As part of Hexagon’s philosophy of supporting data-driven smart factories, the latest release of ALPHACAM CAD/CAM software speeds up how jobs that require several processes are managed.

A new job type has been introduced in ALPHACAM 2020.1. The new “Multiple Process Jobs” functionality makes it simpler to create jobs and orders in the ALPHACAM Automation Manager for jobs that need to be output to more than one machine, or that require secondary processing at the same machine.

“In the past, users had to create multiple jobs to process complex operations in Automation Manager,” said Product Manager Chip Martin. “Now, a single job can be created, containing all the different machines and manufacturing processes that the part goes through.”

He highlights an example of machining the top and back of a part. In the latest version of the software, those two processes can easily be worked as a single job. “NC code will simply be created for both of them automatically, which is also the case for additional machines and other processes.”

This improvement streamlines how complex manufacturing processes are handled in the ALPHACAM Automation Manager. “Once the process is defined, and the ‘Multiple Process Job’ is created, the operator can easily repeat the same complex job many times for different parts. Also, the user interface will help show exactly which processes and machines the part will go through.”

Several enhancements have been made to Automation Manager’s output file options. Firstly, the new ‘File Name Configuration’ dialog creates names from job information, job files, or any custom text. 

Secondly, a number of improvements to Report Creation include the ability to generate up to four different layouts, which can also be printed. All the materials being used can be included in one report, and a report can be produced for each material and each nested sheet.

“This fine-tune control means users can tailor Automation Manager output entirely to their specific requirements.” 

The Rough/Finish of solid faces with Tool Side function now supports cylindrical faces to be machined. Planar and cylindrical faces can be combined in a single selection. For solid faces that are perpendicular or undercuts, an active work plane can be used to define the preferred approach angle (scanning direction).

“In the previous release, we introduced the ability to machine solid faces directly for rough/finish and sawing,” Martin said. “This has now been enhanced to allow simple planar faces to be machined without creating new geometry.”

Cylindrical faces as well as planar faces can now be selected, and ALPHACAM automatically finds the best angle for machining them. This calculation is carried out while keeping a fixed angle for the tool in a work plane, guaranteeing that most controllers will be able to support compensation (G41/G42), and Lead-In/Out generated by ALPHACAM.

“Before this improvement, users had to carry out several steps to machine a selection of faces using the tool side. Now, instead of creating workplanes and extracting geometries, they simply select the faces for machining and ALPHACAM calculates the required tool angle and workplane to machine a selection of faces. This is a real time saver.”

Stone companies will find specific improvements for waterjet cutting, and for sawing surfaces and solids. ALPHACAM 2020.1 includes a waterjet tool as well as new machining cycles. Users can now create waterjet tools and specify parameters specific to waterjet cutting. Abrasive Flow Rates can be defined in the new tool type, as well as how far the nozzle should be from the top of the material.

In addition to the existing machining cycles, the latest release introduces three waterjet operations which can follow a profile, clear areas, or cut and pierce holes, in both 3- and 5-axis machining. A simulation can be run to check for possible collisions between the nozzle and material.

“The software has been successfully driving waterjet and saw + waterjet machine tools for many years,” Martin said, “but this new waterjet tool and cycles provide a consistent and highly professional way of calculating toolpaths.”

The new release now defines boundaries when cutting surfaces and solids with a disc/saw. Users define multiple boundaries, and ALPHACAM will avoid machining those areas. “This gives much better control, making it possible to avoid areas which should be machined in another step, and even avoid other machine components.” 
About Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence Division
Hexagon is a global leader in sensor, software and autonomous solutions. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, and quality across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, safety, and mobility applications.
Our technologies are shaping urban and production ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division provides solutions that utilize data from design and engineering, production and metrology to make manufacturing smarter. For more information, visit hexagonmi.com.
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Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 20,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 3.8bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

Building on nearly a century of precision-engineered power tool solutions globally, Festool USA is celebrating its 20th year of business in the U.S.— the brand’s emerald anniversary — with a special limited release of its Emerald Edition tools. The Emerald Edition collection consists of six precision-engineered tool options, each of which is housed in limited-edition Blue Systainer packaging. And there’s more: each Emerald Edition tool includes an assortment of complementary accessories worth up to $136 in value.
 
“Our goal with the Emerald Edition celebration is to honor our loyal customers with an incredible value and a real ‘thank you,’ as well,” stated Rick Bush, Vice President of Marketing for Festool. “The handsome Emerald Blue Systainers not only help keep craftsmen organized and boost productivity, but also will remind them of our appreciation for the 20-year journey that we have shared together. At the same time, the accompanying accessories are bonuses that every Festool user will surely appreciate.”
 
Emerald Celebration Extends to Sweepstakes for Craftsmen
 
As a part of the anniversary celebration, passionate craftsmen now have a chance to learn from some of the most knowledgeable Festool trainers with the Emerald Edition Sweepstakes. When participants purchase and register their Emerald Edition tools, they are entered for the Grand Prize of receiving a trip to Festool USA Headquarters in Lebanon, Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis. The sweepstakes winners will spend a full day with a Festool expert-trainer and deepen their appreciation for their craft, as well as Festool’s product lineup. For full details about the sweepstakes and official rules, visit festoolusa.com/sweepstakes.
 
“The Emerald Edition tools, as well as the sweepstakes event, have been well received in the marketplace since their recent unveiling,” Bush said. “These limited-edition tools and the sweepstakes present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for skilled specialists. We are delighted to celebrate the Festool brand with tradesmen who demand unmatched precision and performance, a standard that Festool has delivered on in North America for the last 20 years.”
 
About Festool
Founded in Germany in 1925, Festool is known for its innovative, precision-engineered power tool solutions.  Based in Lebanon, IN, Festool USA offers a comprehensive lineup of power tools and system accessories, designed to boost productivity through efficiency and high performance. For more information, visit www.festoolusa.com. 

The skies are clear. The river is at its normal level. Authorities are reporting a low risk of wildfire. Fault lines have been quiet. It’s tempting to operate your business as if these will always be the case. But what will you do when disaster strikes? Ask any business owner who has been through a disaster — thorough preparation makes all the difference.

When you experience a catastrophe, the trauma and stress make it difficult, if not impossible, to think clearly enough to begin setting things right. And unless you’ve collected all the documents and information you need for operational continuity, you’ll have a hard time getting things moving again.

Federated Mutual Insurance Company® offers the resources you need to prepare your business for a disaster with the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Open for Business-EZ® program. The program, available online or in print, guides business owners through the process of developing a plan to help keep a business profitable after a disaster.

The toolkit contains documents to record information about the major areas of your business, including basic operations, equipment, employees, customers, suppliers, vendors, finances, and information technology. It also helps you record and assess your risk for a variety of natural and man-made disasters, and test your plan for reaction and recovery. To access the toolkit, visit the IBHS website, or log on to Federated’s Shield Network and click on “IBHS – Disaster Planning.”

The IBHS website also offers a tool that helps users identify threats specific to their geographic region, helping to focus preparedness efforts. It also provides information on best practices, including assessments, guides, and checklists to help prepare for these perils:

• Earthquakes
• Floods
• Freezing weather
• Hail
• High winds
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Wildfire

The site www.disastersafety.org, is also great for employees of the business to learn how to prepare for disasters. A business cannot recover unless they have employees that can help and employees can’t help the business until they have their own personal situation under control. For more information on OFB-EZ® and the library of other risk management resources Federated Insurance® offers, contact your local Federated marketing representative.

Turn any bathroom into a more functional and efficient space that is easier to use and simpler to keep organized with storage accessories from Richelieu. These organization solutions can make morning routine run smoothly when getting ready to face the day ahead.

The BANIO Modular Organizer is a U-shaped drawer system for bathroom vanities. The cut-out shape in the back circumvents the plumbing concealing it from view while improving the functionality of the vanity drawer.

​Add the translucent acrylic storage containers as drawer dividers to keep contents tidy and make things easy to find. The containers keep the interior of the drawer looking light and airy. They can be rearranged however wanted and then clipped into place to prevent them from moving around.

Learn more at ​https://www.richelieu.com/QR/C/1210575

The Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) is pleased to announce that Dominic Rubino will be the closing keynote speaker at the organization’s 2020 national conference, which will be held March 4-6 in St. Charles, Illinois.

A professional speaker, facilitator, author, and business coach, Dominic Rubino is dedicated to helping woodworking professionals work less and earn more. Through his blog, articles, podcast, and videos Rubino has been teaching business improvement tricks to shop owners for almost two decades.

To leave the CMA 2020 event attendees with a memorable conference experience, Rubino will close the conference with insights about how business owners need a map to get their company to the destination. That map is a strategic plan that portrays what the company will look like over the next five years. Rubino’s presentation will outline specific steps to help attendees figure out WHO will do WHAT by WHEN.

Rubino’s presentation connects the overall event theme of “2020 Vision” and the associated sight lines of driving a car: looking in the rearview mirror to see where we have been, checking the blind spot to see what’s happening around us, and shifting gears to accelerate forward.  After that, according to Rubino, “The rest is just checking the map and making course corrections to get to your destination.”

​You don’t want to miss this event! For more information and to register, visit www.cabinetmakers.org/2020