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Product category: Software, off-line programming, CAM, for metal cutting machine tools
News Release from: Delcam | Subject: PowerMILL software for five-axis machining
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial Team on 04 July 2002

Five-axis machining software mills
prototypes

Software for five-axis machining can be used to produce small runs of prototypes or components, having complex profiles, that would otherwise need to be cast.

Delcam will promote the 5-axis machining strengths of its PowerMILL CAM software on stand A22 in Hall 1 at the Farnborough Air Show from 22nd to 29th July 5-axis machining allows aerospace companies, and the toolmakers and other precision machinists that supply the industry, to shorten delivery times, boost productivity and increase profitability

PowerMILL supports a wide range of strategies for continuous five-axis machining and for positional five-axis operation (also known as 3 + 2 machining).

The options available include machining through a point or to a point, or to or from a line, 5-axis trimming, 5-axis pocketing and 5-axis profiling.

The major benefit of using these techniques is the ability to machine complex shapes in a single operation.

This saves time considerable time compared to performing the job in a series of three-axis machining operations.

Furthermore, with multiple set-ups, there is always a possibility of incorrect alignment each time the part is moved.

Five-axis machining also enables shorter cutters to be used since the head can be lowered towards the job and the cutter oriented towards the surface.

This is important because using longer cutters can cause excessive vibration.

With shorter cutters, higher cutting speeds can be achieved without this loss in accuracy.

This combination of benefits means that five-axis machining can be used to produce small runs of prototypes or components that would otherwise need to be cast.

Machining these parts from solid eliminates the cost of producing the casting equipment and also reduces the time taken to manufacture them from weeks to days.

For all five-axis options, PowerMILL includes comprehensive gouge prevention for both the cutting moves and the leads and links as the machine tool moves between the various surfaces within a part.

In addition, PowerMILL support machining with the full range of different cutting tools, including end mills, tapered cutters, and ball-nose, tipped-radius and off-centre, tipped-radius cutters.

Some of the systems currently available are limited to using only ball-nose and end mill cutters, which are not always the most efficient. Request a free brochure from Delcam ...

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