Hexagon’s ALPHACAM 2024.4 Revolutionizes Manufacturing with New Automation Features to Maximize Efficiency!

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has unveiled ALPHACAM 2024.4, the latest iteration of its leading CAD CAM software, bringing significant advances in automation and efficiency. The new release incorporates innovative features designed to streamline workflows, boost productivity, and maximize material utilization across a variety of industries, including woodworking, metalworking, and stone-cutting.

ALPHACAM 2024.4 introduces multi-head nesting capabilities, enabling manufacturers to leverage multiple router heads simultaneously. The software dynamically adjusts nesting strategies based on factors like sheet size, head spacing, and production requirements, dramatically reducing cycle times without compromising precision. These capabilities are a game-changer for high-volume industries, such as cabinetry, furniture manufacturing, and aerospace, where efficiency directly correlates to cost savings and increased throughput.

“With ALPHACAM 2024.4, we’re taking automated manufacturing to the next level,” said Perry Boyett, Sales & Services Director NAFTA – ALPHACAM at Hexagon. “Manufacturers can now utilize twin-head and multi-head nesting strategies, dynamically optimizing material yield and reducing production time across multiple industries.”

The software’s advanced automation tools offer several critical updates:

• Enhanced Solid Model Importing: The new version expands the ability to seamlessly import solid models and integrate with leading 3D solid modeling tools like SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor. This allows for faster transitions from design to production.
• Automated Feature Recognition: ALPHACAM now automatically detects machining features from vendor-supplied models, significantly reducing manual intervention and speeding up production planning.
• Optimized Toolpath Strategies: New algorithms refine toolpath sequencing and cutting parameters, improving material yield and reducing machining time.

Manufacturers using ALPHACAM 2024.4 are already seeing impressive results. A leading boat manufacturer reported cutting production planning time by 50%, while a major aerospace company found that its manual nesting process, which once took four hours, can now be completed in just 10 minutes.

Additionally, the software enhances programming standardization, capturing legacy knowledge within the system. Entry-level workers can now simply select the outline style, and ALPHACAM automatically determines the correct speed, cutter, settings, and more, significantly improving worker productivity, reducing errors, and increasing repeatability.

For small and mid-sized businesses, ALPHACAM offers a scalable and cost-effective solution that is tailored to specific machining needs. The flexible licensing model ensures companies only pay for the features they require, making high-end automation more accessible than ever before.

Moreover, ALPHACAM is already playing a pivotal role in public sector manufacturing, with installations at U.S. military bases and government facilities. The software has been essential in fabricating everything from security signage to custom architectural elements for government buildings.