Delcam.FeatureCAM.2013.R3.SP3

Description

tock models are key to machining efficiently. New functionality eliminates excessive tool engagement and limits the maximum depth of any cut into un-machined material. Collision checking against fixtures is easier and quicker Both these controls reduce tool wear and improve surface finish by avoiding any overloading of the tool. In addition, a new “detect material thicker than” command ensures that rest material thinner than the specified limit is ignored. This prevents toolpaths being generated in any areas where the benefit of the extra cut is negligible, such as cusps left by the previous toolpath. Fixture avoidace in 2.5 Fixture avoidance has also been improved for 2.5 axis machining. In previous releases, the system required that you sketch out a boundary that defined an envelope around the part. From 2013 onwards, you simply define the 3D models as “collision check” faces and the system will avoid them. Five-axis The last few releases have seen the introduction of more five-axis toolpath capability into FeatureCAM. This has continued with the addition of five-axis control for machining between two curves, pencil machining and corner re-machining. These options for simultaneous five-axis machining allow a better surface finish to be achieved as well as ensuring access to more areas within the part in a single set-up. Mill/turn updates The key update for this release is how the system handles part transfers in mill/turn operations. Previous releases required that transfer was added manually and individually integrated into the operation set. This is now more automated and fully encoded into the product. Parts can be transferred by slug or reverse slug; bar pull for feed stock can bring in support where needed and part cut off operations can be added. Complex part machining Again, the last few releases have seen more 3D form machining introduced into the system. The packaging of this has changed somewhat. Previously, there were two packages available — 3D Lite, which allowed single surface machining, and 3D HSM which has all the bells and whistles you’d expect. There’s now a mid-way between the two — 3D MX. This gives you three-axis machining of multiple complex surfaces, without the high speed machining options. There are also functionality updates that bring a new ‘step-up machining’ operation that minimises terracing when roughing. The feed rate increases as the depth of cut gets progressively smaller which enables a more consistent volume removal rate. Conclusion FeatureCAM is a system that’s intended for production machining. As we said at the outset, the goal is to get the material on the machine and to start cutting as quickly as possible. This is accomplished by automating and taking advantage of feature recognition where possible. What’s interesting is how technology from other areas of Delcam’s expertise is coming into play. The introduction of more complex machining operations (particularly 3D surface machining) is bringing new capabilities, while retaining that ethos of efficiency. The introduction of both the stock model updates, probing and various other bits and bobs mean that the efficiency in the programming process, is now backed up with tools that allow more reliable and automated toolpaths to be created and run. Machining is a complex business. Some specialise in producing highly complex components (I’m talking mould and die and the like), some specialise in very high volume parts. There is also a huge industry that centres on the production of less complex parts, in lower volumes. All have very different dynamics and requirements for running their businesses efficiently and serving their customers. FeatureCAM is a system that’s targeting this group of users. It also allows for the fact that many are looking to upskill and expand their capabilities so it provides a single set of tools to assist this process.

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