COVER PAGE

Multiaxis Tutorial
Disclaimer
Geometric Americas, Inc. makes no warranties, either expressed or implied with respect to this
manual. Geometric Americas, Inc. reserves the right to revise and improve products as it sees
fit, and to revise the specifications and information contained herein without prior notice. Due to
continuing product development, specifications and capabilities described in this manual are
subject to changewithout notice.

Trademarks
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CAMWorks® is a registered trademark of Geometric Americas, Inc.
SOLIDWORKS® is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS Corp.
FeatureManager™ is a trademark owned jointly by DS SOLIDWORKS and Bentley Systems,
Inc.
All other brands and names are the property of their respective owners.

Copyright ©1998-2017 Geometric Americas, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Multiaxis Tutorial

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Learning Multiaxis Machining Basics ............................................. 5

Multiaxis Machining Terminology ................................................................................. 6
Steps to Generate Toolpaths and NC Code .................................................................. 7
Multiaxis 1 ....................................................................................................................... 8
Model Part in SOLIDWORKS/CAMWorks Solids or Import Part ....................................... 8
Opening the Part ........................................................................................................................ 8
Change to CAMWorks Feature Tree.......................................................................................... 9
Define the Machine .................................................................................................................. 12
Define the Stock ....................................................................................................................... 14
Inserting a Part Setup and Defining Multi Surface Features .................................................... 15
Generating an Operation Plan ................................................................................................. 16
Generating Toolpaths and Running Toolpath Simulation ........................................................ 21
Adjusting Machining Parameters ............................................................................................. 23
Post Processing Toolpaths ...................................................................................................... 28
Multiaxis 2 ..................................................................................................................... 31
Opening the Part and Adjusting the Parameters ............................................................. 31
Generating Operation Plan and Adjusting Operation Parameters ................................... 31
Using Collision Detection Options ............................................................................................ 32
Controlling the Start and End of the Toolpath .......................................................................... 35

2. Learning More About Multiaxis...................................................... 37

Multiaxis 3 ..................................................................................................................... 38
Opening the Part and Defining the Machine ................................................................... 38
Inserting Mill Part Setup ................................................................................................. 38
Defining Tool Movement When Gaps are Encountered .................................................. 40
Using Links with Gouge Checking .................................................................................. 43
Multiaxis 4 ..................................................................................................................... 45
Opening the Part and Defining the Machine and Stock ................................................... 45
Inserting Mill Part Setup and Multi Surface Feature ........................................................ 45
Insert Mill Part Setup ................................................................................................................ 45
Insert Multi Surface Feature ..................................................................................................... 46
Generate Operation Plan and Adjusting the Parameters ................................................ 46
Simulate Toolpath .......................................................................................................... 49
Multiaxis 5 ..................................................................................................................... 51
Opening the Part and Defining the Machine and Stock ................................................... 51
Inserting the Multi Surface Feature ................................................................................. 51
Generate Operation Plan and Adjusting the Parameters ................................................ 52
Generate Toolpath and Simulate Toolpath .............................................................................. 53
Make Adjustments to Eliminate Gouging ........................................................................ 54
Remove the Bulk Material ........................................................................................................ 56
Multiaxis 6 ..................................................................................................................... 57
Opening the Part and Defining the Machine ................................................................... 57
Inserting Mill Part Setup ................................................................................................. 58
Inserting Multi Surface Feature ....................................................................................... 58
Generate Operation Plan ................................................................................................ 59

Table of Contents i
Multiaxis Tutorial

Adjusting the Operation Parameters and Generating Toolpath ....................................... 59

ii Table of Contents
 Multiaxis Tutorial

1. LEARNING MULTIAXIS MACHINING BASICS

CAMWorks Multiaxis Machining allows a wide variety of shops and manufacturing facilities to take
advantage of 4/5-axis machines that provide greater productivity, equipment flexibility and quality.
CAMWorks 4/5-axis simultaneous machining allows you to create toolpaths across complex shapes
that could not be machined on 3-axis machines. This includes high-performance automotive port
finishing, impellers, turbine blades, cutting tools, 5-axis trimming, and undercut machining in mold
and die making.
This chapter provides an opportunity to learn CAMWorks Multiaxis Machining through a step-by-
step hands-on tour of the features and functions.
The exercises in this chapter are intended to show you how to use CAMWorks and may not
correspond to actual machining practices.
These exercises have been developed to provide supplemental information on Multi Axis Machining
and assume you are familiar with CAMWorks Milling.
The exercise parts are installed when you install CAMWorks and are in the
\Examples\Tutorial_Parts\4-5AxisMill folder in the CAMWorks data folder.
Typical Drive: \CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Tutorial_Parts\4-5AxisMill.

IMPORTANT! CAMWorks uses a set of knowledge-based rules to assign machining

operations to features. The Technology Database contains the data for the machining
process plans and can be customized for your facility's machining methodology. When you
do these exercises, your results may not be the same as described in the steps and
illustrated in the figures. This is because the machining sequences and operations data in
your Technology Database may be different from the database used to produce the
documentation.

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Multiaxis Machining Terminology

When the tool tilts, it rotates around the contact point of the tool and the material. Note that the point
on the material is fixed and the contact point of the tool changes according to the orientation of the
tool axis (except for sharp corner tools).

CC (Contact Point)

I, J, K (Tool Orientation)

CL (Cutter Location Point)

CC = The point where the tool touches the material.

CL = The point that is represented by the coordinates of the machine program.
I, J, K = Values that represent the orientation of the tool axis.

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Steps to Generate Toolpaths and NC Code

The following steps are used to generate Multiaxis Mill toolpaths and NC code:

1. Model the part or open the part file in SOLIDWORKS/CAMWorks Solids.

2. Change to the CAMWorks Feature tree.
3. Define the Machine and modify the Post Processor parameters.
4. Define the Stock.
5. Insert a Mill Part Setup and define the machinable features.
6. Generate the operation plan and adjust operation parameters.
7. Generate toolpaths and run simulation
8. Adjust parameters if necessary.
9. Post process the toolpaths.

START

Generate toolpaths Simulate toolpaths

Model part in
SOLIDWORKS/import part

Adjust operation No
parameters as needed Are
Change to CAMWorks toolpaths
Feature tree correct?

Yes
Generate operation
Define machine/change plan
controller parameters
Post process
Define machinable
features (AFR & IFR)
Define Stock

Transmit file into CNC

END

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Multiaxis 1
Topics covered in this tutorial:
 Defining the Machine and Post Processor
 Defining the Stock
 Inserting a Mill Part Setup and Interactively Defining Multi Surface Features
 Generating an Operation Plan and Adjusting Parameters
 Generating Toolpaths and Running Toolpath Simulation
 Adjusting Machining Parameters and Defining the Tool Orientation
 Post Processing the Toolpaths

Model Part in SOLIDWORKS/CAMWorks Solids or Import Part

A part is a solid that is created with SOLIDWORKS/CAMWorks Solids or imported into
SOLIDWORKS/CAMWorks Solids from another CAD system via an IGES, Parasolid, SAT file, etc.
This exercise uses an existing SOLIDWORKS part.

Opening the Part

Open the part file MULTIAX_1.sldprt in the following folder.
Drive: \CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Tutorial_Parts\4-5AxisMill

Opening the Solid Part file

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Viewing the FeatureManager Design Trees

The FeatureManager design tree displays the list of the features, sketches, planes and
axes related to the part.
To use CAMWorks, you need to move between SOLIDWORKS/CAMWorks Solids trees and
the CAMWorks Feature trees. Different tabs are provided to access the
SOLIDWORKS/CAMWorks Solids trees and the CAMWorks Feature trees. Click the Pin
button to continuously view this Tree area.

If the CAMWorks tabs [ , , ] are not visible, you can expand the size of the tree.
Position the cursor on the line that divides the tree area from the graphics area. When the
cursor changes to a bar, drag the bar to the right until the tabs display.

Tabs for SOLIDWORKS/ CAMWorks Feature Tree tab Line that divides the tree from the
CAMWorks Solids Trees graphics area

Graphics area

Items under the Feature Manager

Design tree

Change to CAMWorks Feature Tree

Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab to view the items under this tree.
Initially, the tree lists the CAMWorks NC Manager, Configurations, Machine, Stock Manager and
Recycle Bin items.

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CAMWorks Command Manager Area

CAMWorks menu

CAMWorks
Operation tree

CAMWorks Feature
tree

Graphics area

Part Model

CAMWorks Machining Trees

The CAMWorks machining trees provide an outline view of the machining information for the
model. Initially, the CAMWorks Feature tree shows only the CAMWorks NC Manager,
Configurations, Stock Manager, Machine and Recycle Bin items. As you follow the steps to
generate an NC program, this tree expands to include Part Setups and machinable features.
 Configurations
Multiple CAMWorks datasets are supported. Each dataset is called a configuration. You
can use configurations to support multiple machines and SOLIDWORKS configurations.
 Stock Manager
The stock is the material from which the part will be machined. If the Machine type
chosen is Mill, you can define the stock as a rectangular shape (bounding box) or an
extruded sketch or an STL file. You can also specify the type of material.
 Machine
The Machine item defines the machine tool that the part will be machined on. The
machine definition includes the type of machine (E.g.: Mill, Turn, Mill-Turn), Tool
definitions and the Post processor. The machines are set up in the Technology
Database.
 Recycle Bin
The Recycle Bin in the CAMWorks Feature tree is used to store machinable features that
you do not intend to machine.

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CAMWorks Command Manager

Click CAMWorks on the SOLIDWORKS/CAMWorks Solids menu bar. This action displays
the CAMWorks Command Manager. It provides access to the main CAMWorks commands.
The commands are explained in the CAMWorks Context-based Help.

CAMWorks Command Manager

Customization of CAMWorks Command Manager

Command Manager is a context-sensitive toolbar that can be dynamically updates based on
the toolbar you want to access. It provides access to the main CAMWorks commands found
on the CAMWorks menu. By default, it has toolbars embedded in it.
The CAMWorks Command Manager can be customized. Right click anywhere on the
CAMWorks Command Manager and select Customize menu from the RMB context menu.
The Customize dialog box will be displayed. Use the Toolbars, Commands, Menus,
Keyboard shortcut, Mouse gesture and Options tab of this dialog box to customize the
Command Manager as per your requirements.

Alternative Access to CAMWorks Commands

All the commands executed from the CAMWorks Command Manager can also be
alternatively accessed from the RMB context menu of the CAMWorks NC Manager. This is a
context menu. To execute the command, right click on the CAMWorks NC Manager item in
the tree and select the desired command from the RMB context menu. In addition to the
Command Manager commands, this right click context menu also provides access to a
variety of commands.

CAMWorks Options
Use the CAMWorks Options dialog box to changes the various settings you want apply in
CAMWorks.
To open the CAMWorks Options dialog box:

1. Click on the CAMWorks Options icon in the CAMWorks Command Manager.

OR
2. Right click on the CAMWorks NC Manager item in the CAMWorks Feature tree and
select Options from the RMB context menu.
The Options dialog box will be displayed.
3. In this dialog box, go to the Mill Features tab. Under Extract Machinable Features group
box, ensure that the Method is set to MfgView (default setting).
4. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

CAMWorks Context-based Help

In addition to tutorial documents, CAMWorks is provided with a context-based help. Every
dialog box and interface within CAMWorks has an associated Help button. Click on the Help
button on the CAMWorks Command Manager to open the context-based Help. Every
parameter and tab of each dialog box in explained in the context-based Help.

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Define the Machine

The machine includes information that identifies what to machine, how to machine it, and the
format of the NC output. Important parameters of the machine definition include:
 Machine type – Mill, Turn, Mill-Turn or Wire EDM: The machine type defines the
machinable feature set that can be recognized automatically and defined interactively.
The icons that display in the tree identify the current machine:
Mill Machine Turn Machine Mill-Turn Machine Wire EDM
An alternative machine can be selected at any time to output different G-code programs
for alternative machine tools. If the machine type changes, then all features and
operations will be deleted.
 Tool crib: A subset of tools from the tool library that are commonly loaded into or used
with the current machine.
 Post Processor: The post processor identifies the format of the NC G-code output.

Following are the step to define the machine:

1. Right click Machine [Mill–metric] item in the CAMWorks Feature tree and select Edit
Definition on the context menu.
OR
Double click the Machine [Mill–metric] item in the CAMWorks Feature tree.

Machine tab of Machine Dialog Box

Did You Know: In the In the Feature and Operation trees, instead of right clicking
items and selecting Edit Definition, you can double-click the item to
open the dialog box for editing the Stock Manager, Machine, Setups,
Features and Operations.

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The Machine dialog box displays the Machine tab. The default machine is specified in the
Technology Database. Mill–metric is the default machine used for the metric parts in this
manual. When you use CAMWorks to machine your own parts, select the machine tool you
want to use to machine the part.
Machine tools are set up in the Technology Database. Before using CAMWorks to machine
your parts, make sure you define the machine tools available in your facility. For more
information, refer the PDF manual “Technology Database Tutorial”.
2. In the Available machines list, highlight Mill–metric and click the Select button.
3. Click the Tool crib tab and highlight Tool Crib 2 (Metric) and click the Select button to define
the Active tool crib.
The Tool Crib page allows you to choose a Tool Crib, which is a set of tools or tool
assemblies that are used with the machine you have chosen. These are not all the tools that
are available, but a subset that you can modify to represent the actual set of tools that the
machine has loaded.
When you define your machine tools in the Technology Database, you can set up your own
tool cribs.
4. Make sure Tool crib priority option is unchecked.
5. Click the Post Processor tab.
This tab allows you to select the internal post processor or the APT CL option to output a CL
file. The list that displays depends on the post processors that are installed on your system.
CAMWorks is supplied with several tutorial post processors. Contact your CAMWorks
Reseller for more information on obtaining and/or customizing post processors for your
machine tool.
If the post processors do not display, use the Browse button to locate the folder containing
the files (*.ctl).
6. If M5AXIS-TUTORIAL (the tutorial post processor) is not the Active post processor, highlight
it in the list and click the Select button. This post processor is used for exercise in this
manual. When you use CAMWorks to machine your own parts, you can select your machine
tool controller or post processor.
When you select this post processor, a short description displays in the window. This window
contains information only if an optional file has been created for the post processor.

Post Processor tab of Machine Dialog Box

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7. Click the More button.

A longer description is displayed. The More button is activated only if a second optional file
has been created. This information is intended for use in training or as a detailed description
of post processor attributes that can be created.
Information files are provided for the sample post processor that is used for the exercises in
this manual. Your CAMWorks Reseller or your company manager may be able to supply
these files if they are available for your post processor. If files are not available, you can
create post information files as explained in the context-based Help.
8. Click the Posting tab.
- The parameters on this page are used for the following:
- To specify whether posting uses the coolant that is defined with the tool/insert or in the
post processor.
- To define whether the tool diameter and length offsets are set in the post processor or
defined with the tool/insert.
- To provide information required to generate the NC program. The parameters are
machine-dependent and different parameters may display for your controller. The value
for a parameter is output in the NC code if the machine requires it.
- To provide information for the Setup Sheet, a file that is created when the NC program
file is generated. All of the controller parameters are included in the Setup Sheet.
9. Click OK to close the Machine dialog box.

Define the Stock

The stock is the material from which the part will be machined. The default stock is the smallest
cube (bounding box) that the part will fit into. Typically, this is not the size of the stock you will be
using. You can change the stock definition either by offsetting the bounding box from the part or
by defining the stock from a sketch and a depth (extruded sketch) or from an STL file.

1. Double click Stock Manager in the CAMWorks Feature tree.

The Stock Manager dialog box is displayed.

2. Under Stock Type, select Extruded Sketch.

3. Pick the circular sketch in the graphics area as
shown in the image.
The sketch is highlighted and the Stock is listed in
the Selected entity field.

4. Set the Depth to 100mm.

The depth defines the distance the sketch is
extruded.
Pick the circular sketch
5. Click OK to apply the changes and close the
dialog box.

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Inserting a Part Setup and Defining Multi Surface Features

For parts machined with CAMWorks Multiaxis Machining, machinable features are defined
interactively and it is necessary to insert a Mill Part Setup to machine these features from the
required tool direction.

Inserting a Mill Part Setup

In this tutorial, you insert a Mill Part Setup and define a Multi Surface Feature.
1. Right click the Stock Manager in the Feature tree and select New Mill Part Setup on the
context menu.
2. In the graphics area, click on the ( ) plus sign next to the MULTIAX_1 to expand the tree.
3. Pick the Top Plane from references.

4. Click the Reverse Selected Entity button in the Mill Setup dialog box.

5. Click OK to insert the Mill Part Setup.

The Mill Part Setup1 is inserted with the direction normal to the selected face/plane.
6. Click on the Mill Part Setup1 in the Feature tree to view a marker on the part. The large
arrow indicates the machining direction.

Inserting Mill Part Setup

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Inserting a Multi Surface Feature

1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the CAMWorks Feature tree and select New Multi Surface
Feature on the context menu.
The New Multi Surface Feature dialog box is
displayed.
2. Set the Strategy to 5 Axis.
3. Click in the Selected Faces list box to set the
focus.
4. Pick the cylindrical face on the part model.

Pick the cylindrical face

Did You Know: When picking faces in Multiaxis Machining, all faces will be
machined in normal circumstances. You pick only the faces that
need to be machined. Avoids are handled differently than 3 axis
milling as you will learn in another exercise. In Multiaxis Machining,
any faces that are selected to avoid in the Multi Surface Feature
wizard are ignored.

5. In the Selected Faces list box, check on the Show normal. Notice a direction of arrow
displays on the cylinder.
When generating 4 or 5 axis simultaneous toolpaths, the side of a surface to machine on
is based on the surface normal. On faces from solid models, the surface normal is
always pointing away from the solid body and the machining side will be correct.
However, if machining a surface, the surface normal may not be pointing to the desired
side to machine on. The Show normal option allows you to view and change the surface
normal. The cylinder in this part is a solid model, so the machining side for the face of the
cylinder is correct.

6. Click OK to insert the multi surface feature.

Multi Surface Feature1 is listed in the CAMWorks Feature tree.

Generating an Operation Plan

In the steps below, you are going to set up an operation to
generate the toolpath with unidirectional (zigzag) passes that
go around the cylinder with 10mm space between each
toolpath (as shown in the image next page).
The Multiaxis Mill operations that are generated by
CAMWorks are based on information stored in the Technology
Database. These operations are intended to be used as a
starting point and you can modify the machining parameters.

Unidirectional Zigzag passes

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Did You Know: The order of the tabs in the Operation Parameters dialog box is the
recommended order for adjusting parameters. You may want to preview
the toolpath after changing a parameter to see how the setting affects the
toolpath. The Axis Control parameters can be set after you decide the
toolpath is correct for your machining requirements.

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
CAMWorks generates the operation.
OR
Right click on CAMWorks NC Manager in the Feature tree and select Generate Operation Plan
on the context menu.

Note:
 If you execute the Generate Operation Plan command from the Command Manager or
the CAMWorks NC Manager level, then operations will be generated for all prismatic
features in the tree, regardless of the active item in the tree.
 If you execute the Generate Operation Plan
command from the Mill Part Setup level, then
operations will be generated only for those
prismatic features listed under the given Setup.
 If you execute the Generate Operation Plan
command at the feature level (by right-clicking on
a feature listed in the Feature tree and executing
Generate Operation Plan command from the RMB
context menu), then operations will be generated
only for the selected feature.

Operation Recognized after GOP

CAMWorks generates the operation plan for all the machinable features in Mill Part Setup1. The
operations are listed in the CAMWorks Operation tree which displays automatically. The
Operation tree can also be accessed by clicking the CAMWorks Operation Tree tab.
The CAMWorks Operation tree provides an outline view of the operations for the machinable
features. Operations are listed under the Part Setup in the same order as the machinable
features. At the top of the tree is the CAMWorks NC Manager. The Stock Manager and Machine
items are the same as in the CAMWorks Feature tree. You can change the stock size and shape
and the post processor used by CAMWorks to produce G-code.
The CAMWorks Operation tree allows you to:
- Insert, rename, suppress, and delete operations
- Change operation parameters
- Combine operations
- Sort operations
- Change the machining order
- Generate toolpaths
- Simulate toolpaths
- Post process the toolpaths
- Hide or show toolpath display
- Search based on item name

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To the left of each toolpath operation is a plus sign ( ). Clicking a plus sign displays the name of
the Machinable Feature that this operation is going to machine. These Machinable Feature
items can be used to view geometric information and to modify the machining depth of the
feature.

Did You Know: If an operation displays in a color other than black, then it indicates that
toolpaths have not been generated for that particular operation. This
occurs when you insert a new operation interactively, you insert a new
feature interactively and generate operations for the new feature, or
CAMWorks cannot generate the toolpath for an operation because of an
error in the toolpath algorithm or a parameter is not correct. You can set
the color for operations without toolpaths on the Display tab in the
Options dialog box.

Display tab of Options dialog box

2. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Mill Part Setup1.
The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed.
3. Click the Tool Crib page under Tool tab.
4. In the Tool Crib page, click the Add button to select a new tool from the Tool library.
The Tool Select Filter dialog box is displayed.
5. Leave the Tool type set to Ball Nose.
The Mill (metric) list displays the tool list based on the selected tool type.
6. Select a 20mm diameter tool on the list.
7. The Preview window is activated and displays the 3D view of the selected tool.
8. Click OK button.
This action closes the dialog box and adds the selected tool to the active Tool crib. The new
tool is listed at the bottom of the Tool Crib grid.
9. On the Tool Crib tab, highlight the 20mm Ball Nose tool at bottom of the Tool Crib.
10. A Preview window is displayed at right side of the Operation Parameters dialog box. This
Preview window contains the dynamic 3D view of the tool and holder. The tool Station
Number, Tool Comment and labels of the Tool parameters are displayed in the Preview
window.

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11. Click the Select button. This action will assign the highlighted tool as the tool to be used for
machining this operation.

CAMWorks Warning Message

12. Click Yes to replace the corresponding holder.
13. Click the F/S tab.
The F/S tab in the Multiaxis Mill Operation Parameters dialog box lists the parameters that
affect the feeds and speeds that are output in the code.
14. Set the Defined by option to Library from dropdown list.
When this option is selected, CAMWorks uses the values defined in the Feed/Speed library.
The calculated feeds and speeds are updated automatically based on changes to the stock
material, cutting conditions, or tool. When Operation is selected, CAMWorks uses the values
defined on this tab and maintains any manually input feed and speed values even if the
stock material, cutting conditions or tool change. When Tool is selected, CAMWorks uses
the current values in the Cutting Parameters dialog box.

Slice Pattern
1. Click the Pattern tab in the opened Operation Parameters dialog box.
This tab contains options to set the Pattern type, cutting order, cut limits and the surface
quality.
2. Make sure Method is set to Milling.
3. Set the Pattern Type to Slice.
The Slice pattern creates toolpaths that are parallel to each other. The direction of the
cuts is defined by two Cut angles.
4. Set the Cut angle (XY) to 90deg and the Cut angle (Z) to -90deg.
The machining strategy is parallel (slice) cuts. The angle on XY plane is 90deg. The
Angle in Z in this case is the angle in ZX plane. The setting of -90 deg means that
motions will start at the right side and advance to the left. Generally, this angle will be
done on a plane normal to the above set XY plane.

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Pattern Tab on Operation Parameters dialog box

Did You Know: When you place the cursor in the input box for each parameter, the
graphic in the dialog box shows the effect of the parameter on the
toolpath.

5. Make sure the Direction is set to a Zigzag pattern.

6. In the Surface Finish group box, set the Max. stepover to 10mm.
7. Click the Entry/Retract tab.
8. In the Leadin move and Leadout move group box, set the Leadin and Leadout Method to
None.
9. In the Clearance group box, set the following parameters:
- Type = Plane in Z
- Z = 25mm
10. In the Distances group box, set the following parameters:
- Rapid length = 25mm
- Feed length = 15mm

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Entry/Retract tab on Operation Parameters dialog box

11. Click the Links tab.
12. In the Links between cut group box, set the Entry/Exit method options to None.
13. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

Generating Toolpaths and Running Toolpath Simulation

1. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
OR
Right click on the CAMWorks NC Manager or Mill Part Setup1 on the Feature tree and select
Generate Toolpath on the context menu.
Note:
 Just like the Generate Operation Plan command, the scope of the Generate Toolpath
command too depends from which level the command is executed.

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 Executing the Generate Toolpath command from the CAMWorks NC Manager level
generates toolpaths for all the operations.
 Executing the Generate Toolpath command at Mill Part Setup level generates toolpaths
only for operations listed under the given mill setup.
 You can also generate toolpaths for each operation individually by right-clicking on an
operation and executing Generate Toolpath command on the context menu.

2. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.

OR
Right click on the CAMWorks NC Manager or Mill Part Setup1 on the Feature tree and select
Simulate Toolpath on the context menu.
The Toolpath Simulation toolbar is displayed.

Toolpath Simulation Toolbar

The toolbar controls allow you to:

- Run the simulation in Tool or Turbo mode.

- Display the simulated part, the design part and a comparison of the two by clicking on the
Show Difference button .
- Customize the display of the stock, tool and tool holder (wireframe, translucent, shaded,
or no display) in Tool mode.
- Note that these options are disabled in Turbo mode.
- Run the simulation for all or selected operations.
- When simulating an operation, the simulation can be for the current operation or for all
previous operations up to the selected operation.

- Pause the simulation using Pause button in both Tool and Turbo mode.
- Dynamically change the orientation of the part using zoom, pan, rotate, etc.

- Control the simulation speed by dragging the Simulation Speed Control slider .
If you want to simulate only the toolpath for a
given operation, you can right click on that
operation and select Simulate Toolpath in the
context menu.
3. Set the simulation mode to Tool mode by

clicking on the Tool mode button .

4. Click the Run button.

Note that the material left between each pass is
due to the large stepover used for this tutorial.

Simulation Mode

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5. Click the Pause button to pause during simulation. Click the Run button to continue
simulation.
6. Click the Close button to exit the simulation.

Adjusting Machining Parameters

Cuts Across Curve Pattern
There is another Pattern type you can use to get the desired results without having to
calculate the angles needed as in the previous example. Using this method, the cuts are
done normal to a leading curve.
1. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree.
The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed.
2. On the Pattern tab, select Cuts Across Curve for the
Pattern Type.
3. Click the Curve button.
The Curve Wizard dialog box is displayed.
4. Pick Sketch2 from the Allowed Sketches list.
This action will display the selected Sketch2 in the
Selected Contours list box. Generated toolpath after
picking Sketch2
5. Click OK to close the wizard dialog box.
6. In Limits group box, make sure Method is set to Avoid Cuts at Exact Edges.
7. Click the Preview button to generate and view the toolpath.
When you click this button, the toolpath for the current operation is calculated and
displayed immediately. This allows you to preview the toolpath for the operation based
on the current parameters without having to close the dialog box and select Generate
Toolpath. When you preview a toolpath, CAMWorks temporarily collapses the dialog box
to show only the title and menu bars.
Notice the gaps between the first and last toolpath passes and the cylinder edges. Also
notice the start point that was randomly selected near the top end.
8. Click the Close button at the top right of the collapsed dialog box to restore the
dialog box.
9. On the Pattern tab, change the Limits Method to Start and End at Exact Surface Edge in
the Limit group box.
10. In the Start hint group box, check the Use start hint
checkbox and set Y to -25mm.
11. Click the Preview button to view the toolpath.
With the Limits set to Start and End at Exact
Surface Edge, the toolpath is generated on the
entire surface and exactly up to the surface edge or
to the nearest possible position. In this case, the
gap that remains on the left side is probably
Generated toolpath after
selecting Start and End at Extract
Surface Edge limit method

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Multiaxis Tutorial

because of tolerance reasons, as the next setup has to be on the edge.

Notice the new start point. The definition of a start point is only a hint for CAMWorks.
CAMWorks tries to find the nearest possible position next to your point.
12. Click the Close button to restore the dialog box.
13. On the Pattern tab, change the Limits Method to Between Two Points in the Limit group
box.
14. Set the -35mm for the X on the left (the toolpath start point) and 35mm for the X on the
right (the end point).
15. Click the Preview button to view the toolpath.
This option allows you to limit the machining
between one or two points. Setting the 2 limit points
caused the start to be -35mm from the right edge
and the end to be 15mm from the left as coordinate
system is default set to Top center. Note that the
distance between the passes is equally spaced to
ensure smooth results.
16. Click the Close button to restore the dialog box.
Generated toolpath after
17. Notice the variety of parameters that can be set to selecting Between Two Points
control the toolpath. For this exercise, the defaults limit method
on this tab can be used.

Defining the Tool Orientation

The Axis Control tab allows you to define the tool orientation relative to the surface normal.
To get a good finish with a 5 axis machine, the tool should have a specific angle to the
surface. This is called the tilt angle. The tilt angle can be a fixed angle or a variable angle
based on the current normal vector of the surface.
1. Click the Axis Control tab in the opened Operation Parameters dialog box.
2. In the Cutting direction tilt options group box, set the Tool axis will be to Normal to
Surface.
3. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.
4. CAMWorks displays a warning indicating that toolpaths need to be regenerated owing to
change in machining direction. Click Yes to regenerate the toolpaths.
Toolpaths will be regenerated.

5. If any warning message is not displayed, click the Generate Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Command Manager.

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Warning message to regenerate toolpath

Step Through Toolpath

CAMWorks also provides the ability to visualize the tool motion and verify tool positions
using the Step Thru Toolpath command.
6. Executing the Step Thru Toolpath command: Both the Simulate Toolpath and Step
Thru Toolpath commands can be executed at the global, setup and operation levels.
 Global level: To step through the toolpaths of all the operations in the Operation
tree, right click on the CAMWorks NC Manager in the Operation tree and select Step
Thru Toolpath command in the context menu.
OR

Select Step Thru Toolpath command on the Command Manager.

 Setup Level: Right-click on the Mill Part Setup1 and select Step Thru Toolpath
command in the context menu.
 Operation level: Right-click on the desired operation in the Operation tree and select
Step Thru Toolpath in the context menu.
On execution of the Step Thru Toolpath command using one of the above methods, the
Step Thru Toolpath dialog box is displayed.
7. Use controls given in the Display Options group box to set the options as to how the
toolpath will be displayed during the Step Through process.

8. Set the Tool to Wireframe Display in the Display Options group box.

9. Click the Forward Single Step button to step through the toolpath, then hold down
the space bar for continuous movement.
Notice that the tool axis is not tilted. The tool axis direction equals the face normal at
touch point.

10. Alternatively, click the Play button to continuously back-plot the tool till the end
condition specified in the Play Tool Until field is reached.

11. During animation, the Play button display changes to Pause button . Click the Pause
button to pause the animation while it is in progress.
12. When the animation has not yet begun or when it is paused, the Forward Single Step,
Goto End of Current Toolpath and Goto End buttons are active.

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Multiaxis Tutorial

- Use the Forward Single Step button to move one toolpath record forward each
time the button is clicked.

- Use the Goto End of Current Toolpath button to move the tool position to the
last toolpath record of the current operation.

- Use the Goto End button to move the tool position to the last toolpath record of
the very last operation.
Note: The last operation varies depending on which level the Step Through Toolpath
command is executed from. For example, if this command was executed from
the Mill Setup level, then the last operation would be the last operation under
that particular setup.

OK button

Play button

Animation speed
slider
Tool Position
slider

Controls to set the

options for
Toolpath display

Information on the current

toolpath move

Displays information on
the current operation
being back- plotted

Step Through Toolpath dialog

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13. When the animation has been completed or when it is paused, the Reverse Single Step,
Goto Start of current Toolpath and Goto Start buttons are active.

- Use the Reverse Single Step button to move one toolpath record backwards
each time the button is clicked.

- Use the Goto Start of Current Toolpath button to move the tool position to the
first toolpath record of the current operation.

- Use the Goto Start button to move the tool position to the first toolpath record of
the very first operation.
14. If you are unsure about the use of any parameter within this dialog box, click on the Help
button at the upper right corner. This action will display the context-based help for
Step Through Toolpath command.

15. Click the OK button in the upper left corner to close the dialog box.
16. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the tree.
17. On the Axis Control tab, set the Tool axis will be to Tilted Relative To Cutting Direction.
18. Set the Lead/lag angle to 15deg.
With this option, you can define a Lead/lag angle to the cutting direction.
- Positive value = Tool leans to the movement direction
- Negative value = Tool leans away from the movement direction

No Lead angle Lead angle

19. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.
20. CAMWorks displays a warning indicating that toolpaths need to be regenerated owing to
change in machining direction. Click Yes to regenerate the toolpaths.
Toolpaths will be regenerated.
21. Right click the Multiaxis Mill1 in the tree and select Step thru Toolpath again on the
context menu.
Observe the changes and step through the toolpath.
22. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 again in the tree.

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23. On the Axis Control tab, set the Tool axis will be to Tilted With Fixed Angle To Axis.
With this option, the tool axis is tilted in a fixed angle relative to the chosen axis. The tilt
axis can be to the X, Y and Z axis or to any line created in the geometry. Tilt axis and
surface normal build a plane in which the tool tilts.
24. Change the Tilt axis to X-Axis.
25. Set the Fixed tilt angle to 45deg.
26. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.
27. CAMWorks displays a warning indicating that toolpaths need to be regenerated owing to
change in machining direction. Click Yes to regenerate the toolpaths.
Toolpaths will be regenerated.
28. Right click the Multiaxis Mill1 in the tree and select Step thru Toolpath again on the
context menu.

29. Set the Tool to Wireframe Display in the Display Options group box.

30. Click the Forward Single Step button to step through the toolpath.
The tool is now tilted towards X+ in a constant angle of 45degrees all along the TP.
Notice that the CC (touch) point on the surface is maintained and one of the toolpaths is
moved due to the tilt. The CL point is now moved.

31. Click the Close button to cancel Step Thru Toolpath.

Generated toolpath

Post Processing Toolpaths

Post processing is the final step in generating the NC program file. When you use a CAMWorks
internal post processor, this step translates generalized toolpath and operation information into
NC code for a specific machine tool controller. CAMWorks creates NC code for each toolpath in
the order the operation appears in the CAMWorks Operation tree. When you post process a
part, CAMWorks creates two files: the NC program and the Setup Sheet. These are text files
that you can read, edit and print using a word processor or text editor.
Did You Know: For more information on generating an enhanced APT CL file that can
be used by external post processing programs, see the Context-based
Help.

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In this tutorial, you will post process all the operations and generate the NC program:
1. Click the Post Process button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
OR
Right click on the CAMWorks NC Manager in the Operation tree and select Post Process on
the context menu.
The Post Output File dialog box is displayed so you can name the NC program file. Typically,
the NC program and Setup Sheet files are stored in the folder that contained the last part
that was opened. If you want these files in another location, you can change the folder
location.
Note: If the Post Process command is grayed out on the CAMWorks Command
Manager or on any context menu, make sure that you have selected a post
processor and generated the toolpaths.

2. In the Post Output File dialog box, click the down arrow to the right of the Save as type box.
CAMWorks provides a list of commonly used extensions that you can select. For this
exercise, use the .txt extension.

Post Output File dialog box

Note: If you want change the default extension from .txt to one of the ones in the list
or if you want a different file name extension for NC program files, you can edit
or create a .pinf file and specify the new extension. For more information on
making these changes, see the context-based Help.

3. In the File name textbox, type the suitable file name, and then click Save button.

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4. The Post Process dialog box is displayed. Click the Step button on the control bar at
the top.
CAMWorks starts to generate the NC program and the first line of NC code displays in the
NC code view box. The post processing mode is set to post process on line of code at a time
(Step mode).

5. Click the Step button. The next line of NC code is displayed.

6. Click the Run button. Post processing continues until it is completed.

7. When the post processing
is finished, view the code
using the vertical scroll bar.
8. Click OK to close the dialog
box.

Post Process dialog box

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Multiaxis 2
Topics covered in this tutorial:
 Using Collision Detection options
 Controlling the Start and End of the Toolpath

Opening the Part and Adjusting the Parameters

1. Open the part file MULTIAX_2.sldprt in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData/CAMWorks201x\Examples\Tutorial_Parts\4-5AxisMill

2. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.

A Multi Surface feature has already been defined.
3. Double click Multi Surface Feature1 in the Feature tree.
OR
Right click on the Multi Surface Feature1 in the tree and
select Edit Definition in the context menu.
The New Multi Surface Feature dialog box is displayed.
4. In the Feature type group box, make sure the Define as
Avoid Features option is unchecked.
MULTIAX_2.sldprt
For Multiaxis Milling operations, you pick only the faces
that need to be machined. Avoids are handled differently than 3 axis milling as you will learn
in this tutorial. Any faces that are selected to avoid in the Multi Surface Feature dialog box
are ignored.
5. Set the Strategy to 5 Axis.

6. Click OK to close the dialog box.

Generating Operation Plan and Adjusting Operation Parameters

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
OR
Right click on the Mill Part Setup1 in the Feature tree and select Generate Operation Plan on
the context menu.
The generated operation is displayed in the Operation tree.
2. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree.
3. Click the Tool Crib page under Tool tab.
4. In the Tool Crib page, click the Add button to select a new tool from the Tool library.
The Tool Select Filter dialog box is displayed.
5. Leave the Tool type set to Ball Nose.
The Mill (metric) list displays the tool list based on the selected tool type.

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6. Select a 20mm diameter tool on the list.

7. The Preview window is activated and displays the 3D view of the selected tool.
8. Click OK button.
This action closes the dialog box and adds the selected tool to the active Tool crib. The new
tool is listed at the bottom of the Tool Crib grid.
9. On the Tool Crib tab, highlight the 20mm Ball Nose tool at bottom of the Tool Crib.
10. A Preview window is displayed at right side of the Operation Parameters dialog box. This
Preview window contains the dynamic 3D view of the tool and holder. The tool Station
Number, Tool Comment and labels of the Tool parameters are displayed in the Preview
window.
11. Click the Select button. This action will assign the highlighted tool as the tool to be used for
machining this operation.

CAMWorks Warning Message

12. Click Yes to replace the corresponding holder.
13. Click on the Pattern tab.
14. Set the Pattern to Cuts Across Curve in the Pattern type group box.
15. Click the Curve button. The Curve Wizard dialog box is displayed.
16. Pick Sketch2 from the Allowed Sketches list.
This action will display the selected Sketch2 in the Selected Contours list box.

17. Click OK to close the Curve Wizard dialog box.

18. In the Surface Finish group box, set the Max. stepover to 10mm.

Using Collision Detection Options

The Gouge Checking tab contains options to prevent the tool from gouging the surfaces to cut
and selected surfaces that are not going to be
machined by the current operation. Gouge checking
looks at the generated toolpath and the surfaces to
decide whether the tool components are gouging the
surfaces.
1. Click on the Axis Control tab.
2. In the Cutting Direction Tilt Options group box, set
the Tool axis will be to Normal to Surface.
3. Click the Preview button. Generated toolpath has ignored
the dark gray face

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Notice the toolpath ignores the dark gray faces and cuts through them.
4. Click the Close button in the collapsed dialog box to restore the dialog box.
5. Click the Gouge Checking tab.
6. In the Group1 page of Gouge Checking group box, check the box next to Apply gouge
checking to.
This action will enable the other check boxes on the Group1 page.
7. Make sure the Non-cutting portion and Flute options are checked.
This option enables the first of four different groups of options for gouge checking that can
be set up to check for different collision conditions.
8. In the Check against group box, remove the check mark from the Feature surfaces option.
9. Select the Other surfaces option and click the Browse button.
The Avoid Features dialog box is displayed. You can identify the features to check for
collisions. There are two methods for adding avoid features in a Multiaxis Mill operation.
- You can create an avoid feature before you generate operations. In this case, the feature
would be in the list box.
OR
- You can click the Create Features button in this dialog box and pick the faces required to
create the feature.
10. Click the Create Features button.
The New Multi Surface Feature dialog box is
displayed.
11. Pick each face on the dark gray box. If required,
rotate the part to pick the faces.
The selected 6 faces are listed in the Selected
Faces list box.

12. Click OK to insert the changes.

Multi Surface Feature2 is now listed in the Avoid
Features dialog box.
13. Make sure the check box next to the feature is Selected 6 faces
checked and click OK.

Multi Surface Feature is listed in Avoid Features

dialog box

The Operation Parameters dialog box is again displayed.

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14. In the Gouge check options group box of Gouge Checking tab, set the Strategy to Retract
Along Tool Axis.
With this option selected, when a gouge is detected, the tool will retract along its axis to a
position where it no longer gouges.
15. Click the Preview button and view the results.
The avoid faces were machined. At all times, the tool orientation is kept normal to the
cylinder.

Machine the avoid faces

16. Click the Close button to restore the dialog box.

17. In the Gouge check options group box, change the Strategy to Remove Gouged Positions.
18. In the Check against group box, set the Allowance to 2mm.
19. Click Preview and view the results.
The avoid faces are bypassed with some
rectangular motions.
20. Rotate the part to view the offset distance
from the avoid surfaces.
21. Click the Close button to restore the
dialog box.
22. Click on the Pattern tab.
23. In the Direction group box, check the
Reverse stepover option. Bypass the avoid faces

24. In the Limits group box, set the Method to Start and End at Exact Surface Edge.
25. Click on the Axis Control tab.
26. In the Cutting Direction tilt options group box, set the
Tool axis will be to Tilted With Fixed Angle to Axis.
27. Set the Tilt axis to X-Axis and set the Fixed tilt angle to
45deg.
28. Click on the Gouge Checking tab.
29. In the Gouge check options group box, set the Strategy
to Move Tool Away.
30. Set the Retract tool to Retract tool opt in YZ plane.
31. Click the Preview button and view the results.

Prevent the gouging

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Notice that the machining starts from the other side. In order to prevent the gouging of the
avoid faces, the tool is moving away from the geometry. All the movements are done on .the
YZ plane, maintaining a constant X value.
32. Click the Close button to restore the dialog box.
33. In the Gouge check options group box of Gouge Checking tab, set the Strategy to Stop
Toolpath Calculation.
34. Click Preview button and view the result.
CAMWorks generates a partial toolpath. The calculation stopped when a gouge was
detected. Only the non-gouging motions calculated before the gouge are generated.

Generated partial toolpath

Controlling the Start and End of the Toolpath

The Entry/Retract tab options control how the toolpath is started and ended (Leadin and
Leadout).
1. Click the Close button to restore the dialog box.
2. In the Gouge check options group box of the Gouge Checking tab, set the Strategy to
Remove Gouged Positions.
3. Click the Entry/Retract tab and set the following parameters in the Clearance group box:
- Clearance = Cylinder About X (the clearance shape is a 40mm radius cylinder with the
center passing though the origin point)
- Radius = 40mm
4. In the Distances group box,
- Rapid length = 5mm (the last rapid motion before the first feed motion)
- Feed length = 3mm (the last approach motion toward the material)
- Skim increment = 10mm
5. Click Preview and view the results.
The rapid motions bypassing the avoid surfaces
have a cylindrical shape. Notice that the created
cylindrical motions are done in a greater radius
than defined. CAMWorks calculates the minimal
safe distance needed in order to avoid gouging
any geometry. The search for a new safe height
is done in steps of 10mm (the Skim increment).

Bypassing the avoid faces and

generated cylindrical motion
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Multiaxis Tutorial

6. Click the Close button to restore the dialog box.

7. Click the Pattern tab and change the Direction pattern to Zig.
8. Check the Use Start hint in the Start hint group box and set the Rotate next cut by option to
10deg.
9. Click the Entry/Retract tab.
10. Set the Leadin move Method to Use Leadin and the Leadout move Method to Use Leadout.
11. In the both Leadin and Leadout pages, set the following same parameters:
- Type = Tangent arc
- Parameters = Arc
- Arc angle = 90deg
- % Tool diameter = 50
- Height = 0.001mm
12. Click the Preview button and view the results.
Notice the tangent approach and retract. The shifted start point is the result of rotating the
next cut by 10deg on the Pattern tab.

Tangent approach

13. Click OK to apply the changes and close the Operation Parameters dialog box.
14. CAMWorks displays a warning indicating that toolpaths need to be regenerated owing to
change in machining direction. Click Yes to regenerate the toolpaths.
Toolpaths will be regenerated.

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2. LEARNING MORE ABOUT MULTIAXIS

This chapter provides an opportunity to learn more about CAMWorks Multiaxis Machining.
The tutorials in this chapter are intended to show you how to use CAMWorks and may not
correspond to actual machining practices.
The tutorial parts are installed when you install CAMWorks and are in the \Examples\
Tutorial_Parts\4-5AxisMill folder on your computer. This folder is inside the CAMWorks data folder.
(Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Tutorial_Parts\4-5AxisMill )
Before you begin with the tutorials given in this chapter, ensure that you are through with the
concepts explained in Chapter 1.

IMPORTANT! CAMWorks uses a set of knowledge based rules to assign machining

operations to features. The Technology Database contains the data for the machining
process plans and can be customized for your facility's machining methodology. When you
do these exercises, your results may not be the same as described in the steps and
illustrated in the figures. This is because the machining sequences and operations data in
your Technology Database may be different from the database used to produce the
documentation.

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Multiaxis Tutorial

Multiaxis 3
Topics covered in this tutorial:
 Defining Tool Movement when Gaps are Encountered
 Using Links with Gouge Checking

CAMWorks provides numerous settings on the Links tab that allow you to define the tool
movement when gaps are encountered along cuts, between cuts and between multiple passes.
This exercise uses the options for gaps along cuts.

Opening the Part and Defining the Machine

1. Open the part file MULTIAX_3.sldprt in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Tutorial_Parts\4-5AxisMill

2. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.

3. Double click Machine item in the Feature tree.
OR
Right click the Machine in the Feature tree and select
Edit Definition on the context menu.
- On the Machine tab, highlight Mill–inch and click on
Select button.
- Click the Tool Crib tab and highlight Tool Crib 2
(Inch) and click Select button to define he Active tool MULTIAX_3.sldprt
set.
- Make sure Tool crib priority option is unchecked.
- Click the Post Processor tab; select M5AXIS-TUTORIAL as Active post processor.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.
4. Double click Stock Manager in the Feature tree to open the Stock Manager dialog box.
- Leave the Stock type set to Bounding box.
- Leave Material set to default.

- Click OK to close the dialog box.

Inserting Mill Part Setup

1. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select New Mill Part Setup on the context menu.
2. In the graphics area, click on the ( ) plus sign next to the MULTIAX_3 to expand the tree.
3. Pick the Top Plane from the references.

4. Click the Reverse Selected Entity button in the Mill Setup.

5. Click OK to insert the Mill Part Setup.

The Mill Part Setup1 is listed in the tree.

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Pick the Top Plane

6. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the Feature tree and select New Multi Surface Feature on the
context menu.
7. Pick the two top gray faces as shown in the
image (highlighted in blue).
The Faces-1 and Face-2 are listed in the Selected
Faces list box.
8. Set the Strategy to 5 Axis.

9. Click OK to insert the feature.

10. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the Feature tree and
select New Multi Surface Feature on the context
menu.
11. Pick the 6 faces on the dark gray solid part as Pick the two Top faces
shown in the image. Rotate the part if required to pick all the faces.
12. Set the Strategy to 5 Axis.

13. Click OK to insert the multi surface feature.

Multi Surface Feature1 and Multi Surface Feature2 are listed under the Mill Part Setup1 in
the Feature tree.
14. Right click on the Multi Surface Feature2 in the tree and
select the Rename on the context menu.
15. In the place of Multi Surface Feature2, rename to Avoid
Feature as shown in the image.

16. Click the SOLIDWORKS FeatureManager design

tree tab.

17. Right click Extrude2 and select the Hide command

from the context menu. Features listed in the tree after
18. In the graphics area, observe that the dark gray solid Renaming

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Multiaxis Tutorial

part is removed from the model part. You will enable collision detection in the next part of
this tutorial.

Hide the Extrude2 Sketch

19. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.

20. Right click Multi Surface Feature1 in the Feature tree and select Generate Operation Plan on
the context menu.

Defining Tool Movement When Gaps are Encountered

1. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree.
The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed.
2. Make sure Method is set as Milling.
3. Click on the Pattern tab and set the following parameters:
- Pattern = Slice
- Cut angle (XY) = -180deg
- Cut angle (Z) = -90deg
- Max stepover = 0.15in in the Surface finish group box.
4. Click on the Entry/Retract tab.
5. In the Clearance group box, set the Clearance Type to Plane in Z and set Z to 2in.
6. In the Distances group box, set the following parameters:
- Rapid length = 0.15in
- Feed length = 0.05in
7. In the Parameters group box,
- Check the Arc option in both Leadin and Leadout page.
8. Click on the Links tab.
9. In the Links along cut group box, set the Link threshold to 500.
The Link threshold sets the threshold for gaps along a toolpath segment as an absolute
value or as a percent of the tool diameter. Gaps along the toolpath segment that are smaller
than or equal to this value are processed according to the settings for Gaps <= link
threshold. Gaps that are larger than this value are processed according to the Gaps > link
threshold.

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10. For Gaps <= link threshold, set the following parameters:
- Link type = Retract to Rapid Distance
- Entry/Exit method = Use Leadin & Leadout
11. For Gaps > link threshold, set the following parameters:
- Link type = Retract to Clearance
- Entry/Exit method = None

Links tab on the Operation Parameters dialog box

12. Click the Preview button.

With the Retract to Rapid Distance option,
when a gap is detected, the tool retracts to
the rapid distance. The retracting direction is
the tool axis. The tool rapids from the
surface and moves over to the next toolpath
point with machining speed.
13. Click the Close button at the top right to
restore the collapsed dialog box.
14. In the Links along cut, change the Link type
for Gaps <= link threshold to Direct.
15. Click the Preview button. Retract to Rapid Distance Link Type
With this option, the tool uses the shortest path to the other side of the gap without any
retracting movements. The toolpath in the gap is a straight line and the tool moves in
machining speed.

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Multiaxis Tutorial

Direct Link Type

16. Click Close to restore the dialog box.

17. In the Links along cut, change the Link type for
Gaps <= link threshold to Retract to Clearance.
18. Click the Preview button.
Notice that the toolpath retracts to the
Clearance area. The tool rapids back to the
Clearance plane. Only the return to the surface
has machining speed.
19. Click Close to restore the dialog box.
20. Now, in the Links along cut, change the Link
type for Gaps <= link threshold to Blend
Spline.
21. Click Preview button.
The Blend spline option connects the surfaces
with a toolpath that leaves and enters the
surfaces tangentially. The result is a very
smooth connection even on edgy gaps.
22. Click Close to restore the dialog box.

Retract to Clearance Link Type

Blend Spline Link Type

In this tutorial, you will set the Entry/Exit method to Use Leadin & Leadout. The type of leadin
and leadout can be changed.

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23. In the opened Operation Parameters dialog box, click the Browse button to the left of the
Entry/Exit method for Gaps <= link threshold.
The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed to set the Leadin and Leadout
parameters.
24. Select a Leadin and Leadout Type as you desired and set the parameters.
25. Click OK to close the dialog box.

Operation Parameters dialog box

26. Click OK to close the Operation Parameters dialog box and regenerate the toolpath.
Notice the difference in the leadin and leadout.
27. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the tree and repeat these steps selecting a different type and
view the difference in the toolpath.

Using Links with Gouge Checking

1. Click the SOLIDWORKS FeatureManager Design tree tab.

2. Right click Extrude2 and select Show icon.

3. Click the Operation tree tab.

4. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree to open the Operation Parameters dialog
box.
5. On the Links tab, in the Links along cut group box, set the Link type to Follow Surfaces for
Gaps <= link threshold.

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6. On the Gouge Checking tab, select the Apply gouge checking to option on the Group 1
page.
7. Check Non-cutting portion and Flute options under the Gouge checking group box.
8. In the Gouge check options group box, set the Strategy to Retract Along Tool Axis.
9. In the Check against group box, remove the check mark from the Feature surfaces option.
10. Select the Other surfaces option and click the Browse button .
The Avoid Features dialog box is displayed.
11. In the dialog box, click Create Features.
This button allows you to define additional Multi Surface features if necessary.
12. In the New Multi Surface Feature dialog box, pick all the faces of the dark gray color part.
Rotate the part if required to pick the faces.
All the selected faces of the part are added to the selected faces list box.

13. Click OK to insert the feature.

The Avoid Features dialog box is displayed again.
14. In the dialog box, click Select All.
15. Click OK to close the dialog box.
16. Click the Preview button and notice that the toolpath avoids the dark gray surface.

Toolpath avoids the dark gray surface

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Multiaxis 4
Topic covered in this tutorial:
 Machining Undercut Areas with 3 Axis Cutting

CAMWorks allows you to take advantage of keyway and lollipop cutters to machine complex forms
and access any undercut areas without the need for 4- and 5-axis indexing or tool tilting.

Opening the Part and Defining the Machine and Stock

1. Open the part file MULTIAX_4.sldprt in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Tutorial_Parts\4-5AxisMill

2. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.

3. Double click Machine item in the Feature tree to open
the Machine dialog box.
- On the Machine tab, highlight Mill–inch and click Select
button.
- Click the Tool Crib tab and select the Tool Crib 2 (Inch)
as Active tool set.
- Make sure Tool crib priority option is unchecked.
- Click the Post Processor tab; make sure M5AXIS-
TUTORIAL is selected.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.
4. Double click Stock Manager in the tree to open the MULTIAX_4.sldprt
Stock Manager Dialog box.
- Leave the Stock type set to Bounding box.
- Leave the Material set to default.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

Inserting Mill Part Setup and Multi Surface Feature

Insert Mill Part Setup
1. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select New Mill Part Setup on the context menu.
The Mill Setup dialog box is displayed.
2. In the graphics area, click on the plus sign next to the MULTIAX_4 to expand.
3. Pick the Top Plane from the references.

4. Click the Reverse Selected Entity button.

5. Click OK to insert the Mill Part Setup.

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The Mill Part Setup 1 is listed in the Feature tree.

Pick the Top Plane

Insert Multi Surface Feature

1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the tree and select New
Multi Surface Feature on the context menu.
2. Set the Strategy to 5 Axis.
3. Pick all the dark gray faces on the model part
(highlighted in dark blue color after selection).

4. Click OK to insert the multi surface feature.

Multi Surface Feature1 is inserted in the Feature tree.

Pick all the faces

Generate Operation Plan and Adjusting the Parameters

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
CAMWorks generates the operation and listed under the Operation tree.
2. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree.
3. Click the Tool Crib page on the Tool tab and click the Add button.
The Tool Select Filter dialog box is displayed.

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4. Select the Tool type to Lollipop.

The Mill (Inches) list will update and display the tool list based on the selected tool type.
5. Select a tool from the list with ID no. 1 (0.125in diameter).
6. The Preview window is activated and displays the 3D view of the selected tool.
7. Click OK button.
8. On the Tool Crib tab, highlight the lollipop tool at bottom of the Active Tool Crib.
9. A Preview window is displayed at right side of the Operation Parameters dialog box. This
Preview window contains the dynamic 3D view of the tool and holder.
10. Click the Select button. This action will assign the highlighted tool as the tool to be used for
machining this operation.
11. Click Yes to replace the corresponding holder.
12. On the Lollipop Tool page on the Tool tab, change the Shank diameter (D2) to 0.15in and
the Diameter (D1) to 0.4in.
13. Click the Pattern tab and set the Pattern to Flowline Between Curves.
This pattern creates swarf cuts between two curves and can be used to machine steep areas
for mold making.
14. Click the Upper button.
The Curve Wizard dialog box is displayed.
15. Make sure the Selection mode is set to Single Face and Single Edge; then pick the top
edges of the feature.

16. Click OK to apply the changes.

Edge<1> is listed in the Selected Contour field and the Operation Parameters dialog box
redisplays so you can insert additional features.
17. Click the Lower button.
The Curve Wizard dialog box is displayed.
18. Make sure the Selection mode is set to Single Face and Single Edge, then pick the bottom
edges of the feature.

19. Click OK to apply the changes.

Edge<1> is listed in the Selected Contour field.

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Pick the Top edge Pick the Bottom edge

20. On the Pattern tab, set the following parameters:

- In the Limits group box, set the Method to Start and End at Exact Surface Edges.
- In the Surface Finish group box, set the Max stepover to 0.02in.
- In the Start Hint group box, check the Use start hint
option.

- Click the Define Point button.

The Define Point dialog box is displayed.
- Pick the vertex on the part shown in the image.
- Click OK to close the dialog box.
The Start hint option provides more control over the XY
entry position of the tool. Selecting an entry position
does not mean that the tool will actually enter at the Pick the vertex point
position, but the entry location of the tool will be as
close as possible to the start hint location.
21. Click the Finish tab and set the following parameters.
- In the Surface Finish group box, set the Chaining tol. to 0.1in.
This value is used in combination with the Mach deviation for toolpath calculation and
should be set to 1 to 10 times the Mach deviation. Note that using higher values for this
option increases the calculation speed; however, inaccuracies in the toolpath may occur.
22. Click the Entry/Retract tab and set the following parameters:
- In the Leadin move group box, set Method to Use Leadin and From to Clearance.
- In the Leadout move group box, set the Method to Use Leadout and To Clearance.
- In the Clearance group box, set the type to Plane in Z and Z to 4in.
- In the Distance group box, set the Rapid length to 1in
- In the Leadin page, click on the Arc. Set the same parameters from the Leadout tab.
23. Click the Links tab and set the following parameters:
- In the Links along cut group box, set the Link threshold to 200.

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- Set the Gaps <= link threshold link type to Follow Surfaces.
- In the Gaps > link threshold, set the link type to Retract to Clearance and Entry/Exit
method to Use Leadout.

- In the Links between cuts group box, click on the percentage sign to change into inch
format, if necessary.
- Set the link threshold to 1in.
- Set the Stepover <= link threshold link type to Follow Surfaces.
- In the Stepover > link threshold, set the link type to Retract to Clearance and Entry/Exit
method to Use Leadin.

- In the Surface edge merging group box, click on the percentage sign to change into
inch format, if necessary.
- Set the Distance to 0.0039in.
24. Click the Axis Control tab and set the following parameters:
- Number of axis to 3 Axis
- Contact point to Auto
25. Click OK to apply the changes and close the Operation Parameters dialog box.

26. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
27. Click on the Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree and observe the toolpath.

Obtained Toolpath

Simulate Toolpath
1. Click on the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.

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2. Click the Run button on the toolbar to start the simulation.

3. Click the Close button in the upper right corner of the Simulate Toolpath toolbar to exit
simulation mode.

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Multiaxis 5
Topic covered in this tutorial:
 Changing Machining Parameters to Produce Different Results

Different results occur depending on how the parameters are set up. It is possible to machine this
part using different approaches.

Opening the Part and Defining the Machine and Stock

1. Open the part file MULTIAX_5.sldprt in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Tutorial_Parts\4-5AxisMill

2. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.

3. Double click Machine item in the Feature tree to open
the Machine dialog box.
- On the Machine tab, highlight Mill–inch and click on
Select button.
- Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Tool Crib 2 (Inch)
is selected as Active tool set.
- Make sure Tool crib priority option is unchecked.
- Click the Post Processor tab; make sure M5AXIS-
TUTORIAL is selected.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.
MULTIAX_5.sldprt
4. Double click Stock Manager in the Feature tree to open
the Stock Manager dialog box.
- Leave the Stock type set to Bounding box.
- Leave the Material set to default.

- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

Inserting the Multi Surface Feature

1. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select
New Mill Part Setup on the context menu.
2. In the graphic area, click on the plus sign next to the
MULTIAX_5 to expand.
3. Pick the Top face as shown in the image.

4. Click on the Reverse Selected Entity button to

reverse the machining direction.

5. Click OK to insert the mill part setup.

The Mill Part Setup1 is listed in the Feature tree.
Pick the Top face

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6. Right click Mill Part Setup1 and select New Multi

Surface Feature on the context menu.
7. Pick the two surfaces as shown in the image.
The Face 1 and Face 2 are listed in the selected
faces list box.
8. For the Strategy, select 5Axis.

9. Click OK to insert the multi surface feature.

The Multi Surface Feature1 is listed in the Feature
tree.

Pick the two surfaces

Generate Operation Plan and Adjusting the Parameters

1. Right click Multi Surface Feature1 and select Generate Operation Plan on the context menu.
The Multiaxis Mill1 is listed in the Operation tree.
2. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree to open the Operation Parameters dialog
box.
3. Click the Mill Holder page on the Tool tab and change the settings as follows:
- Top diameter (D1) = 4in
- Bottom diameter (D2) = 2in
- Overall length (L1) = 4in
- Bottom length (L2) = 2in
- Protrusion = 1.375in
Upper Curve
4. Click the Pattern tab.
5. For the Pattern type, set the Flowline Between
Curves.
6. Click the Upper button.
The Curve Wizard dialog box is displayed.
7. Pick the green edge on the upper curve as shown
in the image.
The Edge<1> is listed in the Selected Contour field.

8. Click OK to apply the changes.

The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed Lower Curve
again.
9. Click the Lower button and the Curve Wizard dialog Pick the top and bottom edges
box is displayed.
10. Pick the green edge on the lower curve as shown in the image.
The Edge<1> is listed in the Selected Contour field.

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11. Click OK to apply the changes.

The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed.
12. In the Surface finish group box, set the Max. stepover to 0.1in.
13. Click the Entry/Retract tab.
- In the Leadout move, set the Method to None.
- In the Clearance group box, set the type to Plane in Z and set Z to 1in.
- In the Distances group box, set the Rapid length to 0.5in and the Feed length to 0.1in.
14. Click the Links tab.
- In the Links along cuts, set the Gaps <= link threshold to Direct and Gaps > link threshold
to Retract to Clearance.
The surfaces defining the workpiece can have gaps and holes. If gaps are detected
along a toolpath segment, you have multiple options of how to transition the gap. Some
options include a direct move from the start to the end of the gap and retracting to the
clearance plane. The limit for ignoring the gap is defined as a percent of the tool
diameter.
15. Click OK to close the Operation Parameters dialog box.

Generate Toolpath and Simulate Toolpath

1. Right click on the Multiaxis Mill1 in the tree and select Generate Toolpath on the context
menu.
OR

Click the Generate Toolpath in the CAMWorks Command Manager.

2. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.

OR
Right click on the Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree and
select Simulate Toolpath on the context menu.
3. Set the following parameters:

- Tool: Cut Collision

- Tool Shank: Cut Collision

- Tool Holder: Cut Collision

4. Click the Run button.

Notice that the part is gouged by half the diameter of the tool
when approaching the walls of the part, as well as by the
holder. Simulate Toolpath
5. Click the button to cancel the simulation.

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Make Adjustments to Eliminate Gouging

1. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree.
The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed.
2. Click the Finish tab and check the Blend surfaces by tool radius option in the Options group
box.
When this option is checked, CAMWorks finds small radius areas and inner sharp edges in
the surface model and does not generate toolpath in these areas. Inside corners, where the
radius is less than the tool radius may result in motion that looks similar to a fish tail. These
fish tails are removed using this option. In most cases, this option is used with a ball cutter,
lollipop cutter or a conical cutter with ball tip. If swarf machining is applied (side cutting), then
this option can also be used with cylinder and torus cutters.
3. Click OK to apply the changes.
4. CAMWorks displays a warning indicating that toolpaths need to be regenerated owing to
change in machining direction. Click Yes to regenerate the toolpaths.
Toolpaths will be regenerated.

Warning message to regenerate toolpath

5. If any warning message is not displayed, click the Generate Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Command Manager.

6. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks

Command Manager.

7. Click the Run button.

Notice that the only gouges that are left are caused by the
tool holder.
8. Click the button to cancel the simulation.
9. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree.
The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed.
10. Click the Axis Control tab.
- In the Cutting direction tilt options group box, set the Simulate Toolpath
Side tilt angle to 45deg.
11. Click OK to apply the changes.
12. CAMWorks displays a warning indicating that toolpaths need to be regenerated owing to
change in machining direction. Click Yes to regenerate the toolpaths.

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Toolpaths will be regenerated.

13. If any warning message is not displayed, click the Generate Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Command Manager.

14. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.

15. Click the Run button.

Notice the toolpath looks good until it starts to cut into the lower section. The tool needs to
stay at the 45degree angle throughout the toolpath.
16. Click the button to cancel the simulation.
17. Double click Multiaxis Mill1in the Operation tree.
18. Click the Axis Control tab.
- In the Cutting direction tilt options group box, select Tilted From Curve for the Tool axis.
- Set the Curve tilt strategy to From Start to End for Each Contour.

- Click on the Display style in the graphics area

and select the Wireframe from the list.

- Click the Tilt Curve button.

The Curve Wizard dialog box is displayed.
- In the Selection mode, make sure the Single Edge is
selected.
- Pick the red bottom edge as shown in the image.

- Click OK to close the dialog box.

Pick the bottom edge
19. Click OK to apply the changes.
20. CAMWorks displays a warning indicating that toolpaths need to be regenerated owing to
change in machining direction. Click Yes to regenerate the toolpaths.
Toolpaths will be regenerated.

21. If any warning message is not displayed, click the Generate Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Command Manager.

22. Click on the Display style in the graphics area and change the display back to

Shaded or Shaded with edges.

23. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.

24. Click the Run button.

25. Click the button to cancel the simulation.

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Remove the Bulk Material

Roughing passes can be added to remove the bulk of the material above the faces you are
machining.
1. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree.
2. Click the Roughing tab.
- Check the Multi passes option.
- In the Depth processing, select By Level.
When this option is selected, roughing is completed for all areas of a given feature at a
given Z depth before machining the next Z depth.
- In the Roughing group box, enter 8 for the Number (the number of roughing passes to be
generated) and 0.1in for Spacing (the distance between each rough pass).
3. Click OK to apply the changes.
4. CAMWorks displays a warning indicating that toolpaths need to be regenerated owing to
change in machining direction. Click Yes to regenerate the toolpaths.
Toolpaths will be regenerated.

5. If any warning message is not displayed, click the Generate Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Command Manager.

6. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the

CAMWorks Command Manager.
7. Set the following parameters:

- Tool: Ignore Collision

- Tool Shank: Ignore Collision

- Tool Holder: Ignore Collision

8. Click the Run button.

9. Click the button to cancel the simulation.
Simulate Toolpath

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Multiaxis 6
Topic covered in this tutorial:
 Using Surfaces and Gouge Checking to Simplify Machining

This is a model of a milling tool body and the objective is to demonstrate how to machine the flute
area of the model. For the purposes of this tutorial, it is desired to drive the tool radially around the
axis of model. Since the shape of the model is relatively complex, defining the tool axis to be
perpendicular to the axis running through the center of the model is not possible from the part
geometry itself. One of the techniques for defining and creating a multiaxis toolpath is to machine a
simple shape, in this case a cylinder, then apply gouge avoidance methods to modify the toolpath to
the actual shape of the part.

Opening the Part and Defining the Machine

1. Open the part file MULTIAX_6.sldprt in the following folder.
Drive:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks201x\Examples\Tutorial_Parts\4-5AxisMill
Note that this part resembles a mill tool body, which is
relatively complex. Controlling the tool axis from the faces
on the actual part model will be difficult. To demonstrate
how to use surfaces and gouge checking to simplify
machining this part, a cylindrical surface fully inside the part
model has been created.

2. To view the cylindrical surface, right click on Solid

Bodies(1) in the FeatureManager Design tree and select
the Hide icon.
MULTIAX_6.sldprt
3. Right click Surface-Bodies(1) and select the Show
icon.
In the graphics area, observe that the cylindrical surface is
displayed.

4. Click the CAMWorks Feature Tree tab.

5. Double click Machine item in the Feature tree to open the
Machine dialog box.
6. In the Machine dialog box, highlight Mill-inch and click Select Cylindrical surface
button to set as Active machine.
7. Click on the Tool Crib tab, highlight Tool Crib 2 (Inch) and click Select button to define as
Active tool crib.
8. Make sure Tool crib priority option is unchecked.
9. Click the Post Processor tab, highlight M5AXIS-Tutorial and then click Select.
10. Click OK to close the dialog box.

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Inserting Mill Part Setup

1. Right click Stock Manager in the tree and select New Mill Part Setup on the context menu.
The Mill Setup dialog box is displayed.
2. In the graphics area, click the ( ) plus sign next to the MULTIAX_6 to expand.
3. Pick the Right Plane from the references.

4. Click the Reverse Selected Entity button in the Mill Setup dialog box.

5. Click OK to insert the mill part setup.

The Mill Part Setup1 is listed in the Feature tree.

Pick the Right Plane

Inserting Multi Surface Feature

In this tutorial, you will interactively insert two Multi Surface Features. The first will be defined from
the cylindrical surface and the second will be defined from the actual geometry.
1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 and select New Multi
Surface Feature on the context menu.
2. Select 5 Axis for the Strategy.

3. In the Face Select Options group box, click the

Select All Faces button.
CW Face-131 is listed in the Selected Faces list box.
This action graphically selects the cylindrical surface.
Machining direction

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4. In the Select Faces list box, select the CW Face-131.

5. Check the Show Normal option. The surface normal indicates which side of the surface will
be machined.

6. Click the Reverse Direction button and make sure the arrow is pointing away from the
surface as shown in the image.
Now the tool will machine to the outside of the surface.

7. Click OK to insert the multi surface feature.

The Multi Surface Feature1 is listed in the CAMWorks Feature tree.

Generate Operation Plan

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
OR
Right click the Mill Part Setup1 in the Feature tree and select Generate Operation Plan on
the context menu.
The Multiaxis Mill1 is listed in the Operation tree.

Adjusting the Operation Parameters and Generating Toolpath

1. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the tree to Operation Parameters dialog box.
2. Click the Tool Crib page on the Tool tab and click the Add button.
The Tool Select Filter dialog box is displayed.
3. Leave the Tool type set to Ball Nose.
4. Check the Diameter option and enter the 0.0625in value in the first input box to the right of
Diameter.
CAMWorks will update the tool list based on the selected tool type and defined diameter.
5. Select a 0.0625in diameter Ball nose tool from the updated list.
6. The Preview window is activated and displays the 3D view of the selected tool.
7. Click OK button.
This action closes the dialog box and adds the selected tool to the active Tool crib. The new
tool is listed at the bottom of the Tool Crib grid.

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Tool Select Filter dialog box

8. On the Tool Crib tab, highlight the 0.0625in Ball Nose tool at bottom of the Tool Crib.
9. A Preview window is displayed at right side of the Operation Parameters dialog box. This
Preview window contains the dynamic 3D view of the tool and holder.
10. Click the Select button. This action will assign the highlighted tool as the tool to be used for
machining this operation.
11. Click Yes to replace the corresponding holder.
12. Click the Pattern tab and set the following parameters:
- Pattern type = Slice
- Click the Constant Z button to define the Cut angle (XY) and Cut angle Z values
- Direction Pattern = Zig
- Select the cut direction with CW or CCW.
- Check the Maintain cutting direction in the Direction group box
- Max stepover = 0.03in
13. Click the Entry/Retract tab.
- In the Leadin move group box, select None for the Method.
- In the Leadout move group box, select None for the Method.
- In the Clearance group box, select Cylinder About Z and set the Radius to 2in.
- In the Distances group box, set the Rapid length to 0.05in and the Feed length to 0.05in.

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14. Click the Links tab.

- Set every Entry/Exit method to None.
15. Click the Axis Control tab.
- Set the Number of axis to 4 Axis.
- Set the Rotate about to Z Axis.
- In the Cutting direction tilt options group box, set the Tool axis will be to Tilted Relative to
Cutting Direction.
16. Click OK to close the Operation Parameters dialog box.
17. Right click Multiaxis Mill1 in the tree and select Generate Toolpath on the context menu.
18. Right click Multiaxis Mill1 and select Step Thru Toolpath on the context menu.
Step the tool for a few passes to verify the pattern and the tool axis vector.

You now have the intended pattern and tool axis vector, but the toolpath will machine a cylinder
and not the actual part shape. Using gouge protection against the actual part shape will result in
the needed toolpath.

1. Click the FeatureManager Design Tree tab.

2. Right click on Solid Bodies(1) and select the Show icon.

3. Right click on Surface Bodies(1) and select the Hide icon.

4. Click the Operation Tree tab.

5. Double click Multiaxis Mill1 in the Operation tree.
6. Click the Gouge Checking tab.
7. In Group 1 page, check the Apply gouge checking to check box.
Gouge checking will be applied to the actual part shape and not the cylindrical surface.
8. In the Check against group box, remove the check from the Feature surfaces option and
make sure the Other surfaces option is checked.
9. Click the Browse button to the right of the Other surfaces option so that you can define a
Multi Surface feature that contains the faces of the actual part model.
The Avoid Features dialog box is displayed.
10. In the dialog box, click Create Features.
This button allows you to define additional Multi Surface features if necessary.

11. In the displayed New Multi Surface Feature dialog box, click Select all faces. All the
faces of the part model are added to the new Multi Surface feature.

12. Click OK to insert the feature.

The Avoid Features dialog box is displayed again.
13. In the dialog box, click Select All.
14. Click OK to close the dialog box.

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15. In the Gouge check options group box, select Move Tool Away for the Strategy and then
click OK.
16. CAMWorks displays a warning indicating that toolpaths need to be regenerated owing to
change in machining direction. Click Yes to regenerate the toolpaths.
Toolpaths will be regenerated.

Warning message to regenerate toolpath

17. If such warning message is not displayed, then click Generate Toolpath button on the
CAMWorks Command Manager.

18. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the CAMWorks Command Manager.
OR
Right click Multiaxis Mill1on the in the tree and select
Simulate Toolpath on the context menu.

19. Click Run button and observe the toolpath.

Simulation Toolpath

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