Gibbscam 2016 v11.3.10.0 Multilang Win64 What’s New in GibbsCAM 2016, v11.3 This article covers highlights of GibbsCAM 2016, v11.3, which is nearing completion of its beta phase as this newsletter goes to press. It condenses material in the GibbsCAM 2016 What’s New document. Highlights since the previous release include: Enhancements and changes in basic areas of thread milling, contouring, and turning; improvements and enhancements to VoluMill; many enhancements to 5-Axis; new capabilities in imported CAD files using Spatial translators, and small helpful tweaks in various areas. Thread Milling The Thread Milling process offers a greatly expanded set of capabilities, many of which can be seen in the following side-by-side comparison of the old process dialog with the new process dialog: Thread Milling 1a Thread Milling 1b Before GibbsCAM 2016 In GibbsCAM 2016 The new capabilities are especially useful in conjunction with the new tool type, Full Profile Threadmill. Offers the ability to vary depth with geometry, just as in the Holes process. Understands and works with hole features. Calculates how many Z passes are required for the thread's start Z and end Z, based on the tool's flute length. The process connects between Z passes: Uses tangent arc retract/re-approach between each pass. Arc length can be calculated automatically or specified by the user. For OD threading: Connects using rapid in Z/feed arc. For ID threading: Connects via center of hole. Allows for multiple passes and spring passes: You can specify depth between passes. When using a multi-tooth threadmill, spring passes occur after all main passes are complete. You can specify how many spring passes should occur at the finish cut diameter. You can choose whether to rapid or feed from the center to the clearance diameter. Threading Process New Tool Type: Full Profile Threadmill GibbsCAM 2016 provides a new tool type for multi-tooth thread mills. For a thread milling process using such a tool, the value for Pitch (metric units) or TPI (threads per inch) is defined by the tool, not by the process. Number of teeth can be 1 or more. Support for threadforms. Support for tapered-angle tools. Tapered Thread Milling For all thread milling processes, clearance diameter is constant throughout the cut, and a single cut diameter is specified for the start of the cut. For multi-tooth threadmills, taper angle is derived from the tool profile. For single-tooth threadmills, you can specify Taper Angle: Straight threading uses a taper angle value of 0. BSPT/NPT uses a taper angle of 1.78991 degrees.