gibbscam 14: what's new

Version 14 : September 2020

What’s New in GibbsCAM 14

CAMBRIOModified: Friday, April 16, 2021 4:51 PM

Proprietary NoticeThis document contains proprietary information of Cambrio Acquisition, LLC (“CAMBRIO”) and is tobe used only pursuant to and in conjunction with the license granted to the licensee with respect tothe accompanying licensed software from CAMBRIO. Except as expressly permitted in the license,no part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system,or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic,magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the prior expressed written permissionfrom CAMBRIO or a duly authorized representative thereof.

It is strongly advised that users carefully review the license in order to understand the rights andobligations related to this licensed software and the accompanying documentation.

Use of the computer software and the user documentation has been provided pursuant to aCAMBRIO licensing agreement.

Copyright © 2021 CAMBRIO. All rights reserved. The Gibbs and GibbsCAM logos, GibbsCAM,Gibbs, Virtual Gibbs, and “Powerfully Simple. Simply Powerful.” are either trademark (s) orregistered trademark (s) of CAMBRIO in the United States and/or other countries. All othertrademark(s) belong to their respective owners.

Portions of this software and related documentation are copyrighted by and are the property of Siemens DigitalIndustriesSoftware.

Microsoft, Windows, and theWindows logo are trademarks, or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in theUnited Statesand/or other countries.

Contains PTC Creo GRANITE® Interoperability Kernel by PTC Inc. All PTC logos are used under license from PTCInc., Boston, MA, USA. CAMBRIO is an Independent Software Provider.

Portionsof this software © 1994–2021 Dassault Systèmes / SpatialCorp.

Portionsof this software © 2001–2021GeometricSoftware SolutionsCo. Ltd.

ContainsAutodesk®RealDWG™kernel byAutodesk, Inc., © 1998-2021 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

DMGMORIModels provided in conjunction with GibbsCAM© 2007–2021 DMGMoriSeikiCo., Ltd.

Contains VoluMill™ and VoluTurn™ software by Celeritive Technologies, Inc. © 2007–2021 Celeritive Technologies,Inc. All rights reserved.

This Product includes software developed by the OpenSSL Project for use in the OpenSSL Toolkit(http://www.openssl.org/). ThisProduct includes cryptographic software written byEric Young ([email protected]).

Portionsof this software ©MachineWorksLtd.

Portions of this software and related documentation are copyrighted by and are the property of Electronic DataSystemsCorporation.

Other portionsof GibbsCAM are licensed fromGibbsCAM licensors, whichmaynot be listed here.

3

ContentsWelcome to GibbsCAM 14 6

OVERVIEW OF ENHANCEMENTS 7New Product Options 7Enhancements toWorkflow and Productivity 7Enhancements to Visualization 7Improvements to Simulation 8Improvements to HoleMachining 8Improvements to Intermediate Tooling 8Improvements to Kinematics, Machining, and Tooling 8Improvements to DCD 9Improvements to Posting andOutput 9Miscellaneous 9Enhancements to 5-Axis 9

NEW PRODUCT OPTIONS 10

Hybrid DED* Manufacturing 10Cladding 12Hybrid Manufacturing 13GibbsCAM Integration 13Postprocessing 13

Hybrid DEDMulti-axis Surfacing 14

GibbsCAMWire EDM, Powered by OPTICAM 14High-level overview 15

Probing 18License options for Probing 20GibbsCAM Integration 22Third-Party Integration 22Postprocessing 22

WORKFLOW AND PRODUCTIVITY 23

Command Shortcuts in Trackball 23

4

View/Edit Tool List 24

3DMaterial Only 25

Dimensioning 27On-the-fly preview (mouse hover) 27Additional dimensioning types 27Additional dimensioning behavior: Multiple Dimension mode 27

Geometry Shape via Mouse 27

Dockable Panes 28

Align Face to CS 29

System-wide Process Changes 29Combinatorial coolants 29Comments for processes 29

ENHANCEMENTS TO VISUALIZATION 30Flyout tool preview and description 30Show clearance volume and clearance planes in workspace 30Improve visibility of plane side in 3D views 30Visualization of Intermediate Tooling 30Background color for Body Bag, Intermediate Tooling, and others 31Body Bag tab controls 32

ENHANCEMENTS TO SIMULATION 33Improve axis visualization in Sim / Show Position 33Import/Export of Stops 33Import/Export of Watches 34New Standard Datums 34

ENHANCEMENTS TO HOLEMACHINING 35

Predefine ANSI drills by gauge letter/number 35New context menu item (RMM): Select Hole Group 35Two-sided hole machining improvements: Split Through Hole 35Improve noncutting tip behavior for taps and reamers 36

INTERMEDIATE TOOLING 37

5

Stacking of adapter blocks 37Preview in Tool dialog 37Programmable axes 38

KINEMATICS, MACHINING, ANDTOOLING 39

FreeTurn tooling systems for High Dynamic Turning (HDT) 39U-axis turning support 39Swappable heads 39Parametric lathe toolholders 41

42Plug-Ins for Harvey Tools, Helical Solutions, and Garr Tools 42Plug-In for CoroPlus 43For MTG (move toolgroup): Control over tool subposition 43For MTG: Improve clarity of CS selection drop-down 43

DCD (Document Control Dialog) 44Datestamp function for comments 44Clarify stock size 44

POSTING AND OUTPUT 45G-Code Editor 45Add G-Code Utility Process 45GUI for work fixture offset (WFO) 45

MISCELLANEOUS 47Double Milling (Pinch Milling) in MTM 47Efficiency and performance improvements 47Changes in Preferences 48New option: Activate Machining CS 49Reverse mouse wheel zoom 49Desupport of old Windows versions 50

ENHANCEMENTS TO 5-AXIS 51

6

Welcome to GibbsCAM 14The theme of this release is: Making the Possible Simple. Enhancements include four newproduct options, major enhancements to workflow and productivity, improvements to visualizationand simulation, improvements to Intermediate Tooling, kinematics, machining, tooling, posting, andoutput, andmany other areas.

This guide is an overview of all important items that have been added or changed:

• For details on changes to installation, such as desupported operating systems, see theInstallation guide.

• For details on UI changes and enhancements, see the CommonReference, Getting Started,and Intermediate Tooling guides.

• For details on product-specific changes and enhancements, see the product-specific userguides and online help systems: Probing, Hybrid DED Manufacturing, OPTICAM,Mill, Turning,Broaching, Reporter, 5-Axis, and so forth.

Please Note: The product option formerly known as Lathe is now called Turning.

Overview of Enhancements

7

Overview of EnhancementsThe theme of GibbsCAM14 is: Making the Possible Simple.

New Product Options• Hybrid DED* Manufacturing: See “Hybrid DED* Manufacturing” on page 10.

• Hybrid DED Multi-axis Surfacing: See “Hybrid DED Multi-axis Surfacing” on page 14.

• GibbsCAM Wire EDM, powered by OPTICAM: See “GibbsCAMWire EDM, Powered byOPTICAM” on page 14.

• Probing: See “Probing” on page 18.

Enhancements to Workflow and Productivity• One-touch command access via trackball: See “Command Shortcuts in Trackball” on

page 23.

• Tool List Editor: See “View/Edit Tool List” on page 24.

• 3D Material Only: See “3D Material Only” on page 25.

• Dimensioning: See “Dimensioning” on page 27.

• Two-click “Mouse Shape” function: See “Geometry Shape viaMouse” on page 27.

• Align Face to CS, either side: See “Align Face to CS” on page 29.

• Dockable panes: See “Dockable Panes” on page 28.

• System-wide process changes: See “System-wide ProcessChanges” on page 29.

Enhancements to Visualization• Show clearance volume and clearance planes in workspace

• Body Bag usability: background colors, tab locations

• Improve visibility of plane side in 3D views

• Selection visualization of Intermediate Tooling

• Show/hide Intermediate Tooling toolblocks

For details, see “Enhancements to Visualization” on page 30.


8

Improvements to Simulation• Improve axis visualization in Sim / Show Position

• Import/export of Watches and of Stops

• Two new standard datums: Operation CS and Toolgroup Home

For details, see “Enhancements to Simulation” on page 33.

Improvements to Hole Machining• Predefine ANSI drill sizes by gauge letter/number

• New context menu item (RMM): Select Hole Group

• Two-sided holemachining improvements: Split Through Hole

• Improve noncutting tip behavior for taps and reamers

For details, see “Enhancements to HoleMachining” on page 35.

Improvements to Intermediate Tooling• Programmable axes

• Stacking of adapter blocks

• Easy filtering-out of unsuitable choices

• Show/hide Intermediate Tooling toolblocks

For details, see “Intermediate Tooling” on page 37.

Improvements to Kinematics, Machining, andTooling• U-axis turning support

• Support for Ceratizit’s FreeTurn tools for High Dynamic Turning (HDT)

• Swappable heads

• New plug-ins for Tool Libraries (Harvey, Helical Solutions, andGarr); and CoroPluscompatibility with GibbsCAM14

• For MTG (move toolgroup): Control over tool subposition

• For MTG: Improve clarity of CS selection drop-down

• Parametric lathe toolholders


9

For details, see “Kinematics, Machining, and Tooling” on page 39.

Improvements to DCD• Clarify stock size: X Max / X Min instead of X+ / X-

• Datestamp function for part comments and programmer comments

For details, see “DCD (Document Control Dialog)” on page 44.

Improvements to Posting and Output• G-Code Editor: Many functional improvements

• GUI for work fixture offset (WFO)

For details, see “Posting andOutput” on page 45.

Miscellaneous• DoubleMilling (PinchMilling) in MTM

• Performance improvements to Pull Off Wall

• New right-clickmenu option: Activate Machining CS

• Mousewheel zoom in/out option to use “camera” rather than part

• Clearance Direction in OpData > Adv. Approach/Retract

• Improvements to Radial Contouring and Radial Pocketing: Analytic Output

• Desupport of older Windows versions

• Performance improvements to importing using Spatial.

• New preferences for Import/Export and Appearances.

For details, see “Miscellaneous” on page 47.

Enhancements to 5-AxisA new product option (Hybrid DED Multi-axis Surfacing) andmany other enhancements to 5-Axis.For details, see “Enhancements to 5-Axis” on page 51.

New Product Options

10

New Product Options• (Beta) Hybrid DED* Manufacturing, below

• (Beta) “Hybrid DED Multi-axis Surfacing” on page 14

• “GibbsCAMWire EDM, Powered byOPTICAM” on page 14

• “Probing” on page 18

Hybrid DED* ManufacturingHybrid DED* manufacturing is amajor new productoption for baseGibbsCAM. DED (direct energydeposition) is one category of additivemanufacturing;hybrid indicates that the intended use is in combinedadditive and subtractive workflow. The new productoption includes definitions of deposition additive tools(Powder andWire), additive process types (Fill, Contour,and Rotary Surface), additive technology files, additiveweave patterns, additive toolpath, and postprocessorsupport for additive operations.

This product option is still in Beta testingphase. Do not use it in production.

An overview of new function follows below. For details, see the online help or the Hybrid(Additive+Subtractive) guide and tutorial.

New Product Options

11

Tools:

•Powder

• Wire

Additive tools

New Product Options

12

Processes:

Additive process dialogs

Cladding

Additive processes calculate the number of cladding layers required, using parameters from theintegrated TechnologyDatabase. You are offered only the cladding heads supported by yourmachine, and processes present only the technology data applicable to the selected head. Userparameters specify weave pattern (square, rectangle, ladder, etc.), cladding order (center-out, left-to-right, etc.), and the rotation of cladding direction in each layer.

New Product Options

13

Hybrid Manufacturing

In a single part, additive operations can be combined with subtractive operations (milling, turning,and broaching) to create true hybrid manufacturing.

GibbsCAM Integration

Additive tools and operations are fully supported by the Tool Summary/Manager and theOpSummary/Manager, as well as byReporter commands andmacros.

Postprocessing

A single postprocessor creates all your CNC code, with no need to copy-and-splice or usemultiplepart programs.

New Product Options

14

Hybrid DED Multi-axisSurfacingA new product option for 5-Axis supports DED (directedenergy deposition) additivemanufacturing fully integratedwith subtractivemachining.

Like the base product option, this is still in Betatesting phase. Do not use it in production.

GibbsCAM Wire EDM,Powered by OPTICAM

The new product option, GibbsCAMWire EDM,powered byOPTICAM, includes a detailedtechnology base that complies with all majormachines providingWire EDMmachiningcapabilities.

The previousWire EDMproduct option, LegacyWire EDM, is supported in GibbsCAM14 but notbeyond.

An overview of new function follows below. Fordetails, see theOPTICAMonline help and tutorial.

New Product Options

15

High-level overview

The usual sequence is as follows:

1. Define features, usually by AutomatedFeature Recognition, which you canadjust as needed forperformance/precision, the featuresyou want to be selected, collars andtapers, and other fine tuning.

2. Specify the technology you want to use,and then define strategies such asFeature Sequence, Cut Sequence, andBridge Cut.

3. Specify technology profiles and outputs as needed.

As usual, you can either accept defaults or else adjust parameters as needed:

New Product Options

16

4. The process dialog also lets you specify the usual parameters for depths and clearances,cutting direction, tolerances, yes/no reverse, and arc handling, as well as EDM-specificparameters like nozzle distances/heights and bridge parameters (size, deviation, stopdistance).

5. Actions can be combined into groups in variousways, with manipulation of featureswithin agroup (such as differing tapers).

6. Render the toolpath and check it with Simulation:

7. Double-check and adjust as needed:

New Product Options

17

8. Tools like the Cutting Plan streamline this process:

9. When all is as it should be, post it.

Please Note: A post upgrade is required for the new OPTICAMproduct option.

New Product Options

18

ProbingThis new product option includesdefinitions of probing tools ( ball,

disk, cylinder, 2D Form,and 3D Form), simulationsupport, a framework for probingoperations, and built-in probingcycles.

An overview of new function followsbelow. For details, see the onlinehelp or the Probing guide andtutorial.

• Part setup. Probing cyclesduring part setup candetermine the initial setuplocations of stock, such as bytouching off a corner of thestock or a vice, or by probing aknown feature on a casting.The output can be used to loadWFOs (work fixture offsets) orother offsets on themachine.

New Product Options

19

• In-process probing. Probingcycles can be added betweencutting operations to verify thatan operation successfullyachieved the desired result.This can allow for fixing aprogram in case of error or forstopping operationswhen apart is scrap, thus providingmore efficient machine use andlesswastage.

In caseswhere an operationfails, machines offer suchresponsemodes as:

- Stop cutting and output anerror code

- Reload a tool

- Re-execute some portion ofthe program to re-cut thepart

In-process probing is oftencombined with multi-processgroups, such as:

- Probing a bore

- Probing a pocket depth

- Probing the walls of acompleted operation

• On-machine inspection. This issimilar to in-process probingbut is performed after alloperations are completed,resulting in a “good” or “bad”rating for the entire part. Whenthe user does not need tounmount the part andmount iton a dedicated inspection, itallows for far greater shopefficiency.

New Product Options

20

License options for Probing

All customerswho purchase Probing will receive the Basic functionality. This provides theframework (probe tools and a basic Probing process that lets you specify depths, feedrate, cycletime, and CS). To create an operation, paste in G code that is passed to GibbsCAMwithoutvalidation or simulation.

New Product Options

21

IfGibbsCAM.Probing.Generic.dll is enabled, Genericfunctionality is available for suchfunctions as single surfaces,rectangular and circularpockets/bosses, and corners:

• Probe Shape (Generic)functionality provides suchcommon probe cycle typesas Single Surface,Rectangular/Circular Pocket,and Rectangular/CircularBoss, and it supports suchresult types as SetWorkfixtureandMeasurement.(Measurement lets you specifyseparate responses forUndersize andOversizeresult types).

• Corners (Generic)functionality is intended forWFOsetup onmill-styletables. It provides such cycletypes asOutside Corner,Outside Corner with Angle, andSingle Surface from Corner (Z).You can set this to eitherWorkfixture orWorkplane,specify planar and Zclearances, and specifyindependent cornerdistances for X, Y, and Z.

• GoTo is a utilityoperation that lets you targetan operation in Result>Measurement> Undersize orOversize > GoTo.

New Product Options

22

GibbsCAM Integration

Probing tools and operations are fully supported by the Tool Summary/Manager and theOpSummary/Manager, as well as byReporter commands andmacros. The Probing guide containsdetailed information on creating custom probe cycles.

Third-Party Integration

Custom providers (GibbsCAMpartners) can provide additional probing functions in three differentways:

• Plug-ins: Themost powerful and flexible way, for experienced developers who want to writetheir own extensions to the GibbsCAMprocess-dialog GUI.

• Customizable xVMMcycles: The easiest solution to implement, but somewhat limited.

• Macros: In the Probing guide, see the chapter titled “UsingMacros to Create a CustomProbeCycle”.

Postprocessing

A post upgrade is required for the new Probing product option.

Workflow and Productivity

23

Workflow and ProductivityGibbsCAM14 provides simple and powerful new ways to organize and display information and tostreamline complex or repeated actionswith a few clicks:

• Command Shortcuts in Trackball, below

• “View/Edit Tool List” on page 24

• “3D Material Only” on page 25

• “Dimensioning” on page 27

• “Geometry Shape viaMouse” on page 27

• “Dockable Panes” on page 28

• “Align Face to CS” on page 29

• “System-wide ProcessChanges” on page 29

Command Shortcuts inTrackballWhen you right-click the trackball, its context menunow offers a powerful new choice: Customize.

An overview of new function follows below. For details, see the online help or the CommonReference guide.

The Trackball Customization dialog allows you to drag any command to any of the eight slots ofthe trackball, using any of eight possible combinations of keymodifiers (Shift, Ctrl, and/or Alt).This puts up to 64 commands at your fingertips: Press F5 to summon the trackball, press up to threemodifier keys (the trackball display changes accordingly), and click a sector of the trackball.


24

(Sample) Plain Shift

Plain

Ctrl

Alt

Ctrl+Alt

View/Edit Tool ListGibbsCAM14 provides a new dialog for viewing or editing a tool list (*.tlst) file.

An overview of new function follows below. For details, see the online help or the CommonReference guide.

Tool List Manager lets you:


25

• Hoverover a tilein thedialog toshow theToolPreview inthe hoverwindow.

• Ordertools bytool type(default),by tilenumber,or bytoolgroup.

• Use the search bar to find a tool by text and/or by itsmost important dimension, optionallyfiltered by toolgroup.

• Delete a tool from the tool list.

• Drag a tool from the tool list to the part or vice versa.

3D Material OnlyWith 3D Material Only, material can be shared across different operation types (such asMilling andTurning operations) or different CS’s, and 3D milling can use rest material. It also providesMachineSimwith amore accurate picture. When a process dialog’s Solids tab is bolded, it can use 3DMaterial Only.

An overview of new function follows below. For details, see the online help or the guides for solidsand 5-Axis.

Controls forMaterial Only are in the 5-Axis process dialog Options tab and in the Simulation dialogs,and three new global preferences allow you to specify how resources are used by 3D Material:

• In the DCD, you can set a global tolerancing preference for 3D material only. Tightertolerancesmean better accuracy, at the cost of larger model size.


26

• In the File > Preferences dialog, MachiningPrefs tab: You can set a new preference,Enable Background Material Calculation, tospecify whether the calculation of 3D materialonly runs in the background (faster butgreedier in memory) or in the foreground(slower but providingmore control).

• In the File > Preferences dialog, File tab:Because this function operates by savingextensive data for 3D rest material, you can seta new preference to Save Material (keep all datafor Material Only), independently of other file-related preferences.

Exceptions and Limitations

• 2D Material Only is analytic (exact solution), whereas 3D is usually approximated to tolerances.Output can change between 2D and 3D during the execution of multiple operations: Someoperations consume and produce only 2D Material; some (like Advanced 3D and Additive) only3D Material; some can consume either as input; a few ops can produce either as output.

• Part flips, and part transfer from one spindle to another, require a utility op and VMMchange.


27

DimensioningDimensioning has changed in several important ways.

An overview of new function follows below. For details, see the online help or the GeometryCreation guide.

On-the-fly preview (mouse hover)

While dimensioning, when you click the first element, hovering over another element causes apreview of the dimension to appear. To accept it, Ctrl+click the candidate element and then adjustthe dimension’s position as needed.

Additional dimensioning types

• Angle to H axis

• Angle to V axis

Additional dimensioning behavior: Multiple Dimension mode

Multiple Dimensionmode lets you createmultiple dimensionswith maximumpower andefficiency. In thismode, you select a dimensioning type and then, after you select a base feature:Hovering over another feature provides a preview of the dimension; Ctrl+click sets the dimension;and Ctrl+drag adjusts the dimension’s position.

Geometry Shape viaMouseThe lower left corner of themost-used Geometry> Shape dialogs presents a new button: MouseShape lets you create shapeswith a quick click-slide-click: Click to anchor, slide to get a ghostedpreview, and then click to create the shape.


28

Dockable PanesMany dialogs can now be docked — that is, attached to the left,bottom, right, or top side of the workspace or to each other(creating a tabbed window). These dialogs include: Body Bag,ProgramError Check, CS List, Workgroup List, OperationManager, ToolManager, ProcessManager, and a few others.

An overview of new function follows below. For details, see theonline help or the CommonReference guide.

Clicking in a dialog’s titlebar activates the Docking Control inthe workspace and in the center of each docked pane. Draggingthe dialog onto an outward-pointing arrow (up= , left= , right=, down= ) docks it to that side, and dragging it onto the center

( ) adds a tab.

Right-clicking the titlebar of adialog in a tabbed pane lets youset tabs at top or bottom.


29

Align Face to CSAlign Face to CS now can align to either side of the CS. The first click aligns to the positive side asbefore, and the second click aligns to the negative side of the CS.

System-wide Process Changes

Combinatorial coolantsGibbsCAM can now program custom coolantsindividually or in combinations, such as Pressure Type andOn/Off Location. The interface presented to the user letsthese values be set separately for each toolgroup or partstation.

Comments for processes

You can now store comments with each process.When you generate operations, processcomments are saved in the operation data, in the Op Comment field. When you open an operation,its OpComment data is displayed in the Comment field of the process dialog. The Comment inputtext field for a process dialog is located at the bottom of its leftmost tab:

Enhancements to Visualization

30

Enhancements to VisualizationGibbsCAM14 brings several major enhancements to visualization:

Flyout tool preview and description

When you right-click a tool tile, context menu item Change Tool opens the Select Tool Type flyout,which now provides a detailed picture of the tool along with themost salient data describing the tool.

Show clearance volume and clearance planes in workspace

You are better able to visualize clearance planes (or clearance volume shape when ClearanceVolume is enabled) in the workspace.

Improve visibility of plane side in 3D views

The axis letters (XYZ or HVD) are now easier to see, with each letterdesignation fully displayed when edge-on but converted to a symbol (+ or–) when seen from above or below. This is particularly helpful for visualizingthe depth axis in world view.

Visualization of Intermediate Tooling


31

Adapter Preview.IntermediateTooling provides apreview of eachadapter that can fitinto the receptornode that receivesit, allowing for easyvisualization andselection.Show Fixture inWorkspace. In theDCD’sIntermediateTooling tab, forFixtures, eachentry in theintermediate toolingfixture table has aproperty ofoptionally displayingthe fixture in theworkspace.

Backgroundcolor for BodyBag,IntermediateTooling, andothersMany dialogs provide easycustomization ofbackground color: Right-click the title bar and selectView > Set Background Color.


32

Body Bag tabcontrols

Right-clicking a Body Bagtab provides a contextmenu that allows you toplace the tabs on thebottom or the top, and to seta tab’s background color.

Enhancements to Simulation

33

Enhancements to SimulationGibbsCAM14 has several enhancements to simulation.

An overview of new function follows below. For details, see the online help or theMachineSimulation guide.

Improve axisvisualization inSim /Show Position

The Show Position dialogprovides new options forfiner control andvisualization of Op Sim,Machine Sim, Tool Sim,and Rapid Sim.

For easy visualization,when you press NextFeature, in the Renderingdialog, the Show Positiondialog shows the axes thatmove by changing the colorof their values and sliders.

Import/Export of Stops

The Stops dialog for Op Sim, Machine Sim,Tool Sim, and Rapid Sim now offers new

buttons that you import and exportStops files (*.smd files).

Enhancements to Simulation

34

Import/Export ofWatchesTheWatches dialog now offers

new buttons that let you import

and export Watches files(*.smd files).

New StandardDatumsIn addition to all previous datums,you can now use new datums forOp CS (operation coordinatesystem) and for Toolgroup Home.

Enhancements to HoleMachining

35

Enhancementsto HoleMachining

Predefine ANSI drills by gaugeletter/numberANSI drills can be chosen by standard gauge size:The letter A is for a diameter size of 0.234 inches,B for 0.238 inches, C: 0.242", …, M: 0.295", …,Y: 0.404", Z: 0.413".

New context menu item(RMM): Select Hole GroupWhen you right-click a selected hole, a new itemappears on the context menu: Select Hole Group.This allows you to expand the selection by addingholes that belong to the same group or groups towhich the selected hole belongs.

Two-sided hole machiningimprovements:Split Through HoleA new ability to split a hole is provided when you edita Through hole (or, in HoleManager, when youright-click a Through hole or a group of Throughholes, using a new context menu option), to openthe Split Through Hole dialog.

Enhancements to HoleMachining

36

This dialoglets yousplit theThroughhole at asegmentyouspecify,creatingone or twonew holesand theability tomachineone holefrom bothsides.

Improve noncutting tip behavior for taps and reamers

Tools with non-cutting tips, such as flat-bottom reamers, now display their tipsmore clearly andaccurately.

Intermediate Tooling

37


Stacking of adapter blocksGibbsCAM14 now allows stacking of toolblocks. Toolgroups can hold adapter blocks [that can holdother adapter blocks [that can …]] that can hold toolholders.

Themachine definition specifies toolgroups and part stations; this is not subject to change.Intermediate Tooling lets you specify intermediate items — between toolgroup and tool, and/orbetween part station and tool; these can be changed as needed. The kinematic tree treats terminalnodes (tool stations, part stations, utility stations) as open receptors for either tools/parts ortoolblocks. Each toolblock has a fitting node, where it attaches to the kinematic tree or to a receptornode, and one or more receptor nodes, where another object’s fitting is attached. All fittings have atype and size. Receptors specify the type and size of the fittings they accept. Candidate toolblocksare presented for selection only if their fitting nodematches the receptor node. Also see“Visualization of Intermediate Tooling” on page 30.

Preview in Tool dialog


38

ProgrammableaxesYou can use IntermediateTooling to add interpolatedaxes and to specifyprogrammable axis statusand behavior. Thismakespossible such features asU-axis heads, poweredbroaching units, andmanyothers.

Kinematics, Machining, and Tooling

39

Kinematics, Machining, andTooling

FreeTurn tooling systems for High Dynamic Turning (HDT)

Because of GibbsCAM’sUniversal KinematicMachine (UKM) architecture, the versatility ofIntermediate Tooling, and its Advanced Turning enhancements, GibbsCAM13 could alreadysupport innovations like Ceratizit’s FreeTurn tools for High Dynamic Turning (HDT) before thosetools were available.

For more information on FreeTurn, see https://www.ceratizit.com/en/hdt/

U-axis turning supportIn GibbsCAM13, Advanced Turning provided interpolation turning, eccentricturning, and elliptical turning.GibbsCAM14 supplies the nextpiece of Advanced Turning: Supportfor U-axis turning (the U-axis beingan “alternate X-axis”), where a livemilling tool spins the cutting edge ofa turning-type insert as a kind ofsuper boring-bar.GibbsCAM14 supports up to four linear and three rotary axes in aninterpolation set.

Swappable headsEntire heads can be detached and parked, and adifferent head attached. (In theMDD tree, a head is asubtree that extends outward to but does not include atool assembly).

The sequence is as follows (OkumaBridge):

https://www.ceratizit.com/en/hdt/


40

1. 5-Axismachiningwith Head#1.

2. Uponcompletion, 5-Axistooling isretractedinto headand Head#1 isstowed.


41

3. Head #2 isfetchedand toolingisdeployed.

4. U-Axismachiningwith Head#2.

Parametric lathe toolholdersGibbsCAM14 Turning users are no longer confined to the toolholder database. You can definecustom lathe toolholder profiles by providing values for a few key dimensions provided in the Tooldialog under Custom > Type=Parametric, just as for parametric holders for milling tools. If you entervalues that are impossible or grossly disproportionate, the pull-downmenu defaults back toOther.


42

For lathe toolholders requiring other dimensions, Profile is still required. Parametric is not supportedfor ATC style holders, for laydown-style (LT) thread inserts, or for form tools.The set ofholderparametersto be definedvariesaccording toinsert type(ISOacute/obtuseor groove-style), insertflank angles,and insertflank length,as well asoverall toollength, headlength, and(for groove-style) maxdepth. Tipprofiles andshankprofiles haveseparatesets ofparameters,and theconnectionbetween tipand shankvariesaccording toback-cuttingor front-cutting.

Plug-Ins for Harvey Tools, Helical Solutions, and Garr ToolsThree new plug-ins provide easy access to everytool in the Harvey Tool Library, Helical Solutionstool library, andGarr Tool Library. You simplyenter your filter criteria, narrow down the list to a


43

manageable size, and then import all the toolsyou need. Theywill then be visible withinGibbsCAM.

Plug-In for CoroPlus

Enhancements tomake CoroPlus compatible with GibbsCAM14.

For MTG (move toolgroup): Control over tool subposition

The utility process dialog for Move Toolgroup now offers choices of subpositions.

For MTG: Improve clarity of CS selection drop-down

When the utility process dialog for Move Toolgroup offers several CS selections, it is now clearerwhich CS is associated with which spindle / part station.

44

DCD (Document Control Dialog)

Datestamp function for comments

Users can now easily insert a date/timestamp on their DCDcomments.

Clarify stock size

For greater clarity, labels on stock arechanged from – and + (such as X–, X+) toMin andMax.

Posting andOutput

45

Posting and Output

G-Code Editor

TheG-Code Editornow providesextensive find andreplace capabilities,and its Find Resultspane provides optionslike Go to result,Next,and Prev.

Its List pane can nowshow:

• AnOperation Listpane thatprovides a list ofoperations by line.

• A Called Tools List pane that provides a list of tool calls by line, plusG-Code.

• A Program List pane that provides a list of program codes by line, plusG-Code.

You can also set the background color, and you can print results in either black-and-white or color.

Add G-Code Utility Process

Add G-Code, formerly a plug-in, is now a utility process.

GUI for work fixture offset (WFO)

Before GibbsCAM14, users assigned up to one work fixture offset (WFO) to each coordinatesystem (CS). This constrained the use ofWFOs, sometimes required part programmers toneedlessly create duplicate CS’s, and did not support multi-part setups.

Posting andOutput

46

In GibbsCAM14,WFOassignments are in thePost Processor dialog instead of the CS list. Thislets you:

• Identify at a glance a Part Station or amulti-part part instance, with markers forwhether

- theWFO ismanually changed ( —e.g.,or ),

- the op is shifted from theWFOorigin ( —e.g., or ),

- the op oriented is differently from theWFOdefinition ( ), or

- any combination (e.g., );

• assign aWFOper op rather than per CS(includingmulti-part instances);

• see theWFO list before you post; and

• tell the system how to handle caseswhere aWFOdoes not match a CS.

If your post is from before GibbsCAM12, theinterface simply lists CS’s andWFOs. UKMposts(specifically designed for GibbsCAM12 and later)display a new interface (pictured).

Options in the new interface let you determine howWFOs are assigned, such as combiningidenticalWFOs regardless of the source CS, allocating oneWFOper part instance, or using LocalShifts instead ofWork Shifts.

In GibbsCAM14, your ability to specify behavior ismore powerful, and so interpretations are nowstricter. If you have assigned CS’s with different origins to the sameWFO in a previous version ofGibbsCAM, the system automatically remaps them to differentWFOs and notifies you of thechanges.

Please Note: Some posts from before GibbsCAM14may needmodifications to outputuser-specifiedWFOs for certain operation types.

Miscellaneous

47

Miscellaneous

Double Milling (Pinch Milling) in MTM

With doublemilling, you can have twomilling operationsworking on opposite sides simultaneously. This is similar toanalogous operations in pinch turning.

Efficiency and performanceimprovements

Rough Turning using Pull Off Wall provides a new parameter(Maximum Pull Off Distance) that lets you specify how far backthe tool will pull off. When this is set, changes to the toolpathalgorithm provide performance improvements because offewer tool change positions.

Imports of parts using Spatial are now threaded, meaningthat machineswith multiple cores can import much fasterthan before. Performance is especially improved whenimporting assemblies containingmany parts.

Radial Contouring and Radial Pocketing nowoffer options for analytic output, greatly reducing the sizeand complexity of G-Code output.

Miscellaneous

48

Changes inPreferencesThe Preferencesdialog lets you set:

• Import/Export:Import ConstructionGeometry

• Display >Appearance >Colors: Colors forAdditive, Probing,andMouse Shape

Also, see preferencesfor “3D Material Only”on page 25 and forActivate Machining CSand Reverse MouseWheel Zoom below.

Miscellaneous

49

New option:ActivateMachining CSThe context menu when youright-click an op tile providesa new option, ActivateMachining CS, to visualize andactivate that operation’s CS.

In the File > Preferencesdialog, Interface tab: You canselect the Activate MachiningCS onOp Load checkbox if youwant an operation’s CS to beactivated upon loading theoperation.

Please Note:Enabling this as thedefault behaviorprovides simple, fast,and powerful access,but it is notrecommended forbottle mold or Z Ramp.

Reverse mousewheel zoomIn the File > Preferences dialog,Interface tab: You can set apreference for themousescrollwheel behavior. ReverseMouse Wheel Zoom specifiesthat scroll-up will pull the“camera” closer (showingless of the part but in greaterdetail) and scroll-downwillpull the “camera” away(showingmore of the part butin less detail).

Miscellaneous

50

Desupport of old Windows versions

AlthoughGibbsCAM14will run on older versions ofWindows, we will no longer investigate orcreate solutions for problems specific to versions beforeWindows 10 or WindowsServer 2019.

Enhancements to 5-Axis

51


Each new release of GibbsCAM includes upgrades andenhancements to 5-Axis. In GibbsCAM 14, additionalcapabilities include:

• Support for 3D Material Only via a checkbox on theOptions page.

• Support for form tools (generic revolved tools).

• New Surface paths calculation type: Contouring (edge trimming).

5-Axis Contouring is a specialized strategy for edge trimming of thin-walled hulls and other thinmaterials.

• Multiaxis machining provides new floor and wall finishing strategies that take advantage ofbarrel tools, as well as automatic collision-free linking.

• Gouge check tab: Auto-tilt for barrel mills (Tilt tool – Automatic > Parameters > Preference: Equaltilting):


52

• Tool axis control tab: Tilt by contact point:

• Surface paths / Deburring: Enhanced deburring:


53

• Surface paths / Surface machining: Geodesicmedial axis (Guide curves > Pattern type: {morph,parallel} > Input type:Medial axis):

• Surface paths / Geodesic machining: Addmedial axis to cuts (Corners >Medial axis):


54

• Surface paths / Geodesic machining from mesh (Guide curves > {Input type, Containment}:User-defined mesh):

• Multi Cuts tab for Swarf machining: Spiral cutting for closed contours (Method: Spiral):


55

• Surface paths / Swarf machining: Customize guide curve detection (Advanced >Machiningdirection:Other direction):

• Surface paths / Geodesic machining: Autodetection and advanced options for guide curves:


56

• Toolpath smoothing with corner rounding: Sharp corners are replaced by splines.

• Support for automated contouring (edge-trimming) on thin workpieces.


57

• Enhancements to deburring: lead/lag angles, climb/conventionalmachining directions.

• New tilting option (Side tilt by contact point) and automatic tilting for barrel mills.

• Additional options to round corners in small-radius areas, avoiding fishtail or dovetail toolpath.

… along with many others.

gibbscam 14: what's new

Documents