manufacturers need to make sure they’re using the right CAM software. “More than ever, it is technologi- cal advancement that keeps manufacturers ahead of the competition and investing in more advanced and complex machinery. However, with complex machinery comes inherent programming challenges and, in many cases, these machines are being pro- grammed with ineffective CAM software,” said Dave Bartholomew, product manager, DP Technology Corp. (Camarillo, CA). With the new Esprit CAM software, DP Technology
has added ProfitMilling strategy, a high-speed mate- rial-removal cycle that allows significantly deeper, faster and more efficient cuts while reducing wear on the tool and machine. ProfitMilling is patent-pending and is designed for two, three, four and five-axis roughing cycles.
Some key trends affecting CAD/CAM are com-
ing from developments in related technology, such as cutting tools that can operate at higher speeds in harder materials and increasingly complex machinery configurations, especially in mill-turn equipment, ac- cording to Glenn McMinn, president, Delcam North America (Salt Lake City, UT). “These developments offer potential benefits in increased productivity and shorter delivery times. However, these benefits can only be achieved with CAM software that can take full advantage of the new technology,” McMinn said. Among Delcam’s latest enhancements to its five-ax-
is PowerMILL software is the lead and lean angles can now be defined relative to a contact normal, McMinn noted. “In addition, better control is now possible for the tool-axis definition when using the To or From a Point, Line or Curve strategies. These improvements will make it easier for users to control the contact angle between the cutter and the part, and to set the optimum cutting conditions for efficient machining and quality of surface finish.” New options have also been added to give smooth- er five-axis machining, McMinn said. “A new look-
ahead capability will remove any sudden tool-axis changes during automatic collision avoidance and instead ensure that a smooth transition takes place,” he added.
In the latest release of Delmia’s V6R2013X portfo- lio, Delmia has added a suite of new enhancements to its all-in-one programming and simulation tools for machining, which includes Extended Milling Machining, Milling Machining, NC Machine Builder, NC Machine Simulation, Prismatic Machining, and Turning Machining. The update includes expansion of its capabilities of emulating controllers such as the Siemens 840D and other leading brands, noted Delmia’s Kishore. The portfolio for NC programmers comes with an integrated data management and col- laboration capability that adds value to programmers by saving time and cost. “With our latest releases, it’s programming the
machine in the 3D life-like environment exactly as it behaves on the shop floor,” Kishore said. “To comple- ment programming the machine for those complex parts, we have automated capabilities, like the process templates and catalogs that could be reused
“In many cases, these machines are being programmed with ineffective CAM software.”
to save programming time. There is now support for dual-core machines, enabling multiprocessing where the processing time is significantly improved.
NC Simulations Crucial With today’s machine tools, obtaining accurate NC simulations is critical to success, and the sharing of key machine details between suppliers has some- times been a barrier, notes Bill Hasenjaeger, product marketing manager, CGTech (Irvine, CA), developer
mfgengmedia.org SS15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132