Not
a day goes by without our being contacted by a customer who is running an old (sometimes ancient) version of SmartCAM CAM Software.
That’s great:
We’re impressed, every time.
It’s
always a pleasure to be in touch with users of old versions of our software. We
are simply amazed that our customer continues to use such an aged piece of
software on what is often similarly-aged PC equipment.
We’re usually contacted because of failure
of the old PC or the replacement of it. Those old versions simply weren’t
intended to be run on later operating systems.
If you're getting solid models to machine and are using Production
Milling to cut them, take a look at Advanced Milling.
We recently did a test using the same solid model to rough and finish a
complex pocket with Production Milling and compared it in Advanced Milling. With PMill it took 127 mouse clicks
and 5 minutes 43 seconds. With Advanced Milling it only took 24 mouse clicks and in only 1 minute 14
seconds.
With solid model machining, almost all of the human factor is
removed. Within the 127 mouse clicks in the wireframe method, there was a
lot of room to miss steps and make mistakes. In our experiment, we discovered in the PMill test an area was missed altogether.
Slicing the different
levels, deciding which parts of the result is to be cut or not,
determining which profile is above or below the other and so forth
leaves room for error that is significantly minimized in Advanced Milling.
Production Milling is great for those that get paper drawings or
wireframe models. Some customers even use it for driving burn tables or lasers
where Advanced Fabrication should be used, but that's a topic for another day.
If you get solid models from your CAD group or customers and are
using Production Milling, consider upgrading to Advanced Milling! Check out this video to see how easy it is:
Have questions? Reach out to sales@smartCAMcnc.com to see if you are eligible for upgrade discounts.
Formats affect output only. Any expressions or
calculations using a CGT word use the full precision of the word.
Numeric system word persistent formats:
Persistent numeric formats in current code generators are assigned
in the @DECLARE
section of the CGT file using the #FMT()
command, with a #F_format class and a numeric
format.
In the CGT
Word Reference of Learning SmartCAM, for words of type
Numeric, the FMT Class field will identify the persistent format
assigned to the word. If not overridden, this is the format that
will be used when the word is output.
The word is of type Numeric, and when output it will default to the
#F_Decimal format that is assigned in the @DECLARE section.
Note: If formats are not declared in the @DECLARE section,
SmartCAM will look for them in the .SMF file.
Numeric system word persistent overrides.
The persistent formatting of any numeric system word can be
overridden by using the #FMT()
command in the @DECLARE section.
For example, the #CYTIME
word listed above has the #F_Decimal format assigned to it. If we
want it to have a different output format throughout the CGT, we can
specify a persistent override in the @DECLARE:
@DECLARE
#FMT( #F_BlockNumber, T4.0)
#FMT( #F_Decimal, D3.4)
#FMT( #F_Integer, T4.0)
... #FMT( #CYTIME, P4.2) // Sets new
persistent format for #CYTIME
...
@
Numeric user words' persistent formats:
Declaration of user words automatically assigns persistent decimal
or integer formats when declaring as either #DEC,
#INT,
#CALCDEC
or #CALCINT
in the @DECLARE
section. For example the #myXPos, #myYPos and #myCount words
declared below:
@DECLARE
#FMT( #F_BlockNumber, T4.0)
#FMT( #F_Decimal, D3.4)
#FMT( #F_Integer, T4.0)
.... #DEC #myXPos, #myYPos // user
declared words #myXPos and #myYPos that will automatically use
the #F_Decimal format for output. #INT #myCount // user
declared word #myCount that will automatically use the
#F_Integer format for output.
....
@
Numeric user words persistent custom formats:
A numeric user word can be given its own persistent format by
declaring it using the #FMT()
or #CALCFMT()
commands in the @DECLARE
section. For example the #myAngle word declared below:
@DECLARE
#FMT( #F_BlockNumber, T4.0)
#FMT( #F_Decimal, D3.4)
#FMT( #F_Integer, T4.0)
...
#DEC #myXPos, #myYPos
#INT #myCount #FMT( #myAngle, D3.3) // user declared
word #myAngle that will use D3.3 format for output.
....
@
Numeric word one time output format:
Any numeric word can be output with a different format than its
persistent format by using the #FMT()
function directly in line in the .CGT output @Sections. For example
outputting #CYTIME to one place after the decimal in the program end
codes:
@END
G00G91G28Z0 (Cycle time = #FMT(#CYTIME, D4.1) )
M30
@
Want to use the new Chamfer tool to break some sharp edges? Here's how!
This
example will also move the point or edge of the tool off of the edge so
that the tool is cutting toward the middle of the cutting edge as shown
in the picture, below.
The Chamfer tool works on wireframe for Processes like Wireframe
Roughing - Profile.
First create, slice or extract the wireframe
you'll want to break.
We'll move the point .05" off of the part and
break the edge at .01".
Create stock for Verify, and we'll also use it for input to Profile. On
a layer, Prof Top = 0, Level = -.5. Create - User Elements - Rectangle
and create a 2" x 2" rectangle.
With the Chamfer tool active use Profile and set Profile Input to Whole
and for Profile/Start to an element in the rectangle.
Wall Allowance = .05 (this moves the tool off the edge) and Level = -.06
(-.05 to meet the edge and another -.01 for the amount to break the edge
by).
Go
Verify and set your stock to the layer the rectangle was created on.
What an extraordinary and challenging year 2020 has been for everybody.
We offer a piece of normality: as is our custom at this time of year, we have produced a new version of SmartCAM.
In the new SmartCAM v2021 release we deliver further incremental developments to the CNC programming system of choice for our valued customers.
Our goal remains unchanged - to continuously deliver technology changes that add even more capability and productivity to SmartCAM, assisted with updates to the user interface and everyday usability improvements.
We always strive to maintain "The SmartCAM Difference"going forward.
Below is a broad-brush summary of the enhancements that have been created for the Version 2021 release.
Regards, Stay Healthy.
The Team at SmartCAMcnc.
SmartCAM v2021 Release
Process Model Viewers
New:Four new optional Process Model Viewer applications become available in the SmartCAM v2021 release.
Process Model Viewers are used by office or machine shop personnel needing to view Toolpath or data available in the SmartCAM Process Model: Managers, Supervisors, Programmers, Machine Operators, Tool Setters, Inspectors, for example.
SmartCAM Viewers
User Interface
New:Layer Manager
A new Layer Manager has been added. CAD Layer management becomes simpler, more efficient and faster.
Layer Manager
New:Toolbar Button Editor. Preferred Toolbar content is easier to setup than previously.
Visual Customization ToolKit
New:Images can be incorporated in SmartCAM Visual Customization ToolKit (the VCTK) panels and dialogs.
Images for CTK Panels and Dialogs
SmartCAM has always been strong on customization. Users of these open and powerful tools rate this enhancement for the SmartCAM Visual Customization ToolKit (the VCTK).
And More...
TheSmartCAM Version 2021release contains a number of what we'll describe here for the sake of brevity as miscellaneous enhancements.
Tool Check Distancescan now be set in the Planner.
The Job Information panel has a newCreated Fordata field
Technical stuff: bring it on. I'm not going to mess about with an introduction this time: as someone who thrives on the technical I'm heading straight to the interesting technical content of this post. The Interesting Bit
A new Code Generator String Processing function became
available in the latest release of SmartCAM, Version 2019 SP1.
Over the years we have had many interesting discussions regarding strings and string handling in theSmartCAM Code Generator( CG ) and Customization ToolKit ( CTK ). We want to tell you about a new Macro String Expression function - #MSE- that can now be used inCG template ( .cgt ) files. The SmartCAMmacro mechanismhas a whole load of string variable functions available, any of which can be incorporated within macro logic for all manner of purposes, such as outputs and conditional-tests. Examples ofmacro string functionsare:
GET_CNC_PATH
Returns the folder path where SmartCAM will write NC code files
VERSION
Returns the current SmartCAM application's 'Header text'
CODFILE
Returns the current CNC Code path and file name
SHPFILE
Returns the current Process Model path and file name
Allmacro string expressionscan now be used within theSmartCAMCode Generator Template file. The syntax for accessing macro string processing functionality in a CG template file is a#MSEfunction embedded in a#EVALstring assignment:
If you are experienced with the SmartCAM Code Generator tools then you'll understand that stuff. But for the general benefit of all, let's break down that statement.
User Variables can be used within theSmartCAM Code Generator Template file. They are declared in the@DECLAREsection of the code generator template file, defining which type of data they will contain - string, integer or decimaltype. Since our example will return a string expression, it follows that our user variable would be declared as being of string type: #STR #my_string There is a User Variables topic inLearning SmartCAM, browse to Code Generation > Variables #EVAL To borrow the description from Learning SmartCAM , the#EVALcommand is used to "Assign numeric and string words via numeric and string expressions." I'll sneak in here a simple example of the use of that command, again borrowed from Learning SmartCAM: #EVAL( #diam = #radius * 2 ) using decimal variables in that case. And so our example #EVAL ( #my_string =#MSE( macro string expression )) Assigns to auser string variablenamed #my_string the value returned by the#MSEfunction.
Here's a use case. A common request is to retrieve file names and paths, such as those for the current CNC code file, or the current Shape File ( PM5 file ). The last variable in our list of examples above,SHPFILE can be used to illustrate that type of case:
#EVAL ( #my_string =#MSE( SHPFILE() ))
Macro functions can be found in theSmartCAM Customization Guide, navigate toAutomating SmartCAM with macros > Macro functions Functions that begin withS=in the documentation are string functions. We want to let you know that the function is still in a beta state, but felt it was worth including in the SP1 release. At the time of writing, our testing has found that theEL_NAME()function is the only function not working correctly. Please go ahead and try it if you have a use case!
If you have yet to discover SmartCAM Here's a little background information, just for you. CAM engineers who use SmartCAM know that theCode Generator( let's refer to that as 'The CG' ) andCustomization ToolKit( 'The CTK' ) tools excel. Sure, they are technical, but once you have grasped the fundamentals you can achieve really good things using those tools. I've said it before and no doubt will say it again - because we here at SmartCAMcnc have a deep-seated belief in the statement - that theSmartCAM Code GeneratorandCustomizationtools are amongst the most open and flexible in the CAM software world.
Complete Automation of Hydraulic Seal manufacturing Toolpath
One of these days I'll create a blog post dedicated to the concepts of the Code Generator and the CTK. Probably one for each of those really interesting technical topics. But in a nutshell a SmartCAM user can apply the particularly open CG tools to setup detail code requirements for themselves, and can use the CTK to create additional functionality that is often unique to their particular application requirements. CTK Projects can range from small everyday useful commands and functions through to large-scale automation.
CTK work can comprise of a short and simple macro that is 'executed' by the SmartCAM engineer, or it can be the development of a whole suite of macros and can be enabled with custom user-interface panels. A key element in both systems is variables, system- and user-defined. This blog post highlighted a new function that enhances string variable handling in the SmartCAM Code Generator. I hope it has been helpful and as technically interesting as it was for me.
We want additional Reseller Sales Partners for many regions of the world outside of the US.
If a good, (even if they were appropriate, I'm not going to use here any of those markety-words such as powerful, affordable, market-leading - you know the ones I mean)proven, mid-range CAM system fits into your product portfolio and business model
and
you believe that you have the ability to successfully sell and support in a technically-demanding applications sector then let's talk.
Contact us,
for a initial chat so that we can explore the possibilities together.
That's it: our shortest blog post to date.
Take care.
Have a great day. Our Regards, The SmartCAMcnc Team
M99? I think I may have been too clever for my own good there.
As I sat here trying to come up with novel title for this blog post - as is my
way - it occurred to me that we kind of reached the end of another month, a 'subroutine' in
our development cycle, culminating in the release of SmartCAM Version 2019.
I did consider naming it M30, but that has an entirely different connotation
that we have reached the end of the program. Which we haven't. I also thought about using G80. But the common definition of that is 'cycle cancel'. Which we haven't. We completed that cycle, we didn't cancel it. Which is what actually happens on your CNC after all. It is close. Maybe G80 would have been good.
No? Ahem. Let's move on before I dig myself even deeper into that hole and get myself into trouble with The Management.
As those
that know us have come to know, we are in the habit of providing an overview of
a new release on our website, which you can viewhere
But here is a fast run-through of What’s New:
New: Adaptive Solid Processes
The benefits of Adaptive Rouging
Toolpaths are firmly established, having been added to SmartCAM in a previous release.
Those Toolpath Modeling functions
were wireframe-based. Version 2019 adds Solid
Model-based Adaptive Toolpath functionality: a CAD solid model
can be analyzed for the regions to be Toolpathed and Adaptive Toolpaths
automatically applied to those regions.
Two new Adaptive Solid Processes
are available, Adaptive Solid Pocket Roughing andAdaptive Solid Planar Roughing. We
won't provide detailed information about or attempt to demo those functions
here, but you can see Adaptive Solid Pocket Roughing being applied in this short
video:
Adaptive Solid Roughingis the predominant toolpath
technology addition for SmartCAM
Version 2019, but there are a number of detailed additions and changes that we
know existing users in particular are going to appreciate. And understand; some
of them will be lost, we think, on anybody that does not yet know SmartCAM concepts and methodology. Rattling
through them and other changes and additions quickly, they are:
Adaptive Process Tool End Radius
All of the Adaptive Toolpath Processes now support the difference between a regular, cylindrical cutting tool and bull- or ball-mills. The result is, of course, ‘tighter’ toolpath due to that tool end radius.
Mill Roughing Compute Times All of the Mill Roughing Processes
benefit from improved performance / faster results due to identifying when
identical cut patterns are generated at multiple depths of cut.
Spiral Hole Leads and Comp Codes
The Spiral Hole Toolpath Modeling
Process has been enhanced to now support Line, Arc, and Line / Arc leads, and
tool radius compensation can now be applied within the Process.
The User Interface: Toolbars
The User Interface had a lot of
development attention and benefits from a more modern appearance and general
‘freshen up’. We really like it.
The primary enhancements have
been:
-Optionally associate text with
icons on a toolbar
-Better and easier control of
Toolbar configuration
-A new Toolbar ‘set’ capability
can be used to store user-preferred toolbar arrangements
-Each Toolbar can now be sized
independently of the others. Small beer, it would seem, but we love that
particular one ourselves.
Gradient Graphics Background
We didn’t appreciate just how
effective that could be before now. A Gradient background can be configured or
turned off according to user preference.
Zoom to Active Group
The Active Group is one of the
cornerstone concepts in SmartCAM usage. We bet that if we’d asked our customers
‘would you like to be able to zoom to the extent of the Active Group?’, 99.9% or more would have said yes.
And now you can.
Code Generation. For those that don’t know us, Code Generation is
the term used by the SmartCAM community for what are commonly called Post
Processors in other systems. There’s a little more of the SmartCAM Difference
for you right there.
TheSmartCAM Code Generator Tookit is
possibly the most open and flexible in the CAM world. Version 2019 delivers a
small number of code generator enhancements, which will again be a little
meaningless to those who do not yet know anything about our technology. But
being a techie sort of guy, one who such things excite ( how sad is that? )I’m going to run through them anyway. It’s
hard to come up with an image for these things, I’ve not even bothered to try.
Solid @OP_HOLEwMILLOP
Now how techie is that, eh? This stuff is SmartCAM Code Generator-specific.
OK, so it was a little tricky to
handle CNC code for a hole being toolpathed with other than a Hole Operation. A new CGT Sectionmore easily enables the processing of Hole Toolpaths where
the current operation is a Milling rather than a Hole Making operation type.
Code Generator / Macro Parsing
This one is buried deep within
the Code Generator / Custom Toolkit functionality. Our users who have ‘been
there’ with various customization projects will really appreciate the fact that
macro variables can be parsed from the CG to the macros.
Customization might, for example
‘do something’, call Code Generation and then ‘do something more’ after Code
Generation is complete and has parsed information back to the macro system.
Code Generator 'Function' Section
This one ‘lights my fire’, I have
to tell you. A new section behaviour has been added to the Code Generator
mechanism which enables Code Generator creators to create their own specific
‘functions’ within their Code Generator.
The primary goal of this work has been to enhance the ‘readability’ of Code Generator Template files, but it does
empower the creator with so many technical possibilities, some of which we
haven’t yet imagined. I personally have a view of the SmartCAM Code
Generator and Customization Toolkit, that what can be achieved is really only
limited by the imagination. So much is possible with that stuff, we have
been privy to some remarkable projects by our customers.
There are
a number of miscellaneous changes and additions summarized on our website, but there
we have it: some of the result of the 'subroutines' we ran during development
of our favorite CAM system. Now we're into the next program cycle of exciting
development work for SmartCAM Version
2020.
I really must
get back to my proper job. I hope I helped with a little comprehension of
another great release of SmartCAM.
Take
care.
Have a
great day / evening / weekend. Morning, even.
