Delcam Updates Integrated Electrode Suite

Delcam has added a range of enhancements to its Delcam Electrode integrated solution for the design, machining and inspection of electrodes. The new version includes support for burn-vector electrodes, automated machining of electrode frames, batch processing of multiple machining projects and faster generation of electrode drawings. Delcam Electrode also benefits from a number of options introduced into Delcam's PowerSHAPE design software, which provides the CAD element of the overall solution.

Burn-vector or side-sparking electrodes are used to spark undercuts within moulds, including those needed for submarine gates, or to avoid any possibility of a collision when sparking the base of a deep rib or similar feature. They use an arbitrary axis for their operation, rather than being aligned with the principal axes. Delcam Electrode now allows these electrodes to be designed and used with the same wizard-based process available for conventional electrodes.

The electrode action can be simulated in the software and the final design passed to Delcam's PowerMILL CAM system for machining in the same way as standard electrodes.  Electrode frames are used to provide the basis for machining and inspection datums. Delcam Electrode now allows these areas to be modeled and then colored separately from the electrode blank.

The option to use batch processing of multiple projects has been introduced within the electrode machining wizard.  The user now simply allocates one machining template in PowerMILL to a series of electrodes if the designs are similar, or applies the appropriate template to each example if they differ significantly in size or style.

For more information, visit Delcam.

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