Click on the advert above to visit the company web site

Product category: Software, off-line programming, CAM, for metal cutting machine tools
News Release from: Delcam | Subject: CAM machining software - 5-axis
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial Team on 27 February 2007

CAM software offers more 5-axis scope

CAM machining software offers a wider range of five-axis machining strategies, improved point distribution within toolpaths to give smoother machining and better surface finish.

Delcam will highlight its growing success in the aerospace industry at the Industrie exhibition to be held in Lyon, France, March 6-9, 2007 Recent enhancements to the company's PowerMILL CAM software of particular interest to aerospace manufacturers include a wider range of five-axis machining strategies, improved point distribution within toolpaths to give smoother machining and better surface finish, and faster calculation times for larger components or tooling

While Delcam's software remains best known for its applications within the toolmaking industry, it is becoming increasingly popular in the aerospace industry, both in the machining of metallic aerostructures and engine components, and in the production of composites.

For example, programs created using PowerMILL were included in a turnkey package developed by Chiron for Magellan Aerospace, one of the largest UK suppliers of detail components into wing build at Airbus, to make a range of wing ribs for the Airbus A320.

The package is based around the new Chiron Duo Mill advanced machining system, which incorporates twin 90kW spindles to allow simultaneous five-axis machining of port and starboard wing ribs.

In addition, PowerMILL has been added to the software used by the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC with Boeing), a joint initiative by the University of Sheffield and global aircraft manufacturer Boeing with a mission to create a Centre of Manufacturing Excellence for the aerospace industry.

Professor Keith Ridgway, Research Director leading the AMRC, commented, "We have a range of equipment for five-axis machining of complex components in the most demanding aerospace materials, including Cincinnati H5-800XT and Starrag ZT1000 machining centres.

We are using Delcam's PowerMILL CAM software to program these machines as part of our attempts to push the boundaries of all aspects of machining difficult and exotic materials." Delcam's PowerINSPECT inspection software is also becoming more popular with aerospace companies, in particular those wishing to introduce On-Machine Verification and so enable large components to be checked on the machine tools that produce them, rather than on co-ordinate measuring machines.

One company using this technology is Pro-Mil, a sub-contractor that specialises in machining large components to tight tolerances.

"With PowerINSPECT, the process is much easier and much faster," explained programmer Steve Davies.

"This means I can take many more measurements in much less time. Request a free brochure from Delcam ...

In addition, I have customised the report template to our company standard, so our customers can confirm quickly that the job is within the specified tolerances.".

• Delcam: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page

Search the Pro-Talk network of sites