In partnership with CNC machine builder I-Mes, CAD/CAM developer Schott Systeme showcased its five-axis simultaneous machining technologies at the Fakuma exhibition in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

These technologies included Schott's 'Pictures by PC 3.4' CAD/CAM solution and the incorporated five-axis programming enhancements.

Schott targeted the lengthy toolpath calculation times associated with five-axis simultaneous machining and invited visitors to benchmark their latest multi threaded toolpath calculations.

Taking advantage of computers with multiple processors, tests made during the exhibition provided consistent speed gains for the calculation of complex five-axis toolpaths of up to 50 per cent on the dual-core PC used during the show, with the company estimating gains of up to 60-70 per cent on quad core variants.

In addition, Schott Systeme used the live machining of an impeller to highlight the main theme of the show: providing increased control over five-axis machining strategies.

Essential when machining extremely tight areas where the potential of a crash between machine and part are high, the company's E5 Axis Synchronizationi technology provides the ability to individually specify the orientation of the tool at specific points on the part.

Interpolating the toolpath between these designated tool orientations generates five-axis toolpaths, enabling the safe and optimal machining of complex parts.

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