CIMulator 3D Version 6.0 Released
14 Apr 2008
by: Steve Hitchen
Australian CNC grinder manufacturer ANCA has released a new version of its benchmark CIMulator3D grinding simulation software. The new software–Version 6–comes almost 10 years to the day after ANCA introduced the original CIMulator3D that revolutionised the tool and cutter grinding.
“Its difficult to overstate the positive impact ANCA’s CIMuator3D had on the tool grinding market,” comments Duncan Thompson, International Marketing Manager. “Machine idle time for setting up new tool programs was almost eliminated by taking the programming step off line to the CIMulator3D. On a separate PC, tool geometry, machine movement and grinding parameters could all be confirmed before the first tool was ground. While programs were being developed off-line, machines would still be running in production. ANCA has always had the reputation of offering fantastically flexible software. The combination of CIMulator3D with ANCA’s iGrind programming software has allowed users of ANCA machines to be much more creative and experimental with designing new and exotic tools.”
Users of the CIMulator3D would be familiar with useful features offered such as tool measurement, cross sectional viewing of tools, wheel collision detection and complete machine model simulation. In this latest stage of its development, the new CIMulator3D has been upgraded with several new features that will improve the efficiency, flexibility and overall performance of the grinding simulation process. One major new feature included in Version 6 is the capability to export the simulated tool in STEP Formats AP203 AP214 and IGES. Customers will be able to export directly from CIMulator3D quickly and easily into another CAD Package. STEP and IGES are widely used neutral formats for the transferral of data accepted by most CAD packages.
Another benefit of the STEP and IGES export is that the user has the capability of using the imported model for drafting purposes, measurement and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). With some CAD/CAM packages it is even possible to import the simulated tool directly into the CAM process.
Another major feature of the new release is the addition of several new machine component models which are now available, including P–axis, tailstock, woodworking blade chucks and cuboid woodworking profiles. All the new component models will assist and offer increased collision detection and verification benefits to the customer.
Ten years after its initial introduction, the CIMulator3D together with ANCA’s suite of machine and software products, continues to deliver to customers market leading flexibility and productivity.
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ANCA at IMTS 2010