FeatureCAM and Delcam for SolidWorks 2012
31 January 2012
Process type: Manufacture
Since it acquired FeatureCAM in 2005, Delcam has been moving into the mainstream production CAM market, culminating in the release of Delcam for SolidWorks alongside FeatureCAM last year. Al Dean reports on what’s new in both
| Product | FeatureCAM and Delcam For SolidWorks |
|---|---|
| Company name | Delcam |
| Price | on application |
FeatureCAM has come on a great deal since Delcam acquired it.
It still addresses the production machining end of the market where geometry may not be as complex as found in Delcam’s traditional Mould and Die market, but where a different set of challenges are at play.
Comparison between the machined part and the CAD model has been extended to four and five-axis machining, and mill-turn operations
Here, programming time is paramount but the time considerations are perhaps slightly different. It may be the case that a one off or small batch is required, so the part needs to be programmed and machined quickly.
Conversely, it may be that a simple part is needed in high volumes, in which case more time needs to be taken to get the cycle time down. It’s because of this mix of priorities that Delcam has brought much more to the table.
For complex tasks, the process of integrating all of its knowledge and experience from PowerMill means that FeatureCAM is now more capable when handling complex parts. This is tempered with the need to get the NC code done, dusted and in use as quickly as possible.
For FeatureCAM 2012, Delcam claims that the operation and machining strategies between PowerMill and FeatureCAM are now comparable.
The key difference is that with PowerMill users can continue to dive in and tweak each option and each parameter to match their requirements. Instead of introducing such tools to FeatureCAM, the goal has been to make it easier to use, especially for the casual user.
A good example is how workflow has been enhanced with the use of hotkeys to expose more functions. This makes the whole system more efficient, particularly when working with large and complex datasets.
It has also been made more accessible for the casual user. For example, features and operations can now be multi-selected using the standard Windows keyboard modifiers and it also works with standard cut/copy/paste keys.
More flexible operations
There are new technical updates intended to take the pain out of the NC programming process. Step-overs and step-downs are now more flexible.
In previous releases, these two key values would be driven purely by the material (such as 10% step-over for aluminium), but this can now be adapted to a percentage of the cutter length as well and by operation type.
Another area is back boring or trepanning. This typically requires a part to be re-fixtured, but many machinists avoid this by using the combination of a controller specific operation (such as a G87 on a Fanuc control) and an I-shaped cutter.
Using the tools within FeatureCAM, the process of inserting the cutter into a hole, positioning it, cutting the required feature and then retracting it, can all be done in a single operation.
In terms of machining operation updates, enhancements have been made to spiral roughing on 3D surface models.
Whereas previous releases used a concentric circular path with link, the system now uses the same method as PowerMill and creates these tool-paths using a helix into the material. This constant tool loading means less stress on the cutter and machine tool.
Turning & TurnMill features
There are some pretty specific turning updates.
One is the added support for a machining stock. With a G71 move, it’s not possible to zero out a part as a finishing pass as an over stock for the finishing pass needs to be left.
With FeatureCAM 2012 it is now possible to do this without having to offset the driving curves.
Interestingly, if this move is given a minus value, material can be shaved off a part below the defined geometry.
This may sound counterintuitive, but if a user is trying to solve fit issues or needs to include a sparking allowance when cutting an electrode, it could come in handy.
A big bonus is that this is all done by playing with numerical input, rather than having to edit the underlying geometry.
The other major turning related update is the ability to load solid models of cutters (from suppliers such as Sandvik), which can be used for collision avoidance calculation.
This will pay the most dividends when working with complex multi-turret mill-turn machines where space is very tight.
Part comparison
Another big update for FeatureCAM is the ability to compare the machined part against the originating CAD geometry for multi-axis operation as well as for simpler two and three-axis equipment.
These tools enable the user to simulate the shape after each operation or the final shape using the complete list of operations. It displays the material on the part using a colour code, green being in tolerance through to dark blue. If red shows up, there’s been an over-cut.
Conclusion
Delcam has a vast array of knowledge in the world of machining and it’s been expanding outside its historical core competence for many years now.
Looking at the company’s portfolio, there’s PowerMill at the high-end, then there’s PartMaker for Swiss-lathes and then FeatureCAM for feature-based machining and turning.
The company is taking the knowledge and experience from each of these very different systems and cross fertilising its products, so that each gains from the others, but in the context that’s most suitable to its user community and target audience.
FeatureCAM is now moving beyond its traditional working area and getting some seriously complex tools from both PowerMill and PartMaker - but in a manner that’s easy to use and deploy in any organisation.
Alongside this, the introduction of Delcam for SolidWorks brings this vast array of knowledge and capability into the CAD integrated world.
So whether you’re looking for a standalone CAM system that can handle almost everything, from the mundane to the highly complex, or a CAD integrated system that works directly with your native data, Delcam has a solution for you.
Delcam for SolidWorks
Delcam for SolidWorks (DFS) sees the FeatureCAM tools integrated directly in one of the leading mainstream applications.
Usability: As with all SolidWorks integrated applications, much of the functionality is provided through the PropertyManager to the left hand side of the UI.
The 2012 release sees a new tab added here which gives users direct access to rolling video demos and other learning support.
Multiple fixture set-up: A big update for this release is the ability to create multiple set-ups in a single file.
Using the SolidWorks assembly functionality, full fixturing rigs can be defined, then used during the NC programming process and for clash and collision detection.
It’s useful for both complex parts as well as scenarios where the user may need to program machining of multiple components on a single bed or on tombstones.
Stock Model updates: Stock models, referring to the use of persistent models representing the already machined model, have been in DFS since release, but haven’t been taken advantage of as yet.
The system currently cuts each pass without taking into consideration the results of the previous operation, however this changes for the 2012 release.
While it’s not automated, it’s a relatively trivial task to load for each operation and have the system use the stock model to ensure no fresh air cuts are made.
Wiring: This release sees the introduction of a Wire EDM module into DFS.
While it’s not quite up to speed with the functionality found in FeatureCAM, it supports two-axis cutting, but as yet, no 4-axis operations.
This is scheduled for early 2012.
Comments on this article:
One of the most significant advances in this release of Delcam For SolidWorks is that Delcam is the first company to incorporate multi-core enabled MachineWorks for solid cut part verification.
It would have been nice to read how much of a difference adopting multi-core enabled MachineWorks makes over single core MachineWorks.
Jon Banquer
San Diego, CA
Posted by Jon Banquer on Tuesday 31 2012 at 07:53 PM
Delcam has done nothing to enhance Featurecam since they purchased it from EGS in 2005. Every option they claim to have added was already in the software. EGS bought the software from Bridgeport in 1995 when it was known as EZ Featuremill to run the EZ Trak system they had on their manual mills. EGS changed the name to Featuremill and enhanced the software to what it is today. They changed the name again to Featurecam and added more machining capabilities as the years went by. They offered free posts for every machine out there and supplied all the posts they had available with each release. Delcam on the other hand has claimed to have enhanced the software but has yet to deliver. Everything they have claimed to have developed was already in the software. Even now they are taking credit for developments created by EGS and Bridgeport from years ago. I have talked to many of the engineers and technicians at EGS over the years and made some suggestions of my own on how to enhance the software since I’m a user and have used the software since Bridgeport owned it. They understood the need to interact with customers who used the product daily and built onto the program to match our needs. They were the true builders of Featurecam, not Delcam. I’d go head to head with any Powermill user and spank their butt on any job. Delcam has only stolen the ideas created by EGS to add to their Powermill junk and insulted every Featurecam user by claiming Powermill is the premier software offered by Delcam. Please…stop being liars and thieves and take your sorry butts back to England where you belong. Featurecam users have no use for you anyway.
Posted by Michael Ancell on Thursday 09 2012 at 04:11 PM
One of the things that really bothers me about Delcam is that they refuse to do anything about the totally dated and obsolete CAD that’s in Featurecam. It took Delcam close to 15 years to wise up and license the Parasolid kernel for PowerShape… not exactly a very bright move waiting so long to finally give users robust solids and clean file translations. Is it going to take another 15 years for Delcam to realize what companies like Missler Software (TopSolid CADCAM 7)and Siemens (NX) know… that you can’t have powerful, efficient CAM without powerful CAD? Delcam expects users to go between two different programs with two different user interfaces (PowerShape and FeatureCAM)if they want more than the pathetic, obsolete CAD in Featurecam which should have been replaced years ago.
I also find it insulting that Featurecam is marketed by Delcam as a program for those not up to PowerMill’s “high-end” standards. It’s insulting and snobbish.
Jon Banquer
San Diego, CA
http://whymastercamisthewrongchoice.blogspot.com/
Posted by Jon Banquer on Friday 10 2012 at 12:47 AM
Lars,In my onopiin if solid chaining worked well in Mastercam there would be no reason to have to put lines and arcs on an imported solid. Based on my experience using Mastercam solid chaining I feel I have little choice but to create arcs and lines on the solid because Mastercam solid chaining isn’t anywhere near as good as wireframe chaining. This whole process of creating arcs and lines from a solid in Mastercam is just one more way that Mastercam wastes massive amounts of my time and makes toolpath creation needlessly tedious. I’d like to read your onopiin on solid chaining in Mastercam. Jon BanquerSan Diego, CA
Posted by Eleaine on Wednesday 29 2012 at 07:43 AM
To whom ever is impersonating Jon Banquer, this won’t be tolerated. Think what I might of Jon, his attitude and often personal and insulting behaviour in comment streams, this is unacceptable.
Al Dean, Editor in Chief, DEVELOP3D
Posted by Al Dean on Wednesday 29 2012 at 10:07 AM
“To whom ever is impersonating Jon Banquer, this won’t be tolerated.”
Glad to hear it. Thanks.
Publishing legitimate comments that are critical of the CADCAM companies you do business with raises the credibility of your heavily advertising based magazine / blog. Where do I sent the bill for lending legitimacy?
There now should be no doubt in your mind that this is the real Jon Banquer writing this comment.
Jon Banquer
San Diego, CA
http://cadcamtechnologyleaders.blogspot.com/p/fully-integrated-cadcam.html
Posted by Jon Banquer on Thursday 01 2012 at 04:22 PM
Jon,
Let’s not get carried away eh? Yes, we sell advertising. Yes, that’s how we fund what what we do. I’m not going to apologise for running a publishing business. If you have a problem with that, it’s your call entirely, no-one is forcing you to read it, to comment or to throw your tuppence into the ring. You choose to. That’s your purview. And when I pointed out the comment above to the Delcam team, they replied that “Everyone is entitled to their own point of view”, which says a great deal about their attitude and sense of professionalism.
But let’s deal with something else.
If by “lending legitimacy” you mean somehow you’re adding to our team’s ingrained, professional editorial sense of responsibility, then sorry, you’re way off the mark. We have talented writers working for us who I not only have the pleasure of working with but I consider dear friends.
By implying that your occasional barbed comment somehow adds ‘credibility’ to their hard work, then you’re plainly and simply wrong and I won’t have you insult them further.
Al Dean, Editor in Chief, DEVELOP3D
Posted by Al Dean on Thursday 01 2012 at 09:21 PM
I’m not implying it at all, rather I’m directly stating that my comments add credibility to what most often are CAM articles that are advertising driven.
If you decide to ban me from posting my opinions on your advertising driven blog and website that’s your choice, just like it will be my choice to point out that doing so makes my case even stronger:
Jon Banqeur
San Diego, CA
http://cadcamtechnologyleaders.blogspot.com/p/fully-integrated-cadcam.html
Posted by Jon Banquer on Thursday 01 2012 at 10:15 PM
Jon,
What you’re doing in implying something untoward, which patently isn’t the case - you’re also insulting my team.
You’re also confusing your opinion with fact. That just makes you sound arrogant and prima donna ish.
I’m not entirely sure what the point of posting the link to Roopinder’s blog is. Unlike Roopinder, I don’t think you keep anyone honest, I don’t think people are scared of you and I’m certainly not intimidated by you.
Frankly, until Roopinder actually starts generating his own content rather than relying on the work of others to sell his advertising, you’re not exactly helping support an already weak case for your infamy.
I’m not going to ban you Jon, although your sociopathic nature seems to crave it wherever you go.
What I’m asking you to do is show some respect for our team. Just that. Which I think is fair.
Al
Posted by Al Dean on Thursday 01 2012 at 10:45 PM
“And when I pointed out the comment above to the Delcam team, they replied that “Everyone is entitled to their own point of view”, which says a great deal about their attitude and sense of professionalism.”
It doesn’t say as much as you might think it does.
For sure one thing it doesn’t say is that there are people who work for Delcam, who are based in the US and who sell Delcam products in the US, who very much agree with what I’m saying here. My comments to them in e-mail are far more critical than what I write here. Some of these people I’ve known for well over ten years. I’ve helped one of them sell plenty of seats of Featurecam at places I’ve either worked for or done consulting for.
I don’t find Delcam a particularly receptive company when it comes to many aspects of their products or development and I don’t consider them to be in the elite league that I consider Missler Software (TopSolid) to be in. I do feel that EGS now Delcam has top people in my area. The same was true when I lived in Phoenix, Arizona.
I’ll try and spell my last name right this time.
Jon Banquer
San Diego, CA
http://cadcamtechnologyleaders.blogspot.com/p/fully-integrated-cadcam.html
Posted by Jon Banquer on Thursday 01 2012 at 10:55 PM
“I’m not entirely sure what the point of posting the link to Roopinder’s blog is. Unlike Roopinder, I don’t think you keep anyone honest, I don’t think people are scared of you and I’m certainly not intimidated by you.”
I’m glad you are not intimidated by me. I’m certainly not intimidated by you either and I’m definitely not going to change to meet your requirements of what you feel a good person is or however you are comfortable phrasing personal stuff.
I think very highly or Roopinder Tara. I think he clearly gets who I am where you and many others don’t even come close. What Roopinder Tara might lack in CAD or CAM knowledge / experience he easily makes up for in people, business and writing skills that I feel are unique in the CADCAM press. I also respect that he doesn’t shit where he eats. You don’t find advertising on his blog. He also didn’t screw me over like Franco did which I appreciate.
“What I’m asking you to do is show some respect for our team. Just that. Which I think is fair.”
I’m asking you to improve your CAM reviews. I think that’s fair.
“I’m not going to ban you Jon, although your sociopathic nature seems to crave it wherever you go.”
Not banning me is a step in the right direction to improving your CAM content, which I feel is very weak, unlike your CAD content which is often very strong and impressive.
Jon Banquer
San Diego, CA
http://cadcamtechnologyleaders.blogspot.com/p/fully-integrated-cadcam.html
Posted by Jon Banquer on Thursday 01 2012 at 11:14 PM
Jon Banquer is a legend in his own mind.
He pretends to “have clients” and be in business for himself.
He claims to specialize in helping shops with horizontal machining centers and pallet pools.
That statement alone shows his utter ignorance.
The industry standard term is FMS but Mr. Banquer has never even operated one let alone optimized them for a customer.
He has yet to name a single customer.
He has yet to post any samples of his own work for review.
He has no DBA on file.
He doesn’t have a business website.
What he does do is bloviate ad nauseam.
He talks because he is incapable of actually doing something.
The truth is Mr. Banquer is currently unemployed, in his 50’s, and without a single professional accomplishment to his name.
So please don’t entertain Jon Banquer and his meandering diatribes by responding to them.
He is the quintessential CAD/CAM wannabee.
Posted by David Kujan on Thursday 01 2012 at 11:25 PM
“David Kujan” would be Tim Markoski in Houston, Texas.
Tim Markoski hasn’t been happy with me since I exposed the lies he and his fellow cohort engaged in when they very seriously misrepresented a CADCAM system in SoCal. This goes back something like ten years.
Responding further to easily verifiable lies and personal attacks (the local Delcam reps knows who I’ve worked for and some of the accounts I consult for) isn’t worth any more time than this response.
Jon Banquer
San Diego, CA
http://cadcamtechnologyleaders.blogspot.com/p/fully-integrated-cadcam.html
Posted by Jon Banquer on Thursday 01 2012 at 11:38 PM
Al,
Please do us all the favour of banning JB from commentary.
Nothing he writes is constructive in any way.
He will eventually turn this into a jihad against some company or persons.
As you can see, he’s already started.
Just my 2 pence.
Cheers
Posted by Peter Goodman on Friday 02 2012 at 12:08 AM
I’m not having personal insults, mud slinging or anything else - our website, our rules gents. Comments are now closed.
Al
Posted by Al Dean on Friday 02 2012 at 12:12 AM
Once again the CADCAM press doesn’t explain what the problems are with CAM products that run inside of SolidWorks.
I explain the serious issues of lack of true CADCAM interrogation for CAM products that run inside of SolidWorks here:
http://cadcamtechnologyleaders.blogspot.com/p/fully-integrated-cadcam.html
Posted by Jon Banquer on Tuesday 31 2012 at 07:30 PM