Autodesk Introduces 2017 CAM Digital Manufacturing Solutions

Autodesk has introduced its new 2017 Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) product range for a multitude of advanced manufacturing applications ranging from CNC milling and lathe-programming to complex mould and die manufacturing.

Building on manufacturing software from CAD/CAM company Delcam, which was acquired by Autodesk back in 2014, Autodesk’s 2017 CAM solutions include enhanced versions of FeatureCAM for automating CNC programming; PartMaker for precision part manufacturing with Swiss-type lathes; PowerMill for designing the most complex moulds, dies and other components; PowerShape for the design of 3D complex parts; and PowerInspect hardware-independent inspection software.

“Manufacturers need to iterate and innovate faster than ever before to stay competitive as the marketplace is redefined by a new future of making things,” Mark Forth, manager of manufacturing industry strategy at Autodesk, explained. “Autodesk’s new 2017 CAM products are designed to help our customers learn, improve and master advanced manufacturing techniques that ultimately lead to better designed and functional products being brought to market more quickly and efficiently.”

Autodesk FeatureCAM is an easy-to-use solution for milling machines, turning and turn/mill centres, and wire electrical discharge machines (EDMs). The automation tools within FeatureCAM help manufacturers reduce programming time, allowing parts to be made faster. The 2017 version includes new programming capabilities for dual-path Swiss-type lathes, the ability to import and view product and manufacturing information directly from a model and access to functionality that allows pre-drilling when using Vortex toolpaths.

PartMaker 2017 enables complex, high-precision part manufacturing with Swiss-type lathes and is now available within the FeatureCAM 2017 Ultimate product tier.

Autodesk PowerMill 2017 allows users to easily and effectively manufacture the most complex moulds, dies and other components. This latest version features more efficient 3D offset finishing toolpaths, greater simulation controls and constraint-based logic to optimise non-cutting link moves for safer, more efficient machining. For the first time, PowerMill also provides strategies to create turning routines for use on 5-axis mill-turn machines

In PowerShape 2017, the design of 3D complex parts is now more effective with accessibility shading to identify areas of a part that cannot be machined with 3-axis machining alone and a new rib capping tool to allow users of EDM technology to automatically create surfaces in order to stop cutting tools from machining slots that will be produced by EDM. Hundreds of surfaces are created in a single command, saving hours of manual modelling. The PowerShape electrode wizard offers improved EDM hardware integration for shop-floor burning

Autodesk PowerInspect simplifies the inspection of complex shapes by providing a single solution for a wide range of measuring equipment. PowerInspect 2017 includes support for portable measuring equipment, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and On Machine Verification (OMV) are offered in a single package for PowerInspect Ultimate users. The ViewCube feature offers specific benefits for visualising inspection results and creating inspection reports.

Improvements to point-cloud performance now allows users to take advantage of the improved capabilities in the latest 3D scanning equipment. A dedicated point-cloud single point item provides an easy way to evaluate target points from laser scan data

The 2017 products PowerMill, PowerShape, PowerInspect and FeatureCAM are available to new and current customers immediately in three levels: Standard, Premium and Ultimate. PartMaker 2017 will be included as part of FeatureCAM Ultimate. All products will be available as perpetual and maintenance licenses and through Autodesk Subscription.

Autodesk will present its vision for its software portfolio at the IMTS 2016 conference in Chicago next month along with solutions for additive manufacturing, CAM, composites and more.