Published 6/23/2010

CAM Capitalizes on 64-Bit Computing Power

PowerMILL 2010 CAM software is designed to boost productivity capitalizing on the latest background-processing and multi-threading computer technologies.

Edited by: MMS Editorial Team

PowerMILL 2010 CAM software is designed to boost productivity capitalizing on the latest background-processing and multi-threading computer technologies. According to the company, the combination of these two developments is estimated to reduce toolpath calculation times by up to 25 percent, although this will depend on the size and complexity of the part. In addition, 64-bit technology removes the memory limitations of 32-bit computers, allowing more efficient toolpath generation especially for large or complex parts.

PowerMILL 2010 includes over 50 other major enhancements including updated toolpath-creation forms that make it easier to locate requisite commands while providing a logical access to the more advanced options. In addition, a new toolbar allows faster and easier creation and editing of workplanes, the company says.

Rest roughing has been enhanced to give better control over the start points for each segment of the toolpath while minimizing air cutting. Offset roughing, a popular approach for high speed machining, has been enhanced so thin slivers of material that may damage the cutter are not left for the final pass.

Improvements related to the company’s Race-Line strategies have been made to generate smoother toolpaths for semi-finishing and finishing operations. For example, sharp changes in direction in 3D-offset toolpaths are now automatically made much smoother as the tool approaches and leaves rather than introducing an arc at the point of change. Enhancements have also been made to collision avoidance, constant-Z-axis toolpaths and other CAM functions.

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