ThreadTracer runs seamlessly in GibbsCAM and takes advantage of all advanced features in the GibbsCAM environment.
Plugin Features in GibbsCAM :
Supports machining of any thread on any spindle with any toolgroup available in GibbsCAM.
Simulate and verify all material removal in GibbsCAM before sending to machining.
Realtime Tool Monitor that warns about tool gouging against the thread profile while programming the thread.
Fast setup time, calculates complete dimensional and tolerance data of the most common ISO/DIN/ASME thread standards.
Post all G-code for custom threads with your current, well-known GibbsCAM post-processor.
Advantages for machining large or custom threads :
Easy machining of large 1-3 TPI threads on weaker and less rigid machine tools.
Allows machining of threads outside the standard sizes of tool manufacturers.
Eliminate the risk of chatter in difficult machining conditions with a smaller contact area between tool insert and material.
Prevents the large cutting forces required with full-form thread tools and gives you better control over surface finish and dimensional accuracy.
Multiple strategies for rough machining. Bidirectional cutting patterns will fully utilize both cutting edges of the insert.
Adaptive Roughing - Dynamically adapts depth of cut for rounded threads, ideal for large rope threads and cable drums. (read more here)
Automatically apply Blunt Start and Quick Start threads with a mouseclick. Removes the first incomplete thread and almost eliminates all deburring.
Fully utilize Millturn machining centers with B-axis to set the tool insert in any angle for complex thread setups.
Machine multistart threads without offsetting start points. A built-in post-processor can output G-code for multistart threads in tight places.
Optional built-in chipbreaker can be applied to toolpath for machining threads in long-chipping materials, like different plastics, titanium, aluminum, etc.
Machine any thread defined in ThreadTracer behind a feature or around an obstacle with a custom Entry & Retract
Define multiple thread surfaces to enable synchronization of a lefthand and righthand rope thread on a cable drum.
ThreadTracer can also generate milling toolpaths for any thread using standard milling cutters. (read more here)
Do the complete thread with general purpose turning inserts. Use multiple inserts and sizes on the same thread. Use standard grooving inserts, diamond tools or button type inserts.
What you see is what you get. See all the roughing and finishing cuts drawn as 1:1 scale geometry on-screen, zoom in and see how the tool will traverse along the thread profile.
True theoretical surface roughness calculation (Ra) for finishing passes, the stepover distance for all finishing cuts are dynamically calculated and adjusted based on tool insert data.
Finishing passes automatically follows the thread shape along the positive insert angle direction. Similar to the 'No Drag' contouring option.
Option to apply Blunt Start and Quick Start threads with a mouseclick. ( read more details here )
ThreadTracer can calculate toolpaths for machining Blunt Starts to any thread. Alot of customization and adjustability available.
Blunt starts are done with the same tool as for machining the thread itself. Machines an exceptional finish to the first incomplete thread and almost eliminates all deburring.
Use your already well-known GibbsCAM post processors to create all CNC code, which eliminates the need to copy and paste G-code from other sources.
NC Tracer - Internal post-processor as an alternative and can post all G-Code for threading and holds presets for upto 10 different machine tool configurations.
This internal post-processor will output configurable G-Code and enables machining of threads on machines without a GibbsCAM post-processor.
Supports multistart threads with Q parameter for startangle, allows for cutting multistart threads from the same startpoint.
Tooltip Gouge Protection (optional) - Checks the toolpath against the cutting portion of the tool and the thread profile to ensure gouge-free toolpaths.
Monitors if the tool is too large or inappropriate for the thread profile, and will display warnings on-screen and highlights what failed and suggests corrections.
Accurate estimation of cycle times with all feed and rapid moves to machine the thread. Useful for planning run-times and quoting jobs with large or custom threads.
Full freeform mode, allow threading of virtually any shape of thread, any square, triangular, trapezoidal and rounded forms.
Opens all parameters of the thread profile to changes, set any radius or flank angle, negative flank angle, straight flank angle.
Customers who purchased ThreadTracer quickly earned back the investment in saved programming time alone.
Project Management - Loading and Saving ThreadTracer setups
ThreadTracer can store all info about the current thread, dimensions, tool, cut sizes, cut strategy, ie a snapshot of the whole current setup into the GibbsCAM program itself.
The complete setup can then be loaded back at any time. As everything is stored inside the GibbsCAM program, we eliminate keeping track of multiple files and filetypes for the same job.
ThreadTracer - Built in Thread Standards
The plugin is built around different modules to minimize the user interface and not clutter the screen with multiple input boxes and dropdown menus.
Each module is for one thread type or style, and the user interface have individual colors to identify the thread style.
Acme Screw Thread (ASME B1.5)
Acme threads needs only the Nominal and TPI to set up the machining diameters, the plugin will calculate these automaticly and by default set the Major and Minor to mean values.
All the diameters can be freely adjusted, as long as its within the max/min value. For Acme there is 2G,3G & 4G tolerance classes available.
Acme Screw Thread is included in the free full version of ThreadTracerLITE.
Stub Acme Screw Thread (ASME B1.8)
Stub Acme threads needs only the Nominal and TPI to set up the machining diameters, the plugin will calculate these automaticly and by default set the Major and Minor to mean values.
All the diameters can be freely adjusted, as long as its within the max/min value. For Stub Acme there is 2G,3G & 4G tolerance classes available.
Stub Acme Screw Thread is included in the free full version of ThreadTracerLITE.
Trapezoidal Screw Thread (ISO 2903 & ISO 30295)
Metric Trapezoidal threads needs only the Nominal and Pitch to set up the machining diameters, the plugin will calculate these automaticly and by default set the Major and Minor to mean values.
All the diameters can be freely adjusted, as long as its within the max/min value. For Metric Trapezoidal there is 7c-8c-9c and 7e-8e-9e tolerance classes available for external threads,
and 7H-8H-9H tolerance classes available for internal threads.
DIN 30295 have no tolerance classes, it supplies max & min values for Major,Pitch and Minor diameters.
Metric Trapezoidal threads is included in the purchased full version of ThreadTracer.
Buttress Screw Thread (ASME B1.9 & British Standard 1657 & Custom Option)
Buttress threads needs a Major diameter for external thread or the Minor dia for internal threads, and TPI to set up the machining diameters.
Both ANSI B1.9 and BS 1657 will get the correct thread height and flat root width and root radius according to the specification.
Buttress Screw Threads is included in the purchased full version of ThreadTracer.
Knuckle Screw Thread (DIN 405 & DIN 20400)
Knuckle threads needs only the Nominal and TPI/Pitch to set up the machining diameters, the plugin will calculate these automaticly and by default set the Major and Minor to mean values.
All the diameters can be freely adjusted, as long as its within the max/min value. For DIN 405 all the available tolerance classes are available with dropdown menus.
Knuckle threads is included in the purchased full version of ThreadTracer.
