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The latest release of Delcam’s CAM software, PowerMill 7, features improved functionality for roughing and finishing with three- and five-axis machines. For roughing, five-axis strategies have been expanded to include machining to or from a point, orientation through a line or curve and programming using a reference surface. In addition, a new three-axis spiral roughing strategy can be used on suitable geometry instead of offset machining. Using a spiral toolpath is said to reduce machining time by minimizing air moves and to limit wear and breakages on the cutter by applying a more consistent load.
New strategies for finish machining include parametric offset machining, three-axis swarf machining and an interleaved constant Z option. Parametric offset machining is designed to avoid sudden changes of direction that can leave marks on the surface. It involves keeping constant the number of toolpaths used over a surface of varying width. Used to finish vertical walls, three-axis swarf machining uses the side of the tool rather than cutting the wall in a series of operations at different Z levels. Finally, the interleaved constant Z option gives better control of the overlap between 3D offset toolpaths for flatter areas and constant Z toolpaths for steeper surfaces. This is said to avoid surface defects in intermediate areas.
Other new features include improved toolpath point distribution, and "intelligent" plunge milling function and data management enhancements.
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