New Product Announcements
Modern Machine Shop
The company’s CAMWorks 2011 version of its solid-based CNC programming package provides new capabilities including enhanced automation, improved knowledge-based machining information and smarter tool paths. This version includes the VoluMill toolpath plug-in engine for high speed rouging for 2 .5- and three-axis operations. It is well-suited for prismatic parts and complex 3D shapes because its algorithms result in intelligent tool paths for effective machining of pockets, slots and arbitrary shapes, the company says.
For the mold and die industry, an optional electrode design solution called ElectrodeWorks automates all aspects of the calculation and design of EDM electrodes including design, management, documentation and manufacturing. Its seamless integration with SolidWorks/CAMWorksSolids is said to ensure complete parametric association of data.
Additional enhancements include improved performance and feature recognition of slot features with fillets and tapers as well as slots with islands. In addition, Feature Recognition, which is used to automatically identify areas to be machined, has been upgraded to find more features, while decreasing computation times by more than 50 percent compared to previous CAMWorks versions.