CAM Page 1

One of my favorite things about SOLIDWORKS is being able to take a design from my head to a 3D Model and then from the 3D model into G-Code that can drive a CNC machine. Almost everyone knows that creating 3D models is a core SOLIDWORKS function, but what about programming for a CNC machine?

Since 2018, SOLIDWORKS CAM and CAMWorks have been an integral part of the SOLIDWORKS design ecosystem, allowing us to use our 3D models to create parts on a CNC machine. Like many products within SOLIDWORKS, there are different packages to fit your needs, whether you're milling, turning or doing advanced machining operations. Keep reading to learn more about our CAM offerings, as well as which package might suit you best.

Our engineers are constantly learning, experimenting and discovering new ways to get things done better inside SOLIDWORKS. We want to share everything we've mastered and teach you real-world techniques that can be implemented immediately in your processes. This was the main idea behind our TriMech Tech Talks 2021 Engineer Insight, and now you can watch them on-demand!

SOLIDWORKS CAM is a fantastic CNC programming tool included with every seat of SOLIDWORKS on subscription, since the 2018 release. It is powered by CAMWorks and includes the Technology Database (TechDB). The TechDB allows for storing a variety of information for CNC Programming. This includes Tool, Tool Crib, Post Processor, Machine and Strategy information. The TechDB can be leveraged to speed up programming time and reduce errors. This video tutorial series will dive into each of these areas.

TriMech carries many solutions to fit your Computer Aided Machining (CAM) and CNC needs. Our products include SOLIDWORKS CAM and CAMWorks. TriMech is happy to be a reseller for both, offering different CAM solutions to our clients. How do you know which packages and options are best for you? There are several things that can be helpful in determining what might be a good fit.

So many improvements in SOLIDWORKS 2020, so little time! With the vast amount of upgrades and additions they make each year, it can be overwhelming trying to sift through them all, and often, useful tools and changes are missed. To ensure you are getting the most of your software, we are providing twelve on-demand webinars full of demonstrations, updates, explanations and explorations of SOLIDWORKS. 

CAMWorks is known for their CNC software for machine tools and was the first to be awarded SOLIDWORKS Certified Gold Product for manufacturing and CAM software. CAMWorks recently released ShopFloor which is the latest Industry 4.0/Smart Manufacturing tool made for the CNC machinist. This new addition aides in increasing production with fewer errors by virtually simulating the CNC program. Let's dive into ShopFloor and these exciting new features. 

With so many software options out there, it’s hard to know which combination is right for your custom manufacturing needs. With the SOLIDWORKS family of integrated products we’re spoiled for choice, but that doesn’t make understanding all the options any easier to someone looking at it for the first time. We’ve taken a look at all the options and put together a summary of what we think is the “ideal” manufacturing bundle. In this blog post, we’ll go over all the top-level benefits for each product and what you’ll be taking with you.

Manufacturing technology seems to catch on much slower than other technological leaps; it’s 2019 and I still train students every month coming from 2D drafting into the 3D world! Is this because of the companies, the designers, the machinists or none of these? There is a huge difference in how a job shop, or even a large-scale production facility, work versus how we think. We’re going to take a look at this much too common disconnect and what options are out there to improve shop communication and efficiency.

SOLIDWORKS is not just a CAD application. The integrated add-ins and supporting applications make it a complete engineering solution. I recently took advantage of these tools to complete a project that has been at the back of my mind for some time. It was a great opportunity to show how to use the SOLIDWORKS integrated platform from design all the way through the manufacturing and post-manufacturing process.  

I have been a CAM geek for most of my life. You can imagine my excitement when SOLIDWORKS announced SOLIDWORKS CAM with the 2018 release. At the same time TriMech became an official CAMWorks reseller so that in addition to the SOLIDWORKS CAM products, we could offer all the additional tool options by the same company that powers SOLIDWORKS CAM suite. As a result, TriMech has a solution for almost any CAM need, but being spoiled with so many choices can make it hard to know where to start. That’s what we’re going to touch on here.

Well, it's that time of year again. We're coming down from our Halloween sugar rush and we’re getting revved up for the holiday season. Next up on the celebration docket… Thanksgiving! This year, I thought it would be fun to add my own personal touch to my dinner table by creating some special turkey place settings for my guests. All I needed was a pad of colorful cardstock, some googly eyes and of course the quintessential tool for over-engineering any mundane, everyday task… SOLIDWORKS!

In SOLIDWORKS CAM and even CAMWorks, you may have noticed the "Machine Post Processor" tab has a big blank white space in the bottom of the user dialog.