Delcam for Solidworks 2013
Delcam for SolidWorks 2013 will be launched in the UK in November
Delcam will launch the 2013 version of Delcam for SolidWorks, the integrated CAM system for SolidWorks, with a seminar at its Birmingham headquarters on 28th November. The event will be held jointly with Solid Applications, the fast-growing SolidWorks reseller that was appointed as the UK reseller for Delcam for SolidWorks earlier this year. To register, please go to www.delcam.co.uk/dfs2013.
Among the many enhancements to the software, a number of new strategies have been added to the high-speed machining module in Delcam for SolidWorks. Step cutting has been added within area clearance to remove large terraces that can be left on the part when using deeper roughing cuts. Extra toolpaths can now be generated that step back up the terrace with the existing large tool, adding extra cuts at intermediate levels. This results in more material being removed, using the same tool within the same toolpath.
Automatic splitting of finishing between steep and shallow areas of the part has been enhanced with the ability to use the scallop height to control the stepover. Using this value rather than setting a constant stepover distance gives better control of the surface finish.
Both roughing and finishing strategies now incorporate an “area filter” to remove small enclosed pockets within the part from the toolpath. Any attempt to cut these areas risks damage to the tool, even though it is mathematically possible to remove the material.
Delcam for SolidWorks now gives the option of using bottom-up machining for Z-level finishing as well as the conventional top-down approach. This can be useful when using a ball-nose end mill as it avoids cutting with the centre of the tool and so gives a better surface finish and longer tool life.
New five-axis strategies available in Delcam for SolidWorks 2013 include flowline 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.
New options have also been added to give smoother five-axis machining. A new look-ahead capability will remove any sudden tool-axis changes during automatic collision avoidance and, instead, ensure that a smooth transition takes place. In addition, the ability to smooth the Azimuth and Elevation axes independently is now available, allowing excessive five-axis movement to be removed. These options stabilise the rotary axis movement by maintaining a fixed tool axis as far as possible, thus replacing constant five-axis movement with a series of 3+2-axis segments having full five-axis transitions between them.
Enhancements have also been made to the turning and mill-turn modules within Delcam for SolidWorks. In particular, support is now available for simultaneous b-axis turning for more complex turning operations. This allows more positioning options to be used for a single tool, so minimising tool changes and the associated dwell marks or surface blends.
