Fort Washington, PA – PartMaker Inc., a division of Delcam Plc, will unveil a new, specialist functionality for the programming and simulation of Bar Fed Mills at IMTS 2010 in Chicago, IL. This new functionality will be available for use in PartMaker Version 2011, which will be previewed at the show and is slated for release in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The new specialist software from PartMaker provides more realistic simulation of the machining processes carried out on Bar Fed Mills with unique architectures from such leading builders as Willemin-Macodel, Bumotec, Chiron, Mazak, Star, Tornos-Almac, Stama among others. Bar Fed Mills are a unique breed of mill-turn centers that combine the continuous production capability of traditional bar-fed turn-mill center with platform of a vertical machining center.
PartMaker CAM software has a unique ability to automate the programming of Bar Fed Mills as a result of the blend of two unique technologies it employs. For parts with features requiring 2-axis, 2 ½ axis, 3-axis and 3+2 machining, the software employs a patented “Divide and Conquer” programming strategy to automate programming. PartMaker’s Patented Divide and Conquer technique makes programming the multi-axis operations found on a Bar Fed Mill easier by allowing the programmer to break the part down into a series of simpler operations. When a part requires simultaneous 5-axis programming, PartMaker is able to integrate the extraordinarily sophisticated 5-axis machining strategies found in PowerMILL, Delcam’s industry leading CAM system for automating the programming of complex shapes like turbine blades.
PartMaker users of Bar Fed Mills have already been able to take advantage of this unique combination of technology for some time. The new version of PartMaker, to be previewed at IMTS, will take users to another level of productivity by allowing them to simulate the very unique kinematics of Bar Fed Mills in the PartMaker 3D Simulation environment.
“We at PartMaker Inc. see Bar Fed Milling technology as a major part of the future of complex, small parts manufacturing,” says Hanan Fishman, President of the PartMaker Division of Delcam Plc. “These machines are effectively miniature “machine shops in a box”, allowing users to produce highly complex, tight tolerance parts with minimal set-up time.”
“Programming these machines also raises unique challenges from a tool path development, simulation and post processing perspective. As a result, we have invested heavily in R&D to create a CAM solution specifically tuned to the needs of the users of Bar Fed Mills,” says Fishman. “Already, many of our users, especially those in the medical device arena are benefiting from these developments, and the improved simulation which will be available in PartMaker Version 2011 will allow our users to be even more productive.”
In addition to the improvements made in the simulation of Bar Fed Mills in PartMaker Version 2011, the company is also introducing a new 3D CAD system at IMTS 2010 called the PowerSHAPE Companion for PartMaker. While this new product is not directly related to automating the programming of Bar Fed Mills, it will be especially helpful to users using such machines to program 5-axis simultaneous operations by allowing them to create, manipulate and repair 3D geometry to facilitate more efficient 5-axis machining operations.
More on PartMaker
PartMaker is a Knowledge Based Machining system, allowing it to provide a substantial gain in programming efficiency by remembering the tools, material and process information necessary to machine individual part features. It thus relieves the user from reentering the same features information for subsequent parts. It also improves productivity by placing the emphasis on tool management functions.
PartMaker pioneered the field of CAM software for Turn-Mills and Swiss-type lathes with its patented Visual Programming Approach for programming multi-axis lathes with live tooling. It assures quicker learning and easier use. It makes an extensive use of pictures to help the user describe tools, part features and machining data. Synchronization of tools working on multiple spindles is achieved by a few mouse clicks.
PartMaker Inc. is a subsidiary of Delcam Plc, the world’s leading developer and supplier of complete CAD/CAM software solutions. Delcam Plc is publicly traded on the AIM exchange in London. While PartMaker is sold direct in North America by PartMaker Inc. PartMaker is sold overseas through a network of sales partner offices operating in over 120 countries.
