Delcam’s most unique and valuable tool is arguably its Vortex technology, which they say can hog away material even when using hard, but delicate, carbine tooling. In 2016, Delcam has updated the Vortex tool to support deeper rough cuts by building toolpaths with controlled engagement angles that maintain optimal cutting conditions. With this new strategy, the Vortex tool can run faster cutting the time a product resides in the mill, the cost of cutting the piece and the overall wear on expensive carbide tools.
In addition to a refined Vortex technology, users now have the ability to refine the non-cutting maneuvers of 2.5D and 3D Vortex toolpaths. With this new control, users can specify new feed rates and tool extraction speed.
In addition to the Vortex upgrades, 2016 also features a number of upgrades to support inside and outside groove feature cutting. Most notable are support for several types of roughing links, and a wind-fan approach for finishing. Delcam will also include better gouge checking for plunges and retracts and parting line cutter compensation support.
Delcam for SOLIDWORKS 2016 has also improved its five-axis swarf machining control, giving users the ability to control the Z-limits of a simultaneous five-axis swarf toolpath. This addition can be helpful when a cutting program requires varied stepdowns across a five-axis path.
Rounding out 2016’s upgrades is an interface improvement that allows users to create additional setups during its FeatureRECOGNITION process via a new button in the feature wizard. Lastly, Delcam has given its turning component more control, allowing users to define the tool’s engagement angle, reducing cutting forces and making chip formation smoother.
All in all, Delcam for SOLIDWORKS looks to be a worthwhile upgrade over its previous incarnation. With its seamless integration with SOLIDWORKS, CAM workflows can be streamlined, and users who are comfortable with the CAD software’s UI won’t find Delcam cumbersome.