Surfware Receives Patent for Engagement Milling

By DE Editors

Surfware Inc. (Camarillo, CA), developer of SURFCAM CAD/CAM software, announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a patent for its Engagement Milling technology (TrueMill).

TrueMill is the name for a patented set of discoveries centered on controlling tool engagement while machining a part of almost any type or material. By controlling the tool’s engagement with the material, TrueMill has repeatedly proven to greatly increase material removal rates (MRR), decrease cycle times and extend tool life.

TrueMill toolpaths are very different from other tool motion paths. All corners, all the sharp directional changes have been effectively eliminated. The tool never plows into a corner. The technology works on all part shapes. Rather than generating toolpaths based on a given stepover value and the shape of the geometry being machined, TrueMill manages tool-engagement angles to produce toolpaths that are far superior to anything on the market today. The net result is that much more aggressive cutting parameters can be used, resulting in dramatically reduced cycle times, says the company.

Surfware, Inc. develops SURFCAM Velocity CAD/CAM systems for two- through five-axis NC programming and machining.

For additional information, visit Surfware Inc.

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