CloudNC, a manufacturing technology company supported by Autodesk and Lockheed Martin, has unveiled a significant upgrade to its CAM Assist solution. Initially designed for 3-axis CNC machines, CAM Assist, available as a plug-in for Autodesk’s Fusion software, can now generate programming strategies and toolpaths with artificial intelligence (AI) for 3+2 axis CNC machines.
The expansion broadens CAM Assist’s applicability, making it more versatile for manufacturers seeking efficiency gains in CNC machining. The technology, backed by advanced computer science techniques and AI, accelerates the generation of machining strategies, typically taking minutes or seconds for what might require hours or days of manual programming.
Dr Andy Cheadle, Chief Technology Officer at CloudNC, emphasized the technical achievement of the upgrade, highlighting the complexity involved in introducing 3+2 axis support. This enhancement positions CAM Assist to cater to approximately two-thirds of the CNC machining market, offering quicker programming times and cost estimation, ultimately enhancing productivity and reducing lead times.
The new capabilities empower manufacturers to streamline their CNC machining processes, address bottlenecks in programming, and efficiently estimate costs for new components, saving significant time and resources. CloudNC’s CAM Assist continues to drive innovation in the manufacturing technology landscape.