What’s New in SolidCAM 2019

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What’s New in SolidCAM 2019

2.5D Milling

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 Multi-Depth Drilling

• Full control of Drilling operations at every depth

• Very useful for deep holes and drilling through cross holes

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Multi-Depth Drill - Spin Direction

• Full control of your drill spin direction

• Very useful when retracting from deep holes

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 Multi-Depth Drill - Spin and Feed Rate

• Full control of your drill spin and feed rate at every segment

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 Multi-Depth Drill - Peck Data

• Full Peck control of your drill, including

gradual step down
• Release distance of the Peck can be:
• Full retract
• Segment start level
• User-defined Peck clearance level
• User-defined Peck safety distance, giving
you full control over what distance to
continue the drilling

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 Face Mill - Updated Stock Based Boundary

• Face Milling geometry can now be based on the actual Updated Stock boundary
• Guarantees full coverage of the stock face at any stage of machining

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Face Mill New Depth Option - Top of Target

• Face Milling depth can now be defined

as the top of Target model
• Eliminates the need to pick the depth
in most Face Milling operations

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 Ignore Chamfered Edges in Chamfer Recognition

• Chamfer Recognition can now ignore chamfers already existing at the edges of floors
and/or the edges of angled walls

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Lower Level in Chamfer Recognition

• Chamfer Recognition can now be limited to a lower level

allowing you to work with shorter tools

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Multi-tool in Pocket Operation

• Pocket operations support Multi-tool functionality, allowing you to program several tools
within one operation
• Easily define Depth, Wall and Floor finishing, per tool
• Easily switch between each tool’s setting by clicking corresponding tool number in
flyout window

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Improved Part Synchronization with Smart Face Geometry

• Geometries created using Smart Face will now give you a more precise synchronization
• Elements added to or deleted from the shape of the face are recognized
• Bosses added to or deleted from the face are also recognized

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Drag & Drop - Capturing Geometry Filters

• Geometry filters, used in defining a geometry, can now be saved and used in
Drag & Drop templates
• Very useful in Face, Pocket Recognition, Drill Recognition and Drill operations
See Demo

on YouTube

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 Hole Wizard Process - Automatically Recognizes Hole Type

• SolidCAM now automatically recognizes the hole type, eliminating the need to first
choose the hole type
• Drag & Drop of Hole Wizard Process
• Simplified User Interface, needs only one icon
• SolidCAM runs process of recognized hole(s) automatically
See Demo

on YouTube

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What’s New in SolidCAM 2019

iMachining

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 iMachining Feature Recognition

iMachining 2D now makes the definition of your geometry simpler with its new
Feature Recognition Technology

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Geometry Definition Modes

There are now several, simple ways to define your machining geometry See Demo

• To start, select the Mode in which you want to work on YouTube

Feature Recognition by Faces

Feature Recognition by Chains

Outside Feature Recognition

Chains w/o Feature Recognition

• New Recognition Modes can detect and define the

machinable features based on your selections, in
combination with the Stock and Target model data

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 Feature Recognition by Faces

• Pick the faces you want to machine (the faces can be at different levels)
• Entire pocket features and their depths are automatically recognized

Machining regions are generated

and displayed for visual feedback

Upper level and Pocket depth are

Smart Face builds chain geometries displayed for each region

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Feature Recognition by Chains

• Use SolidCAM’s chaining method that consists of closed and/or open chains
• Machinable areas are recognized by chains, in combination with solid model data
• Perfect for features that do not have a floor face for selection

See Demo

on YouTube

See Demo

Through pockets Side milling profiles on YouTube

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 Outside Feature Recognition

• Choose this mode when you want to machine the entire outside shape of the part
• Machinable surrounding stock is recognized and levels are defined accordingly

Stock material

Levels detection
Outside shape of Target

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Chains without Feature Recognition

• You can also still use SolidCAM’s standard chaining method See Demo

• Does not provide iMachining’s Recognition + Protection functionality on YouTube

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 Recognition + Protection

• In addition to its Machinable Feature Recognition, iMachining includes:

See Demo
• Stock protection and Extension options
• Target protection and Fixture collision protection on YouTube

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 Machinable Feature Recognition Preview

• iMachining generates and displays a preview of the machining regions and their levels
• Preview is displayed and dynamically updated on operation editing
• Preview can be disabled in the operation
See Demo

on YouTube

• Preview is also shown

from the CAM Manager

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 Default Geometry Settings

• New Geometry default settings associated with

Feature Recognition Technology
• Choose your preferred Default Geometry Mode
• Choose how the Geometry Preview is displayed:
• 3D Solid
• 2D Wireframe
• Off

See Demo

on YouTube

3D Solid 2D Wireframe

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 Extend Semi-open Pocket to Stock

• Two types of pocket to stock extension:

• Closest Point (system default)
• Tangent

Tangent Closest Point

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 Extend Semi-open Pocket to Stock - CAM Settings

• Choose your preferred Default Extension:

• Closest Point or Tangent
• Switch to tangent for simple geometries
• Pocket with single opening and closed islands

See Demo

on YouTube

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 iMachining 2D - Semi-open as closed

• New option to address semi-open pockets as closed pockets

• Tool path is automatically adjusted to resemble the machining of closed pockets
and any edges open to air are carefully removed

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 iMachining 2D - Enter all open edges first

• New semi-open pocket option approaches all open edges from outside air
• Tool path is automatically adjusted to prevent breakage of edges when working
with brittle materials

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 iMachining 3D - STL Holder Support

• iMachining 3D can now use STL holders for collision protection

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 iMachining 3D - Limit depth to one ACP

• iMachining 3D option to limit the Step-up depth to at least 1.0 ACP

• Helps avoid vibrations otherwise caused by possible situations of instability
• Allows you to match a more suitable tool with the remaining depth to be machined

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What’s New in SolidCAM 2019

Multiaxis Machining

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 New Operation - Multiaxis Constant Stepover

• New strategy enables machining of complex 3D Shapes (Solid Model & Surface Groups)
with a tool path that has constant stepover and undercut areas
• Provides powerful complementary functionalities for Sim. 5X (Generic) & HSS Machining

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 New Operation - Multiaxis Constant Stepover

HSM – 3D Constant Turbo HSM – 3D Constant 3-Axis – Multiaxis Constant

Stepover tool path Stepover tool path Stepover tool path

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New Operation - Multiaxis Constant Stepover

Multiaxis Constant Stepover 3-Axis

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New Operation - Multiaxis Constant Stepover

Multiaxis Constant Stepover 5-Axis

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What’s New in SolidCAM 2019

New Tools Support

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 New Tools Support for Sim. 5-Axis & HSS

• All types of Circle End Mills are now supported in SolidCAM 2019, including Oval Form,
Lens Form, Barrel Taper & Barrel Shape Mills
• Circle End Mills can be used in Sim. 5X (Generic) & HSS Operations

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 New Tools Support for Sim. 5-Axis & HSS

Machining time = Machining time =

5 Mins 13 Mins

• Circle End Mills are a new class of high performance tools which allow for machining
with a larger tool path distance (Stepover) during pre-finishing and finishing operations
• Oval Form, Lens Form, Barrel Taper & Barrel Shape Mills offer entirely new possibilities
in mold making, tire molds, turbine blades, impeller blades and blisk applications

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What’s New in SolidCAM 2019

Simulation

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All New SolidCAM Simulator

See Demo

on YouTube

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 SolidCAM Simulator: Flyout Window Display

• Flyout Window (default display)

• SolidCAM Simulator is displayed
in a separate window
• Simulation can be kept open and
running while actively working
in SolidCAM
• Perfect for users who have a
multiple-monitor workstation

See Demo

on YouTube

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 SolidCAM Simulator: Integrated Display

• Integrated Simulator
• Displays the SolidCAM Simulator in
the SolidWorks Graphics Area
• Simulation overlays the CAD model
• All features of the Simulator can be
used, while you are actively working
in SolidCAM
• Simulation state is remembered
when toggling between Integrated
and Flyout Window Displays

See Demo

on YouTube

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SolidCAM Simulator: Mini-Me Mode

• Mini-Me mode provides an alternative display option

when using the Integrated Simulator
• Displays a small scalable version of the simulation
in the SolidWorks Graphics Area that is separate
from the CAD model
• Can be moved to any location of your choosing

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 Major Performance Increase

• The new SolidCAM Simulator vs. Host CAD

(time-speed tested):
• Automatically uses multi-core at every
stage of simulation processing
• Solid Verification is 200 - 300% faster
• Wireframe is 400% faster

VS

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 SolidCAM Simulator GUI Features

• Combines many of the features existing in current SolidCAM Simulation modes,

plus much more…
Enhanced Solid Verification View Cube

Simulator Menu

Rest Material Control Panel

Record Mode
Forward/Reverse Playback with Speed Slider

Operations Timeline See Demo

Status Bar on YouTube

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 Rest Material Visualization

• Option to dynamically compare the target to the machined stock during simulation
• View the rest material according to specified sets of colors and tolerances
• Default tolerance values ƒ(x) based on CAM-Part Tool facet tolerance

• Control panel enables you to:

• Turn off/on visualization
• Change visualization colors
• Modify tolerances - ƒ(x) off

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 Tool Path Visualization
See Demo

• Toolpath option toggles on/off the visibility of the wireframe tool path
on YouTube

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 Tool Path Visualization

• Follow the Tool – tool path appears on the screen, behind the tool, as it moves See Demo

through the operation (entire tool path is otherwise displayed) on YouTube

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 Tool Path Visualization

• Include previous Operations – displays the tool path of previous operations See Demo

while the current operation is running on YouTube

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 Solid Verification

• Solid Verification option toggles on/off machining of the Stock during See Demo

simulation playback on YouTube

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 Solid Verification – Record Mode

• Records each tool path step to enable

forwards and backwards solid verification
• You can now jump to any point in the
tool path using jump-to features
• May slow down initial simulation but
speeds up replaying of tool path

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Solid Verification

• Multi-color Stock – Machined surfaces of the Stock are colorized according to the See Demo

tool colors (otherwise displayed as a single color) on YouTube

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 Solid Verification

• Reset – Clears the graphics window of all simulated operations up to the current one
and restarts playback at the beginning of the current operation
See Demo

on YouTube

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 Solid Model Visualization

• During simulation, toggle on/off…

• Stock solid model
• Target solid model
• Rest material comparison
• 3D tool and holder

See Demo

on YouTube

• Initial Stock solid model can even be reloaded at any point during simulation playback

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 Tool Path Features

• Enhanced tool path visual quality

• All tool path steps are simulated, enabling you to review each segment
• Interactive feedback is provided with the hovering of your mouse cursor
• Dynamic highlighting of tool path segments
• Dynamic display of tool path direction

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 Timeline Jump-to Feature

• Two methods for advancing forwards or backwards to any point in the tool path
• Useful for simulating long tool paths - no more waiting for entire tool path to play

Method 1 - Use the slider or your

mouse wheel to scroll the tool path,
adding or removing its appearance
from the graphics window
See Demo

on YouTube

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 Tool Path Jump-to Feature

• Two methods for advancing forwards or backwards to any point in the tool path
• When combined with Solid Verification, useful for visualizing engagement of
the tool with the stock material in areas of focus

Method 2 - Jump to a spot in the tool

path and snap the tool to its position
by clicking a segment

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Operations Timeline Options

• Three options for displaying the Operations timeline…

1. By Equal-size

2. By Time

3. By Moves number See Demo

on YouTube

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 Launch the SolidCAM Simulator from Operations

• You can choose to open the new SolidCAM Simulator (instead of the standard
Simulation Control Panel) from your operations using the Ctrl key

Ctrl

See Demo

on YouTube

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What’s New in SolidCAM 2019

General

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 Stock - Create 3D Model for Stock in Milling

• You can now create a 3D model of your stock in addition to adding a box to CAD model
with the simple click of a button

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 CAM Menu Customization

• All shortcut menus in CAM Manager can be customized to better suit your needs
• Deselect the items you rarely use and want to hide
• Keep selected the items you want shown

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 Editor for Updated Stock STL

• Launched after “Save Updated Stock to STL”

• STL Editor supports...
• Shifting of bodies
• Rotation of bodies
• Scaling of bodies
• Deleting of bodies
• Copying of bodies
• Merging multiple STL files
• Saving to separate files
See Demo
• Saving based on “CoordSys”
on YouTube

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 Facet Model Transform Utility

• Same utility as Updated Stock STL Editor - can be used for any STL or FCT file
• Can be launched from CAM-Part menu

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Facet Model Transform Utility: Supports Drag and Drop

• Drag and Drop existing STL or FCT files into utility window for opening/editing

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Delete Updated Stock Files

• Quickly delete Updated Stock Files via the Updated Stock right-click menu
• More options in Cleanup CAM-Part

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 Optimized Geometry Database - Improvements

• Geometry Database Optimization is enhanced with caching

• Increases speed (e.g. detecting and defining a large number of
holes in 5-Axis Drilling operations)
• Increases overall performance when existing geometry items
are accessed…
• Editing existing geometry (e.g. editing a large number of
chains in Pocket operations)
• Showing geometry
• Etc.

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 Automatic CAM-Part: Auto-Detect Stock & Target Bodies

• SolidCAM detects and defines Stock & Target when model consists of two bodies and
where one body is fully contained in the other
• Works with Automatic CAM-Part settings…
• Definition of Stock
• Definition of Target

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Show Updated Stock - Initial Stock

• Updated Stock icon can now be dragged to Operations folder to show Initial Stock
• Initial Stock can be shown when no operations exist in CAM tree

See Demo

on YouTube

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 Updated Stock Icon - Save to STL

• Save to STL option is added to the right-click menu of Updated Stock icon
• You can now save the Updated Stock to STL at specific points in CAM tree
• Using the new option on Operations folder will save the Initial Stock to STL

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