Montreal, November 14, 2013 – ICAM Technologies Corporation (ICAM) announces that it has successfully implemented and tested its new SmartPATHTM technology at Valley Machine Shop (VMS). The results yielded a significant increase in programming efficiency and reduction in machine set-up time.
VMS, located in Kent, Washington, manufactures small to large aerospace details and assemblies and has specialized in CNC milling and turning applications for over 30 years.
As part of their post-processing and G-code simulation solution developed by ICAM for its 5-axis Makino A81 machine, VMS has successfully installed SmartPATH that allowed them to reduce programming and set-up time by 50%.
SmartPATH is unique software designed to automatically optimize rapid positioning tool-path motions generated by CAD/CAM systems. This software provides savings both in CNC run-time positioning and in CAD/CAM tool-path preparation.
Rapid positioning motions generated by CAD/CAM software do not take into account machine tool kinematics, workpiece setup and travel limitations and therefore, place the burden of responsibility for safe and efficient positioning onto the NC programmer.
Rapid positioning tool-paths often must be redeveloped and carefully verified by the NC programmer when migrating programs from one CNC machine to another.
SmartPATH, however, identifies inefficient and unsafe positioning motions and automatically replaces them with minimized collision free safe motions based on the actual machine tool kinematics, physical travel limits, axes positioning rates and the dynamically changing state of the in-process stock.
"Transition moves with rotary motions can be very difficult on a 5-axis table/table machine running TCP, as it requires a lot of time to calculate a safe place for the spindle while repositioning for the next cut," says Jerry Gustafson, NC Programmer at VMS. "With SmartPATH, I do not have to do this anymore and it saves me about a full-day of effort related to programming and machine set-up for a standard part."
About ICAM Technologies Corporation
For over 40 years, ICAM Technologies Corporation has been specializing in the development and implementation of advanced NC post-processing solutions for manufacturers in major industries around the world. ICAM has added an integrated machine tool simulator, Virtual Machine®, with the provision for G-code verification driven by ICAM Control EmulatorTM to its product mix that further strengthened its position in the NC manufacturing market. ICAM customers benefit from dramatic improvements to CNC machine optimization, NC programmer productivity and manufacturing process efficiency. ICAM's unique technology and services provide its customers and industry partners with the competitive edge that their business operations and customers demand.
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ICAM Technologies Corporation
Phil Masella
Marketing & Communications Manager
Tel: (514) 697-8033
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