Missler Software will be present at the all important trade fair Industrie 2006 in Paris, 27-31 March. This is a leading French industrial trade fair for Missler Software who is considered the number 2 CAD/CAM editor in France. TopSolid'Cam 2006 will be the main highlight of the show with the principal new functionalities of this new version being on display:

• The automatic transformation of 3 axis tool paths in 5 axis tool paths – This function automates the transformation of a 3axis tool path into a 5 axis tool path and is a significant improvement for mold makers. It permits the use of shorter tools to machine the part, which in turn favours good cutting conditions, a decrease in possible vibrations and a significant reduction in cycle times.
• The emptying of « 5 axis » pockets – TopSolid'Cam 2006 automates the emptying of « 5 axis » pockets which in turn considerably reduces the number of steps necessary to perform this action. The new version of TopSolid'Cam automatically evacuates the holes followed by a pocket wall finishing using the swarf machining technique. This new function is particularly interesting in the aeronautical field where speed and reactivity are essential.
• Drilling on « wire-frame » geometry – This new function allows the machining of identical holes, not modelled in the CAD file and which have different orientations. In addition, it enables faster 5 axis drilling. This automated function is, for example, an important addition for clockmakers.
• Production Management – TopSolid'Cam 2006 gives the operator the possibility to manage his production by « assembling » several different parts and their machining processes on the same machine. In other words, the operator can assemble parts already programmed without the need to re-programme the parts. This new function gives the operator the opportunity to really manage his production. In the case of a machine breakdown, he can change machine without re-programming his parts. This function also reduces production cycles by simultaneously manufacturing different products without having programming problems.
• Swiss turn machining made easier – TopSolid'Cam 2006 offers turning cycles adapted to Swiss turn lathes. In fact, all turning cycles such as roughing, finishing, breakdown … have been adapted to the Swiss turning process. This new function offers significant gains for Swiss turning operations.
• Tool length management by separating 3D machining processes - This improvement in TopSolid'Cam 2006 allows mold makers make surface and cutting condition improvements. This function automatically divides the machining operations in such a way that they are carried out by both a short and long tool. In this way, cutting conditions are optimised and cycle times are reduced.
• Deep drilling – TopSolid'Cam 2006 manages ¾ gun drills used for deep drillings. This new function offers special cycles for ¾ gun drills which are mainly used by mold makers in the drilling of cooling circuits in mold plates.
  

TopSolid'Cam is the leading CAM software used by aeronautical sub-contractors in France. Many of the main Airbus sub-contractors use TopSolid notably for its superior 5 axis machining. So let's take a closer look at why TopSolid'Cam responds so well to the needs of this sector.
Exceptional quality is a key element in the aeronautical sector. In general, aeronautical parts are made up of many pockets (cavities). The walls between these pockets are often very thin. In addition, these walls are not always vertical and therefore need to be machined in 5 axis continuous. Also noteworthy in aeronautical parts is the fact that they are machined on all sides so that they are as light as possible.
Let's look at some of the reasons why TopSolid'Cam is an ideal solution for the machining of aeronautical parts:

• Topological analysis – the pockets are automatically recognized as are the bottom layers. This permits the use of a torique mill with automatic detection of the corners.
• Management of the stock – Management of the stock, permits among other things, validation of a machining process by inversing the machining operations. TopSolid'Cam knows where the material is located and automatically adapts machining operations taking this into account. This is an important factor for all parts that are heavily worked on or where the machining process is delicate. It represents an important time gain for operators and a guarantee that the most appropriate machining operation is chosen for the given stock.
• Cycles by pockets or by Z level – to ensure the correct machining of pockets with fine walls (widespread in aeronautics), special cycles called Z level cycles, are necessary to prevent the parts becoming too fragile. TopSolid'Cam offers such Z level machining which assures the structure of the part.
• Dedicated cycles to “surface quality” – In some cases the slightest Z movement by the tool causes unacceptable marks. TopSolid is capable of performing “finished pocket” cycles which minimise this problem by minimising tool jumping. This guarantees such high surface quality as demanded in the manufacturing of satellites for example (Alcatel Espace is a TopSolid'Cam customer)
• Part positioning – To find out if it is possible to machine a part with a particular machine TopSolid'Cam is capable of measuring the geometry of the part and defining which faces can and cannot be machined – this is in fact 5 axis positioned machining.
• Swarf machining – This machining process allows the creation of curved sides in 5 axis continuous. Such curved sides are found in aeronautical fastenings and compressor impellors.
• Collision management – TopSolid'Cam permits collisions to be prevented between the part and the tool. Such collision management is essential in aeronautics due to the complexity and the price of parts.
• Panoply Production – Panoply machining (i.e. machining of identical parts where machining processes are repeated) is greatly facilitated as it suffices to program a part and its machining schedule which will automatically machine a line of products. This is important in aeronautics where there are large quantities of products to finish in a short period of time.
  
  

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Missler Software has recently appointed the company Encons as a new reseller in East Germany. Encons will work with GOelan - Missler Software's CAM stand alone product.

GOelan is a CAD/CAM software for the design and machining of mechanical parts in milling, turning and wire electroerosion. GOelan is an easy to use software which enables programming of numerically controlled machines directly from the factory floor. For further information please visit www.goelan.info.

Encons is no stranger to the CAD/CAM world having already worked with Missler Software resellers in Germany and Switzerland for the realization of post-processors.

3B Dizayn, Missler Software's TopSolid reseller in Turkey, is the winner of the recent CAD/CAM technology bid of the Turkish Education Ministry.

3B DIZAYN based in Istanbul in Northern Turkey, has seen interest in TopSolid's fully integrated CAD/CAM range increase dramatically since it became a TopSolid reseller in 2001.
The company recently granted 1000 TopSolid licenses to the schools chosen by the Education Ministry for training purposes. The company aims to also provide the TopSolid CAD/CAM software for Vocational High School trainings in the near future.

3B Dizayn works with a total of 5 resellers in Bursa, Izmir, Kocaeli and Antep. The company hopes to shortly include two more cities in its reseller network and thereby cover the entire Turkish market.

The company Pfalz-Flugzeugwerke, located in Germany, supplies Airbus with piping, tank systems, structural assemblies and complete cargo loading systems. Discover the important role of TopSolid'Cam in this company's activities.

Click here for the rest of the report

You are a TopSolid operator and you would like some tips on what your software is capable of doing. Each newsletter will include a highlight of the month accompanied by an avi of a TopSolid module.
This month let's take a look at TopSolid'Cam and the possibility to modify parts.

Video commentary

Parts and associated models are susceptible to be changed during the production stage. Thanks to TopSolid's integrated product line any changes made to a model designed with TopSolid'Design are automatically recognized and taken into account by TopSolid'Cam. All the operator needs to do is refresh his operations for the changes to be taken into account.

What happens in the case of imported parts? Such parts are also "living" and can thus be modified!! Many parts which are machined using TopSolid'Cam have not in fact been designed using TopSolid'Design. This does not mean, however, that the link between design and manufacturing is broken. Thanks to TopSolid'Cam's topological recognition features any changes made between the original model and the modified model can be detected and thus the subsequent machining operations are accordingly adapted. In the video you will also see a new machining cycle which permits a hole to be ...

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All Missler Software and reseller trade fairs will be published here each month and can also be found on http://www.topsolid.com/news/shows/showslist.asp

Don't forget the TopSolid Design Contest 2006 which was launched in last month's newsletter. We invite all companies equipped with TopSolid to submit projects for the following 3 categories which will be studied throughout the year by a Missler Software jury:

• Mechanical design, general design
• Wood and sheet metal design
• Tool making design

So why should you enter the TopSolid 2006 Design Contest?

• Missler Software will communicate about your project in the monthly newsletter, web site and with professional press around the world.
• Closer contact with the Missler Software development team to listen to the winning customer's needs and recommendations
• The winner of each category will win a weekend for 2 (destination depending on the geographical location of the winner. Transport and accommodation costs covered by Missler Software)

You can't win unless you're in!!