Program and machine any thread using standard turning tools, directly from your web browser!
WebClient Overview
ThreadTracer WebClient runs in any modern web browser and enables programming setup and generating G-code for machining in your browser.
Ideal solution if your shop uses ESPRIT, NX CAM, HyperMill, MasterCAM or any other CAM system that struggle with difficult or complex threads.
Built upon the ThreadTracer plugin for GibbsCAM, and uses the identical method for building and machining parameter driven thread profiles.
All geometry for tool, thread profile, stock and visual toolpaths is rendered realtime using GPU-accelerated vector graphics.
Provides a 2D CAM like environment with zoom and pan and many helpful visuals. A 1:1 scale of the tool and profile can be helpful when setting cut depths and stepovers.
Supports programming upto 8 different thread profiles simultaneously, useful for large cable hoist drums with sets of multiple groove helixes.
Simulation of the generated G-code for threading can be started directly from the G-code output window.
Webclient Screenshots
WebClient Project Examples
Below are some project examples of different thread setups you can open and see how it works with different profiles and insert types
The interface uses a main - Do It - button to run and calculate current setup, you can toggle on/off Roughing ▒ and Finishing █ with the two buttons on the right
Green is enabled, Grey is disabled.
Webclient opens in a new tab
WebClient Features
Construct any threadprofile using parametric variables.
Set fillet or chamfer size on any of the 4 corner features, supports mixing fillets and chamfers of any size for complex geometries.
Use any standard turning tool to machine any thread, choose from any size grooving insert, button insert or ISO diamond inserts (V-35, D-55 and C-80 degree)
ISO diamont inserts can be oriented for standard turning holders, pointing left, right or straight down.
Multiple presetter offset points, to choose where tool Z zero is.
Calculates required spindle RPM based on given required surface speed and thread diameter.
Set surface roughness for finish in Ra, calculates required teoretical stepover on finish passes.
Build your own post processors for machines with Fanuc controller, Mazak, Okuma, etc.
A seperate template based post processor supports generating complete threading cycles for Heidenhain, Siemens Sinumeric and similar controllers.
Seperate Inch and Metric mode for programming and posting G-Code.
2D CAM-interface supports setup alignment as a horizontal cnc lathe or vertical cnc lathe (VTL)
Built-in stock modeling by setting up a parametric profile, or import a DXF drawing from your CAM system and use as stock for better visualization while programming the thread.
Support for zoom and pan with SpaceMouse from 3Dconnexion
Built-in Thread Standards
All built-in thread standards will autocalculate the (max/min) of major diameter, minor diameter, flat root width, and fillets according to the thread spesifications. Values used are always center tolerance by default.
The thread calculator needs a nominal diameter, TPI and tolerance class.
Supported standards :
Acme thread (ASME B1.5)
Stub Acme thread (ASME B1.8)
Trapezoidal Metric threads (ISO 2903 and DIN 30295)
Knuckle Threads (DIN20400 and DIN405)
Buttress threads (American Buttress ANSI B1.9-1973, British Standard 1657 and DIN 513)
Freeform mode allows for setting all profile parameters, allows constructing virtually any threadshape and machine with a standard turning tool.
Toolpath Features
Gouge detection - Will alert and prevent any tool with wrong parameters. Alerts if a tool will not fit in the profile (too wide) or if the tool shape intersects with the thread profile.
Adaptive Roughing - Dynamically adapts depth of cut for rounded threads, ideal for large rope threads and cable drums and gives a better surface finish.
Multiple strategies for rough machining. Bidirectional cutting patterns will fully utilize both cutting edges of the insert.
Adaptive Finishing - Dynamically adapts denser stepover for finer surface finish around fillets.
No Drag option for finish passes, option for finish passes over entire crest surface and flip the direction of finish passes.
Supports synchronized Run-in and Run-Out, very advantageous for threads with a large pitch or lead. Also enables smooth transitions in and out of the material if thread is positioned in between features.
Supports setting any tapered slope on external and internal threads. (eg. NPT,API type threads)
Toolpath Run-In and Run-Out
Run In values can be used if the tool needs to enter the material a certain distance away from the actual thread start in order to create a smooth syncronized entry.
Run-Out values allow you to designate a distance and angle for the tool to make a syncronized exit out of the thread and function the same as the Run-In values.
Syncronized entry and exit are often required to machine rope threads for hoist cable drums.
G-code Simulation
Simulation of threads can be done after posting the G-code. The simulation runs seperately and renders the from the posted G-code. (G-code simulation)
Accurate Machining stats
Machining Runtime shows the calculated estimated time for machining, and uses the surface speed and thread diameter to calculate runtime for all Roughing and Finishing passes.
ThreadTracer WebClient Account
A free account is required to access and setup the post processor.
After creating your free account, you can access the post processor setup and create your machine post to produce G-code.
Without logging in to a free account, you can use the webclient as much as you want and program any thread profile, but without access to post any G-code.
All posts processors you create are saved under your account and always available when you log in. Your can create as many different posts for machines you want.
All free accounts can program and post g-code for any Acme and Stub Acme thread. (any Nominal, tolerance class or TPI)
Creating an account is done inside the webclient. After entering a username, password and email you can login immediately.
If you choose to purcase a license for this webclient, payment options are available directly in the Login tab.
If you have any questions or if anything is unclear, dont hesitate to email me :
ThreadTracer WebClient is free to use for programming and post G-code for machining any ACME and STUB ACME threads with standard turning inserts.
Webclient opens in a new tab
For more possibilities with programming different thread profiles, consider purchasing a license for ThreadTracer WebClient.
It might be required to do a hard refresh (Ctrl + F5) in the webclient and force your browser to bypass its cache and reload to get the latest update.
Changelog
5.0.30
Improved setup for thread standards. Selecting a thread spec now show an expanded window with tolarance table of Major,Pitch and Minor diameters (max/min)
Added more thread standards, Knuckle Threads (DIN20400/DIN405), Trapezoidal (DIN30295) and Buttress (BS1657/DIN513/ANSI B1.9)
The thread calculators for all the included standards have a realtime graphic preview of the profile (w zoom/pan)
5.0.28
Added support for custom entry and retract, lets you guide the threading tool to its destination surface with a series of points.
Improved setting up custom stock. Place points for the workpiece coordinated with mouse.
Added VTL configuration for NC-SIM.
5.0.26
Support for multiple threads per setup. Its possible to program upto 8 threads onto same workpiece. Primary useage for cable & hoist drums with multiple righthand and lefthand cable grooves.
Implemented a built-in helix calculator for quickly setting up helix revolutions based on centerpoints. Helpful for grooves for cable & hoist drums.
Support for simulating threads with variable pitch. NC-SIM picks up K value directly from G-code.
Fixed zoom-to-mouse in canvas.
5.0.24
Added collision detection in NC-SIM. Visual coloring if any rapid moves enters material.
Added Wave chipbreaker, applies oscillating movements for threading passes in order to break chips during machining.
Overall improvements, better performance and general cleanup.
Added Spacemouse detection in NC-SIM.
5.0.22
ThreadTracer NC-SIM. New G-code simulator with orthographic projection. Simulates all threads.
5.0.21
Better number inputs, detect , and . when using numeric keyboard, improved inline math and added support to convert numbers to metric<->inch directly in the input field. (m and i key)
Fixed, Surface speed and taper angle was not stored between sessions.
5.0.20
Fix in comment line information in G-code output when in inch mode.
5.0.19
added support for tapered threads, taper is set as a radial slope and not direct angle so for an NPT taper, set as 1/32 or 0,03125 = 1.7899 degrees.
added hotkeys F1-F8 to switch tabs, and Z key to reverse scrollwheel zoom direction.
5.0.18
added custom header and footer fields for ISO post processors.
added support for 3Dconnexion Spacemouse.
5.0.17
added Import of ThreadTracer settings from GibbsCAM.
added Adaptive Finishing with sliders for angle threshold, curve desnity and look-ahead.
improved finishing logic.
added No Drag toggle for finishing.
added Reverse Finish Direction for finishing.
added Run In and Run Out.
added Full Profile Exit.
performance speedup on rendering workscreen.
5.0.15
added toggle for VTL orientation (toggle between vertical and horizontal machine view).
fix correct RPM output in template post processor.
