In ZW3D 2020, some great improvements have been made to 2X milling operations. For example, surface engraving operation has been added to 2X milling section. Zigzag, Box, Contour, and Ramp operations are also supported in Z-step types definition.
ZW3D 2020: 3X Milling Improvements
In ZW3D 2020, 3X milling module has been remarkably upgraded. For example, 3D constant step size function added in Z level operation. New Zigzag option has been added in Drive Curve operation and Batch Calculation has been upgraded to utilize multi-core performance.
ZW3D 2020: Full Machine Simulation
In ZW3D 2020, Full Machine Simulation can simulate the actual machining process and take the kinematic models of machines into account, which can detect potential issues and ensure manufacturability.
How 3D CAD Boosts Efficiency for 2D CAD Users
LayoutExport | ZWCAD 2020 SP2
ZWCAD 2020 SP2: All the visible objects in a Layout can be exported to new model space. Layouts can even be exported in batches.
Indian Steel Foundry Peekay Invests in voxeljet VX4000 3D Printing System, to Set Up it at Bengaluru Facility
FRIEDBERG, Germany, Aug 20, 2020 – voxeljet AG, a leading global technology company for industrial 3D printing solutions, is delighted to further expand its presence in India. The Indian steel casting expert Peekay Steel Castings (P) Ltd has decided to invest in the VX4000, with a Job Box size of 4000 x 2000 x 1000 mm. The VX4000 system is one of the world’s largest and most productive 3D printers with a build volume of eight cubic meters and a print speed of 54 hours for one full job box. Peekay Steel has chosen the VX4000 system to quickly and economically realize technically demanding projects and to expand into new business areas.


One Step Ahead with 3D Prining
Peekay Steel specializes in the production of high-quality steel castings, predominantly for the Oil & Gas sector, starting from 1 kg to 20 tons per casting. For most of these products they require less than four castings. As a result, the time and cost towards development of patterns can outweigh total project costs. For some complicated castings, that require non-traditional gating, the VX4000 was most suitable.
“When it comes to castings weighing several tons, the requirements for dimensional stability and accuracy are particularly high. With our 20 years of experience in the field of industrial 3D printing and the VX4000, we can offer both a wealth of experience and the right tool. With another VX4000 installation in India, we look forward to continuing our cooperation with Peekay Steel,” says Rudolf Franz, COO & CFO of voxeljet AG.

“We want to offer our customers an end-to-end solution and position ourselves as a supplier of high-quality, ready-to-install components in record times. With the VX4000, we are able to increase the flexibility of our production in order to be able to react quickly, even to complex projects. 3D printing gives us a unique competitive advantage, especially when it comes to expanding our business areas. Since the beginning, we have emphasized the importance of co engineering with our customers, most of these are Fortune 500 companies, to optimize and customize the product design, to lend better functionality and a clear competitive advantage. A specialized Design Center aligned to the VX4000 will help add value for our customers,” adds K.E. Shanavaz, Jt. Managing Director, Peekay Steel Castings (P) Ltd.
Additionally, one of the drivers was the impending uncertainty in these trying times. With the size, speed and flexibility of the VX4000 Peekay Steel can cater to new projects from their existing customers at record times while also looking for different business areas to venture into.
Peekay Steel has a multi-pronged approach to their VX4000. They not only want to support the foundry industry in India by providing services from their large system, but also plan to set up a high-tech Knowledge Center around their VX4000. This will include a training facility to support educational institutes and the industry alike. An open access of this kind is a means to attract more and more people towards the foundry industry- a much needed paradigm shift.
Peekay Steel will be setting up the VX4000 in a brand new location at Bangalore in the Airport City.
About Peekay Steel Castings (P) Ltd.
Peekay Steel Castings Pvt Ltd is a vibrant, tech-savvy company which manufactures and supplies steel castings to industry majors like India’s Navaratna Companies and major global OEMs in the Oil, Gas, Power, Transportation, Earth- moving and Engineering sectors. Peekay Steel has been rated as one of the top 6 companies in the Oil & Gas space worldwide by Technavio Research. It is the largest exporter of industrial steel castings and sub-assemblies from south India. For more information, visit https://www.peekaysteel.com.
Sigmetrix Releases CETOL 6σ v10.4 for Tolerance Analysis, Supports Creo, SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, NX
MCKINNEY, TX, USA, Aug 20, 2020 – Sigmetrix, experts in mechanical variation management, announced their latest version of CETOL 6σ tolerance analysis software, version 10.4, is now available for immediate download.

Tolerance analysis benefits businesses in many ways. It helps improve profitability by balancing quality with manufacturing cost. Companies can also realize faster time to market by reducing the need for additional design and prototype cycles. Finally, it allows companies to gain confidence in their product and process decisions before making costly investments.
“The cost of achieving a quality product grows exponentially as it moves from design to manufacturing and finally to customers hands,” stated Sigmetrix President, James Stoddard. “CETOL 6σ gives engineers the tools to identify and resolve issues earlier in the process, helping to maximize the profitability of products for a company.”
CETOL 6σ enables product development teams to easily and fully understand the often-complex impact of dimensional and assembly variation on their designs. This knowledge enables them to make adjustments before problems appear in manufacturing or, even worse, in their customers’ hands. Users of all expertise levels will appreciate the multiple levels of assistance available within the software.
CETOL 6σ 10.4 encompasses several enhancements including:
- Unilateral measurement requirements – When defining measurement requirements, you may specify just an upper or lower limit
- Improved report processing – Report templates now include options for specifying how the report is post processed and opened in the target application for report layout
- New command-line execution options for Creo allow for automation of starting a new CETOL analysis or working with data saved from a previous one
- Improved selection process – When adding a joint or a measurement, after selecting the first feature, that part is either hidden or changed to transparent so that the second selection is easier
- Better precision control – When entering a tolerance value, the precision automatically increases as you enter more digits, but the precision can only be decreased by specific user action
- Data management improvements for renamed assemblies – When the model data is stored in the top-level assembly and the CAD assembly has been renamed, CETOL makes it easier for the user to understand that saved data exists and map it to the newly named assembly
- Revised severities – The severities of some advisor messages have been adjusted to improve consistency between types of messages
- Naming improvements in the Analyzer – The Analyzer now includes the CAD name for assemblies, parts, and linked annotations in the appropriate columns
Sigmetrix provides a complete portfolio helping customers design and produce better products through mechanical variation management. In addition to CETOL 6σ, Sigmetrix offers an array of software and training solutions including:
- EZtol, a 1D analysis tool designed to make it easier to create, manage and report upon multiple 1D tolerance analyses in an assembly
- GD&T Advisor, an interactive tool that provides expert guidance on the correct application of GD&T withing the PTC Creo environment
- Training on a variety of topics including GD&T, tolerance analysis, dimensional management, and MBD / MBE
- Consulting and implementation services team with years of experience in tolerance analysis and GD&T definition offers a variety of consulting services to augment your team, speed your project along and run analyses for your assemblies
CETOL 6σ 10.4 is available immediately for current users at: https://sigmetrix.flexnetoperations.com
For more details on the capabilities of CETOL 6σ, visit https://www.sigmetrix.com/products/cetol-tolerance-analysis-software.
About Sigmetrix
Sigmetrix has been helping companies produce better products for over 20 years through a combination of software solutions, training, and consulting services that focus on managing the impact of mechanical variation. For more information, visit their website at www.sigmetrix.com.
ProtoTech Solutions Releases USDz Exporter Plug-in for Inventor, Supports iOS
PUNE, India, Aug 20, 2020 – ProtoTech Solutions, a global leader in augmented reality is pleased to announce a significant new plug-in to export USDz file format from Inventor platform.
USDz is a 3D file format that displays 3D and AR content on iOS. This Application is called “USDz Exporter for Autodesk Inventor” exports solid bodies to a USDz file.

It will improve the user’s experience with Apple iPhones by leveraging the built-in Quick Look feature to engage AR applications launched from smartphones and browsers.
It has other capabilities like validating 3D assets, seeing data in plain text form, managing mesh data and adding attributes to nodes.
USDz File Format Specification
- USD format 2.0
- Supports Inventor 2021 and earlier versions
- Face level transparency
- Supports both part and assembly models
- Directly supported on iOS devices, no app required
- Texture, metalness, and roughness of material is supported
- Default compression helps reduce the file size as much as possible
To find such more related plug-ins on different CAD platforms to help you in exporting directly to USDz or other file formats, visit https://prototechsolutions.com/3d-products/inventor/usdz-exporter/
About ProtoTech Solutions
ProtoTech Solutions is a specialized engineering software development services provider in the domain Of CAD, CAM, CAE, PLM, and BIM. They help global organizations achieve their time-to-market and business goals by developing 3D custom applications, CAD plugins, 3D mobile apps, 3D web apps, 3D PDF exporters, file exporters/importers, and a host of mission-critical engineering application projects. For more information, visit https://www.prototechsolutions.com.
CIMdata Ranks Mastercam #1 in Worldwide NC Programming Installed Seats, Over 274K
TOLLAND, CT, USA, Aug 20, 2020 – More shops and schools invest in Mastercam than any other CAD/CAM software package in the world. According to CIMdata, an independent research firm specializing in the NC industry, Mastercam is the number one CAM software used worldwide for 26 years in a row. In the latest report, Mastercam retained the top spot for CAM software in three categories: industry, education, and support network.

Mastercam topped the list in both the educational and industrial categories, with nearly twice as many installed seats as the nearest competitor*.
“With more shops using Mastercam and more schools teaching Mastercam, students are being prepared for a fluid transition to the job market with practical skills and reduced learning curve,” says Meghan West, President and CEO of CNC Software, Inc. “This is a win-win situation for education and industry to contend with the skills gap and fill the glut of jobs available in manufacturing.”
If you run a shop, using the most widely used CAD/CAM software is important. You want reliable code to run your machines at maximum performance for precision and efficiency, and you want access to training and support to keep your shop optimized and business growing.
If you work in education, you want to prepare students with skills they can transfer to further education and gainful employment. You appreciate access to extensive training, curriculum, and projects from Mastercam and authorized partner providers.
If you are an individual, using the top CAD/CAM software is important because there is a high demand for skilled workers in manufacturing companies. You can find training and education opportunities to learn Mastercam since it is also the most widely taught, and you can find a job easier with Mastercam skills.
West continues, “Mastercam provides incomparable access and support for shops and programmers. With the largest local Reseller support network of any CAM developer, there is always an expert available to help you get the most benefit from our software.”
Mastercam is developed based on evolving technology, industry trends, and feedback from customers.
(*According to CIMdata, Inc. CIMdata is an independent research firm specializing in the NC industry.)
For more information about CIMdata, visit https://www.cimdata.com.
About Mastercam
Developed by CNC Software, Inc., Mastercam is Windows-based CAD/CAM software for 2- through 5-axis routing, milling and turning, 2- and 4-axis wire EDM, 2D and 3D design, surface, and solid modeling. Privately owned and founded in 1983, CNC Software provides CAD/CAM solutions to more than 250,000 installations in 75 countries in industries including mold making, prototyping, automotive, medical, aerospace, consumer products, and much more. For more information, visit www.mastercam.com.
About CNC Software, Inc.
Founded in 1983, CNC Software, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Tolland, Connecticut, with corporate offices in Switzerland and China. The company develops Mastercam, a suite of CAD/CAM software created to reduce production time and expense with efficient machining strategies and advanced toolpath technologies. Mastercam is the world’s #1 CAM software, with more than 250,000 installations in industries such as mold making, automotive, medical, aerospace, consumer products, education, and prototyping. It is distributed through an international channel of authorized Mastercam Resellers in 75 countries, providing localized sales, training, and support for 2- through 5-axis routing, milling, and turning; 2- and 4-axis wire EDM; 2D and 3D design; surface and solid modeling; artistic relief cutting; and Swiss machining. For more information, visit www.mastercam.com.
KYOCERA SGS Round Solid Carbide Tool Libraries Available for Mastercam
TOLLAND, CT, USA, Aug 20, 2020 – CNC Software, Inc., developers of Mastercam, the world’s leading CAD/CAM software, has announced a new partnership with KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools (KSPT) to provide tool libraries to the Mastercam user base. KSPT is an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer of industry leading round solid carbide cutting tools and pioneered some of the world’s most advanced cutting tool technologies.

“CNC Software is proud to partner with KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools. We’re excited to offer ten specialty series tool libraries of SGS tools in a native Mastercam tool library format for download,” said Stas Mylek, Partnership Program Manager, CNC Software, Inc. “As a result, Mastercam users gain fast, seamless access to the latest high-performance SGS round solid carbide cutting tools,” Mylek continued.
With this collaboration, Mastercam users can download both inch and metric SGS round solid carbide cutting tool libraries from the Mastercam Tech Exchange. The native Mastercam 3D tool databases are fully compatible with Mastercam 2020 and subsequent releases. These offer the latest KSPT innovations and SGS product introductions, including their latest Z-Carb HPR roughing line and H-Carb end mills for Dynamic Milling. The native libraries represent more than 12,000 tools including ferrous and non-ferrous cutting tools ranging from end mills, routers, micro tools, and drills, to reamers and countersinks.
Mark Stockinger, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools, stated, “We’re excited to team up with Mastercam. This partnership provides the Mastercam user base of over 275,000 with direct import of SGS-branded round solid carbide cutting tools, along with tool data to use on their projects and jobs. This time-saving benefit gives more users access to the latest product innovations we have to offer.”
For more information on KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools, please visit www.kyocera-sgstool.com.
About Mastercam
Developed by CNC Software, Inc., Mastercam is Windows-based CAD/CAM software for 2- through 5-axis routing, milling and turning, 2- and 4-axis wire EDM, 2D and 3D design, surface, and solid modeling. Privately owned and founded in 1983, CNC Software provides CAD/CAM solutions to more than 250,000 installations in 75 countries in industries including mold making, prototyping, automotive, medical, aerospace, consumer products, and much more. For more information, visit www.mastercam.com.
About CNC Software, Inc.
Founded in 1983, CNC Software, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Tolland, Connecticut, with corporate offices in Switzerland and China. The company develops Mastercam, a suite of CAD/CAM software created to reduce production time and expense with efficient machining strategies and advanced toolpath technologies. Mastercam is the world’s #1 CAM software, with more than 250,000 installations in industries such as mold making, automotive, medical, aerospace, consumer products, education, and prototyping. It is distributed through an international channel of authorized Mastercam Resellers in 75 countries, providing localized sales, training, and support for 2- through 5-axis routing, milling, and turning; 2- and 4-axis wire EDM; 2D and 3D design; surface and solid modeling; artistic relief cutting; and Swiss machining. For more information, visit www.mastercam.com.


