#newequipment #cam #software #manufacturing #engineering A combination of software from Delcam
(www.delcam.com) — FeatureCAM (a feature-based CAM system) and the integrated CAM software Delcam for SolidWorks — is helping Sutter Instrument Co to manufacture some of the world’s most advanced research and inspection equipment. University laboratories all over the world use Sutter’s instruments to do research into conditions including Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, cancer and infertility.
The company originated in 1977, when Dale Flaming — a scientist working at the University of California, San Francisco — was having difficulty producing micro-pipettes for his studies of retina cells. He developed the first electronically controlled micro-pipette puller to help facilitate his research. Demand for the device from colleagues prompted the formation of Sutter Instrument Co. Moreover, customisation of the optical-product line for advanced applications has extended the company’s customer base beyond the bio-medical industry into such diverse industries as aerospace, semiconductors, electronics, atmospheric research, astronomical imaging, fusion research and material analysis.
The company’s engineering and manufacturing facility occupies over 50,000ft2 and employs more than 70 people; most of them have been with the company for more than a decade. The machine shop, which has 14 staff, is said to be one of the finest precision-machining facilities in Northern California, employing ‘state of the art’ CNC machining centres and turning centres for the high-volume production of precision mechanical components.
Research and development activities in Sutter’s machine shop are over-seen by Fred Siedenburg (a vice-president at the company), together with Ron Davenport (research and development machinist), who has more than 30 years of experience in precision manufacturing. Both of them have tried most of the CAD/CAM software packages on the market, but for the last decade they have been using Delcam software. Today, Sutter has five seats of Delcam for SolidWorks and three of FeatureCAM.
Mr Davenport says: “When we first got our FeatureCAM software, we picked up the basics almost immediately, and we have learned the more intricate features over time. We do call Delcam from time to time with questions, and the technical support team is outstanding.”
More recently, Sutter has added Delcam for SolidWorks. “This software is about twice as fast as anything else on the market. It became so easy to machine parts when Delcam for Solid Works came out, because it is inside the SolidWorks program that we use for design. We can get a prototype into the hands of our decision makers very quickly. In manufacturing, we are able to fine-tune the design rapidly and easily, which allows us to cut production times.”