MACH 2014 - Delcam PartMaker 2014 features Vortex technology

This release sees the introduction of Delcam's Vortex high efficiency strategy for area clearance to the PartMaker CAM suite. Other enhancements in the 2014 version include improved back-turning and 2D pocketing functionality, support for additional tool types, faster programming of lead-in and lead-out moves, and a new NC program viewer among other improvements. Vortex is Delcam's unique high speed roughing technology. It controls the maximum engagement angle of the cutter in the material, such that the angle calculated for the programmed stepover is never exceeded, even in internal corners. This allows optimum cutting conditions to be maintained throughout the toolpath. By controlling the maximum engagement angle and the load on the tool, Vortex can take deeper cuts than traditionally used in roughing operations. Depths of cut up to the full flute length enable maximum material removal rate from solid carbide tooling and reduce machining times by up to 70%. Vortex is available to licensees of PartMaker's Advanced Surface Machining (ASM) as a free upgrade, if they are on maintenance. PartMaker 2014 includes improved functionality to support the automated programming of back-turning tools. These tools are used across a wide variety of small-part turning applications, particularly in Swiss machining. Another area that has been improved is 2D pocketing. This more powerful functionality allows for more efficient and intelligent material removal from 2D pockets. The raster finishing strategy in PartMaker ASM has also been enhanced, resulting in less fragmented toolpaths without overlaps when machining highly complex shapes, thus improving part surface finish. Removing overlaps also has the added benefit of reducing cycle time by preventing over-machining of parts and by minimising lifting of the tool. In addition, PartMaker 2014 lets users enter lead-in and lead-out moves faster than ever before for both turning and milling operations, while a new option to make programming of more complex machines much easier is the NC Program Viewer function. This allows improved analysis of the NC code generated by PartMaker to help achieve optimum productivity from the machine. It also includes unique functionality for automatically aligning 'wait' or 'sync' codes for multi-channel machines. Finally, PartMaker's extensive tool database now includes explicit selections for tapered end-mills as well as neutral turning tools and back-turning tools. Additionally, the software now automatically gives users the option to choose between a flat-bottom, bull-nose or ball-nose end-mill when creating a new end-mill. The use of back-turning tools and tapered end-mills is available as a free upgrade to maintained licensees of PartMaker's Advanced Tools option.