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Product category: Software, off-line programming, CAM, for metal cutting machine tools
News Release from: Delcam | Subject: PowerMILL AutoCAM
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial Team on 11 April 2002

Knowledge base eases machining
programming

A new knowledge-based machining option for machining software for toolmaking and production machining offers ease of programming and speed of toolpath generation.

On stand 5565 at MACH, Delcam will launch a new knowledge-based machining option for its PowerMILL machining software, already acknowledged to be the world's leading specialist system for both toolmaking and the production machining of complex parts The new module, known as PowerMILL AutoCAM, offers the ultimate in both ease of programming and speed of toolpath generation

Most knowledge-based machining systems are built around feature recognition, which allows individual pieces of geometry, such as holes or bosses, to each be machined in a standard, automatic way.

PowerMILL AutoCAM uses a different approach in which all the surfaces within the CAD model are analysed and the information used to select most appropriate machining methods for the whole job.

To use the software, the operator simply has to import the CAD model to be machined, specify the size of the starting block of material, and select the machine to be used, including whether toolpaths for high-speed or conventional operation are required.

The software will select automatically the cutters and strategies to be used, and then generate and post-process the toolpaths without any further human intervention.

The whole process takes, at most, a few minutes, compared to the many hours that would be needed for even a skilled operator to use a normal CAM system.

Furthermore, the strategies, cutters, and speeds and feeds, are all selected to give extremely safe machining, with no risk of gouging and minimal chance of tool breakage, so that the resulting toolpaths can be run completely unsupervised.

PowerMILL AutoCAM is based on a programming system developed by the leading Dutch research organisation, TNO, which has now been integrated into PowerMILL by Delcam.

TNO had faced a capacity problem in its machining operations because of growing demand for researchers from other departments to use the machining equipment in the Product and Manufacturing Development Division.

"We needed to capture the machining knowledge of our experts in a system that could be used by any of the researchers - even those with minimal machining or programming experience", explained TNO's Rik Knoppers.

"Since the cutting was to be done overnight, the overall machining time was not critical.

The main requirement was safe toolpaths that could be run unattended with the lowest possible risk of any damage to the workpiece, the cutting tool or the machine." "The fast calculation speed was a real bonus as it means that there is relatively little disruption to the Department when someone from another area needs to use our computers for programming", he added.

Extensive machining trials of the software have been undertaken at both TNO and in Delcam's in-house toolroom.

In addition, close collaboration with cutting tool supplier Mitsubishi Carbide has ensured that efficient and reliable machining parameters have been set for the range of cutters that are available within the tooling database included in PowerMILL AutoCAM.

MACH 2002 - NEC - Birmingham.

April 29-May 3.

Hall 5.

Stand 5565. Request a free brochure from Delcam ...

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