VERICUT V7.0 unveiled

CGTech has released the next major version of VERICUT CNC machine simulation and optimisation software, V7.0.
VERICUT 7.0 features significant performance-improving enhancements that reduce the time required for manufacturing engineers to develop, analyse, inspect and document the CNC programming and machining process.

Instead of focusing on new features or add-on modules, CGTech developer resources have focused on diligent code optimisation and customer-driven enhancements.

"VERICUT has been reorganised, with a new user interface for maximum efficiency," said John Reed, managing director, CGTech Ltd. "Not only is the software extremely stable and significantly faster, it has never been easier to set up a VERICUT project. This release will set a new standard for the world's most advanced CNC simulation system."

CGTech sought to reduce the number of pop-up dialogs for day-to-day VERICUT users and eliminate any confusion associated with "Apply", "OK" and "Cancel" buttons. As a result, setting up a new project in VERICUT has been simplified. Items formerly in pop-up dialogs have been moved to the Project Tree, where all projects are now configured by using an intuitive configuration panel automatically displayed as the user selects each branch. Actions are immediate, so "Apply" or "Okay" clicks are unnecessary.

The Component Tree has also been merged into the Project Tree, but can optionally be hidden. Additionally, the Project menu is now much simpler with menu actions moved to the Project Tree. All these updates mean the user can stop hunting through menus to find a function; everything the user needs is now in one place.

VERICUT 7.0's motion processing is all new. Thousands of development hours have gone toward optimising VERICUT's internal code for the fastest, most efficient motion simulation to date. Motion Simulation refers to how VERICUT calculates the motion path from the NC data and animates it. The motion in all view-types is now co-ordinated and tool images are consistent. Collision tolerance and motion display are independent. When set to stop at a travel limit, the simulation continues the motion with axis clamped, while any cuts during a limit error are painted red. A 5-axis NC block is now one motion and simulation times overall are shorter, due to improved efficiency.

All collision configurations is now done via the collision branch in the Project Tree. 5.x and 6.x collision configurations are upward compatible and read into 7.0. This central location for all collision control eliminates any possibility of duplicate collision checks. All current functionality is maintained. The user can define a near-miss collision with cut stock, and all near-miss and actual collision errors are separated in the logger. Components turn red upon first display of the collision contact, instead of at the end of the colliding motion.

VERICUT runs standalone, but can also be integrated with leading CAM systems, such as Catia V5, Siemens NX, Pro/E, MasterCAM, EdgeCAM, Delcam PowerMill and Open Mind HyperMill.

VERICUT can read Siemens NX Part Files directly when NX is on the same computer. NX parts can be referenced either directly from within VERICUT, or via the NX-to-VERICUT interface.

The CATIA V5–To-VERICUT Interface has been enhanced, with many new features for managing tools. The user can merge tools from a template with new tools from the Part Operation, and optionally put all unique tools in one tool library. The user can also use CATIA-referenced STL models. VERICUT holders are now named using the holder names already defined in CATIA. Additional new features include the option to specify work offset subsystems and set model tolerances for the stock, fixture and design models.