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What’s New in VisualCAM 2014 for SolidWorks

© 2013, MecSoft Corporation 1

What's New in VisualCAM 2014 for SolidWorks

December 2013

This document describes new features and enhancements introduced in VisualCAM 2014 for SolidWorks, the integrated CAM system for SolidWorks from MecSoft Corporation.



What’s new in VisualCAM 2014 for SolidWorks MILL module This section describes the enhancements and changes to VisualCAM 2014 for SolidWorks MILL module

as compared to the VisualMILL 2012 for SolidWorks version.

General Enhancements

1) Supports SolidWorks version 2009 thru 2014

2) Multi-threading toolpath generation

Benefits: Allows usage of multi-cores in your machine when processing multiple operations.

Example illustration: Regenerating twelve 3 Axis Operations in 2 Setups:

Single Threaded Processing (as in 2012): 35 seconds

Multi-Threaded Processing (new in 2014): 8 seconds; over 4 times as fast.

VisualCAM for SolidWorks was formerly called VisualMILL for SolidWorks. With the addition of a new TURN module, the product name has been changed to VisualCAM for SolidWorks



2-Axis Enhancements 1) High Speed Pocketing

An example of a High Speed Pocketing toolpath is shown above. The main benefits of this cut method is

constant engagement of the tool when removing material. This allows you to run the cutter at higher

feed rates. Also significantly reduce tool wear thereby saving on tooling costs.

2) Pocket Spiral Machining



An example of a Spiral Pocketing toolpath is shown above. The main benefits of this cut method is

smooth cutter motions when removing material.

3) Always keep tool down option

A new option called “Always Keep Tool Down” option has been introduced in standard pocketing.

This option will attempt to keep the tool from lifting when transferring between cut areas and

traverse along the previously cut areas.



4) High speed cleanup loops

An example of a corner cleanup loops on a standard pocketing operation is shown above. In

previous releases these were linear moves which are now replaced with tangential arc motions.

Again the benefits are higher federate machining and longer tool life.

5) Triangular Tabs/Bridges in Profiling

3-Axis Enhancement 1) Always keep tool down option in Horizontal Roughing

2) Pocket Spiral Machining in Horizontal Roughing

3) 3-D Offset Pocketing made more stable and 3-4 time faster

4) 3-D Offset Profiling made more stable and 3-4 time faster

5) Better memory management for the following methods

Horizontal Roughing

Finishing

Pencil Tracing

3D-Offset Pocketing/Profiling

Flat/Steep Area Machining

Check Surface and Silhouette Processing

4-Axis Enhancement 1) Better memory management for 4 Axis R modules



5-Axis Enhancements 1) Better angle limits processing

UI Enhancements 1) Added button to hide/show tools browser in the Milling Browser window

2) Added button to hide/show World CSYS Visibility in the Milling Browser window.

3) Added information dialog for Stock from selection

4) Hole pocketing dialog changes

5) Multi-threading dialog

Numerous other smaller enhancements ….

What’s new in VisualCAM 2014 for SolidWorks TURN module This section describes the enhancements and changes to VisualCAM 2014 for SolidWorks TURN module

as compared to the standalone VisualTurn 1.0 product. Note that VisualTurn 1.0 was a standalone

product with its own CAD front end. The VisualCAM 2014 for SolidWorks TURN module integrates all of

the toolpath generation capabilities of VisualTurn 1.

1) Integrated completely in SolidWorks 2009 thru 2014. A screen shot is shown below:

VisualCAM for SolidWorks was formerly called VisualMILL for SolidWorks. With the addition of a new TURN module, the product name has been changed to VisualCAM for SolidWorks



2) Upgraded 3D model slicing tools. 3D slicing tools to create the part object has been upgraded to

work with complex 3D models. An example of a 3D model being sliced to yield a cross section

curve that will be used in the Part object for turning is shown below:



3) Faster display performance when compared with VisualTurn 1.0.

4) Upgraded to latest Machine Simulation Code.

5) Simulation by distance introduced.

6) Global Part Object Introduced. A part object can be setup globally and used in all subsequent

operations instead of having to pick the geometry in each object separately.

Part object shown in Mops Tree Part Object with Stock shown in graphics view

7) Materials for stock models introduced

8) Updated Feeds/Speeds table and calculator

9) Knowledge base loading and saving introduced

10) Drag and drop operations from Knowledge Base implemented

11) Toolpath Viewer for toolpaths introduced



12) MopSets introduced

13) Machine Control Operations introduced

14) Fixture Offset Operations introduced

15) Diameter mode programming migrated to TURN module rather than in the Post

16) Additional thread programming variables added

17) Tool dialogs enhanced to dynamically display tool insert during creation. A screen shot is shown

below:

18) Most dialogs enhanced to dynamically display data on graphics screen

19) Simulate by moves/distance introduced

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