Delcam will launch the 2012 version of its FeatureCAM feature-based CAM system at the EMO World of Metalworking exhibition to be held in Hannover from 19th to 24th September. A range of enhancements will enable faster and easier programming, and produce more efficient toolpaths to give greater machine productivity.
FeatureCAM’s target part comparison now works for multi-axis operations
All these developments will ensure that FeatureCAM retains the leadership in programming speed and ease of use it has held since its launch in 1995, when it was the world’s first feature-based programming system.
Even easier to use A number of the improvements will make FeatureCAM even easier to use. For example, a range of keyboard shortcuts have been added, including isometric view options, that will allow faster programming. It has been made easier to select multiple items from the operations tree and to move all the features in a group, for example, a network of similar holes or all the operations on a particular spindle. In addition, warning or error messages can be displayed simply by hovering over the relevant icon in the Operations List. Toolpath editing has also been made much easier. Toolpaths are displayed more clearly, selection of toolpaths has been simplified and an “undo” option added.
Many new features
- Target part comparison has been extended to cover multi-axis operation for both milling and mill-turn equipment (Previously, this option was only available for 2- and 3-axis operations).
- Two new strategies are now available – back boring and spiral roughing. Back boring allows more parts to be completed in a single set-up, with larger bores able to be produced on the reverse side of the part. Spiral roughing can be used instead of Z-level roughing. It uses a single continuous toolpath instead of a series of levels and so gives a smoother finish with no dwell marks.
- The most important improvement for increasing machine productivity comes from further developments in the use of stock models to cover 2D features, including bosses, sides and slots.
- A number of extra options have been added to the tooling database. This database is a key part of the automation in FeatureCAM as it allows the optimum operating conditions to be associated with each tool.
- Fully-automated de-burring and chamfering, when programming 2- or 2.5-axis parts, was added in FeatureCAM 2011. Tool selection for this operation has now been improved, to avoid unnecessary tool changes. Other improvements include
- A new option to automatically counterbore holes before drilling
- The ability to have a negative leave allowance (such as a fitting allowance) for turning or wire EDM to produce undersized features without remodeling
- And much improved performance on the largest part files with hundreds of thousands of entities. To be discovered at EMO, hall 25, booth H25
For further information on Delcam’s PowerMILL software, please contact: Peter Dickin, Marketing Manager Direct phone: 0121 683 1081 [email protected]
Delcam plc Small Heath Business Park, Birmingham, B10 0HJ, UK www.delcam.com
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As reminder, we’ve already published quite a lot of news about EMO recently on the blog. Do not hesitate to follow these links
- LNS - EMO Hannover: LNS bar feeder innovations in the spotlight
- Newemag - News from Matsuura, Miyano and brother
- Gloor - Mini internal whirl thread end mills up from S 0.60/M 0.60
- Mikron Tools – Flexible carbide micro drill
- Hermle – Many news
- PTG – Zenith
- Delcam – PowerMill
- Tornos – MultiSwiss
- Esco – D5 CNC Ultra
- Schaublin – 136, 137 and 102 TM CNC Robotized
- Emissa – Twin Turn 250, WinFlex Turn and Speed Tool Super Magnum
- Tornos – Cyklos
- Pemamo – MVRL 160
- Blue Competence for machine tool
- Willemin-Macodel – 408 MT and many more
- Chiron – DZ08 and more
- Alicona – Roughness, roundness and form
By the way, if you are active in high precision machining and microtechnology and would like to see your news published here, do not hesitate to contact me at p[email protected].
Cheers and see you soon!
Pierre-Yves Kohler
