Delcam will show the 2013 releases of its PowerMILL, FeatureCAM and PartMaker CAM systems during Houstex. PowerMILL is Delcam’s software for high-speed and five-axis machining, a CAMsystem for companies making larger or more complex parts. Feature CAM offers automated feature based programming for mills, lathes and mill/turn machines. PartMaker provides a dedicated solution for Swiss-type lathes. In PowerMILL, several enhancements have been made to improve tool path efficiency. For example, when using automatic verification on a tool path to prevent a collision by the shank or the toolholder, in the previous version of PowerMILL, the tool would be retracted to a safe height and then returned to the part once it was safe to continue machining. Now, PowerMILL generates a continuous toolpath that removes as much material as possible, while still avoiding any collisions. The elimination of the retract moves shortens machining times and gives an improved surface finish, while the continuous cutting reduces the change of load on the tool. For FeatureCAM, the 2013 release includes improvements in the turning and mill-turn modules. Definition of the initial stock and part alignment has been improved,making itmore similar to the set-up process for milling. Support has been added for semi-finish canned cycles and curves of revolution can now be recognized from STLmodels. Anew method has also been introduced allowing B-axis rotary milling to be carried out on features that would otherwise require the use of excessively long cutters. The options for multi-spindle, multi-turret machines have been improved by fully integrating part transfers into the FeatureCAM output. Simulation and post-processing of these operations is also supported. In addition, the handling of synchronization points has been enhanced to simplify the optimization of the machining sequence between the various elements of the machine. PartMaker 2013 features a restyled, more productive user interface. Headlining the improvements is the Job Explorer tree, which makes navigating machining-function windows and part features faster. Additionally, a number of new controls have been added to the software to make working even more intuitive. Also, a number of diagrams in the software have been recast and revamped to give the program a fresh look. While the user interface enhancements are numerous, PartMaker 2013 has retained its traditional work flow. Existing users will not have to worry about relearning. The new ASM high-end milling module replaces PartMaker’s Surface Machining Wizard module for surface machining of free-form shapes. “For existing PartMaker users, the upgrade to ASM will be provided free of cost and the transition will be very easy to make. The benefits of the ASM module are numerous. In particular, it will allow faster toolpath calculation, greater tool control and improved surface finishes. The ASM module features a wide variety of high-end milling strategies that can be applied across the entire suite of PartMaker CAM applications including PartMakerMill, Part- Maker Turn-Mill and PartMaker SwissCAM,” said a Delcam spokesperson. For more information contact: Delcam 877-335-2261 marketing@delcam.com www.delcam.com Houstex Booth #1234