MCADCafe Industry Predictions for 2025 – ModuleWorks

By Dr. David Plater, Technical Director, ModuleWorks

Dr. David Plater,

During 2025, we expect to see a rapid increase in Automation, Digital Twins and Partnerships.

Automation can take many forms.  At the micro level, Automation takes the form of more intelligent software to create individual toolpaths.  For example, a new automatic deburring cycle, based on ModuleWorks technology, is now available in many CAM systems.  At the intermediate level, template based creation of sequences can be used to automate the production of similar parts.  Again, ModuleWorks provides the technology to enable this with a range of products for automation and semi-automation.  And at the macro level, several companies are beginning to apply AI to the Automation of CAM programming. Again, ModuleWorks is providing the core technology to empower these systems.

Digital Twins are becoming more established in the CAM world and we expect to see a rapid increase in the range and depth of applications. One example is the use of a Digital Twin on the CNC controller to provide a Collision Avoidance System (CAS), which acts as a safeguard for multi-axis machines and lowers the barrier to entry for less experienced operators.  This technology, based on ModuleWorks software, is already available for some higher end machines and is likely to become more widespread during 2025.   ModuleWorks recently launched MDES (Manufacturing Data Exchange Specification), an open standard to enable a seamless digital manufacturing workflow between the CAM system and the CNC control.

Partnerships are key to the progress of digital manufacturing.  For example, both Automation and Digital Twins rely on close collaboration between companies in different markets (CAD, CAM, CNC, Tooling).  The reliable exchange of data is at the heart of the developments that will give the big improvements in productivity.  One specific example of this is the new Smart Roughing cycle recently launched by ModuleWorks.  This requires accurate tooling data to be available at the time of toolpath creation, so that the toolpath can use the optimum machining parameters both for the geometry of the toolpath and the feeds/speeds.  ModuleWorks has always worked in partnership with many companies in the manufacturing industry as a neutral supplier and recently expanded its partner program to allow more rapid development on longer term projects like the ones mentioned here.

ModuleWorks was recently described as, “one of the best kept secrets in manufacturing software”, but you can be sure that ModuleWorks technology will provide the core building blocks for many of the advances you see in 2025.

About Author:

David Plater is Technical Director at ModuleWorks.  He has a Ph.D. in 3-Axis Machining and has worked in the CAM software industry for more than 30 years, including work on PowerMill, MachineWorks and EdgeCAM.  At ModuleWorks, his responsibilities include executive leadership of Product Management, Development and Company Strategy.

Tags: AIinManufacturing, automation, AutomationSoftware, CAMProgramming, CNCProgramming, CollisionAvoidance, DigitalManufacturing, DigitalTwins, Industry Predictions, ManufacturingInnovation, ManufacturingTechnology, ManufacturingWorkflow, MDES, ModuleWorks, Partnerships, SmartRoughing, ToolpathAutomation

Category: Predictions

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