ModuleWorks announces the 2024.12 release of its software components for digital manufacturing and digital factory. This latest release of the ModuleWorks SDK includes various new and enhanced features aimed at increasing safety, toolpath generation efficiency and part quality. These features contain enhancements across multiple components, ranging from multi-axis surface finishing to simulation and many more.
Multi-axis surface finishing – SWARF machining

Accurate 4-axis SWARF mode
The 4-axis SWARF mode has been significantly enhanced to achieve optimal geometric accuracy. This improvement addresses the challenge of machining complex surfaces, such as cylindrical cams, using flank milling on a cost-effective 4-axis machine. Traditionally, aligning the tool with the surfaces when using a tool smaller than the slot has been difficult. However, the new algorithm now accounts for kinematic limitations during the initial toolpath calculation, eliminating the need for 4-axis enforcement in post-processing and reducing the risk of inaccuracies.
With the ModuleWorks 2024.12 release, this enhancement brings several benefits, including improved accuracy of parts, reduced machining costs and greater flexibility in selecting tool diameters. By addressing these challenges, the new 4-axis SWARF mode enhances precision and cost-effectiveness in machining, making it a valuable upgrade for manufacturers.