Delcam to launch new milling options in FeatureCAM

By DE Editors

Delcam is launching 2013 release of its FeatureCAM feature-based CAM software on booth E-3222 at the IMTS exhibition in September. The update will offer a new series of options for three-axis milling and enhancements in five-axis machining, plus improvements in the turning and mill-turn modules, according to the company.

The main change to the 2013 FeatureCAM product family has been the introduction of three levels of 3D machining functionality, Delcam says. FeatureMILL 3D Lite offers single-surface machining with a basic range of strategies and provides an introductory product for companies moving into 3D machining.

FeatureMILL 3D MX provides a greater number of strategies, including spiral finishing, flowline finishing and rotary machining, support for multiple-surface machining and automated feature recognition. It is aimed at companies with conventional machine tools and those that are machining softer materials.

FeatureMILL HSM also contains all of the options for rest machining, such as pencil machining and corner clearance, and high-speed machining, including trochoidal machining and Delcams patented Race Line Machining.

FeatureCAM HSM includes a number of new strategies. Step cutting has been added within area clearance to remove large terraces that can be left on the part when using deeper roughing cuts. The solution will now produce extra toolpaths 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.

Both roughing and finishing strategies now incorporate an "area filterto remove small enclosed pockets within the part from the toolpath. New five-axis strategies available in FeatureCAM 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.

For more information, visit Delcam.

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