Four Vero brands were on show – ALPHACAM, EDGECAM, JAVELIN and RADAN – and were constantly demonstrating how the software takes manufacturing businesses to the next level.
The preview of EDGECAM 2013R2, due to be released later this year, was of particular interest, with visitors to the stand learning about the layout and new programming concepts, along with other enhancements to reduce overall programming time. And EDGECAM’s solutions for mill-turn machines led to a quick sale on the stand from a customer who is also intending to use the software for milling and 5-axis work in the future.
ALPHACAM took a number of strong enquiries from existing customers regarding upgrading their system or purchasing additional seats, and from potential new customers looking to switch from their current software. Area Manager Clifford Ashwin said the ALPHACAM team were also able to help customers on the stand with technical enquiries. Many ALPHACAM customers also had their own stands at the show.
JAVELIN, the flexible, scalable and intelligent production planning and control system demonstrated its new mobile wireless functionality. Data monitoring stock in and out is now gathered wirelessly and transmitted from hand-held devices such as scanners and tablets running terminal servers. Specific displays have been created to run on the small screens that these devices have. It enables barcode scanning to pick, locate and check stock, including confirmation that the correct stock is being despatched at the time of picking…all done wirelessly.
RADAN’s unique combination of applications for profiling, punching and bending, along with design and production management capabilities, attracted considerable interest, and application engineers were kept busy providing demonstrations. Major Accounts Manager Kevin O’Connor said: “Visitors to our stand were up 25% from last year, with a lot of interest in the launch of Radimport. Customers could immediately see the benefit of the automation that this new product, which dramatically reduces the time from import of data to machine, will bring.”
RADAN’s offline programming system for pressbrakes, Radbend, also created a stir amongst visitors. “Customers see a high return on investment by improving machine efficiency and overcoming bottlenecks at pressbrakes.”
He said it was also very pleasing to hear customers talking about new machine tool investment in the near future to ensure their businesses are current with today’s machine tool technologies.
The current release of RADAN – 2013 – includes improved support for multi-tools, meaning they are much easier to use. For example, a configuration for a Trumpf machine will have the definitions – the shape and number of stations – of all multi-tools the customer may purchase for their machine tool, without allocating it to a tool station at that time. This is less work-intensive and more flexible than the traditional system of always allocating a multi-tool to a station.
• EDGECAM Sales Manager Jim Swales demonstrated his darts prowess by challenging three-times world darts champion Martin “Wolfie” Adams, who was taking on all-comers at the Finder stand. Jim got down to needing just nine before being pipped at the oche by Wolfie.