Kinematics
All the limitations of the machine model kinematics – the actual rest material that remains after previous operations and the fixture(s) geometry are used to calculate the toolpath. The result of the calculation is not just the Cartesian points in abstract space; it’s the actual positions of the machine axes required to reach these points. This means that the CNC machine is 100% able to execute the generated program.
Immediately after the toolpath is calculated, SprutCAM performs the simulation in the background and shows the new state of the workpiece to the user in the same window. Using the result, the user can easily decide how to correct the parameters without switching to simulation or post processing.
Thanks to this, the iterations of CNC programming become less time consuming, and comparing to other CAD/CAM software the CNC programming workflow itself becomes intuitive and clear.
Extensive range of CNC programming solutions
SprutCAM is the CAD/CAM software for 2, 3, 4, 5 axis milling, turning, turn-milling, 2D, 5D&6D cutting, HSM, Swiss-type machining, multitask machining, EDM and additive & hybrid technologies, 6 axis industrial robots programming.
It’s easy to get a toolpath in SprutCAM
In SprutCAM you get the first toolpath without setting any parameters at all. After that, you can play with parameters, visually controlling the result.
3-axis milling in SprutCAM
Remove material quickly
The new “Adaptive” strategy for high-speed machining. Used for fast material removal. Rapid calculation and kinder on the tool.
3-axis milling in SprutCAM
Get the required surface quality
Comprehensive finishing toolpath strategies including scallop and morph will help you to obtain the desired surface finish.
Equipment safety: collision control during tool path calculation
SprutCAM takes into account machine the axes limits for initial tool path calculation. There is no need for post processing and separate simulation for collision and axis limits control.
3-axis machining time-savers
Automatic rest material removal, hole recognition, flat faces detection.
Save time with automatic rest material machining
Rest machining removes material that a previous tool or operation could not remove. In SprutCAM areas for rest machining are detected automatically. Thus SprutCAM saves machinist’s time for toolpath creation and the machine time Primarily useful for freeform surfaces machining.
It’s easy to get a toolpath in SprutCAM
In SprutCAM you get the first toolpath without setting any parameters at all. After that, you can play with parameters, visually controlling the result.
Rotary milling in SprutCAM
4-axis index machining
All 3-axis toolpath strategies are available for 4 axis index machining.
Rotary milling in SprutCAM
4-axis continuous machining
SprutCAM has roughing toolpath for quick material removing and finishing toolpaths for the required surface quality for the 4-axis continuous machining.
Equipment safety: collision control during tool path calculation
SprutCAM takes into account machine the axes limits for initial tool path calculation. There is no need for post processing and separate simulation for collision and axis limits control.
4-axis toolpath suite
Rotary machining special toolpaths.
g68.2 / cycle800 / plane spatial
Automatic and manual local CS transformation for 3+2 machining
G43.4 / TRAORI / M128
TCPM mode for continuous 5-axis machining
Ultimate 5-axis programming workflow
Rest material handling
SprutCAM always keeps the workpiece updated live within the operations sequence to optimize the toolpath and avoid air-cutting.
Every subsequent operation detects the workpiece in the state it was left by previous operation.
Thus the machine time is kept optimized.
On the screenshot,the green color is the part itself and orange is the current state of the workpiece.
Ultimate 5-axis machines programming workflow
Machine kinematics consideration
SprutCAM takes into account the machine kinematics with all its limitations when the toolpath is calculated.
The simulation automatically commences in the background immediately after the toolpath is calculated. The user can avoid any collisions that may occur without having to switch to Simulation mode.
Thus the CNC programming workflow is very streamlined and takes much less time; especially for multi-axis programming.
Equipment safety: collision control during tool path calculation
SprutCAM takes into account machine the axes limits for initial tool path calculation. There is no need for post processing and separate simulation for collision and axis limits control.
5-axis toolpath suite
Multiaxis machining toolpaths.
8 strategies for toolpath control
parallel to horizontal plane
parallel to vertical plane
parallel to 3D plane
parallel to curve
across curve
morph between two curves
morph between two faces
around rotary axis
7 strategies for tool axis control
normal to surface
flank
fixed
to rotary axis
through the point
through the curve
perpendicular to the toolpath
Special 5-axis solutions
SprutCAM has a comprehensive set of 5-axis strategies. Enough to solve any 5-axis machining task.
SprutCAM supports these types of 5D and 6D cutting
Laser cutting
Plasma cutting
Waterjet cutting
Knife cutting
5D cutting highlights
5-axis cutting machines programming features
Get toolpath instantly
To get the toolpath:
- Specify the edge on the model;
- SprutCAM will offer to choose one of the adjoining surfaces to control the tool axis;
- Select the direction of the tool axis relative to the selected surface: tool tip or flank;
- Press Run.
SprutCAM works with both the solid model and the mesh model.
Tool axis control at every toolpath point: lead and lean angles
After calculating the toolpath, you can edit the tool vector at each point. It is possible to set the lean and lead angles at any point of the toolpath.
Lean and lead angles can be set manually or automatically using the toolpath optimization map.
It is useful to avoid collisions between machine and parts, and singularities.
Interactive toolpath editing after calculation
Often, the actual part geometry does not match the CAD model.
Therefore, in SprutCAM, the toolpath is converted into a spline and can be edited directly in the interface.
5D cutting demo
6D cutting highlights
6-axis cutting machines and robots programming features.
Additional axis support
SprutCAM supports additional axes. For example, a 6th rotary axis located on the machine table.
6D knife cutting
SprutCAM has a special solution for knife cutting for the knife safety and blade direction control.
What can be configured:
- toolpath curvature limit when knife turning in the material;
- the knife can be double-sided: you can cut using either edge of the knife;
- knife retraction and rotation in the air at sharp toolpath corners.
6D cutting demo
SprutCAM advantages for multi-axis cutting
Streamlined workflow, toopath safety, NC programming at speed
Taking into account machine kinematics
SprutCAM takes into account the machine kinematics with all its limitations accounted for during toolpath calculation.
The simulation is performed in the background immediately after the toolpath is calculated. User can resolve collisions if they occur without needing to switch to simulation mode.
Thus the CNC programming workflow is streamlined and takes much less time, especially for 5-axis machines programming
Automated singularity avoidance
SprutCAM has special singularities controlling parameters which makes both 5 & 6-axis machine programming much easier.
Types of 2D cutting that are programmed in SprutCAM
Laser cutting
Plasma cutting
Waterjet cutting
Knife cutting
Automatic schemes for corner passing
- In order to avoid incorrect corner cuts on the part, the system has several methods for tool path calculation in the corners. The cutting of the corners can be set automatically or manually, depending on the corner parameters.
Tool axis control at every toolpath point: lead and lean angles
After calculating the toolpath, you can edit the tool vector at each point. It is possible to set the lean and lead angles at any point of the toolpath.
Lean and lead angles can be set manually or automatically using the toolpath optimization map.
It is useful to avoid collisions between machine and parts, and singularities.
Contour cutting sequence optimization according to the lengths of the passes, taking into consideration the inner contours
The contour cutting sequence is determined automatically, taking into consideration the inner contours.
This has to be done in order to avoid the untimely cutting out of a part with uncut parts inside.
The system also provides optimization of the machining sequence taking into account the length of the passes between parts.
Automatic detection of the optimal approach points to the workpiece contour with simultaneous control of the approach and withdrawal from the cut for neighboring parts. The system automatically calculates tool penetration positions, depending on the chosen approach, avoiding inadvertant cutting of neighboring parts.
Often, the machined part will bend due to the thermo treatment and can break when the cutter head is later moved above it. In order to avoid such situations, the traverse moves between cutting start points can be done above the unmachined zones of the sheet. When the function is turned off, the passes will be made following the shortest distance between the points. When the function is turned on, the passes are made in such a way, that the cutter head avoids passing above already cut contours.
The NC code is checked in the machining simulation mode. The cutting simulation assures visual control of the quality of the NC code.
Streamlined CNC programming workflow
Unlike many other CAD/CAM software, SprutCAM calculates toolpath in the native kinematics of the CNC machine.
What does this mean to the user?
This means that tool path calculation automatically avoids possible machine collisions as well as the work piece and axis travel limits. All this happens while the tool path is calculated, not in simulation.
You do not need to post process the NC code to simulate the real-world result. All machine movements are visible immediately after the tool path calculation.
CNC programming becomes visual, workflow is streamlined.
Advanced rest material handling:
watch how the workpiece is machined during every operation
In SprutCAM the simulation is updated in the background after every operation. So the workpiece for each subsequent operation is the result of the previous operation.
Thus, when calculating the toolpath, SprutCAM considers the result of the previous operation.
Toolpath calculation that is based on the result of the previous operation gives three distinct advantages:
- visual programming: the result of processing is visible immediately after the toolpath calculation in each operation;
- workpiece collision control;
- reduced non-cutting motions without material removal.
Reliable simulation: safety for the equipment
SprutCAM simulation shows all machine movements during the machining process. 5-axis and complex turn-mill machines are no exception. In addition, SprutCAM automatically marks NC program frames in which it detects collisions, part gouges and axis movements overtravels. Reliable and detailed simulation in the CAD/CAM software is the guarantee of no surprises during physical machining process.
Reliable NC code: G-code simulation and verification
If you have SprutCAM, then you do not need a separate software for G-code verification.
G-code verification feature supports Fanuc, Heidenhein, and Siemens CNCs with canned cycles.
G-code verification reveals:
- possible bugs in the postprocessor;
- at what point of processing the technological commands are turned on and off;
- which movement causes gauge or collision;
- tool motion between operations.
TOOLPATH CALCULATION IN SPRUTCAM
Get the real-world tool paths without switching to simulation and post-processing
SprutCAM is a CAD/CAM software that takes into account the CNC machine model during the toolpath calculation. Before starting the programming, the user puts the models of the part and fixtures inside the virtual machine. After that it’s easy to estimate the reachability of the surfaces when picking it for the machining.