FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tracy Pringle
Pathtrace Systems, Inc.
3000 Town Center, Suite 830
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 356-8800
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Pathtrace Showcases EdgeCAM V10.5 at WESTEC 2006

Southfield, MICHIGAN, March 2006 – Pathtrace will demonstrate the latest release of EdgeCAM Version 10.5 in Booth #3168 during the WESTEC 2006 trade show. WESTEC is being held from March 27th – 30th at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. EdgeCAM 10.5 introduces new capability for 4-and 5-Axis simultaneous machining and other productivity enhancements to reduce programming times and improve manufacturing efficiency.

4- and 5-Axis machining
A new range of products for multi-axis milling provides simultaneous 4- and 5-Axis milling strategies designed for the production machining requirements of industries such as aerospace and automotive.

By using EdgeCAM for your 5-axis machining you’ll benefit from cycle-time reduction and eliminate the need for secondary set-ups. Surface finish improvements are delivered by tilting the tool to maintain the optimal tool-to-part contact point at all times and providing improved access to undercuts and deep pockets. EdgeCAM provides strategies for ‘Swarf’ cutting of variable taper walls; sophisticated multi-surface finishing with automatic collision avoidance; machining of impeller-type components and; deflashing of plastic molded components.

The requirements of 4-Axis rotary machining are addressed with cycles that handle the machining of automotive and aerospace components such as camshafts, blades and rotary dies.

Machine simulation
EdgeCAM offers dramatic improvements in visualization of the machining process with machine simulation for mills, lathes and mill/turn machines allowing the user to avoid expensive collisions and ensure safe operation even during complex multi-turret machining and spindle-to-spindle part transfer operations.

The user can develop a fully detailed machine in their 3D CAD system, such as SolidWorks®, Autodesk Inventor® or EdgeCAM Part Modeler. As an alternative to full modeling, an effective representation of the essential machine tool components can be quickly developed using easily defined devices including turrets, spindles and tools.

Additional Enhancements
Machining times are shortened considerably in deep cavities with EdgeCAM 10.5’s plunge roughing strategy. The tool repeatedly feeds (or plunges) down the Z-Axis with the main load occurring in tool axis direction reducing tool deflection, resulting in increased tool stability and maintained feeds and speeds allowing the rapid removal of large amounts of metal.

The user has the ability to generate toolpaths on 2D geometry, surfaces and solids with EdgeCAM’s profiling cycle reducing cycle times and increasing machining efficiency. EdgeCAM allows a succession of smaller tools to be applied in rest profiling; each successive tool cutting material that was not previously machined. Optimum surface finish is achieved from the simplest 2D to complex freeform geometry through integrated cutter compensation; advanced start and end positioning controls and; cutting strategies for steep and shallow areas.

A complete range of 2- to 5-Axis milling cycles and full turning capability combined with seamless CAD integration and sophisticated automation tools make EdgeCAM the only CAM system you’ll ever need. For more information please visit www.edgecam.com.

About Pathtrace

Pathtrace Limited, a subsidiary of Planit Holdings plc, is the developer of EdgeCAM, an extremely powerful but easy-to-use software solution devoted to automating the process of NC programming for metal cutting machine tools. Offices are established in the UK, USA, China and Japan, complementing a worldwide network of resellers. For information about Pathtrace and EdgeCAM, please visit our website www.edgecam.com. EdgeCAM is Windows 2000 and XP compliant.