Product category:
Software, off-line programming, CAM, for metal cutting machine tools
News Release from: Delcam | Subject: FeatureCAM CAM system at Moscow Mills,
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 April 2008
Delcam CAM speeds CNC milling program
writing
Delcam FeatureCAM's Automatic Feature Recognition automatically recognises turned features, bores and grooves from imported turned solids, together with sides, bosses and pockets for milling.
Delcam reported that its FeatureCAM CAM system has helped two USA-Based subcontractors win a US$1 million contract from the US Marine Corps Systems Command Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate Moscow Mills Manufacturing of Moscow, Vermont and partner company Foster-Miller of Waltham, Massachusetts will further develop an advanced 'Boat Trap' system designed to support harbour security in the USA and at overseas military bases
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 23 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
PartMaker CAM programs mill-turn centres
Delcam has launched the latest version of its PartMaker family of software, which now offers programming of turn-mill equipment and Swiss-type automatic lathes.
FeatureCAM supports advanced mill-turn centres
Delcam's latest FeatureCAM version offers more support for advanced CNC mill-turn centres with multiple turrets and/or multiple spindles.
The two companies have worked for over two years to develop the Boat Trap system using FeatureCAM to create the machining programs for the components.
The system is based on a non-lethal, ballistic net deployed from a helicopter into the path of any threatening or suspicious boat.
The net ensnares the propellers of the target vessel, disabling the craft.
Further reading
CAD/CAM software speeds prototype lead-times
A US plastics and metal product prototyping company reported that use of Delcam's PowerSHAPE design software and the PowerMILL CAM system has reduced its delivery times by 50%.
FeatureCAM software allows short lead times
By using Delcam's FeatureCAM CAM software, Tim Hawkins of Redline Precision Machine can generate hundreds of CNC programs each month
Moscow Mills' engineering manager, Anderson Leveille, said: "We currently use FeatureCAM in both our lathe and mill departments to program all the toolpaths for key components in the project.
The flexibility of the software is fantastic.
The more we dig into it and use its diverse and robust features, the better we appreciate what a fantastic product it is".
* Machining short run components - Anderson continued: "We use the software to produce high quality, short run production components and prototypes for our customers.
This is one of the most difficult segments in the industry in which to compete successfully".
He added: "When doing short-run, high-end parts you do not have the luxury of amortising large amounts of set-up time over many components.
Hitting the ground running and creating usable code quickly is a key part of our strategy to turn around our customers' projects in record times.
As the Boat Trap moves from concept to reality, FeatureCAM's outstanding flexibility allows us to go from art to part in record time".
* Automatic Feature Recognition - an important feature of FeatureCAM for Moscow Mills is its Automatic Feature Recognition capability.
The feature automatically recognises turned features, bores and grooves from imported turned solids, together with sides, bosses and pockets for milling, and so allows much faster programming.
In addition, any new solid models can be monitored for changes, which are automatically highlighted by the software.
Anderson Leveille, founder of Moscow Mills, said: "Even with our outstanding track record, this project would not have been possible without FeatureCAM. Request a free brochure from Delcam ...
I have six seats of the software, and all of my men program with it.".
• Delcam: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
