milling motion. Large, aggressive cuts
are followed by fast, smaller up-cuts, delivering a roughed part faster than previously possible.
Hybrid finishing blends two cutting
techniques in a single toolpath. This new
toolpath evaluates the model shape and
smoothly switches between constant Z
cutting and constant scallop machining.
The result is a dramatically finer finish
with less work, the company states.
For more information, visit www.
mastercam.com.
Feature-based CAM
Programming
Delcam’s new FeatureCAM feature-based CAM system incorporates a more
modern interface than previous editions,
supports 64-bit computers, has improved
data exchange abilities, and features new
strategies for all machining types.
According to Delcam, these improvements reflect the increased investment in
development of the software since its acquisition by the company in 2005.
The most obvious change for existing users is the new interface look. This
incorporates a more modern icon style
throughout the system, with images that
more clearly illustrate the various options. They are intended to make the
software even easier for new users to
learn and for casual operators to use, the
company reports.
FeatureCAM 2011 is the first version
to support 64-bit hardware, allowing
more efficient toolpath generation, es-
pecially for companies machining large
or complex parts. User productivity has
also been improved by extending the use
of the latest multithreading technologies
available in recent hardware. Improved
memory management within the soft-
ware gives faster calculation times, with
the greatest benefits again coming when
programming larger or more complex
components.
version with the incorporation of the
company’s patented Race Line Machining strategy. With this approach to offset machining, the roughing passes are
smoothed out progressively as the toolpaths move further from the main form.
The overall result is a smoother toolpath that allows the cutter to be used at
its optimum feed rate for a much larger
percentage of the job. At the same time,
the elimination of many sudden changes
of direction reduces the rapid changes
in loading that can lead to cutter breakages and damage to critical machine tool
components, including the spindle. In
many cases, the total length of the toolpath will also be reduced significantly,
with the consequent reductions in machining times and cutter wear.
Delcam’s Exchange software can be used as an
additional import
mechanism so that all
the formats supported by
Exchange can be imported
into FeatureCAM.
On the five-axis strategies, more options have been added to the collision
avoidance functionality. These will give
the user more control over the movements chosen by the software to avoid
potential problems and so will help to
reduce sudden changes in direction.
The 2011 release also includes improvements in the more fundamental
process of five-axis drilling, with new
options to program and edit five-axis
hole creation, even when the items are
supplied as simple circles in space rather
than fully defined solids.
Finally, programming of wire EDM
has been improved with the ability to
work directly from solid models in a
similar way to FeatureCAM’s milling,
turning, and drilling options. In addition, a new automatic ordering command
makes it easier to combine operations
needed to produce different features,
while improved control over retract
moves simplifies the programming of
four-axis wire EDM equipment. n
For more information, visit www.del
cam.com.
