GibbsCAM Modules Support SolidWorks 2011 CAD Software

By DE Editors

Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM software for programming CNC machine tools, has announced that its suite of GibbsCAM modules supports SolidWorks 2011 3D CAD software with new capabilities to make geometry machinable and to generate NC programs for configurations of mills and lathes, including multi-task machines (MTM), Swissturn machines, and 5-axis machining centers.

SolidWorks 2011 includes hundreds of new enhancements.   It includes new capabilities like rapid dimensions, enhanced mirrored components, and heads-up mouse gesturing.

“Engineers, NC programmers and machinists don’t have time to worry about software complexity or the problem of integrating data between separate applications,” says Nick Iwaskow, SolidWorks Manager, Alliances. “Combining GibbsCAM’s CNC programming, toolpath verification, machine-tool simulation, and post processing with SolidWorks 2011 3D CAD enables engineers,  NC programmers and machinists to focus on innovation, quality, and productivity instead of how to use the software.”

Manufacturing engineers and NC programmers will use GibbsCAM to generate NC programs for all types of CNC machine tools from design models created in SolidWorks software, with seamless transition. GibbsCAM opens SolidWorks models so that the NC programmer can analyze and optimize them for machinability, and generate toolpaths for the chosen or available CNC machine tool. GibbsCAM verifies the toolpaths with gouge detection and interference checking, then dynamically and visually simulates them on virtual machine tools, and postprocesses them to generate optimal NC programs. The manufacturing engineer and NC programmer can use various GibbsCAM features to eliminate scrap, reduce cycle times, and maximize efficiency, safety and profits.

“A high percentage of our customers use SolidWorks for 3D CAD,” says Bill Gibbs, president and founder of Gibbs and Associates. “They will be as pleased as we are to have an easy-to-use CAM solution that supports accurate and efficient use of SolidWorks 2011 models to easily and productively generate programs for their CNC machines, from the simplest to the most complex.”

A SolidWorks Certified CAM Partner Product, GibbsCAM allows users to open SolidWorks models, and use the model geometry to generate programs to drive CNC machine tools.

For more information, visit GibbsCAM and SolidWorks.
Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.