CADCAM software claims productivity improvements

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 18, 2004

Licom Systems will be launching the latest release of its powerful PC-based CAD/CAM software on Stand 5569 at MACH 2004 in April.

Licom Systems will be launching the latest release of its powerful PC-based CAD/CAM software on Stand 5569 at MACH 2004 in April.

AlphaCAM 04 extends the power, simplicity and reliability of previous releases of the company's manufacturing software with several new productivity benefits.

These include a new parametric module that streamlines the specification and manufacture of families of products - by enabling new machining programmes to be created from existing parts simply by entering numerical values for product variables.

AlphaCAM 04 also incorporates Licom's newly-developed "feature recognition" capability.

This allows Parasolid files to be extracted directly from SolidWorks designs and seamlessly incorporated into AlphaCAM.

The new tool automatically detects holes, pockets and profile features within the file using the Parasolid kernel.

By simply applying the required machining strategy in AlphaCAM, fully specified CNC machining programmes can be produced at the click of a mouse button.

Licom has harnessed the strength of the SolidWorks CAD system within its own software to provides users with high accuracy and reliability, combined with significant "art to part" lead time reductions across its full range of milling, turning, laser/flame/water jet profiling, engraving, wire EDM, punching and marble/glass cutting modules.

The powerful suite of AlphaCAM easy-to-use, fully functional software for the Windows operating environment also reflects the successful integration of Microsoft VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) with Licom's own API (application programming interface).

This combination not only enables users to easily tailor systems to their own requirements, but also opens the way for the total integration of AlphaCAM into customers' production systems.

Like previous Licom CAD/CAM software releases, AlphaCAM 04 is available worldwide in all major languages.

It is also backed by local customer helpdesks, advanced on-site or remote system support, comprehensive product training programmes and the company's networking, installation and IT consultancy services.