Delcam Offers Automated Mould Design and Manufacture

BIRMINGHAM, UK - August 7, 2001 - Delcam is pleased to announce the release of PS-Moldmaker, a new module for it's PowerSHAPE hybrid modelling software that helps designers of injection moulds for plastics to produce complex tooling assemblies more quickly and efficiently. Starting from a CAD model of the part to be manufactured, PS-Moldmaker produces a three-dimensional assembly of solid models, detailing the diecavities and all the other components of the mould.

PS-Moldmaker incorporates an exceptionally easy to use interface that has been developed using the latest web technologies. This is embedded within PowerSHAPE's own Internet browser and so allows all the analysis tools within PowerSHAPE, such as dynamic sectioning, scale to volume and wall thickness measurement, to be used on the mould design.

PS-Moldmaker lets the user select components from a wide range of standard catalogues. However, the integration with PowerSHAPE also means that any non-standard components within the mould can be specified using the software's extensive range of hybrid modelling tools. Once completed, these models can be added to a personal catalogue for future use.

At the heart of PS-Moldmaker is Delcam's new Die Wizard. This unique functionality starts by automatically finding the split line of the product model and proposing two die blocks of a suitable size. It then creates split and run-off surfaces to form the two die halves and dynamically separates the cavity, with the split surface, from the die blocks. If preferred, the Die Wizard will allow the cavity impressions to be incorporated directly into the mould plates for milling without the need for die inserts.

For particularly complex designs, PS-Moldmaker allows the user to exit from the automated process at any stage, carry out some manual adjustment to the design within PowerSHAPE, for example, to adjust the parting surface, and then return to the Wizard to complete the mould.

Once the dies have been completed and the basic mould base is in place, the extra components needed to complete the mould assembly can be added. PS-Moldmaker intelligently filters the range of possible components and suggests appropriate sizes. It then automatically aligns each new component in the correct position with respect to the existing design. Any water-cooling system that is required can be modelled using PowerSHAPE's solid hole feature.

The Bills of Materials is generated and updated automatically as the design is developed. Once the model is complete, associative mould drawings can be produced quickly and easily using PowerSHAPE's PS-Draft drafting module.

Individual plates can then be passed to Delcam's PowerMILL machining software for manufacturing. Drilling cycles are generated automatically within PowerMILL for all hole feature information, including that describing the water channels. 

http://www.delcam.co.uk 

 

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