What is the Best CAM Software to Use with SOLIDWORKS?

The technologies you use during your design to manufacture process are critical to your success. There are costs to control, time you can’t waste, and quality you can’t afford to compromise. If you use SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software to design parts and assemblies for CNC machining, then it’s time to take a serious look at CAMWorks CAM software.

CAMWorks is an intuitive, feature-based computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software that integrates seamlessly with SOLIDWORKS. It is ideal to use with SOLIDWORKS because it runs directly inside SOLIDWORKS so your design and manufacturing model become one and the same. Read on to learn more about CAMWorks.

CAMWorks runs inside SOLIDWORKS for full CAD to CAM workflow

CAMWorks is the first fully integrated CAM software solution designed exclusively to operate in SOLIDWORKS. CAMWorks CNC software is capable of the full CAD to CAM workflow and can be used for both the design and manufacture of products. Thanks to its seamless integration with SOLIDWORKS, CAMWorks allows you to:

• • • – Use and manage just one file for both CAD and CAM system

   

  • – Use the CAMWorks machining tree and commands at the click of a button along with SOLIDWORKS, plus generate toolpaths without leaving the familiar SOLIDWORKS environment
  • – Use the same SOLIDWORKS geometry to generate toolpaths to ensure the part machined is the same as the part that is modeled
  • • • – Eliminate time-consuming file transfers using standard file formats such as IGES and STP

     

    CAMWorks shortens machining times with high-performance toolpaths

    CAMWorks offers true associative machining, automatically accommodating changes to the part model. This means that any modifications made to the design are automatically updated in the CAM data, eliminating time-consuming rework due to design alterations. Parts that used to take hours to program can be programmed in minutes or even seconds. You can see how this benefit alone can boost CNC machining efficiency as well as production capacity.

    Feature-based machining sets CAMWorks apart

    While seamless integration with SOLIDWORKS is a key benefit of CAMWorks, there’s much more that sets CAMWorks apart from the rest. CAMWorks also provides faster setups and faster machining times.

    As a feature-based machining system with patented Automatic Feature Recognition, CAMWorks recognizes over 20 features, including irregular pockets, taking the drudgery out of the day-to-day programming needs. Machining algorithms use the latest toolpath and gouge protection methods to provide fast, error-free toolpaths. This capability is complemented by Interactive Feature Recognition (IFR) for recognizing complex multi-surface features quickly and easily.

    CAMWorks feature-based machining reduces programming time by as much as 80% compared to traditional profiles and chains-based 3 axis CAM software because strategies for multi-surface features can be stored and reused automatically for multiple rough and finishing operations. In fact, CAMWorks feature-based and knowledge-based machining capabilities work hand-in-hand.

    What is knowledge-based machining?

    Another differentiator for CAMWorks is its technology database for knowledge-based machining. CAMWorks has the ability to store CNC machining strategies feature-by-feature, both multi-surface features and prismatic features, and then reuse these strategies to reduce machining time significantly.

    Compared to traditional CAM software, CAMWorks technology database automates much of the programming work by up to 90% and improves quality. The result is faster, higher quality programming and parts at a fraction of the cost.

    What about machining faster too?

    CAMWorks provides faster machining capabilities by ensuring that air cuts are reduced to a minimum and users have access to optimized, out-of-the-box, strategies for mold core and cavity programming. In addition, CAMWorks Volumill creates ultra-high performance toolpaths by using the latest advanced technology to rough mill multi-surface parts faster than any other software available today. This reduces machining time by as much as 85% and increases tool life by as much as 500% even in the hardest materials.

    Now that you’ve read this overview of CAMWorks, do you think it could be the best CAM software to use with SOLIDWORKS for your organization? Keep exploring CAMWorks here.

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    About the Author

    Christa Prokos is a marketing manager at Fisher Unitech. She researches and writes about the latest business trends and technologies impacting manufacturers, including 3D printing, SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD design and product data management tools, product lifecycle management, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things. Christa has worked as a high tech marketing and communications professional since 2000. You can follow her on Twitter: @ChristaProkos.