Pro/TOOLMAKER 8.1 FAQs
- What's the news with this release?
- How does this release benefit the customer?
- What are some of the new capabilities in this release?
- Which languages will be available for Pro/TOOLMAKER 8.1 and when will they be available?
- Which specific products are being released at this time?
- How do I get the software?
- Are training courses available for Pro/TOOLMAKER customers?
- Are consulting services available for Pro/TOOLMAKER?
- Where can I get more information on Pro/TOOLMAKER 8.1?
What's the news with this release?
Pro/TOOLMAKER 8.1 is PTC's first global release since the acquisition of NC Graphics in May 2007. Pro/TOOLMAKER offers the power of high-speed machining for toolmaking and other precision machining applications, in a fast, easy-to-use, NC toolpath programming application. Pro/TOOLMAKER 8.1 combines the capabilities of the product formerly known as DEPOCAM with additional functionality including GPOST post-processing, Pro/ENGINEER integration, and new FLEXnet license management.
Toolmakers, manufacturing engineers and machinists can now have a comprehensive, powerful package of NC programming capabilities, including NC post-processing and tooling libraries, in a single product.
How does this release benefit the customer?
Pro/TOOLMAKER helps customers optimize toolmaking and high-speed precision machining processes.
Today’s toolmakers require best-in-class solutions in order to meet the challenging demands of their discrete manufacturing customers and compete in a global marketplace. Pro/TOOLMAKER helps you get to market faster by improving operational efficiency, and by leveraging the latest capabilities offered by high-speed precision machining technology.
With Pro/TOOLMAKER, manufacturing engineers can work with data from any CAD system, create associative NC toolpaths directly from CAD models, and leverage concurrent engineering. The result: you have the power to increase product quality, reduce scrap, and decrease production time and costs for any design.
The integration with Pro/ENGINEER enables Pro/TOOLMAKER customers to create associative NC toolpaths from a Pro/ENGINEER model. When changes are made to the part design in Pro/ENGINEER, Pro/TOOLMAKER automatically detects these changes and can instantly update the corresponding NC toolpath. This improves design quality by ensuring that the NC toolpath matches the part design even if changes have been made, reduces errors from data transfer between applications, and saves time.
What are some of the capabilities and benefits in this release?
- Quickly computes efficient, reliable toolpaths for even the most complex geometries, with highest-quality surface finishes
- Delivers all high-speed precision machining processes in a single product:
- High-speed machining strategies, optimized approach, exit and connections for roughing, rest-roughing, finishing, rest milling and more
- Support for 3+2 machining (5-axis positioning)
- Complete gouge protection on tool and holder geometry
- Tooling library with material/feed/speed/cutting conditions
- Provides in-process stock models to visualize the part after each machining step and to optimize subsequent toolpaths
- Includes GPOST, for creating and updating post-processors for any type of CNC machine
- New Pro/ENGINEER integration provides associativity between Pro/TOOLMAKER toolpaths and the original Pro/ENGINEER data
- New FLEXnet license management eliminates the need for physical dongles to run the software
- Multi-threaded architecture saves time: multi-processor, dual core support and hyper-threading computes toolpaths faster and allows you to continue working in Pro/TOOLMAKER while toolpaths are calculated in the background
- Extends tool life and reduces wear on machines with its optimized toolpaths, feed-rate optimization, and anti-vibration capabilities
When will the release be available and which specific products are being released at this time?
The release is scheduled for availability in August 2007.* The following products will be available for purchase:
- Pro/TOOLMAKER
- Pro/TOOLMAKER Interface for CATIA v4
- Pro/TOOLMAKER Interface for CATIA v5
Which languages will be available for Pro/TOOLMAKER 8.1 and when will they be available?
Pro/TOOLMAKER will be available in all 9 languages that PTC supports. The language versions for Pro/TOOLMAKER 8.1 will be available as follows:
- August 2007 English, German, French, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
- September 2007 Korean
- CY Q4 2007 Italian and Spanish*
How do I get the software?
To purchase Pro/TOOLMAKER, please contact a PTC sales representative or a local Value Added Reseller. Existing DEPOCAM customers on maintenance can upgrade to Pro/TOOLMAKER free of charge by contacting their PTC or Value Added Reseller sales representative.
Are training courses available for Pro/TOOLMAKER customers?
There is an instructor-led onsite training course and a Web-based training course available for Pro/TOOLMAKER customers. The most up-to-date list can be found on PTC.com.
In addition, a complete tutorial is included with Pro/TOOLMAKER 8.1.
Are consulting services available for Pro/TOOLMAKER?
Yes, there are consulting services for Pro/TOOLMAKER. Please contact your PTC or Value Added Reseller sales representative for details.
Where can I get more information on Pro/TOOLMAKER 8.1?
For more information on Pro/TOOLMAKER and this latest release please visit the Pro/TOOLMAKER product page at www.ptc.com/go/protoolmaker.
*The timing of any product release, including any features or functionality, is subject to change at PTC's discretion.
