Vortex Technology
Vortex is a unique technology developed by Delcam that enables faster and more efficient material removal, especially for hard and brittle materials. Vortex creates toolpaths with controlled engagement angles that maintain optimal cutting conditions throughout the operation. Vortex also reduces tool wear and extends tool life by minimizing heat generation and avoiding sudden changes in cutting direction.
In Delcam for SolidWorks 2016, Vortex was improved in several aspects, such as:
Support for deeper rough cuts with variable stepdowns.
Ability to refine the non-cutting moves of 2.5D and 3D Vortex toolpaths, such as feed rates and tool extraction speed.
Better gouge checking for plunges and retracts.
Enhanced collision avoidance for holders and shanks.
According to Delcam, Vortex can reduce machining time by up to 70% compared to conventional roughing strategies.
Groove Feature Cutting
Groove feature cutting is a common operation in turning applications, where a tool is used to cut a recess or a groove on the surface of a cylindrical part. Delcam for SolidWorks 2016 added more options and flexibility for groove feature cutting, such as:
Support for different types of roughing links, such as arc, ramp, or zigzag.
A new wind-fan approach for finishing, which creates a smooth spiral motion along the groove.
Parting line cutter compensation support, which allows the user to specify the offset value for the parting line.
Improved lead-in and lead-out moves for grooving operations.
These enhancements can improve the quality and accuracy of the groove feature cutting, as well as reduce cycle time and tool wear.
Five-Axis Swarf Machining
Swarf machining is a five-axis technique that uses the side of a cutter to machine along a surface or an edge. Swarf machining can produce high-quality finishes and complex geometries with fewer passes than conventional methods. Delcam for SolidWorks 2016 improved its five-axis swarf machining control by allowing the user to define the Z-limits of the toolpath. This can be useful when the toolpath requires different stepdowns across the surface or when there are obstacles or clamps that need to be avoided.
User Interface Improvements
Delcam for SolidWorks 2016 also made some user interface improvements to make the CAM programming process easier and more intuitive. For example:
A new button was added in the feature wizard that allows the user to create additional setups during the feature recognition process.
The feature tree was enhanced to show more information about the features and operations, such as colors, icons, and tooltips.
The simulation and verification tools were updated to provide more feedback and options, such as collision detection, material removal rate, and toolpath editing.
The post-processor library was expanded to include more machines and controllers from various manufacturers.
These improvements can help the user to create and modify toolpaths more efficiently and accurately within the SolidWorks environment.
Conclusion
Delcam for SolidWorks 2016 was a significant update that introduced many enhancements and improvements to its CAM functionality. The software offered a range of features and capabilities that could benefit users of different industries and applications, such as aerospace, automotive, medical, moldmaking, and more. Delcam for SolidWorks 2016 was also easy to use and integrated seamlessly with SolidWorks, making it a convenient and powerful CAM solution for SolidWorks users.
However, Delcam for SolidWorks 2016 was also the last release of the software, as Delcam announced its end-of-life in 2016. Delcam was acquired by Autodesk in 2014, and the company decided to focus on developing its own integrated CAM products for Autodesk Inventor and Fusion 360. Delcam for SolidWorks users were offered a migration path to Autodesk HSMWorks, which is another integrated CAM software for SolidWorks that is based on the same technology as Delcam for SolidWorks. Autodesk HSMWorks continues to be updated and supported by Autodesk, and it offers similar features and capabilities as Delcam for SolidWorks.
If you are interested in learning more about Delcam for SolidWorks 2016 or Autodesk HSMWorks, you can visit their websites or contact their representatives for more information.
References:
[Delcam Releases SOLIDWORKS 2016 CAM Software Engineering.com]
[Delcam upgrades integrated CAM for SolidWorks - CIMdata]
[Delcam launches free CAM for SolidWorks - TCT Magazine]
[Delcam for SolidWorks End-of-life announcement]
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