others employ their own home-grown strategies. Those solutions include Delcam’s Vortex controlled- engagement toolpaths and also the Dynamic Motion toolpath technology developed by CNC Software Inc. (Tolland, CT), developer of Mastercam software. “The key trends in CAM software are still simple
but powerful: constantly increase the speed and effi ciency of the software, automate where possible, deliver programming methods that make the best possible use of machine tools, tooling, and material, and make the software capable of handling the in- creasing variety of jobs a shop encounters,” said Ben Mund, CNC Software marketing manager. “A great example is the wider adoption of dynam- ic-style toolpaths, a technique we’ve been developing and expanding across our products,” Mund said. “This technique is a different philosophy on creating cutter motion that uses more of the tool and deeper cuts, while reducing machine time and tool wear.” Another example, he said, is better understanding of a part’s changing stock model—using the changing stock model to automate and streamline subsequent opera- tions helps create the most effi cient motion possible. “This is especially useful with mill-turn machines and repositioning for multiaxis manufacturing.” CAD/CAM customers want software that is more
powerful, fl exible, easier to learn and faster to use, said Peter Dickin, Delcam marketing manager. “Software companies are working hard to meet those needs. On the CAM side, much of the development is being driv- en by developments in machinery and cutting tools,” Dickin said. “Machines are becoming more complex, especially multitasking equipment with multiple turrets and spindles, so CAM software needs to be able to program these more advanced machines. “At the same time, cutting tools are able to
achieve metal-removal rates that would have been unthinkable even a few years ago,” he added. “New strategies are needed to take full advantage of these capabilities.” The Delcam Vortex high-speed rough- ing functionality, which can achieve up to 60% faster machining cycle times, is now available across its entire CAM line including in PowerMill, FeatureCAM and Partmaker.
Another option for high-speed roughing is Prof- itMilling in the Esprit 2014 CAM software from DP Technology Corp. (Camarillo, CA). “In smoothing the toolpath and combining engagement angle, chip
load, lateral acceleration with feed rate optimization, Esprit Profi tMilling technology drastically reduces machining time,” said Cedric Simard, DP Technol- ogy’s director, global marketing and communication, noting that Profi tMilling supports two, three, four and fi ve-axis machining. “CAM users will benefi t from bottom-up roughing cycles,” he said. “Rather than traditional top-down strategy, bottom-up roughing allows users to tremendously reduce cycle time by taking the full depth of a cut in the fi rst pass.”
More Automation, Smart Machining Another key area in CAD/CAM development is automating best practices and leveraging knowledge- based systems to help speed up machining processes. “A signifi cant advancement has been the introduction of software intelligence, which reduces reliance on CAD/CAM experts,” said Steve Sivitter, CEO of Vero Software (Tuscaloosa, AL, and Cheltenham, UK), developer of several CAM packages including Edge- cam, Radan, Machining Strategist, Surfcam, WorkNC and the VISI Mould and Progress moldmaking pack- ages. “This can be achieved with a knowledge-based database, which adapts over time and can be used by anyone to achieve the same results, following proven and tested rules and conventions.”
“We certainly see simulation having gone mainstream.”
Manufacturers that establish plant-wide database defaults that represent company standards will ensure that, from user to user and job to job, the company produces consistent results and high-quality tool- ing, Sivitter noted. “Intelligence can be added to the software so that the system can automatically select the best strategy or machining parameters based on remaining stock or geometrical attributes,” he said. “One example of this is the ability to take a standard three-axis toolpath and convert it for use as a fi ve- axis toolpath, rather than having to rework it from the beginning. This is particularly useful for dealing with both short-reach cutters and deep pockets.” The integration of a CAD/CAM system ensures that data can be successfully passed from CAD to
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