'3D-GeoCAM' - Advanced 3D CAM Package

3D-GeoCAM imports a solid model from any CAD system, capable of saving files in .STL format, and, using advanced machining strategies, automatically creates a cutter path suitable for CNC manufacture.

The .STL format is a common standard in the 3D CAD world. Pro/DESKTOP, one of the CAD systems used in conjunction with the DfES supported “CAD/CAM in Schools" initiative exports this format. The new educational version of ArtCAM also has the ability to save files in the .STL format.

3D-GeoCAM imports a solid model and, using a special "wizard", takes just a few clicks to create a CNC program which can be saved in a variety of formats to suit a number of CNC machine tools and engraving machines.

Postprocessors for a variety of educational machines are included. Please contact Boxford for further details of postprocessor availability using our Contact Form.

Important: 3D-GeoCAM is only available to Schools, Colleges, Universities and other training establishments worldwide.

Note: 3D-GeoCAM is also an integral part of Boxford CAD/CAM Design Tools software included with all new Boxford machines and machine upgrades.

CAD MODEL				CUTTER PATH				VERIFICATION

• Simple 'Wizard'.
• Advanced machining strategies.
• Optimised 3D Cutter paths.
• Reduced cycle times.
• Multiple Roughing & Finishing strategies.
• Improved component quality.

Why do you need advanced strategies?
Very basic 3D CAM packages only use simple Raster based strategies in either the X or Y axis.
Roughing - these simple strategies do not know what material has previously been removed and therefore waste time by machining areas that have already been machined. 3D-GeoCAM is intelligent, optimising the cutter path to remove the material very efficiently by avoiding areas already machined.
Finishing - these simple strategies produce reduced component quality compared with those achievable through 3D-GeoCAM. See examples below.

Simple Raster	3D-GeoCAM	Simple Raster	3D-GeoCAM

Machining Strategies Available.

Roughing
Offset Waterline	The tool path is obtained by successive offsets of the part geometry in the current horizontal plane as shown in the example opposite.
Raster Profile	The tool moves in bi-directional straight lines (zigzag), parallel to the 'stroke angle' (see below), in the current horizontal plane as shown in the example opposite..
Rest Roughing	An intermediate roughing toolpath which uses the Finishing tool to remove material left by the larger Roughing Tool ensuring a consistent depth of material is left on the job prior to the finishing machining cycle. This allows the the finishing cycle to be run at high feedrates without the risk of tool breakage. An example is shown opposite.
Finishing
Raster Profile	The tool moves in bi-directional straight lines (zigzag) parallel to the 'stroke angle' (see below), moving up and down in the Z axis to follow the profile of the model, as shown in the example opposite.
Offset	The boundary of the model defines the motion of the tool. The tool moves in repeated offsets of the boundary, moving up and down in the Z axis to follow the profile of the model, until the entire model is machined as shown in the example opposite.
True Spiral	The tool moves out from the centre of the model following the path of a mathematical spiral, moving up and down in the Z axis to follow the profile of the model, until the outer boundary (material) is reached as shown in the example opposite. This tool motion makes this strategy ideally suited to the machining of circular shapes.
Z Level	The tool cuts around the profile of the model at a series of constant Z levels parallel to the X Y plane, moving in the X and Y axes to follow the profile of the model, until the lowest Z depth of the model is reached as shown in the example opposite.
Combination	A tool path which first uses 'Z Level Milling' for the steep areas of the model and then 'Raster Profile Milling' for the shallow areas of the model as shown in the example opposite. This will create the best possible surface finish on complex surfaces.
Rest Finishing	An additional finishing pass which, using the current finishing tool, will remove machining marks (cusps), left by previous machining at intersects of model geometry (e.g. corners), as shown in the example opposite.	With	Without

To get your demonstration version of 3D-GeoCAM simply download from our website.

Download full product brochure in PDF format. Simply right click on the blue text and select 'Save Target As' to download the file to your system.

Download the Demo Version (Win9x,Me,NT, 2000, XP)