SMIRT Release history

Several new enhancements have been made in SMIRT 2022.1.

Major new enhancements within SMIRT 2022.1 include:

  • Die Flats Finishing (new milling strategy)

    This new strategy for machining planar faces within Advanced 2D Mill pages creates toolpaths that are more efficient than the strategies available in the previous version. Machining time is reduced, especially on faces with complex boundaries and many internal vanes.

    The increased efficiency depends on a variety of advantages on previous strategies, that include, but are not limited to:

    • A more efficient method to manage the step-over for spiral clearance, results in a reduced overall length of the toolpath
    • Automatic orientation of lace direction, optimised for the local aspect ratio
    • Option to cut narrow faces with only one central cut
    • Different options to automatically simplify the outer boundary.
    SMIRT Die Flats Finishing
    SMIRT Die Flats Finishing
  • WORKNC workzone browser

    With the previous version of SMIRT, the ability to create WORKNC data (workzones) was introduced, if Parasolid data was imported in SMIRT.

    With version 2022.1 a workzone browser is introduced to allow retrieval of the WORKNC data created from a SMIRT file. The list of the workzones associated with a SMIRT file is available in the browser and a preview of the workpieces is displayed when an item is selected from the list.

    WORKNC is automatically launched and the selected workzone is loaded upon pressing OK button.

    WORKNC workzone browser
  • Enhancements to ‘Send to CAM’ function

    WORKNC Sequence

    With this version it is possible assign a WORKNC machining sequence while creating the workzone from SMIRT. This enables a further automation of the process, which leads to standardisation and reuse of best practice methodologies.

     

    Enhancements to ‘Send to CAM’ function

    Send to CAM Multiple DieBuild operations

    ‘Send to CAM’ has been enhanced to allow creation of a WORKNC workzone from multiple DieBuild operations. Machining axis and views for each operation as well as surface lists will be created and organised so that machining operations in more than one setup can be achieved. With this enhancement, one workzone can be created for a sequence of operations related to the same component or groups of components, for easier creation of toolpath.
    Send to CAM Multiple DieBuild operations
  • Enhanced management of machines in NcUtil

    With this version, handling machine definitions, machine head, tables and grid tables are much easier, improving productivity.

    It is now possible to import a machine definition with post-processor configuration, a machine head, and a grid table from another database.

    In addition, when a new head or grid plate is created, the selection of the related geometry is much simpler. Just import the .smz SMIRT format file, while, previously, it was necessary to browse the associated .sds file included in a temporary folder.

  • Support for 3DXML data

    The 3DXML file format is growing in popularity in a variety of industrial sectors.

    With SMIRT CadInterface 2022.1, it is possible to read this file format.

  • Export to VDF

    It is now possible export a .vdf file that can be used in DESIGNER or other Hexagon applications, if the Parasolid data has been created while importing CAD data in SMIRT.

    This allows better interoperability with the Hexagon software ecosystem.

  • Compatibility with Windows operating system

    Operating systems - SMIRT 2022.1 is compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10 – 64-bit version.

    This version is not compatible with Windows 7 and 8.1.

Other enhancements

With each new release, the SMIRT CadInterface is updated to the last versions of the CATIA and NX CAD applications, so users in automotive sector can use SMIRT along with the last versions of these CAD applications. In addition, SMIRT CadInterface is now capable of reading hole features from NX and storing them into SMIRT data.

A variety of other enhancements have been introduced to improve usability and enhance user experience, such as capability to show face tolerance in face ordinate dimensions, improved safety of toolpaths thanks to warnings displayed while trying to post-process paths with collisions, and better handling of drilling holes in SMIRT DieBuild operations.