Delcam to Launch Delcam for SolidWorks 2014

Delcam will launch the 2014 version of its Delcam for SolidWorks integrated CAM system at the EMO exhibition in September. The new release includes a number of new options for turning, four-axis rotary machining and turn-mill operations. Also included are new toolpath editing capabilities and additional strategies for two-axis finishing.

The first improvement to turning gives the ability to add fillets to any sharp corners, for example, for automatic deburring, without having to edit the geometry. The user simply has to specify the radius to be applied and all the sharp corners will be filleted automatically.

Turning simulation has been made more realistic with the ability to program and simulate the movements of the steady-rest that can be used to position large parts during turning and the tailstock that can be used to hold long parts on centre during machining. Collision detection against both these types of accessory is undertaken automatically during both cutting and transfer operations.

Improved support for machines with four-axis rotary tables allows two- or three-axis operations to be wrapped around the rotary axis. The same option also supports wrapped features for turn-mill operation. The wrapped feature can be taken directly from the SolidWorks model using the feature-from-feature concept at the heart of Delcam for SolidWorks.

Toolpath editing has been added for all strategies. This allows segments within the toolpath to be deleted or to be divided into smaller segments. Segments can also be connected to create complete toolpaths.

More efficient machining has been made possible with the ability to clip both roughing and finishing passes to stock models. This reduces air moves that might otherwise be generated when machining arbitrary shapes, such as castings or forgings.

Delcam also introduced an enhanced version of its OrthoMODEL design software for EVA custom orthotic insoles, with options for the design of corrective orthotics for the first time.

OrthoMODEL 2013 R2 offers "real-time design" of both accommodative orthotics, ideal for patients with diabetes and for those requiring comfort insoles, and corrective orthotics, to address problems with the patient's foot orientation and gait cycle. The software has a direct interface to Delcam's iQube range of scanners, all of which are able to scan the patient's foot, foam boxes or casts. It can also import scan data from most other systems.

Once the scan data has been imported, new trimming tools allow the removal of any unwanted data before aligning the scan. Intrinsic forefoot and rearfoot posts can now be added to adjust foot alignment, and heel raise or lift can be applied in the event of leg-length discrepancies. These new options enable OrthoModel to be used for corrective, as well as accommodative, applications.

For more information, visit Delcam.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.