Published 7/19/2019

Amerimold 2019: Software Solutions for Moldmaking

Looking for software options that are developed for moldmaking? Amerimold had plenty in store for attendees and we bring you some highlights here.

Cynthia Kustush

Contributing Writer

OPEN MIND Technologies USA showcased the advanced capabilities of hyperMILL® CAM software at Amerimold. The showed attendees how its capabilities offer significant advantages when using 5-Axis machining for moldmaking. For example, the latest release of hyperMILL® MAXX Machining offers three powerful modules for finishing, roughing and drilling, plus a range of new features and enhancements including an expanded Finishing Module.

Top Solid/Missler Software introduced the new TopSolid’Split 2019 to mold designers, demonstrating how this feature enables more precise control of the creation of automatic parting surfaces. In addition, TopSolid’Mold now allows designers to easily modify the process of several components and it features a new, time saving function for placing injection gates. Also new is dynamic collision detection.

3D Systems exhibited its latest edition of Cimatron 3D mold design software at Amerimold. Visitors to the booth learned about how the software offers an accelerated workflow for designing, producing and inspecting high quality molds, translating to greater productivity and overall value.

TST Tooling Software Technology showcased its CAD/CAM/CAE software, support services, and Tool Shop Tracking software for the Tooling and Production industries. Visitors learned about TST Tracker, the company’s proprietary job tracking software, can streamline shop floor processes and increase the bottom line.

Mold shops that design medium to large size molds learned that XMD-Expert Mold Designer’s revamped mold design software incorporates Real Intelligence to evaluate relationships between all plates, components, holes and pockets without the need for the user to build and manage complex constraints and linking. They say their design model manipulation and viewing speeds are faster than ever!

CGS North America spotlighted its recently updated version of CAM-TOOL, V15.1, the CAD/CAM system corresponding to the five-axis machining center for molds and dies. In this version, a five-axis conversion algorithm significantly decreases the occurrence of inefficient interference avoidance, or warning exit by interference, by automatically calculating un-interfered, fixed-tilt angles on simultaneous five-axis automatic conversion function (simultaneous five-axis auto).

Creative CNC LLC featured two software packages for moldmaking at Amerimold. One is NCG CAM, which offers all the tools moldmakers need to manufacture prototypes, models, molds, dies, patterns and finished products. In fact, the company is now a NCG CAM reseller for Canada and the U.S. The other is ZW3D, an affordable, advanced CAD/CAM software package for hybrid 3D modeling, reverse engineering, mold design, machining and more.

eNETDNC debuted its new "Smart Manufacturing" software and hardware at Amerimold. Booth visitors were able to interact with live machine monitoring software, dashboards and reports at the show, and many also received a free eNET G-Code Editor.

CGTech showed Amerimold attendees demos of VERICUT’s FORCE Optimization, additive module, and new graphics and features coming soon in version 9.0. The company says VERICUT’s FORCE optimization reduces machining times by as much as 30-70 percent, even for superalloy metals, and makes cutters last longer.