperBox was to free up the user’s computer and expedite completion of the tool-path calculations.

Once the SuperBox is plugged in, all CimatronE NC seats in the facility automatically offload most of their calculation tasks to it, thereby freeing up the resources of individual workstations. The system add-on contains a state-of-the-art multicore CPU and ample RAM, considerably accelerating calculation rates. And, to push performance even higher, for procedures with no stock dependency (e.g., finish-machining), the SuperBox can execute multiple procedure calculations concurrently.

The plug-and-play SuperBox requires only a power outlet and a network connection within the user’s premises. “The central concept of the SuperBox is that it’s simple,” explains Cimatron CEO Danny Haran. “You plug the SuperBox in, and everyone starts working faster. That’s all: no training, no implementation process, no headache.”

The system’s architecture is fully scalable, and multiple SuperBoxes can be used to support more users and heavier workloads.

This innovation from Cimatron is being previewed at the Cimatron GmbH booth (F-70 in Hall 8) at EuroMold 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany, December 1–4.

Zund America Inc., a subsidiary of the Swiss company Zund Systemtechnik AG, is partnering with NestONE Solutions to provide the JetCAM Expert CAD/CAM solution to the US market for its range of digital cutting machine tools for the aerospace, automotive, marine, and other industries. JetCAM Expert, nesting software specialized for the sheet metal and aerospace industries, is produced and developed by JetCAM International. NestONE Solutions is a US JetCAM reseller.

The agreement is intended to offer significant advantages to customers that utilize Zund machine tools in conjunction with the JetCAM Expert CAD/CAM system. It should increase production speeds, allow tighter nesting, and allow users to take fullest advantage of the Zund variety of bed sizes and tooling options and Zund’s unique conveyor system. A production solution offered by Zund and powered by JetCAM CAD/CAM will provide customers with an unprecedented price-to-performance ratio, says Zund. Along with higher production throughput, customers should see considerable reductions in scrap.

JetCAM International has already developed a postprocessor to support the advanced functions of the Zund cutter.

Commented Oliver Zund, president of Zund America, “Our strategy is to offer a total solution for manufacturers in the aerospace, marine, automotive, and other markets to best utilize our machine tools. In this age of ever increasing material costs, JetCAM provides Zund customers competitive advantage and the highest material optimization possible.”

David Lichtenwalner, president of NestONE Solutions, seconded his partner: “The superior cutting capabilities offered by Zund provide an unparalleled opportunity for producing parts of the highest quality while maximizing material utilization by using the JetCAM high-performance nester.”

Agie Charmilles Ltd. is holding a post-EMO Productivity Plus Open House October 11 and 12 for UK manufacturers that did not get to the September machine tool trade fair. The market-leading specialist manufacturer of electrical discharge machining (EDM) equipment and machine tools for high-speed and 5-axis machining created the event in recognition of the fact that most UK manufacturers would not be able to get to Hannover. The UK-focused open house takes place at the host company’s state-of-the-art facility in Coventry. Its theme of Productivity Plus was explained by Tony Steels, managing director of Agie Charmilles.

“Irrespective of how busy or how successful individual UK manufacturing companies are at this moment in time,” said Steels, “there is always room for improvement. Increasing productivity and raising performance through investment in the very latest machine tool technologies can, and clearly does, help companies improve their competitiveness.”

For UK manufacturers that did not attend EMO, suggested Steels, “there is a real danger that they could be left in the dark and put their competitiveness at a serious disadvantage because they haven’t seen or experienced the most recent technological developments showcased at EMO.” The open house is designed as an opportunity to remove that disadvantage for UK companies interested in upgrading or adding capabilities in EDM or HSM/5-axis machining.

The event features the latest technologies from Agie Charmilles’ Agie, Mikron, and Charmilles brands. Fast, highly accurate EDM machines and ultrahigh-performance machining centres will be put through their paces for visitors.

And because the open house emphasizes the importance of raising productivity, attendees will have ample opportunity to discuss their production challenges with Agie Charmilles’ technical and applications experts.

Machine tool manufacturer Emco Maier GmbH of Hallein, Austria, near Salzburg, and DP Technology Corp., an international provider of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software to CNC programmers, recently launched a CNC programming agreement to market DP Technology’s Esprit programming system as specifically adapted to fit Emco’s range of lathes and milling machines. Esprit, in conjunction with Emco’s machines, will henceforward be available in all Emco demonstration centres, and will be sold through Emco’s worldwide distribution network.

Esprit is a high-performance CAM system for a full range of machine tool applications. It delivers powerful full-spectrum programming for 2- to 5-axis milling, 2- to 22-axis turning, 2- to 5-axis wire EDM, multitasking mill-turn machining, and b-axis machine tools.

Emco is currently offering all of its clients the opportunity to buy Esprit software when purchasing an Emco machine. The Esprit out-of-the-box CAM package now delivers complete preconfigured and factory-tested solutions for programming machine tools, providing postprocessors and machine simulation for all Emco equipment models.

Emco chose Esprit by DP Technology because the software provides comprehensive support for Emco’s entire product range. In addition, Emco valued Esprit’s 100% pure Windows interface, its ease of use, and its comprehensive machine tool simulation with collision detection.

A grant consisting of 40 licenses by Surfware Inc.for its SURFCAM software has been given to the Shanghai University of Engineering Sciences(SUES) in Shanghai, China. The grant is seen as a historic milestone for both Surfware and the university. Until now, Surfware has never issued an educational grant to a university in China. The grant was extremely important to the school as well, because it represented the first CAM software donation of its kind.

SUES has 45 different schools of education, including the School of Material Engineering, the School of Automobile Engineering, the Detection and Testing Center for Automobiles, the Center for Industrial Training, and the Computer Center.

Brian Kindilien, Surfware’s vice president of sales, and Dr. Wang Hong, president of SUES, met to discuss the importance of the grant to both Surfware and Shanghai University. The Surfware team, composed of Surfware staff and Surfware’s local reseller, Gallop Engineering, was given a tour of SUES’s facilities. Aside from Dr. Hong, the Surfware team met with Mr. Zihe Cen, vice president of the University; Hao Jian Ping, vice professor; and Li Peiyao, associate professor of the School of Material Engineering; and many other dignitaries.