VoluMill

Solution for constant feed cutting

VoluMill is a high-performance toolpath engine available to run as a c hook inside Mastercam X3 and X2. Glen Coleman, the inventor of Truemill, has developed a new algorithm for efficient constant loaded toolpaths

The VoluMill Integrated Clients run directly inside of your CAM system. Download the one for your system and install it. Registered VoluMill users automatically have a FREE 15 day trial for the Integrated Client. The first time you run the Integrated Client just enter your My VoluMill username (email) and your password to start your free trial. If you haven't done so already you can register at My VoluMill™

http://www.celeritive.com/getstarted.htm

VoluMill:  The only 2-axis toolpath you will ever need.

VoluMill is a high-performance toolpath engine from Celeritive Technologies that integrates directly into your existing CAM system. It handles any geometry, is easy to use, and outperforms all other toolpath technologies.

Using VoluMill in place of traditional 2-axis routines will reduce your cycle times, extend the life of your cutting tools, and place considerably less stress on your machine tools, thereby reducing your costs while increasing your productivity. VoluMill provides these benefits by fully utilizing the capabilities of modern machining hardware to control the rate of material removal. It plans the toolpath based on the abilities designed into the machine tools and cutting tools, irrespective of the shape being cut. Traditional toolpath strategies, by contrast, are derived from the geometry being machined, filling the bounded area with a zigzag pattern, or offsetting the boundary geometry until it collapses on itself.

Don't believe it? Try it for yourself by registering for a free My VoluMill account. From there, you can use our free VoluMill web-NC service on your own parts, or sign up for a free trial of a dedicated VoluMill client for your CAM system.

Key Advantages and Benefits:

1)High-performance, smart toolpath engine.
2)Powerful, efficient toolpaths for open shapes.
3)Intelligent slot milling and side milling options.
4)Fast machining of small pockets.
5)Up to 100% stepover with no uncut material.
6)High-feed repositioning with floor clearance.
7)Cleanup Milling.
8) Automatic feedrate adjustment.

1) High-performance, smart toolpath engine.

VoluMill handles ANY part geometry with a single toolpath that outperforms all other 2-axis rough-milling toolpaths where it matters most: on the shop floor. VoluMill toolpaths reduce cycle times and extend cutting-tool life.

2) Powerful, efficient toolpaths for open shapes.

A weak link in many CAM systems. Cut ANY combination of part/stock boundaries easily; all open edges are fully leveraged for efficient machining and to minimize plunging into the material.

3) Intelligent slot milling and side milling options.

For softer metals, provides the fastest possible cycle time. Intelligently selects slot milling or side milling to maximize the material removal rate. Feedrates and axial depths of cut are automatically adjusted in slot milling to maintain a constant material removal rate, and can be overridden by the programmer. For harder materials, users can require side milling over the entire toolpath to avoid burying the cutter.

4) Fast machining of small pockets.

The fastest way to clear out small pockets. Efficient, specialized tool motion for tight spaces; VoluMill automatically applies this special milling logic as needed.

5) Up to 100% stepover with no uncut material.

Complete floor cleanup is always ensured. NO uncut stands of material will be left behind regardless of the size of the stepover. No special motion required, no extra option to learn.

   

6) High-feed repositioning with floor clearance.

Fully leverages the machine's capabilities. Tool moves safely and as quickly as possible when not engaged in material. Clears the floor by a small amount when repositioning at the highest possible speed without dragging it across an already-machined floor.

7) Cleanup Milling.

Use a small tool to cut material left by a larger tool in a previous operation. VoluMill motion ensures safe, efficient material removal.

8) Automatic feedrate adjustment.

Maintains a more consistent load on the cutting tool. No feedrate optimizer needed; VoluMill toolpaths include precise and automatic feedrate optimization.

          Looking at the Rapid moves (yellow lines) using Volumill you will see only a few places where VoluMill is retracting the tool for a new positioning move. This results in a very efficient toolpath keeping the tool “in the cut” with controlled step over.

Please notice in the top pocket VoluMill will recognize when there is going to be an unacceptable amount of tool engagement in relation to depth of cut, so it will intelligently reestablish the depth of cut, speeds and feeds and will “slot mill” that area clearing the material quickly and efficiently.

Mastercam X3 with Volumill cycle time = 3 minutes 51 seconds

A full 1 minute 41 seconds faster in a simple part.

In contrast to VoluMill you will notice all of the Rapid moves (red Lines) generated by TrueMill to accomplish machining the same part, constantly re-positioning the tool so that it can re-engage the part.

Looking at the same pocket, TrueMill is committed to it’s depth of cut and must use “Trochoidal motion” and nibble it’s way through. Note also as the area gets closer and closer to the tools diameter the tools’ advancement becomes less and less on each consecutive pass.

SurfCam with TrueMill = 5 minutes 32 seconds

Contact Cimtech for a demo and see this productive toolpath module, we have tested this against other systems and can show you results with 20% gain, more efficient cutting and less stress on the cutter. Call our office for more information 253-333-0126