What's New in CAMWorks 2006

Contents
General Operation ....................... 1
Mill Features ............................... 2
2.5 Axis Milling............................ 2
Turning ...................................... 4
Mill-Turn .................................... 6
Technology Database ................... 6
Simulation.................................. 7

General Operation
UPDATED Build Info File
Purpose Report errors that have been corrected in the current build of CAMWorks 2006.
Implementation On the Start|Programs menu, select CAMWorks2006, then select Resolved
CPR's. You can also open the file CW2006BuildInfo.rtf in the \lang\xxxx folder
(where xxxx is the language: e.g., \lang\english) inside the CAMWorks 2006
folder.

IMPROVED Tree View for Machine Selection

Purpose On the Machine tab in the Machine dialog box, organize the available machines
by machine type.
Implementation The display of Available Machines is organized in a tree structure by machine
type. The tree can be expanded and/or collapsed for easier machine selection.

IMPROVED Multiple Select Drag and Drop

Purpose Allow dragging and dropping of multiple features and operations in the Feature
and Operation trees.
Implementation Highlight the first item in the tree. Hold down the Ctrl key and pick each
additional item or hold down the Shift key and pick the last item in the tree that
you want to move. Drag and drop the selected items to a new position in the
same Setup or to a different, valid Setup.

NEW Change Operation Sort Schemes in CAMWorks

Purpose Simplify changing sort schemes for operations in CAMWorks.
Implementation Define the sort schemes on the Sort Operations form in the TechDB. Then, on
the Sort tab in the Sort Operations dialog box, select the scheme from the Sort
scheme list box and click Load.

NEW Post Process Multiple Selected Operations

Purpose Allow multiple selected operations to be post processed.
Implementation Post processing can be initiated by picking multiple operations in the Operation
tree, then right clicking and selecting the Post Process command on the
shortcut menu.

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MODIFIED Label Change for Machining Parameters Dialog Box
Purpose Change the title of the Machining Parameters dialog box to Operation
Parameters.
Implementation The label change was made for consistency with other operation items.

IMPROVED Save Operation Plan Option to Not Change Tool

Purpose In Mill, Turn, and Mill/Turn provide an option to not update the Tool Selection
Criteria in the TechDB when the Save Operation Plan command is selected.
Implementation On the General tab in the CAMWorks Options dialog box, the Technology
Database section has been revised to provide an Update tool selection option
that controls whether the tool selection criteria will be updated in the TechDB.
When this option is selected, you can choose to modify the existing tool
definition or add a new tool definition. The optional Save to Database warning
message now includes an option that defines whether to update the tool
selection criteria in the TechDB.

IMPROVED Insert Multiple Operations

Purpose Reduce user interaction when inserting multiple mill and turn operations.
Implementation In all the Insert Operation dialog boxes for mill and turn, if the Edit definition
option is not checked when you click the Insert button, the operation will be
inserted and the dialog box will remain open, allowing additional operations to
be inserted.

Mill Features
IMPROVED Through Features Assigned Based on 4th or 5th Axis
Purpose In part mode and assembly mode, assign through features to Part Setups
whose direction is pointing toward the 4th axis or 5th axis.
Implementation If 4th or 5th axis indexing is active:
1. AFR evaluates each through feature and places the feature in a setup that
points towards the 4th/5th axis. A Part Setup is created if necessary.
2. AFR also performs a check on through features to validate that the feature
can be machined from the current Mill Part Setup. If this check fails, then
the feature is placed in an opposite Part Setup.
If 4th or 5th axis indexing is active and the Check accessibility for through
features option is not selected on the Mill Features tab in the Options dialog
box, AFR performs step 1 only.

2.5 Axis Milling

IMPROVED Entry/Retract Point Selection for Rough and Finish Mill
Purpose For Rough and Finish Mill operations, allow the selection of 2D and 3D sketch
points, arcs, circles and lines when picking entry and retract points.
Implementation When defining entry and retract locations on the Feature Options tab, in
addition to specifying entry/retract points from a part vertex, arc edge or a
screen selection, you can pick 2D and 3D sketch points, arcs, circles and lines.

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NEW Face Milling Operation
Purpose Provide a Face Mill operation to generate a toolpath on a mill Face feature for
squaring or facing off the top of a part.
Implementation Face Mill operations are inserted interactively using the Insert 2.5 Axis
Operation command on the shortcut menu in the Operation tree. Although a
Rough Mill operation can generate toolpaths that will remove material from a
Face feature, the Face Mill operation provides specific controls to produce
toolpath motion that is more appropriate for this task. Some of the key
characteristics and features of the Face Mill operation include:
• The toolpath is defined by a series of parallel passes across the part.
• The passes can be ordered sequentially or to process from the outside of
the part to the inside.
• The number of passes can be user defined or calculated automatically,
including the option to specify a single pass down the middle of the part.
• The toolpath leads in and out of the part parallel to the first and last pass at
a specified user clearance.
• A clearance amount defines the distance to machine past the edge of the
part between each pass.
• Various methods define how to join each pass, including a high speed
machining option.
This operation can produce a single cut across the top of the part when the
tool diameter is larger than the width of the feature being machined.

NEW Face Mill Tool Support

Purpose Support a face mill (fly cutter) tool type.
Implementation Face Mill tools that are defined in the TechDB
can be selected for Face Mill, 2.5 Axis Rough
Mill, and 2.5 Axis Finish Mill operations.
When using a Face Mill tool, only the Diameter
(D1) of the tool is considered in the toolpath
calculation as is currently done for existing end
mill types.

IMPROVED Specify Finish Mill Operation Parameters by % Tool Diameter or Fixed Value
Purpose Allow additional Finish Mill operation parameters to be defined as a percent of
the tool diameter or as a fixed value.
Implementation In the Operation Parameters dialog box, these parameters can now be
specified as a percent of the tool diameter or a fixed value:
Finish tab
Side Parameters Cut amt.
Corner machining Maximum radius
Corner machining Minimum radius
Leadin tab
Leadin/leadout amount
Leadin/leadout overlap
Leadin/leadout arc radius
To specify a percent, click the percent button and type the percent in the
input box.
The same percent control has been added to the TechDB default operation
parameters form.

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 Turning
NEW Drag and Drop Copy Turn Operations
Purpose Provide a drag/drop method to copy Turn operations.
Implementation In the CAMWorks Operation tree, press the Ctl key and click the operation in
the tree you want to copy, then drag the item to a different location in the
tree. An exact copy of the operation is created including all operation
parameters and the insert/holder. The features machined by the original
operation are also assigned to the copied operation.

NEW Automatically Set Turn Approach/Retract to Gouge Check

Purpose Provide an option to generate a gouge free Approach/Retract strategy with
minimum user interaction.
Implementation The NC tab contains an Auto option under the Approach and Retract strategy
sections. When selected, CAMWorks attempts to maintain the Approach/Retract
strategy where possible. For entry and retract moves, CAMWorks will attempt
to avoid the WIP model by the specified Clearance.

NEW Sub-spindle Support

Purpose Provide toolpath, simulation and post processing support for turn sub-spindles.
Implementation The post processor must be customized for sub-spindle support.
The defaults for the spindle parameters are specified with the Turn and
Mill/Turn machine definitions in the TechDB.
When a Turn or Mill/Turn machine with sub-spindle support is selected in
CAMWorks, the Turn Setup shortcut menu in the Operation tree displays Insert
Main spindle Setup and Insert Sub spindle Setup commands. These commands
allow you to define whether to use the Main or Sub-spindle and associated
controls.
The Chuck Location tab in the Operation Setup Parameters dialog box allows
you to define the Main spindle chuck parameters and the sub-spindle chuck
parameters.
In the TechDB, the turn Features & Operations form has been modified so that
operations can be created for either the main or sub spindle.

NEW Save Chuck Parameter Configurations

Purpose Allow multiple configurations of chuck parameters to be saved in the TechDB
and reused.
Implementation The Chuck Definition tab in the Operation Setup Parameters dialog box allows
you to save the settings for the chuck parameters and re-use the chuck
configurations. Initially, DEFAULT_CHUCK displays in the Configuration name
list box. After defining the chuck, type a name in the Configuration name input
box and click the Save button. The new name is added to the drop down list.
When you define a Turn or Mill-Turn machine in the TechDB, you can specify
the default chuck configuration.

MODIFIED Chuck Location Tab Updated for Sub-spindle Support

Purpose Modify the Chuck Location tab in the Operation Setup Parameters dialog box to
support sub-spindles.
Implementation A Sub-spindle section has been added to define the distance to transfer the
Sub-spindle and part after locking onto the part.

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IMPROVED Specify Turn Insert/Holder Protrusion
Purpose Provide a Protrusion parameter for groove and thread inserts that defines the
distance from the end of the holder to the tip of the groove or thread insert to
improve the simulation and the step thru toolpath display of the tool/holder
assembly.
Implementation The Protrusion parameter is defined on the Turn Tools Assembly form in the
TechDB and displays on the Holder page for groove and thread inserts in
CAMWorks.

IMPROVED Insert and Holder User Interface

Purpose Improve the display and usability of the turn operation insert and holder
interface.
Implementation The interface for specifying an insert/holder in the Operation Parameters dialog
box has been updated to include dynamic displays of the holder and insert
selections.
On the Insert page on the Tool tab: when the Preview option is checked, the
insert display on the Insert tab updates as the parameters are modified. When
the Preview option is not checked, the display shows the dimensions (see
figures below).
Preview Preview

Insert dimensions Dynamic graphic of insert based on selected parameters

The Holder and Orientation pages have been combined on the Holder page and
the interface has been updated:
• All orientations are included in a single graphic.
• Based on the feature type, active turret and active spindle, only valid
orientations are selectable.
• The Preview window displays a dynamic graphic of the holder and insert
(see figures below) based on the insert parameters, the holder size
parameters, and holder orientation.
Holder page: Preview window

Dynamic graphic of insert Click in Preview window to Click again to zoom in to

and holder zoom in to the insert the tool nose radius

When any Tool page is selected, a turn insert and holder graphic is attached to
the mouse pointer in the graphics area so the insert and holder can be visually
compared against the part.

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 Mill-Turn
IMPROVED Through Features Assigned Based on Turning Axis
Purpose Assign through features to Mill Part Setups whose direction is pointing toward
the turning axis.
Implementation 1. AFR evaluates each through feature and places the feature in a Mill Part
Setup that points towards the turning axis. A Mill Part Setup is created if
necessary.
2. AFR also performs a check on through features to validate that the feature
can be machined from the current Mill Part Setup. If this check fails, then
the feature is placed in an opposite Mill Part Setup.
If the Check accessibility for through features option is not selected on the
Mill Features tab in the Options dialog box, AFR performs step 1 only.

NEW Sub-spindle Support

See item under Turning for more information.

Technology Database
NEW Face Mill Tool Support
Purpose Support a face mill (fly cutter) tool type for the Face Mill operation.
Implementation The Face Mill tool is listed with End Mills in the tool library and is defined on the
Face Mill library form.

NEW Sub-spindle Support

Purpose Allow sub-spindles to be defined for turn and mill-turn machines and specify the
default spindle assignment for feature conditions and associated operations.
Implementation On the Turn Machine Parameters form and the General Parameters page in Mill-
Turn Parameters form, select the Sub spindle support option and define the
associated parameters.
On the Feature & Operations form, specify the Spindle assignment as Main,
Sub-spindle or Both for the Feature conditions and associated operations.

NEW Set Default Chuck Configuration for Main and Sub-Spindles

Purpose Provide options to specify the default check configuration for the main and sub-
spindles.
Implementation On the Turn Machine Parameters form and the General Parameters page in Mill-
Turn Parameters form, specify the default chuck configuration you want
displayed in CAMWorks on the Chuck Definition tab in the Operation Setup
Parameters dialog box.
(Note: Chuck configurations are defined and saved in CAMWorks on the Chuck
Definition tab.)

NEW Define Default Turn/Holder Insert Protrusion

Purpose Provide an option to set a default Protrusion value for groove and thread
inserts.
Implementation The Protrusion parameter is defined on the Turn Tools Assembly page in the
TechDB and displays on the Holder page for groove and thread inserts in
CAMWorks.

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 Simulation
IMPROVED Tool Mode Comparison (Show Difference)
Purpose Improve the visual representation of the Show Compare command in Tool
mode simulation.
Implementation In Tool mode simulation, the Show Difference command now displays a
comparison model between the target part and the simulation model that is
similar to the quality found in Turbo mode.

NEW Tool Mode Display Option

Purpose Provide an additional display mode for the Stock, Tool, Holder, Fixtures, and
Target part.
Implementation In Tool mode simulation, the display mode for the Stock, Tool, Holder, Fixtures
and Target part can be set to Shaded With Edges. Displaying these objects as
Shaded With Edges in some cases improves visualization.

IMPROVED Turn Section Display

Purpose Provide additional section view options in Turn simulation.
Implementation In Turn or Mill-Turn simulation, click the Section View button and select either
the Full, Three Quarter, Half, or Quarter View option. The Section View
command has also been improved so that the active section view can be
changed at any time. Previously, it was necessary to rewind to start before the
section view could be changed.

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