Fast, accurate multi-axis programming for robots

www.delcam-robotics.com
 A wholly-owned, independently-operated subsidiary of 50,000 customers worldwide
APPLICATIONS
Sculpting stone and wood
Autodesk PowerMILL Robot can be used to generate milling toolpaths for complex stone
40 years of experience developing CADCAM solutions
150 offices and partners in over 80 countries and wood sculptures.
Headquartered in a purpose-built 63,000 sq. ft. facility in
More than 800 employees Birmingham, UK P
 acific Forest in Singapore has improved efficiency and productivity by
200% by using ABB robots with PowerMILL Robot to produce high quality
The world’s largest CAM development team*
wood products for the building of lifestyle homes and hotel resorts.
TRANSFORMER 2500 from THIBAUT

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Machining foam and resin
Delcam develops all its machining code in-house
DID YOU If you are using robots to machine statues or carvings out of foam and resin then
and tests it in its own Advanced Manufacturing
KNOW Facility.
PowerMILL Robot will significantly reduce your programming times and increase
productivity.

W
 eta Workshop in Wellington, New Zealand, use PowerMILL to program
a seven-axis car-assembly robot for manufacturing large-scale sculpture
pieces for films such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong and The
Chronicles of Narnia, as well as high-end collectibles and fine-art bronzes.

Trimming and deburring

PowerMILL Robot enables you to trim and deburr a wide range of materials with
robots using a variety of tools and techniques, including mills, abrasive disks,
brushes and pads.

S
 outhern Spars in Auckland, New Zealand, use  PowerMILL to program
robots for the manufacture of leading edge mast and rigging systems for
racing yachts.

Fast, accurate multi-axis programming for robots Laser and plasma cutting
Laser cutting with robots is a very useful manufacturing process to cut different
types of materials including paper, wood, plastic, and metal, by melting the
material in the beam path.

G
 eometrix Automation and Robotic Solution in Pune, India, use
PowerMILL Robot to manufacture sheet metal automotive parts using the
process of laser cutting with an ABB robot.

Laser cladding
PowerMILL Robot can drive robots to repair worn or damaged surfaces through
the process of laser cladding. Laser cladding with robots can also be used to
tailor the surface of a part for improved corrosion or wear resistance.
Advanced machining strategies, minimising cycle times and maximising finish quality

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PowerMILL’s high-speed finishing, multi-axis machining, exceptionally fast calculations and powerful toolpath T
 he Welding Institute in the UK generate toolpaths with PowerMILL for a
editing help you to machine high quality parts faster. Based on over 40 years of CADCAM experience,
DID YOU Kuka KR 30 HA robot to repair aircraft engine turbine blades and impellers for
PowerMILL offers an unrivalled breadth of functionality. From specialist applications such as engine ports, to KNOW automotive turbo chargers by laser cladding inconel and stainless steel.
machining with multi-axis robots, PowerMILL has it covered.

Multi-axis programming for robots Linishing and grinding

Famous London PowerMILL Robot can be used to drive robots for grinding or belt sanding
Programming the multi-axis control systems for robots has traditionally been a complex and laborious task.
Robots can be programmed using teach-and-learn methods, but these require a lot of fine tuning to achieve
landmarks were applications to improve the flatness and accuracy of a surface.
the perfect path. PowerMILL Robot lets you program robots with external axes like rotary tables and linear machined from
tracks as easily as you could program a 5-axis NC machine. Accurate 3D simulation shows exactly how your Cadbury chocolate G
 lobal Aerospace Primes and their supply chain work with Delcam
robot will behave, bringing complete peace-of-mind. at the London 2012 Professional Services using PowerMILL Robot on high value components.
Olympics using Robot end effectors, applied to the components, include devices for
See how our Robot Solutions can help your business www.delcam-robotics.com PowerMILL Robot. metrology and improvement of surface finish.

*According to CIMdata
FEATURES
PowerMILL Robot eliminates the complex and laborious nature traditionally associated with programming Analysis
robots. With unlimited access to PowerMILL’s renowned toolpath strategies, you can easily program • Display the robot’s working envelope to optimise the part
and simulate robot paths and post native robot language to a range of robots. position within the envelope and give maximum access to
part machining
•
View the maximum range of movements required of
each axis for the robot to execute toolpaths to analyse
Programming the robot’s behaviour and movements throughout the
operation
•
Create robot NC programs, including toolpath link
simulation and tool change simulation • Learn about any issues that may prevent toolpaths from
being completed with notifications of the robot potentially
•
Program robots holding spindles for tool to part
reaching axis limits and singularities
applications - ideal for machining large, heavy parts for
prototype manufacturing or low production runs • Gain a better understanding of how the robot will move
with advanced point-based graphs that display axis limits,
• Suitable for programming part to tool applications, such as
wrist singularity and axis reversals
grinding or linishing, and mass production runs
• View the acceleration and deceleration of the robot’s axes
• Increase the working area of robots with external axes,
with time-based graphs
such as linear tracks and rotary tables, for greater flexibility
over the size and types of parts you can manufacture • Remove the need to teach every tool and save time with
accurate tool and spindle calibration functions
• Quickly position robots using a ‘Remote Control’ interface
similar to the robot teach pendant, and easily move a •
Benefit from advice on tool and base workplane data
robot to the required location with Jog options setup, based on your current project settings
• Create user defined toolpath transitions with manual teach
and learn options and collision checking

DID YOU
KNOW ?
Simulation
PowerMILL Robot
•
Define a solver strategy to achieve the desired robot
supports an ever
simulation and control the robot’s movements through
different variables such as axis limits, axis priorities and
growing list of
tool workplane constraints popular robots
• Output a simulation directly into a robot’s native language, such as Kuka, ABB,
eliminating any need for a third party translation Fanuc, Motoman,
• Save your favourite robot cell configurations such as axis Stäubli, Hyundai
limits, tool constraints and home position with PowerMILL and Kawasaki.
Robot’s cell configurator, and simulate the robot within
your set constraints

You get a scan, you generate some

toolpaths and within an hour we’re
cutting parts. It’s a dream.
Robert Brena, Garner Holt Productions
www.delcam.tv/garnerholt
WORKFLOW
PowerMILL Robot helps you get the most out of your robotic platform in the shortest possible time. A
ROBOTICS R&D
simplified workflow makes it easy to program, simulate, review and refine toolpaths, whilst enabling your
robots to achieve levels of accuracy similar to many CNC milling machines.

2. Select the robot cell from the library

1. Calculate toolpaths 3. Set the part position COMET Project

Delcam co-ordinated the 30-month COMET project focused on improving
the accuracy of machining with industrial robots. Funded by the European
Commission, the project developed innovative robotic machining systems that are
flexible, reliable and predictable with an average of 30% cost efficiency savings
in comparison to machine tools. In order to achieve this, the COMET project
addressed the following critical limitations of machining with industrial robots:
• A lack of absolute positioning accuracy
• An inability to reject disturbances in terms of process forces
• A lack of reliable programming and simulation tools that ensure right first time
machining

Objectives:
• Pioneer a new generation of adaptive production systems using industrial
robots
• Demonstrate the new technologies machining aluminium and steel parts from
the following industrial sectors:
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Mould and die
- High precision components
• Disseminate project results and develop training programs

The COMET project created a revolutionary solution enabling the use of industrial
robots for high-end machining. In combination with an innovative Plug-and-
Produce platform, this provides manufacturers with cost effective, flexible and
reliable manufacturing solutions. Delcam focused on developing an integrated
6. Start machining 4. Simulate and analyse Programming and Simulation environment for adaptive robot path generation for
toolpaths machining with Industrial Robots (PSIR). As a result of working with numerous
robotics experts in the COMET project, Delcam has been able to implement the
latest robot machining technologies into PowerMILL Robot to make it easier than
ever to program industrial robots.
5. Convert toolpath to native language
www.cometproject.eu

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BENEFITS

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DID YOU
Full robot programming and simulation KNOW DID YOU
in a single application KNOW
PowerMILL was able to Machining with the COMET project will
Program robots as easily as a 5-axis
machine tool
meet both the requirements Delcam tests make industrial manufacturing cheaper,
for ease of use and for the development the setup of the robots more flexible, Delcam invests
Manual axis adjustment to avoid
programming speed. of PowerMILL more than
singularities and it will also increase accuracy.
Robot using its
£10 million every
Eliminate lengthy ‘teach and learn’ Stephen Young, Southern Spars own in-house Dr. Ir. Jan Ramboer, European Commission
activities robots. year in R&D.
 Powering your productivity

Delcam
Small Heath Business Park | Birmingham | B10 0HJ | United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)121 766 5544 | Fax: +44 (0)121 766 5511

www.delcam-ams.com | [email protected]

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