WORKNC 2022.3

Several new enhancements have been made to the following functionalities within WORKNC 2022.3. The major improvements to highlight are:

• Improvement in "Send to CAM” workflow from DESIGNER to WORKNC
• Toolpath list consolidation
• Holder Collision Avoidance against the dynamic stock
• Waveform roughing improvement
• Toolpath improvements
• Flat surfaces nesting in roughing
• Enhanced user experience

Improvement in "Send to CAM” workflow from DESIGNER to WORKNC

WORKNC, one the world’s leading solutions for advanced mold and die machining, with a unique workflow including DESIGNER as the preparation CAD for Manufacturing, strengthens this solution by improving the “Send to CAM” command in DESIGNER.

We continue to improve the “Send to CAM” command as we consider that a good part preparation in our CAD for Manufacturing environment, providing users with a smooth CAM workflow when using DESIGNER and WORKNC.

Toolpath list consolidation

The availability of a variety of toolpaths for different types of machining operations has been a key strength of WORKNC. However, over a period of years, this variety introduces some difficulties to choose the right machining toolpath to use for a given shape to be milled. Version 2022.3 is introducing the first step towards the consolidation of different type of machining toolpaths, with the aim of reducing the number of toolpaths available while keeping all WORKNC capabilities. The main list of toolpaths will be enhanced over the coming versions to propose the relevant options suitable for the required type of machining operation. WORKNC will continue to provide a variety of machining toolpath calculation through a reduced number of choices to simplify the user experience. Toolpath options will maintain the flexibility of the product while ensuring faster time calculation, safety and better collision checking.

Holder Collision Avoidance against the dynamic stock

Dynamic holder collision has been implemented in WORKNC 2022.1 to check the collision between holder and evolving stock model. WORKNC 2022.3 is presenting step 2 of this enhancement. We were able to detect the holder/cutter collision with the stock and complementing this detection with a full description and display of the collision, now the complete information is provided to the user to make the appropriate decision. For optimal safe collision checking, users can also add the clamping system to the calculation.

Waveform roughing improvement

The notorious Hexagon technology for constant cutter engagement, waveform roughing in WORKNC is continuously improved according to the requirements of the users. WORKNC 2022.3 is implementing a waveform technology improvement to ensure small thin chips of remaining material are properly machined. This ensures better quality and enhanced cutting tool life.

Toolpath improvements

Machining toolpaths within WORKNC are being continuously improved. Version 2022.3 is proposing improvements on ‘Curve profiling’ and ‘Contour re-machining’ toolpath. Some customers require the ability to do profiling along a curve of a round pocket and ramp down at the same time in a helix style. This is now possible using ‘Curve profiling.’ Contour re-machining, which is a highly used machining toolpath, has been reworked to deliver a better final part quality when three areas are joining (frequent use case). The resultant machined surface obtained, is now smoother by prioritizing the channel navigation.

Flat surfaces nesting in roughing

When machining flat surfaces, by properly nesting them the quality is drastically improved. The new ‘Flat surfaces nesting,’ is providing a better stability when machining thin walls by always keeping the maximum of material up to the last passes. As an additional benefit, users get an optimized toolpath with less retracts.

Enhanced user experience

Each new version of WORKNC version is bringing an enhanced user experience and version 2022.3 is not an exception for the same. We have simplified the workflow for the users by adding some enhancements, improving the overall productivity for CAM programming using WORKNC.