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Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Delcam to Highlight Machining with Robots at Advanced Engineering

Demonstrations of machining with robots using the PowerMILL Robot programming system will be the highlight of Delcam’s stand at the Advanced Engineering group of events that is to be held at the NEC, Birmingham, on 11th and 12th November.  Delcam will also feature the 2015 releases of its PowerSHAPE Pro CAD and reverse engineering software, and its FeatureCAM and PowerMILL CAM systems on stand G33 at the exhibition.

PowerMILL Robot can be used for the programming of robots for a variety of multi-axis machining operations, including patternmaking, modelmaking, trimming and drilling of composite components, and deburring and polishing of metal parts.  Robots can be also be programmed for part-to-tool applications, such as grinding or linishing.  In both cases, the software makes it as easy to program a robot for machining as it is to program a five-axis machine tool. 

To ensure safe and efficient operation, PowerMILL Robot can be used to simulate the complete machining operation and to control the robot’s movements through different variables, such as axis limits, axis priorities and workplane constraints.  Various aspects within the configuration of the robot cell, such as axis limits, tool constraints and home position, can be defined, and the simulation of the robot completed within those constraints.

Once the results of the simulation have been reviewed, and modified if necessary, the program can be output in the appropriate robot native language, for example for KUKA, ABB, Fanuc, Yaskawa Motoman or Stäubli equipment, eliminating any need for third-party translation software.

By offering a combination of solid, surface and direct modelling, together with reverse engineering functionality, PowerSHAPE Pro provides the most comprehensive range of design techniques available in a single CAD program.  Having all the different technologies in the same package reduces the need to transfer data between multiple programs and so streamlines the whole product development process.

The new release of PowerMILL, Delcam’s programming system for high-speed and five-axis machining, includes improvements to the Vortex high-efficiency area-clearance strategy, expanded collision checking to also cover near misses, and more efficient raster finishing.

Vortex produces safe toolpaths with a much deeper cut by using a controlled engagement angle that maintains the optimum cutting conditions for the whole toolpath.  As a result, higher feed rates and material-removal rates are possible, making the cutting time shorter by as much as 70%.  Enhancements in PowerMILL 2015 will give even greater reductions in machining time with Vortex compared to conventional roughing.

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 that give greater productivity on a wider range of machinery, including mill-turn machines, five-axis mills and wire EDM equipment.

FeatureCAM 2015 includes a range of enhancements in three-axis milling, two-axis and five-axis drilling, turning and turn-mill, and wire EDM to make the software even more powerful and easier to use.

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