To wrap your head around modern CAM options and functionalities can be a frustrating task, especially if sitting in front of a computer with a waiting CNC machine sitting on the shop floor hungry for some NC code. It dosent really matter if you are a seasoned CAM guru changing CAM system or a new CAM guy privileged to enter the Computer Aided Manufacturing world, somehow you need to travel down the street of learning.
CAMWorks just added its first book for the toolbox of learning tricks.
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the book about a month ago for evaluation with two task ahead. One as to decide if this book possible could be used as education material for our CAMWorks classes at CADimensions, and two for me to write a review here. So lets get to it…
The book is written by Mike Buchli, a 11 year veteran Application Engineer at one of the top US SolidWorks resellers Tridaq. Mike is an Elite AE since 2009, a title SolidWorks only hands out the Navy Seals of SolidWorks swordsmen. But probably more important for the level of integrity of the book, Mike is also a certified CAMWorks knight. To make a long story short, Mike knows what he is doing when it comes to CAD and CAM.
When it comes to CAM there is really not many different roads to choose from. 2D or 3D and how many axis, but as you head down the road you will find that modern CAM packages offer a overwhelming amount of options and switches. I really like how the book starts out in a “Best Practice” how and about the basics of creating toolpath. Starting with the 1st few lessons gives some basic CAMWorks skills with added tips and information.
…This is also a good time to point out, that when CAMWorks runs feature recognition it isn’t reading the actual features created in Solidworks. CAMWorks looks at a solid as one piece of geometry, and then divides out the pieces to create features that CAMWorks can process. This is also why it is possible to use “feature recognition” on components that is imported into SolidWorks from file types like “igs” and “step”…
From there on the book switches from more a piece of learning material to a “Handbook” or should I say helpful “desk reference” that digs deep down in the different options. Covering from 2.5 axis through 5 axis milling.
As Mike say in his introduction…
…The idea is to not only learn CAMWorks, but have a quick, easy to use reference guide that can be utilized in the everyday workplace…
I will have to say that Mike has exactly done that.
Conclusion… So unless you totally rule CAMWorks and memorized all the tips, tricks and option I will recommend you check out www.camworksguide.com
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