Put simply, this new feature will be a humongous timesaver for machinists and engineers in the throes of designing a product.
Machine to the Mean
The new ‘Machine to the Mean’ capabilities in CAMWorks eliminates long-standing issues surrounding differences between design practices required to tolerance parts based on fit, form and function vs. manufacturing’s need to machine geometry based on mean dimensions and tolerances.
- Reads SOLIDWORKS Dim Expert Dimensions
- Reads SOLIDWORKS MBD Information
- Adjusts Asymmetric Tolerances to Mean Values
- Reads Surface Finish Annotations
- Selects Tools, Feeds and Speeds based on Dim Expert and MBD
CAMWorks Tolerance-Based Machining
Tolerance-Based Machining (TBM) in HCL CAMWorks software reads and identifies tolerance data in 3D models, providing manufacturing companies the ability to automate toolpath generation and move toward paperless machining.
Moving to paperless machining can be difficult because CAD/CAM models rarely include all the information that machinists need. However, with the advent of Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) – such as dimensions, tolerances, and GD&T information – and Model Based Design (MBD), all the necessary manufacturing information can now be added directly to the 3D solid model. Tolerance Based Machining recognizes and uses this data, eliminating the cost of manual tasks involved when using 2D drawings.
The next major innovation in CAM software will be ability to leverage the MBD information in 3D digital models to automatically generate CNC programs that will meet the specified quality requirements.
TBM Handles Models Without Dimensions
DimXpert + Tolerance Based Machining
With the introduction of Tolerance Based Machining by CAMWorks, the manual tasks associated to preparing parts with close tolerances, asymmetric tolerances, surface finishes and other drawing annotations for toolpath generation will now be part of the past. Not only does CAMWorks automatically identify manufacturing features and automatically create toolpaths, CAMWorks will now recognize the tolerances and surface finishes associated with a feature to select the appropriate tools, speeds, feeds, etc… to generate the best toolpath. For the first time, an application that leverages this information to automate and dramatically accelerate the manufacturing process is now available.
Benefits of Tolerance Based Machining in CAMWorks
- Move CNC machining to Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing standards
- Save time by eliminating manual processes for parts with close tolerances and surface finish requirements
- Improve quality by utilizing a single source for design and manufacturing
- Lower costs by moving to paperless machining
Tolerance Based Machining is most effective when combined with other CAM automation tools such as advanced feature recognition and intelligence-based machining. Advanced feature recognition (AFR) recognizes machinable features and adds them to the model so that programmers can utilize the technological advancements of feature-based CAM. Intelligence-based machining with CAMWorks TechDB takes this a step further and captures preferences and best practices to be used in generating the operations and toolpaths for part programs moving forward. This technology is user configurable and allows companies to easily configure the system to fit their specific quality requirements.
With the technologies in HCL CAMWorks – full CAD/CAM integration, feature-based programming, automatic feature recognition, TechDB and Tolerance Based Machining – CNC programs are generated faster, cycle times are reduced, production increased and quality significantly improved.