Increase Productivity - off line simulation frees your machines to run jobs that are making you revenues, not costing you profits...

Maximize Resources - off line simulation adds to tooling life, saves coolant for "real" jobs, reduces "wear and tear" on expensive machine tools, and much more...

Ensure Quality - verify surface finish, feature dimensions, cutter path, tool and holder clearance, gouge checking, and more...

Includes the following features:

• NEW! User Interface; toolbars, menus, shortcuts, and context sensitive help.

• Supports 2½ - 5 Axis Milling and Turning.

• True Solid Model based Verification and CNC Simulation.

• Inspect, Measure and Cut Sections with lots of Zoom and Viewing options.

• Includes support for over a 100 CNC controls.

• NEW! User Configurable Reverse Post Processor.

• Automatic Gouge Detection.

• Multiple Parts, Fixtures, Tombstones and Processes.

• Supports Custom Tooling, Stock and Fixtures.

• Includes High Speed 3 Axis Turbo mode for mold and die applications.

• Extensive Machine, Control, and Rotary Table Options.

• Includes the Predator Editor.

• Add STL Compare option to visualize 'Designed vs Machined'.

• Multiple seat and educational discounts are available.

CMS Modeling Technology™

Predator Virtual CNC™ is based on the unique CMS Modeling System™. CMS™ (Common Model Structure) uses a common model database to present the user with views of the machined part that are optimized for a particular operation. For example, a part that needs to be milled, then turned, then milled again could be modeled using a single CMS™ window or using a separate window or view for the milling and turning operations. Each view can be animated or non-animated. Non-animated views process much faster than animated views, so switching animation on or off can significantly improve the speed of processing. Animation can be switched on or off at any time during processing without the need to reprocess the job. CMS™ allows fast dynamic rotation, zoom, pan and cross-sectioning of the part at any time. With or without Open-GL, it is possible to 'drag' the model view to rotate or reposition it within the window.

CNC Program Data, APT and CAM Files

We believe that verification of the CNC-code (G-code or other formats) is the only true test that a CNC program will work satisfactorily on the machine tool. However, recognizing that many users will wish to verify their program at every stage, we also support a good range of APT and other CAM intermediate file formats.

Milling

Predator Virtual CNC™ supports most milling machine configurations with 3 to 5 driven axes. User definable machine tool configuration files coupled with our CNC controller specific translators allows most milling machine or machining center configurations to be supported. Requests for special configurations can be accommodated.

Turning

Predator Virtual CNC™ supports 2-axis turning applications. User definable machine tool configuration files combined with our comprehensive library of standard CNC controller specific translators allows most turning machine configurations to be supported.

Turbo Mode - Mill

Turbo Mode Mill is a verification technology that is optimized for 3-axis surface modeling. Processing times are often many times quicker than competitive technologies, while retaining the accuracy that you would expect from a quality verification product.

Turbo Mode processes thousands of CNC blocks per second on standard PC and workstation computer hardware.

Turbo Mode - Lathe

Turbo Mode - Lathe is a fast 2-axis turning module that allows 2-D, 3-D and 3/4 sectioned views of 2-axis turned parts. Turbo Mode Lathe processes turned parts is faster than the standard Virtual CNC - CMS view.

Program Error Detection

Predator Virtual CNC™ detects programming and postprocessor errors before they can cause disruption on the machine shop floor. Predator's Virtual CNC™ Error Log even allows you to directly edit the exact line of code where the error occurs using the included Predator Editor. The following errors are detected:

• CNC Program Syntax Errors

• Rapid Travels Into The Part

• Tool Shank Collisions

• Tool Holder Collisions

• Tool Collisions With Fixtures And Clamps

• Gouge Detection

Visual Inspection

Predator Virtual CNC™ provides animated simulation of the machining process. Seeing how the tool behaves under program control provides great reassurance that there are no gross errors in the program and makes the cause of smaller errors easier to diagnose. Rapid zoom, rotate, pan and cross-sectioning of solid model views allows errors to be seen, even if they are hidden from the original view or are inside the part.

Feature Inspection

Predator Virtual CNC™ includes feature based inspection and virtual CMM (Co-ordinate Measuring Machine) inspection capability. Feature based inspection uses the CMS feature recognition capability to measure feature dimensions and the relationship between separate features. Predator Virtual CNC™ recognizes edges, arcs, cylinders, planes and cones. To select a feature, all you need to do is click on the feature using the mouse cursor.

Predator Virtual CNC™ stores very accurate information relating to the tool and tool path, so regardless of window size and view angle, feature measurement provides precise results.

CMM Inspection

Predator Virtual CNC™'s - Virtual Co-ordinate Measuring Machine™ (CMM) provides point inspection for complex surfaces. Using the mouse cursor as the CMM probe, the user can select any point on a surface and get the co-ordinates for that point. Entering multiple points allows the relationship between points to be measured. Keyboard input of precise X-Y co-ordinates returns precise Z values for that point.

Advanced Inspection

Advanced Inspection uses surface data from CAD/CAM systems, in the form of STL files, to make a comparison between the designed surface and the 'machined' surface. Any surface can be compared, including 3, 4 and 5-axis milled surfaces.

Users can define a tolerance above and below which excess  material and gouges are shown. The tolerance can be adjusted at any time without reprocessing the job. Using Predator's STL Compare™ capability in conjunction with CMM inspection allows deviations from the design model to be measured at any point on the part surface.

Advanced Milling

The Advanced Milling module adds capability for rotating the part, either by program control or manually. Unlike full 4th axis support, Advanced Milling can be used for positioning moves about a single rotary axis only.

Rotations can be made at any time during program execution, usually as a programmed rotation or manual rotation at a programmed stop, or between programs during multiple program execution. This is an invaluable module for those simulating the machining of multiple parts on tombstone fixtures, etc.

Advanced Tooling

Advanced Tooling adds several complex tool shapes to the standard library and allows users to define their own tool shapes. Tools and tool holders can be modeled and cutting and non-cutting zones defined on each tool. User defined tools can be stored away for future use.

Advanced Stock & Fixtures

The Advanced Stock and Fixtures module allows complex stock and fixture assemblies to be modeled with full collision detection. Stock and fixtures can be build from standard geometric primitives or by importing them from a CAD system. Multiple parts on complex fixtures can be modeled.

Advanced stock and fixtures offers lathe users the option to model chuck, chuck jaws, face plates, tail stocks, etc.

Note: Virtual CNC, Virtual Co-ordinate Measuring Machine, STL Compare, CMS Modeling System, and CMS are trademarks of Predator Software Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks belong to their respective holders.