CAMWorks™ with Machining Intelligence for Automation™ is the most advanced CAM tool available for getting products to market faster, more efficiently, and within budget. Introduced in 1997, CAMWorks is one of the new generation of revolutionary Windows-based CAM solutions for producing molded parts from solid models.
CAMWorks is a SolidWorks™ Certified Gold Product for Machining that provides state-of-the-art machining capabilities seamlessly integrated into the award winning SolidWorks™ design software. As the first CAM solution to offer true knowledge-based machining capabilities, CAMWorks leads the way in advancements in Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) and Interactive Feature Recognition (IFR). CAMWorks offers true associative machining automatically accommodating changes to the part model, which eliminates time consuming CAM system rework due to design updates.
The integration into SolidWorks means:
- When you are using SolidWorks, the CAMWorks machining tree and commands are available with the click of a button. You never have to leave SolidWorks to generate toolpaths.
- CAMWorks uses the same SolidWorks geometry to generate toolpaths to ensure the part you machine is the same part you have modeled.
- Time-consuming file transfers using standard file formats such as IGES and SAT are eliminated.
Ease of Use
CAMWorks uses the familiar SolidWorks interface, so it is easy to learn and easy to use. The CAMWorks trees are similar to the SolidWorks FeatureManager design tree. Items in the tree can be suppressed, expanded, renamed and moved using the same procedures as SolidWorks. Online help, an Installation and Quick Start Guide and tutorials help you generate toolpaths and code quickly. The tutorials are provided electronically in Adobe PDF files.
Automatic and Interactive Feature Recognition
CAMWorks is a feature-based machining CAM system that provides the ability to automatically recognize many prismatic features including tapers. Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) analyzes the part shape and attempts to define the most common machinable features such as pockets, bosses, holes and slots. AFR recognizes features on native SolidWorks part models or on solid parts imported via IGES, SAT, etc.
CAMWorks provides an Interactive Feature wizard for defining features that are not recognized automatically or features that are not recognized the way you want to machine them.
Machining Operations
After machinable features have been defined, the user can generate an Operation Plan to machine the features on the part. Machining operations include roughing, finishing, drilling, etc. Operations are associated to machinable features.
Knowledge-Based Machinin
Knowledge-Based Machining
TekSoft’s proprietary TechDB, a Microsoft Access database, is the intelligence behind the machining automation in CAMWorks. Using Knowledge-Based Machining technology, the tooling, cutting conditions, and operation defaults are associated with the features defined by Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) and the operations are generated automatically. The toolpath is then calculated. To further enhance the automation process, the knowledge-based rules in the TechDB are fully customizable to represent your current machining environment. [top]
What's New in CAMWorks 2006EX
Features and Enhancements
Check out some of the numerous features and enhancements in CAMWorks 2006EX.
Multiaxis Machining
- CAMWorks 4/ 5-axis simultaneous machining allows the user to create toolpaths across complex shapes that could not be machined on 3-axis machines. This includes high-performance automotive port finishing, impellers, turbine blades, cutting tools, 5-axis trimming, and undercut machining in mold and die making.
- Requires a Multiaxis mill license.
- Post processors for Multiaxis machines are extra cost items and must be purchased through an authorized CAMWorks reseller .
Performance Enhancements
Numerous improvements have been implemented to better handle the large volumes of toolpath data that are generated by the machining of large and complex models including:
- The file size has been reduced. This is most noticeable for part files with large numbers of toolpaths. For example, the portion of the file size that is attributed to Adv. 3 Axis toolpaths has been reduced by more than 40% .
- The amount of memory required to display toolpaths has been reduced. This reduces system memory usage and improves system performance .
- The time to start simulation for parts containing large volumes of toolpaths has been significantly reduced in part mode. When not pre-loading the target part, simulation will start almost instantaneously .
- File Save time for large files has been reduced .
General
- When inserting an operation, parameters from any operation in any Mill Setup can be used for new operation.
- For Mill, Turn, Mill/Turn and EDM, tree items can be double-clicked to edit the definition.
- The display of toolpaths on the part model can be hidden before the toolpaths are generated.
- For Mill and Turn, tool cribs can be saved to copied from within CAMWorks as well as in the Technology Database.
- For Mill and Turn, tools can be removed from the tool crib for an operation.
- For Mill and Turn, a tool can be saved to the Technology Database Tool Library from within CAMWorks.
- Additional options have been added for setting the Mill Setup origin based on stock positions.
- Feed/speed parameters have been moved to a separate F/S tab. Enhancements include additional feed/speed options and ability to open the feed/speed editor from the F/S tab.
- mprovements to the display and usability of the Mill tool interfac e include:
- The interface for specifying a tool in the Operation Parameters dialog box has been updated to include a dynamic display of the tool and holder.
- On the Tool page on the Tool tab, the Preview option dynamically updates the tool graphic as the parameters are modified or displays the dimensions.
- When the Tool page is selected, a tool graphic is attached to the mouse pointer in the graphics area.
- When the Holder page is selected, the tool and holder are attached to the pointer.
- The color of the tool and shank can be defined separately.
- Simulation provides feedback if the shank collides with the stock. Similar to holder collision, simulation provides an option to stop on shank collision and to also remove material in the shank color if the shank cuts into the stock.
- In Step Thru Toolpath, an option has been added to separately display the holder.
- dditional options for reordering tools can be used to begin the tool reordering from a station number other than 1, control which operations are renumbered, and reorder tools based on the number of operations using a tool.
- ption to recalculate the maximum tip length if the diameter or tip angle is changed for Drill tools.
- ption to display a wireframe representation of the tool when using the Edit Toolpath function.
2½ Axis Milling
- Automatically or interactively generate a Part Perimeter feature from the perimeter of the part . A Perimeter feature can be either a boss or open pocket feature. Automatic recognition of perimeter features is supported only when running CAMWorks in SolidWorks 2006
- Rough Mill high speed machining options to generate round corners and S curve links.
- Finish Mill options for final cuts provide additional controls for toolpaths based on the final cut amount and spring passes.
- Bottom finish options for Finish Mill operations include:
- erform the bottom finish first or last
- upply an XY allowance on the bottom finish
- igzag bottom finish option
- ead-in/out control
- amp into and out of the bottom
- eparate feedrate for bottom finish
- ontrol over cutter comp for bottom finish
- igh speed options for round corners and S curve links
- ption to select multiple closed shapes when defining contain and avoid areas for 2.5 Axis Milling operations.
- ew mill toolpath optimization method to optimize features in a pocket in or pocket out pattern.
Advanced 3 Axis Milling
- Significant enhancements have been made to the calculation speed for all Adv. 3 Axis operations. Improvements from 20-50% have been measured in benchmark testing. Additional performance enhancements have been made for toolpath linking. Linking of axially offset toolpaths has been benchmarked up to 10 times faster .
- New Pencil Mill strategy for rest machining that machines s teep and shallow areas in a single toolpath using a reference cutter to determine where to machine .
- Option to gouge detect against the tool holder.
- Separate ramp height offsets can be set to lead-ins and lead-outs.
- A global facet deviation can be set that will decrease computation time for regenerating toolpaths and for subsequent operations.
Technology Database
- Option to set the depth for creating a countersink at the base of the counterbore.
- Feature conditions and associated operations can be defined for Perimeter features.
- Option to copy a tool crib.
- Revised Mill Operations, Turn Operations, Mill Machine and Turn Machine forms to an easy-to-use tabbed format.
Simulation
- Color settings for the tool, tool shank and holder are now maintained during simulation.
- In Wire EDM, the Show Difference function has been added to provide a graphical comparison of the designed part and the machined part.
- Options to pause the simulation and display notification when collisions are detected for the tool holder, shank and/or flute.
Wire EDM
- Automatically or interactively generate a Perimeter Punch feature from the perimeter of the part when running CAMWorks in SolidWorks 2006.
- When machining multiple features with a single 2 axis or 4 axis operation, multiple entry points can be selected when using the Select Point or Point Blend leadin/leadout options.
- Both punches and dies can be post processed in the same file.
- For parts with multiple setups, all toolpaths in an EDM Part Setup can be post processed before outputting the toolpaths for the next Setup.
- Processing order option to optimize wire threading when the post processing a part that contains both Die features with glue stops and Die features without glue stops.
- Post processor customization option to specify and output user comments in the G-code.
- Post processor customization option to output file break markers in the G-code file.
- Options for circular dies to use the center point of the feature for the lead-in or lead-out point when using Select Point or Select Blend.
- Option to eliminate entering the same information twice when using the same lead-in and lead-out on a toolpath.
- A Setup can be split so that operations from the original Setup can be moved to a new Setup.
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Turning
CAMWorks 2 and 4 Axis Turning software for programming CNC lathe machines includes automatic roughing, finishing, grooving, threading, cutoff and single point (drilling, boring, reaming and tapping) cycles.
CAMWorks, which is fully integrated into SolidWorks, incorporates Machining Intelligence for Automation, a suite of tools that automates feature recognition and the generation of toolpaths based on a user-defined technology database.
Automatic and Interactive Feature Recognition
Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) analyzes the part shape and attempts to define the most common machinable features such as the OD and ID of the part, front face and grooves.
- When bar stock is used, AFR generates a Cutoff feature on the opposite side of the Face feature.
- Features can be modified to add or remove elements at any time, to add or delete areas to be machined, or to limit the extent of the tool path.
- CAMWorks provides an Interactive Turn Feature wizard for defining features that are not recognized automatically or features that are not recognized the way you want to machine them, such as custom OD and ID grooves. The interactive definition of features is similar to feature definition in SolidWorks.
Turning for 2 and 4 Axis Lathes
 CAMWorks 2 and 4 Axis Turning includes automatic roughing, finishing, grooving, threading, cutoff and single point (drilling, boring, reaming and tapping) cycles.
- Machining algorithms use the latest toolpath and gouge protection methods.
- Cutting cycles provide fast, error-free cutting using standard inserts for both front and rear turret configurations.
- Define stock as bar stock or as a revolved sketch to represent castings and forgings.
- Work In Process (WIP) monitoring of stock.
- Define chuck to use for toolpath simulation.
- Simulated stock shape can be saved as an STL file for use as Mill or EDM.
- Extend or shorten the length of a turn feature from within Face Rough/Finish, Turn Rough/Finish, Bore Rough/Finish and Cutoff operations.
- Reverse machining for Face Finish, Turn Finish, Bore Rough and Bore Finish.
- Reverse machining for threading to generate left hand threads.
- Canned cycle support for Turn Rough, Bore Rough, Face Rough, Drill, Centerdrill and Threading.
- Drill and Center drill tools for both mill and turn can be specified from a common drill and center drill database.
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Milling
CAMWorks Milling software for G-code programming CNC mill machines is available in a variety of configurations, so you can purchase exactly what you need now and add to your CAM system as your business grows.
2½ Axis Milling includes automatic roughing, finishing, thread milling and single point (drilling, boring, reaming and tapping) cycles.
3 Axis Milling Level I includes Adv. 3 Axis Roughing, Pattern Project, Z Level, XY Stepover and Pencil Mill cutting cycles. Also includes 2½ Axis Milling cycles.
3 Axis Milling Level II includes Level I cycles plus Adv. 3 Axis Curve Project, Flat Area and 3D Stepover cycles. Also includes rest machining support for all Adv. 3 Axis cycles.
Why Spend Hours Programming Complex Parts?
 Getting products to market faster, more efficiently and within budget is essential in today's machine shop environment. CAMWorks, which is fully integrated into SolidWorks, incorporates Machining Intelligence for Automation, a suite of tools that automates the generation of toolpaths based on a user-defined technology database. Hours of complex programming time are eliminated by using Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) to automatically define prismatic machinable features, while the technology database defines operations to automatically generate accurate toolpaths quickly.
2½ Axis Milling
2½ Axis Milling includes automatic roughing, finishing, thread milling and single point (drilling, boring, reaming, tapping) cycles to machine prismatic features.
- Machining algorithms use the latest toolpath and gouge protection methods.
- Cutting cycles provide fast, error-free toolpaths using ball, flat end mill, taper, corner round, thread mill and hog nose tools.
3 Axis Milling
CAMWorks features TekSoft's Advanced 3 Axis cutting. The Advanced 3 Axis cycles have been developed for speed, accuracy and efficient memory usage. Simple and complex parts can be cut quickly and accurately with a high quality toolpath .
Some of the features are below.
- All Advanced 3 axis cycles except Rough and Flat Area support an option to restrict the toolpath areas to a given slope and provide options for up and down milling.
- Advanced 3 Axis Roughing and Advanced 3 Axis Z-Level support an option to avoid small pockets.
- The Advanced 3 Axis Pattern Project cycle Slice pattern includes options for cross machining.
- All Advanced 3 Axis Cutting Cycles:
- Can be modified to stay contained within an area or to avoid an area.
- Provide interactive and automatic methods for defining contain and avoid areas.
- Have retract options to reduce travel distance between retract and reentry moves.
- Can generate high-speed toolpaths with no sharp corners.
- Can generate toolpaths with ball, flat, hog nose, tapered ball, tapered flat, or tapered hog nose tools.
- Allow user defined start and end Z depths.
- Can have separate XY and Z stock allowances.
- Allow contain and avoid areas to be defined with different tool side conditions for On, Upto and Past.
- Allow contain and avoid areas to have multiple closed areas.
- Allow avoid areas to be defined such that the tool will machine over the avoid area.
Additional Level II Cycles
- All Advanced 3 Axis milling operation support rest or leftover machining. Rest machining is used to reduce air cutting by restricting toolpaths to areas within the feature that have not been machined previously.
- A new Advanced 3 Axis Stepover cycle removes material by maintaining a constant user-defined stepover relative to the surface. This cycle generates a semi-finish or finish toolpath with a true constant stepover regardless of the slope being machined.
- The Advanced 3 Axis Curve Project cycle removes material by projecting 2.5 Axis Engrave or Curve features on the 3 axis feature. CAMWorks can calculate a single pass or multiple passes for engraving.
- The Advanced 3 Axis Flat Area cycle uses a roughing pattern to remove material on flat faces.
Assembly Mode
CAMWorks leverages the power and flexibility of SolidWorks Assembly mode to support NC programming of multiple parts for production machining and to more accurately represent the machining environment.
Some of the key benefits include:
- The entire machining environment can be modeled including machine components, parts , stock, clamps, and fixtures. As much or as little detail as desired can be modeled in the SolidWorks assembly document.
- Multiple copies of a part can be positioned in the assembly document and machined with CAMWorks.
- The same part can be machined with multiple different machine tools.
4/5 Axis Indexing
CAMWorks offers advanced 3 plus 2 machining support, which gives you the ability to machine various faces of a part, while the software automatically establishes index moves. Multiple machine configurations are supported including rotary tables, rotating and tilting tables, 5-axis rotating and tilting heads; and horizontal machining centers .
Setup for 4th or 5th axis indexing is as simple as inserting a SolidWorks Axis and picking a 0 degree face. Both 2 Axis and 3 Axis machining cycles can be used to machine multi-faced parts or multiple parts. Unique stock shapes can be defined to reduce "air cutting." Significant time savings are achieved by optimizing machining sequences by tool number and index position.
CAMWorks simulation displays all the indexing moves for accurate process simulation and collision checking.
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CAMWorks Multiaxis Machining
CAMWorks Multiaxis Machining software for programming multi-axis CNC machines allows a wide variety of shops and manufacturing facilities to take advantage of 4/5-axis machines that provide greater productivity, equipment flexibility and quality.
Machine Complex Parts
CAMWorks 4/ 5-axis simultaneous machining programming software allow s the user to create toolpaths across complex shapes that could not be machined on 3-axis machines. This includes high-performance automotive port finishing, impellers, turbine blades, cutting tools, 5-axis trimming, and undercut machining in mold and die making .
CAMWorks 4-axis simultaneous machining is designed for complex rotary applications such as camshafts, extrusion screws and blades.
Reduce Cycle Time - Improve Surface Finish - Extend Tool Life
- Shorter cutting tools can be used since the tool c an be tilted to adjust the angle between the cutter and the part. The increased rigidity of shorter tools allows you to take advantage of the high-speed options in CAMWorks to machine at higher speeds with no loss in accuracy. The result is better surface quality and reduced finishing time.
- Generating 5-axis swarf toolpaths instead of traditional 3-axis toolpaths can result in fewer cut passes and improved surface finish.
- By optimizing the angle between the tool and the surface, it is possible to achieve a constant chip load and a high feedrate at the contact point. The result is improved surface finish and extended tool life.
- Parts that previously required multiple setups can be machined in a single setup with simultaneous control of the rotary axis. In addition to saving time, this also cuts down on mistakes that might be made during multiple setups.
Highlights
CAMWorks Multiaxis Machining provides a powerful set of features and cutting strategies to meet the machining requirements of diverse applications .
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Support for multiple tool types including
flat, ball , ho g nose, tapered and undercut tools such as lollipop and keyway .
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Cutting strategies for swarf cutting, profile contouring, engraving, grooving and machining deep corners and cavities.
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The tool orientation while in contact with surfaces i s completely user-controlled. Options include the ability to define tool orientation relative to the surf ace normal.
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Collision detection looks at each toolpath and the surfaces to decide if the tool tip, tool shaft or holder is colliding. The check is done at each calculated tool position. Groups of surfaces can be defined, each with its own avoidance strategy .
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Roughing options include multiple cuts
normal to the surface, multiple cut depths along the tool axis and full 5-axis plunge roughin g.
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User-defined limits for the machining area an d tool an gl es on several planes for increased flexibility.
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A lag angle can be set between the end of a flat or hog nose tool and the surface, which results in a face milling condition that reduces the number of cuts in shallow areas.
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Undercut areas can be machined using
3-, 4- or 5-axis strategies.
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Rest machining options determine if CAMWork s generates toolpaths to remove remaining material based on an STL fi le or a calculated Work-in-Process (WIP).
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Options to take advantage of an existing stock geometry to minimize air cuts during roughing operations.
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User-defined options determine how CAMWorks handles gaps: gaps in surfaces can be ignored and machined without retracting the tool, the tool can be moved
b ack to the rapid plane and skip the gap or the tool can follow other surfaces.
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Numerous options provide simple and easy trimming of vacuum-formed or fiber reinforced plastic parts.
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Multiaxis laser toolpaths can be created to trim sheet material in difficult to reach areas, for pre-production runs where stampings require trimming, or when single set up trimming is required for production speed.
Machine Simulation
CAMWorks provides a realistic simulation of the comple te machine tool, enabling collision checking between the tool and the machine components. The simulation shows the path of the tool on the actual 3D model. The complete machine tool can be created including axis configurations up to 5-axis, machine limits, etc. The image can be manipulated during simulation to provide closer representations and views from different angles.
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CAMWorks Mill-Turn (Live-C) Machining
CAMWorks Mill-Turn software provides a programming solution for milling and turning in the same machine tool. Mill-turn machines are capable of performing turning and milling operations in a single setup that can reduce part handling and increase production . Mill-Turn machining cycles are available for C, Y and B axis machining at compound angles and on the Face, ID and OD of a part.
Extends Capabilities of the CAMWorks System
- The same Mill and Turn features, identified by Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) and defined using Interactive Feature Recognition (IFR) are supported in Mill-Turn. IFR can be used to define 3-Axis features for Y-axis milling. For cylindrical features that would be machined by C-axis motion, Mill-Turn includes a new interactively defined Wrapped feature.
- The operations that are generated for features are the same as the current operations in CAMWorks 2.5 Axis Milling and 3 Axis Milling. These include automatic roughing, finishing, thread milling and single point (drilling, boring, reaming, tapping) cycles and all Advanced 3 Axis cycles. All machining operations are defined, calculated and verified in the SolidWorks environment.
- Automatic roughing, finishing, grooving, threading, cutoff and single point cycles are the same as the current CAMWorks Turning .
C, Y and B Axis Machining
Machining cycles are available for C, Y and B axis machining at compound angles and on the Face, ID and OD of a part.
The following mill tool axis motion is supported:
C-Axis OD (OD Free, Wrapped)
Y Axis OD (OD Fixed)
- Toolpath is generated on a fixed C axis position.
- For 2½ Axis Milling, the tool moves to depth in X with Y,Z simultaneous cutting.
B-Axis OD
- Toolpath is generated on a fixed C and B axis position
- For 2½ Axis Milling, the tool moves to depth in one axis with simultaneous cutting in other axes.
Face Milling (Fixed, Free)
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For 2½ Axis Milling, the tool positions to depth in Z with X,Y simultaneous or X,C simultaneous cutting.
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CAMWorks Utilities for SolidWorks
CAMWorks Utilities is a set of programs that run in SolidWorks to help you save time, improve quality, increase productivity and lower costs .
eDrawings
eDrawings is the standard in 3D collaboration that facilitates the sharing of 2D and 3D product design data. eDrawings provides innovative capabilities that eliminate common communication barriers and speed the design review process. Unlike CAD files, eDrawings files are compact and easy to email. eDrawings gives you and your extended team the tools necessary to visualize, interpret and collaborate with 2D and 3D product design data.
eDrawings facilitates the markup of 3D models without additional viewers, installations or time-consuming file transfers. The recipient just clicks on the eDrawings file, then can zoom, pan, rotate, animate and redline the design. With eDrawings, you can streamline your entire approval process, internally and externally.
In addition to improved communication between the design team, eDrawings can provide clarification of requested design changes from manufacturing for more efficient and cost-effective machining. Information to suppliers who are involved in the manufacturing process can be more easily communicated with eDrawings. eDrawings can also supplement the information sent to the shop floor.
Features:
- Share product designs more easily and speed product design reviews
- View, mark up, measure and review-enable eDrawings files
- Enable collaboration between design team, manufacturers and suppliers
- Receive feedback on product design data from an unlimited number of recipients
- Manage, track and merge comments from multiple reviewers
- Password protection
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CWDifferenceFinder
CWDifferenceFinder compares solid parts or surface models and identifies face and volume differences between two versions or two configurations of the same part. Using CWDifferenceFinder, you can improve quality with an accurate comparison of geometry and save time by avoiding a manual comparison of geometry.
Features:
- Identifies different or unique faces and edges
- Identifies overlapping faces
- Assemblies can be compared
- User defined tolerances can be set
- Imported solids can also be compared
CWDifferenceFinder can increase productivity in the design and manufacturing stages of product life cycles. Changes in the design can typically result in changes in the manufacturing setup, tool selection or sequence of operations. CWDifferenceFinder can save considerable time and labor by identifying where the changes occur.
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CWPartFinder
CWPartFinder is a completely automated geometric 3D shape-based encoding and search library that helps you quickly identify and retrieve previously designed similar products.
CWPartFinder is a comprehensive solution to:
- Reduce the time to market by locating a part based on shape and re-using the geometry with minor changes.
- Shorten your customer response time for quotes by locating similar parts based on shape and retrieving information for reuse.
- Eliminate storage of duplicate parts.
Features:
- Shape/geometry base indexing and search of 3D CAD data
- Independent of CAD formats
- Supports automatic indexing
- Preview of indexed parts and results
- User defined search preferences and display of results
- Search for part clusters using standard part keywords
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CWFeatureFinder
CWFeatureFinder applies intelligence to static geometric data and makes it ready to use in SolidWorks and CAMWorks. CWFeatureFinder recognizes features on a solid body that has been imported into SolidWorks from files produced by standard translators such as STEP, IGES®, SAT (ACIS®), VDAFS (VDA) and Parasolid® .
Recognized features are the same as features that you create using SolidWorks and are fully editable and associative. Once feature recognition is complete, you can easily fine-tune the design and then machine the part in CAMWorks.
CWFeatureFinder recognizes all these features:
- Extrusion features such as bosses and cuts of the following sketch entities: lines, circles, and circular arcs
- Revolved features that are conical or cylindrical
- Any standard hole types, such as simple, tapered, and counterbored
- Sheet metal features including edge flange, sketch and bend, and base features
- Random sketch patterns of features on a plane
- Shell features such as uniform wall and shell inward only
- Ribs and draft features
- Constant and variable-radius fillets
CWFeatureFinder provides both automatic and interactive feature recognition capabilities. Automatic Feature Recognition requires no user intervention. In many cases, features not recognized automatically can be recognized through the interactive method. The interactive method lets you control or specify the design intent easily by selecting a face or the edges of a cut or boss. The model checker indicates any changes to underlying imported geometry before and after feature recognition. You can perform automatic recognition before or after interactive recognition.
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Update Imported Geometry
Update Imported Geometry allows CAM data generated on imported solid models to be updated to new revisions of the solid model. Simply select the reference model with CAM data and the modified model, then click Update. The reference model is replaced by the modified model and CAMWorks performs a rebuild.
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CAMWorks Wire EDM
CAMWorks Wire EDM software has been designed and developed specifically for programming 2- through 4-axis Wire EDM CNC machines - unlike most CAM systems that use modified milling commands for their EDM programming modules. The result is CAMWorks, which is fully integrated into SolidWorks, provides a more intuitive, automatic, and efficient method of generating EDM toolpaths and machine code.
Intuitive, Automatic, Efficient
- The 2.5 Axis and 4 Axis cutting operations automate the creation of rough, skim and tab cuts.
- Options are provided to order the cuts when machining parts with multiple pocket (die) areas.
- Numerous processing order options allow the user to automatically change the order with a single command.
- Machine code output can be changed for a different machine by simply selecting a different machine make and model.
- Cutting conditions for the new machine are automatically changed as needed.
Automatic and Interactive Feature Recognition
CAMWorks is a feature-based machining CAM system that provides the ability to automatically recognize Die (pocket) and Open Profile machinable features for Wire EDM .
CAMWorks provides interactive 2.5 and 4 Axis Feature wizards to define features that are not recognized automatically or features that are not recognized the way you want to machine them. Die (pocket), Punch (boss) and Open Profile features can be defined interactively.
2 and 4 Axis Contour Cycles
2 Axis Contour operations automatically generate rough, tab and skim cuts on 2.5 Axis features. Typically, this cycle would be used to cut a punch or die cavity.
4 Axis Contour operations automatically generate rough, tab and skim cuts on 4 Axis features.
Cutting Conditions Database
A cutting conditions database is associated to the post processor for the current machine make and model. The default data in the database is based on information from the machine tool manufacturer and optionally can be modified.
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System Requirements
- Platform: Intel® Pentium® / AMD Athlon™
- RAM: 128MB (512MB recommended)
- Windows 2000 or XP
- SolidWorks 2003 or 2004
- Microsoft Access 2000, 2002 or 2003
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