Getting started with SOLIDWORKS CAM

Article by Shawn McEachern updated March 7, 2019

Article

SOLIDWORKS CAM is a Computer Aided Manufacturing add-in for SOLIDWORKS that allows us to create G/M code for CNC machining our parts.

What is special about SOLIDWORKS CAM is that it uses Knowledge Based Machining with Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR). Our part features can be automatically recognized from our model. By using a technology database, we can create conditions that apply machining strategies to our part features. This dramatically reduces the time and tedium of having to program part operations manually or interactively (IFR). Having this power directly in SOLIDWORKS gives designers and machinists unparalleled versatility, consistency and speed within an integrated production environment.

The SOLIDWORKS CAM Process

The chart below illustrates how the functions in SOLIDWORKS CAM are utilized to generate NC code.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Process

SOLIDWORKS CAM Process

The SOLIDWORKS CAM Interface

The SOLIDWORKS CAM user interface closely follows the above process. These commands will be discussed in greater detail in future articles.

  1. Set-up options
  2. Program generation commands
  3. Options to add operations interactively
  4. Technology Database Options
  5. Options for defining features to be extracted when using (AFR)
  6. CAM Feature Tree – Shows extracted features
  7. CAM Operations Tree – Edit or add operations interactively
  8. CAM Tool Tree – Editing current Tool Crib
SOLIDWORKS CAM User Interface

SOLIDWORKS CAM User Interface

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard vs Professional

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard licenses are available to all SOLIDWORKS Subscription Service customers using SOLIDWORKS 2018 or higher.

Features SOLIDWORKS CAM
Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM
Professional
General Features
AFR – Automatic Feature Recognition – Holes Included Included
AFR – Automatic Feature Recognition – Pockets, Boss Included Included
AFR – Automatic Feature Recognition – Turn Included
KBM – Knowledge Based Machining Included Included
Automatic Recognition of Multiple Setups Included Included
Indexing of the 4th & 5th axes including tombstone Included
Sorting of the Operations Included Included
Toolpath Simulation Included Included
Step Through Simulation Included Included
Tolerance Based Machining – C# macro Included Included
Assembly Machining Included
CAMWorks Configurations Included
Stock and Work in Process Models Included Included
Setup Sheets – XML, XMLT, MDB Included Included
e-Drawings Publisher Included Included
Universal Post Generator (UPG)
Ancillary applications installed separately
Included Included
CAMWorks Library Features (supports only 2.5x features) Included Included
Import / Export of CAM data Included Included
Contain and Avoid areas and features Included Included
MES Feed Speed Library Included Included
2.5 Axis Milling Features
Interactive Feature Creation Included Included
Rough Milling Included Included
Finish (Contour) Milling Included Included
Face Milling Included Included
Thread Milling Included Included
Center Drilling Included Included
Drilling Included Included
Countersinking Included Included
Reaming Included Included
Tapping Included Included
Engraving Included Included
3 Axis Milling Features
Multi-surface feature creation Included Included
Area Clearance Included Included
Z Level Included Included
Flat Area Included Included
Contain and avoid areas and features Included
Turning Features
Face Rough Included
Face Finish Included
Rough Turn Included
Finish Turn Included
OD Threading Included
Cut-off Included
Groove Rough Included
Groove Finish Included
Bore Rough Included
Bore Finish Included
Center Drill – on center Included
Drill – on center Included
Tap – on center Included
ID Threading Included
Extra Features
High-Speed Machining Included
VoluMill™ Included
NC Editor Included Included
Related Links

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Shawn McEachern

Shawn McEachern is a SOLIDWORKS Application Expert based in our Oakville, ON., Canada Head Office