Other options previously available in milling that can now also be used for turning include collision checking for toolholders and the ability to create stock models after each operation. All the edits can be achieved without full recalculation of the toolpaths, so reducing overall programming times. Toolpath segments can also be edited, with full control over the order of the segments and the direction in which they are machined. These options allow a better surface finish to be produced, in particular through minimising witness marks. The ability now exists to edit leads, links, and start- and end-points for turning toolpaths, giving full control over the approach, engagement and departure from the material. These tools provide additional control over the development of programs for optimum efficiency. PowerMill 2018 sees the introduction of similar editing tools for turning as the software offers for milling. Both the ribbon and the quick-access toolbar can be customised with the ability to add buttons and tabs, and then saved as custom configurations for use on other installations.Ī new background area has been introduced for various file management tasks, from opening and saving projects to accessing the various PowerMill options. Drop-down menus are used to access detailed functionality, so allowing a limited initial presentation of buttons and maximising the screen usage.įor experienced users, the familiar working zones remain, such as the Explorer window and user menus, so that established programming practices can be maintained. Pop-up tips also help understanding of purpose of the buttons. To speed up and simplify programming, commonly-used commands are grouped together, with both icon and text descriptions to help users to navigate the functions quickly. The most obvious change in PowerMill 2018 is the introduction of a modern, ribbon-style interface, making the software more compatible with other Autodesk programs whilst offering benefits to both new and experienced users. The only limitation is in post-processing – the trial version includes a number of generic 3-axis post-processor files from the comprehensive range available with PowerMill but does not allow 5-axis post-processing. The 2018 version includes a new ribbon-style interface, further development of the turning capabilities introduced in PowerMill 2017, and improvements to 2-, 3- and 5-axis milling.Ī free trial version of PowerMill 2018 can be downloaded from the website at The download provides 30 days of unlimited use of PowerMill Ultimate, allowing potential users to experiment with all the strategies that the software has to offer.
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