Delcam

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Delcam Ltd
Industry Computer-aided design, Computer-aided manufacturing
Founded 1965 (as a team within Cambridge University Engineering Department)
1989 (as Delcam International)
Headquarters Birmingham, England, UK
Area served
 Worldwide
Key people
 Pete Baxter (Vice President)

Ed Lambourne (Technical Director)
Kulwant Singh (Finance Director)
Bart Simpson (Commercial Director)

Steve Hobbs (Development Director)
Products Engineering Software, Turnkey cells
Services Maintenance, Bespoke solutions
Website www.delcam.com

Delcam is a supplier of advanced CAD/CAM software for the manufacturing industry. [1] The company has grown steadily since being founded formally in 1977, after initial development work at Cambridge University, UK. [2] It is now a global developer of product design and manufacturing software, with subsidiaries and joint ventures in North America, South America, Europe and Asia with a total staff of over 800 people and local support provided from over 300 re-seller offices worldwide. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange until 6 February 2014, when it was acquired by Autodesk. [3] It now operates as a wholly owned, independently operated subsidiary of Autodesk.

History

Overview

Headquarters of Delcam Ltd. in Birmingham

In 1965, Donald Welbourn [4] saw the possibility of using computers to help pattern makers solve the problems of modelling difficult 3D shapes. He persuaded the Science Research Council to support research at the Cambridge University Engineering Department. Early sponsorship was provided by Ford and Control Data in Germany, whose customers included Volkswagen and Daimler-Benz. In 1974 the Delta Group seconded Ed Lambourne (now Technical Director at Delcam) to the Cambridge Team. After Lambourne returned to Delta, a Birmingham-based development centre was established in 1977.

In 1989, the company was bought from Delta Group in a buyout led by Managing Director Hugh Humphreys and Ed Lambourne. The company was renamed Delcam International in 1991 and moved to a new purpose-built office in Small Heath. In July 1997, Delcam Ltd was floated on the Alternative Investment Market to expand international operations and increase the investment development.

The company now have over 300 offices assisting 90,000 users worldwide with an annual turnover of over £100 million with the largest development team in the industry. [5] Clive Martell was chief executive from August 2009. [6] In February 2015, Pete Baxter, former vice president of sales and country manager for Autodesk in the UK, was appointed vice president. [7]

Key Dates

3D model of a Pump from PowerSHAPE
3D model of a mould from PowerSHAPE

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1960s
Initial research at Cambridge University
1970s
Development taken over by Delta Group
1980s
Software sales start
1989
Staff purchase company
1991
New HQ, Birmingham, UK
1997
Delcam floats on UK Market
2001
Alcami Joins Delcam
2005
EGS (FeatureCAM) joins Delcam
2006
IMCS (PartMaker) joins Delcam
2007
Crispin joins Delcam
2008
25,000th Customer
2009
30,000th Customer
2010
35,000th Customer
2012
40,000th Customer
2013
45,000th Customer
2014
Acquired by Autodesk
2015
50,000th Customer

Products

Advanced Manufacturing Solutions

Render of 3D model assembly on PowerSHAPE.
PowerSHAPE
File:PowerSHAPE Logo.jpg
100px
Robot scan using PowerINSPECT.

Is a 3D CAD (Computer-aided Design) solution that runs on Microsoft Windows which allows for the design of 3D complex models using surfaces, solids and triangles. The software allows for the import of 3D point cloud data to reverse engineer 3D models. [8] PowerSHAPE is used for a variety of applications including Modelling for manufacture, electrode design, mould and toolmaking. [9] The code of PowerSHAPE originates from the DUCT software.

PowerMILL

A CAM solution for the programming of tool paths for 2 to 5 axis CNC Milling (Computer Numerical Control).

PowerINSPECT
File:PowerINSPECT Logo.jpg
100px

A CAD based inspection solution package for use with many types of inspection hardware, [10] including manual and CNC CMMs, portable arms, optical measuring devices and CNC machine tools (OMV). Developed for use on Microsoft Windows, the software is sold to a wide range of industries.

In 2004 Delcam won a Queen’s award [11] [12] for innovation for PowerINSPECT and by 2008 PowerINSPECT was Delcam’s second biggest selling product.

PowerMILL Robot Interface

A software package for the programming of machining robots with up to 8 axes.

FeatureCAM
FeatureCAM.jpg

A feature-based CAM solution for milling, turning, and wire EDM.

PartMaker

A CAM software for programming of turn-mill equipment bar-fed mills and Swiss-type lathes.

Delcam for SolidWorks

A CAM solution based on PowerMILL and FeatureCAM embedded into SolidWorks.

Delcam Exchange

A CAD data translator for reading and writing all commonly used CAD format files.

Delcam Electrode

An integrated software within PowerSHAPE for automatic generation of solid electrode models for EDM with optional tool path generation in PowerMILL.

Metrology Solutions

3D Rendered model from PowerSHAPE
On-Machine Verification

A package for measurement of complex parts directly on the machine tools.

Artistic CADCAM Solutions

ArtCAM JewelSmith

A specialist 3D design and manufacture solution for jewelers.

ArtCAM Pro

A complete solution for the design and manufacture of 2D Artwork & 3D Reliefs.

ArtCAM Insignia

Is for production-level layout and manufacture of 2D Artwork & 3D Reliefs.

ArtCAM Express

Is a low cost introductory design and machining solution.

Footwear Solutions

OrderManager

Is a web-based workflow management tool for tracking orders remotely.

OrthoMODEL

Is a software package for the design of custom orthotic insoles.

OrthoMILL

Is a software package for the manufacture of custom orthotic insoles.

iQube Scanner

Is a foot, plaster cast and foambox scanner

LastMaker

Is a software package for 3D last modification and 3D last grading.

ShoeMaker

Is a software package for the 3D design of footwear.

SoleEngineer

Is software for 3D sole unit engineering and grading.

Engineer Pro

Is software for 2D pattern engineering and grading.

PatternCut

Is software for 2D pattern part nesting and cutting.

KnifeCut

Is software for 2D pattern part nesting and cutting for projection cutting machines.

ShoeCost

Is software for total footwear costing.

TechPac

Is a technical documentation software package

Awards

1991
Queen’s Award for International Trade
2003
Queen’s Award for Innovation awarded for ArtCAM
2004
Queen’s Award for Innovation awarded for PowerINSPECT
2005
Queen’s Award for International Trade
2010
Queen’s Award for Innovation awarded for Dental CADCAM Software

[13]

2011
Queen's Award for International Trade

[14]

2011
Ringier Technology Innovation Award for 'Delcam for SolidWorks' from International Metalworking News

[15]

2012
MTA Manufacturing Industry Award for Best Supplier Partnership for its relationship with Coventry Engineering Group

[16]

2014
MWP Awards 2014 – Best CADCAM or Control System

[17]

2014
Asian Manufacturing Awards 2014 - Best CAM Systems Provider

[18]

Graduate Programme

Delcam operates a development scheme for engineering and software graduates. The graduate programme consists of five 10 week rotations across different functions of the company. Functions include Professional Services, international support, marketing, ArtCAM, PowerINSPECT, and training. Graduates also have the opportunity to work at Delcam USA in Philadelphia or Salt Lake City. [19]

Boris

Delcam's logo incorporates a computer-modelled spider named Boris. This was produced as an experiment to render hairs in Delcam's CAD software in 1984. Upon seeing a machined version at a show, the Managing Director Hugh Humphreys decided to take it home and use it within the company's logo. [20]

References

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  4. ↑ Achievements;
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ About Delcam Graduate Programme
  20. ↑ Boris' History; Delcam Website;

External links

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