PowerMill CAM software from Birmingham-based Delcam is being used by the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) to produce a series of components for the Bloodhound SuperSonic Car project (www.delcam.tv/bloodhound-amrc).

Delcam is both an SME Sponsor of the project and a Product Sponsor. The AMRC is one of several Delcam customers and technical partners that are using its CAD/CAM software to make parts for the jet- and rocket-powered car.

One particularly challenging part machined at the AMRC was the front-suspension sub-assembly, which looked as if it would be very difficult to machine because it included deep pockets with small internal corners.

The problems were easily overcome by using the Vortex area clearance strategy in PowerMill to rough out the pockets. As a result, the AMRC was able to produce the finished part within the tight time constraints demanded by the project.

Aero Structures Platform Group Leader Matt Farnsworth said: “Delcam offers us a lot of functionality in terms of the programming capability within the software. In addition, we like its ability to give us rapid programming, so reducing the time it takes to give us the cutter paths we require.

“Delcam allows us to be on the machine cutting a lot quicker than the alternative software solutions, because we’re able to reduce our programming times.”