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What's New in CAMWorks 2014

Contents (Click a link below or use the bookmarks)

Whats New in CAMWorks 2014 SP 0.1

CAMWorks Virtual Machine

New APIs


General

Mill

Turn

CAMWorks Licensing

Geometric Americas Inc. makes no warranties, either expressed or implied with respect to this document. Geometric reserves the right to revise and improve products as it sees fit, and to revise the specifications and information contained herein without prior notice. Due to continuing product development, specifications and capabilities described in this document are subject to change without notice.

Copyright 2013 Geometric Americas Inc. All Rights Reserved.

October, 2013


2


Updated Resolved CPRs document

Purpose:

The Resolved CPR (CAMWorks Problem Report) document has been updated

to report the software errors that have been resolved in the current Service

Pack (SP 0.1).

Implementation: To view the document, select:

Start>>All Programs>>CAMWorks2014>>Resolved CPRs.

New CAMWorks Virtual Machine for G-code Machine Simulation

Purpose:

To provide an application to virtually simulate the NC-codes in actual

machining environment. This will help the user to check for possible collisions

with machine components and to verify potential issues in the NC program.

Implementation:

CAMWorks Virtual Machine is a Machine Simulation application which is

available as part of the CAMWorks suite of licensed modules.

The CAMWorks Virtual Machine application is available in Standard, Premium

and Professional editions. Users need to purchase a separate license from

their respective CAMWorks Value Added Resellers for CAMWorks Virtual

Machine application to function.

Capabilities of CAMWorks Virtual Machine include:

Multi-tasking and Mill Turn Support - Full support for complex multi-

tasking and mill-turn machines including 4 axis dual turret, dual spindle

lathes as well as multi axis mill-turn machines with milling heads, lower

turrets and sub-spindles is available.

Synchronized Simultaneous Machining - Use CAMWorks Sync

Manager to synchronize your operations and then simulate them directly

from the G-code.

Interactive G-code Editor - Provides the user with the ability to edit

the G-code and replay the simulation to ensure the error has been

corrected and a quality part will be machined.

Complete Machine Monitoring - Machine components, fixture

components, tools, tool holders, stock, and the finished part can all be

monitored for interference and the system can stop automatically or

report any collision or interference.

Error Message Window and Reporting - Makes it easier to find and

correct errors in the G-code program. The simple link between message

window and G-code editor helps user to identify the part of the G-code

which would have caused the interference.

Full Canned Cycle Support - Milling and turning canned cycles are

fully supported and simulated directly from the actual G-code used for

CNC machining.

Custom Machines Custom machines for any of the CAMWorks modules (except Wire EDM) can be developed as per requirements.


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Updated APIs

Purpose: New CAMWorks APIs added for CAMWorks 2014.

Implementation:

1. GetLicenseDetails: This API will fetch license details like CPD No.,

expiry Date, License borrowing status, License type (node-locked/

floating/ dongle licensing).

2. GetLastModifiedHistory: This API will fetch info of last modified

history of mill or turn part in .csv and .txt files.

3. GetController2: This API will get name and status of check/uncheck

APT type of controller file selected for machine.

4. SetController2: This API will set the user specified controller and

check/uncheck status of is APT type to the machine.

5. DeleteOperationByName: This API will delete an operation by name

from Operation tree.

6. GenerateAccessSetupSheet: This API will generate setup sheet in

Access format.

7. SetComment: This API will set user-specified string as comment in the

CAMWorks Configuration Manager.

8. GetComment: This API will fetch the comment from the CAMWorks

Configuration Manager.

9. DefineTurnWorkpieceAsBarStock2: This API will define the Turn

Workpiece as bar stock with user specified values.

10. SetMillSetUpOrigin: This API will set setup the Origin in Origin tab of

Mill Part Setup using user-specified values in the API.

11. SetMillSetUpAxis: This API will set setup Axis in axis tab of mill part

setup from user specified values in API.

12. GetFixtureCount: This API is related to VeriCut. It will return the

number of Fixtures supported for Operation Setup.

13. GetTechDBId: This API will give TechDB ID of the Tool Station used for

the operation.

14. GetCategory: This API will fetch the information whether the operation

was generated using the Generate Operation Plan command or

interactively inserted in the Operation tree.

15. SetOverrideFeatureExtents: This API will set the check\uncheck

status of Override Feature Extents option for the Turn Operation.

16. GetOverrideFeatureExtents: This API will fetch the check\uncheck

status of Override Feature Extents option for the Turn operation.

17. SetOverrideFeatureExtentsTypes: This API will set the Override

Feature Extents option to operation with user-specified information like

Start and End turn extent type, flag option to set/unset apply Start and

End extent to feature.

18. GetOverrideFeatureExtentsTypes: This API will fetch the Override

Feature Extents information like Start and End turn extent type and

check /uncheck status of Start & End extent reverse for the Turn

operation.

19. SetCannedCycleOutput: This API will set check/uncheck status of

Canned Cycle Output option for the Turn operation.

20. GetCannedCycleOutput: This API will fetch the check/uncheck status

of Canned Cycle output option for the Turn operation.


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Implementation:

21. SetCannedCycleStartPoint: This API will set the canned cycle start

point in conjunction with the canned cycle method provided in the API

enum CWTurnCannedCycleMethod_e.

22. GetCannedCycleStartPoint: This API will fetch information on the

canned cycle start points and selected canned cycle method.

23. ExternalCorner: This set of APIs will fetch or assign the External corner

type provided with enum CWExternalCornerType_e for Finish Mill

Operation.

24. InternalCorner: This set of APIs will fetch or assign the internal corner

type provided with enum CWExternalCornerType_e for Finish Mill

Operation.

25. GetCategory: This API will fetch info whether the feature was

generated using the Extract Machinable Features (EMF) command or

interactively inserted into the Feature tree.

26. IGetAllAttributes; GetTdbIdForAttribute: These APIs will return the

Attributes list of Mill Features and the TechDB ID for a given attribute

string for the Mill Features.

27. IGetAllAttributes2: This API will return the Attributes list for Multi Step

Feature attributes.

28. SelectFaces: This API will select faces for Multi-surface feature.

29. CreateSTLOfWIPs2: This API will create STL format files of Work-in-

process (WIPs) models using given info like units, reference coordinate

system with given quality types ("Coarse / Fine").

30. SetSTLPathForRestMachining: This API will set STL file path of Rest

Machining for 3 and 5 axis Mill operations.

31. GetAllConfigurations: This API will fetch all configurations list from

Configuration Manager for part.

32. DeleteConfiguration: This API will delete the configuration from

Configuration Manager for the part.

33. AddNewConfiguration: This API will add new configuration from

Configuration Manager for the part.

34. AddCopyConfiguration: This API will create copy of given

configuration and add it as new configuration to Configuration Manager

list for the part.

35. GetActiveConfiguration: This API will fetch the active configuration

from the Configuration Manager for the part.


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General Supported Platforms

Supported Platforms for 32-bit

Solid Modeler The 32-bit version of SolidWorks 2013, SolidWorks 2014 and CAMWorks

Solids 2013.

Operating

System 32-bit version of Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

[*Home Editions are not supported]

Supported Platforms for 64-bit

Solid Modeler The 64-bit version of SolidWorks 2013, SolidWorks 2014 and CAMWorks

Solids 2013.

Operating

System 64-bit version of Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

[*Home Editions are not supported]

Improved Stock Manager now available in Property Manager UI

Purpose: The controls within the Stock Manager will now be available in the

CAMWorks Property Manager User Interface.

Implementation:

CAMWorks has three Stock Managers:

Mill Stock Manager and EDM Stock Manager in part mode

Turn Stock Manager and Mill/Turn Stock Manager in part mode

Mill Stock Manager in Assembly Mode.

In the previous versions of CAMWorks, the controls within the above-

mentioned Stock Managers were available in the form of a Manage stock

dialog.

From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, the controls with these Stock Managers will

be available within the CAMWorks Property Manager User Interface. This

change will facilitate easier navigation and concurrent view of the part model

in the graphics area.

Improved Change in location of the Edit Definition command on the context menu

Purpose: Uniformity in the location of the Edit Definition command in the RMB context menu

Implementation:

The Edit Definition command is now the first command listed in the RMB context menu when you right-click on the Stock Manager, Machine item,

operation, feature or Part setup.


6

Improved Change in name of the Example Machines

Purpose: The default example machines provided with CAMWorks have been renamed

from Machine name to Machine[].

Implementation:

Examples:

Mill-in renamed to Machine[Mill - inch]. Mill-in 4ax renamed to Machine[Mill 4 axis - inch]. Wire EDM Mode-inch renamed to Machine[Wire EDM - inch]. Mill-mm renamed to Machine[Mill - metric].

Improved Access to CAMWorks Tutorials

Purpose: Facilitates easier access to CAMWorks Tutorials while CAMWorks is running

within the SolidWorks/ CAMWorks Solids application.

Implementation:

The CAMWorks Tutorials can be accessed from the Start Menu of the Windows taskbar by selecting Start>>Programs>>CAMworks2014>>Manuals.

From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, these CAMWorks Tutorials can also be

accessed from the Help Menu of SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids. To access the CAMWorks Tutorials, click on the Help menu and select CAMWorks

2014>>CAMWorks Tutorials and then select the desired Tutorial file from the

cascading menu.

Improved Improved CAMWorks Tutorials

Purpose: Introduction of new tutorials and upgrading of existing tutorials with richer

graphical illustrations and hyperlinked Table of Contents.

Implementation:

The following Tutorials have been updated: 1. Multiaxis Tutorial 2. Wire-EDM Tutorial 3. Mill-Turn Tutorial 4. Sub Spindle and Sync Manager Tutorial

The Mill & Turn Tutorial has been replaced with the following new Tutorials: 1. Mill Tutorial 2. Mill Assemblies Tutorial 3. Turn Tutorial 4. Technology Database Tutorial

The Installation & Quick-Start Guide has been replaced with Installation & License-Activation Guide.


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Improved Provision to view Tool vectors for toolpaths during Step Through

Purpose: Option to view tool vectors for toolpaths when Step Through Toolpath

command is executed.

Implementation:

Previously, the button Show tool vectors was available only in the Edit Toolpath dialog box.

From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, this button is also available in the Step

Through Toolpath dialog box. Enabling this button allows the user to view

tool vectors in the Graphics area.

Improved Change in name of all Insert commands and dialogs from Insert to New

Purpose:

All the Insert commands in CAMWorks create a new entity. In order to avoid

confusion (whether an Insert command inserts an already available entity),

all these commands have been renamed with Insert being replaced with New. Dialog titles too, have been accordingly changed.

Implementation:

Renaming in Insert Commands related to Features:

Insert Group renamed to Create Group Insert 2.5 Axis Feature renamed to New 2.5 Axis Feature Insert Part Perimeter Feature renamed to New Part Perimeter Feature

Insert Multi Surface Feature renamed to New Multi Surface Feature Insert Wrapped Feature renamed to New Wrapped Feature

Insert Turn Feature renamed to New Turn Feature

Insert Profile Feature renamed to New Profile Feature

Insert 2.5 Axis EDM Feature renamed to New 2.5 Axis EDM Feature Insert 4 Axis EDM Feature renamed to New 4 Axis EDM Feature Insert Perimeter EDM Feature renamed to New Perimeter EDM Feature

Renaming in Insert Commands related to Setup:

Insert Mill Part Setup renamed to New Mill Part Setup

Insert Turn Setup renamed to New Turn Setup

Insert Part Setup renamed to New Part Setup

Renaming of Insert Commands related to Operations:

Insert Contain Area renamed to New Contain Area

Insert Avoid Area renamed to New Avoid Area

Insert Hole Machining Operations renamed to New Hole Machining

Operations

Insert 2.5 Axis Mill Operations renamed to New 2.5 Axis Mill Operations

Insert 3 Axis Mill Operations renamed to New 3 Axis Mill Operations

Insert Multi Axis Mill Operations renamed to New Multi Axis Mill

Operations

Insert Post Operation renamed to New Post Operation

Insert Turning Operations renamed to New Turning Operations

Insert Turn Groove Operations renamed New Turn Groove Operations

Insert Turn Bore Operations renamed to New Turn Bore Operations

Insert Sub Spindle Operation renamed to New Sub Spindle Operation Insert record renamed to New Record

Insert Wire EDM Operations renamed to New Wire EDM Operations


8

New Use Work-in-process model for Simulation

Purpose: Use work in process model when the simulation is invoked on an operation or

a setup node.

Implementation:

In previous versions of CAMWorks, when simulation is invoked on an

Operation or on a setup node then it always use the original stock rather

than using the WIP model.

From CAMWorks 2014, if is pressed while invoking the Simulation

command on an Operation or on a setup node then the user will be shown a

dialog to use WIP model as a stock.


9

Mill

New API Macro to create a multi surface feature from the faces having a particular color

Purpose: An example macro that shows how multi surface feature can be created from

the user-identified faces.

Implementation:

In the example macro, the colors used in the part are listed along with the

number of faces having identical colors. User can create a Multi Surface

feature by selecting the checkboxes. This will ensure that the multi surface

feature is created from the faces having the selected colors.

New Similar UI for all Pages under Tool tab of Mill Operations and for Turn Single Point

Operations

Purpose:

As Turn Single Point Operations make use of Mill Tools and Holders, the UI

for viewing and editing the Tool and Holder parameters will now be similar to

those of the Mill Operations.

Implementation:

The User Interface of the Holder, Tool Crib, Station and Specific Tool Type

pages under Tool tab of the Operations Parameters dialog box for Turn Single

Point Operations will now be similar to those for Mill Operations.

On the Tool and Holder Pages under Tool tab of the Operation Parameters

dialog box, when the Preview option is checked, the display will be updated

when the parameters are modified. When the Preview option is not checked,

the display shows the dimensions.

The above functionalities are available for the following Turn Single Point

Operations:

Center Drill

Drill

Tap


10

Turn

Improved Change in name of the Example Turn Machines

Purpose: The default names of the Turn and Mill-Turn machines are confusing. It has

been changed as per the industry name.

Implementation:

Turn-in Turn Single Turret - inch Turn in 4ax (2 + 2) Turn Twin Turret - inch Mill/Turn in Mill-Turn Single Turret - inch Mill/Turn-in 4ax (2+2) Mill-Turn Twin Turret - inch

Turn mm Turn Single Turret - metric Turn mm 4ax (2 + 2) Turn Twin Turret - metric Mill/Turn mm Mill-Turn Single Turret - metric Mill/Turn-mm 4ax (2+2) Mill-Turn Twin Turret - metric

New View and Compute the Canned Cycle Start Position

Purpose:

Provide the ability to compute the canned cycle start point based on the

stock and to override the automatically computed turn canned cycle start

position.

Implementation:

In the previous versions of CAMWorks, the Canned cycle start position was

computed during post processing as a bounding box based on the feature

geometry, the feature extents to the stock, and the X and Z clearance

values. The Canned cycle start position could not be graphically identified nor

could it be edited at the operation level. User could verify it only in the

posted code and in case it was incorrect, user had to manually change it in

the code.

From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, the Canned cycle start position can be

verified and edited at the Operation level itself without the need to verify it in

the posted code. The following functions make this possible:

The Canned cycle start position can be graphically identified when the

Operations Parameters dialog for the Roughing operation is open.

Alternative methods to define/edit the start point of the canned cycle

using Feature Extents or From WIP.

Method to manually define/edit the start position of the canned cycle.

Improved Better associativity of the turn features defined from Sketches

Purpose: Associate turn feature segments with the sketch segments so that turn

feature gets rebuilt properly.

Implementation:

Previously, the turn feature would fail to rebuild if any of the segment start

or end did not match with the new profile. For the features defined from the

sketch, this will not be the case and the features will get rebuilt

successfully.


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New Create Turn Feature from Model Faces

Purpose: Simplify entity selection for defining turn feature by providing a new

functionality to define turn feature from model faces.

Implementation:

In previous versions of CAMWorks, to interactively create a turn feature, user

had to pick entities from a closed sketch or part profile. This method can

prove to be tedious while picking segment entities for complex turn parts.

From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, a new functionality that enables turn

features to be interactively defined using model faces has been provided.

This method of interactively defining a turn feature can be implemented only

when the Part Profile method is set to Plane Section.

Creating a turn feature from model faces is more intuitive and provides a

more robust Turn Feature rebuild.

Improved Application of SolidWorks Filters to simplify Turn Feature Creation

Purpose: Simplify the process of interactively creating a Turn feature by eliminating

the accidental selection of unintended entities.

Implementation:

In previous versions of CAMWorks, while interactively defining turn feature

by picking turn segments, users would occasionally end up picking model

faces, edges, silhouette profiles, or sketch entities instead of the intended

turn segment entity.

From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, SolidWorks filters will be applied while

interactively defining turn features.

In the Part Profile method is Plane Section, the SolidWorks filter Filter Faces ensures that only turn model faces are selected.

In the Part Profile method is Revolved Section, the SolidWorks filter Filter Vertices ensures that only turn segment entities are selected.

For turn features defined from open or closed sketches, the SolidWorks filter Filter Vertices ensures that only turn segment entities are selected.

Improved Simplified Interactive Turn Feature Creation

Purpose: Simplify the process of interactively creating a Turn feature

Implementation:

Button to delete all selected entities in the Insert Turn Feature and Edit Turn

Feature dialogs. This facilitates the deletion of all the entities in the Selected

Entities list of the Insert Turn Feature and Edit Turn Feature dialogs.


12

New Provision to override Turn Feature Extents at Operation Level

Purpose:

Enables changing the Turn Feature Extents at the Turn Operation level in

addition to the existing functionality of defining Feature extents at the

Feature level.

Implementation:

Defining the Turn Feature extents will be available on the Feature Options

tab of the Operation Parameters dialog for the following Turn operations:

- Face Rough

- Face Finish

- Turn Rough

- Turn Finish

- Bore Rough

- Bore Finish

- Rough Groove

- Finish Groove

Advantages:

- If a feature is machined using more than one operation, then if

required, different Feature Extents definition can be assigned to the

different operations. This eliminates the need to create multiple

instances of the same feature with different Feature Extents definition. - If the toolpath generated for an operation is not as desired due to the

feature extents definition, then this definition can be changed at the

Operation level itself and verified. This eliminates the need to edit it at

the Feature level, return to the operation and regenerate toolpaths.

New Generate Threading operations using Groove Inserts

Purpose: Enables machining of threading operations using Groove inserts

Implementation:

In previous versions of CAMWorks, only thread and user-defined inserts

could be used to machine threads.

From CAMWorks 2014, groove inserts, too, can be used to machine threads.

Using Groove inserts facilitates machining of square threads.

Improved Auto Setting for Turn Cored Stock

Purpose: Simplify the setting for defining a Turn Cored Stock

Implementation:

In previous versions of CAMWorks, to change the value of the core diameter

of the stock, the user had to set the strategy to Cored. Then only the core

diameter value could be modified.

With this new version of CAMWorks, the control for Core Diameter will always

be active. When a value greater than 0 is assigned as Core diameter, the Strategy will automatically be set to Cored when the user shifts focus out of

the Core Diameter control.


13

New Improvements to the Sub spindle operation

Purpose: Few of the sub spindle commands were missing and were not organized

properly.

Implementation:

Newly modified UI will have the following:

1. Spindle Axis Control (formerly Spindle on/off/lock) will have following options:

- Engage Milling Mode

- Disengage Milling Mode

- Lock

- Unlock

2. Spindle Clamp/ Unclamp has been renamed to Fixture Clamp/Unclamp

3. Spindle speed will have an option to turn off the spindle.

4. Synchronize Spindles will have following options:

- Speed synchronization for Turning

- Phase synchronization for Turning

- Turn off synchronization for Turning

- Mill C-Axis synchronization

- Turn off Mill C-axis synchronization

New Support of Mill Holders for Turn Single Point Operations

Purpose: For Turn Single Point Operations (Centre Drill, Drill and Tap), Mill Holders can

now be assigned to the Mill tools used for the operations.

Implementation:

Turn Single Point Operations make use of Mill Tools. In previous versions of

CAMWorks, Mill Holders could not be paired with the Mill Tools used for

machining the Single Point operations in Turn.

From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, Mill Holders can be paired with the Mill Tools

used for Single Point operations in Turn.

For these operations, The Tool Crib Page in the Operation Parameters dialog

box will display Mill Holders which have been defined in the TechDB Holder

library. These Holders can then be paired with the selected tool.

The newly introduced Holder Page under Tool Tab of the Operation

Parameters dialog displays the parameter values for the selected Holder.

These parameters can be edited as per requirements.

The Tool Holder will now be visible in the Graphics area during:

Toolpath Verification and Preview (when Tool tab of Operation

Parameters dialog is active)

Step Through Toolpath

Simulation


14

New Preview Window in Create Tool/Holder utility

Purpose: Provides a preview of the user-defined turn tool or holder in the Create

Tool/Holder utility.

Implementation:

In previous versions of CAMWorks, for Mill and Turn, when a user-defined

tool or holder was created, there was no way of knowing whether the

tool/holder would get created and how its appearance and orientation would

be.

From CAMWorks 2014 onwards, a Preview window is provided in the Create

Tool/Holder utility. This Preview window gives the user an idea of the tool or

holder shape before saving it as a tool or holder file.


15

CAMWorks Licensing

New Saving files with CAMWorks data when the license is lost in the middle of a session

Purpose:

Once a file is opened in CAMWorks, the CAMWorks data present in this file

will be saved in the same mode (Commercial/ Educational, etc.) in which it

was originally opened.

Implementation:

Previously, if the CAMWorks license was lost during the middle of a

CAMWorks session, then the part or assembly file currently open would get

saved in Demonstration mode. CAMWorks data in files saved in

Demonstration mode could not be restored in Commercial, Educational or

other modes.

With the new functionality, if the CAMWorks license is lost or expires during

the middle of a CAMWorks session, the file will still be saved in the same

mode as that in which it was originally opened. However, any subsequent

files opened will be saved in Demonstration mode unless a new license is

activated.

New Functionality to configure CAMWorks License from within CAMWorks

Purpose:

Provision to request and configure FlexLM software license from

within CAMWorks.

Provision to update Hardware Dongle license from within CAMWorks

when a .COD file is received.

Implementation:

- A command for launching the CAMWorks License Manager utility from

within the CAMWorks application is now provided.

- If a valid license is not detected by CAMWorks when the application is

launched, then a Warning Message is displayed. This message states

the exact cause for non-detection of the valid CAMWorks license and

provides intuitive options to activate the license or continue in

Demonstration mode.

Advantages: Eliminates the need to separately launch the CAMWorks License Manager

utility to configure/update/view the CAMWorks License.

Improved Number of concurrent users on a floating license

Purpose: The maximum number of concurrent users allowed on the floating license

network will be equal to the total number of CAMWorks licenses purchased.

Implementation:

Unlimited computers can be setup as clients on a floating license network.

However, the maximum permissible number of concurrent users is equal to

the number of floating licenses purchased.

If different CAMWorks licensed modules are being used by different clients,

then the clients can access the modules on a first-come, first-serve basis till

the number of concurrent users equal the number of licenses purchased.

Beyond this point, all available licenses will be in use and additional

concurrent users wont be able to access any modules.


16

New Restrictions on saving Commercial mode files in Educational or Demo versions

Purpose: CAMWorks data saved in Commercial mode cannot be saved in

Demonstration or Educational mode.

Implementation:

Previously, if a Commercial mode file was opened in Demonstration or

Educational mode, then the part or assembly file would get saved in

Demonstration or Educational mode. CAMWorks data in files saved in

Demonstration or Educational mode could not be restored in Commercial,

Educational or other modes.

With the new functionality, CAMWorks will not allow conversion of

Commercial mode file into any other modes.

What's New in CAMWorks 2014Whats New in CAMWorks 2014 SP 0.1Resolved CPRsCAMWorks Virtual MachineNew APIsWhats New in CAMWorks 2014 SP 0.0GeneralMillTurnCAMWorks Licensing

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respective camworks

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