Enhancement for Advanced Entry & Retract, keeps a copy of the last valid point guided toolpath. If by mistake, wrong points are selected it asks to use the previous valid one instead.
Enhancement for license files, accepts filename "xxxxxxxxx_key128.mac" for easier management if you have multiple licenses. ( 'xxxxxxxxx' will be your GibbCAM seat id number )
Enhancement for license files, if keyfile with the new naming are detected, it can be copied permanently to your Windows system, and therefore always be detected when installing updates.
New registration system are available directly from the plugin, and launches default browser directly to your unique license page.
New login system for ThreadTracer licenses (19.12.2023)
There have been setup a new registration system to make it easier to manage downloads for licenses with maintenance.
Every license will be made to have its own "account" with its own seperate page with details.
A license will have its own download location on its page, where keyfile(s) will always be located.
A license with valid maintenance will have the latest updates available for download from its own page.
Every license will have their own random generated login credentials. Once logged in you can set a recovery email to get your login information if forgotten.
ThreadTracer v4.39 (19.11.2023)
Fixed some issues with workgroups and GibbsCAM 2024
Fix For Advanced Entry & Retract, it now correctly draws a visual toolpath in its own workgroup when using point guided toolpaths.
Added information into the window title to make it less confusing when using point guided toolpaths. Number of Entry points, Thread Points and Retract points only shown when a point guided toolpath is active.
ThreadTracer v4.37 (02.10.2023)
Fixed an old error occuring when posting with NC Tracer without running any pre-calculations.
Improved pointcloud export to the updated MillTracer v2.0
Fixed errors related to running ThreadTracer in milling setups (milling MDD). For using ThreadTracer/MillTracer without a lathe setup in GibbsCAM.
Removed 'Save Data' button as everything is stored better into operations.
Improved 'Get From OP' for Trapezoidal threads/operations.
MillTracer v2.00 (24.09.2023)New version
Improved and refined interface. Tool, machining and operation parameters have their own settings in seperate tabs.
Rewritten faster internal toolpath generation, uses one operation for all the passes required to machine the thread.
Updated version available for download here : MillTracer page
ThreadTracer v4.35 (26.08.2023)
Added : Uses new WG category feature introduced in GibbsCAM 2023, and creates and uses its own category for all created WorkGroups (works on GibbsCAM 2024 and up)
WorkGroups created by ThreadTracer was modified hold info to support multiple threads on the same part.
Added : New setting in the 'Tooling' tab for vertical lathes and orients tools correctly if your machine/MDD is set up as a VTL. Select to choose horizontal lathe or vertical lathe.
Fixed : Issue with button tool creation and button tool visuals.
License Agreement window was adjusted to only popup every 10 runs if running GibbsCAM 2022 or higher.
Added : Advanced Entry & Retract feature.
Advanced Entry & Retract is a new feature that allows you to machine any thread defined in ThreadTracer behind a feature or around an obstacle.
Advanced Entry & Retract lets you guide the threading tool to its destination surface with a series of points that will be used in sequential order as an entry toolpath with G32/G33 movements.
The thread geometry and all thread form coordinates can then be positioned outside the part and run along the entry points and around any obstacle while keeping the spindle and threading tool synchronized.
All retract points are outputted as G0 rapid moves, while the defined entry points and points for thread surfaces are outputted as G32/G33 moves, using any GibbsCAM post processor.
Download available if you purchased a license within last 12 months or purchased a license with maintenance --> ThreadTracer Downloads <-- (requires login credentials)
If you need updated login credentials, please email me.
ThreadTracer v4.35, Workgroup organisation :
ThreadTracer v4.35, Tooling tab, selection for Horizontal or Vertical lathe :
Advanced Entry & Retract, simulation of machining a custom ratchet thread behind an obstacle, allowing for a single setup to complete the part :
Advanced Entry & Retract, support for multiple thread surfaces.
In combination with the Advanced Entry & Retract feature, multiple thread surfaces can also be applied to the same operation.
This enables synchronization of for example a lefthand and righthand rope thread on a cable drum.
The tool can be set to first cut the righthand thread and move to the position for lefthand thread and cut the lefthand thread, all while keeping the spindle synchronized.
This can be useful when its required to have both thread helixes to start and end at the same orientation on the part.
Simulation of multiple thread surfaces with the same thread operation :
SurfaceRoughness v1.20 (26.08.2023)Latest version
Minor interface fixes and adjustments to keep the metric and inches tab seperate when using 'Get From Op'. Reading from a metric operation will not affect any number in the inch tab.
To speed up workflow it now calculates surface roughness on the selected operation when launching. (Brilliant request from users)
When getting data from an operation, the interface will show what operation its using for calculating surface roughness. See updated screenshots.
Added : Set seperate thread data and settings on individual operations.
New 'Get From Op' button will read back individual settings from separate operations. Beneficial for setup and editing threads with features that require multiple operations with different settings for completion.
Reading back individual settings on operations will not only restore thread data, but also restores interface states such as 'Roughing/Finishing' checkmarks and current tab during operation creation.
Added : NC Tracer now appends a period (.) onto whole numbers as some controls require it. Currently a filter searches and apply this on X,Z and F values on each outputted line.
Fix : Corrected "Draw profile over whole thread" if machining thread distance is shorter than one pitch.
Fix : Corrected issue in run in clearance for Blunt threads, as sometimes it would output the raw threadheight as X value for clearance.
Fix : Added check in nested toolpath, sometimes in back blunting the tool was going rapid into material even with an angle run-in.
Display scaling errors on Windows 10 and Windows 11 (19.02.2023)
If the ThreadTracer window is displayed distorted and out of place, try changing the DPI scaling for the GibbsCAM executable:
1. Right click GibbsCAM icon
2. Select Show more options (on Windows 11)
3. Select Properties
4. Click Compatibility tab
5. Click "Change high DPI settings"
6. Select "Override high DPI scaling behavior and set Scaling performed by: System
7. If using Windows 11, set "Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows 8"
Close and restart GibbsCAM for the changes to take effect.
GibbsCAM on Windows 11 (13.04.2022)
Windows 11 changed its UI so all plugins needs to be updated to display correctly on Windows 11.
Updates for ThreadTracer and other plugins are being worked on and will be available shortly.
MillBlunt v2.0 (24.03.2022)
Rework of the entire plugin. New features to greatly improve workflow.
New single interface with tabs for each coordinate system.
Added : Ability to read data from an existing lathe threading operation and autofill most thread values directly into MillBlunt.
Added : Ability to store data directly in the contour milling operation, this data can then easily be transfered back for a change and redo.
Added : Color schemes for geometry, uses seperate colors to differentiate external and internal threads. ( GibbsCAM v14 and up )
Added : New online documentation accessible directly from the plugin : MillBlunt v2.0 Guide
MillBlunt v2.0 YZ Rotary Milling
ThreadTracer v4.28 (14.03.2022) :
Added : Finetuning and adding Wave Chipbreaker parameters : Adjustments for Segments per Wave, Wave Length, Oscillation Height and Wave Penetration.
Added : Output of Wave Chipbreaker threading passes with NC Tracer post processor (GibbsCAM post processors will output these correctly, but not all posts)
Added : Adjusting Wave Chipbreaker parameters are done in a seperate window, due to lack of space in main window.
Fix : Going into NC Tracer settings and back -would set all thread data back to default, fixed to keep all thread data.
Fix : Improved calculations for clearance planes, adapts to AutoClearance with RunIn and RunOut values on straight and tapered threads.
Added : Apply Blunt starts for external and internal tapered threads, toolpath follow taper angle.
Fix : Freeform thread, switching TPI / Pitch would double convert values into smaller values.
Added : Ability to resume to the last plugin state at startup, useful to quickly jump back if the last project was not saved or closed abruptly.
Added : Applying Blunt start that plunge into material will show visual hints to use Run In angle.
Read more about Wave Chipbreaker in the online documentation here : Wave Chipbreaker
Short clip cutting an 4-TPI thread with a 2mm grooving tool, with Wave Chipbreaker enabled (click speaker icon for sound) :
ThreadTracer v4.26 Released (08.02.2022) :
Fixed correct inch output in Nested Toolpath option.
ThreadTracer v4.25 Released (07.02.2022) :
Added Nested Toolpath output option.
- Nested Toolpath option will combine every roughing cut or finishing cut into a single threading operation.
- A Nested Toolpath looks similar as a normal threading operation in GibbsCAM and uses only one operation tile, and seperates roughing and finishing into each seperate operation tiles.
Added Wave Chipbreaker option.
- Wave Chipbreaker will add a seperate "wave cut" before each normal cut, this wave pattern will oscillate the tool in and out of the material to break the chips.
Both Nested Toolpath and Wave Chipbreaker can be turned on and off in the Control Tab. Currently Wave Chipbreak is only available when using Nested Toolpath.
ThreadTracer v4.21 Released (21.10.2021) :
Added correct interface scaling for 4K displays and resolutions.
Fixed an issue with internal buttress diameters not updating after user input.
Fixed an issue with importing older ThreadTracer v3.2 data.
Expanded online documentation with more descriptions and graphics.
Macro for tailstock and steadyrest- Fanuc (19.03.2021) :
Uploaded a macro I've made for Fanuc controls, macros for moving tailstock and steadyrest with M code from GibbsCAM
Fixed issue with not all variables being set if crest radius was very small.
ThreadTracer v4.10 Released (06.02.2021) :
Added Dutch locale
Added Spanish locale
Fixed issue with geometry for stock boundary
Note : Translations are mostly made with translation software and are far from perfect, if you can help improve translations for your language, please contact me.
ThreadTracer v4.00 Released (31.01.2021) :
New tabbed interface.
Rewritten most of toolpath calculations.
Localization support, with English, German, Norwegian and Swedish language built in. More languages will be available later.
Interface now autoadjusts with 100%, 125% and 150% display scaling in Windows 10/Display Settings
Improved workflow. The new interface organizes the various options and settings into tabs for better overview.
Improved ISO g-code output. NC Tracer now supports multistart threads with Q parameter for startangle.
Improved Bluntstart/Quickstart threads. ThreadTracer can now machine away the incomplete thread in the beginning and the end of the thread.
Improved material control. You can now set limits on diameters to where to start threading.
Operation Manager. Better control of where the threading operations will be created in the operation list.
Supports chamfers and fillets on all corners on the thread profile. These can also be set induvidually, to have chamfers on the crest and fillets in the root of the thread.
Improved tooling support. You can now select where the presetter was used on the insert.
New Tool Monitor option. Tool Monitor will warn if any of the features on the insert gouges the thread profile.
Imrpoved roughing strategies. There are now 6 roughing styles to cycle the roughing cuts with.
Improved adaptive roughing and better way to control the adaptiveness, gives much better results for large round threads, rope threads, etc.
New custom finishing order option. Select what features to run finishing on.
Improved calculation of running time for all threading passes, you can set the rapid feed of your machine and the rapid moves between passes will be added to total running time.
With the good news of GibbsCAM 13.0.25, preparations for the new update have started (v3.40)
Should be ready within first week of April.
With GibbsCAM webupdate 13.0.25, ThreadTracer are fully working again.
Its encouraged to update to latest webupdate, GibbsCAM 13.0.25
This version includes fixes to how macros are run internally, and ThreadTracer are fully working again, even better than ever before.
ThreadTracer v3.35 Upcoming improvements.
Adding more tool definitions. ISO style diamond tools can be defined in multiple angles. Tool will be visual as geometry while setting up the thread, and created as the tool for simulation.
ThreadTracer v3.3 Updates and improvements
- Tip Gouge Detection, ensures that tooltip stays within thread profile.
- User Settings.
- User Interface improvements.
- Built in User Interface scaling (1x, 1.25x, 1.5x, 1.75x and 2x) for those with ultra wide monitors.
- Tool Angle setting, for machines with a B-axis.
- Improved storing of data. In v3.3 the data are updated or saved instantly, and no longer need a restart of the plugin.
- Parameters Codes.
