WORKNC 2020.1

The 2020.1 Release of WORKNC is said to make smart factories even smarter with new and enhanced functionality which addresses a number of manufacturing issues.

Advanced Toolform Roughing

When machining with high feed cutters, but calculating with a theoretical circular insert, the resulting stock left will be inherently uneven. WORKNC 2020.1’s Roughing with Advanced Toolform technology allows the milling process to deliver a more accurate roughing stock, eliminating imprecisions characteristic to the traditional parametric toolpath calculation.

While the main roughing cycle took the same time to machine, the more precise result allowed all subsequent rest-roughing toolpaths to be significantly faster in both calculation and machining times. Our tests presented improvements in the rest-roughing area of up to 70%.

The use of the modern Advanced Toolform technology, even when applied to regular parametric tool shapes, improves the quality of the toolpath, and allows the user to break free from limitations such as stepovers or negative offsets bigger than the tool’s corner radius, even on conical tools.

Electrode Module - WORKNC | Designer

WORKNC’s Advanced hybrid modelling system, WORKNC | Designer, introduces an Electrode module, with intuitive and simple dedicated functions designed by engineers with experience in the mould and die industry.

The combination of the new, streamlined electrode functionality, easy to use direct modelling commands and powerful surfacing and healing tools, means electrodes from imported models can be extracted quickly, to create finer details on parts which can’t be machined using traditional milling techniques.

WORKNC Enhanced Link - WORKNC | Designer

WORKNC | Designer also brings an enhanced link to WORKNC Traditional, now preparing the entire workzone before sending it to the manufacturing planning phase of the process. The workflow has been streamlined, making sure the process is as simple, automated and straight-forward as possible. The WORKNC solution is now empowered by a modern CAD preparation platform that will continue to bring WORKNC users closer to the digital thread.

NCSIMUL Interface

WORKNC 2020.1 also brings an integrated link to Hexagon’s simulation solution, NCSIMUL, meaning that manufacturing data created in WORKNC is brought automatically into the application, including fixtures, roughed stock, design part, program origins, machine programs, and complete cutting tool library. From the WORKNC to NCSIMUL link interface, users can elect the Digital Twin Machine available to prove out post-processed G-code programs. This seamless process can transfer multiple part set-ups for verifying multiple operation G-code.

This link between the two solutions is designed so that no further manipulation is required in NCSIMUL for the project set-up. After the interface has done its job, NCSIMUL verification is ready for troubleshooting the new machining jobs through the unique and easy three-step verification process. It means no more file manipulation, lower risk of error, and faster programming-to-verification time. NCSIMUL provides feedrate optimisation, and shop floor documentation.