27 March 2010
Faster 64-bit PowerMILL from Delcam
Delcam's 64-bit version of its PowerMILL CAM software, removes the memory limitations of 32-bit computers, so allowing more efficient toolpath generation, especially for companies that are machining large or complex parts.
The 2010 release also improves user productivity by further extending the use of the latest background-processing and multi-threading technologies that is available in recent hardware. The combination of these two developments is estimated to reduce toolpath calculation times by up to 25 per cent, although this will depend on the size and complexity of the part.
PowerMILL 2010 also includes more than 50 other major enhancements. This is the largest number in a single release for over five years.
The most obvious change for existing users will be the updating of all the toolpath-creation forms to a new and improved layout. The forms make it easier for new users to find the commands they need, while also giving experienced operators more logical access to the more advanced options.
A series of strategies for roughing and finishing corners has been added to give more efficient and smoother clearance of these areas.
Rest roughing has been enhanced to give better control over the start points for each segment of the toolpath. This will give substantial savings in overall machining time by minimising any air cutting.
Offset roughing, a popular approach for high-speed machining, has been enhanced so any thin slivers of material can be removed without risking damage to the cutter. These slivers can be left for the final pass, when a constant stepover is used for the offset.
A number of improvements have been made to give smoother toolpaths for semi-finishing and finishing. These minimise the stresses put on the cutter and machine tool, and result in a better surface finish.
In a related development, more options have been added to the collision avoidance functionality to give more control over the direction chosen by the software to avoid the problem.
Constant-Z toolpaths have been enhanced to include automatic detection of flat areas that would benefit from an alternative strategy.
Finally, an option has been added for all toolpaths that specifies the safe profile of the toolholder. This provides a warning if the toolholder shape extends outside this area in ways that may cause a gouge or collision.
Author
Michael Richards
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Delcam plc