Product category:
CAM, CNC and production management software
News Release from: Delcam | Subject: Powermill and Powershape
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 23 March 2006
CAM keeps Space Shuttle flying
Manufacturer of parts for the Space Shuttle uses CAM software to deal with the time pressure from large projects.
Reil Industrial Enterprises of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, uses Delcam's Powermill and Powershape in the precision machining of castings, forgings and highly detailed and intricate parts for makers of space vehicles and military systems Among the low volume, high value parts it has manufactured are components of the Canadarm, the key element of the Space Shuttle's robotic orbital boom sensor system
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 17 Dec 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Software speeds Hungarians to European award
Euroform, one of Hungary's leading manufacturers of moulds for rubber and plastics, has won this year's European High Speed Machining Award.
Software offers multiple modelling techniques
Having all the different modelling techniques in a single package reduces the need to transfer data between multiple programs and so streamlines the whole product development process
This system will be attached to the shuttle's existing arm and equipped with cameras and laser systems to inspect the craft's thermal protection system while in space.
"We used to make a lot of structural airframe parts but now we have moved into the space game", said Bill Reil, VP of Manufacturing at the company.
"One of our recent projects was to build the extension of the Canadarm".
Further reading
CAD software receives press design update
Delcam Toolmaker CAD software's deep-draw press tool design updates shorten design time by providing dedicated functionality for many of the tasks involved in preparing the tooling.
Educational CAD software explained in podcasts
Training programme comprises 27 tutorials, covering all stages from basic sketching through to solid and surface modelling.
"We were under a short time frame to get it done".
"We are only 25 people trying to get these large projects through so our software is very important to us".
"With the complexity of the parts, on an average, the project would normally take 10 to 12 weeks".
"Because of the time pressure, this was shortened to between three to four weeks." Reil uses Powermill as its primary CAM software, as well as using Powershape for designing its own tools, jigs and fixtures.
The company machines its aluminium parts using four- and five-axis machining centres on a tight deadline, concurrent-engineering basis.
The high-speed machining features of Powermill allows programmers to switch back and forth, between creating toolpaths and running the machining centres, doing their own programming right at the machines.
"Here, the programmer and the operator are one and the same", said Reil.
"We have a pretty talented group of guys".
On Powermill, he added: "It's the speed at which Powermill generates the toolpaths, and how easily you can change them".
"It's the accuracy of the toolpaths and the interface is quite intuitive".
"Most importantly, you can trust it".
"What you see on the screen is what you are going to get at the machine".
With design changes a common factor in many projects, Reil also appreciates Powermill's flexibility.
"To handle ongoing engineering changes in an efficient way, Powermill permits segments of the toolpath to be altered without affecting the rest of the program", he said.
"If there's only one area that has to be updated, you can just create a window around that area, recalculate a toolpath within it, merge it to the existing toolpath, and away you go". Request a free brochure from Delcam ...
• Delcam: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
