Machining software developer Delcam plc will demonstrate its integrated CAM system for SolidWorks at the CAD/CAM users’ event late next month, SolidWorks World 2010. The exhibition is set to begin January 31 in Anaheim, Calif.
Delcam said the initial version of Delcam for SolidWorks will include its modules for drilling and two- through five-axis milling; subsequent versions will include turning, mill-turn and wire EDM modules.
It will be a new programming concept for Delcam, which has usually supplied its machining software as stand-alone programs for linking to any CAD program. Delcam for SolidWorks marks a new direction for Delcam. Tom McCollough, Delcam’s Vice President for FeatureCAM development, said the group was responding to numerous customers’ requests to be able to conduct CAM programming from within the SolidWorks environment.
The developer said Delcam for SolidWorks combines the benefits of its PowerMILL and FeatureCAM CAM systems, using machining algorithms already used effectively by over 30,000 machining operations worldwide. Examples of this are its toolpath calculation speed and advanced high-speed machining capabilities.
Delcam for SolidWorks will be fully integrated into the SolidWorks environment, appearing and functioning like the CAD program, with full associativity so that changes in the CAD model will automatically be interpreted in the toolpaths. “However, this associativity will be more intelligent than that offered in many other integrated CAM systems,” according to the software group. “Delcam for SolidWorks will not simply modify the existing toolpaths but also will review the choice of cutting tools and machining strategies, and change them if necessary.”
Toolpaths generated with Delcam for SolidWorks may be checked by the integrated simulation module before they are passed to the machine tool. A complete range of Delcam post-processors are included, for fast and accurate data transfer to the machine tool or auxiliaries.
