CAD / CAM software for 3-axis machining

GibbsCAM SolidSurfacer

GibbsCAM SolidSurfacer provides higher-level surface and solid modeling capabilities. Advanced functionality to machine surfaces and solids is also included. GibbsCAM's intuitive graphical user interface allows complex surface and solid functions to be easy to use. Using SolidSurfacer, you can address the demanding surface and solid modeling and machining requirements for complex mold, tool and die work.

3-Axis Multi-Surface Machining
Today's parts include a variety of forms and surfaces. Applying toolpath across multiple surfaces or over an entire solid is a key machining capability in addition to pocketing and profiling. SolidSurfacer allows you to easily create gouge-free, 3-axis toolpath using a variety of machining styles, such as lace cut and zig-zag. You have complete control over cut parameters like direction, orientation, step-over amount, and depth. With SolidSurfacer, machining multiple surfaces is quick and easy.

Extended Surface Modeling Capabilities
Though more and more parts files are being provided in solid model format, surfaces still play a key part in their definition and surface modeling for manufacturing is still a very important capability. SolidSurfacer provides extended surface modeling capabilities to handle surface creation or modification. And GibbsCAM's signature ease-of-use ensures that its powerful surface modeling functionality is easy to use.

Variable Radius Blending
Blending between surfaces allows a smooth transition to occur between them. SolidSurfacer not only supports conventional constant radius blending, but also more advanced variable radius blending. Whether you're applying a constant or variable radius, SolidSurfacer provides the blending capability that's not only powerful, but easy to use.

Draft
Often parts have vertical walls that make them difficult to remove from molds without sliders. With SolidSurfacer, you can apply an amount of draft slightly angling vertical walls. You won't get stuck with SolidSurfacer's breadth of capabilities.

Automatic Parting Line Generation
Mold halves need to be separated at the extents of the part to ensure that the part can be readily removed. Manually determining where the parting line should be can be a very tedious process. With SolidSurfacer, you can automatically generate the correct parting line and then use it to easily divide the mold halves.

Extract/Heal Features (for core/cavity or electrodes)
Often parts include minor features that get in the way when generating toolpath. These features can be suppressed using SolidSurfacer's extract/heal feature capability, which removes the feature's geometry and heals the surrounding area. The solid, which is generated from the suppressed feature, can also be used to create cores or electrodes.

Multiple Offsets
There are different types of surfaces to consider when machining-the surface that is actually being machined, the part surfaces not being machined, and any surfaces associated with fixtures. SolidSurfacer allows you to specify the offset, or how closely the tool comes, for each of these surfaces types. Just another example how with SolidSurfacer, you're in complete control when generating toolpath.

3D Projection Machining
Sometimes you want to have direct control of the toolpath over multiple surfaces. You generate the toolpath you want and then you project it onto the surfaces to be machined. The source for the toolpath geometry can be just about anything, including text. SolidSurfacer provides a powerful capability that allows you to project geometry onto surfaces generating final toolpath geometry.

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