Cloud-Based CNC Simulation and Verification

More and more desktop applications are being replaced by cloud-based software. Cloud-enabled simulation supports mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets that access applications being run on remote servers, and renders simulation in real-time even in devices with low-memory processors. MachineWorks Ltd. (Sheffield, UK) provides CNC Simulation and Verification component software that integrates easily into these cloud-based applications. The API allows networked devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and desktops, to visualize MachineWorks simulations running on a remote server. Multiple simulations can be run concurrently on a single machine and multiple clients can simultaneously watch a single simulation. As a toolkit, MachineWorks offer solutions to users who wish to adopt this type of model so that they can create flexible solutions for better serving their customers, providing automatic software upgrades, gathering of information, improving communications, allowing real-time collaborations and reporting via smartphones or tablets that automatically upload to the cloud.

New Surface and Feature detection functionality allows applications to analyze cut surfaces and easily identify holes, drilled holes, pockets, open pockets, slots and islands. MachineWorks can help developers improve their own feature-recognition machining and rest-machining algorithms, helping CAD/CAM manufacturers provide faster and easier-to-use functionality. MachineWorks latest features include sheet metal bending simulation and collision checking, optimized collision detection for concave machined parts, the ability to take ‘snapshots’ of a solid during simulation, and 3D simulation recording. Users who have created collision avoidance systems generally use “look ahead” functions to prevent any potential machine crashes. When a clash between parts in the machine envelope is detected, controllers stop the machine to avoid the damage.

For polygon mesh processing functionality, Polygonica is the solid modeling toolkit from MachineWorks that provides CAD/CAM/CAE applications with polygon mesh processing functionality, such as healing, offsetting, point cloud, remeshing, simplification and Boolean operations. Leading suppliers in the additive industry integrate Polygonica to access tools for 3D Printing file preparation and STL file manipulation.

MachineWorks Ltd., Rutledge House, 78 Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield, UK S10 2LJ, +44-114-223-1370, www.machineworks.com.