ICAM Technologies Corporation (ICAM) is pleased to announce the release of Control Emulator (CE), a new software product allowing NC programmers to simulate and test NC programs using Machine Code Data (MCD) within the CATIA V5/DELMIA environment. As compared to traditional APT-based verification systems, which simulate the programmer's planned tool path, CE provides a more meaningful simulation that represents how the machine tool will react to the MCD output generated by the post-processor. Furthermore, deploying CATIA V5/DELMIA/CE as an integrated package enables the user to run simulations on a per operation basis during the NC programming session, resulting in a significant reduction in NC programming time.

CE accommodates an 'in-process' or 'on-demand' CATIA V5/DELMIA simulation environment versus the existing multiple process loop currently offered by independent competitive solutions.

Benefits include improvements to NC programmer productivity and manufacturing process efficiency, resulting in faster time to market.

CE reads MCD to emulate the actions of CNC machines and controllers and provides users with the following advanced functions.

* Validates the accuracy of the MCD.

* Verifies the actual tool path as described by the MCD.

* Tests the MCD for machine / tool / part collisions.

* Allows users to compare the design part against an MCD-based material removal part simulation.

* CATIA V5 / DELMIA / CE MCD simulation - CE provides a powerful validation method allowing users to determine the association between MCD and specific operations within the NC program and allows for specific modifications to the tool path (CATProcess) depending on simulation results.

CE is fully integrated with CAM-POST, ICAM's NC post-processor development software; therefore, users may easily employ advanced features inherent to CAM-POST such as Macro Tracing, Call Stack Status, Input and Output Stepping and NC Variable Watching and Modification to optimize the machining process.

Other advanced features supported by CE include linear / circular / helical interpolation, drilling cycles, tool change and tool pre-select, length / diameter / fixture compensation, spindle / coolant and feed, subprograms, tool plane, program units, absolute versus relative positioning and program dwell.

'MCD-based machine tool simulation provides NC programmers with the most accurate representation of the machining process,' said Brian Francis, ICAM's director of Research and Development.

'CE integrated with CATIA V5 / DELMIA provides a powerful simulation tool that allows NC programmers to avoid and correct possible programming errors that may have resulted in costly machine tool collisions and defective parts.' * About ICAM Technologies Corporation - for over 35 years ICAM Technologies Corporation has been specializing in the development and implementation of advanced NC post-processing solutions for manufacturers in major industries around the world.

In 2002, ICAM has added an integrated machine tool simulator, Virtual Machine, to its product mix that further strengthened its position in the NC manufacturing market.

ICAM customers benefit from dramatic improvements to CNC machine optimization, NC programmer productivity and manufacturing process efficiency.

ICAM's unique technology and services provide its customers and industry partners with the competitive edge that their business operations and customers demand.