More control over curves from CAD/CAM software

Available now from VX Corp is the latest release, Version 6, of its VX CAD/CAM software.

Available now from VX Corp is the latest release, Version 6, of its VX CAD/CAM software.

Building on the successful introduction of expanded technologies for solid modelling, surfacing, machining and mould making in VX Version 5, Version 6 includes a wide variety of new tools and significant enhancements throughout the product that provide users with even more powerful end-to-end, design through manufacturing capabilities.

"VX Version 6 provides all of the tools to design and manufacture products much more quickly and efficiently than with what is available in any competing CAD/CAM system", said Bob Fischer, vice president of sales and marketing at VX Corporation.

"In Version 6, so much of what the end-user needs to do is now either automatic or intuitively simple that we expect VX Version 6 to set the industry standard for powerful yet affordable end-to-end solutions".

VX CAD/CAM has always offered surfacing tools that equal or exceed those in much more expensive CAD/CAM systems.

VX Version 6 builds on this with new capabilities such as a highly visual curve editor as well as significant enhancements to lofting and point cloud functions.

The new, visually oriented and very easy to use graphical curve editor in V6 brings additional control over curves and the surfaces joined to them.

VX 6 makes it easy to grab any point on the curve and dynamically edit the shape and visual feedback instantly shows the effect of moving, deleting or altering the curve's control points.

Lofting in previous versions of VX CAD/CAM rivalled those of the most expensive systems, but has been completely revised in Version 6 to be more powerful and easier to use.

The interface for picking the edges to loft and specifying tangency has been simplified and a new option makes it easy to connect the first profile to the last one.

The result is that smooth, seamless lofts are readily constructed with minimal user input.

Discontinuities are eliminated, which is not the case for typical CAD/CAM software.

A new elliptical fillet function provides a much smoother look across large product surfaces.

Using this new VX capability, designers have significantly more freedom to create more aesthetically pleasing curved surfaces.

In VX Version 6, the new point cloud function will yield exceptionally smooth surfaces without sacrificing precision of fit.

Product designers frequently rely on a point cloud, or three-dimensional array of points sampled across existing products or physical prototypes as the basis for more refined computer models.

VX 6 improves this process.

A new, very easy to use mould design wizard in VX Version 6 automates mould production options.

Most mould makers should save considerable time by relying on the new wizard to construct the critical elements of their electrodes.

A new multicurve parting line utility in VX 6 will also help speed development of more complex moulds.

Among the new manufacturing-related tools in VX Version 6 is a complete milling solution, known as the VX Quick Milling Suite.

This set of tools offers dramatic speed and toolpath improvements for machining applications - yet has been designed for exceptional ease of use to minimise training and support.

A full range of material handling and cutting techniques is supported to allow extremely complex milling in 3D.

The Quick Milling Suite includes a very broad range of high-speed machining techniques, such as continuous spiral and projection milling to produce a smooth and continuous cutting path, minimise cuts for higher feed rates and reduced tool wear, a skimming option for quicker milling, and toolpath optimisation.

VX Version 6 is now capable of handling true five-axis milling and, in conjunction with powerful postprocessor technology from IMS Software, can create toolpaths for virtually any machine tool - even the most sophisticated five-axis machine.

User interface and expanded collaboration simplify interaction Building on the VX commitment to the Windows look and feel, the new interface in VX Version 6 provides novice or casual users with easy access to sophisticated CAD/CAM functions.

The entire interface has been simplified through significant menu consolidations to reduce and optimise the number of choices and steps necessary for typical construction of part geometry.

More visual feedback cues such as the lock icons in the new curve editor have been added so that users can quickly identify and interact with critical elements of the drawing.

VX has also added or upgraded tools for expanded collaboration throughout the entire design-through-manufacturing process.

VX's built-in web publishing tool, VX Weblink, has been improved to enable users to share entire assemblies with customers or colleagues.

New collaborative product development and PDM tools are being introduced to help users shorten time to market and reduce manufacturing costs.

Also, new expanded healing capabilities provide more options for non-native interoperability in bringing other CAD files into VX or exporting VX files to other systems.

(This was Engineeringtalk's Top Story on 1 May 2002).

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