Visi 2021 CAD/CAM software from Hexagon sees a raft of improvements, including those made to its CAD analysis, multi-element body-to-mould, and part-unfolding elements.
CAD analysis in Visi 2021 benefits from improved analysis shading modes: Draft Analysis has been added to the existing Undercut and Accessibility shading, performing an on-the-fly analysis of the draft angle.
This uses the same technique as in the undercut mode, but extended to more ranges.
The colours and angular value of each range can be changed by simply clicking on the colours or numeric labels on the graphics toolbar.
Repair functions used in the Repair Invalid Faces of Bodies command are now integrated in the Validate command. It is now also possible to zoom in on any potential issues using the Auto Zoom function.
Developments to the CAD Reverse module enhance the Reverse and Casting processes, with the scanning operation improved with a shaded view, allowing for better feedback.
Also, new Part Unfolding features have been added to encapsulate the unfolding process of linear and non-linear bends; the system is able to integrate adjustments made to the original part, rebuilding the changes to all unfolded stages in one-click.
With Point Scanning, the shaded point cloud is now shown during the scanning operation, giving the operator an immediate view of what has been correctly scanned, and if anything is missing.
An additional option has been added to automatically create a mesh as a scanning result, which can be valuable when a quicker, rather than detailed, result is needed.
Body to Mould functionality in Visi 2021 has added additional options to existing commands, along with new items of functionality, helping make part position management easier.
With Body to Mould, there is a new option to select multiple elements, including solids and surfaces, and move the selected bodies to the mould position.
During the part positioning, ‘non-uniform scaling values’ can now be defined by the user, and the system automatically sets the relative shrinkage data in a special Assembly Manager field (Bill of Materials).
With Mould to Body, the system allows multiple elements to be selected, including solids and surfaces, and to move the complete mould back into Body position – valuable for operators using CMM to check tools in the body position.
When users select the part to move back, they now get an option to select multiple elements to go with the tool back to Body position
When browsing mould parts, the system lists those which have been defined as ‘body to mould,’ showing all relevant data, with defined ‘shrinkage’ data editable in the ‘reset scale on parts’ function.
In order to provide a complete solution to the new unfolding approach, Hexagon has added for flanges and non-linear bends, which it says allows the user to study and modify a part, preserving the links between the different unfolding steps.
The Part Definition feature in Visi 2021 has been improved, to allow faster part analysis, identifying the different face types, defining material, and setting linear bends unfolding.
Different colours can be set, relating to different neutral fibre values, giving quick identification for unfolded linear bends and fibre value.
After automatically analysing the part, VISI 2021 is now able to edit the faces recognition and give a warning description – meaning the user can better understand why an operation has failed.
A new feature manages flange unfolding on the analysed part, and shows the result in preview mode, so the operator can evaluate the result and set different parameters, while preserving the link with the original part.
This can automatically recalculate the flanged part, meaning all linked parts can then be rebuilt in reference to a modification on the original.
An interface with Hexagon’s G-code simulator, NCSIMUL Advanced comes as a cost option in VISI 2021.
Finally, VISI 2021 introduces a new command, which duplicates an existing wire EDM machine, improving project management for manufacturers using two or more different models from the same machine manufacturer, such as Sodick and Agie.
