Case Study: Akkerman achieves faster, simplified rotary fourth-axis machining and reduced programming time with 3D Systems' GibbsCAM 5-Axis

Using GibbsCAM 5-Axis to Program rotary fourth-axis operations

Akkerman Inc., a second-generation, family-owned manufacturer of custom tunneling and pipe-jacking equipment, faced frequent design changes and highly complex, large-scale parts that were difficult and time-consuming to program for rotary fourth-axis machining. Tasks like machining segmented bearing cages and intricate helical flighting for cutter heads required extensive manual calculation and long programming times, and some components proved nearly impossible to produce with their previous methods.

By adding GibbsCAM with the five-axis option and importing SAT models from IronCAD, Akkerman began programming rotary fourth-axis work more quickly and accurately. The software automates coordinate alignment and toolpath generation, cutting bearing cage programming from two days to about an hour, enabling two-section machining in a single setup, improving surface finishes, reducing assembly, and making previously unmachineable parts (like the auger flighting) feasible — boosting flexibility and overall productivity.

Akkerman

Aron Bishop

CNC Programmer