Release History
Get More Information about WORKNC
Listed below are the current and previous releases of WORKNC
Precise Collision Avoidance in Global Roughing
WORKNC 2024.3 enhances roughing efficiency by refining how the tool assembly interacts with the dynamic stock model. This results in optimized material removal, a more uniform remaining stock, and reduced need for semi-finishing. Additionally, smoother toolpaths contribute to extended tool life and greater machining precision.
Next-Gen Toolpath Interface
The latest interface enhancements provide a more intuitive and efficient experience, extending streamlined controls across all toolpath strategies. Users can now make direct adjustments to key parameters, significantly reducing programming time while improving workflow and usability.
New Links for Parallel Finishing
This update improves the Parallel Finishing strategy by introducing new linking methods that streamline tool movements and machining time. By replacing outdated approaches with modernized solutions, WORKNC ensures consistent lead-in and lead-out behaviors while refining surface quality through advanced point distribution controls.
New Toolpath Selection Dialog
WORKNC 2024.3 introduces a refined toolpath selection dialog, simplifying the process of identifying and managing outdated toolpaths. This enhancement delivers a more modern and consistent interface, improving overall usability.
Smooth Transition in Global Roughing
New transition improvements in global roughing ensure a more fluid machining process, reducing unnecessary movements, minimizing machining time, and extending tool life.
Global Finishing: Flat Surface Avoidance
With an updated finishing strategy, WORKNC 2024.3 eliminates the need for the older "Combined Z-Level + Optim Z Level" toolpath. This refinement reduces setup time while improving the efficiency and accuracy of global finishing operations.
Rhino CAD Import
Seamless integration with Rhino CAD files enables a more efficient workflow, allowing users to directly import native Rhino geometry into WORKNC. This enhancement improves compatibility and streamlines data transfer between applications.
New Toolpath Dialog
The enhanced toolpath interface now places key parameters within easy reach on the left-hand side, offering a more streamlined and efficient programming experience. Users can also expand the dialog box to display all available parameters, ensuring complete control and visibility in a single view.
- Improves workflow efficiency with direct access to essential settings.
- Enhances user engagement by simplifying navigation and reducing programming time.
- Allows for direct parameter adjustments, making toolpath setup faster and more intuitive.
- Works seamlessly with automation rules (tprules) for rapid toolpath creation.
Global Finishing
WORKNC 2024.3 integrates the HxGN Global Finishing strategy, delivering exceptional toolpath generation speeds and further advancing efficiency in finishing operations.
- Achieve a full-part finish using a single, optimized toolpath.
- Improve surface quality with enhanced toolpath sequencing and wear control.
- Eliminates limitations of the previous “Combined Z-Level + Optim” toolpath.
Automated Global Roughing
A new automation-driven roughing feature significantly minimizes manual input, simplifying the calculation of multiple roughing toolpaths. By selecting the necessary tool assemblies, users can optimize machining conditions while preserving tool life.
- Integrated collision avoidance automatically manages potential tool interferences.
- Eliminates the need for complex parameter adjustments.
- Reduces manual input by up to 80%, enhancing overall productivity.
Nexus Tool Library
WORKNC now seamlessly connects with Nexus, enabling users to access and retrieve tool assemblies directly from the cloud, ensuring that tools remain up to date and consistent across multiple applications.
- Prevents redundant tool duplication within the library.
- Facilitates smooth tool exchanges with other software solutions like NCSIMUL.
- Enables cloud-based tool storage for effortless sharing and version control.
Send to WORKNC | Synchronizing DESIGNER and WORKNC & Send from VISI
The enhanced Send to CAMDESIGNER feature allows users to import and prepare CAD geometry for manufacturing, supporting all major file formats.
- WORKNC now synchronizes workzones with CAD files (VDF format), ensuring real-time updates when part revisions or additional geometry are introduced in DESIGNER.
- Any modifications made in DESIGNER trigger an automatic notification in WORKNC, allowing for seamless updates.
- Changes are intelligently detected, ensuring only necessary recalculations are made, optimizing workflow.
- The Send from VISI feature functions similarly but without synchronization capabilities.
User Experience | New Ribbon Bar
WORKNC introduces a modernized ribbon bar, making navigation and tool selection more intuitive.
- A redesigned interface aligns with standard Windows applications, making it easier for new users to learn.
- Frequently used toolpaths are now immediately accessible.
- The Quick Access Toolbar provides direct entry to background functions, increasing efficiency and reducing programming time.
Global Roughing | Dynamic Maximum Holder Profile
A more intelligent holder profile system helps streamline tool selection and improve machining safety.
- Determines the widest and most complex holder shape capable of machining a specific workpiece area.
- Reduces programming time by automatically selecting the best holder for each toolpath scenario.
- Offers flexibility to adjust tool assemblies in response to real-world shop floor conditions.
- Minimizes toolholder inventory by optimizing existing equipment, lowering costs.
Global Roughing | Tool Life Increase
Enhancements to roughing strategies directly extend tool life and improve cutting efficiency.
- A smoothing radius is now incorporated into pocketing offsets, reducing tool wear without extra programming effort.
- This feature is automatically calculated within the toolpath, requiring no manual input.
- Optimized feed rate management leads to a 30% reduction in machining time, based on real-world testing.
Contour Remachining | Splitting Steep and Shallow Areas
More refined control over remachining operations allows for optimized speed and feed settings.
- Enables separate passes for steep and shallow areas, increasing efficiency.
- Provides greater flexibility in tooling choices, reducing unnecessary wear.
- Improves surface quality and tool durability without adding complexity to programming.
Parallel Finishing | Vertical Walls and Other Improvements
Enhancements to Z-Level finishing improve machining efficiency on vertical surfaces.
- A new Enable/Disable Floating Passes option prevents unnecessary Z-level passes in undercut areas.
- Avoids redundant toolpath generation, leading to faster programming and machining times.
- Reduces the need for manual toolpath adjustments.
Curve Profiling | Closing the Gap
Curve machining capabilities have been refined for greater consistency and efficiency.
- Tangent to Curve and Curve Remachining have been consolidated into a single Curve Profiling tool.
- Improved surface selection process for seamless operation.
- Enhanced lead-in and lead-out controls ensure smoother transitions and reduce unnecessary movements.
- A modernized algorithm accelerates calculation time, improving overall programming efficiency.
3-Axis Finishing | 3D Smoothing Radius
A high-speed machining upgrade enhances surface finishing quality while reducing manual polishing.
- A new "Generate Rounded Passes" feature delivers smoother finishes.
- Available in 3D Finishing, Drive Curve Finishing, Optimized Z-Level Finishing (spiral cycle), Z-Level Remachining, and Contour Remachining.
- Leads to faster final part delivery and significantly reduces labor costs associated with hand polishing.
NCSIMUL Standard | Single Interface to Export a CAM Project
WORKNC now provides a direct interface with NCSIMUL, ensuring error-free machining.
- Allows operators to validate NC toolpaths before running them on the shop floor.
- Reduces the risk of collisions, increasing machine uptime.
- Optimizes cycle times and enhances confidence in machine operations.