Product category:
CAM, CNC and production management software
News Release from: Delcam | Subject: Delcam CADCAM software
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 27 January 2006
CADCAM helps ski boot maker keep up with
fashion
CADCAM software is helping Italian mould maker turn round designs of ski boots more quickly to keep up with changing styles.
Italian mould maker FMW Stampi needed help to keep up with the fast moving business of providing stylish designs in the ski boot business, and so turned to Delcam's CADCAM software "The ski boot business is a mixture of fashion and functionality," said FMW Stampi owners Carlo Frezza and Luciano Marchese
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 23 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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"The manufacturers introduce new designs every year, with constant changes in style and colour".
"Very accurate tolerances are needed on the base where the boot locks onto the ski but, for the upper areas, there is more focus on smoothness and appearance".
Frezza and Marchese both started in the toolmaking industry in 1970.
They formed FMW in 1996 and, a year later, introduced CNC machining with Delcam software and a Mori Seiki machine.
A CB Ferrari four-axis machine was added in 2000 while, in 2002, the company moved into five-axis machining with a Paventa machine.
The company has diversified into other markets to combat the seasonal nature of its ski boot work.
These include tooling for roller blades, office chairs and sunglasses.
The complete design to manufacture process at FMW Stampi relies on Delcam software.
Most new styles are supplied from customers as resin models.
A combination of a Renishaw Cyclone and Delcam's Copycad software is used to reverse engineer the designs.
Then the Powershape CAD modeller is used to generate the different sizes required and to design the tooling.
Finally, Delcam's Powermill CAM system is used to cut the moulds.
All the moulds are made in aluminium, since this is easier and faster to machine than steel.
Using aluminium also makes it easier to accommodate design changes by adding extra material and machining back to the new form.
Sand finishing is used to give a dull texture on parts of the final surface while other areas are polished to a mirror finish.
The recent move into five-axis machining has been particularly successful.
"Models are getting more complex with more undercuts," said Frezza.
"In addition, two- and three-shot moulding is now used throughout the industry".
"This is not just for aesthetic reasons, it is also used to give hard and soft areas within the design, to combine strength and comfort with different materials".
Marchese added: "The main benefit is in the quality of surface finish, which has reduced hand finishing to a minimum". Request a free brochure from Delcam ...
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