Whats New

ALPHACAM 2020
What’s New
This document contains a general overview of the new features within ALPHACAM 2020
: 2020 What’s New ALPHACAM 2020
Contents
Contents.................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 5
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Release Highlights ................................................................................................................................................... 6
Release Highlights ............................................................................................................................................... 6

Important Information............................................................................................................................................ 7
Operating System Support .................................................................................................................................. 7
ALPHACAM Maintenance Expiry Date ................................................................................................................ 7

Simulation ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
Post Processed Simulation .................................................................................................................................. 8

Automation Manager ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Automation Manager – Confirming Sheet Deletion ........................................................................................... 9
Automation Manager – Auto-Associate Sheet Results Dialog .......................................................................... 10
Automation Manager - Extra Custom fields...................................................................................................... 10
New Automation Manager wizards .................................................................................................................. 11

Advanced Machining ............................................................................................................................................ 14
5 Axis Optimiser Integrated into all Core 4/5 Axis cycles.................................................................................. 14
Advanced 5-Axis upgraded to Moduleworks 2018.12 ...................................................................................... 15

Parametric Rules ................................................................................................................................................... 17
Parametric Rules – Enhanced Parameter Modification .................................................................................... 17

3D Machining ........................................................................................................................................................ 18
3D Machining – Z-Contour Roughing - Helix Approach Diameter control ........................................................ 18
3D Machining – Z-Contour Roughing - User setting restrictions removed ....................................................... 18
3D Machining - Z Contour Roughing - Feed Down Distance changes ............................................................... 19

Rough/Finish ......................................................................................................................................................... 20
Rough/Finish - Looped Corners - New Angle Control setting ........................................................................... 20
Rough/Finish Pass – Machine Solid Faces directly ............................................................................................ 20
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Cut with Disk ......................................................................................................................................................... 21
Cut with Disk – Improved Link between cuts .................................................................................................... 21

Offset .................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Offset Command - New Option – Keep Toolpath Associations ........................................................................ 22
Offset Command - New Keep Geometry Information Option .......................................................................... 23

Order ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Order Command – Grouped geometries can now be re-ordered .................................................................... 24
Order Command - New Option to Order Nested Parts by Intersection............................................................ 24

Nesting .................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Reverse-side Nesting Command ....................................................................................................................... 25

Feature Extraction ................................................................................................................................................ 26
Feature Extraction - Save Settings to File.......................................................................................................... 26

Sawing ................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Sawing - New control for Minimum Length of Cut ........................................................................................... 27
Sawing - Solid Faces - New Cut Direction Control ............................................................................................. 27

Queries.................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Queries - Geometry Query Notes ..................................................................................................................... 28

Tool Selection ....................................................................................................................................................... 29
Tool Selection - New Define Tool command button ......................................................................................... 29

Creating Work Planes ........................................................................................................................................... 30
Creating Work Planes - New setting to prevent Geometry from moving ......................................................... 30
File Insert .............................................................................................................................................................. 31
File Insert and Constrained Drawings Process warning .................................................................................... 31

Profiling ................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Profiling - Cut Between Contours - Step Length added .................................................................................... 32
User Interface ....................................................................................................................................................... 33
User Interface - Improved Appearance of certain dialogs ................................................................................ 33
Hexagon About box ........................................................................................................................................... 35
Robotic installation ........................................................................................................................................... 35
Sentinel System Driver Installer Update ........................................................................................................... 35

ALPHACAM Aspire ................................................................................................................................................ 36
ALPHACAM Aspire - Updated to Version 9.5 .................................................................................................... 36

Supported CAD File Versions ................................................................................................................................ 37
Supported CAD File Versions............................................................................................................................. 37

Maintenance Report ............................................................................................................................................. 39
Maintenance Report ......................................................................................................................................... 39

Appendix A - API Improvements in ALPHACAM 2020 .......................................................................................... 42
Feature Extraction – Load and Save settings, Show Dialog, and new properties ............................................. 42
Z Contour Roughing – Use Boundaries and Auto-Update Material from Previous Operation ......................... 44
Feature Alignment – Load and Save settings .................................................................................................... 46
Machines – Load, Save and Clear active machine............................................................................................. 47
Automation Manager – New events fired before and after processing a part................................................. 48
System Dat and Dir Locations ........................................................................................................................... 49
Introduction
Introduction
This version of ALPHACAM is focused on Advanced usage and Automation. Many improvements, from the simple to the
monumental, grace this new Release, which is sure to bring a smile to both new as well as existing ALPHACAM users.
We have gathered information from many sources and have created what we truly believe is a unique approach towards
delivering on simulation requirements: The post-processor driven simulation.
With a properly configured post-processor, you will be able to use the same numeric values for running your NC code, as
well as your Simulator. Users with 5-Axis systems and complex machinery should contact their Reseller or support
representative to enquire about the process of enhancing their existing post-processors to deliver on this best-in-class
innovation. Users with machines with less sophistication are also invited to contact their support teams to learn what
specific benefits can be derived from this excellent new feature.
Speaking of 5-Axis, we have updated and revised out integration of Advanced 5-axis functions. There are many important
enhancements in this area, so please make sure to check that section for a full description of this wonderful update.
Automation Manager is another big star of this Release. We have re-imagined the workflow by providing new Wizards,
which will allow you to reduce your setup and processing times dramatically. Always using a critical eye, we have made
improvements in performance across the board: from load times to processing algorithms, every aspect has been
optimised to provide the best user experience possible.
We have added the ability to offset a geometry and allow the user to re-assign the newly created geometry to the
machining operation. Whether your geometry represents a simple perimeter cut or a boundary for a 3D Machining
method, this new intelligence will help you be more productive by providing immediate re-calculation and feedback.
Maintenance has also been highlighted in this release. We will continue to strive for quality and stability above all else.
Finally, our users driving our Robotic integration will be very pleased to know that we have enhanced our offering, and
we are now one of the most flexible and cost-effective total solutions available.
The best way to master these new features is to check them out for yourself, so please get started!
As always, your feedback and guidance are the main driver of our efforts, so please continue to provide your ideas.
Please do not forget to join our Customer Improvement programme when installing the software!
Until our next Release,
-The ALPHACAM Team.
Release Highlights
Release Highlights
The main highlights from this release include:
• Simulation
o Post-processor driven Simulation.
• Automation Manager
o New Automation Manager Wizards.
o Extra Custom Fields.
o Auto-associate Sheet Results Dialog.
• Advanced Machining
o 5-Axis Optimiser Integrated into all Core 4/5Axis cycles.
o Advanced 5-Axis upgraded to Moduleworks 2018.12.
• Parametric Rules
o Enhanced Parameter Modification.
• 3D Machining
o Z-Contour Roughing: Helix Approach Diameter control.
o Z-Contour Roughing: User settings restrictions removed.
o Z-Contour Roughing: Feed Down Distance changes.
• Rough/Finish
o Machine Solid faces directly.
• Offset Command
o New Option – Transfer Geometry Association.
o New Option – Keep Geometry Information.
• Order Command
o Grouped Geometries can now be re-ordered.
o New Option to Order Nested Parts by Intersection.
• Nesting
o Enhanced Reverse-side Nesting command.
• Robotic Integration
o Simplified Robotic installation.
Important Information
Operating System Support

Please refer to the Installation Guide or System Requirements page on http://www.alphacam.com for further
information.
ALPHACAM Maintenance Expiry Date

To run ALPHACAM 2020, the maintenance expiry date in your license must be April 2019 or later.
Simulation
Post Processed Simulation

In 2020.0 we are introducing a new concept of simulation that
will allow you to get greater certainty of motion between
ALPHACAM and the machine on the shop floor.
Post-processed simulation is a way to use the numbers and

variables calculated in your post (X,Y,Z, A,B,C, I,J,K, etc.) to
directly drive the ALPHACAM Simulator. This should help
minimise surprises and unchecked motion, as well as provide
better and more accurate feedback.
Your post-processor must be improved/enhanced to support

this feature. If you would like to know more about it, please
contact your reseller or support team.
Automation Manager
Automation Manager – Confirming Sheet Deletion

In previous versions, deleting sheets from the Automation Manager was not allowed if the sheets were already in
use/associated with a job even if these sheets were associated to jobs that have previously been processed.
For this release, if users attempt to delete sheets, a confirmation prompt will be displayed:
If Yes is selected, the Confirm Sheet Deletion dialog lists the items which will be directly affected by the deletion:
The Confirm Sheet Deletion dialog recognises whether the sheet is being used in the following situations:
• By any job file directly

If the sheet has been assigned to an individual Job File (an ALPHACAM drawing file or a solid) using the Materials
drop-down list in the property grid of the Job File.
• Multiple Sheet Jobs
If the sheets are selected for the entire Automation Manager Job, you will have selected the Sheet/Multiple
sheets/Material Types using the Nesting Material Selector.
• Auto-Associate Sheets Jobs
If the sheet was associated to Job Files in the Automation Manager Job by using the Auto-Associated Sheets
option in the Configuration.
• CDM Order Details
If the sheet has been assigned for an individual Door Type within a CDM Job, using the Materials drop-down list.
• CDM Multiple Sheet Jobs
If the sheet was associated to a CDM Job using the Nesting Material Selector.
Automation Manager – Auto-Associate Sheet Results Dialog

The user interface for Auto-Associating Sheets has been improved. The new Auto Associate Sheets results dialog has two
sections:
• Unsuccessful Auto Assignments are displayed at the top and the affected part file names are listed.
• Successful Auto Assignments are displayed at the bottom; these parts are grouped under the Material and Sheet
type.
Automation Manager - Extra Custom fields

We have now expanded the number of fields that can be defined using Custom Fields for both Automation Manager jobs
and CDM jobs. Automation Manager now allows up to 25 fields, adding data either manually or using CSV to import.
The 25 custom fields are also available to use with ALPHACAM Reports. They can be found under Part Data in the Report
Designer’s Field List.
New Automation Manager wizards

ALPHACAM 2020.0 introduces two new Wizards to the Automation manager Interface to guide users through the steps
necessary to create a Job ready for processing:
• The Processing Wizard – Create Jobs with relevant settings and Job Files.
• The Setup Wizard – Create Layer Mapping setups.
Note: Automation Manager configurations cannot be created using the wizard yet and must be set up using the main
Automation Manager dialog as before.
Processing Wizard
Users can follow the workflow of the Processing Wizard to create a job to process immediately or save the job to the
Automation Manager and exit the wizard:
• The step-by-step guide allows you to choose a Configuration, assign a Layer Mapping Setup (or create a
new one) and add files to the job.
• It is possible to preview Configurations and Layer mapping setup from within the Wizard UI to ensure that
the correct selections are made.
• The File Setup Tab shows users a preview of the part and the Additional Information sections will warn the
user of missing setup information.
• The wizards both use simplified views of different sections of the main Automation Manager window at
various stages.
• At both the ‘Job Setup’ stage and the ‘File Setup’ stage in the Processing Wizard, users can access the Setup
Wizard (to create Layer Mapping Setups).
CSV imports – Uses the same process as before, the import settings must be created in the main Automation Manager
dialog (Import Settings tab) prior to using the wizard.
The Processing wizard Interface allows you to select the Import Settings you want to use, in a drop-down menu, and then
the CSV import file can be selected:
Setup Wizard
The Setup Wizard is used to create new Layer Mapping Setups. Layer mapping setups can be created from scratch or
previously existing setups can be used as a template.
Solid alignment settings and Feature extraction contour/drillable-hole settings (usually found in the right panel grid view
of the Automation Manager) can now be defined within the wizard in the Alignment and Extraction Settings Tabs. Edit
Settings will take the users to the dialogs they would have used previously from the main ALPHACAM ribbon.
Additionally, users can:
• Preview the Layer Mapping Setup applied to a file.

• Add Feature Extracted Layers, from a file or a group of files, into the layer mapping setup tree.
• Preview Feature Extraction from within Extraction Settings tab.
Both the first two options are new features added to Automation Manager and can also be accessed from the main
Automation Manager dialog (Layer Mapping Setup tab).
Advanced Machining
5 Axis Optimiser Integrated into all Core 4/5 Axis cycles

Previously a Toolpath Special edit, the 5-Axis Toolpath Optimiser has now been integrated into all 4/5 Axis machining
cycles. It has its own Tab in all the integrated cycles. It has also been further enhanced so that individual operations can
be optimised with specific Axis limitations.
Advanced 5-Axis upgraded to Moduleworks 2018.12
The Advanced 5-Axis ModuleWorks library has been upgraded to 2018.12. Some of the new features include:
• New Barrel Mill Tool Types, Taper, Barrel section & Double profile.
• Multi-Axis Roughing, Dynamic holder collision checking against stock. This option takes the shape of the holder
and arbor into consideration during the toolpath calculation to avoid collisions between the entire tool and
stock material.
• Morph strategy - Extend cuts for stock. Use this option to extend the morph toolpath to the top of the stock
material when it is located above the ceiling surfaces.
• SWARF Machining, Automatic Arc. The lead in/out connects the contour tangentially to the retraction direction
of the relinking. It should always be possible to apply the link, even in combination with collision checking. You
can find this option under: Linking | Default Lead-in/Out | Automatic arc.
• SWARF - Links between regions, this option defines the connection type between adjacent cuts or cutting layers.
If the selected link does not satisfy the safety conditions, it will not be applied. In this case, the next safe link
type is used. The following link types can be applied:
• Direct.
• Follow surfaces.
• Blend spline.
• Step (only available for 3-axis output).
• Retract to feed distance.
• Retract to rapid distance.
• Retract to clearance area.
• Follow stock.
• SWARF - sync with ISO curves - Use this parameter to follow the ISO curves of a nurbs surface.
• Surface Machining - Automatic arc - tool axis orientation. The Automatic arc option lets you specify the tool axis
orientation: Fixed, Tangential, or Tilted. The default tool axis orientation is tangent.
• Toolpath smoothing - This option smooths sharp corners in the toolpath and replace them with splines. Two
parameters control the behaviour of toolpath smoothing:
• Smoothing distance: This parameter sets the spline distance.
• Detection angle: This parameter sets a minimum detection angle, which is calculated from the angle
between the previous vector move and the next move.
• Feed rate for direct/spline links - You can now control the feed rate for the type of links (direct or blend spline).
• Side tilt by contact point - This feature provides a convenient, new tilting option for 5-axis machining. It allows
you to define the tool axis tilting by specifying a contact point on the tool profile that is tangential to the
machining surface along the toolpath. In addition to the contact point, a lead/lag angle can be specified to
completely determine the orientation.
This feature significantly simplifies the operational setup, especially for tools with a complex profile geometry,
e.g. barrel tools. The contact point is specified either by the axial distance or the distance along the tool profile
starting on the tool tip. The user can specify a static contact point or a dynamic range, so that the contact point
changes along the contour from the range start to the range end.
• Wireframe Machining - Also has the "Side tilt by contact point" feature as described above.
Parametric Rules
Parametric Rules – Enhanced Parameter Modification

In previous versions, only two options were available when editing the Rule Configuration for parametric rules; either to
Ignore (no value) or set a value to a numerical parameter. Editing has now been enhanced to include the following
options:
• Ignore/Set Value.
• Set to Parameter.
• Set to Equation.
The drop-down lists in the Parameter/Equation column will list all of the existing parameters or equations for selection.
3D Machining
3D Machining – Z-Contour Roughing - Helix Approach Diameter control

When using Z-Contour Roughing with the Type - Waveform
and setting the Approach Type to Helix, two new settings
have been added to control the minimum and maximum
diameter of the helical path.
These settings help to avoid collisions and finely tune the

entry point. If the computed entry point cannot accommodate
the required helix, it will be recalculated.
3D Machining – Z-Contour Roughing - User setting restrictions removed

When using Z-Contour Roughing we have removed some user setting restrictions that were enforced in an earlier
release. We believed these to be for safety reasons to avoid damage to the part, but they have now been removed due
to several requests:
• Stock-to-be-left when using Take account of previous machining. We have now re-enabled the stock amounts
in XY and Z for the residual roughing operation. The default stock will be as for the Previous Operation and the
user will be warned if these are changed but will be able to continue.
• Allow Safe Rapid Level below Material Top. We have removed the safe Rapid level check against being below
the Material Top. This is sometimes required when the material is assigned to a Solid and the area to be
roughed does not need to have such a high Rapid Level. The user is warned but can continue.
3D Machining - Z Contour Roughing - Feed Down Distance changes

In previous versions of ALPHACAM, the Feed Down Distance parameter in the Z-Contour Roughing Cycle was limited to a
hard-coded value of 1 when finally applied to the toolpath although it was possible to enter other values as the Feed
Down Distance in the cycle dialog.
This behaviour has now been improved to use the correct Feed Down Distance value. Updating toolpaths in existing files
will also use the correct values.
Note: Z-Contour Roughing Toolpaths in ALPHACAM 2020.0 may change if updating operations.
If the updated toolpath is undesirable, users can change the Feed Down Distance value back to 1 manually, or use Lock
Toolpaths.
Rough/Finish
Rough/Finish - Looped Corners - New Angle Control setting

In the Rough/Finish cycle, we have added a new control which
allows the user to control how shallow external corners are
treated.
The Apply loop if corner angle is less than setting enables the
user to control whether a loop needs to be applied. This
defaults to the current built in value to maintain consistency.
Rough/Finish Pass – Machine Solid Faces directly

The Rough/Finish cycle can now machine planar faces directly
from a solid model with the tool side. Single or multiple face
loops consisting of planar faces can be picked from a solid
model and automatically machined. The face angle will be
automatically calculated.
The Convert to Global / Linear NC code option allows parts

machined using this method to be nested.
Cut with Disk
Cut with Disk – Improved Link between cuts

The Stone ‘Cut with Disk’ Vertical and Horizontal Cycles have
been improved to give the user much more control over the
Leads and Links between passes. There is a new ‘Links’ tab in
the cycles dialog page.
There are settings to control the Lead length and its

Approach/Retract Angle. The links between the passes can
now either be Rapid or Feed moves and, when using the
Horizontal Roughing, you can override the long retraction of
the disk past the material boundary and link the passes closer
to the profile.
Offset
Offset Command - New Option – Keep Toolpath Associations

A new Keep Toolpath Associations option has been added to
the Offset command dialog.
This applies to both geometry and surfaces but is only enabled

if Delete original is selected. If selected, any new geometry
that is replacing a geometry path or surface which is
associated with a machining operation will have that
machining association transferred to the new path and the
operation will be shown as requiring updating.
This new option can be particularly useful when using 2D

boundaries on 3D machining operations to precisely control
the machinable area.
Note: If the Offset on both sides option is selected, both new

paths will be associated with the machining operation.
Offset Command - New Keep Geometry Information Option

A new Keep Geometry Information option has been added to
the Offset command (Edit tab ► Break, Join etc ► Offset)
which enables Offset to consider information from the original
entity selected and apply it to the offset entities.
Information such as layer information, attributes and colour

will be copied over to the offset entities.
Order
Order Command – Grouped geometries can now be re-ordered

In previous versions of ALPHACAM, the Order command (Edit
Tab ► Start, Order ► Order) could not be used with grouped
geometries.
For this release, a new Order geometry within a group option

has been added to the Order Contours dialog which allows
users to re-order geometries within a group without having to
ungroup them.
Order Command - New Option to Order Nested Parts by Intersection

Ordering has been improved to support the ordering of
Nested Parts on a sheet using the intersecting line method.
The Nested parts can either be Toolpaths, Geometries or

Toolpaths with enclosed Geometries. In all cases, the part is
considered in its entirety and, therefore, any specific ordering
within the part is maintained. This also means that Nesting
parameters such as Drill and cut inner paths First are
maintained because the whole part is considered.
Nesting
Reverse-side Nesting Command

In previous versions of ALPHACAM, users could perform Reverse-Side Nesting with the aid of an Add-In. ALPHACAM
2020.0 introduces a new and improved Reverse-Side Nesting command for performing cuts/machining to both sides of
parts on a nested sheet.
Prior to nesting, two ALPHACAM drawing files must be created for each part with the names and places in the same
directory:
• <filename> - Contains machining for the front side of the parts.

• <filename>_rev - Contains machining for the reverse side of the parts.
Note: Nesting must be performed from a nest list and the zero for the front-side and the reverse-side toolpaths must
match.
After nesting the front-side parts, the reverse nesting command retrieves the reverse-side parts and positions them
according to the user selection:
• Sheet Ordering – Select if a preferred side is machined for all sheets first or one sheet at a time.
• Sheet Turning – Set the reverse-side sheets to be flipped on the x or y axis.
• Machining Order – Select the preferred side to machine first.
• Tool Ordering – Select a tool ordering list to apply to the reverse-side nest.
• Sheet Squaring – An automated squaring cut can be added to the sheets with the aid of a predefined
machining auto-style.
Feature Extraction
Feature Extraction - Save Settings to File

Command buttons have been added which enable users to save/load feature extraction related settings using a settings
file. Additionally, default settings for the dialog can be saved/loaded using the command buttons.
Settings files are saved to the default location C:\Alphacam\LICOMDAT\FeatureData
Dialogs that now include the command buttons include:
• Feature Extraction Configuration

Home Tab ► Settings ► Configure ► Feature Extraction... ► Feature Extraction Configuration Dialog ►
Alignment Tab
Feature Auto-Alignment Settings files are saved with the .afaa extension.
• Automatic Feature Extraction

Solid Model Extraction Tab ► Automatic ► Automatic Extraction ► Feature Extraction Dialog ► General tab
Feature Extraction Settings files are saved with the .afex extension.
Sawing
Sawing - New control for Minimum Length of Cut

In the Stone and Router Modules, the Sawing Cycle now has a
new user setting to control the Minimum Length of Cut.
This new setting works seamlessly with the residual Water jet
cut in the Advanced levels of the Stone Module. The Water Jet
cut is automatically added to the remove cut areas.
Sawing - Solid Faces - New Cut Direction Control
The Sawing Cycle has been enhanced to provide total control

over the cutting direction when sawing Solid Model faces.
A new Cut Direction section has been added with options for
Climb, Conventional or, if more than one cut, Bi-Directional.
This new control has been introduced because there is no user

generated geometry to control the cut direction with Tool
Directions on the Geometry. Face loops from Solid Model
faces are random and, therefore, the line direction cannot be
guaranteed.
Queries
Queries - Geometry Query Notes

With the addition of the option to Add/Edit Geometry Query Notes, users are now able to save descriptive information
with new or existing queries.
The option Open with query if note exists can be used to open the saved notes automatically if you edit/open queries.
Tool Selection
Tool Selection - New Define Tool command button

A new Define Tool button has been added to the Tool
Selection dialog.
This is very useful when you realise that the tool you want to
use is not in your library; you can now define the new
required tool without exiting the interface.
Creating Work Planes
Creating Work Planes - New setting to prevent Geometry from moving

A new Do not automatically move geometry to new work
planes option has been added to the geometry settings:
Home Tab ► Settings ► Configure ► General ► Geometry
When creating new work planes, in a few cases, geometry

from an existing work plane may be moved into the new work
plane. This usually occurs if the orientations of these work
planes are similar.
When selected, the new option prevents geometry from being

moved.
File Insert
File Insert and Constrained Drawings Process warning

When using File Insert from the Home Ribbon or from the File
Inserter Project Manager tab, and inserting a constrained
drawing, the user is now shown a new message.
Previously, inserting constrained drawings often resulted in

redundant constraint parameter values. Any data related to
parametric rules could remain and cause a corruption of the
file.
Profiling
Profiling - Cut Between Contours - Step Length added

In the Profiling Module, a Step Length option has been added
to the Cut Between Contours cycle dialog.
This helps reduce profile deformation when the contours have

long linear sections with changing tool angles.
User Interface
User Interface - Improved Appearance of certain dialogs

As a result of the general software updates for this release, visual themes now affect the following functions and dialogs:
• Automation Manager.
• Sheet Database.
• Nesting Interface.
• Order Operations by Tool dialog.
Automation Manager
Sheet Database
Hexagon About box

Reflecting the new Hexagon branding of all products,
ALPHACAM now has a Hexagon About box:
File menu ► About
This contains the version, license and system information for

ALPHACAM and the PC in use.
Robotic installation
With this release of ALPHACAM 2020.0, users can install
Robotics directly from the main Start menu of the DVD
(StartHere.hta in the DVD image).
Sentinel System Driver Installer Update

The Sentinel System Driver version that we usually ship with
the DVD has been updated to 7.6.0:
DVD\Sentinel RMS Licensing\Driver for Computer ID

Key\Sentinel System Driver Installer 7.6.0.exe
Installing ALPHACAM 2020.0 will install the new Sentinel

System Driver (or update an existing older driver). It will not
affect any USB dongle licenses currently in use.
ALPHACAM Aspire
ALPHACAM Aspire - Updated to Version 9.5

Aspire for ALPHACAM has been updated to version 9.5 in the ALPHACAM 2020 release version.
Supported CAD File Versions
Supported CAD File Versions

The following CAD file versions can be imported into the respective ALPHACAM product levels:
E = Essential S = Standard A = Advanced U = Ultimate
Translator and Version Router Stone Lathe Mill Wire Profiling
DXF/DWG (AutoCAD 2018) ESAU ESAU ESAU ESAU SA AU
IGES (not version specific) ESAU ESAU ESAU ESAU SA AU
Rhino 5.0 SAU SAU SAU SAU SA AU
STL (not version specific) SAU SAU SAU SAU SA AU
SketchUp 2017 SAU SAU SAU SAU SA AU
Adobe PDF ESAU ESAU U ESAU SA AU
Adobe Illustrator ESAU ESAU U ESAU SA AU
PostScript ESAU ESAU U ESAU SA AU
STEP AP203/AP214/AP242 (preferred Schemas) AU AU AU AU A U
Part Modeler (current) AU AU AU AU A U
VISI Version (current) AU AU AU AU A U

Autodesk Inventor 2019 (current, IPT & IAM files)
AU AU AU AU A U
ACIS R1 – 2019 1.0 AU AU AU AU A U
Parasolid 9.0 – 31.0.216 AU AU AU AU A U
SOLIDWORKS 2019 AU AU AU AU A U
Solid Edge ST11 (PAR & PSM files) AU AU AU AU A U
Spaceclaim 2019 R1 AU AU AU AU A U
JT Open 10.2 AU AU AU AU A AU
ALPHACAM Designer Files AU AU AU AU A U
In order to import Autodesk Inventor files, Autodesk Inventor® or Inventor® View™ must also be installed.
Inventor® View™ can be downloaded from the Autodesk website.
Translator and Version Router Stone Lathe Mill Wire Profiling

Extra Cost
Catia V4 4.1.9 – 4.2.4 AU AU AU AU A U
CATIA V5 V5R8 –V5-6R2018 AU AU AU AU A U

CATIA V6 Up to V6 R2018x
Note: CATIA V6 users should export their database AU AU AU AU A U
objects as CATIA V5 CATParts or CATProducts.
Creo Parametrics 5.0 (formerly Pro/E Wildfire) AU AU AU AU A U
NX12 (formerly Unigraphics NX) AU AU AU AU A U
Maintenance Report
Maintenance Report
The following is a list of bug fixes and enhancements implemented in ALPHACAM 2020:
ID Description Closing Notes

1341 Advanced 5-Axis - 5-Axis Toolpath Optimiser - Operations are split into Fixed- managed Rapids
two toolpaths and the second does not get optimised. are still separate.
2839 Zoom All not working while another command is active. Fixed.
3420 Z Contour Roughing - Take account of previous machining - With this Fixed - Restriction
selected, stock levels cannot be edited, unlike the previous release. removed with user
warning.
4776 External Simulator - Simulation of Part is incorrect. Fixed.
5084 3D Machining - Z Contour Roughing - Unable to set the correct rapid Fixed - Restriction
height since 2014R2. removed with user
warning.
5321 Z Contour Roughing - Cannot control the feed down distance in some Fixed - Update
circumstances. operations required.
6054 Constraints - Crash caused by Fillet 'All' then Undo. Fixed.
6128 Rough or Finish - Loops - Loops not present on some geometries. Fixed.
7038 CLS - Educational Licence - If anything below Ultimate level of the Fixed.
selected module is opened, Ultimate Mill is opened.
7489 3D Machining - Projected Curves - Offset Islands - Start Cutting at Fixed - Cutting at Inside
Inside option has no effect. & CW is disabled if Offset
Islands is on.
7834 Machining - Z Contour Roughing - When quick edit is used to update a Fixed.
tool number, the operation itself is not updated.
8509 Input CAD - PDF - Import of the PDF shows that extra lines are added. Fixed.
9607 Cut Spline or Polyline - Some elements of the toolpath are 2D which Fixed - Update
are causing issues when post processing. operations required.
9634 Lathe - Solid Simulation - Sub Spindle solid simulation is showing the Fixed.
tool incorrectly.
9772 Define Advanced 5 Axis Tool - Barrel Mill - 'Barrel type' options do not Fixed.
work.
9816 Sawing - Canned Cycle moves toolpath to flat land. NC - Incorrect SCA. Fixed
Global output only for
Canned Cycle.
10265 GUI - Display Error on Addins and Nesting Parameters checkboxes. Fixed.
10386 Solid Model Utilities - Custom colours are not saved. Fixed.
10708 CAD - 3D - STL Utilities - Simplify STL - If this function is used and then Fixed.
the Drawing saved and closed, it is locked when the drawing is opened
again.
12269 Vero Nesting - Multiple closed parts without an enclosing Fixed.
toolpath/geometry overlap each other.
12783 Work Planes - Geometries are moved to new work plane without Fixed.
warning. New checkbox in General
Settings.

13139 Cut Spline Polyline - If there is no lead out, the exit feed is removed. Fixed.
13151 Tool Axis Conversion - Tools moves to horizontal at end of path. Fixed.
13171 Output NC - Japanese space character causes ANC file name problem. Fixed.
13199 Reports - Copied Operations. Operation Data Note / Fixed.
LicomUKDMBOperationNote not carried across to Reports.
13535 Reports - Editing Property Grid parameters causes Report Designer to Fixed.
hang.
13782 Multidrill - Manual Move causes single drill to be used. Fixed.
14038 Cut Spline / Polyline - 'Maximum Depth of Tool would be exceeded' Fixed.
warning to be displayed once per operation.
14474 Nesting - Parts outside sheet. Fixed.
14475 Simulation - Wrong Disk Guard orientation. Fixed.
14591 Contour from Picked Edges - Incorrect contour extraction. Fixed.
14660 3D Machining - Fails to create toolpath if TMP path contains a 2 byte Fixed.
special character.
14672 API - SolidFace.Select failed! Message if already selected. Fixed.
14678 CDM - When copying door type to a different door style, the old Fixed.
Design Dimensions are retained.
14706 Wire - Sheet database missing. Fixed.
14771 Automation Manager - Can delete Layer Mapping while in use. Fixed.
14982 Automation Manager - Layer Mapping Setup - Error if moving styles to Fixed.
Drawing Layers using the Property Grid.
14990 Lathe - Solid Simulation - Incorrect result of 3D projected toolpath. Fixed.
14999 Automation Manager - Essential should not allow Automation Fixed.
Manager to be used with an SQL database.
15135 Cut Spline Polyline - No toolpath created. Fixed.
15183 Nesting - Parts cannot be nested. Fixed.
15195 Automation Manager - CSV Import - Cannot have no fitting in the Fixed.
Fittings field.
15236 View - Work Plane View - Auto Z geometries and toolpaths not visible Fixed.
when over a certain distance from Z0.
15260 CDM - Inserted Drawing Information not being transferred to reports. Fixed.
15281 CDM - Incorrect Lead-In/Out applied to legacy defined toolpaths. Fixed.
15351 Lathe Diameter Pocketing - When Bi-Directional is switched on, Check Fixed.
Clearance Angle should be inactive.
15416 Text - Cannot delete individual letters directly. Fixed.
15449 Test - Nesting - Order Toolpaths in Nested Sheet - ALPHACAM stops Fixed.
working.
15508 Status Bar is incorrect when using window selection. Fixed.
15547 Message Bar - Turn off as default. Switch back on using
Ribbon Bar
Customisation Options.
15724 Automation Manager - API - Function Fixed - Event will be
AutomationManagerBeforeOutputNc(OutputFilePath As String) As called even if a post
String gives empty OutputFilePath. processor is not defined.

15762 Nesting - Overlapping parts when nesting parts with small toolpaths in Fixed.
open pockets.
15779 Nesting - Possibility to select a Z level geometry and just its own Fixed.
toolpath (multiple geometry per operation). Need to right-click
update operations.
15801 Sawing - Toolpath moves after update. New work plane created. Fixed.
15820 NC Output - Incorrect NC when previous ops are hidden. Fixed.
16000 Simulation - Send to simulator - Tool holder is no longer sent. Fixed.
16095 Nesting - Geometries - 'Invalid Part' for no apparent reason. Fixed - Parts now nest.
16096 Wire - Auto Work Volume - Fails to compile. Fixed.
16128 Nesting - Geometry inside two or more other geometries is not Fixed.
detected as an aperture.
16188 Incorrect Lead-In/Out applied to Legacy defined toolpaths using Fixed.
Overlap.
16231 Feature Extraction dialog - Drillable hole restrictions are incorrectly Fixed.
disabled.
16378 Lathe - Roughing - Incomplete toolpath on internal area. Fixed.
16405 Machining - Z Contour Roughing - Crash with Prismatic Machining Fixed.
option.
16414 Text - F Keys not working on user defined text. Fixed.
16447 Cut Spline / Polyline - Crashes if two instances of ALPHACAM process Fixed - Multiple
at the same time. processes supported.
16460 GUI - Drill / Machine Holes - Image string $1266 is used for Dwell Time Fixed.
and Peck Distance.
16463 Feature Extraction Configuration - Defaults are changed by running Fixed.
Automation Manager.
16466 GUI - Incorrect Images for Waveform. Fixed.
16523 Nesting - Toolpaths / Toolpaths and Geometries - Invalid parts caused Fixed.
by common toolpath.
16535 Nesting - True Shape - Overlapping parts caused by common toolpath. Fixed.
16674 Automation Manager - CDM - CSV Import - '.' decimal in door style Fixed.
name causes import to fail.
17002 Z-Contour Roughing Waveform Helix Diameter - Improve tooltip. New Tool Tips.
17143 Automation Manager - Errors reported when inserting fittings if the Fixed.
Datum Geometry is invisible.
Appendix A - API Improvements in ALPHACAM 2020
Feature Extraction – Load and Save settings, Show Dialog, and new properties
ALPHACAM 2020.0 introduces the ability to create, load and save files containing the Feature Extraction options for Solid
Models. These files have a .afex file extension. Two new methods have been added to the SolidExtraction2 API object to
load and save these files. A method has been added to show the Feature Extraction dialog using the settings in the
SolidExtraction2 object and, finally, a few properties have been added to set and get previously unavailable properties.
SolidExtraction2.LoadExtractionSettings(FilePath As String)
FilePath should be an absolute path to an existing .afex file previously saved by ALPHACAM. The settings read from this
file will be put in this instance of the SolidExtraction2 object.
SolidExtraction2.SaveExtractionSettings(FilePath As String)
FilePath should be an absolute path including the .afex extension where the settings file will be written. If a file already
exists at this location, it will be overwritten.
SolidExtraction2.ShowExtractionDialog()
Show the Feature Extraction dialog using the values stored in the SolidExtraction2 object.
SolidExtraction2.SameSourceSelection As Boolean
When the Contour Source and Drillable Holes Source are both set to the same manual selection type (e.g.
FeatureSelectedBodiesExtracted), this property controls whether the same selected entities will be used for both
Contour and Drillable Hole Extraction or if the user will be asked to pick, possibly different, source entities for each
extraction type.
SolidExtraction2.RunContourQuery As Boolean
Property to control whether a geometry query is run on the results of the Contour extraction.
SolidExtraction2.ContourQuery As String
The filename of the geometry query to run on the results of the Contour extraction.
SolidExtraction2.RunDrillableHoleQuery As Boolean
Property to control whether a geometry query is run on the results of the Drillable Hole extraction.
SolidExtraction2.DrillableHoleQuery As String
The filename of the geometry query to run on the results of the Drillable Hole extraction.
SolidExtraction2.MaxDrillDiameter As Double
Circular features larger than this diameter are extracted as contours rather than holes. This property replaces
SolidExtraction2.MaxDrill which is now deprecated. The original MaxDrill property would treat ‘set’ values as a diameter
but would return values as a radius (i.e. half of the ‘set’ value). MaxDrillDiameter will always set and return a diameter
and, therefore, behaves more consistently.
Note: You need to add a reference to “Alphacam Feature Extraction” in your VBA project before you can use these
functions.
Example
Private Sub LoadExtraction(Filename As String)
' Get the SolidFeatures interface
Dim SF As SolidFeatures
Set SF = App.ActiveDrawing.SolidInterface
Dim SE As SolidExtraction2
Set SE = SF.SolidExtraction2
' Load an existing settings file

SE.LoadAlignmentSettings Filename
' Check the settings
Debug.Print "*******************************"
Debug.Print "Contour Settings"
Debug.Print "----------------"
SE.FeatureExtractionMode = FeatureExtractionModeContour
Debug.Print "FindContours=" & SE.FindContours
Debug.Print "Source=" & SE.Source
Debug.Print "Orientation=" & SE.Orientation
Debug.Print "SameSourceSelection=" & SE.SameSourceSelection
Debug.Print "ExtractFaces=" & SE.ExtractContourOnWP
Debug.Print "RemoveDuplicates=" & SE.RemoveDuplicateContourOnWP
Debug.Print "FromFacesSelection=" & SE.FromFacesSelection
Debug.Print "FromFacesOptimisePlanes=" & SE.FromFacesOptimisePlanes
Debug.Print "FromFacesExtractSBOutline=" & SE.FromFacesExtractSolidBodyOutline
Debug.Print "Tolerance=" & SE.Tolerance
Debug.Print "Step=" & SE.Step
Debug.Print "AddLevels=" & SE.AddLevels
Debug.Print "OpenAirPocket=" & SE.OpenAirPocket
Debug.Print "RunContourQuery=" & SE.RunContourQuery
Debug.Print "ContourQuery=" & SE.ContourQuery
Debug.Print "Drillable Hole Settings"
Debug.Print "-----------------------"
SE.FeatureExtractionMode = FeatureExtractionModeDrillHole
Debug.Print "FindHoles=" & SE.FindDrillHoles
Debug.Print "Source=" & SE.Source
Debug.Print "Orientation=" & SE.Orientation
Debug.Print "ExtractFaces=" & SE.ExtractDrillableHoleOnWP
Debug.Print "RemoveDuplicates=" & SE.RemoveDuplicateDrillableHoleOnWP
Debug.Print "OptimisePlanes=" & SE.OptimisePlanes
Debug.Print "ConcentricZ=" & SE.ConcentricZLevels
Debug.Print "IncludePartialHoles=" & SE.IncludePartialHoles
Debug.Print "PartialAngle=" & SE.PartialAngle
Debug.Print "LimitThroughHoles=" & SE.LimitThroughHoles
Debug.Print "RadialHolesAsCAxis=" & SE.RadialHolesAsCAxis
Debug.Print "MaxDrillDiameter=" & SE.MaxDrillDiameter
Debug.Print "RunHoleQuery=" & SE.RunDrillableHoleQuery
Debug.Print "HoleQuery=" & SE.DrillableHoleQuery
' Run extraction
SF.AutoExtract2 SE
App.ActiveDrawing.RedrawShadedViews
End Sub
Private Sub CreateAndSaveExtraction(Filename As String)
Dim SE As SolidExtraction2
Set SE = SF.SolidExtraction2
' Show the extraction dialog
SE.ShowExtractionDialog
' Save a settings file with the extraction options
' that were set in the dialog.
SE.SaveExtractionSettings Filename
End Sub
Z Contour Roughing – Use Boundaries and Auto-Update Material from Previous Operation
Use the following methods for enabling Auto-Update Material from Previous Operation when creating a 3D roughing
toolpath and Use Boundaries for adding boundaries to the operation.
MillDataMachiningEngine. SetContainment(Paths As Paths)

Will add paths in collection as boundaries to the operation.
MillDataMachiningEngine.UseAutoUpdateMaterial As Boolean
If true, uses Auto-Associate material from previous operation. Otherwise, another material selection method is used.
Example
Sub Roughing()
Dim md As MillData
' Select a tool
App.SelectTool App.LicomdatPath & "licomdat\mtools.alp\flat - 10mm.amt"
' Set Milldata parameters

Set md = App.CreateMillData
md.SafeRapidLevel = 25
md.RapidDownTo = 10
md.MaxDepthPerCut = 5
md.SurfaceMCAxisType = acamAxis3
md.SurfaceMCAction = acamSurfaceMCActionROUGHING
' Select all solids

Dim solidpart As solidpart
For Each solidpart In App.ActiveDrawing.SolidParts
solidpart.Selected = True
Next solidpart
Dim MDME As MillDataMachiningEngine

Set MDME = md.MillDataMachiningEngine
' Select Roughing and Auto Update material

MDME.FinishingStrategy = 7
MDME.UseAutoUpdateMaterial = True
' Select Boundaries

Dim Boundaries As Paths
Set Boundaries = App.ActiveDrawing.CreatePathCollection
Boundaries.Add App.ActiveDrawing.UserSelectOneGeo("Select a boundary")
MDME.SetContainment Boundaries
' Select a material

Dim materialsObj As AlphacamObjects
Set materialsObj = App.ActiveDrawing.CreateAlphacamObjectsCollection
Dim p As Path
For Each p In App.ActiveDrawing.Geometries
If (p.Attribute("LicomUKDMBStockType") = 1) Then
materialsObj.Add p
Exit For
End If
Next p
MDME.SetMaterials materialsObj
MDME.MachineSolid
End Sub
Feature Alignment – Load and Save settings

ALPHACAM 2020.0 introduces the ability to create, load and save files containing the Alignment options for Solid Models.
These files have a .afaa file extension. Two new methods have been added to the SolidFeatures API object to load and
save these files. An additional method has been added that can be used to show a single page of the Feature
Configuration dialog (e.g. Alignment page only).
SolidFeatures.LoadAlignmentSettings(FilePath As String)
FilePath should be an absolute path to an existing .afaa file previously saved by ALPHACAM. The settings read from this
file will become the current alignment options that will be used by future calls to SolidBody.AutoAlign or
SolidBodies.AutoAlign.
SolidFeatures.SaveAlignmentSettings(FilePath As String)
FilePath should be an absolute path including the .afaa extension where the settings file will be written. If a file already
exists at this location, it will be overwritten.
SolidFeatures.ShowConfigureDialogPage(Page As FeatureConfigureDialogActivePage)
Show the Feature Configure dialog with just the page / tab specified. The existing ShowConfigureDialog method allows
you to pick the active page but all pages will be in the dialog.
Note: You need to add a reference to “Alphacam Feature Extraction” in your VBA project before you can use these
functions.
Example
Private Sub LoadAlignment(Filename As String)
' Get the SolidFeatures interface
' Load an existing settings file
SF.LoadAlignmentSettings Filename
' Check the settings
Debug.Print "AlignOnImport=" & SF.AlignOnImport
Debug.Print "UseLatheAlignment=" & SF.UseLatheAlign
Debug.Print "UsePanelAlignment=" & SF.UsePanelAlignment
Debug.Print "AlignOnXAxis=" & SF.AlignLongestEdgeWithXAxis
Debug.Print "DatumX=" & SF.AlignDatumX
Debug.Print "DatumY=" & SF.AlignDatumY
Debug.Print "DatumZ=" & SF.AlignDatumZ
' Auto align all solid bodies in the drawing
SF.Bodies.AutoAlign
App.ActiveDrawing.RedrawShadedViews
End Sub
Private Sub CreateAndSaveAlignment(Filename As String)

' Show the alignment page only of the configure dialog
SF.ShowConfigureDialogPage FeatureConfigureDialogAlign
' Save a settings file with the alignment options
' that were set in the dialog.
SF.SaveAlignmentSettings Filename
End Sub
Machines – Load, Save and Clear active machine

New API methods have been added to control the active machine in ALPHACAM.
Drawing.LoadMachine(FilePath As String)
FilePath should be an absolute path to an existing machine configuration file previously saved by ALPHACAM. If
successful, this machine will become the active machine.
Drawing.SaveMachine(FilePath As String)
FilePath should be an absolute path including the file extension indicating where the machine configuration file will be
written. If a file already exists at this location, it will be overwritten.
Drawing.ClearMachine
Remove the current active machine if there is one and reset the machine configuration options.
Example
Public Sub ChangeMachine()
' Save the current machine
App.ActiveDrawing.SaveMachine "C:\Alphacam\LicomDAT\RMachines.alp\backup.armc"
' Clear machine
' This step isn't necessary, we could just load the new machine
App.ActiveDrawing.ClearMachine
' Load a new machine
App.ActiveDrawing.LoadMachine "C:\Alphacam\LICOMDAT\RMachines.Alp\5 Axis Flat Bed
Router.armc"
MsgBox "Restore original machine"
App.ActiveDrawing.LoadMachine "C:\Alphacam\LicomDAT\RMachines.alp\backup.armc"
End Sub
Automation Manager – New events fired before and after processing a part
The existing AutomationManagerBeforePartMachining and AutomationManagerAfterPartMachining have been improved
with a new version of the AutomationManagerJobFile information.
Public Sub AutomationManagerBeforeJobFileMachining (AutomationManagerJob As AutomationManagerJob,

AutomationManagerConfigurationSetting As AutomationManagerConfigurationSetting, AutomationManagerSetup As
AutomationManagerSetup, AutomationManagerJobFile As AutomationManagerJobFile)
Event will be fired before any JobFile is processed.
Public Sub AutomationManagerAfterJobFileMachining (AutomationManagerJob As AutomationManagerJob,

AutomationManagerConfigurationSetting As AutomationManagerConfigurationSetting, AutomationManagerSetup As
Event will be fired after any JobFile is processed.
Example 1
Public Sub AutomationManagerBeforeJobFileMachining AutomationManagerJob As
AutomationManagerJob, AutomationManagerConfigurationSetting As
AutomationManagerConfigurationSetting, AutomationManagerSetup As
Debug.Print "AutomationManagerBeforeJobFileMachining"
Debug.Print "------------------------------------"
Debug.Print
Debug.Print "Job Name: " & AutomationManagerJob.JobName

Debug.Print "Config: " &
AutomationManagerConfigurationSetting.ConfigurationSettingName
Debug.Print "Setup: " & AutomationManagerSetup.SetupName
Debug.Print "JobFile: " & AutomationManagerJobFile.FileName
Debug.Print
End Sub
Example 2
Public Sub AutomationManagerAfterJobFileMachining(AutomationManagerJob As
AutomationManagerJob, AutomationManagerConfigurationSetting As
AutomationManagerConfigurationSetting, AutomationManagerSetup As
Debug.Print "AutomationManagerAfterJobFileMachining"
Debug.Print "------------------------------------"
Debug.Print
Debug.Print "Job Name: " & AutomationManagerJob.JobName

Debug.Print "Config: " &
AutomationManagerConfigurationSetting.ConfigurationSettingName
Debug.Print "Setup: " & AutomationManagerSetup.SetupName
Debug.Print "JobFile: " & AutomationManagerJobFile.FileName
Debug.Print
End Sub
System Dat and Dir Locations

Two new properties have been added to the App object allowing the complete path to the system dat and dir locations
(licom-dat and licom-dir, respectively) to be obtained. The existing LicomdatPath and LicomdirPath properties returned
only the path to the directory containing each of the dat and dir system folders.
App.SystemDatPath As String
App.SystemDirPath As String
Example
Public Sub SystemDatAndDirLocations()
'Given that LICOMDAT is in C:\Somewhere\A\

App.SystemDatPath 'Result: C:\Somewhere\A\LICOMDAT\
App.LicomdatPath 'Result: C:\Somewhere\A\
'Given that LICOMDIR is in C:\Somewhere\B\

App.SystemDirPath 'Result: C:\Somewhere\B\LICOMDIR\
App.LicomdirPath 'Result: C:\Somewhere\B\
End Sub

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ALPHACAM 2020

Release Highlights ............................................................................................................................................... 6

Operating System Support .................................................................................................................................. 7

ALPHACAM Maintenance Expiry Date ................................................................................................................ 7

Post Processed Simulation .................................................................................................................................. 8

Automation Manager – Confirming Sheet Deletion ........................................................................................... 9

Automation Manager – Auto-Associate Sheet Results Dialog .......................................................................... 10

Automation Manager - Extra Custom fields...................................................................................................... 10

New Automation Manager wizards .................................................................................................................. 11

5 Axis Optimiser Integrated into all Core 4/5 Axis cycles.................................................................................. 14

Advanced 5-Axis upgraded to Moduleworks 2018.12 ...................................................................................... 15

Parametric Rules – Enhanced Parameter Modification .................................................................................... 17

3D Machining – Z-Contour Roughing - Helix Approach Diameter control ........................................................ 18

3D Machining – Z-Contour Roughing - User setting restrictions removed ....................................................... 18

3D Machining - Z Contour Roughing - Feed Down Distance changes ............................................................... 19

Rough/Finish - Looped Corners - New Angle Control setting ........................................................................... 20

Rough/Finish Pass – Machine Solid Faces directly ............................................................................................ 20

Cut with Disk ......................................................................................................................................................... 21

Cut with Disk – Improved Link between cuts .................................................................................................... 21

Offset Command - New Option – Keep Toolpath Associations ........................................................................ 22

Offset Command - New Keep Geometry Information Option .......................................................................... 23

Order Command – Grouped geometries can now be re-ordered .................................................................... 24

Order Command - New Option to Order Nested Parts by Intersection............................................................ 24

Reverse-side Nesting Command ....................................................................................................................... 25

Feature Extraction - Save Settings to File.......................................................................................................... 26

Sawing - New control for Minimum Length of Cut ........................................................................................... 27

Sawing - Solid Faces - New Cut Direction Control ............................................................................................. 27

Queries - Geometry Query Notes ..................................................................................................................... 28

Tool Selection - New Define Tool command button ......................................................................................... 29

File Insert and Constrained Drawings Process warning .................................................................................... 31

Profiling - Cut Between Contours - Step Length added .................................................................................... 32

User Interface ....................................................................................................................................................... 33

User Interface - Improved Appearance of certain dialogs ................................................................................ 33

Hexagon About box ........................................................................................................................................... 35

Robotic installation ........................................................................................................................................... 35

Sentinel System Driver Installer Update ........................................................................................................... 35

ALPHACAM Aspire - Updated to Version 9.5 .................................................................................................... 36

Supported CAD File Versions............................................................................................................................. 37

Maintenance Report ......................................................................................................................................... 39

Feature Alignment – Load and Save settings .................................................................................................... 46

Machines – Load, Save and Clear active machine............................................................................................. 47

System Dat and Dir Locations ........................................................................................................................... 49

Until our next Release,

-The ALPHACAM Team.

Operating System Support

ALPHACAM Maintenance Expiry Date

Post Processed Simulation

Post-processed simulation is a way to use the numbers and

Your post-processor must be improved/enhanced to support

Automation Manager – Confirming Sheet Deletion

• By any job file directly

Automation Manager – Auto-Associate Sheet Results Dialog

Automation Manager - Extra Custom fields

New Automation Manager wizards

Additionally, users can:

• Preview the Layer Mapping Setup applied to a file.

5 Axis Optimiser Integrated into all Core 4/5 Axis cycles

Advanced 5-Axis upgraded to Moduleworks 2018.12

Parametric Rules – Enhanced Parameter Modification

3D Machining – Z-Contour Roughing - Helix Approach Diameter control

These settings help to avoid collisions and finely tune the

3D Machining – Z-Contour Roughing - User setting restrictions removed

3D Machining - Z Contour Roughing - Feed Down Distance changes