Delcam España will demonstrate the latest development in company’s range of machining software at the BIEMH exhibition to be held in Bilbao, Spain, from 2nd to 7th June. The centrepiece of the stand will be a demonstration of machining by robot using a Camau robot programmed with PowerMILL Robot. Delcam España will also highlight new functionality in Delcam’s PowerMILL and FeatureCAM CAM systems.
Robots can be extremely cost-effective for machining large parts, for the production of larger items of tooling, and for the trimming and drilling of panels in metal or composites. Delcam’s PowerMILL Robot software makes it as easy to program a robot for machining as it is to program a five-axis machine tool. Furthermore, with PowerMILL Robot, users have access to the comprehensive range of multi-axis machining strategies within PowerMILL.
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.
The 2014R2 release of PowerMILL includes new options for high-speed and five-axis machining of parts and tooling with unprecedented speed and accuracy. New simulation and customisation tools, plus greater editing flexibility, give even greater opportunities to minimise programming times and reduce manufacturing times.
A series of improvements to Delcam’s unique Vortex high-efficiency area-clearance strategy is also included in the new release. Vortex gives fast, safe metal removal by allowing solid carbide tooling to cut with its full flute length so minimising machining times. At the same time, Vortex toolpaths use a controlled engagement angle between the cutter and the part, and so give a more consistent volume-removal rate and feedrate, minimising wear on the cutter.
As well as including the Vortex area-clearance strategy, the 2014 R2 version of the FeatureCAM feature-based CAM system provides support for milling and drilling with right-angle heads, and one-stop programming of multiple roughing operations. Other enhancements in this release include better control of Z-level roughing, and improvements to Wire EDM and chamfering.
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.
