PowerMill 2018 includes a Ribbon-Style User Interface

Autodesk’s update for the PowerMill 2018 interface includes a ribbon-style user interface, which is something the team has been working on since Autodesk acquired Delcam in 2014. The interface is designed to provide an improved user experience and help shorten the learning curve.

According to the company, other customer-driven updates to the interface include dynamic machine control, which the ability for users to change the five-axis motion of toolpaths using a virtual machine twin. This update allows users to make localized edits to regions of toolpaths for greatly improved control of CNC machine motion while also helping to minimize programming time, the company says.

Another update is Improved stock simulation. The interface provides a simulation image that can be zoomed, panned and rotated, allowing users to review the quality of their programs and, ultimately, provide greater confidence that the stock is being machined as specified.

There’s also enhanced turning abilities, including collision checking, editable toolpaths and a greater choice of leads and links, which in turn provide users with increased flexibility and control. And finally, 2D strategies to simplify the programming of prismatic pockets and bosses help reduce the time taken to program 2D parts while also helping to minimize the need to use multiple CAM programs.