Delcam

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Delcam plc
Type Public
(LSE: DLC)
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 Clive Martell (Managing Director)
Hugh Humphreys (Executive Deputy Chairman)
Ed Lambourne (Technical Director)
Kulwant Singh (Finance Director)
Bart Simpson (Commercial Director)
Steve Hobbs (Development Director)
Peter Miles (Non-Executive Chairman)
Geoff McFarland (Non-Executive 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] Listed on the UK Stock Exchange the company has grown steadily since being founded formally in 1977, after initial development work at Cambridge University, UK. 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 in over 300 re-seller offices worldwide.

History

Overview

Headquarters of Delcam Plc. in Birmingham

In 1965 Donald Welbourn,[2] saw the possibility of using computers to assist pattern makers to 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 plc 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.[3]

Key Dates

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

Products

Advanced Manufacturing Solutions

Render of 3D model assembly on PowerSHAPE.
PowerSHAPE
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.[4] PowerSHAPE is used for a variety of applications including Modelling for manufacture, electrode design, mould and toolmaking.[5] 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

A CAD based inspection solution package for use with many types of inspection hardware,[6] 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[7][8] 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

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.

Healthcare Solutions

Screenshot of DentCAD software.
OrderManager

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

DentCAD

Is for the design of dental restorations.

DentMILL

Is for the manufacture of dental restorations.

iMetric Scanner

Is a scanner for generating dental teeth impressions.

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

Footwear Solutions

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 [9]
2011 Queen's Award for International Trade [10]
2011 Ringier Technology Innovation Award for 'Delcam for SolidWorks' from International Metalworking News [11]
2012 MTA Manufacturing Industry Award for Best Supplier Partnership for its relationship with Coventry Engineering Group [12]

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.[13]

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.[14]

References

  1. "Delcam Rated World's Leading CAM Software Specialist for 12th Year". tct. 02/08/12. Retrieved 15/11/12. 
  2. Achievements;
  3. "Delcam Fact Sheet". Retrieved 09/10/12. 
  4. "Delcam’s New PowerSHAPE CAD Enhances Direct Modelling and Reverse Engineering". CIMdata. Retrieved 29/10/12. 
  5. Dean, Al. "PowerShape Pro 2013". Develop3D. Retrieved 25/10/12. 
  6. E4 Editorial Staff (15/01/00). "Model it, make it, and inspect it". theENGINEER. Retrieved 05/11/12. 
  7. "Delcam’s Demonstrates PowerInspect Software, and Receives Queen's Award". netcomposites. 2004-04-30. Retrieved 05/11/12. 
  8. "Delcam to Launch New PowerINSPECT with Free Birmingham Seminar". tct magazine. 06/07/12. Retrieved 05/11/12. 
  9. "The Queens Awards for Enterprise - Innovation Winners List". Retrieved 09/10/12. 
  10. "Queens Award Winners 2011". Retrieved 09/10/12. 
  11. "2012 Ringier Technology Innovation Awards". Retrieved 09/10/12. 
  12. Stirling, Will. "Delcam, NPL and B-Tek Precision take honours at MTA Awards 2012". Retrieved 09/10/12. 
  13. About Delcam Graduate Programme
  14. Boris' History; Delcam Website;

External links

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