Delcam Offers Four New PowerMILL Options
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Delcam has rationalized the wide range of functionality within its PowerMILL CAM system into four options:
o Standard PowerMILL for companies with conventional machine tools,
o PowerMILL Pro, which provides extra strategies for high-speed machining
o PowerMILL 3+2 for the programming of positional five-axis machines and
o PowerMILL 5-axis for continuous five-axis operations.
All of the options can be supplied with the new integrated data repair program, PowerMILL Modelling, the PS-Exchange range of data translation software, and a choice from Delcam's comprehensive selection of post-processors for all leading machine tools.
The PowerMILL Pro version includes all of the functionality that has made Delcam the acknowledged leader in high-speed machining. It includes extra strategies such as trochoidal machining, parametric offset machining and Delcam's patented Race Line machining. These techniques minimize any sudden changes in direction within the toolpath, so allowing faster machining and a better surface finish, with less wear on the cutter and lower stress on the machine tool.
The 3+2 option can be added to either PowerMILL or PowerMILL Pro. This includes all the milling and drilling strategies needed to maximize the productivity of five-axis machine tools. It enables users to take full advantage of the benefits of reduced numbers of set-ups, shorter cutting tools, and more flexible machining offered by these machines.
PowerMILL 5-Axis has been developed to allow fast, efficient programming of the most demanding machining applications, such as engine ports, blades and blisks and aerostructures. Options for both roughing and finishing include machining to or from a point, orientation through a line or curve, programming using a reference surface and swarf machining from surfaces or wireframe geometry.
In addition, PowerMILL 5-Axis can generate a five-axis equivalent of any three-axis toolpath. This might be necessary when a three-axis approach is being used for most of a job but where some five-axis moves are needed to avoid an obstacle or to machine as closely as possible to a steep face. The software automatically tilts the cutter away from the obstacle by the specified tolerance and then returns the cutting angle to the value set for the overall toolpath once the problem area has been cleared.
PowerMILL Modeling is a fully-integrated modeling for manufacture module for PowerMILL that allows users to correct all the common faults with CAD data sent for machining, such as duplicate, missing or overlapping surfaces, incorrect surface trimming, gaps between surfaces, insufficient draft and inappropriate fillet sizes. The module operates within the normal PowerMILL window and provides all the modeling tools needed by CAM operators, especially those working on the shop floor.
Being able to undertake model repair on the shop floor means that any problems can be fixed by the CAM operator. This limits delays that would inevitably occur if the data had to be sent back to staff in the CAD office, as well as minimizing the interruptions to their design work.
Since its introduction in 1995, PowerMILL has become firmly established as the world's leading stand-alone CAM system. It has gained this position by offering a unique combination of diverse machining strategies, fast calculation times, flexible toolpath editing, and comprehensive gouge and collision checking.
These benefits, coupled with the software's easy-to-use interface, have made PowerMILL the CAM system of choice for mold and die manufacture for many years. Recent developments have extended the software's use into prototype manufacture and production machining applications, especially in the aerospace and autosport industries.
Caption: PowerMILL 5-Axis allows fast, efficient programming of continuous five-axis machine tools
