This month’s cover features the Stillam Group of companies, a group that consists of Stillam CNC Programming Solutions, B&R Metrology Solutions, iKusasa CNC Training Centre and Trading Places Manufacturing Recruitment.
“You can trace our beginnings back to 2005 when Stillam CNC Programming Solutions was appointed the Sub-Saharan distributor for Edgecam, a CAM software package developed specifically for the production machining market. Today’s Edgecam solutions combine the power of sophisticated toolpath generation with seamless CAD integration and includes the revolutionary Strategy Manager, Waveform Roughing and Workflow, amongst others,” said Ryan Scott, owner of the Stillam Group and founder of Stillam CNC Programming Solutions.
“Edgecam, about to celebrate its 40th anniversary, is just as “leading edge” as when the original CAD/CAM system was launched in collaboration with Surrey University in the early eighties and when it changed its name to Edgecam on the same day that Windows 95 was released.”
Edgecam is CAD/CAM software for 3D milling, mill turn, multi axis machining and 3D machining amongst other unique features
“The developer of Edgecam was Pathtrace, which was founded in 1983, and until becoming Edgecam its former brands of PMS (Pathtrace Manufacturing System) and PAMS (Pathtrace Advanced Manufacturing System) had been DOS-based.”
“The first release of Edgecam in 1995 took a DOS-based textual menu-driven system into a Windows look and feel with graphical icons replacing textual menus.”
“At that time it was a traditional wireframe and surface-based CAD/CAM system. However, with the development of Mechanical Desktop and Pro Engineer, followed by Solidworks, Solid Edge and Inventor, mid-range solid-based CAD systems took off. So rather than basing their new software on a solid-based kernel, Edgecam chose the unique route of supporting all major solid kernels in 1999. This meant we didn’t need to translate the CAD data. And to this day many other systems still have problems transferring data via independent format, such as IGES. But all formats are readily imported into Edgecam with no loss of integrity.”
“The brand became part of the Planit Group in 2006, which, in turn, was acquired by Vero Software in 2011. In 2014 Hexagon AB announced the acquisition of Vero Software. Hexagon is one of the world leaders in CAD/CAM software with a proven track record of reliable product delivery. Hexagon develops and distributes software for aiding the design and manufacturing processes, providing solutions for the tooling, production engineering, sheet metal, metal fabrication, stone and woodworking industries,” added Scott.
Edgecam software plays a pivotal role in swiftly producing high precision parts for the three top-performing Toyota SA Motorsport’s Dakar Rally entries. The team competes under the team name of Toyota Gazoo Racing SA and the Stillam Group have been involved in sponsoring the team for 18 years
“Besides Edgecam we also market and service the other Hexagon brands which include Alphacam, Radan, WorkNC, NCSIMUL and Designer. More recently we have begun to market Esprit, a solution for our clients that have Swiss-type specific CNC machines,” continued Scott.
“Alphacam is a CAM solution for metal, stone and wood that includes the ability for CAD importing, toolpath generation, simulation, report generation and more. Modules include routing, milling, turning with 2-axis to 5-axis machining.”
“Radan is one of the world’s leading PC based CAD/CAM solutions for the sheet metal industries. It offers a unique combination of applications for punching, profiling, bending, design and production management for sheet metal fabrication.”
“NCSIMUL Machine is a high-end CNC simulation software for G-code verification, machine simulation and toolpath optimisation. It detects NC programming errors and any potential collisions from the same NC code that drives the CNC machine.”
Radan is one of the world’s leading PC based CAD/CAM solutions for the sheet metal industries. It offers a unique combination of applications for punching, profiling, bending, design and production management for sheet metal fabrication
“Designer is Hexagon’s CAD application for smarter manufacturing, providing a variety of solid, surface, sheet metal modelling capabilities, creation of 2D drawings, electrode design, design automation, through macros and scripting, and a link to Hexagon CAM software and reverse engineering functionalities.”
“Through strategic planning we have subsequently grown from a company just offering software solutions to one that provides training, metrology solutions and recruitment services in the manufacturing industry.”
B&R Metrology Solutions
“In 2015 we decided to supply our clients with complementary products to the CAD/CAM software products. As a result, B&R Metrology Solutions was established. The company offers and markets metrology solutions, products and services that enforce, validate and verify predefined standards for traceability, accuracy, reliability and precision. This includes testing and designing automotive components, solutions aimed at the efficient functioning of large machinery and solutions for factories that use rotating equipment during the manufacturing of their products.”
“B&R Metrology specialises in supplying coordinate measuring machines (CMM), portable inspection, portable scanning, reverse engineering, inspection and 3D printing equipment.”
“Some of the manufacturer’s equipment that we sell and service include LK Metrology, Nikon, Tomelleri, Metronor, Plannar, Renishaw, Mahr, Starret and Inspecvision.”
Designer is Hexagon’s CAD application for smarter manufacturing, providing a variety of solid, surface, sheet metal modelling capabilities, creation of 2D drawings, electrode design, design automation, through macros and scripting, and a link to Hexagon CAM software and reverse engineering functionalities
“New to the range, B&R Metrology Solutions has introduced high-tech solutions developer Scantech’s Simscan 3D handheld scanner in the metrology field for high-quality 3D scans of detailed parts in most environments. The scanners can be used for inspection and reverse engineering. As one of the only hand-sized 3D scanners currently on the market, they offer portability and detailed scans, regardless of how narrow or restrictive the environment is.”
“New applications emerge as technology improves. As additive manufacturing techniques and technologies continue to mature, more and more industry sectors, companies and design teams are realising the tremendous potential that 3D printers, used in conjunction with 3D scanners, have accelerated innovation, operational gains, supply chain resiliency and on-demand small-batch production.”
“Also new to the range is the VSHAPER 3D printers, which are imported from Poland. B&R Metrology Solutions have already imported the first machine which is available for live demonstrations at our showroom in Sunnyrock, Germiston. The VSHAPER 500 allows the company to create high-quality professional 3D printing results and with this machine the company can offer a 3D printing service.”
“They can assist you with your needs – from 3D scanning to 3D printing.”
Ikusasa CNC Training Centre
“As machine tools have become more sophisticated (and expensive) and as tolerance for errors of any kind in the machining process approaches zero, more formal training programmes are becoming a more attractive training alternative for small shops as well as large manufacturing concerns.”
“We recognised this fact and launched Ikusasa CNC Training Centre just over four years ago with a specific aim to train employees in G-Code programming, CNC setting and CNC machine operating. This vision of industry specific training has now expanded to include those that may not have the computer or machine skills required to participate in the above training courses. Training programmes for other areas associated with CNC machining that are necessary for an individual to become a skilled and competent CNC operator are currently being developed.”
Some of the manufacturer’s equipment that B&R Metrology sell and service includes LK Metrology’s CMM equipment. Recently launched is the new ALTO 6×5 Bench Top CMM featuring a half-gantry design, fully integrated electronics and a retractable monitor arm. The ALTO is a compact CMM with space-saving features. Apart from the automated stylus changing feature, ALTO offers a high-performance 5-axis probe system as well as a motorised indexing probe head. In production or quality control areas, ALTO is an ideal product because it can take parts from three sides
“The word Ikusasa roughly means future in isiZulu, one of our local languages. If you add the word eliqhakazile it translates to bright future and this is our takeaway on the pandemic. You will only have a bright future if you invest in training your employees. You might even surprise yourself and take it further by training yourself.”
“iKusasa is a merSETA accredited CNC training centre and a Level 2 B-BBEE company that offers G-Code, CAD/CAM and Microsoft training courses for all skill levels. Our CAD/CAM training covers all Edgecam, Alphacam, Radan, Designer, Mastercam and WorkNC modules.”
“Our Microsoft training covers Microsoft Windows basics, as well as Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint at all levels. All our Microsoft courses are taught by a Microsoft accredited teacher.”
“Training saves costs in the form of higher efficiency and reduced rework. It’s just that the costs of not training are difficult to quantify, affecting the perception of training’s return on investment.”
“Today, computer numerical control (CNC) machines are found almost everywhere, from small job shops in rural communities to large multinational companies in large urban areas. Truly, there is hardly a facet of manufacturing that is not in some way touched by what these innovative machine tools can do. Everyone involved in the manufacturing environment should be well aware of what is possible with these sophisticated machine tools.”
“One way to take the fear out of crashing an expensive new CNC machine is to train your shop floor employees, even if you already regard them, rightly or wrongly, as CNC operators or machinists. Even good programmers and operators benefit from training.”
Trading Places Manufacturing Recruitment
“The shortage of potential employees in the manufacturing and engineering sectors is a serious challenge that merits a serious response. Too many companies react to employee needs by scrambling to fill the holes as they appear. And then they do not know who to turn to because the general recruitment agency that they use for administrative staff does not understand the industry we are working in and what type of candidate is needed. Other channels such as newspapers or social media sites can produce numbers because of the high unemployment rate in South Africa but it is highly likely that the vast majority of the CVs submitted will not be suitable and can waste plenty of time. In this process potential employees can be missed because they get lost amongst the many.”
New to the range of products that B&R Metrology Solutions offers is the VSHAPER 3D printers, which are imported from Poland. B&R Metrology Solutions have already imported the first machine which is available for live demonstrations at their showroom in Sunnyrock, Germiston. The VSHAPER 500 allows the company to create high-quality professional 3D printing results and with this machine the company can offer a 3D printing service
“Trading Places Manufacturing Recruitment is a dynamic manufacturing recruitment agency with over 40 years of industry knowledge and experience. With a team as diverse as the industry we recruit for, we offer premium and personalised staffing solutions with a variety of supporting services.”
“Our expertise provides us with an in-depth understanding of the requirements this industry demands. We have collaborated with employers of all sizes, and with a large database of highly skilled candidates, we find the perfect match between talent and company.”
“Whether you are looking to hire or are job hunting we will find a solution for you.”
Success can be measured
“While many companies invest heavily in CNC machine tools and related equipment, the implementation of new strategies tends to happen more slowly. However, today the call for more accountability when manufacturing large or small components is getting louder. In fact, it is reaching a crescendo because of ISO requirements, traceability, CE marking and many other regulatory rules and standards that are the norm rather than the exception as they were in the 20th century.”
“Despite the diversity of application, the Stillam Group of companies have one thing in common. They all address the rising challenges of achieving manufacturing efficiency and bring huge value to the operations where they are deployed.”
For further details contact Stillam Group Holdings on TEL: 011 663 2600 or visit www.stillamgroup.com
