Latest linear motor technology is being used to remove any likelihood of deflection and backlash and to optimise slideway structure of the most recent CNC sliding head turn/mill centre.
The latest linear motor technology is being utilised by Citizen to remove any likelihood of deflection and backlash from the power transmission system and to optimise the structure of the slideway on the latest R07 Type VI CNC sliding head turn/mill centre. With this design, which is exhibited under power on the NC Engineering Stand 5262 at MACH 2006, Citizen has been able to create a very compact machine and capitalise on combining super precision with high speed 'one-hit' machining cycles on components up to 7mm diameter by 40mm long. The RO Series, which features the RO4 and RO7, has proven to be an outstanding success in Switzerland and particularly in the watch making sector due to its compact dimensions that enable an easy substitution to traditional cam auto machines.

Productivity being found to be higher with the added bonus of consistency of production and the flexibility of CNC to enable development of the turn/mill process to further reduce cycle times.

With six-axes, a main and subspindle and up to 13 tools available, of which three are driven, two tools can be brought into action simultaneously, which means the new Citizen R07 is reckoned to be significantly faster than a traditional cam auto when machining small parts in single cycles.

It has the advantage of a very compact footprint of 560mm by 1265mm when installed on the shopfloor, has no hydraulics or pneumatics and is totally electric and electronic in operation.

The 16,000 rev/min, 1.1kW built-in main spindle has precision ceramic bearings for optimised machining of small diameter parts and a 0.5kW secondary spindle with an 8,000 rev/min capability.

It has two independent toolposts able to hold 13 tools, of which three are driven by 0.2kW, 8,000 rev/min spindles.

An important development with the R07, that significantly increases machine utilisation, is the ability to open and close the collet at normal machining revolutions without adding to the cycle time by slowing the spindle.

Accuracy is high with increments of 0.0001mm in each axis and repeatability of one micron is possible.

By combining linear drive technology to both tool posts, high productivity is guaranteed with rapid acceleration to maximum traverse rates of 20m/min.

The maximum machining length is 40mm and with the two slide arrangement, five turning tools can be mounted on the gang tool post with two cross-driven tool positions.

In addition, three end working tools can be applied to each of the main and sub spindles to optimised orders of positioning accuracy through the use of glass scale encoders.

The main spindle has 1 deg indexing and both spindles have rotational synchronisation for part transfer.

There are a number of canned cycles for polygon turning, thread cutting, drilling and rigid tapping and constant surface speed is standard to minimise cycle time and maximise surface finish.

Sliding-headstock mill/turn autoamtic lathe is so fast, it can OD-turn, drill the front end, part off and drill the back end of a component in 5s, a job that took 10s a few years ago.
For mill-turning components up to 10mm diameter, Star has introduced a new, sliding-headstock lathe that is so fast, it can OD-turn, drill the front end, part off and drill the back end of a component in five seconds. Even a few years ago, it would have been almost impossible to achieve such a process in less than 10s. Designated SR-10J, the competitively priced, compact bar auto will make its UK debut at MACH 2006.

It is a highly productive mill-turning centre that rivals the output of a cam auto, but with the added flexibility of CNC to allow rapid changeover to produce a different component.

Said Star Micronics GB's engineering manager, Stephen Totty, 'If you are making sub 10 mm parts, it is preferable to use a small capacity machine, because the moving elements are smaller and faster than on a 16mm capacity lathe or larger'.

'Our new machine is ideal for smaller work, as it has 35m/min rapids with extremely fast acceleration, and front-working tools positioned very close to the bar on three sides in a yoke formation.' The 2-axis sub spindle is capable of working in conjunction with a four-station endworking unit, independently of, and simultaneously with, main spindle operations.

There is a total of 21 tool positions in the working area including three live cross-working tools, four tools for front endworking and a further four for rear endworking.

Commented managing director, Bob Hunt, 'One of our customers observed recently that we are living in a world where things are getting smaller - he was referring in particular to electronic goods such as mobile telephones, but there are other good examples in the medical and automotive sectors.' He said: 'We therefore believe the new SR-10J will be particularly popular and look forward to demonstrating its capabilities at MACH this year.

The machine will be fitted with a new bar magazine from FMB, called MicroMag.' Established sliding-headstock model, Star SR-20RII, will be comprehensively equipped as a cell with FMB Turbo 3-26 bar magazine, 2,000 lb/in2 high-pressure coolant supply, mist extraction and a full suite of swarf extraction equipment.

Demonstrations will include gun drilling, roller burnishing and polar programming for fast, accurate milling.

The ECAS-32T twin-turret, 11-axis, sliding-head auto will also have high-pressure coolant and, as part of the demonstration cycle, will show angle drilling and accurate thread rolling.

The latter is assisted in particular by the machine's rigid build and six tonnes installed weight - nearly twice that of its main rival.

The heavier construction of Star mill-turning centres compared with competitors' lathes will be a major theme throughout the exhibition.

The fourth Star sliding-head lathe on the company's stand will be an SV-32 featuring gear hobbing and extensive driven tool capabilities.

It will be fitted with a JBS guide bush that is able to compensate continuously for variations in the diameter of each bar as it is fed through the guide bush, leading to higher accuracy machining.

This contrasts with other systems on the market which, although adjustable, cannot self-compensate to suit the varying bar diameter, as the bush is fixed once it has been set.

To be exhibited on the Floyd Automatic Tooling stand - 5251 - will be entry-level model, Star SB-16C, fitted with a new, eight-station platen capable of accepting Applitec tool holders and high pressure coolant.

The sixth Star sliding-head machine at the show will be found on stand 5290 - that of WNT UK - which will demonstrate its tooling products performing polar milling, face drilling and tapping on an SR-32J.

High pressure cooling system on a CNC sliding head automatic lathe provides high levels of security of process to cover the wide range of materials such as nickel alloys, brass and titanium.
Over 95% of the small precision machining capacity between 4mm and 32mm diameter at GBP 1 million turnover Riverside Precision Engineering (RPE) is generated by single operation 'one-hit' cycles. Located in Blackburn, in the heart of aerospace subcontracting country, RPE's order book is dominated by medical, marine equipment, hydraulics, furniture and brewing customers. Most of the up to 32mm diameter components supplied to the 50 or so long-standing customers are produced by double shifting three citizen cnc sliding head autos, an L20-Vll bought in 2001 and the latest M32-lll and L32-Vll machines installed in November 2004 and January 2005 by NC Engineering of Watford, UK.

And, as is becoming more common with leading contractors using advanced sliding head technology, RPE's joint managing directors Michael Ditchfield and Scott Whalley are increasingly involved with in-depth consultation with customers on design for production and application issues.

As a result of applying their advanced machining knowledge, RPE customers are able to achieve either higher performance or improved application of components or, enjoy more cost-effective pricing gained by applying the advantages of Citizen's fast developing machining technology and latest available tooling solutions.

RPE, which is now running at the forefront of small part turning by offering advanced production machining, started as a toolmaking business 15 years ago using manual machine tools.

A local furniture maker requested batches of 500 or so parts against a target price that set RPE on the path to progress by using automated capstan lathes.

Orders followed for diving equipment components, resulting in the first two CNC lathes installed and, eventually, a second-hand Citizen L16-lV sliding head auto was purchased as the only way to become more competitive and meet customers challenging cost down targets.

The Citizen L16 is well remembered by both directors who describe it as being very effective on small part machining cycles due to its twin turret configuration.

But according to Ditchfield, it could never come anywhere near the capability of the modern Citizen lathe.

In 2001 the company moved into its current 5,000ft2 premises and a new Citizen L20-Vll was quickly installed to satisfy a large contract that RPE describes as having to 'hit the ground running' to meet the delivery date.

Needless to say, it proved to be a highly successful venture.

Said Ditchfield: 'But at the time we could not even think about being trained on the L20 as we had two months of continuous production to get out the door so it was some time before we finally learnt how to get the best out of the machine.' Describing the business, Whalley maintained that forward planning is very difficult and they have become very accomplished at reacting quickly to customer demand.

That is why, he said, the latest Citizen M32 has 'all the bells and whistles'.

The machine was ordered with gantry off-load, Cool Blaster, the 2,000 lb/in2 programmable high pressure cooling system and NC Engineering's Alarm Alert which automatically calls for attention when unattended if the cycle is stopped for any reason such as batch completed, bar jam or tooling fault.

The NC Alarm Alert tends to be used when running unmanned and is connected to Whalley's mobile phone.

'It is really proved its worth over weekends when running against the clock to deliver critical components,' he maintained.

But it is the Cool Blaster that really provides a bonus and high levels of security of process to cover the wide range of materials such as nickel alloys, brass, titanium, 303 and 316 stainless steel, plastics, acetal and nylon the company often has to machine.

Said Ditchfield: 'Without Cool Blaster we could not effectively machine half the parts we have to produce and on one particular 'banjo' component, which has awkward internal grooves, swarf could be a big problem that would compromise the operation.

Cool Blaster solves all these problems.' batch sizes tend to vary between 100 and 20,000 and Citizen machine changeover times vary between two and six hours.

Because of the advantageous tooling capacity of the M32, RPE tends to leave common tools permanently set on the machine to speed changeovers.

Ditchfield maintained that the high speed cycle check on the latest control system of the Citizen is invaluable when programming at the machine, and takes any frustration out of proving cycles.

RPE also make use of the CNC Editor to edit programs and optimise cycles on a remote PC prior to setting a new job.

As the system totally replicates the control system it provides exactly the same visual appearance and program data which is retrieved and transmitted between machine and the PC by wireless link.

As Ditchfield outlined, they are currently considering adopting the Citizen Alkartpro off-line programming system from NC Engineering which would completely take program generation away from the machines.

The inclusion of the fully programmable gantry off-load on the latest M32 has proven to be more of a boon than originally thought, especially on components up to 180mm long.

Says Whalley: 'With the unload fingers able to grasp the component directly from the subspindle, rather than adding a delay to the cycle for the spindle to eject parts to the normal part collector, the unload cycle can be carried out while the turret and gang tooling slides are simultaneously working on the next component in the main spindle.

By getting hold of the parts, any possible chance of damage is taken away and with the added power of Cool Blaster, this ensures we have clean, swarf free parts ready for final cleaning and dispatch.'

NX CAM Express is a CAD-neutral NC programming application that can be used independently or as an integral part of the popular UGS Velocity Series portfolio of mid-market PLM solutions.
New from UGS Corp, NX CAM Express is a CAD-neutral numerical control (NC) programming application that can be used independently or as an integral part of the popular UGS Velocity Series portfolio of mid-market PLM solutions. As the leader in the computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software market with over 35,000 seats installed globally, UGS brings world-class digital manufacturing functionality to small- to mid-size manufacturers with NX CAM Express. UGS is leveraging its market leading position in CAM software to develop an aggressive programme to address the needs of mid-sized manufacturers', commented Alan Christman, Chairman of CIMdata and an acknowledged expert on the CAM market.

'NX CAM Express is targeted to provide in depth capability for clearly defined key areas of machining, such as mould and die or mill-turn machining, in software that is easy to deploy and to use'.

'Ready access to key elements such a library of postprocessors as well as preconfigured software with industry best practices will make it easier and faster for customers to become productive and to do so with lower costs'.

NX CAM Express will be sold in CAD-neutral packages, aimed at key machining requirements, and offered as an integrated system with NX, UGS' next-generation suite of integrated, fully associative CAD/CAM/CAE applications or Solid Edge software, UGS' powerful 3D CAD software, allowing expansion into wider PLM solutions from UGS.

It will also be offered as a modular solution, with packages designed to meet key opportunities such as high speed machining and programming multifunction mill-turns or five axis machines.

When correctly utilised, these machines can offer significant improvements in machine shop efficiency or enable the machining of more complex parts.

NX CAM Express can help customers to maximise the utilisation of these advanced machines through built-in guidance on best practices and optimum machining methods.

'We see this as a great opportunity for us to be able to take a very capable CAM software solution to the market and an excellent fit to our immediate business plans as an existing UGS channel partner', said Rick Loring, President of LMGi based in Portland, Maine.

'In fact we have been successful in our business with UGS' CAM software, and we see the NX CAM Express product as exactly the focus we need to develop our manufacturing business alongside the sales of other UGS Velocity Series products such as Solid Edge and TeamCenter Express'.

The NX CAM Express software will be offered in preconfigured programming environments that automatically set the system to suit users working on key type of machining such as two and half axis machining, mould and die or five-axis machining.

This provides access to the full power of the system, while maintaining ease of use.

New users can take advantage of tutorials that are provided with the software, walking users through typical tasks and reducing the need for off-the-job training.

'Designed to have a low total cost of ownership, NX CAM Express matches the needs of the mid market and adds a significant new capability to the UGS Velocity Series portfolio', said Vynce Paradise, Director of Marketing, NX CAM Express, UGS.

'And since our Global Channel Partners are well suited to service and support the smallest shops as well as the world's largest manufacturing companies, organisations everywhere, regardless of size, will be able to benefit from UGS' proven CAM expertise'.

Each NX CAM Express package, including NX CAM Express Mill-Turn and the NX CAM Express Three-Axis Milling, is provided with toolpath verification, a post processor build and edit application, CAD translators and a machining parameters database.

The software automatically selects key machining parameters from this database according to the machining operation, such as roughing or finishing, and the stock material, the tool dimensions and the targeted machine tool.

This database will address the majority of materials machined in mould and die work.

Programming automation tools in the form of UGS' Feature Based Machining and the Machining Wizard Builder also are included in each package to speed programming and make the tasks easier for less experienced users - increasing the use of proven methods and resources in the shop.

For advanced multi-function machines such as mill-turns, UGS is offering Machine Tool Support Kits to solve the issue of obtaining effective post processors and accurate machining simulation.

The first of these kits will be released with NX CAM Express.

NX CAM Express will be available for delivery during the third quarter 2006 and available for resale to all certified partners of the UGS Global Channel Partner Programme.

Lantek obtained some top quality leads at MACH and used the opportunity to cement relationships with its machine tool partners for the recommendation of its sheet metal CAD/CAM software.
Lantek obtained some top quality leads at MACH and used the opportunity to cement relationships with its machine tool partners for the recommendation of its sheet metal CAD/CAM software. Version 25, which was launched at the show was well received by both existing customers and new prospects. Rob Powell, Commercial Director, Lantek Systems said: 'Visitors were particularly interested in the Lantek Expert ERP system and the new nesting algorithms in version 25'.

The Lantek Expert Quotes Module uses historic cost and profit margin information to help to compile accurate quotations, and the Inventory Module checks stock levels against orders to determine the actual production requirements, while the production process is monitored by the Production Orders Module.

Quick loading nests and links to the Inventory and Cost Modules give an up to date picture of the status of production to enable managers to optimise productivity and make informed decisions.

All the information in Lantek Expert is held in a central database to minimise duplication, speed access, and allow the cross referencing of data.

Tools include new icons which display the quantity status of each part at a glance, showing whether it has been completed, overproduced or that more are required.

The 6% improvement in savings in material utilisation in Lantek's Version 25 Nesting Module is achieved by producing a highly regular optimised pattern.

Powell added: 'With increased material costs, saving in this area will contribute directly to our customer's profits'.

To further increase utilisation, the Lantek software can now handle and save nesting patterns, which include the machining technology.

Easier identification of individual nests makes it quicker to identify the part to be cut and reduces the risk of error.

Visitors to the Lantek stand also appreciated the new vectorising capabilities of the software.

This addition in Version 25 allows art work to be easily converted into geometry so that they can be cut on a profiling machine without having to calculate all the individual dimensions.

Powell concluded: 'MACH was definitely a very worthwhile exhibition'.

'It gave us the opportunity to showcase the advances we have made in Lantek and further raise our profile as a leading supplier of sheet metal fabrication software in the UK'.

Esab Automation's new powerful offline drawing, editing and nesting software for CNC profiling machines is ideal for all sizes of fabricators.
Esab Automation's new powerful offline drawing, editing and nesting software for CNC profiling machines is ideal for all sizes of fabricators. It allows drawing, nesting and cutting operations to be performed quickly offline, without fuss. Interactive nesting for improved plate utilisation is offered together with cutter path definition, marking tool definition and post processing for all CNC controls.

Using this software, the operator can develop just about anything for plate and sheet fabrication including 2D and 3D DXF and marking, forming and costing details.

The software also offers a range of productivity options.

The profile quoter defines shape, specifies plate/process details, nests and calculates the cost.

The scanned outline facility converts scanned images into vectored outlines ready to cut.

It supports BMP, TIF and other formats and can output DXF and CAM files.

The font generator turns windows text into NC code, whilst the 3D development option ensures fast and simple plate development.

Other options include a remnant plate tracer which is a unique graphic remnant tracing software.

It is very simple to operate either stand-alone or as part of an integrated system.

The automatic nesting feature maximises plate usage, optimises machine time and minimises programming time.

Jetcam International has released demonstration and full versions of its direct numerical control software, JETTerm. Now in its 8th version, the new release includes a new reporting engine and powerful nest view/part selection capabilities. JETTerm DNC allows the transfer of NC output files to CNC machine tools through either serial I/O connection, or file transfer if a PC is at the control.

The remote download facility allows the user at the machine tool to send serial download requests for NC files directly from the control.

JETTerm can also handle multiple serial NC downloads simultaneously and displays real-time download status on screen for each machine serial connection.

The new user interface in version 8 provides users with several view types: NC source view, with editing option and keyword highlighting tool; nest drawing view, with option to zoom or highlight specific components; and a comprehensive range of standard and customisable reports.

JETTerm 8 aids identification of cut parts on a nest, which in turn facilitates the removal and stacking of like parts, kits of parts etc.

Selecting the part number from the displayed list of parts on the nest will highlight the parts in a different colour on the nest view.

Alternatively, users can select a part on the nest view and the part number will be highlighted on the part list.

JETTerm now uses the same reporting engine found in Jetcam Orders Controller, thus making custom report interchangeable between both applications.

It is compatible with existing Jetcam Expert FMS (nest) report files, allowing users to immediately produce reports for all of their existing nests.

A custom report designer program is also available, allowing users to design their own reports, with no limit on the number of report designs that can be created.

Delcam achieved its highest ever quarterly sales in the first quarter of 2006.
CADCAM developer Delcam achieved its highest ever quarterly sales in the first quarter of this year. Worldwide sale of the company's software, systems and services through its network of international sales offices exceeded US $20 million for the first time. This was 20% ahead of the same period last year and follows record annual sales by the company during 2005.

The record sales have resulted from the addition of the FeatureCAM software range to the company's portfolio during 2005 and from increased sales of Delcam established range of design, machining and inspection software.

Sales of services also showed strong growth as Delcam continued to develop its business for bespoke software and consultancy.

'During the first quarter, we delivered in all three main areas of our strategy for growth', claimed Managing Director, Hugh Humphreys.

'We continue to grow our business outside the mould and die area, both in other areas of toolmaking, in particular press tool manufacture, and in other industries such as the production of components for the aerospace and autosport industries'.

'We have also increased our sales to larger organisations as well as to the smaller and medium-sised companies that traditionally formed the major part of our business'.

'In addition, we are developing closer relationships with providers of related technology, in particular in the inspection sector, where our contracts with leading metrology companies such as Renishaw, Faro and Romer/Cimcore, have helped to more than double sales of our PowerInspect inspection software'.

Camtek has recently joined the Make It With Lasers initiative, aimed at promoting the use of laser technology within industry. Make It With lasers is a non-profit-making programme supported by industry professionals. The aims of the initiative are to help industry increase productivity, reduce costs and improve quality by the application of lasers within the manufacturing process.

Terry Antrobus of Camtek Sales and Marketing observes: 'When we became aware of MIWL we realised that we had a good deal that we could 'bring to the table' because of our considerable experience in developing and implementing high-technology CADCAM laser solutions'.

Geoff Booth, Technology Group Manager, added; 'Make it with Lasers is an established technology transfer programme aimed at encouraging the use of lasers in industry to improve profitability'.

'We are pleased to have had the opportunity to manage this project and look forward to its continuation partnership with the Sponsor Group'.

The programme takes the form of a series of workshops focusing on an industry sector or specific technology application.

Camtek's inaugural event was the recent 'Mes-merise: lasers in medical, electronics and sensors' workshop held at the facilities of TWI in Abington near Cambridge.

Antrobus continues: 'I was pleased to find that our impression of the MIWL group members' capabilities was more than exceeded by the quality of the day'.

'I was particularly impressed with the effectiveness with which the content, format and presentations of the workshop had been organised, and also by the quality of the delivery by the speakers'.

'There was something for everyone within the series of presentations; seasoned users of laser technology and organisations just starting to explore the benefits of laser technology all found the workshop to be of value'.

Delcam has introduced Powershape-e, a special version of its Powershape CAD software that is believed to be the world's first pay-to-manufacture design software.
Delcam has introduced Powershape-e, a special version of its Powershape CAD software that is believed to be the world's first pay-to-manufacture design software. Users of Powershape-e, which can be downloaded free of charge, can develop unlimited numbers of new concepts with the program and only need to make any payments when the design is taken into production. Powershape-e includes all the surface and solid modelling tools from the latest Powershape release but not the PS-Electrode and PS-Moldmaker modules for toolmaking.

Unlike most other free software, Powershape-e can save part-completed models, so enabling longer projects to be undertaken in a series of sessions, and can also save an unlimited number of subsequent changes to the design.

The software includes a set of tutorials showing how to use the software for product design and decoration.

Powershape-e also includes a selection of 3D clip art so that users can experiment with Delcam's patented Total Modelling approach to design.

Total Modelling allows textures, logos and other decorations to be added to CAD models more quickly and more flexibly than any other design technique.

It provides the fastest method for the early 'What if?' stage of concept design, allowing a far greater number of alternative proposals to be created and compared in a much shorter time.

'Powershape-e is aimed at anyone trying to enter the design business that cannot afford to invest in a full seat of CAD software,' explained Delcam's CAD development director Stuart Watson.

'The free-to-design/pay-to-manufacture approach allows users to develop as many new concepts as they can imagine at no cost'.

'They can then circulate them to potential clients that they believe might want to manufacture their designs.' Powershape-e saves all designs in an encrypted format so data can only be transferred into other software on payment of a GBP200 fee for each model.

However, models can be circulated, marked up and modified indefinitely until the move into manufacturing is made.

'We believe that the new interface in Powershape 7 and unique tools like Smart Surfacing make it the easiest to use surface modeller on the market,' claimed Mr Watson.

'We hope that introducing a pay-to-manufacture version will encourage as many new designers as possible to try the software.

ESAB recently developed an expanded comprehensive range of personal protection equipment, covering everything needed from head to foot, for both welding, cutting and general engineering applications.
With over 100 years of experience and a presence in over 80 countries worldwide, ESAB is probably the most recognised brand in welding and cutting. The company recently has developed an expanded comprehensive range of personal protection equipment, covering everything needed from head to foot, for both welding, cutting and general engineering applications. A new 94 page guide details the complete product range, including welding helmets, respiratory equipment, protective clothing, gloves and footwear, connectors and electrode holders.

Special process equipment is also detailed, including tungsten grinders, gouging torches and fume extraction units.

Delcam has introduced a free estimating program, PowerShape-e, for toolmakers and other subcontractors that need to produce accurate quotes from CAD models.
Delcam has introduced a free estimating program, PowerShape-e, for toolmakers and other subcontractors that need to produce accurate quotes from CAD models. The software, which can be downloaded from the company's website, can be used for all types of toolmaking - moulds for plastics, rubber, ceramics or glass, and casting equipment, press tools and patterns for metal components. It will also help subcontract machinists to estimate the time needed to manufacture either short-run prototypes or longer production runs.

The PowerShape-e download incorporates Delcam's PS-Exchange data translation software and so can read in files from all the main CAD systems, including Catia, UG, Pro/Engineer, Ideas, SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor and Solid Edge, as well as neutral formats such as Iges and Step.

Once imported, the models can be marked up with any necessary measurements.

They can also be analysed with colour mapping tools that show the draft angle or wall thickness across the model.

Exact values can be displayed at any point as required.

Other tools include curvature analysis, which can be used to determine the size of cutting tool needed to machine each feature in the model, and smoothness shading to check the overall quality of the design.

Model compare functionality is included so that any changes to the model introduced during the negotiations can be identified and highlighted quickly.

Such changes can cause major problems for the subcontractor if his quote is based on an out-of-date version of the component.

The greatest pressure facing the toolmaking industry today is the demand for faster delivery of new products.

For smaller companies looking to expand their businesses, one consequence is the need to generate more quotes and to supply them more quickly.

Obviously, the sooner the customer receives the quote, the sooner he can place his order.

In the current climate, few customers are now prepared to wait for a supplier that fails to deliver his quote on time.

However, this need for speed can easily lead to costly mistakes.

If the quote is placed too high, the business will be lost to a competitor that has priced the work more accurately.

Even worse, if the quote is too low, the subcontractor may end up having to do the work at a loss or become involved in lengthy, and possibly bitter, negotiations to try to push the price up to a realistic level.

Even though CAD models can contain more information than 2D drawings, it can still be difficult to determine accurately the amount of work that will be needed to produce the tool or the part.

There can also be problems if the data supplied is incomplete and needs considerable work to add extra details, such as missing fillets or draft surfaces.

Unless sufficient time is built into the quote to cover this extra work, an apparently profitable job can quickly turn into a loss-making project.

PowerShape-e will help subcontractors overcome these problems, by giving quicker and more thorough understanding of CAD models supplied by customers.

Once the analysis has been completed, the work needed to correct any problems found can be incorporated in the quote.

With PowerShape-e, quotes will be able to be prepared more quickly and more accurately, with the required level of profitability incorporated.

The analysis tools can also help improve the service that the subcontractor can offer his customer since they ensure that any problems with the CAD models are identified and corrected before machining work starts.

This allows the customer to meet his need for the fastest possible move into full production and avoids the costs that may otherwise be incurred in reworking the job.