Autodesk is ushering in its new 2017 Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) products for a multitude of advanced manufacturing applications ranging from CNC mill- and lathe-programming to complex mold and die manufacturing. These new products combine the heritage of industry leadership in CAM software from Delcam with Autodesk’s 3D design and manufacturing prowess, presenting Autodesk CAM customers with a powerful and unique user experience.

Autodesk’s 2017 CAM solutions include enhanced versions of FeatureCAM for automating CNC programming; PartMaker for precision part manufacturing with Swiss-type lathes; PowerMill for designing the most complex molds, dies and other components; PowerShape for the design of 3D complex parts; and PowerInspect hardware-independent inspection software. New capabilities for each of the 2017 CAM products are detailed below.

“Manufacturers need to iterate and innovate faster than ever before to stay competitive as the marketplace is redefined by a new future of making things,” said Mark Forth, manager of manufacturing industry strategy at Autodesk. “Autodesk’s new 2017 CAM products are designed to help our customers learn, improve and master advanced manufacturing techniques that ultimately lead to better designed and functional products being brought to market more quickly and efficiently.”

Next month during the IMTS 2016 conference in Chicago, IL, Autodesk will outline its broader vision and software portfolio to support manufacturers in this new competitive environment. In addition to the technologies unveiled today, the company will also spotlight solutions for additive manufacturing, CAM, composites and more.
FeatureCAM 2017 and PartMaker 2017

Autodesk FeatureCAM is an easy-to-use solution for milling machines, turning and turn/mill centers, and wire electrical discharge machines (EDMs). The automation tools within FeatureCAM help manufacturers reduce programming time, allowing parts to be made faster. They also increase programming consistency for maintaining part quality. The 2017 version of the product includes the following improvements:

New programming capabilities for dual-path Swiss-type lathes, further improving its range of CNC machine support
Ability to import and view product and manufacturing information directly from a model in order to help visualize design specifications
Access to functionality that allows pre-drilling when using Vortex toolpaths, ruling out the need for helical ramp moves
FeatureCAM
In addition to the features above, PartMaker 2017, which enables complex, high-precision part manufacturing with Swiss-type lathes, is now available within the FeatureCAM 2017 Ultimate product tier. The two products in combination form a complementary bundle that effectively addresses the programming requirements of today’s manufacturing shops.

“We have a great history working with FeatureCAM, and when we were asked to evaluate the new Swiss lathe functionality, it was a no-brainer for us,” said Bill Karas of Karas Kustoms. “In the past, I had been programming the Swiss machine by hand. Using FeatureCAM for the Swiss machines saves our company a ton of time with excellent results.”
PowerMill 2017

Autodesk PowerMill 2017 takes the ability to easily and effectively manufacture the most complex molds, dies and other components to new heights. This latest version includes the following new features:

More efficient 3D offset finishing toolpaths, greater simulation controls and constraint-based logic to optimize non-cutting link moves for safer, more efficient machining
For the first time, PowerMill also provides strategies to create turning routines for use on 5-axis mill-turn machines
These improvements continue to make PowerMill the ideal choice for manufacturers looking to solve the most demanding of 3-axis, high-speed and complex multi-axis applications.

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“PowerMill helps us to maintain a high level of consistency in our programming, which directly and positively affects time in process and customer satisfaction,” said Randy Lee Meissner, CNC Department Supervisor at Dynamic Tool and Design. “We develop processes where each engineer is using the same techniques and the same tools, so there is no variation among the work everyone is doing. In the old days, there may have been some hand-fitting, but today we can count on uniformity in the molds we create from order to order.”
PowerShape 2017

The design of 3D complex parts just became more effective with the following improvements to PowerShape 2017:

Accessibility shading to identify areas of a part that cannot be machined with 3-axis machining alone
A new rib capping tool allows users of EDM technology to automatically create surfaces in order to stop cutting tools from machining slots that will be produced by EDM. Hundreds of surfaces are created in a single command, saving hours of manual modeling.
The PowerShape electrode wizard offers improved EDM hardware integration for shop-floor burning
Finally, regular users of reverse engineering tools can benefit from improved fitting of surfaces to imported triangle meshes
PowerInspect 2017

Autodesk PowerInspect simplifies the inspection of complex shapes by providing a single solution for a wide range of measuring equipment. PowerInspect 2017 includes the following new features:

Support for portable measuring equipment, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and On Machine Verification (OMV) are offered in a single package for PowerInspect Ultimate users. This improves productivity and flexibility by making it easier for operators to select the most appropriate measuring equipment for each job.
The ViewCube feature offers specific benefits for visualizing inspection results and creating inspection reports
A single click mechanism to recall the principal CAD viewpoints, making the creation of consistent inspection report images faster and easier than ever before
Improvements to point-cloud performance now allows users to take advantage of the improved capabilities in the latest scanning equipment
A dedicated point-cloud single point item provides an easy way to evaluate target points from laser scan data

What are the products and technologies that Delcam will showcase at DMI 2016 in Bengaluru?
We will be showcasing some of our most sought after products and solutions during DMI 2016. Some of them are:-

PowerSHAPE: The 2016 release of PowerSHAPE Pro software will help users to complete complex tooling designs faster and more easily. A combination of new, more efficient, code and the extension of multi-threaded calculations to many commonly-used tasks will make the software significantly faster than any previous version. One key enhancement allows groups of features to be copied between two solids in a single operation.  While the features do not need to be of the same type, the most common application is expected to be in copying patterns of holes from one solid to another, for example, from one mould plate to any other plate in the mould stack.

PowerMILL: The main enhancement in PowerMILL 2016 is the ability to mirror complete machining projects in one operation and to maintain the machining characteristics automatically, for example to specify automatically whether climb or conventional milling should be used in each section of the toolpath.  Previously, only individual toolpaths could be mirrored. Automatic mirroring saves considerable time whenever tooling is needed to produce right- and left-hand versions of a part.  It will also be faster to program the machining of moulds for symmetrical objects, since it will be possible to program one half of the core or cavity and then mirror the toolpaths to generate the complete program. A new PowerMILL module for creating ribs in tooling makes it much easier and safer to program the machining of cavities for narrow ribs, even when the cutter’s length is much greater than its diameter.  Using the dedicated rib-machining strategy gives a better surface finish than using a standard finish-machining option and also improves efficiency by limiting the number of air moves.

PowerINSPECT: The latest release of PowerINSPECT makes it easier to complete fast and accurate inspection of complex assemblies, including mould tools.  The main improvement for users of CNC CMMs is the addition of support for MCR20 and FCR25 probe change racks.  PowerINSPECT can now incorporate probe changes into fully-automated measurement sequences.  The new version also includes automatic feature extraction for point-cloud batch inspection, easier navigation of the history tree, better control over RPS alignments and new options for collision checking.

The role TAGMA and DMI plays for the industry…
TAGMA has been an exemplary body, leading the Die-Mould Industry in the country towards better enablement and technology in the past 25 years. I believe DMI is probably one of the largest events of its kind in this part of the world. The die mould fraternity is a closely knit one and this event projects that to end customers enabling them with a macro perspective that helps build more confidence as well as note the massive innovation that players in this domain undertake.

With the Make in India campaign rolling out across the country, the business value of participation is invaluable. With a focus on manufacturing, tools, dies and moulds will be fundamental to the success of this campaign; networking with contemporaries, peers and customers at a single venue will multiply opportunities and learning’s for all.

What are the latest developments in the CADCAM industry? Please take us through the current technology trends in the industry…
The CADCAM industry is working constantly to improve the customer experience and provide them with tools that will help them be more efficient and precise. Technologies like MachineDNA that help assess various parameters & kinematics of a machine tool and provide appropriate output to the NC program in order to ensure that the cutting is optimal is something that I believe will help machinists immensely. Our parent organisation Autodesk is also leading the disruption with the Future of Making Things (FOMT) in manufacturing. Through FOMT, a better, faster decision making process, ability to work effectively with newer materials and fabrication methods (Advanced manufacturing) and enabling these technology solutions on the cloud will help transform businesses quickly, safely and efficiently, whilst delivering maximum competitive advantage to our customers.

India is home to many CAM solution providers, what would be your strategy to stay ahead in the competition?
There are indeed several CAM solution providers and it is not just true for India alone. The CAM market is fragmented and I see some consolidation in the industry now. However, the key factor in our line of business is people and support. We have been in India as a direct office for the past 16 years and arguably are the leading CAM supplier in the country. Through a dedicated and pro-active team that we have across 14 offices in the country, we are constantly in touch with our customers to understand their key requirements and pain areas. This helps us being more responsive and adaptive to their needs. We also invest heavily in R&D.

Please share with us the growth trends of die and mould industry in India – and what are the key drivers of this industry in the manufacturing sector?
The die and mould industry in India has had a steady growth largely, but has also seen its share of slowdowns as well. To a large extent the die and mould industry has based its growth on the automotive sector and therefore the result relies more importantly on automotive growth in the country (or across the globe for that matter) than anything else. However, this is soon changing with organisations investing in new technology and continuously innovating – rather than being just mould or tool suppliers. The OEs too are doing their bit by involving tool making companies in their development plans so that the entire chain becomes efficient. According to me, competence, delivery schedules and impeccable quality are the three most important drivers of this industry in the manufacturing sector.

What will be the impact of programmes like Make in India, Digital India and Smart Cities project on the die and mould industry?
Programs like Make in India, Digital India and Smart Cities are envisioned to transform the country and each of these will result in a better quality of life for citizens. Naturally, the die and mould industry will play a key role in helping these programs to be efficient through innovative product/tool designs, material selection and durability, aesthetics and functional quality of the end products – and these factors are true for all of the above programs for building a brand – India.

The above programs are also expected to bring in investments, newer technologies, budding scientists and engineers, veteran industrialists and the Government towards a common goal of building brand India. This is an opportunity that comes with a privilege and the die & mould industry can take a leadership role in transforming change from the roots.

Do you think SMEs in India are ready to adopt high end technologies like CAM?
SMEs in India have been adopting high end technologies like CAM and CNC machines for a long time now. It is now time to think beyond these and look at the ever changing consumer needs, changing materials and the methods of producing these new age materials. I feel that we have reached a stage where companies start investing not only in high end technologies, but also in employees, knowledge and analytical capital. This will help SMEs transform into larger and more responsive organisations.

Tell us about the growth of your company and your growth expectations in the next financial year…
We have been growing double digit YoY for the past 16 years now. We now supply to a diverse portfolio of customer industries as well as products. I am very positive of our continued growth in the coming FY as well.

Autodesk, Inc. has announced that it intends to invest up to $100 million in 3D printing companies over the next several years. The Spark Investment Fund, which will be operated within Autodesk, is the first of its kind for the 3D printing industry and will invest in entrepreneurs, startups and researchers who push the boundaries of 3D printing technology and accelerate the new industrial revolution.

Earlier this year, Autodesk announced Spark, an open and free* software platform for 3D printing that will connect digital information to 3D printers in a new way. Spark will connect to any hardware and be materials agnostic, and the company invites the entire 3D printing community to collaborate, build and improve the platform, its associated Ember 3D printer and materials.

Companies and individuals developing groundbreaking hardware, software, materials, marketplaces and maker spaces are encouraged to apply to participate in the Spark Investment Fund’s investment portfolio. In addition to the financial investment, Spark Investment Fund recipients will become part of the Spark partner program and have access to marketing and other developer services available to Spark partners. It is through this unique combination of strategic investment and value-added partnership opportunity that Autodesk seeks to extend and empower the Spark ecosystem and spur innovation toward a more mature 3D printing experience.

“The days of taking a closed, top-down approach to innovating for additive manufacturing are behind us. Numerous industries recognize the value of tapping into entrepreneurs or startups with better ideas and approaches, and 3D printing is no exception,” said Samir Hanna, vice president and general manager, Consumer Products and 3D Printing, at Autodesk. “The Spark Investment Fund will empower innovators to improve 3D printing, and to help us unlock the tremendous promise of this technology.”

To learn more about the Spark Investment Fund or to apply to become a recipient, visit spark.autodesk.com/fund.

Autodesk, Inc. unveiled, the latest design innovation, for democratizing 3D printing technology and amplifying its adoption in the industry, at its annual mega- design event, Autodesk University India & SAARC, 2014 held in Mumbai on 11-12 September. Autodesk, the pioneer of 3D design technology demonstrated Spark, an open software platform for 3D printing, which aims to make the process more reliable, simpler and easier to control.

Along with Spark launch, Autodesk also showcased its own 3D printer that helps as a reference implementation for Spark. It demonstrated the power and potential of the Spark platform that can create new benchmarks of 3D printing user experience. These powerful innovations from Autodesk has the capability to provide the building blocks that product designers, hardware manufacturers, software developers and materials scientists can use to explore new paradigms of 3D printing technology.

Pradeep Nair, Managing Director, Autodesk, India & SAARC, said, “We believe that 3D printing has the potential to disrupt the market and usher in the New Industrial Revolution by empowering users to imagine, design and create. Spark is the manifestation of our vision to democratize design technology and make it accessible for every person who wants to design and make things.”

Steve Blum, Autodesk Senior Vice President Worldwide, Autodesk said, “3D printing has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing and bring powerful new ways to design and cater to businesses around the world. Later this year Autodesk will release Spark, an open software platform for 3D printing, and our own Autodesk 3D printer as a reference implementation of the software. We are very excited to show a prototype of the new 3D printer, for the first time on stage, today at AU India, and hope to inspire our customers here in India and around the world to imagine, design and create a better world using this transformative technology.”

Spark is an open and freely licensable to hardware manufacturers. The complete design of the Autodesk 3D printer will be made publicly available to allow for further development and experimentation. The printer will be able to use a broad range of materials, made by Autodesk and others.