CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
14 October 2008
Events News
Delcam to Show New Design and Machining Software at Euromold
Delcam will focus on the latest versions of its CopyCAD reverse engineering package, and its PowerMILL and FeatureCAM CAM systems, at the Euromold exhibition to be held in Frankfurt from 3rd to 6th December. The company will also demonstrate its new DentCAD and DentMILL software for the design and manufacture of dental caps and bridges, its PartMaker CAM system for the programming of Swiss-type lathes and turn-mill equipment, and its PowerINSPECT inspection software. Live demonstrations of the later program will be undertaken on a FARO portable inspection arm.
CopyCAD Pro will be the first product development system to offer "Tribrid Modelling”, by adding triangle modelling to the combination of surface and solid modelling that is currently offered in many existing CAD packages as "hybrid modelling”. The extended range of functionality is ideal for the re-engineering of existing products into improved or bespoke designs.
Tribrid Modelling offers a better way of working for all companies developing new variants from existing designs, especially those making products that need to be personalised for a particular customer. The combination of solid modelling, surface modelling and triangle modelling provides a unique design system for these companies. Having all the different modelling techniques in a single package reduces the need to transfer data between multiple programs and so streamlines the whole product development process.
Delcam has developed this design approach through the integration of its PowerSHAPE surface and solid modelling functionality with the reverse engineering and triangle modelling options that were in earlier versions of CopyCAD. This means that designers can move data captured with reverse engineering into the design environment more easily and so incorporate additional features into any reverse-engineered design more quickly.
The new release of Delcam’s PowerMILL CAM software offers a more complete solution for complex machining operations, together with more control for experienced machinists that know exactly how they wish to machine a particular part. The program also incorporates a number of improvements to reduce calculation times, together with some simplification of the user interface that makes it easier to select the required command and so makes programming faster. In addition, toolpath ordering has been made more efficient, especially for roughing and rest machining, so ensuring that the cutter spends more time machining and minimal time making air moves.
FeatureCAM 2009 incorporates enhancements across its complete range of functionality, reflecting the increased investment in product development following Delcam’s acquisition of the software in 2005. An important focus has been increased options for more complex machines, such as mill-turn equipment, and four- and five-axis mills. This will allow users to tackle more sophisticated parts than could be programmed before. Developments have also continued increase the efficiency of the more fundamental machining operations, including turning and three-axis milling.
Major highlights of the new release of PartMaker include a revamped and more productive user-interface, improved capabilities for programming directly on solid models and more realistic machine simulation for the increasingly-complex machine architectures of today’s multi-axis turn-mill centres and Swiss-type lathes. The enhanced user interface will make PartMaker users even more productive in programming their CNC equipment, while offering new users and even easier to learn, more capable CNC programming platform.
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