CAMWorks 2011 provides significant new capabilities, including improved knowledgeâ€based machining information, a new electrode design solution for the mold and die industry, smarter tool paths. In this version, the technologies that enable automation of NC programming have also been enhanced.
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CAMWorks Volumill
VoluMill, is an optional ultra high-performance toolpath plug-in engine for high speed milling for 2.5 axis and 3 axis roughing operations is being introduced. It is ideal for prismatic parts and complex 3-D shapes as its algorithms result in more intelligent toolpaths to machine pockets, slots, and arbitrary shapes. It can be used with any material, including the hardest metals. The result is increased efficiency and utilization of machines, tools, labor and materials.
Electroworks for CAMWorks
ElectrodeWorksâ„¢ is an optional module in CAMWorks used to design electrodes for electrical discharge machining. The comprehensive and easy-to-use interface automates all aspects of the calculation and design of electrodes including design, management, documentation and manufacturing. Its seamless integration with SolidWorks/ CAMWorks Solids assures complete parametric association of data.
Creating Feature Conditions within CAMWorks 2011
In CAMWorks 2011, with regards to the Saving Operation Plan command, major enhancements include:
- Allowing new feature conditions to be defined within CAMWorks itself and saving it to the TechDB, instead of opening and creating conditions directly in the TechDB.
- Allowing creation of a new user defined Strategy in CAMWorks and saving to the TechDB.
- Provides the ability to re-save an existing feature condition as a new condition to the TechDB
- Allowing the user to modify only a sub-set of the existing feature condition in the TechDB without disturbing the settings of the remaining feature condition.
Improved Performance and Recognition in Mill Features Manufacturing View
Beginning from CAMWorks 2010, the MFG view has undergone a major revamp with MFG view now able to recognize more features. In CAMWorks 2011, slot features with fillet and taper as well as slots with island(s) get recognized. Open pocket covers more machinable area. Performance improves by more than 40%.
User Defined Turn Inserts
A much anticipated enhancement, users can now define customized turn inserts when it is not possible to completely machine a turn part using a standard turn insertlike a diamond, square etc. User defined inserts can be used for finishing grooves as well as turn finishing the OD, ID, and face of the part. The added advantage is that work-in-process is accounted for while machining.
Turn Rough Leadin/Leadout
Provide the ability in turn rough operations to define whether the leadin or leadout should apply to All Passes, the First Pass Only, the Last Pass Only, or the First and Last Pass Only.
Enhanced Turn WIP Support
While earlier versions of CAMWorks generated turn toolpaths with consideration for the stock work-in-process (WIP), there was limited flexibility in defining the input WIP shape for each operation toolpath. CAMWorks 2011 strengthens this important feature by providing the user with the various options to define the the work-in-process for a particular operation. It is now possible to define the WIP based on all previous toolpaths, selected toolpaths, from a 2D sketch or from an STL file.
Mirror with Climb & Conventional Control
Allows mirrored toolpaths to maintain the cut direction with respect to the original toolpath.
Start Point Support of In-to-Out Optimiziation
Enable start position control for the Optimization methods “Inside to Out†and “Outside to Inâ€.
Feedrate Changes without Toopath Regeneration
Eliminates the need to regenerate mill toolpaths when the feed rate or spindle speed has been changed.
Insert Operation Command
Simplify the ability to interactively insert Mill, Turn and EDM operations.
Tool Crib Formatting
Allow Tool Crib form displays to be customized. Columns can be sorted in ascending or descending order. Additionally, control is provided to hide or display columns of data and columns can be rearranged as per the user requirements. This applies to Tools and Holders columns in Tool Crib tab.
Support Contain/Avoid Areas for Single Point Operationsns
Support Contain and Avoid areas in single point operations such as Centerdrill, Drill, Bore, Tab, etc.
Simulate and Step Thru Toolpath from Open Operation
Simplifies interaction for validating the toolpath after modifying operation parameters.
Display Message on GTP when toolpath has been Edited
Enables new control and notification for operations whose toolpaths have been edited, to reduce the possibility of regenerating toolpaths and overwriting manual modifications.
Using SolidWorks Property Manager in CAMWorks
CAMWorks 2010 saw the beginning of integration of frequently used CAMWorks commands in the SolidWorks property Manager with 'Insert Mill part setup'' 'Insert Turn setup' and 'Insert Wire EDM setup' integrated in the version. CAMWorks 2011 further extends this integration to commands like 'Insert Wrapped Feature', 'Unwrap To Sketch', 'Insert part-perimeter feature', 'Insert Turn feature', 'Insert EDM feature' and 'Insert Multi Surface Feature'.
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