Delcam will demonstrate its integrated CAM system for SolidWorks at the SolidWorks World 2010 exhibition to be held in Anaheim, California, Jan. 31 to Feb. 3. The initial version of Delcam for SolidWorks will include the company’s technology for drilling and two- through five-axis milling. Future releases will cover the full range of machining operations, including turning, mill-turn and wire EDM.

Delcam for SolidWorks will be fully integrated into the SolidWorks environment so the program looks and behaves like SolidWorks. It will offer full associativity so that any changes in the CAD model will be reflected automatically in the toolpaths. However, this associativity will be more intelligent than that offered in many other integrated CAM systems, the company says. Delcam for SolidWorks will not simply modify the existing toolpaths but will also review the choice of cutting tools and machining strategies, and change them if necessary.

All toolpaths generated with Delcam for SolidWorks can be checked by the integrated simulation module on the computer before being passed to the machine tool. Finally, the software comes with Delcam’s full range of post-processors to allow fast accurate data transfer to all leading types of machining equipment.

Delcam for SolidWorks marks a new direction for Delcam. Previously, the company has supplied all of its machining software as stand-alone systems that can be linked to any CAD program. “We have received many requests from customers that want to be able to undertake their CAM programming from within the SolidWorks environment,” explained Tom McCollough, vice-president of FeatureCAM development. “Delcam for SolidWorks provides direct access to Delcam’s world-leading CAM algorithms from within this leading design software.”

Delcam for SolidWorks combines the benefits associated with Delcam’s PowerMILL and FeatureCAM CAM systems. It is based on Delcam’s proven machining algorithms that are already used by more than 30,000 customers around the world.
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