5-Axis CAM Software | Concepts NREC

Turbomachinery CAM Software for Professionals

MAX-PAC™ is used worldwide by turbomachinery manufacturers, job shops, and 5-axis machine-tool manufacturers who are passionate about producing the highest-quality parts.

Manufacturing turbomachinery is challenging. Hard materials, thin blades, tight tolerances, difficult tool access – we’ve been there. And we’ve built MAX-PAC to do the hard work so you don’t have to.

Collision avoidance you can count on

We don’t just solve collision avoidance for individual points. We calculate a safe zone for the entire region, then build the smoothest path through – optimizing machine motion and ensuring a safe toolpath.

Software Highlights

2020 Release Features

Better, Faster, Cheaper

Manufacturing turbomachinery components is often a challenge due to hard materials, thin blades, tight tolerances, smooth surface- finish requirements, or difficult tool access. Concepts NREC’s MAX-PAC CAM software was built from the ground up to address these challenges. MAX-PAC enables users to produce high-quality components in less time and at lower cost. Compared to other general CAM tools, MAX-PAC is faster to learn, easier to use, and requires less programming and machining time. Its choice of cutting strategies ensures that each client has a solution tailored to their specific milling requirements. The most important attribute of MAX-PAC, however, is its ability to produce higher-quality turbomachinery components.
MAX-PAC Advantages
- Specialized for turbomachinery production
- Easy and fast to learn
- Supports a broad selection of tool geometries
- Faster machining times with optimized cutting strategies
- Smooth 5-axis toolpaths for high-speed milling
- Collision-free toolpaths for difficult geometries
- Superior surface finish and tight tolerances using a patented flank- or point-milling approach
- Produces high-quality parts that don’t require hand finishing or other reworking
Collision Avoidance

Parts are getting more complicated and manufacturing them can be challenging. MAX-PAC automatically checks the feasibility of machining your part as soon as you program in the tool, holder and geometry. Our patented collision avoidance algorithm quickly determines a smooth, safe trajectory for both the tool and holder through the pocket, or gives a warning if one can’t be found. This saves you time and money by avoiding a lot of simulations and/or test cutting.

Other CAM systems use individual points based on the part's geometry to create a collision-free toolpath. MAX-PAC calculates an entire collision free zone and then determines the smoothest path through that zone to produce the best part in the shortest amount of time. This approach also enables MAX-PAC to machine parts other software can't.

Other CAM systems use an approach that results in a "jerky" motion as seen here. Note how the tool flip-flops around the lead and trail edges:

MAX-PAC's approach results in a much smoother machine motion, especially as the tool goes around the lead and trail edges:

For example, we have a large OEM customer who was trying to machine an impeller. The software they were using at the time could not find a toolpath that would enable them to manufacture the part as designed. After months of trying, they approached Concepts NREC with their problem. We were able to deliver a workable toolpath the next day. Needless to say, the customer switched software!

Manufacturing turbomachinery components is often a challenge due to hard materials, thin blades, tight tolerances, smooth surface- finish requirements, or difficult tool access. Concepts NREC’s MAX-PAC CAM software was built from the ground up to address these challenges. MAX-PAC enables users to produce high-quality components in less time and at lower cost. Compared to other general CAM tools, MAX-PAC is faster to learn, easier to use, and requires less programming and machining time. Its choice of cutting strategies ensures that each client has a solution tailored to their specific milling requirements. The most important attribute of MAX-PAC, however, is its ability to produce higher-quality turbomachinery components.

Specialized for turbomachinery production
Easy and fast to learn
Supports a broad selection of tool geometries
Faster machining times with optimized cutting strategies
Smooth 5-axis toolpaths for high-speed milling
Collision-free toolpaths for difficult geometries
Superior surface finish and tight tolerances using a patented flank- or point-milling approach
Produces high-quality parts that don’t require hand finishing or other reworking

Parts are getting more complicated and manufacturing them can be challenging. MAX-PAC automatically checks the feasibility of machining your part as soon as you program in the tool, holder and geometry. Our patented collision avoidance algorithm quickly determines a smooth, safe trajectory for both the tool and holder through the pocket, or gives a warning if one can’t be found. This saves you time and money by avoiding a lot of simulations and/or test cutting.

Other CAM systems use individual points based on the part's geometry to create a collision-free toolpath. MAX-PAC calculates an entire collision free zone and then determines the smoothest path through that zone to produce the best part in the shortest amount of time. This approach also enables MAX-PAC to machine parts other software can't.

Other CAM systems use an approach that results in a "jerky" motion as seen here. Note how the tool flip-flops around the lead and trail edges:

MAX-PAC's approach results in a much smoother machine motion, especially as the tool goes around the lead and trail edges:

For example, we have a large OEM customer who was trying to machine an impeller. The software they were using at the time could not find a toolpath that would enable them to manufacture the part as designed. After months of trying, they approached Concepts NREC with their problem. We were able to deliver a workable toolpath the next day. Needless to say, the customer switched software!

Better, Faster, Cheaper

MAX-PAC Advantages

Specialized for turbomachinery production
Easy and fast to learn
Supports a broad selection of tool geometries
Faster machining times with optimized cutting strategies
Smooth 5-axis toolpaths for high-speed milling
Collision-free toolpaths for difficult geometries
Superior surface finish and tight tolerances using a patented flank- or point-milling approach
Produces high-quality parts that don’t require hand finishing or other reworking

Collision Avoidance

Other CAM systems use an approach that results in a "jerky" motion as seen here. Note how the tool flip-flops around the lead and trail edges:

MAX-PAC's approach results in a much smoother machine motion, especially as the tool goes around the lead and trail edges:

Reliable machine motion that is always smooth

Other CAM systems use an approach that results in irregular motion. Note how the tool flip-flops around the edges.

MAX-PAC’s approach results in much smoother machine motion, especially as the tool goes around the edges.

Solutions for every type of turbomachinery geometry

Mirror finish. Lightning fast.

Our flank milling solution automatically minimizes surface deviations then gives you the control to fine tune and balance machine motion and accuracy. Designed for use with ruled surface geometries but can also be used to reduce cycle times on all designs when specifications allow it.

Flank Milling Solutions

More twist. Still smooth.

For more flexibility, our point milling option lets you accurately machine any blade surface. Ideal for blisks and high-twist geometry.

Point Milling Solutions

2022_website_MAX-PAC_integrally shrouded

All your tool access problems – solved.

Integrally shrouded parts are often the most challenging to find tool access. If there is a solution, we will find it. Use box passes for roughing and streamlines for finishing.

Integrally Shrouded Solutions

Fewer passes. No reversals.

When milling single blades and vanes, don’t limit yourself to ball end mills. Take advantage of larger step-overs and reduced cycle times by using corner radius endmills and barrel cutters. Use vector smoothing to improve quality by eliminating rotary reversals.

Single Blade Solutions

Remove material quickly.

Rigidity is your friend – especially for roughing operations. Find balance between the flexibility of multi-axis machining and the rigidity of a 3-axis set-up.

3+2 Roughing Solutions

All confidence. No surprises.

Validate programs before you’re at the machine. Simulate material removal and machine motion. Maximize machine utilization and eliminate surprises.

Simulation Solutions

Adapt to real-world conditions.

Modify machining instructions to adapt to real-world material conditions such as distortion or positional error.

Adaptive Machining

MAX-PAC Add-On Modules

MAX-PAC offers several different add-on modules that are focused on specific milling needs. You can purchase any combination of modules to meet your specific machining requirements.

MAX-5 - Flank Milling

MAX-AB - Point Milling

MAX-SI - Integral Shroud Milling

MAX-SB - Single Blade Milling

3+2 Roughing Module

Postprocessing and Simulation

MAX-PAC Add-On Modules

MAX-PAC offers several different add-on modules that are focused on specific milling needs. You can purchase any combination of modules to meet your specific machining requirements.

MAX-5 –Flank Milling

MAX-AB – Point Milling

MAX-SI - Integral Shroud Milling

MAX-SB – Single Blade Milling

3+2 Roughing Module

Postprocessing and Simulation

Software Support

Customer-driven Improvement

AxCent has been continuously improved with annual releases since 1983. Nearly two hundred licenses shared by nearly four hundred users worldwide make AxCent the most mature and robust turbomachinery design software available today. Each year, the most requested features from Concepts NREC’s formal ballot process are incorporated into the new AxCent release.

Technical Support

Our support staff in North America, Europe, and the Far East includes experienced turbomachinery designers. Our software maintenance plan, Agile Products Support (APS), features traditional software upgrades, a help line, and regular design reviews conducted by our engineering staff, who also teaches our renowned turbomachinery courses.

Documentation

Documentation features make AxCent easy to use and include comprehensive HTML HELP plus step-by-step tutorials. User guides for designing radial and axial machines include Designing Axial Machines With AxCent and Designing Radial Machines With AxCent. Both guides are available in print or in searchable PDF format.

MAX-PAC Brochure

Computer-Aided Manufacturing Software

Download Brochure

Find Your Rep

North America

Mr. Don Roberson

Phone:

Email: DRoberson@conceptsnrec.com

South America

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