Delcam will promote its wide range of software and services at the 2014 Canadian Aerospace Summit, on November 18th and 19th at the Ottawa Convention Centre. The 2014 Canadian Aerospace Summit is hosted by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC). Delcam is proud to be part of this exclusive event which brings together Canadian and international companies of all sizes, government representatives, and academia for two days in the nation’s capital.
The theme for the 2014 Canadian Aerospace summits is One World: Delivering Results in a Global Market. With over 40 years CADCAM experience and now being the world’s largest specialist supplier of machining software, Delcam is one company that can deliver aerospace solutions for the diverse and global aerospace market.
Delcam has design, manufacturing and inspection solutions to meet the needs of companies servicing the civil, military or space sectors of the aerospace industry. Mark Cadogan, VP Sales at Delcam North American says, "We have helped customers throughout the world to undertake projects in all the various areas that go towards producing a successful aircraft, from developing more fuel-efficient engines, to manufacturing airframe components more effectively, and even in designing more comfortable and more attractive interiors. There is no scale of a project, from the manufacture of components for UAVs and helicopters up to the production of engines and airframes for the largest passenger and transport aircraft, for which we cannot find a solution.”
Recent developments using Delcam software include the programming, with Delcam’s unique adaptive machining technology, of a new hybrid machine from Hamuel Maschinenbau for the remanufacturing of high-value metal components, such as turbine blades, and a novel five-axis machining method, programmed with the company’s PowerMILL CAM system, for the creation of ‘fir-tree’ profiles in components for turbo machinery.
The Hamuel hybrid machine combines five technologies in one unit – five-axis CNC milling, laser cladding, robot polishing, inspection and laser marking. Using a hybrid machine and Delcam’s PowerMILL CAM software, it is possible to remove the damaged area of a turbine blade by milling off the worn material and then build the material back up using the cladding technology. A second machining operation, for high-speed five-axis milling, produces the final shape, with a smooth transition between the original part and the new material. Polishing and laser marking can be undertaken to complete the component, if required. In-cycle part inspection, using Delcam’s adaptive machining software, provides feedback to orientate the parts, assess defects, and ensure accuracy throughout the various stages.
The novel method for the creation of ‘fir-tree’ profiles was developed in partnership with Iruba, a German provider of engineered solutions, and machine-tool manufacturer Hermle. It allows these complex shapes to be produced on milling machines, such as the Hermle C60 five-axis machining centre, rather than having to use specialist broaching equipment. The use of PowerMILL’s trochoidal strategies to program the operation gives a number of benefits, in particular high material removal rates with lower, and more consistent, cutting forces.
These latest projects continue a trend that has seen Delcam systems used, at some stage, on virtually every major aircraft programme in recent years. The company’s customers have Delcam also supports a large number of MRO operations. These companies use Delcam systems to enable the fast, efficient repair or replacement of damaged components. By minimising design and manufacturing times, while maintaining the highest levels of quality, repairs can be completed as quickly as possible, so minimising the time-on-ground of the aircraft.
