Solidworks CAM

Discussion created by Jaylin Hochstetler on Jan 4, 2021
Latest reply on Jan 6, 2021 by Matt Juric

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I am new to SW CAM. We have one Haas VF2 machine. Currently we write all of our programs by hand, which is quite time consuming. From what I've heard SW CAM is a pain to use compared to MasterCam. Would we be better off biting the bullet and getting MasterCam which costs $9,000 or would SW CAM be sufficient for our use? Is SW CAM easy to use if you know what you are doing? Is it worth our time to set up all our tools in SW CAM?

We have 3 seats of SW 2021, one Premium, one Professional, and one Standard.

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Matt Juric Jan 4, 2021 9:38 AM
Not all that familiar with SW CAM but I think it's even hard to make a determination without knowing what kind of machining you're doing.

In my experience generally CAM programs that are good at doing Blocks, holes and basic machining quickly and effectively are generally not great at doing complex surfaces, molds, dies etc. The reverse is also true.

I believe SW CAM leans more toward the Blocks and holes than it does complex molds and surfaces.
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- Jaylin Hochstetler @ Matt Juric on Jan 4, 2021 10:20 AM
  Attached is a .STEP file of block we made recently. This one is of the more complex ones we make. Approximately how long would it take to make a program for this block w/ SW CAM?
  We mostly make blocks, holes, & etc. We don't make any molds or parts w/ complex surfaces.
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  - SC12 Saw Motor Mount.STEP.zip123.3 KB
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- Michael Buchli @ Matt Juric on Jan 4, 2021 10:42 AM
  I think I might be able to provide some insight.
  
  SOLIDWORKS CAM focuses on prismatic components in Milling, turning, and indexing. It is meant to cover 80% of what customers build and create when using mills, lathes, routers, plasma, waterjet, and laser. We do have some 3 axis capabilities to finish some simple surfaces and blend where needed.
  
  If a person does more specialized work like molds, robotics, edm, swiss, we also have DELMIA NC solutions that contain the same feature recognition found in SW CAM along with more expansive rules-based machining capabilities that do not require the use of a database. DELMIA also offers machine kinematic verification for more complex machines.
  
  If you do not like using Feature recognition or feature-based programming, both SOLIDWORKS CAM and DELMIA can be used from an operation style workflow where you pick the operation, then the tool, then the geometry. This reduces automation but for some is more like other systems they may have learning on previously.
  
  Mike
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  - Jaylin Hochstetler @ Michael Buchli on Jan 4, 2021 11:25 AM
    Michael Buchli thank-you for your reply! This is very helpful! I had not realized you can use operation style workflow w/ SW CAM, this is really what we are looking for, because feature based programming doesn't always do exactly what you want it to.
    
    Is DELMIA a stand-alone software or is this an add-in to Solidworks?
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    - Michael Buchli @ Jaylin Hochstetler on Jan 4, 2021 11:36 AM
      DELMIA is stand-alone software that connects to data from SW, xDesign, CATIA or other CAD systems through the 3dexperience platform. It can import files directly or when using connectors have a link to CAD systems like SOLIDWORKS. DELMIA NC capabilities has been around since the early 80's, DELMIA as a brand like SOLIDWORKS does a lot of things in manufacturing from scheduling, to optimization, supply chain management and plant layout simulation. One of the key areas has always been NC programming. Over the last year a lot of work has been done to provide more streamlined workflows similar to what you see in SOLIDWORKS CAM while keeping all the high end functionality for when it is needed.
      
      As for the feature-based modeling, keep in mind all CAM systems require you to define the geometry in some shape. What feature-based systems do is provide automation based on information that was captured. While feature recognition is great for some things, it does not capture everything the way we want to machine. That is why we allow you to use the operation method to leverage defined geometry to the correct operations you need. If you decide that is a new method you want to try, let me know and I can try to put together a quick video showing this.
      
      Mike
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Alex Burnett Jan 4, 2021 9:50 AM
IMO, SW CAM is easy to use once it's set up properly. It took me a few weeks of manipulating the default Technology Database settings to get things to work the way I wanted to with feeds/speeds by material, etc. By default, almost every common tool seems to be loaded into the database so you won't necessarily have to create everything from scratch.

We have a HAAS Mini Mill and I've been using SW CAM while my coworkers have been using the single seat of another CAM editor software so that we can increase productivity a bit.

Now, some of the headaches are caused by a difficult user interface. There aren't tutorials to help a user know how to approach certain tasks or how to troubleshoot errors with the software. It can be difficult and a bit clunky if you have a complex part that requires multiple setups in the mill to generate all of the features.

With all of that said, I do think it's worth the $9,000 savings to try it out for a few weeks to see if it will work for you. I'd recommend creating some existing pieces that you have out of a plastic so you don't blow up tools by accident if you miss a setting. (For me, the z-axis step was set to 50% of the tool diameter by default. I missed this and my 0.5" flat end mill was trying to bore a quarter inch into aluminum with each vertical step. Not fun)
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- Jaylin Hochstetler @ Alex Burnett on Jan 4, 2021 9:58 AM
  Hi Alex;
  Thank-you for your reply! I think I will give it a try and see how it works for me! Is it a lot faster than writing it manually?
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  - Alex Burnett @ Jaylin Hochstetler on Jan 4, 2021 10:44 AM
    Once you get everything up and working, generating all of the setups and toolpaths for all three of these parts took about an hour. this included facing the raw stock to my specified thickness and squaring the pieces up. It took me longer to set up all the tools in the mill so I could run my parts. However, if you have a standard tool-crib in your machine then you can set that up in the CAM software and essentially not have to touch the tooling in the machine until you need a special tool.
    
    The added bonus is that the code output lets you know what the estimated machining time is for that process which may help in planning your machine's usage between people/parts.
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Craig Serkanic Jan 4, 2021 10:51 AM
I know this is about using but a good post plays a big part as well. Feel free to look at https://hawkridgesys.com/products/cam/post-processors for any free posts you may need.

Make sure to read the readme file for customization capabilities.
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- Matt Juric @ Craig Serkanic on Jan 6, 2021 9:15 AM
  Craig Serkanic wrote:
  
  I know this is about using but a good post plays a big part as well. Feel free to look at https://hawkridgesys.com/products/cam/post-processors for any free posts you may need.
  
  Make sure to read the readme file for customization capabilities.
  I think posts are so completely underated that I find it stunning. So many people end up wasting SOOOOoooo much time altering G-Code to "Get what I want" because they are using an "Out of the box" post.
  
  Find a good post writer, send them a check and what you want your code to look like and you will probably save enough money on your first job to pay for the post.
  
  People will spend thousands of dollars on CAM programs, Simulation programs and then spend hours changing G-code manually to "Get the program the way I want it". Do yourself a favor and spend a fraction of the cost you spent on all that software and get a post that spits out code exactly as you want it.
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Tim Rosendal Halvorsen Jan 6, 2021 7:58 AM
Hi jaylin

Go for SW CAM for now and get to know it.
Once you are ready to move to 3D milling or indexed milling, your next step is CAMWorks - because then you have the knowledge in place and you have post processor working - also, upgrade to CAMWorks will let you work on CAM programming done with SW CAM (this is the same software).

For a bit of 'getting to know' videos, I have made, and are making more, on how to use the software.
Most is in English, but there might be some in Danish as well

CADWorks.dk ApS - YouTube

You'll fine video on how to set up a part for programming and the different feature types offered.
In very near future I'll make individual video per 2.5 axis type of operation.

The part you shared should be possible to program in just a few minutes manually.
A side note is, there is no need for modelling threads and you should also consider manufacturing process when modelling - as for instance the hole with a rotation fix, should have rounds defined - or else machining is actually impossible (you need to use wire edm which will still leave a small radius in internal corner).

Tim
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- Jaylin Hochstetler @ Tim Rosendal Halvorsen on Jan 6, 2021 9:08 AM
  Hi Tim;
  Thank - you for your reply. I will take a look at that video.
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