Alphacam User Manual
Alphacam Router is an easy-to-use CAD/CAM solution for manufacturers wanting fast, efficient toolpaths and the generation of reliable, ready code. The complete process. Alphacam is the total CAD/CAM solution for the woodworking industry. Alphacam seamlessly integrates both 2D and multi-axis machining, providing an extensive list of cutting strategies which can be applied to any type of component. The emphasis behind Alphacam is to provide customers with productivity, reliability and flexibility. This can be found in all our modules which include Routing, Milling, and Turning.
Our strength is in providing world class innovative solutions that gives you the end-user software applications that are essential to the design and manufacture of your products. Automate with Alphacam Communicate your engineering data directly from your CAD software to your ry. Core Foundation All Alphacam modules are built using one core foundation which includes geometry creation commands. Import options for DXF, DWG, IGES and a variety of solid model formats ensure compatibility with other CAD systems.
All modules have user-defined tool and material libraries controlling many of the important machining parameters such as tool direction, automatic lead in and lead out, corner cut options (straight, roll round or loop), G41/42 tool compensation and automatic calculation of speeds and feeds. Nesting Nested based manufacturing is made easy using Alphacam’s automatic nesting functionality. Parts can be selected directly from the screen or as a kit; their orientation fixed, if grain direction needs to be maintained or rotated to any angle. Nesting supports tool lead in/out, support tags for small parts, avoiding loss of table vacuum and multiple depth cuts, if an onion skin is required. Routing Ease-of-use is just one of the reasons that Alphacam is the industry standard and system of choice for programming. Tooling and machining techniques unique to this industry are accommodated by Alphacam’s dedicated Router modules. 3D Routing Multiple 3D rough and finish machining strategies of surfaces, STL models and other native CAD models are available within Alphacam.
These strategies can be applied to any work plane, allowing for 3 plus 2 machining to be programmed using Alphacam on machines with 4 and 5-Axis rotary heads. Alphacam’s Ultimate module is capable of 4 and 5-Axis simultaneous machining of surfaces and 3D trim curves, often used for finishing chair backs. Post Processors It is essential to maintain maximum machinery efficiency to ensure optimal production throughput. Having an optimised link between Alphacam and your is a key component in attaining this efficiency.
Having developed post processors for virtually every machine control in use today, Alphacam has the knowledge and experience to fine tune your CNC output ensuring maximum yield and quality in the shortest possible time. Alphacam’s powerful post-processing ability means that the advanced functionality of all CNC controllers is utilised, including plane rotation. Horizontal Aggregates Horizontal aggregates for hinge reliefs and lock mortices are easy to control. Horizontal aggregates, available on nearly all s, for machining hinge reliefs and lock mortices for example, are easy to control using Alphacam. Standard operations can be created and saved and inserted on to work planes when required, saving programming time.
Multi-Axis Machining Alphacam Supports Routers With Fully Interpolating 5-Axis Heads Head mounted rotary axes on CNC routers can be programmed at any orientation. Aggregates with a programmable rotary axis and manual tilt are fully supported, as well as routers with fully interpolating 5-Axis heads. Safe rapid moves between planes are automatically controlled and verified using advanced solid simulation. Dedicated Drilling Unit Drilling paths can be optimised for any drill unit using Alphacam’s Multi-Drilling command.
Holes are matched to the drill diameters and automatically machined, multiple drills are selected simultaneously when a standard 32mm pitch is matched. 3D Engraving Artwork and text can be easily created and machined using powerful 3D engraving. This command contours geometries with a form tool, and on meeting a sharp corner automatically retracts the tool to produce a sharp corner, often referred to as embossing. Alphacam Art The easiest way to go from a 2D drawing or sketch to high quality 3D low relief and CNC toolpaths.
Alphacam Art, powered by Vectric’s Aspire technology is 3D relief modelling and machining software for CNC routing and engraving projects such as carving decorative ornate panels and doors, swept flourishes, custom millwork, architectural mouldings, dimensional signage, bespoke company logos, jewellery pieces, custom gifts and awards. With Alphacam Art, users can quickly and easily convert 2D sketches, photographs, drawings and graphic designs into unique high quality 3D carvings and designs. Alphacam Art has been developed to give users complete flexibility and control when designing 3D CNC projects. Using a flexible component management logic, users can easily and interactively change the size, position, orientation and material properties of regions or individual components in a project at any time. Software That Grows With You Alphacam Essential - The ideal entry level product for basic 2D CNC work. Alphacam Standard - The perfect product for shops and subcontractors. Alphacam Advanced - Targeted at the manufacturer who works with complex, free-form patterns and tools.
Alphacam Ultimate - Adds support for full 4/5-Axis simultaneous machining for high specification joinery and furniture manufacturers. Software & Support Vero has a support network of engineers who understand your business through experience. We will guide you through the modules and recommend the most appropriate combination of software, training and services that suits your needs.
Alphacam Router Routing Ease-of-use is just one of the reasons that Alphacam is the industry standard and system of choice for programming CNC routers. Tooling and machining techniques unique to this industry are accommodated by Alphacam’s dedicated Router modules. Aggregate Support Horizontal aggregates for machining parts such as hinge reliefs and lock mortices, are easy to control using Alphacam. Standard fixtures can be created and saved within the system and inserted on to work planes when required, providing significant time savings. Planar Machining Head mounted rotary axis on CNC routers can be programmed at any workplane. Aggregates with a programmable rotary axis and manual tilt are fully supported, as well as routers with fully interpolating 5-axis heads. Safe rapid moves between planes are automatically controlled and verified using advanced solid simulation.
Alphacam’s powerful post-processing ability means that the advanced functionality of all CNC controllers is utilised, including plane rotation. 3D Engraving Artwork and text can be easily created and machined using Alphacam’s powerful 3D engraving. This command contours geometries with a form tool, and on meeting a sharp corner automatically retracts the tool to produce a sharp corner, often referred to as embossing. 3D Routing Multiple 3D rough and finish machining strategies of Solids, surfaces and even STL files are available within Alphacam. These strategies can be applied to any work plane, allowing for 3 plus 2 machining to be programmed on machines with 4 and 5-axis rotary heads. Alphacam’s 5-axis module is cable of 4 and 5-axis simultaneous machining of surfaces and 3D trim curves, often used for finishing chair backs.
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Nesting Maximising material utilisation is made easy using Alphacam’s automatic nesting functionality. Parts can be selected from the screen or a kit of parts, their orientation fixed (if grain direction needs to be maintained) or rotated to any angle. Nesting supports tool lead in/out, support tags for small parts and multiple depth parts where an onion skin is required. Geometry Constraint Manager Using Alphacam’s Constraint Manager, geometry can be made parametric, rules such as tangency can be applied between individual elements, and variables such as distance set between them. By changing the variables, the geometry is automatically resized and resolved and because of the rules applied its integrity maintained. This makes creation and subsequent machining of families of parts very quick and easy.
Dedicated Drilling Unit Using Alphacam’s Multi Drilling command toolpaths can be optimised for any drill unit. Holes are matched to the drill diameters and automatically machined; multiple drills are selected at the same time when a standard 32mm pitch is matched. Integrated CAD CAM Alphacam is a completely integrated CAD CAM software solution with advanced features. It is designed to offer your business enhanced productivity, exceptional reliability and additional flexibility. Alphacam’s ongoing program of development and enhancement ensures it not only keeps pace with the changing needs of users throughout the woodworking industry, but also delivers maximum return on your CAM investment.
Alphacam User Guide
Alphacam also offers you the latest front end CAD part modelling facilities via our solid modeller. The Modules: Alphacam Art 3D relief modelling and machining software for CNC routing and engraving projects such as carving decorative ornate panels and doors, swept flourishes, custom millwork, architectural mouldings, dimensional signage, bespoke company logos, jewellery pieces, custom gifts and awards. Plus many more applications. Alphacam Art’s 3D component construction tools make it easy to work with existing 3D models and to design your own 3D shapes. Alphacam Art, is based on the world class VCarve Pro design engine and uses the same logical and easy-to-use interface. With Alphacam Art, users can quickly and easily convert 2D sketches, photographs, drawings and graphic designs into unique high quality 3D carvings and designs. Alphacam Essential The ideal entry level product for basic 2D CNC work.
Alphacam User Manual
This module offers the fundamental tools required for CAD CAM production, including nesting of parts from the screen, and 3D Engraving. Alphacam Standard The perfect product for shops and subcontractors. This module offers all the functionality of the Essential package with additional support for nesting of parts from a nest list, horizontal machining, reusable machining data (Machining Styles), and much more. Alphacam Advanced Targeted at the manufacturer who works with complex, free-form patterns and tools.
In addition to the functionality of the lower level modules, this module offers complex 3D machining strategies, solid model importing and feature extraction, constrained parametric part creation and much more. This module also incorporates Microsoft’s Visual Basic for Applications and is suited for those that can utilize Alphacam’s add-on or custom built applications and automation tools. Alphacam Ultimate Adds support for full 4/5-Axis simultaneous machining for highspecification joinery and furniture manufacturers.