This release of CAPPS is identified by the year.  Using the previous convention it would be version 8.1.


User Interface

  • Fresh ribbon menu experience.
  • New graphical interface features.
    • Multiple independent viewports can be controlled by programs for best reporting configurations.
    • Transparency settings for actuals, nominals, CAD, machine, and probe.
    • CAD distance for quick reference measurements on the CAD.
    • Updated SpaceMouse® interface.
    • Orientation cube graphic for quick view manipulation.
  • Quick menu updated for ease of use.
  • Selectable user themes from light to dark modes.
  • Improved display options with quick shortcuts.
    • Machine: Independent control to display machine body, head, probe, stylus, table 
    • New color selection and configuration
    • New program and Open program options
    • Tool tip changer
    • Updated Dialogs for alignment display, selection, management, and PT-Type
  • Quick action floating menus accessible in the graphics window including:
    • Display options
    • Collision avoidance
    • Measurement options
    • Alignment options
    • GD&T
  • The status bar has been minimalized while still maintaining useful information.


DMIS & Program Window

  • New improved DMIS programming dialogs.
  • All DMIS commands can be created by easy user interface. 
  • Added DMIS code interaction to directly edit PTMES, and GOTO by double-clicking the statement in the DMIS window.
  • SMART PATH enhancements.

 

GD&T – Geometric Fitting - Reporting 

  • Updated GD&T datum configuration to allow users more flexibility in defining datum DOF and direction and Feature Control Frame building for reports.
  • Better support for cylinder True Position reporting, including projected tolerance zone calculations.
  • Updated support for 1D True Position calculations.
  • Auto pattern generation when selecting points for surface profile analysis.
  • Improved True Positions, Composites, Profile tolerances for better reporting, datum controls and quick review analysis.
  • Users can run validation on the fitting algorithms through PTB and NIST.

 

Virtual Machine Model (VMM)

  • Virtual Machine Models are improved to create a realistic digital twin of the machines being programmed or interfaced.
  • All motion including head and table motion are displayed in real time as the machine runs a program or user moves in jog mode.
  • Machine kinematic configurations are adapted to show home, spindle face and table locations correctly.
  • Probe Model has been improved with the ability to control different components displayed in graphics.
    • Old files should be re-saved after upgrading to 2024.
  • Configuration for tool directions for machines that have the tool along any direction such as the case for mill-turn machines.

 

Machine Interfaces

  • Machine dll interfaces have been updated according to the latest manufacturer’s drivers and API libraries.

 

Optimum Indexing

  • Optimum axis selection improved to work with any kinematic configuration.
  • Table and head angles are calculated to make sure tool-to-feature orientation are aligned.
  • Axis limits are defined to make sure optimum positions are calculated within bounds.
  • For multi-syli configurations, active stylus is used for optimum indexing.

 

Secure Database Storage

  • Create a secure database to automatically store CAPPS-generated data.
  • Reports can be saved to Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL databases.
  • Report items are saved based on the programmed reporting configurations.
  • Thirty-party client software can access this data for specific processing. 

 

Analog Scanning

  • Scanning paths are now created without any motion interruption with blending approach and retract motion.
  • Configurable lead-in and lead-out parameters.
    • New dialog for analog scan settings with detailed tool-tip diagrams.
  • Smart data filtering based on nominal geometry descriptions.
  • Support for Renishaw SPRINT analog scanning probe.

  

Alignments

  • 3D-Bestfit alignments improved.
  • Allow curves and point clouds in best fit calculations.
  • Improved Leap-frog alignments.

 

NC Work Offsets

  • Added the ability to read work offsets from the CNC machine and use this information in the CAPPS-NC alignment for programming.
  • CAPPS can manage machine movement in multiple work offsets using G54.2, G54.4, and G43.3.
  • Ability to correct motion using CAPPS stored alignments for complex coordinate system that cannot be stored as work offsets.

 

Collision Avoidance & Detection

  • New functionality for checking collision with different machine kinematic styles.
    • Support for different kinematic styles including:
      • Mill-turn, Moving tables.
  • Improved collision avoidance when using optimum indexing for head/head and table/table.
  • New collision detection functions for including the head into checks, checking head moves, and checking table moves.

 

 Laser & Point Clouds

  • Improved rendering & filtering of point clouds.
  • Faster feature extractions.

  

NCFIT Functionality

  • Improved and added functionality for various applications.
  • Can filter data with running average and remove outliers.
  • Able to NCFIT based on feature analysis or point cloud deviations to NC paths.
  • Able to adjust paths from multiple features for each direction.
  • Able to use deviations from away from cutting paths.