Delcam PowerMILL 2011 offers optimised toolpaths and more

This release makes the programming of safe toolpaths easier than ever, thanks to new stock-model-engagement options that protect both the cutting tool and the machine from excessive loading. Other enhancements include new editing capabilities to simplify the machining of duplicate items; more versatile control of feed-rates for leads and links; and extra functionality for sketching, plus the completion of the move to the new clearer forms for the complete range of strategies. (The new release is available now for customers on maintenance to download from http://updates.delcam.com.) The options to optimise tool loading will help overcome a constant conflict for programmers. On the one hand, they want to maximise productivity by setting feed-rates as fast as their machines will allow; on the other, they need to ensure safe speeds that will not break the tool. The need for safe machining has, of course, become more critical as a growing number of companies are introducing lights-out, unmanned operation overnight or during weekends. A number of CAM programs incorporate strategies based on the extent of cutter engagement to give more consistent loading on the tool and so allow higher feed-rates. However, these options are usually limited to the initial roughing operations, or to only roughing and rest-roughing. PowerMILL's new stock engagement technology can also be employed with all of the system's finishing and rest-finishing strategies, so ensuring that the safest possible toolpaths are run on the machine at all stages. The new toolpath editing options in PowerMILL will make it easier to produce multiple copies of any duplicated item, for example, when machining a series of cavities into a mould tool. Enhancements to feed-rate optimisation have been introduced to give better control of leads and links at the points of cutter engagement and exit. Typically, the feed rate as the cutter enters and exits the material needs to be slower than that set for the main length of the toolpath. PowerMILL's sketching functionality has been enhanced with a number of new editing options, including the ability to offset or transform curves, and to flatten 3D curves into 2D curves, or to project 2D curves onto 3D surfaces.