5XCAM – Next Generation Hybrid Manufacturing Software

数字制造主要使用两种制造工艺：3D打印在材料添加过程中逐层构建对象，以及加工，即用锋利的工具从库存中切割材料，在减法过程中将其成形为最终部件。3D打印是一项革命性的技术，可以轻松制造具有复杂几何形状的部件。然而，零件的公差往往很差，表面光洁度很粗糙。机械加工可以生产出公差小、表面光洁度高的零件，但会浪费材料，通常在加工过程中会损失50%-90%的原始材料。这些工艺可以组合成一种新的“混合制造”工艺。5AXISWORKS开发了一款桌面五轴混合机床，名为“5AXISMAKER”，过去6年一直是5AXISWORKS的核心产品。像“5AXISMAKER”这样的机器可以将3D打印的强度和加工的精度结合在一起，通过3D打印接近形状的部件并使用其5轴加工能力完成它。用于数字制造的计算机数控(CNC)机床需要计算机辅助制造(CAM)软件来创建刀具路径，机器将按照该路径生产零件。3D打印切片器(CAM)软件是这项技术采用和传播的一个重要因素。针对临时用户，易用性使其成为一种通用工具，可以很容易地适应任何制造环境。驱动像5AXISMAKER这样的5轴机器的软件传统上是由航空航天等行业的高技能专业人员使用的。5AXISWORKS将开发一种新的CAM软件程序，该程序将使混合制造像3D打印一样容易获得。它将在一个界面中结合“5AXISMAKER”机器的5轴减法和加法功能，使用起来就像按下3D打印机上的“GO”按钮一样简单。我们的目标是通过自动化劳动密集型刀具路径创建，为更广泛的市场释放混合制造的力量。混合制造业的民主化将极大地提高个人和企业的创新和增长能力，特别是在经济衰退时期。

Digital manufacture predominately makes use of two fabrication processes: 3D printing that builds objects up layer-by-layer in a material additive process, and machining where material is cut away from stock with a sharp tool to shape it into the final part in a subtractive process. 3D printing is a revolutionary technology that allows for easy fabrication of parts with complex geometry. However, the parts often have poor tolerances and a rough surface finish. Machining can produce parts with tight tolerances and superior surface finish but is wasteful of material, where typically 50%-90% of the original material is lost in the process.These processes can be combined in a new "hybrid manufacturing" process. 5AXISWORKS have developed a desktop 5-axis hybrid machine called "5AXISMAKER", which for the past 6 years was the core product for 5AXISWORKS. Machines like "5AXISMAKER" can combine the strength of 3D printing and the accuracy of machining by 3D printing a near-shape component and finishing it using its 5-axis machining capability.Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools used in digital fabrication need Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software to create a tool path that the machine will follow to produce the part. 3D printing slicer (CAM) software was a significant contributing factor to the rate of adoption and spread of this technology. Targeted at casual users, ease of use made it a universal tool that could easily fit within any fabrication environment. Software to drive 5-axis machines like 5AXISMAKER has traditionally been used by highly skilled professionals in industries like aerospace. This places suitable software out of reach for most in terms of skill required to operate as well as affordability.5AXISWORKS will develop a new CAM software program called "5XCAM" that will make hybrid manufacturing as accessible as 3D printing. It will combine 5-axis subtractive and additive functionality of a "5AXISMAKER" machine in a single interface which is as easy to use as pressing a "go" button on a 3D printer. Our aim is to unlock the power of hybrid manufacturing for a wider market by automating labour intensive toolpath creation. Democratisation of hybrid manufacturing will greatly increase the ability of individuals and businesses to innovate and grow, especially through times of economic recession.