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ICAM Announces the Launch of Virtual Machine its NEW Machine Simulation Product
By Anonymous MONTREAL, September 27, 2002 - ICAM Technologies Corporation announced today the release of its new machine simulation product Virtual Machine. Virtual Machine unites ICAM’s advanced NC Post-Processing software CAM-POST with graphical machine tool simulation to create a single integrated solution.
Virtual Machine is a revolutionary new product that enables manufacturers to post-process and simulate NC machining at the same time and within the same product. The integration of these two technologies allows for a block-to-block detection and repair of problem areas such as collisions and over-travels. This in turn, limits the need for live testing on the machine tool, saving material, time and money.
"Virtual Machine has allowed us to deliver a superior and unique product, one that incorporates graphic machine tool simulation and NC post-processing into one integrated package that shortens the production cycle and speeds-up part delivery," said John J. Nassr, President of ICAM. "We have worked diligently to deliver a high-quality solution to the market that would complement our existing product line of NC post-processing tools, and this new product is the result of those efforts."
Benefits of Virtual Machine
Better NC Tape in Shorter Time: Because of the tight integration between Virtual Machine and CAM-POST, generated NC programs can be post-processed, verified and corrected on the fly.
Short Learning Curve: Virtual Machine is integrated with the CAM-POST user interface, eliminating the need to learn two different products or applications, and in addition there is no need to learn a new CAD system, simply import geometry from your preferred one.
Cost Effective Post-Processor and Machine Model Development: Virtual Machine works with new and existing ICAM post-processors, whether they are ICAM dedicated posts or post-processors developed with CAM-POST. Furthermore, the machine tool and controller data for both Virtual Machine and CAM-POST are stored and managed in the same database. This eliminates the error-prone and time-consuming alternative of entering the same machine and control data twice when using a non-integrated solution.
Cost Effective NC Tape Proving: Virtual Machine detects and corrects collisions during post-processing and before the part is actually manufactured. Virtual Machine detects errors between all machine and part components: heads, turrets, spindle, tool shanks, tool changers, rotary tables, axis slides, clamps, fixtures, and many other user-defined objects. This process avoids machine tool collisions and will validate machining process without having to stop production on the shop floor for dry runs, reducing scrap material and saving on tool replacement costs while increasing machining time utilization on the shop floor and improving the quality of parts and time to market.
Machine Tool Motion Inspection: Virtual Machine can be synchronized with the CAM-POST interface at any collision or over-travel error, to graphically examine the part program and tape output at the point where the problem occurred. With this powerful tool, errors that could damage the part, the tools, the fixture and the NC machine can be eliminated.
Training Tool: With its well thought out user interface, Virtual Machine is an efficient, safe and inexpensive training tool. It allows NC programmers and machine operators to learn about their machine tools and test their NC programs off-line, in a safe environment, while graphically visualizing the machining sequence along with the corresponding CL and program file.
State-of-the-Art: Virtual Machine uniquely provides a realistic graphic simulation of the machining process during NC post-processing.
"Using machine simulation to intelligently post-process, is an innovative step in the evolution of NC manufacturing software,“ said Brian Francis, Director of Research and Development for ICAM Technologies. “I'm very proud of the team here at ICAM that made it happen."
About ICAM Technologies
ICAM Technologies Corporation has been the industry leader in developing NC post-processing technology for over 30 years. Manufacturers in every major industry have increased productivity, achieved greater precision and gained a competitive advantage from ICAM’s advanced software solutions. ICAM’s product line includes: CAM-POST (a permanent NC post-processing software solution compatible with all major CAD/CAM Systems, hardware platforms and NC machines), Custom NC post-processors, and machining productivity tools including: High Speed Machining, NURBS, and Arc Fitting. ICAM also offers a complete range of consulting and training services designed to teach you how to use our NC Post-Processing technology to "achieve your specific manufacturing objectives." All of ICAM’s products and services are continuously updated to stay in tune with the latest developments in NC machinery, CAD/CAM systems, controls and computer hardware.
- Information about ICAM is available at http://www.icam.com/
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Former Atlanta Braves Players Bring Youth Baseball Headquarters and Tournaments to Central Florida's Polk County
By Anonymous Polk County, FL January 25 2004--Four former Major League Baseball standouts have reached an agreement with International Travel Baseball to create a partnership and join the two organizations. International Travel Baseball will now operate as Terry Pendleton Baseball and will continue to run tournaments throughout the country. The headquarters of the company will also move to Polk County and operations will be run out of a local office. “We are proud to team up with Terry Pendleton Baseball and become partners,” said Bing Tyus, who will become the National Tournament Director for Pendleton Baseball. “ We are anticipating much more success and we will be bringing many more tournaments to Polk County,” said Tyus. Tyus was previously Director of International Travel Baseball, an organization that held wood bat tournaments here in Polk County as well as around the nation, and will now join forces with the already established Terry Pendleton Baseball. The first Terry Pendleton Baseball tournament held in Polk County will be the Wood Bat World Championships, taking place June 20-26 in Winter Haven.
With the addition of Terry Pendleton Baseball, Polk County is now home to four governing body headquarters. The Independent Softball Association (ISA), USA Waterski, the Futures Golf Tour also call Polk County home. “We are very proud of the relationships we have formed with the organizations that operate out of Polk County,” said Mark Jackson, Director of Polk County Sports Marketing. “It says a lot about our partnerships, sports infrastructure and the people of this county that so many organizations want to be a part of our community. It also illuminates the importance of our diverse approach to sports marketing which includes both tourist and economic development,” Jackson said.
The organization, owned by former Atlanta Brave stars Terry Pendleton, Greg McMichael, Mark Lemke and Bobby Holley, began in 2002 by giving youth baseball players a place to go for first-class instruction and training. The newly formed partnership will now allow both organizations to benefit with extreme potential for growth. Before the partnership, Terry Pendleton Baseball operated as Hardball Warehouse, offering lessons and instruction at indoor training facilities, but as a result of the newly formed partnership, will grow operations to include tournaments and leagues across the country. “We will start out with about 5,000 teams around the country and our goal is to have 10,000 by the year 2007,” said Tyus. Talks of the partnership began during the American Baseball Coaches Association meeting January 2-4 in San Antonio that Tyus attended with Polk County Sports Marketing. Pendleton, who played in Major League Baseball for 15 years, is a managing partner in the organization, while former Brave pitcher, Greg McMichael runs the day-to-day operations.
An initiative of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Polk County Sports Marketing is responsible for recruiting sporting events to Polk County and marketing the county as a venue for competitive sporting events and recreational sports such as golf, bicycling and water skiing/boating. During the past year, more than 130 PCSM-assisted events generated in excess of $70 million in economic benefits for Polk County. In recognition of this and other accomplishments, the Florida Sports Foundation honored PCSM with its coveted “Sports Commission of the Year” award in 2002. General information on sports in Polk County can be found by visiting the PCSM website at www.centralfloridasports.com.
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New Video Pitching Machine to Debut at MLB Winter Meetings in December
By Anonymous PROBATTER SPORTS, LLC
THREE LANDMARK SQUARE, STE. 405
STAMFORD, CT 06901
(203) 324-9639
(203) 348-2720 (fax)
info@probatter.com
Contact: Wallace M. Lueders,
(203) 324-9639
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ProBatter™ Video Pitching System
To Debut at MLB Winter Meetings
Picture this--you step into the batting cage and see at the opposite end a projection screen. Suddenly the screen comes alive and the image of a pitcher appears. He peers in, takes his sign, winds up and fires--real baseballs through the screen at speeds up to 100 MPH with a nice mixture of curves, sliders and changeups. Even a screwball and a cutter! It is not virtual reality--it is the ProBatter™ video pitching system developed by ProBatter Sports, LLC of Stamford, CT.
The ProBatter system will debut at the Major League Baseball winter meetings in Anaheim, CA on December 10-13, 1999. As a co-sponsor of the Baseball Trade Show opening night reception, the ProBatter system will be a center stage attraction at the meetings.
A commercial version of the ProBatter system has been installed and is operational at the Grand Slam USA batting cage in Norwalk, CT where amateur (and a number of minor league) players have been hitting against the machine for months with rave reviews. Grand Slam will be adding multiple units in the near future.
The ProBatter™ system is not an arcade game or an entertainment product that throws tennis balls at 50 MPH. Combining the latest computer and video technology, the ProBatter system is the most advanced training tool for hitters ever developed. Behind the screen is a computer-controlled, state of the art pitching machine that can throw seven different pitches on an interchangeable basis to multiple locations both inside and outside the strike zone at speeds up to 100 MPH--all with pinpoint accuracy.
Using a simple touch screen controller, the batter can choose individual pitches, a particular sequence of pitches or just let the computer make the choices for him. Want to face a lefty? No problem! How about a pitcher from the stretch? It’s easy.
The ProBatter system offers ultimate convenience. It is ready whenever a player wants to take batting practice and will tirelessly throw Major League fastballs, sliders, curve balls and other pitches that the player will see in a real game.
It has applications other than simply for batting practice. Due to its extraordinary accuracy, coaches have used it to teach the strike zone to young hitters as well as to recognize breaking pitches. Early adopters have used it in bunting drills and to train catchers on blocking balls in the dirt. Other coaches have used it to teach pitchers to set up hitters--without breaking a sweat or hurting their arm.
One of the unique features of the ProBatter system is its ability to profile pitchers. It can be programmed to simulate the pitches thrown by actual pitchers. Want to see a Roger Clemens 96 MPH fastball? How about a Kevin Brown slider at 88 MPH or a Greg Maddux changeup?
Think of the endless possibilities. Hitters can prepare to face an actual pitcher before a game rather than taking batting practice from a coach throwing 65 MPH lollipops. Pinch hitters can warm up in the tunnel before they are inserted into the game with the winning run on third base in the bottom of the ninth inning--facing the same type of pitches that they will actually see!
The ProBatter system has applications at all levels of baseball, not just the Major League market. Scaled down versions of the system can be used from Little League through Major League baseball--wherever a pitcher is pitching and a batter wants to perfect his hitting skills.
Some comments from early users of the ProBatter™ system include:
"I'm amazed at how accurate it is." (Roving Hitting Instructor for AL playoff team)
"This is fantastic! An absolute simulation of real Major League pitching." (Roving Hitting Instructor for NL division runner-up)
"I want to start that kid (image on our screen) pitching in tomorrow's game." (Manager for minor league team)
"I'm using the system to teach my catchers how to handle a Major League curve ball." (Field Coordinator AL division runner-up)
"The curve ball is very realistic and consistent-every one went right to the outside corner." (Hitting instructor for AL playoff team)
"I haven't had a chance to see many curve balls before - this is great!" (1999 #1 draft pick)
The ProBatter system was the brainchild of Greg Battersby, an intellectual property attorney in Stamford, CT. Although Battersby has a national reputation as a licensing attorney and has authored more than ten books on the subject, his true passion is baseball. After a serious shoulder injury ended an otherwise undistinguished baseball career during his freshman year in college, Battersby turned toward youth coaching. For more than a decade he has coached youth baseball in his hometown of Westport, CT. After many years of training hitters, including his own son, on conventional pitching machines, Battersby recognized the limitations of machines such as the Jugs machine that he had in his own backyard. He knew there had to be a better way to train hitters than using a machine that threw the same pitch at the same speed to the same location time after time.
Working with local engineers, machine designers and a computer control firm, Van Geldern Machine Co. of Rowayton CT, Battersby planned and developed the precursor of what is now the ProBatter pitching system. The machine was initially conceived as a portable unit that could interchangeably throw different pitches to different locations. After spending more than two years in perfecting a multiple-wheel throwing head, the next step was to add a sophisticated computer control that would automatically move the machine both horizontally and vertically while instantaneously controlling wheel speeds. State of the art motors and controllers were incorporated to change wheel speeds rapidly to permit it to throw different pitches.
The final piece of the puzzle was added this past summer when a video component was incorporated so that the hitter could actually see the pitcher delivering the ball in order to permit him to time the delivery. The video image was timed to synchronize with the release of the ball from the throwing head.
As one would expect being the product of a patent attorney, the ProBatter system is the subject of multiple patent applications pending both in the United States and an extensive international filing program is in the works.
After months of serious testing at Grand Slam under the tutelage of its owner and former college player, Scott Burdick, the ProBatter team took the system on the road this fall. They were invited to beta test the machine at the Boston Red Sox training facility at Ft. Myers, Florida where it was used by the top Red Sox prospects during the fall instructional league. The road show was a great proving ground for the technology and resulted in a number of changes to the ProBatter system. For example, it became readily apparent that the Florida environment was more difficult on equipment than the controlled climate of Grand Slam. The team quickly learned that anything that could rust, did rust--and quickly. Changes were also made to prepare the system for the heavy use of a professional team. Additional automatic sequences were added in response to some suggestions by the Red Sox personnel, including a strike zone recognition series where pitches were thrown interchangeably both inside and outside of the strike zone.
The ProBatter team is now working on a pitching machine baseball with colored seams to assist hitters in recognizing breaking pitches. This product should be introduced shortly.
Many knowledgeable baseball people believe that the ProBatter system will revolutionize the way hitters prepare for games. As they prepare for the product rollout at baseball’s winter meetings, the ProBatter team is cautiously optimistic that it will be the “hit” of the show.
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