Hi,
I've been a cnc machinist since 2004 and been a user of GibbsCAM since 2005.
I've always been fascinated by threads, and have machined all kinds of wierd styles and sizes over the years.
I've seen solutions for machining the 'single point threading' way with plain tools in MasterCAM and EdgeCAM + RopeCAM is a standalone windows programs that does similar. But the all require you to draw or provide the thread numbers yourself.
Well, I was tired of looking up thread data, and finding numbers to draw the thread profile, so over the last 5 years I have developed a new plugin for GibbsCAM that enables you to easily program custom or large threads in GibbsCAM.
The plugin will use a plain lathe tool (groove insert usually) and segment the entire thread profile with several synchonized threading cuts (G32/G33)
This way, you can easily thread a large 1 or 2 TPI thread with a simple grooving tool, instead of using a full thread form insert that usually implies the risk of shatter.
Read more about the features here : ThreadTracer for GibbsCAM
There is a free to use verison of the plugin, that does ACME and STUBACME threads available for download.
The complete version will do buttress,trapezoidal, and the two standards of knuckle threads (DIN405 and DIN20400) and will be available for purchase.