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The 2018 versions of PowerMill and FeatureCAM are available. The focus this year was on user experience and the software includes many new enhancements.
The major new update for both products is a ribbon-style user interface. You will still be able to easily find and access important tools, but the 2018 versions categorize functionality into similar groupings, with the most commonly used features front and center. The new interface is designed to provide aan improved user experience and help shorten the learning curve.
Other customer-driven updates to PowerMill 2018 include:
· Dynamic machine control: the ability for users to dynamically change the 5-axis motion of toolpaths using a virtual machine twin. This new update allows users to make localized edits to regions of toolpaths for greatly improved control of CNC machine motion whilst also helping to minimize programming time.
· Improved stock simulation: PowerMill now provides a higher quality simulation image that can be zoomed, panned and rotated, allowing users to review the quality of their programs and, ultimately, provide greater confidence that the stock is being machined as specified.
· Enhanced turning abilities, including collision checking, editable toolpaths and a greater choice of leads and links, which in turn provide users with increased flexibility and control.
· New 2D strategies simplify the programming of prismatic pockets and bosses. Improvements help reduce the time taken to program 2D parts whilst also helping to minimize the need to use multiple CAM programs.
The updates to FeatureCAM 2018 are also significant, including the updated ribbon-style user interface. This change enhances the look and feel of the software. With an icon, accompanying text and dynamic help, users will have easy access to the tools they use most often as well as more visibility and insight into different functionality they may not have known was available within the software. Finally, the layout of the ribbon is customizable so users will have the option of creating their preferred working environment.
Beyond the user interface, the updates to functionality are also pretty cool:
· Automatic toolpath angle: users can now quickly fine-tune the angle for their parallel finishing toolpaths, based on the region that is being machined and create more efficient toolpaths from multiple surfaces.
· Automatic 3+2 positioning: New automatic 3+2 positioning allows users to use the axis limits of the machine to quickly determine whether the axis needs to be in a standard or an alternate position, which helps validate that the program is within the machine’s working envelope.
PartMaker, available as part of FeatureCAM, also received a pretty significant makeover. PartMaker is production-oriented CAM software for complex, high-precision part manufacturing with Swiss-type lathes. The 2018 version now includes:
· Laser machining: there has been a lot of interest around Swiss-style machines in the industry and they are becoming more popular. This new update will allow users to program and simulate Swiss machines with integrated laser cutting capabilities as well as control the pulse width, frequency, assist gas and power levels for intricate cutting results.
· Keyway broaching: a popular technique for high production runs, keyway broaching allows the user to set the index position of the stock prior to machining and choose the number of cuts they want to make.
· Workflow improvements: to further improve user experience, we have also created a new 3D view of models within setup sheets to enhance visualization. We have also updated toolpath verification with the ability to pause, rewind and display the tool shank and enabled undocking of windows for use on a second monitor.
Related Glossary Terms
- broaching
broaching
Operation in which a cutter progressively enlarges a slot or hole or shapes a workpiece exterior. Low teeth start the cut, intermediate teeth remove the majority of the material and high teeth finish the task. Broaching can be a one-step operation, as opposed to milling and slotting, which require repeated passes. Typically, however, broaching also involves multiple passes.
- computer numerical control ( CNC)
computer numerical control ( CNC)
Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
Use of computers to control machining and manufacturing processes.
- parallel
parallel
Strip or block of precision-ground stock used to elevate a workpiece, while keeping it parallel to the worktable, to prevent cutter/table contact.
- shank
shank
Main body of a tool; the portion of a drill or similar end-held tool that fits into a collet, chuck or similar mounting device.
- toolpath( cutter path)
toolpath( cutter path)
2-D or 3-D path generated by program code or a CAM system and followed by tool when machining a part.
- turning
turning
Workpiece is held in a chuck, mounted on a face plate or secured between centers and rotated while a cutting tool, normally a single-point tool, is fed into it along its periphery or across its end or face. Takes the form of straight turning (cutting along the periphery of the workpiece); taper turning (creating a taper); step turning (turning different-size diameters on the same work); chamfering (beveling an edge or shoulder); facing (cutting on an end); turning threads (usually external but can be internal); roughing (high-volume metal removal); and finishing (final light cuts). Performed on lathes, turning centers, chucking machines, automatic screw machines and similar machines.
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