Delcam will show why it is the leading CAM supplier to the mould, tool and die industry on booth 512at the Mold Expo to be held in Novi, Michigan, on April 23rd and 24th. The main improvements to Delcam's leading software for this industry on show at the Expo will be the improved speed of its unique Power Features approach to parametric tool design in Delcam Toolmaker, enhanced wizards in Delcam Electrode and the improved memory management in Delcam PowerMILL.

In Toolmaker, mould components that incorporate Power Features react automatically as they are placed into an assembly, adding all the necessary fit-features to the connecting components. For example, if the designer adds an ejector pin to the mould assembly, the software automatically creates the corresponding hole features in the plates through which it passes. Furthermore, the tolerances between the various components are also defined automatically. Thus, a sealing-fit hole is placed in the die block and the necessary clearance allowance added to the holes in all the other plates that the pin will pass through. This automation allows better moulds to be made faster and more easily.

Power Features also very valuable when introducing modifications to a finished design, saving both time and money. As well, a summary sheet has been added to the interface to show a much clearer view of features in each of the intersecting parts giving a greater degree of control if needed.

Wizards in Delcam Electrode aid in the control over extension surfaces and the ability to automatically fill multiple gaps between matching geometry in one operation. Multiple surfaces can now be divided in one step with a single curve inside the wizard. The curve must lie on the surfaces to be divided, using projection or intersection curves. The process of machining can be automated by using the coloured surfaces that are produced in Delcam Electrode to show the various elements in the design. PowerMILL templates can then be set up with predefined machining strategies and the generation of toolpaths can be automated using macros in PowerMILL.

The major focus of PowerMILL has been the additional options for five-axis machining. However, the new release also includes enhancements and speed-ups throughout the program. The improved memory management gives significantly faster calculation times, especially for large, complex components, like press tools for automotive bodywork, and for smaller, highly-detailed models, such as moulds for fine-tolerance and high-accuracy parts.