EdgeCAM off-line programming systems from Pathtrace have played a key role in the continuing fortunes of Verolme Machinefabriek IJsselmonde (VMIJ), a world-leading manufacturer of equipment and components for customers in the petrochemical and offshore industry sectors. Included in its extensive product portfolio are autoclaves, condensers and a range of process-related items such as pressure vessels, reactors and heat exchangers. Numerous machined forms with varying degrees of complexity - and often weighing up to 50 tonnes, need to be accurately designed and then programmed for optimum machining efficiency which is why the company has continued to progressively update its CAM software.
As the design and manufacturing division of the Dutch conglomerate that has operations embracing engineering and maintenance services as well as sales and spares, VMIJ is a long-time user of CNC production equipment and computer-based programming.
Pathtrace software has been able to meet all VMIJ's requirements over the years and is evidenced by the fact that it has been used in its progressively updated forms since the mid-80s.
Complemented by a selection of post-processors to accommodate its wide and varied programming and machining routines, VMIJ's use of early Pathtrace packages for Pathturn, Pathmill, Pathcurve and Pathplot has naturally led to progressive upgrades via its maintenance contract with local reseller Widenhorn Industriele Automatisering BV.
VMIJ's first venture into off-line programming was with PAMS in the late 1980s which was followed by the ground-breaking Windows-based EdgeCAM when it was launched in 1995.
VMIJ's latest investment early in 1999, took in the installation at the Rotterdam site of the very latest EdgeCAM Version 4.0.
This immediately generated significant benefits, especially in terms of simplifying tool paths when working with cylindrical components.
VMIJ also quotes the creation of 3D planes, complex contours and hole patterns amongst others where the software is bringing particular rewards.