Delcam’s PowerShape 2014 enhancements pursue increased automation and improved workflow objectives

By offering a combination of modelling and reverse engineering functionality, PowerShape 2014 provides a comprehensive range of design techniques in a single CAD program to reduce the need to transfer data between multiple programs and so streamlines the whole product development process. Solid Doctor in PowerShape has offered quick and easy repair of imported data from other CAD systems for many years. These capabilities have been enhanced with the addition of the Smart Feature Manager in the 2014 release. PowerShape already recognises a variety of solid features within imported 'dumb' geometry, such as fillets, slots and bosses, etc. Smart Feature Manager allows users to identify all these features within a solid in a single operation and so makes the analysis of the imported data easier and faster. Smart Feature Manager includes a set of filters so that all the features that fulfil specific criteria can be identified within the model. For example, it can find all the holes having the same specified diameter, or those having radii between two values. Similarly, if a single feature is selected, all similar features can be identified with a single click. Once the particular group has been isolated, all the features within it can be suppressed or deleted simultaneously. Creating groups of similar features also makes it easier to manage the feature tree. A common problem for tooling designers is finding fillets that are too small for successful mould filling. Smart Feature Manager can be used to identify all the fillets having radii less than a particular size so that they can be modified to more suitable values. When creating fillets, two new types of solid fillet have been added to the range of options. Constant-width fillets create a blend based on a nominal radius when the distance between two edges remains fixed. Curvature-continuous fillets create a smooth blend between the selected edges. They have curved cross-sections, with the radius of the curve varying continuously to match the curvature of the underlying faces. Adding draft surfaces and split surfaces to the model, and similar repetitive tasks, have been made simpler through the addition of Apply buttons to all the surface-creation dialogues that allow multiple operations or operations on multiple surfaces without leaving the form. Clicking the right mouse button has the same effect as pressing Apply, which further speeds up repetitive operations. The core/cavity separation wizard functionality in PowerShape has been rewritten to make it even faster and more effective. It divides the solid model into core and cavity pieces that can then be separated dynamically using a simple slider. Any ambiguous faces can be assigned to the appropriate side, while any regions where slides or lifters might be required can be allocated to a completely new line of draw. If required, individual faces can be split and then attached to the correct part of the tool. Throughout the process clear graphical feedback highlights any potential moulding issues arising from the design so these can be corrected at an early stage in the mould design process. Another useful addition is a 'solid extrusion' tool that allows solids to be created from multiple nested curves in a single operation. Any inner curves are extracted automatically from the solids to give hollow shapes. This option is ideal for creating embossed text, such as part numbers or product names, and similar complex-shaped features.