SolidCAM Announces High-Speed Machining Module

SolidCAM, the Gold-certified Integrated CAM-Engine for SolidWorks, announced that it will present SolidCAM2007 R11 to American and European audiences at the IMTS (Chicago, USA) and AMB (Stuttgart, Germany) tradeshows. With this release, SolidCAM is further expanding its 3D Milling functionality by providing a high-speed machining module (HSM) for molds, tools and dies, and complex 3D Parts. The HSM module offers machining and linking strategies for generating optimum roughing and finishing CNC high-speed toolpaths, according to SolidCAM. With demands for ever-shorter lead and production times, lower costs and improved quality, High Speed Machining (HSM) is a must in today's machine shops, adds the company.

SolidCAM's HSM Module smooths the paths of both cutting moves and retracts wherever possible to keep a more continuous machine tool motion – an essential requirement for maintaining higher feedrates and eliminating dwelling, claims the company. Retracts to high Z levels are kept to a minimum; angled where possible, smoothed by arcs, retracts do not go any higher than necessary – thus minimizing aircutting and reducing machining time, adds the company. All machining passes operations support enhanced point reduction and arc fitting. The result is an efficient and gouge-free tool path. This translates to increased surface quality, less wear on your cutters, and a longer life for your machine tools, claims SolidCAM.

According to SolidCAM's Managing Director, Dr. Emil Somekh, the new HSM module expands the 3D machining capabilities of SolidCAM, allowing users to generate complex NC programs for different types of High-Speed cutting machines. "Being fully integrated into the SolidWorks platform, we can now offer a complete CAD/CAM solution for the Mold, Tool and Die market and other high-end applications," adds Dr. Somekh. The new SolidCAM2007 R11 will be available to SolidCAM customers at the end of the third quarter.

SOURCE: SolidCAM