CAPPS 2026 Powers Data-Driven CNC Manufacturing
Applied Automation Technologies (AAT3D), a leader in on-machine metrology and adaptive manufacturing software, has announced the release of CAPPS 2026, the most advanced version of its CNC and metrology software suite to date. The release delivers major enhancements in closed-loop process control, reporting, and multi-platform hardware support – enabling manufacturers to measure, analyze, and adapt directly on the machine tool. CAPPS 2026 strengthens adaptive manufacturing workflows with expanded laser scanning support, intelligent chip detection, and enhanced real-time CNC integration.
Built for production environments where precision and throughput are critical, CAPPS 2026 further integrates dimensional metrology into CNC machining workflows. The result is improved process control, reduced scrap, shorter cycle times, and greater confidence in part conformance across aerospace, medical, tooling, and high-precision manufacturing sectors.
“Our focus is on empowering machinists and CNC systems to consistently deliver parts to design intent through integrated inspection and closed-loop feedback,” said Elliott Mills, Sales & Marketing Manager at AAT3D. “CAPPS 2026 expands that capability with deeper laser scanning integration, intelligent automation, and a more streamlined user experience – allowing manufacturers to move from measurement to corrective action faster than ever before.”
Key Innovations in CAPPS 2026 include:
Advanced NC-Laser Scanning Capabilities: CAPPS 2026 significantly expands on-machine scanning performance with full support for LK and Hexagon laser line scanners. Enhanced rich visualization tools – including deviation color maps, meshed surfaces, and cross-sectional analysis—provide deeper insight into surface conditions, while thermal compensation improves measurement reliability in real-world shop environments.
Enhanced NC-Fit Analysis: An optimized user interface and improved file management accelerate analysis workflows, and leverage best practices, while expanded support for multi-axis systems and laser-derived features enables more comprehensive optimization strategies.
Automated Chip Detection: New chip detection technology automatically identifies and compensates for debris on the workpiece, enabling uninterrupted inspection cycles or notifying operators when intervention is required – helping protect measurement integrity without sacrificing productivity.
Productivity-Driven Workflow Improvements: Updates across the platform simplify program creation and execution, including expanded nominal pattern generation, improved DMIS editability, enhanced path execution options, and a reorganized program tree for clearer operational visibility.
Expanded Measurement Capability: CAPPS 2026 introduces additional geometric feature types – including lines, cones, and tori – along with faster CAD import speeds and advanced surface point operations that increase both measurement flexibility and accuracy.
Modernized Reporting and Visualization: New histogram tools, adjustable deviation legends, and enhanced graphical outputs improve how measurement data is interpreted and communicated, while expanded reporting for form and orientation supports complex datum structures.
Upgraded 3D Best-Fit Algorithms: New tolerance-based and statistical filtering options dynamically manage outliers, producing more stable alignments and higher-confidence inspection results.
Deeper CNC Integration: Enhancements to CAPPS-NC include expanded controller compatibility, improved work offset management, automated head-change macros, and strengthened real-time communication with CNC platforms—including support for multi-head VMM configurations.
Broader Hardware Ecosystem
CAPPS 2026 expands deployment flexibility with support for:
- LK and Hexagon laser scanners
- TNC7 / Heidenhain controllers
- PMT and FARO portable arms
- Diverse machine configurations across modern manufacturing environments
Certified Accuracy
Core CAPPS 2026 components are certified by both NIST and PTB for feature-fitting algorithms, reinforcing AAT3D’s commitment to traceable accuracy, regulatory compliance, and dependable measurement performance.
Industry 4.0
The CAPPS Suite enables seamless integration with a diverse range of machine tools and delivers full shop-floor metrology capabilities across CMMs through direct and I++ protocol interfaces to leading brands. In addition, it supports comparative measurements on machine tools, CMMs, and the Renishaw Equator series of comparative gauges, as well as absolute measurements on the Renishaw Equator-X. Furthermore, it provides complete insight into production measurement data with built-in Statistical Process Control (SPC), run charts, and process capability analysis (including Cp/Cpk metrics) for real-time monitoring, trend detection, and quality optimization.
For more information: www.aat3d.com
