New CAM developments at TIMTOS

Programs on show will include PowerMILL for high-speed and five-axis machining; FeatureCAM for quick and easy feature-based CAM programming; PartMaker for turn-mill equipment and Swiss-type lathes; the Delcam for SolidWorks integrated CAM system; and ArtCAM for artistic applications.

The most important new option in the next release of PowerMILL will be the new Vortex strategy for high-speed area clearance.  Vortex, for which Delcam has a patent pending, has been developed by the company specifically to gain the maximum benefit from solid carbide tooling, in particular those designs that can give deeper cuts by using the full flute length as the cutting surface.  It can be used for two- and three-axis roughing, three-plus-two-axis area clearance and for rest machining based on stock models or reference toolpaths.  Like other Delcam roughing strategies, Vortex toolpaths are calculated to give more efficient machining by following the shape of the part and so keeping air moves to a minimum.   

FeatureCAM was the world’s first feature-based programming software when it was launched in 1995.  Constant development since then has ensured that the system has retained its leadership in programming speed and ease of use, while an increased range of strategies has been added to provide more efficient toolpaths giving greater productivity on a wider range of machines, including lathes, mills and mill-turn machines.  The main change to the 2013 FeatureCAM product family has been the introduction of three levels of 3D machining functionality.  FeatureMILL 3D Lite is a new option offering single-surface machining with a basic range of strategies that provides an introductory product for companies moving into 3D machining for the first time. 

PartMaker pioneered the field of CAM software for multi-axis turn-mill centres and Swiss-type lathes.  The software offers a vast array of robust post-processors and machine-simulation files for virtually every machine model from all the leading builders.  The 2013 version will feature a totally revamped surface-machining module offering PartMaker users sNike