The latest release of VISI (
www.visicadcam. com) introduces a module for reverse engineering, along with newly developed and enhanced functions for both CAD and CAM processes used in the mould-and-die market.
As part of a wider project for reverse engineering, VISI 2018 R2 officially launches a dedicated module that provides a reverse-engineering capability within the software’s existing modelling and machining environment. The module allows a points cloud to be loaded — and the relevant mesh to be created — by setting different options for refining and smoothing.
In total, VISI 2018 R2 contains almost 250 new and enhanced functions, including updates to the software’s direct-modelling capabilities; these provide additional editing for both solids and surfaces.
The new ‘edit face’ feature means that solid bodies can be edited by simply moving or pulling the selected faces, while concentric faces can be automatically selected and edited accordingly. For example, the size of a pocket with holes, or the size of a solid body, can be changed quickly and easily.
Enhancements to both the ‘surface extension’ and ‘fill holes’ functions mean that the designer can work directly on a solid body’s faces and not just on the surfaces; this is said to provide considerable time savings during the solid model’s design and editing phase.
Another new CAM function is tool-path mirroring, which copies the current project, mirroring all its tool-path operations.
Again, this addition is expected to be a major time-saver. VISI says the ‘user experience’ has been enhanced in the latest version by the introduction of more intuitive and dynamic work-plane management — and improved face selection on solids.
In addition, a contextual tool-bar on active selection allows users to switch between contextual functions, which is said to deliver a “simpler and more intuitive user experience”.