As manufacturing costs escalate due to supply chain delays, as well as material and labor shortages, it’s more critical than ever to leverage tools that increase CNC programming efficiency. Integrated CAM solutions such as SOLIDWORKS CAM and CAMWorks run natively within the SOLIDWORKS design environment, providing manufacturers with many built-in efficiency advantages to make time-consuming tasks simpler.
Automatic Tool Path Updates
We’ve discussed many times how changes to SOLIDWORKS native files, including Configurations within the part, can trigger automatic tool path updates from both SOLIDWORKS CAM and CAMWorks. That capability saves a lot of time with reprogramming families of parts. But did you know that by using the 3D Interconnect feature within SOLIDWORKS you can insert and associatively link many different types of native CAD data, while maintaining the same tool path associativity? Even your STEP files can drive automatic updates to your tool paths.
The SOLIDWORKS Hole Wizard
The SOLIDWORKS Hole Wizard allows designers to make a variety of frequently used holes and slots in just seconds. Threaded holes are among the most common use cases. When using the Hole Wizard for threaded holes, you can automatically alert SOLIDWORKS CAM and CAMWorks to run the proper threading process on those holes by checking the box labeled “With Thread Callout.” Afterward, changes from taping to thread milling, or vice versa, can be handled in seconds. The Hole Wizard can also be used to automate machined features like reamed and waterline holes as well. For those who want the ultimate in customization, SOLIDWORKS and both CAM packages include robust API libraries to drive automation. You can even use feature colors to drive your commonly used machining processes.
Watch the Webinar
Watch our recent webinar, “5 Ways CAMWorks and SOLIDWORKS CAM Accelerate CNC Machining,” to see these features in action. We explored these topics, and a few more, that help to shave time and costs from your CNC programming process.
For more information on the integrated CAM solutions available from Hawk Ridge Systems, contact us today. If you are currently using SOLIDWORKS and are on an active subscription, you likely already have access to some of these CAM features!
