HCL CAMWorks Software Features Digital Twin of Machine

HCL Technologies is showcasing the Machine Aware Programming of its HCL CAMWorks Version 2024. Machine Aware Programming enables CAM programmers to create a CNC setup and program a part on a digital twin of the CNC machine. By including a digital twin of the CNC machine in the process, CAM programmers are provided with instant graphic awareness of the machine’s table size, travel limits, rotational limits and available tooling to ensure the viability of the planned machining process.

Machine Aware Programming makes the CNC machine an interactive part of the CNC programming process. CNC programmers can identify potential issues earlier in the programming process, increasing productivity and improving part quality.

The use of digital twins and CAMWorks integration inside SolidWorks provides a platform for digital transformation. The CAM data is included directly inside the SolidWorks CAD files and is fully associative to the design model to maintain the digital thread.

Additional features in CAMWorks 2024 include new automatic five-axis roughing and finishing cycles in the CAMWorks Premium product, further enhancing CAMWorks advanced four- and five-axis simultaneous milling and multitasking mill-turn capabilities.  New options to control the tilting of a tool’s axis based on the contact point between the tool and material, along with new tool axis smoothing options, have also been added to enhance CAMWorks multi-axis programming capabilities and improve the surface finish and quality of complex four- and five-axis machined parts.

Another major functionality available in CAMWorks 2024 is VoluTurn for high-speed rough turning on turned and mill-turn parts. VoluTurn uses round inserts and advanced rough turning toolpaths to significantly accelerate the rough turning process and avoid notching, which increases insert life. The high-speed rough turning technology that VoluTurn provides is well suited for complex turned and mill-turned parts as well as turned parts in hard materials. According to the company, CNC programming time can be reduced substantially, machining feeds and speeds can be increased by two to three times and insert life can be extended by two to four times or more. The result is a significant reduction in cycle time and tooling costs as well as a substantial increase in productivity.

Some of the other new enhancements in CAMWorks 2024 include dynamic highlighting of features and operations in a SolidWorks part or assembly model, bottom-to-top machining of cavities, improved lead-ins and outs for thread milling operations and the ability to split or condense co-linear holes.