When the Machine Gets Bigger, MecSoft Gets Better!
Overview
As manufacturers push into larger, more complex, and more ambitious projects, MecSoft continues to evolve its CAM technology to meet them there. A recent collaboration with Piedmont Composites & Tooling (PCT), a leading composites manufacturer in North Carolina showcases how MecSoft and RhinoCAM support next generation manufacturing challenges.
When PCT installed a massive C.R. Onsrud “LR” 5‑axis CNC router with a work envelope of 28.5 ft × 13.2 ft × 8 ft, it became the largest machine MecSoft has ever supported. Their first major project on the machine, a 91″ × 54″ × 36″ Baptistery Basin plug, put RhinoCAM to the test in a high‑stakes, real‑world environment.
The results highlight not just PCT’s craftsmanship, but MecSoft’s ability to scale, innovate, and deliver reliable RhinoCAM solutions for customers tackling next‑generation manufacturing challenges.
The Challenge
Large‑format machining introduces unique demands:
- Oversized part files and complex geometry
- Multi‑setup indexed 5‑axis machining
- Accuracy across a massive work envelope
- Seamless CAD/CAM integration to avoid workflow bottlenecks
- A reliable post processor tailored to a head‑head 5‑axis configuration
PCT needed a CAM solution that could handle all of this, without slowing down production or requiring months of retraining.
PCT needed a CAM solution that could handle these challenges without slowing production or requiring months of retraining. MecSot’s RhinoCAM needed to perform at scale from day one.
The MecSoft Advantage with RhinoCAM
RhinoCAM delivered exactly what the project required, backed by MECSOFT’s engineering and support teams:
- Integrated workflow inside Rhino (no exporting, no lost data)
- Powerful 3‑axis and 5‑axis capabilities for complex composite tooling
- A custom RhinoCAM post processor
- Fast learning curve for the team
- Outstanding MecSoft support throughout the rollout
The Result
The Baptistery Basin plug machined perfectly on the first run using RhinoCAM with exceptional accuracy, clean surfaces, and smooth execution across 13 indexed setups. For a machine of this size, this represented a significant milestone for both PCT and MECSOFT.
Customer Perspective
“The seamless integration of RhinoCAM inside Rhino saves us a tremendous amount of time. The support from MecSoft has been outstanding — and the software had everything we needed at a great value.”
— Piedmont Composites & Tooling
Why It Matters
This project marks a major milestone for MecSoft: the largest CNC machine ever programmed with RhinoCAM and a flawless first‑run success. It’s a clear demonstration that as manufacturers scale up in size, complexity, and ambition, MecSoft’s technology scales with them.
For manufacturers evaluating MecSoft and RhinoCAM, this project signals:
- Confidence that RhinoCAM can handle oversized parts, multi‑axis setups, and demanding workflows
- Flexibility to integrate MecSoft technology with new machines, new processes, and new production goals
- Reliability backed by hands‑on collaboration with machine builders and machining teams
- Ongoing innovation from MecSoft that keeps pace with the evolving needs of modern manufacturing
As the industry moves toward larger components, tighter tolerances, and more advanced automation, MecSoft and RhinoCAM continues to power the workflows behind those breakthroughs, helping shops take on bigger challenges with the same precision and efficiency they expect every day.
