Delcam is a supplier of advanced CAD/CAM software for the manufacturing industry.
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 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.
It now operates as a wholly owned, independently operated subsidiary of Autodesk.
History
Overview
In 1965, Donald Welbourn Achievements ; 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 (later the 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 in software 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.
Clive Martell became chief executive from August 2009.
In February 2015, Pete Baxter, former vice president of sales and country manager for Autodesk in the UK, was appointed vice president.
Key Dates
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
2017 ArtCAM Announced End of development / End of support The ArtCAM code was then licensed to the company Carveco who re-branded the software and continue to develop and sell to previous ArtCAM customers
2018 upon request to comm. dep.: Autodesk did not continue to develop and supporting the (Footwear) software; beside Powershape
Products
Advanced Manufacturing Solutions PowerSHAPE
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.
PowerSHAPE is used for a variety of applications including Modelling for manufacture, electrode design, mould and toolmaking.
The code of PowerSHAPE originates from the DUCT software.
PowerMILL
PowerMILL is a 3D CAM solution that runs on Microsoft Windows for the programming of tool paths for 2 to 5 axis CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Milling machines developed by Autodesk Inc. The software is used in a range of different engineering industries to determine optimal tool paths to reduce time and manufacturing costs as well as reduce tool loads and produce smooth surface finishes. More than 15,000 organisations use PowerMILL worldwide.
The code of PowerMILL originates from the software DUCT which was developed in 1973 by Donald Welbourn and Ed Lambourne along with the help of Delta Metal Group, whose funding aided the transfer of the system into industry. DUCT was initially developed with the sponsorship of Control Data in Germany in the form of access to their time-sharing computing resources. The advancement of mini computers from 1982 meant that it became economically viable to design complex 3D shapes using a computer.
From 1995 to 1998 DUCT was gradually replaced with a new range of products, which covered the full manufacturing cycle from conceptual design through to manufacture. Delcam's Power Solution range of products that built upon the functionality of the DUCT suite, incorporated the latest user interface technology and offered users many new benefits.
Release history: Release Version Date PowerMILL 1.0 1992 PowerMILL 2.0 1995 PowerMILL 3.0 2000 PowerMILL 4.0 2002 PowerMILL 5.0 2003 PowerMILL 6.0 2005 PowerMILL 7.0 2006 PowerMILL 8.0 2007 PowerMILL 9.0 2008 PowerMILL 10.0 2009 PowerMILL 2010 2010-03-15 PowerMILL 2011 2010-11-22 PowerMILL 2012 (R1) 2011-09-01 PowerMILL 2012 (R2) 2012-03-19 PowerMILL 2013 2013-01-02 PowerMILL 2014 (R1) 2013-09-06 PowerMILL 2014 (R2) 2014-02-20 PowerMILL 2015 (R1) 2014-06-25 PowerMILL 2015 (R2) 2015-01-02 PowerMILL 2016 (R1) 2015-07-16 Autodesk PowerMill 2017 2016-08-01 Autodesk PowerMill 2018 2017-04-21Autodesk PowerMill 20192018-03-29Autodesk PowerMill Ultimate 20202019-05-15Autodesk PowerMill Ultimate 20212020-05-13Autodesk PowerMill Ultimate 20222021-05-12Autodesk PowerMill Ultimate 20232022-05-11Autodesk PowerMill Ultimate 20242023-05-10Autodesk PowerMill Ultimate 20252024-09-10Autodesk PowerMill Ultimate 20262025-05-14
PowerINSPECT
A CAD based inspection solution package for use with many types of inspection hardware,
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
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.
Others 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
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.
After acquisition by Autodesk in 2014, Artcam brand was discontinued However the software is still in existence and licensed under another name - 'Carveco'
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 2011 Queen's Award for International Trade 2011 Ringier Technology Innovation Award for 'Delcam for SolidWorks' from International Metalworking News 2012 MTA Manufacturing Industry Award for Best Supplier Partnership for its relationship with Coventry Engineering Group 2014 MWP Awards 2014 – Best CADCAM or Control System 2014 Asian Manufacturing Awards 2014 - Best CAM Systems Provider
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. About Delcam Graduate Programme
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. Boris' History; Delcam Website;
See also List of computer-aided manufacturing software
References
External links Official Delcam Site