Gibbs and Associates, Kubotek Create New CAM Interface

28 Oct, 2007

Link allows users to send models from a KeyCreator session directly to GibbsCAM.

Gibbs and Associates and Kubotek USA have partnered to develop a link between Kubotek's KeyCreator CAD/CAM software and the GibbsCAM computer-aided manufacturing system for programming CNC machine tools. The newly developed interface reportedly allows models to be sent directly to GibbsCAM from within a KeyCreator session with the touch of a button. GibbsCAM also now can read models directly from the KeyCreator CKD file format.

"So many CAD companies view their products from a design-only perspective, without regard to CAM or an understanding of the manufacturing process," said Robert Bean, executive vice-president of Kubotek USA. "Kubotek USA embraces the manufacturing engineer, looking through their eyes at their problems with real solutions for what they need to get accomplished ? making parts. KeyCreator is a power tool for manufacturing engineering."

KeyCreator allows users to translate a design, suppress features of the design, and prepare shop-floor documentation. As a result of the partnership, in-process shapes and any geometry needed to support CAM can be sent directly to GibbsCAM.

"In order to stay current with the latest versions of CAD applications, we continually update GibbsCAM's data interoperability capabilities," said Bill Gibbs, president of Gibbs and Associates. "KeyCreator is an excellent PC-based design tool, but the capabilities introduced with the latest version of KeyCreator are directly applicable to manufacturing users. Using KeyCreator's feature discovery and manipulation technology, manufacturers can better prepare the design model for machining. The GibbsCAM/KeyCreator combination really makes for a cost-effective, yet extremely powerful product development solution."

Added Peter McCutchen, Kubotek USA's vice-president of strategic partnerships, "GibbsCAM users can be more efficient using KeyCreator. Now, anyone running GibbsCAM can take full advantage of the features and functionality of KeyCreator with either a simple, one-button transfer or direct read capability. Load them both up on the same PC, then modify CAD designs prior to passing it to GibbsCAM to create machining process and toolpath. It's that easy. If you operate GibbsCAM, you need KeyCreator."