The 2013 version of Delcam for SolidWorks includes many of the enhancements made to the 2013 FeatureCAM feature-based programming system, and it is fully compatible with the latest release of SolidWorks.
An entry-level 3D option includes all the 2D and 2.5D strategies available in Delcam for SolidWorks, plus 3D single-surface strategies for Z-level roughing with either offset or raster, and finishing with raster, isoline or spiral. Step cutting has been added within area clearance to remove large terraces that can be left on the part when using deeper roughing cuts. Extra toolpaths can now be generated that step back up the terrace, adding extra cuts at intermediate levels. According to the company, more material can be removed using the same tool within the same toolpath.
Five-axis strategies include flowline machining between two curves, pencil machining and corner re-machining. A look-ahead capability removes any sudden tool-axis changes during automatic collision avoidance. The Azimuth and Elevation axes can be smoothed independently, and support is now available for simultaneous B-axis turning.
Automatic splitting of finishing between steep and shallow areas of the part has been enhanced with the ability to use the scallop height to control the stepover. Both roughing and finishing strategies incorporate an “area filter” to remove small enclosed pockets within the part from the toolpath. Bottom-up machining for Z-level finishing is available as well as the conventional top-down approach.
Delcam for SolidWorks is fully integrated into the SolidWorks and offers full associativity so that any changes in the CAD model are reflected automatically in the toolpaths. The program also reviews the choice of cutting tools and machining strategies and changes them if necessary.
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