iMachining

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Getting STARTED
iMachining 2D

SolidCAM+SolidWorks
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Contents
Introduction
About this document

SolidCAM
The facts about SolidCAM

Getting Started with SolidCAM

iMachining
The facts about iMachining

14

Getting Started with iMachining 2D

16

Exercise #1: iMachining Walkthrough

16

Exercise #2: iMachining of an Enclosure

34

2D Example: iMachining of a Bracket

38

Introduction
About this document
This Getting Started document is an Interactive Guide that consists of two main parts. The
goal of the first part is to Jumpstart your basic knowledge of SolidCAM by using some its
2.5D Milling technologies. The second part is geared to get you started using SolidCAM's
revolutionary iMachining technology.

Document design
This Interactive Guide is primarily designed around a task-based approach to learning. As
indicated by the name, this document is interactive and it uses virtual guided exercises to
quickly and easily help you in Getting Started with SolidCAM and iMachining.

Using this Interactive Guide

This Interactive Guide is intended for new users to be used as self-study material. It is
recommended to complete the exercises in order, from beginning to end. The various
parts can be launched automatically by clicking the file names. The videos demonstrating
the steps to complete the exercises can be played by simply clicking the play buttons.

Software versions used for this Interactive Guide

The screenshots and videos in this document were made using SolidCAM 2014 as well
as SolidCAM 2015 (to show new 2015 features), both integrated with SolidWorks 2014
running on Windows 7. If you are running on a different version of Windows, you may
notice differences in the appearance of the menus and windows. These differences do not
affect the performance of the software.

About the *.zip file

The *.zip file contains this Interactive Guide and copies of the various part files that
are used throughout this document. The GS_Examples folder contains the files that are
required for the exercises. When extracting the *.zip file, it is important to extract the
whole folder and not just its contents there are buttons throughout this document that
link to the files within the folder. The Completed_CAM-Parts folder inside the GS_Examples
folder contains the final manufacturing projects and can be used for checking the integrity
of your final projects. The SolidWorks and SolidCAM part files used in this document were
prepared with SolidWorks 2014 and SolidCAM 2015.

The Leaders in Integrated CAM

Adobe Reader
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already have Adobe Reader, it is a free PDF viewer that can be downloaded from Adobes
website via this link http://get.adobe.com/reader/. By default, Adobe Reader will allow
launching of external files and connecting to URLs, which is essential for the interactive
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Conventions used in this Interactive Guide

This Interactive Guide uses the following typographic conventions:

Bold

2. Define the CAM-Part

Explanation

This style is used to emphasize SolidCAM

options, commands or basic concepts.
For example, click the New button...
The mouse icon and numbered bold text
indicate the steps required to complete
an exercise action.
This style combined with the lamp icon
is used for explanations and is also used
to emphasize notes.

As mentioned in the Using this Interactive Guide section, this document also uses the
following interactive features as buttons for launching part files and connecting to URLs:

Simple_Cover.SLDPRT

This style, used in hyperlink blue, signifies

a button. For example, to automatically
launch SolidWorks and load the part file,
click Simple_Cover.SLDPRT.
Click this play button to start playing
the videos. Your internet browser will
automatically launch and connect to

The facts about SolidCAM

SolidCAM is the de-facto standard Gold-Certified integrated CAM-Engine for SolidWorks.
SolidCAM provides seamless, single-window integration and full associativity to the
SolidWorks design model. All machining operations are defined, calculated and verified,
without leaving the SolidWorks window.

SolidCAM is widely used in the mechanical manufacturing, electronics, medical, consumer

products, machine design, automotive and aerospace industries, as well as in mold and die
and rapid prototyping shops.
The successful manufacturing companies of today are using integrated CAD/CAM systems
to get their products to market faster and reduce costs. With SolidCAMs seamless singlewindow integration in SolidWorks, any size organization can reap the benefits of the
integrated SolidWorks and SolidCAM solution. SolidWorks+SolidCAM is the DreamTeam for Design and Manufacturing.
SolidCAM supports the complete range of major manufacturing applications in Milling,
Turning, Mill-Turn and WireEDM. And with its powerful iMachining technology, SolidCAM
is revolutionizing the CAM industry.

Getting Started with SolidCAM

Getting Started with SolidCAM is based upon the SolidCAM Professor video series called
Jumpstart the easy way to learn SolidCAM. The programming of a simple cover is
performed step by step using some of SolidCAM's 2.5D Milling technologies. In order to
reach the final CAM-Part, the following steps have to be implemented:

1. Load the SolidWorks model

Activate the file Simple_Cover.SLDPRT. If SolidWorks is not already opened,
SolidWorks and the model will launch automatically.

2. Create a New Milling CAM Project

After SolidWorks is launched and the part file is loaded on your computer,
this video will show you how to start SolidCAM and create a New Milling
CAM Project. Prior to creating the Project, the CAM Settings are customized
to prepare for the upcoming tutorial videos. These include setting the
defaults for the CAM-Part creation as well as disabling the Automatic CAMPart definition options. Click the play button below...

The Leaders in Integrated CAM

3. Define the CAM-Part

In the following video, the CAM-Part is defined using the Milling Part Data
dialog box. The CAM-Part Definition includes selecting the CNC-Machine
Controller, defining the Coordinate System for all machining operations of
the CAM-Part, and finally defining the Stock and Target models. Click the play
button below...

4. Complete the part programming

The part programming is completed in just four operations, which begin
on the following page. As shown in the illustration below, the workflow in
SolidCAM is displayed in each of the Operation dialog boxes. The Geometry
is defined first, followed by creating and choosing a Tool, picking the Milling
levels, defining the type of Technology to use, and finally choosing the
Lead in and Lead out tool Link movements. Each operation is saved and the
calculated tool path is quickly shown in Simulation.

4.1 Add a Face Milling operation

In this video, a Face Milling operation is added to the CAM-Part. The
target geometry is selected, which automatically creates a chain used
for the machining boundary. A 100 mm (4 in) face mill is defined for
the operation. The tool is set to machine the 0.5 mm (0.02 in) of stock
material off the top of the part using the One Pass technology. Click the
play button below...

4.2 Add a Profile operation

In this video, a Profile operation is added to the CAM-Part. The geometry
is selected as a chain that runs along the outside contour of the Target
model. A 6 mm (0.25 in) end mill is defined for the operation. The tool
is set to perform an Arc Lead in/out and climb cut at a Constant depth.
After the full profile depth is reached, the tool will remove the 0.24 mm
(0.01 in) allowance with a single finish pass. Click the play button below...

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

4.3 Add a Pocket operation

In this video, a Pocket operation is added to the CAM-Part. Like the
previous Profile operation, a single edge is picked during the geometry
selection and the chain is closed using Auto-constant Z. The 6 mm
(0.25 in) end mill is chosen for the operation from the Part Tool Table.
The tool is set to perform a Helical entry into the pocket and a Contour
strategy is used for cutting. After the roughing, the tool will take a finish
pass on both the Wall and Floor to remove the excess offset material.
Click the play button below...

4.4 Add a Drilling operation

In this video, a Drilling operation is added to the CAM-Part to complete
the part programming. SolidCAM finds the centers of all circle entities
and defines their positions for the drill geometry. A drilling tool is defined
and choosing a holder is also shown. The Levels are picked directly off
the model, like in the previous operations. The standard drilling method
of G81 is defined for the Drill cycle type. Click the play button below...

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5. Simulate the tool path and generate GCode

In the following video, the tool path for the entire CAM Project is simulated.
Included is an in-depth look at SolidCAM's Host CAD simulation options
as well as using the SolidVerify simulation mode. Afterwards, the GCode
commands are used to generate GCode for the entire CAM Project as well
as for a single selected operation. The GCode files output per the specified
CNC-Machine Controller. Click the play button below...

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the SolidCAM Professor Jumpstart

series tutorials.
If you would like to compare your completed CAM-Part with SolidCAM's,
activate the file SIMPLE_COVER.prz.

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The facts about iMachining

SolidCAM iMachining is an intelligent High Speed Machining CAM software, designed
to produce fast and safe CNC programs to machine mechanical parts. The word fast here
means significantly faster than traditional machining at its best. The word safe here means
without the risk of breaking tools or subjecting the machine to excessive wear, whilst
increasing tool life.

To achieve these goals, iMachining uses advanced, patented algorithms to generate

smooth tangent tool paths, coupled with matching conditions, that together keep the
mechanical and thermal load on the tool constant, whilst cutting thin chips at high cutting
speeds and deeper than standard cuts (up to 4 times diameter).

iMachining Tool paths

iMachining generates Morphing spiral
tool paths, which spiral either outwardly
from some central point of a walled
area, gradually adopting the form of and
nearing the contour of the outside walls,
or inwardly from an outside contour of an
open area to some central point or inner
contour of an island. In this way, iMachining
manages to cut irregularly shaped areas
with a single continuous spiral.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

iMachining uses proprietary Constant

Load One-way tool paths to machine
narrow passages, separating channels and
tight corners. In some open areas, where
the shape is too irregular to completely
remove with a single spiral, it uses
proprietary topology analysis algorithms
and channels to subdivide the area into a
few large irregularly shaped sub-areas and
then machines each of them by a suitable
morphing spiral, achieving over 80% of the volume being machined by spiral tool paths.
Since spiral tool paths have between 50% and 100% higher material removal rate (MRR)
than one-way tool paths, and since iMachining has the only tool path in the industry that
maintains a constant load on the tool, it achieves the highest MRR in the industry.

The iMachining Technology Wizard

A significant part of the iMachining system is devoted to calculate matching values of feed,
spindle speed, axial depth of cut, Cutting Angle and (Undeformed) chip thickness, based on
the mechanical properties of the workpiece and tool whilst keeping within the boundaries
of the machine capabilities (spindle speed, power, rigidity and maximum feeds). The
iMachining Technology Wizard, which is responsible for these calculations, provides the
user with the means of selecting the level of machining aggressiveness most suitable to
the specific machine and set up conditions and to their production requirements (quantity,
schedule and tooling costs).
An additional critical task performed by
the Wizard is dynamically adjusting the
feed to compensate for the dynamically
varying cutting angle a bi-product of the
morphing spiral, thus achieving constant
tool load, which increases tool life.

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Exercise #1: iMachining Walkthrough

This exercise is a step-by-step guide on the definition process of SolidCAMs iMachining

technology to perform the programming of the part above. For this first exercise, the
videos demonstrating the steps will also be accompanied by a written walkthrough. The
rough and finish machining of the outside contour, center pocket and pocket ledge is
defined. The machining will be performed on a 3-Axis CNC-Machine.
The following steps have to be implemented in order to reach the final CAM-Part:

1. Load the SolidWorks model

Activate the file SC_iM_Walkthrough.SLDPRT. If SolidWorks is not already
opened, SolidWorks and the model will launch automatically.

2. Create and define the CAM-Part

In this step, a New Milling CAM Project is created and the CAM-Part is
defined. In addition, the machine and work material parameters are defined
for iMachining. Click the play button below to watch the video. Following the
video is also a written walkthrough to complete this step.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

Define the CAM-Part, the CNC-Machine Controller (gMilling_Haas_SS_3x),

the Machine Coordinate System, the Stock model and the Target model.
The Stock model and the Target model should be defined as shown.

3D Model Stock

Target

When using the iMachining technology, you also have to define the machine
and work material parameters. You can make those selections now in the
CAM-Part Definition or when the first iMachining operation is added to your
CAM-Part.
For this exercise, choose Haas_SS from the Machine Database and choose
Aluminum_100BHN-60HRB from the Material Database. Click the Edit
iMachining Database button and increase the ACP tolerance to 20% for the
selected machine. After clicking Save & Exit, the CAM-Part Definition can be
confirmed.
Depending on your machine and work material specifications,
SolidCAM enables you to add new and edit existing machine and
material files in the iMachining Database.

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In the iDatabase dialog box, the buttons at the bottom left enable
you to manage machine definitions in the list.

The New
button enables you to add new machine
definitions to the list.
The Delete
button enables you to delete existing machine
definitions from the list.
The Save As
button enables you to save the defined
machine definitions under specified names in specified
locations.
The Revert
button enables you to return any edited
parameters back to their default or originally saved values.
The same buttons are available on the Material DB tab enabling
you to manage material definitions in the database.
If the machine and work material parameters have not been
chosen in the CAM-Part Definition, SolidCAM will prompt you to
make the selections when adding the first iMachining operation
to the CAM-Part.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

3. Define the machining of the outside contour

In this step, the machining of the outside contour is defined. For this example,
the geometry is defined as an open pocket with island. Only the Geometry,
Tool and Levels definitions are required; the iMachining Technology Wizard
automatically produces the optimal Cutting conditions. A copy of the
roughing operation is made and the finishing is defined by choosing iFinish
for the Technology type. Click the play button below to watch the video.
Following the video is also a written walkthrough to complete this step.

Right-click the Operations header in the SolidCAM Manager and add a new
2D iMachining operation.

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Use the default iRough Technology type to define the rough machining.

To define the machining geometry for the operation, click the New button on
the Geometry page.

iMachining Geometry definition

The geometry in iMachining is defined as a pocket that can be
closed, open or semi-open (containing open edges). The following
videos demonstrate how different types of geometries are defined
in iMachining.

Defining closed pocket geometries in iMachining

This video focuses on several examples of closed pocket
geometries and the tool path techniques that iMachining uses
when cutting those geometries.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

Defining open pocket geometries in iMachining

This video focuses on a few examples of open pocket geometries
and the tool path techniques that iMachining uses when cutting
those geometries.

Defining semi-open pocket geometries in iMachining

This video focuses on several examples of semi-open pocket
geometries and the tool path techniques that iMachining uses
when cutting those geometries.

The completed CAM-Part is provided if you want to view the

Geometry definitions and the iMachining tool path techniques
in SolidCAM. To open the completed CAM-Part, activate the file
SC_IM_2DGEOMETRIES.prz.
For this operation, the geometry is defined as an open pocket with island.

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Select the two chains as shown.

Mark the outer chain (1-Chain) as open to enable the tool to approach from
the outside.
Switch to the Tool page and add an end mill of 9 mm (0.3438 in).

Define the tool parameters as follows:

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Keep the Total length of 80 mm (3.125 in);

Keep the Outside holder length of 60 mm (2.375 in);

Keep the Shoulder length of 30 mm (1.25 in);

Keep the Cutting length of 24 mm (1 in);

Set the Number of flutes to 4.

The Leaders in Integrated CAM

Switch to the iData tab and choose the 45 (Medium)

value for the Helical angle parameter. This parameter
affects the Cutting conditions and Step down values
generated by the iMachining Technology Wizard.

Helical
Angle

Click the Select button to confirm the Tool definition.

Switch to the Levels page to define the Milling levels for the operation.

Click the Upper level button and

pick on the top face of the Stock
model to define at what Z-level
to start the machining.

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Click the Pocket depth button

and pick on the bottom edge of
the Target model to define the
machining depth.

Note that the Milling levels fields get painted red this is because the
values are associative to the picked entities; and if the model changes,
the associated values will update automatically.
In addition to the picked depths, define a Delta depth to perform machining
deeper than the part bottom edge. Set the value to -0.76 mm (-0.03 in).
Switch to the Technology Wizard page of the iMachining Operation dialog
box. This Wizard automatically calculates the Cutting conditions for the
iMachining technology, taking into account the tool data and Milling levels
defined for the operation.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

Step down
When the Automatic option is chosen, the Step down is
calculated by the Wizard in accordance with the Pocket
depth defined for the operation.
When the User-defined option is chosen, the Step down can
be defined by specifying a value or by setting the number of
steps required to achieve the Pocket depth.
The output grid displays the Number of steps, the Step
down value and the number of Axial Contact Points (ACPs)
calculated automatically by the Wizard.
Rows are created for each Step down value that is not the
same.

Output cutting data

This section displays two sets of data related to the current
Cutting condition (the Spindle speed and Feed rate of the
tool, the Step over range, the material cutting speed, Chip
Thickness (CT), and the Cutting Angle range).

Machining level
The Machining level slider enables you to select from
calculated sets of Cutting conditions. Moving the slider up
in machining levels provide a convenient and intuitive way
to control the Material Removal Rate (MRR). Increasing
the position of the slider increases MRR and machining
aggressiveness.
For this operation, use the Cutting conditions generated by the Wizard based
on the default position of the Machining level slider (3).

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Save & Calculate the operation and then click Simulate. Run the operation
simulation using the default Host CAD mode to view the wireframe tool path.
The simulated tool path is performed as follows: the corners are cleared first
and the entire contour is machined.

To define the finish machining of the outside contour, click the Save & Copy
button to create a copy of the current iMachining operation. After the copied
operation automatically opens, choose iFinish for the Technology type.

The copied Geometry, Tool and Levels definitions are used for finishing. The
default Cutting conditions generated by the Wizard are also used.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

Switch to the Technology page. Under the iRest Data tab, note that the
previous iRough_OutsideContour operation is automatically defined as the
Parent operation. The three important parameters required for calculating
rest material are inherited from the Parent operation.

Save & Calculate the operation and then click Simulate. Run the operation
simulation using the default Host CAD mode. The finishing is performed in a
single cutting pass.

27

4. Define the machining of the center pocket

In this step, the machining of the center pocket is defined. For this example,
the geometry is defined as a closed pocket. Only the Geometry, Tool and Levels
definitions are required; the iMachining Technology Wizard automatically
produces the optimal Cutting conditions. A copy of the roughing operation
is made and the finishing is defined by choosing iFinish for the Technology
type. Click the play button below to watch the video. Following the video is
also a written walkthrough to complete this step.

Add a new iMachining 2D operation. Use the default iRough for Technology
type and select the lower contour of the pocket for the Geometry definition.

Use the 9 mm (0.3438 in) end mill that was defined in the previous
operation. Pick the top face of the Stock model for the Upper level definition
and the lower face of the pocket for the Pocket depth definition. The default
Cutting conditions generated by the Technology Wizard are used.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

The Link page displays the Ramping angle at which the Helical Entry into the
pocket will be performed. This value is automatically calculated based on the
aggressiveness of the Machining level slider. An override check box is also
provided in the instance you want to manually enter a preferred value.

Save & Calculate the operation and then click Simulate. Run the operation
simulation using the default Host CAD mode. The tool performs the Helical
Entry into the pocket followed by a Morphing spiral to the outer walls.

To define the finish machining of the center pocket, Save & Copy the current
iMachining operation and then choose iFinish for the Technology type. On
the iRest data tab of the Technology page, the previous iRough_CenterPocket
operation is automatically defined as the Parent operation.

29

Save & Calculate the operation and then click Simulate. Run the operation
simulation using the default Host CAD mode. The pocket corners are cleared
first and then a final pass is taken along the walls.

5. Define the machining of the pocket ledge

In this step, the machining of the pocket ledge is defined. For this example,
the geometry is defined as a semi-open pocket. Only the Geometry, Tool
and Levels definitions are required; the iMachining Technology Wizard
automatically produces the optimal Cutting conditions. A copy of the
roughing operation is made and the finishing is defined by choosing iFinish
for the Technology type. Click the play button below to watch the video.
Following the video is also a written walkthrough to complete this step.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

Add a new iMachining 2D operation. Use the default iRough for Technology
type and select the lower contour of the pocket ledge for the Geometry
definition. Mark the front edge as open using Mark open edges.

Use the 9 mm (0.3438 in) end mill. Pick the top face of the Stock model
for the Upper level definition and the lower face of the pocket ledge for the
Pocket depth definition. The default Cutting conditions generated by the
Technology Wizard are used.
Save & Calculate the operation and then Simulate it using the default Host

CAD mode. The tool approaches from the open edge and then performs the
roughing tool path, first removing material from the middle of the ledge and
then clearing its corners.

To define the finish machining of the pocket ledge, Save & Copy the current
iMachining operation and then choose iFinish for the Technology type.

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Save & Calculate the operation and then Simulate it using the default Host

CAD mode. After the corners are cleared, the tool finishes the walls of the
pocket ledge in a single cutting pass.

6. Verify the tool path and generate GCode

In this step, the iMachining tool path is verified. Included is an in-depth look
at SolidCAM's Host CAD simulation options as well as using the SolidVerify
simulation mode. A GCode file is also generated and the iMachining
technology is shown managing the Feed rates with each cutting move. Click
the play button below to watch the video. Following the video is also a
written walkthrough to complete this step.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

To verify the iMachining tool path for all operations at once, right-click
the Operations header in the SolidCAM Manager and choose the Simulate
command. Run the operation simulation using both the Host CAD and
SolidVerify modes.

Host CAD Simulation

SolidVerify Simulation

To generate GCode, right-click the Operations header in the SolidCAM

Manager and choose the Generate command from the GCode All submenu.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the iMachining Getting Started exercise.
If you would like to compare your completed CAM-Part with SolidCAM's,
activate the file SC_IM_WALKTHROUGH.prz.

33

Exercise #2: iMachining of an Enclosure

This exercise is based upon another Getting Started video series that covers the most
common need-to-know topics about iMachining. SolidCAM's iMachining technology is
used to perform the programming of the part above. In order to reach the final CAM-Part,
the following steps have to be implemented:

1. Load the SolidWorks model

Activate the file SC_iM_Enclosure.SLDPRT. If SolidWorks is not already
opened, SolidWorks and the model will launch automatically.

2. Adding a new Machine and Material to the iDatabase

After SolidWorks is launched and the part file is loaded on your computer, this
video demonstrates adding a new Machine and Material to the iMachining
Database as well as defining the important parameters that are required by
the iMachining technology. Click the play button below...

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

3. Defining the CAM-Part and adding an iMachining operation

In the following video, a New CAM Project is started and the CAM-Part is
defined. The iMachining Data is selected when the first iMachining operation
is added to the CAM-Part. Finally, the machining of the outside contour is
defined using the iRough and iFinish Technology types in iMachining. Click
the play button below...

4. Using the iMachining Technology Wizard

In the following video, the iMachining Technology Wizard is discussed in
depth and some of the different settings are used to control the Cutting
conditions calculations. Click the play button below...

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5. Using the iRest Technology type prior to finishing

With iMachining, it is possible to use iFinish directly after iRough. In the
following video however, there are narrow areas and corners inside the pocket
where the roughing tool cannot fit. In such cases, the iRest Technology type
is then used to clean out the rest material prior to finishing. The importance
of the iRest Data is also explained in detail. Click the play button below...

6. The Tool definition and its effects on iMachining

In the following video, I talk specifically about the Tool definition and its
important parameters related to iMachining. Also shown is how the Wizard
calculates the depths and what the importance of ACPs are when machining.
Click the play button below...

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the iMachining Getting Started exercise.
If you would like to compare your completed CAM-Part with SolidCAM's,
activate the file SC_IM_ENCLOSURE.prz.

36

2D Example: iMachining of a Bracket

This example illustrates the use of SolidCAMs iMachining technology to machine the part
above. There are standard 2.5D tool paths (Drilling & Profile) and 3D tool paths (HSR &
HSS) to aid in the complete CNC program. The machining will performed on a 3-Axis CNCMachine in two setups, from both sides of the part.
To open the CAM-Part used in this example, activate the file SC_IM_BRACKET.prz.
If your CAM package does not contain the required 3D modules, activate the file
SC_IM_BRACKET_No3D.prz.
The following SolidCAM operations are defined to perform the machining:

Outside shape machining (iRough_Outside; iFinish_Outside)

These iMachining operations are defined to perform cutting of the outside shape.
An end mill of 12.5 mm (0.5 in) is used. Two chains are defined, with the first
being the stock boundary and the second being the profile around the part. The
stock chain is marked as open, which specifies the tool should start machining from
that chain. iRough has a 0.25 mm (0.01 in) allowance on the wall, and the iFinish
operation finishes the profile. Both operations have a -0.63 mm (-0.025 in) Delta
depth, so the tool machines deeper than the part bottom edge.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

Through pockets machining

(iRough_ThroughPockets; iFinish_ThroughPockets)
These iMachining operations are defined to perform the cutting of the five circular
through pockets. An end mill of 12.5 mm (0.5 in) is used. Five chains are defined
to represent the five closed pockets. Since the pockets are closed, with no PreDrilling or entry chain defined, helical ramping is used to enter the bottom of the
pockets. iRough has a 0.25 mm (0.01 in) allowance on the walls, and the iFinish
operation finishes the profiles. Both operations have a -0.63 mm (-0.025 in) Delta
depth, so the tool machines deeper than the part bottom edge.

Rough machining of angled surfaces (HSR_R_Rough_Chamfer)

This HSR operation is defined to perform the rough cutting of the four large
chamfers on the ribs. An end mill of 12.5 mm (0.5 in) is used. Two boundaries
are picked off the edges that make up the chamfers and the Tool Relation is set
to centered. A 1.27 mm (0.05 in) step down is used with a 0.127 mm (0.005 in)
allowance on the surfaces.

39

Pocket machining (iRough_Pockets; iFinish_Pockets)

These iMachining operations are defined to perform the cutting of the three semiopen pockets and the seven closed pockets. A bull nose mill of 10 mm (0.375 in)
with a corner radius of 1.6 mm (0.0625 in) is used. Since all ten pockets have the
same depth, they can all be machined in one operation. The tool enters the semiopen pockets through edges marked as Open. The tool enters the closed pockets
either through an entry chain or by helical ramping. iRough has a 0.25 mm (0.01 in)
allowance on the walls, and the iFinish operation finishes the profiles.

Finish machining of angled surfaces (HSS_PC_Lin_faces)

This HSS operation is defined to perform the finishing of the four large chamfers on
the ribs. A bull nose mill of 10 mm (0.375 in) with a corner radius of 1.6 mm (0.0625
in) is used. A simple Linear strategy is used with a 0.5 mm (0.02 in) Maximum step
over. Customized linking is used to have short repositions and smooth transitions
when starting the cut.

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The Leaders in Integrated CAM

Bottom ledge machining (iRough_Face_BackLedge)

This iMachining operation is defined to finish the bottom ledge on the underside of
the part. An end mill of 12.5 mm (0.5 in) is used. Two chains are defined, with the
first being the stock boundary and the second being the bottom of the floor radius.
The stock chain is marked as open, which specifies the tool should start machining
from that chain collapsing towards the radius. The floor radius is not machined at
this stage.

Cutting excess material from through hole (iRough_Back_CenterHole)

This iMachining operation is defined to machine away the excess material from
the center through hole of the part. This excess material was used for clamping
from the first side. An end mill of 12.5 mm (0.5 in) is used. A single closed chain is
defined and a 0.25 mm (0.01 in) allowance is used for the wall, since the wall was
finished at the stage of the top side machining.

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Bottom face machining (iRough_Face_Back)

This iMachining operation is defined to finish the circular face on the underside of
the part. An end mill of 12.5 mm (0.5 in) is used. Two chains are defined, with the
first being the outside boundary of the face and the second being a sketch created
in SolidWorks. The first chain is marked as open, and the second offset chain is
closed. The tool path starts from the outside, collapsing towards the inner chain.

Floor radius finishing (F_BackRadius)

This Profile operation is defined to finish the 6.35 mm (0.25 in) floor radius on the
underside of the part. A ball mill of 12.5 mm (0.5 in) is used. The chain is defined
as the bottom edge of the radius and the Tool side is set to Center. The 0.13 mm
(0.005 in) floor offset is left after the roughing pass and then removed with the
finishing pass. A 0.25 mm (0.01 in) Arc is used for Lead in/out.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Interactive Getting Started Guide.
For additional iMachining documentation and many more great SolidCAM Professor
videos, visit www.solidcam.com.

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Getting STARTED
iMachining 2D

The complete range of manufacturing applications inside SolidWorks

SolidCAM is the leading and fastest growing developer of integrated CAM software solutions
for the manufacturing industry. SolidCAM supports the complete range of major manufacturing
applications in Milling, Turning, Mill-Turn and WireEDM, totally integrated inside SolidWorks.

The Revolutionary iMachining module

The SolidCAM iMachining module is a giant leap forward in CNC machining
technology, reducing cutting times by up to 70% and increasing tool life dramatically.
iMachining achieves these advantages by using a patented Controlled Stepover
technology and managing feed rates throughout the entire tool path, ensuring
constant tool load and allowing much deeper and more efficient cutting.
iMachining is driven by a knowledge-based Technology Wizard, which considers the machine
being used, the material being cut and the cutting tool data to provide optimal values of the
Cutting conditions. With its Morphing spiral tool paths, controlled tool load at each point along
the tool path, moating of islands to enable continuous spiral cuts, even with multiple islands, and
automatic thin wall avoidance, iMachining brings efficiency to a new level for CAM users.

Highest level of SolidWorks integration

SolidCAM provides the highest level of CAD integration, with seamless, singlewindow integration and full associativity to SolidWorks. The integration
ensures the automatic update of tool paths for CAD revisions.
SolidCAM powers up the users SolidWorks system into the best integrated CAD/CAM solution.

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