Vericut version 9.5 maximizes efficiency, minimizes downtime

CGTech (Irvine, Calif., U.S.) has released Vericut version 9.5, an independent, standalone software for CNC machine simulation, verification, and optimization across processes like additive manufacturing, hybrid manufacturing and composites. Latest updates add improvements within the core product while improving user experience, practically automating NC program optimization, maximizing production efficiencies across multiple processes and minimizing downtime.

Tool summary and tool wear. A new Heat Map display (in Vericut’s Tool Summary window) enables users to see the wear pattern on milling and drilling tools. A combination of colors and messages can be used to understand how each tool was used, and the effects of each cut on the tool.

Tool life can also be tracked by assigning wear limits to cutters for a variety of machining factors, such as cutting time, material removal volume or cutting distance, to get notified when a tool is nearing expiration. Different values can be specified for machining different stock materials. This is useful to better predict when a cutting tool change will be required, and to improve tool inventory management.

CNC machine connectivity. This features enables Vericut to connect directly to the machine for real-time data before, during and after machining has taken place.

A Postcheck capability within this module now enables users to review monitored data that was archived from the NC machine, within a Vericut simulation. Users are able to observe how well the machine ran, as well as identify when and where and spindle or feedrate override adjustments were applied, machining was paused or if the Emergency stop was used during machining of a specific part.

Vericut 9.5 also introduces connectivity support for NC machines with Okuma, Siemens and Heidenhain controls.

Interactive CSYS and model transformations. Vericut 9.5 provides better tools for working with coordinate systems. Interactive Transform menus enable users to interactively translate and rotate coordinate systems, components and models faster and easier, with fewer steps and less work. Visual cues show how pending transformations will be applied, giving users confidence to know the moved object will arrive at the desired location.

Enhancements to interfaces. This update continues CGTech’s trend of adding support for the latest released CAM versions, as well as bringing a number of enhancements and capabilities to its CAM interfaces, to automate as many picks as possible from within the interface. In order to leverage all of the latest tools and tooling capabilities that Vericut has to offer, the CAM interfaces are also being updated to support more advanced types of tools for simulation.

The Mastercam-to-Vericut interface joins the Catia5-to-Vericut interface, as the next CAM interface to include such enhancements, with a new look and feel, plus added functionality to automatically define the Fixture, Stock and Design if they are defined in Mastercam’s Stock Setup. Users can now change the interface language and other settings from within the interface, without the need to exit and restart.

“Smarter” learn mode for optimizing. The software’s “Learn” mode evaluates machining performed by each cutting tool, then auto-configures optimization to increase cutting performance and efficiency. Vericut 9.5 has a “smarter” learn mode, with ability to learn from cutting tools used multiple times (e.g., roughing, semi-finishing, finishing), then use the learned information to optimize those tools, per each machining operation it performed.

Interactive simulation timeline. The simulation timeline (in the Tool Use window) is now interactive with the NC program viewer and NC Program Review. It has been enhanced to account for all time used by the machine as commanded by NC programs used to make the part. Color-coded markers show when errors (red), warnings (orange) and other events occurred during the simulation. Click the NC Program Review icon and then click directly on a marker in the timeline to review the error in the simulation, and investigate exactly where it occurred in the program.

New simulation notifications. The Vericut 9.5 Preferences panel has a Notifications tab where users can configure the software to send notices, via rmail or Microsoft Teams messages, to stay informed about their simulations. Notifications can be sent regarding when a simulation is completed, as well as how many errors or warnings were detected (if any).

Other new features include:

• Tether a FANUC control simulator to a digital twin in Vericut to see the impact on the actual CNC machine in a simulation environment. Other controls are planned in future releases.
• Drag and drop a file summary ZIP file directly into the Project Tree to open in Vericut, and re-save any changes directly back into the ZIP file.
• EDM die sinking can now be simulated by machines that carry a new “Electrode” tool type to perform EDM burning operations, including five-axis burning.
• Ongoing enhancements to the Stock Material Catalog and Tool Performance Data containing cutting feed and speed recommendations from many cutting tool manufacturers.
• Simplified GUI panels for cutting conditions and Force graphs, Tool Manager, component configuration in Vericut’s Project Tree and more.
• Improved configuration of machine Collision tables for excluding certain sub-components.
• Simplified configuration for interpolated turning.

For more information, visit this link.